There’s no shortage of great places to eat in Mexico City, but deciding on where to grab a bite can seem like a daunting task at times – you’re spoiled for choice (well, as long as you like Mexican), and it’s not always so clear what your best options are. Here’s a list of four unique eateries in the city’s Centro Histórico near the famed Zócalo plaza.

Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.

Gnome ban lifted at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

There’s no need to get the blues in a jazzy town like London. If you’re looking to experience a great night of live blues or jazz then you’re in the right place. London is home to an amazing bar and club scene, and as a fan of rock ‘n’ roll can attest, the Brits have always had an affection and a knack for finding the best in American music. Here are five fantastic venues in central London where you can listen to live blues and jazz from the local up ‘n’ comers to the crème de la crème of international headlining acts.

Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.

Visit A National Park

There are 8 national parks in Mississippi, but the three most popular are:

• Gulf Islands National Seashore:  features ancient citadels, exotic beaches and adventurous activities.
• Natchez National Historic Park: offers hiking, horseback riding, camping and lessons in history.
• Vicksburg National Battlefield: retells the political history of Mississippi relating to the Civil War.

National parks are fun for young and old alike. Not only does a trip there offer the opportunity to experience nature, but there are also a variety of educational opportunities as well. In many national parks, kids ages 4-12 can become Junior Rangers by completing age-appropriate worksheets and activities.

Make A Splash

From a very early age, kids naturally gravitate to water—especially when it’s hot outside. There is no better way to spend a hot, humid summer day than at one of the many waterparks in Mississippi. In fact, Geyser Falls waterpark located in Choctaw is rated the number one family attraction in the state. It boasts 13 different water slides—including a freefall speed slide that is six-stories tall—a huge wave pool, a lazy river as well as a play area for younger children. There are also a half dozen other waterparks to choose from located throughout the state.

Travel The World

You can travel the world without even leaving Mississippi. All it takes is a little creativity. Make or buy a pretend passport for your children. Choose a handful of countries that you want to learn more about and write the names of those countries on each page. Then, spend a week presenting each other with fun facts and trivia about those countries, playing games and making crafts. At the end of the week, treat your family to dinner at a restaurant (preferably one you have never been to before) that serves ethnic cuisine from that country. Before you leave, be sure to put a stamp in the kid’s passports.

Meander Through A Museum

The Mississippi Museum of Art has over 4,000 pieces in its permanent collection. While this might sound overwhelming for a family outing—especially if you have young children—it is actually a great opportunity to immerse yourself in culture and open up the lines of communication at the same time. The museum features “Family Corners” where you can sit, play and talk about some of the things you have seen. They also host a hands-on event for children under the age of 5 complete with story time, an art project and a visit from the museum’s mascot, Hoot the Owl.

You don’t have to be an art aficionado to enjoy spending time at one of the many museums in Mississippi, however. There are also a number of alternative museums including the Tupelo Automobile Museum, the Mississippi Children’s Museum and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.

Travel Through Space

You can get kids excited for a trip to the Russell C. Davis Planetarium in Jacksonville by sending them their own personal invitation. Use your imagination to come up with fun wording such as “3, 2, 1. . .our staycation countdown has begun!” Be sure to include the “launch date” and “blast-off” time. Once you get to the planetarium, everyone will enjoy participating in interactive activities, viewing realistic sky and space scenes in the hemispheric theater and watching large-format films. Older children will also enjoy laser light concerts.

Stay In A Hotel

Whatever you choose to do on your staycation, you can make if more fun by staying in a hotel. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy—kids just love the novelty of staying somewhere new and different. It is also easier for parents to leave the distractions of daily life behind if they aren’t staying at home. Another benefit of staying in a hotel: if you get tired while exploring your home state, simply head back to the hotel for a quick nap and a dip in the pool. Afterwards, kids will be rejuvenated and ready to go out and hit more “tourist” attractions.

Article contributed by Chuck withers of The two guys travel blog. Follow him on twitter or visit his blog for more food and travel tips.

And if you are taking your holidays in Benidorm, or anywhere else along the coast, either to the north or the south, you are not going to have any problem in finding it.

After all, the munchy mix of rice and seafood comes originally from the Valencia region, of which Alicante – and with it the city of Benidorm – is one of the three provinces.

But ubiquitous though paella may seem on local menus, there are plenty of other delicious dishes worth checking out.

In the last decade or so Spain has stepped out of the shadows of near neighbours France and Italy to rightfully earn its place as – dare I say it –the best eating place in Europe.

The French may have all their sauces, the Italians their pastas. But, as befits a country of vast natural contrasts, one that ranges from semi desert in the south-east to fjords in the north-west, the food that’s produced in Spain is almost as varied as the landscape.

And when it’s fresh produce, and virtually straight off the doorstep, it would be a crime not to try out some of Spain’s great dishes.

A culinary playground

One of the big advantages of a large and well-established resort like Benidorm is that it’s just as much a summer playground for the Spanish themselves as it is for British and other foreign tourists.

The fact that the Valencia region is the nearest stretch of coast for Madrid means it attracts hundreds of thousands of people here from the capital most bank holidays and weekends, as well as for their main holidays.

Like any capital, Madrid is a melting pot of the nation as a whole, many of its inhabitants brought up on the dishes their parents were taught by their parents before moving to the big city.

Add in those who come to Benidorm from other inland cities, or are looking for a warm sea after the chilliness of Spain’s northern waters, and the picture starts to get clearer.

To keep the customers satisfied, the city finds itself catering for those who are looking to enjoy their own lunch or dinner version of that famous, even infamous ‘cup of tea like mother makes.’

What’s on the menu?

To give an idea of what you might expect to find inside, most bars and restaurants proudly boast what region their food represents. If you see the regions of Gallego (Galicia) Asturiano, Cantabro, Vasco (Basque) or Navarro mentioned, then you know you are in for a feast of ‘surf and turf’.

They also usually offer tapas, if you want to sample something first before ordering a larger dish – or settle for sharing lots of things rather than sitting down to a full meal.

Galicia

That means plenty of fish, plenty of meat, but also some surprises. True to its shared Celtic roots, Galicia has its own version of the Cornish pasty, called an empanada, which comes with various fillings from tuna to pork, and with vegetables.

 Empanada Gallega
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mumumio/7949022294/

Another dish to look out for is Trucha a la Navarra, a trout filled with a slice or two of tasty cured Serrano ham.

Trucha a la Navarra
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trucha_a_la_Navarra.jpg

Castilla y Leon and Castilla La Mancha

From the regions of central Spain – Castilla y Leon and Castilla La Mancha, Madrid itself and Extremadura – it’s mainly hearty, meat dishes.

They are good places to look out for game, roast sucking pig, and delicious lamb chops that taste self-seasoned from all the wild herbs they eat. Many recipes include ultra-healthy legumes such as beans, chickpeas and lentils. Olla Podrida which translates literally as ‘rotten pot’ is perhaps the most well known dish. This stew made from pork and beans is originally from the city of Burgos in Castilla y Leon.

Olla Podrida – Pork and beans stew
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sophoco/5262151514/

Andalucia

As a rival for attracting British holidaymakers, the southern region of Andalucia comes up with a wonderful mixed fish and seafood platter known simply as a ‘fritura,’ as well as perhaps the second-best known of Spain’s dishes.

Fritura Andalucia
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26528022@N07/3331839248/

Cold salad soup is probably the most accurate, if far from tempting translation of gazpacho. But although it may not sound so good, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing bowl-full laced with ice on a hot summer’s day.

Gazpacho
http://www.flickr.com/photos/origami_potato/4725049802/

Article written by Katie Belle, the travel and food addicted blogger behind delightso.me, and has recently returned from eating her way round the Mediterranean.

It’s time again for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary. Got tix? Here’s a sneak peek from the VIP and press day of what you can expect.

No tix? Oh well. As I understand it the show is completely sold out (always smart to double check though). There’s the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show coming up in July.

Southfield Nurseries Cactusland

There wasn’t a single octopus’s garden to be found at the show, but that didn’t stop Beatles drummer Ringo Starr from showing up at the Herbert Smith Freehills garden in support of WaterAid. I spied a number of other celebrities as well, including Joanna Lumley having an absolutely fabulous time as sustainability ambassador for M&S as well as Dame Helen Mirren and Jerry Hall.

Some non-sleb stuff that I thought was cool included the following:

Pachacuti’s certified fair trade Panama hats

Big Green Egg’s ceramic BBQ cookers

Andy Burgess’ chainsaw carvings

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from the 21st to the 25th of May at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Find out more online at rhs.org.uk.

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Ringo Starr showing support for WaterAid at the Herbert Smtih Freehills Garden, 2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The summer is finally here, with temperatures beginning to rise and holiday brochures adorning out coffee tables, there is never a better time than to start thinking about our summer style for 2013. The catwalks from this year’s S/S shows were full of sharp tailoring, bright colours and eccentric patterns, but another great innovation that has hit the UK this year is the celebration of British made clothing.

Here are some of the key pieces to have in your wardrobe this season.

The Blazer

The blazer is back for this season, with summery twists and new ways to wear them, starting with this year’s city shorts suit. One thing about summer is that we need our work wear to be interchangeable with our summer wardrobes, cool, breathable fashion that is versatile for a number of summer functions.

Well this blazer is perfect for showcasing your style, wearing to the office and for summer strolls whilst on holiday. This combat blazer from Private White VC, is classical tailoring, with a modern twist, at its best! It would work perfectly teamed with a pair of city shorts whilst away on holiday, or simply with lightweight work trousers for warm hazy days. The classic colours available for this blazer, navy and khaki, make it perfect for teaming with bright and bold shirts, ties and even contrasting handkerchiefs. I have picked these khaki shorts, to add in some fun and making this blazer the perfect addition to a warm nights fun, plus bright, staple colours are a must in summer.

I also love the fact that Private White work on the notion that all clothing is crafted in a UK based factory, helping both ethical terms as well as bringing the industry back.

The Shoes

Summer shoes can be troublesome, picking something that is both comfortable, functional and smart enough to be worn for a whole host of reasons can be tricky. This pair of shoes, are smart enough for the office, cool enough for a country wedding and perfect for travelling in. The soft suede will help the shoes maintain their integrity throughout years of wear and keep your outfits looking sharp.

The double buckle detailing is a nice touch and turns the shoes from being just a bland pair into a well designed accessory. The colour is light enough for summer, without being so stark that they can’t be matched with your other clothing. Make sure that you have some suede protector on hand, as this is an investment piece that you don’t want to ruin. Also made in the UK, by Oliver Spencers collection, I would grab a pair of these as a great all rounder of versatility.

The Festival Goers Jacket

Summer is also the time that we begin to pack our backpacks for another festival season. Many people struggle with festival wardrobes as they believe that you can’t be stylish whilst wading through mud. Well it can be done, you just need to get creative with your items and choose the right staple, a classic anorak.

Festivals, whether they are music, art, books, food etc, are all notorious with rain and bad weather. So the most important item on your summer shopping list, if you have your tickets booked, should be a jacket that is both stylish and functional. This one from Nigel Cabourn is the perfect blend between functional summer wear and looks effortless, with a mixture in fabrics that leave the jacket breathable, perfect for the moments of sunshine, but also waxed to keep the rain off you when it rears its ugly head. The tailoring of this investment jacket is a cross between military and classic anorak, making it perfect for commuting, cooler nights on holiday and whichever band you are going to watch.

Team with a pair of denim shorts such as these, and you will be dancing the night away.

Guest post

Right before I took off for Tahiti, I managed to squeeze in one more foodie splurge here in London by attending a mozzarella masterclass on Saturday the 4th of May at Mayfair Italian fine dining restaurant, Sartoria. The class was a kick off of the aptly named Savile Row restaurant’s “Mozzarella Month” offering refined and eager palates the chance to go big with one of Italy’s most delectable exports.

The masterclass – conducted by Head Chef Lukas Pfaff and his mozzarella supplier, Andrea Livi of Bianca la Bufala – was a delicious opportunity to learn all about and sample fresh, top of the line mozzarella di buffala along with a range of similar southern Italian cheeses such as smoky scamorza, proper pizza topper fiordilatte, and gorgeously creamy burrata.

I don’t think Sartoria is going to hosting another mozz session anytime soon, but I got the impression the restaurant organises tasty stuff like this for its patrons on a fairly regular basis. Whatever the case, for fans of well prepared and presented Italian cuisine, this is a fashionable place to keep in mind. And it should be noted there’s still plenty of yummy reason for bufalo mozzarella lovers to visit Sartoria this month.

Sartoria’s May menu features a whole “treccia” – a two kilogram plaited mozzarella – is available for the rest of this month to parties of eight people, priced at £80 and served alongside grilled Mediterranean vegetables. Alternatively diners could opt for 125g of sliced treccia for £11 per person. Giant braided slabs of artisan cheese or not, an experience at Sartoria is to be savoured.

Sartoria is located at 20 Savile Row, W1S 3PR. Visit the restaurant online at sartoria-restaurant.co.uk.

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Summer vacation in Italy? That’s music to everbody’s ears – no matter what type of tunes you like to listen to. From sacred music to jive, from Puccini to Diana Krall, There’s a wonderful range of summer music festivals scheduled across Italy catering to all tastes and budgets. Here’s a look at just a few of the many.

Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.

Photo/gre.ceres

Hey folks. I’m back in town after a week and a half sailing around French Polynesia’s Leeward Islands. And aside from a couple of hours of choppy sailing and a bout of seasickness that I thought might never end, the trip was truly awesome: eating lots and lots of fresh papaya … swimming around in giant bathtub lagoons off wild specks of far flung land … spotting dolphins … ogling tikis … contemplating all the many different shades of blue … I had a bona fide blast in the tropical breeze.

Commissioned by City AM, I was in the South Pacific to cover the Tahiti Pearl Regatta – and, to be sure, I’ll post a heads up here on the blog when that piece gets published. Island hopping with a bunch of yachtsmen and women from all over the globe revealed a whole new world of possibilities to a landlubber like me. I’d never really been sailing before – only a few hours excursion before this opportunity. I loved it.

I spent most of my time on the “media boat” (a hired catamaran from Tahiti Yacht Charter with a cool captain and lovely hostess), but when I wasn’t at sea I was lounging at the Intercontinental Resort Tahiti. Lush. Scenic. Luxurious. Yearningly returnable. My first night at the resort was in an over-the-water bungalow (yeah, one of those!), giggling at my good fortune and being lulled to sleep by the sound of lapping waves just a few feet beneath my massive bed (replete with its own “pillow menu”).

French Polynesia is a long way away, but honestly I think that is much of its appeal. I was somewhere else, not expediently reached or easily cancelled out. I was having an adventure. Tahiti and her islands would make an ideal honeymoon destination, a great place for getting-away-from-it-all, and a smart location for reconnecting with whomever in your life you feel you’ve drifted too far away from. It certainly was an idyllic setting for a regatta and a much appreciated spot to visit on commission.

Anyway, keep a weather eye out for more stories from my experience with the Tahiti Pearl Regatta. Until then, you can see all my photos from the trip here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tikichris/sets/72157633494126905/

Denim love – true enough! Inspiration in our veins, jeans on our skin – New Yorker is denim! Check out New Yorker’s new Denim-Spot featuring some of the newest articles from the New Yorker collection. #spon

A great resource for finding out about art related happenings in Rome is local website romaexhibit.it (with information in Italian and English about current and upcoming events). Here’s a heads up about two must-see exhibitions in a couple of amazing venues on now in Rome – compliments of romaexhibit.it – along with details on how to make the most of any art-minded visit …

Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.

photo/paolofefe

In March 2012, her Majesty the Queen opened the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon in honor of her 60 years as Monarch since her ascension to the throne in February 1952. This year sees the continuation of the celebrations, to mark the 60th anniversary since her coronation at Westminster Abbey in June 1953.

Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.

Photo/1000heads

The perennially popular Taste of London restaurant festival marks its tenth anniversary this summer with its biggest and best line up to date.

Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.

Whether you live in London or are simply visiting for a big night out, our capital boasts a variety of exclusive hot spots, world-famous bars and hidden venues. The choice on where to spend your evening will leave you puzzled due to the fantastic locations in and around the centre of London. No matter where you decide to go, you will be guaranteed a memorable night in the party capital.

If you’re looking for a unique night full of excitement and anticipation why not visit one of the Grosvenor casinos situated in the centre of London. The venue is the epitome of luxury boasting of a world-class restaurant ‘The Dining Room’ serving various mouth-watering dishes from around the world. The on sight bar is also a great way to socialise with friends or simply just relax and sit back and enjoy the sophisticated atmosphere. Make your night even more exciting by enjoying some of the classic casino games; it may just be your lucky night! Grosvenor casino gives guests the option to play in one of their many casinos in the UK or on their site.

For a chic night out in London why not visit the world famous ‘Mahiki’ bar and club, the stylish venue is set over 2 floors and is a favourite of many celebrities and locals. The renowned bar and club is best known for their creative tropical cocktails such as the ‘Treasure Box’, a unique concoction best shared between friends. The Hawaiian theme that runs throughout the venue makes every visit a unique and memorable experience, from the layout to the staff great detail has gone into creating a fun theme for all to enjoy. The friendly and relaxed atmosphere and close attention to detail make ‘Mahiki’ a choice of many including ‘Rihanna’, ‘Jay Z’ and ‘Kate Moss’. Why not make a night of it and book a table to experience the famous ‘island grill;’ the seafood and pork and rum sharers are a delicious pick. Escape reality for the night and be transported to your personal island getaway!

Away from the tourist hotspots and chain restaurants London is home to many fantastic hidden venues, a unique alternative to the established bars and clubs. ‘Opium Cocktail & Dim Sum Parlour’ is a secret hidden gem tucked away in Chinatown. The restaurant and bar is spread across 9 various rooms, each possessing a unique and distinctive vibe. The offerings include an attic bar serving mysterious unlabelled beverages and various dining spaces serving Dim Sum with a rare twist. ‘Opium Cocktail & Dim Sum Parlour’ should be a choice of the brave, who are willing to experiment and experience something new and exciting. The parlour definitely does not disappoint and the unmistakeable atmosphere and vibes will guarantee guests a memorable experience.

Guest post

Located along the coast in Southeastern England, Sussex offers the best of British surf and turf for gourmet travelers visiting the UK and all within easy reach of London and its two main airports – Heathrow and Gatwick. Indeed Gatwick is located halfway between London and Sussex seaside communities of Brighton and Hove. Here’s a selection of upcoming food and drink events around in Brighton and Hove and surrounding Sussex countryside. Happy eating!

Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.

InterContinental London Park Lane is to host its very own pop-up version of chef Harry Sasson’s pioneering Bogotá restaurant, Club Colombia. Known as one of South America’s most celebrated Chefs, Harry and his team will take over the iconic London hotel’s Cookbook Cafe from 17th to the 25th of May to recreate his modern and refined approach to Colombian cuisine for a British audience.

Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed tasting all of the tapas and thought the idea behind the project was novel and well executed. So, I decided to share all the recipes here on my own blog.

Here’s the last of five recipes to be published this week. Make sure to have a look at all the recipes.

Apple Crumble Crema Catalana
Makes 16 small glasses

For the apples:
500g cox’s apples peeled
50g caster sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the crumble:
90g plain flour
50g butter cold and cubed
40g soft brown sugar
50g slivered almonds

For the custard:
1 litre whole milk
1 lemon peel, pith removed
1 orange peel, pith removed
5cm cinnamon stick
6 large freerange egg yolks
50g caster sugar
40g cornflour

Preheat the oven to 200˚C place the flour, butter and sugar in a bowl and rub with your fingers until you have crumbs, stir in the almonds and scatter on a baking sheet. Place in the oven to toast for 15 minutes until golden and crisp, turning over frequently with a spoon.

Peel and cube the apples, place in a small pan with the sugar and cinnamon, just cover with water and place over a medium heat to cook with a lid on gently for 5 minutes until softened. Remove the apple cubes from the liquid and set aside whilst you reduce the liquid remaining over a medium heat for a further 2 minutes until syrupy. pour over the apple cubes and allow to cool.

Heat the milk, lemon and orange peel and cinnamon stick in a medium saucepan over a medium heat until just about to boil. Remove from the heat and set aside to allow the flavours to infuse. once cool remove the zest and cinnamon stick and discard. Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until thick and pale, add the cornflour and then continue to whisk in the milk. return the custard to a clean pan and cook, stirring continuously, for approx 10 minutes until the mixture is thick and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Cool slightly before straining through a fine sieve into a jug. Spoon the apple mixture into the base of 16 small glasses and pour over the custard.

Scatter the custards with the almond crumble and serve immediately.

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed tasting all of the tapas and thought the idea behind the project was novel and well executed. So, I decided to share all the recipes here on my own blog.

Here’s the fourth of five recipes to be published this week. Check back tomorrow for another recipe.

Beef and Pimentón Yorkshire Mini Puds
Makes approximately 24 small Yorkshire puddings

For the beef:
1 kilo beef sirloin
1 tsp hot pimentón
1 tbsp olive oil

For the peppers:
4 large red peppers
1 ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 thyme sprigs
2 tbsp sherry vinegar
1 garlic clove crushed

For the pudding:
140g plain flour
4 medium eggs beaten
200ml milk
2 tsp sweet pimentón

Preheat oven to 220˚c. place the peppers in a small baking tray and pop in the oven to roast for 30 minutes, turning occasionally until the skins have blackened. remove from the oven and place straight into a ziplock bag to sweat and allow the skins to loosen. Once cool, slit the peppers in half, remove the stalks, seeds and skin. Tear the flesh into 1 cm strips and toss into a bowl with the olive oil, thyme leaves, vinegar and garlic.

Lower the oven to 200˚c. season the beef with the pimentón and rub with the olive oil. sear in a hot pan on all sides before placing in the oven to roast for 20 minutes (rare) 25 minutes (medium). Remove from the oven and leave to rest before carving.

Tip the flour into a large bowl, make a well in the middle, pour in the eggs and slowly add the milk, whisking continuously until a smooth batter is reached. Stir in the sweet pimentón and season with sea salt and black pepper.

Drizzle a little sunflower oil in the bottoms of a 12 hole non stick patty tin. Place the tin in the oven for the oil to preheat and get very hot.

Remove the tin from the oven, divide the batter between the holes and place back in the oven to cook for 15 minutes until golden and puffed. Repeat using all the batter.

Place a crispy Yorkshire on each plate, top with a thin slice of beef,a few of the peppers and serve immediately, drizzled in a little of the pepper dressing.

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed tasting all of the tapas and thought the idea behind the project was novel and well executed. So, I decided to share all the recipes here on my own blog.

Here’s the third of five recipes to be published this week. Check back tomorrow for another recipe.

Fish and Chips Tostados
Makes approximately 16

For the fish:
3 x 100g cod fillet skinned
50g plain flour
1 litre olive oil to deep fry

For the chips:
200g maris piper potatoes
500ml extra virgin olive oil

For the peas:
200g jamon diced
2 shallots finely diced
300g fresh peas
150ml fresh chicken stock
3 tbsp fresh mint
16 slices thin baguette toasted in oven

For the fish:
Heat the olive oil in a large deep pan to 180˚c (use a cooking thermometer). Dust the cod
fillets in the flour and dip the floured fish into the hot oil. Fry for 5 minutes until golden and crisp. Drain on kitchen paper and flake.

For the chips:
Pour the oil into a deep frying pan and heat to 180˚c (use a cooking thermometer).
Cut the potatoes lengthways into 3mm slices,then cut the slices into thin matchsticks.
Add the chips, stir well and leave them to fry for 3 minutes until they are crisp and golden.

Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon, drain on kitchen paper, season with sea salt
and cracked black pepper.

For the peas:
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a sauté pan, add the diced jamon, cook until crisp. remove
from the pan then add the shallots, fry until golden. Add the peas, followed by the
stock and cook for a further 10 minutes until the stock has reduced, crush the peas
slightly, stir in the chopped mint.

Spoon a little of the peas onto the baguette slices, top with a large flake of the fish
and finish with a few of the thin chips.

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed tasting all of the tapas and thought the idea behind the project was novel and well executed. So, I decided to share all the recipes here on my own blog.

Here’s the second of five recipes to be published this week. Check back tomorrow for another recipe.

Shepherd’s Pie Croquetas
Makes 10

For the filling:
1 onion finely chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
250g lean minced lamb
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground allspice
½ tsp sweet pimentón
Freshly grated nutmeg
3 tbsp flat leaf parsley finely chopped

For the potato:
1 kilo floury maris piper potatoes
100g fresh white bread crumbs
1 egg
olive oil for frying

For the filling, fry the onion in the olive oil for 10 minutes until golden and soft. Add the minced lamb and fry for 3 minutes, breaking up any lumps as it browns. grind the cumin seeds and the coriander seeds in a spice grinder to a fine powder. Add to the minced lamb along with the cinnamon, allspice and pimentón. Season with sea salt and cracked black pepper, add 200ml water and continue to cook stirring occasionally until the liquid has evaporated and the lamb is tender. Stir in the parsley and a good grate of nutmeg, check for seasoning and set aside to cool.

Cut the potatoes into chunks and boil in a large pan of water for 20 minutes until tender, drain well and leave to dry in the colander for a few minutes until the steam dies down, return to the pan and mash until smooth. Stir in the beaten egg, season with salt and pepper and set aside to cool.

Lightly oil your hands and shape the potato into balls approx 60g, flatten each into a disc approximately 10cm diameter. Put a tablespoon of the meat filling into the middle of the discs and wrap the potato round it to form a ball. Seal any gaps then flatten gently into a 7cm patty.

Heat 1 cm of olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat 170˚c, coat half the fritters in the breadcrumbs, add them to the pan and cook gently for 5 minutes on each side until golden and crisp. Lift out of the pan and place on a plate lined with kitchen paper. Repeat with the remaining fritters. Serve cut in half with some pea shoots.

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed tasting all of the tapas and thought the idea behind the project was novel and well executed. So, I decided to share all the recipes here on my own blog.

Here’s the first of five recipes to be published this week. Check back tomorrow for another recipe.

Full English Sourdoughs
Makes approximately 16

For the soaked beans:
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves chopped
1 onion finely diced
300g chorizo cubed
300ml chicken stock
300g ripe tomatoes chopped
2 tbsp flat leaf parsley chopped

For the beans:
300g dried arrocina or haricot
beans soaked overnight
1 onion halved
1 garlic bulb
4 bay leaves
4 cloves

For the rest:
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
8 slices serrano ham
4 slices sourdough bread griddled
and cut into 3cm pieces
16 quail eggs

Drain the beans and put them in a pan with a litre of water, bring them to a boil, skim off the scum, add the garlic head, onion halves, cloves and bay. Cover and leave to simmer gently for 1 hour 30 minutes until tender. Drain and discard the onion, garlic, bay and cloves.

Heat the oil in a medium sauté pan, add the garlic and the onion and fry gently until golden and soft. add the chorizo and continue to cook for 3 minutes until the chorizo starts to release its oil and starts to crisp. stir in the beans followed by the stock. Simmer gently for 20 minutes until the beans are softened and flavoured with the chorizo. Then stir in the tomatoes. Set aside to keep warm.

In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil and fry the serrano ham in batches until crisp and set aside to keep warm. In the same pan (adding more oil if needed) fry the eggs, so they are crispy and lacy.

Place the toasted bread on a serving plate, spoon over some of the beans, top with a fried quail egg and the crispy ham broken into shards.

Right on the harbour and just a block over from picturesque Queen Square, The Bristol is an ideally situated hotel whatever might bring you to the vibrant and compact city of Bristol. I certainly didn’t have any problems getting around the city centre on foot while keeping this comfortable hotel as my base during a recent visit.

Read my complete post at the Comte des Cierges CDCLifestyle blog.

On Thursday May 16, chefs rom across the UK will gather at celebrated East London pub, The Gun, to pit their slider skills against The Gun’s own head chef, Quinton Bennett, to determine who deserves the title of Slider Decider Champion 2013.

Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.

Here’s a quick little list of good stuff I’ve recently come across and thought was worth sharing with you. Enjoy!

Dominion American Craft Sodas

So, all foods massive and American seem to be en vogue here in London at the moment (and it’s been a pretty long moment). But whaddya gonna wash your burgers down with if ya ain’t up for a beer? I recently received a sample range of drinks from Dominion Sodas: creamy orange, black cherry, ginger ale (all made with natural cane sugar) and the root beer (made with honey). I loved the black cherry – really interesting full-on cherry flavour – as well as the (especially) creamy orange. The root beer and ginger beer were good but the former lacked a bit of bite and the latter wasn’t fiery at all. They’ll all a nice alternative to heavier high fructose corn syrup sodas though. Brewed in Delaware, Dominion sodas are now available in a few restaurants and bars across the UK including Bodean’s, The Diner and All Star Lanes as well as online at slurp.co.uk.

International Chocolate Awards

Now in its second year, the International Chocolate Awards is an independent organisation set up by Chocolate Week and Seventy% that partners with fine chocolate experts and organisations in different countries with independent verification and oversight to determine who makes the finest chocolate in the world … and few things are as delicious as being asked to serve as a judge during the European Semi Final round. As fun as the tasting was, the session really gave my palate a workout (not complaining!!!). Stay tuned for info about the results later in the year.

Grand Designs Live

As the guest of Samsung (huge thanks for the hospitality!), I paid a visit to the Grand Designs Live show at the Excel London yesterday.

I got a kick out of my visit to the Samsung House checking out the new range of products for the “connected home” including TVs, AV, cameras, mobiles and digital appliances. I studied the Galaxy Camera to a covetous extent and all but wept that I simply don’t have the money or space for the behemoth that is the 28 cubic foot, four-door refrigerator and freezer with “flexi-zone” compartment. Wow.

More stuff I marvelled at while roaming around Grand Designs Live:

Jellyfish Capsules – state of the art habitats for jellyfish.

Mygind Design – self-contained and weather resistant garden haven loungers.

Tree Tents – lightweight, hybrid aluminium and steam bent ash airframes that offer a comfortable, low impact shelter at any time of year.

brockleyjack.co.uk

As elegant as any casual dining establishment you’re apt to come across in upscale Chelsea and just a stone’s throw from Sloane Square Station, the Botanist is as smartly situated as London restaurants come. And with a newly introduced breakfast menu available all week, it’s now a smart place to start your day as well.

Hungry in SW1? Pull in The Botanist for its tummy filling take on ye olde full English. At £14, The Botanist Breakfast delivers a generous mound of smoked streaky bacon, a tidy and tasty stack of mini Cumberland sausages, a thick square of Mrs Brown’s black pudding (the best black pudding I can recollect having in quite some time), roast vine tomatoes, rather moreish field mushrooms, better than average baked beans, cumin spiced home fries (kinda bland to be honest), two eggs to order (I had mine poached and a little runny) and choice of rye or sourdough toast (I went with the sourdough). Yeah, I liked it – and didn’t even contemplate having another meal for another eight hours.

As much as I loved the above, I believe I probably would have been just as satiated with other options. Sweetcorn fritters with roast vine tomato, smoked streaky bacon, baby spinach and avocado salsa (£12) sounded delish and was highly recommended by the incredibly gracious server, Jess. I’m pretty sure the blueberry buttermilk pancakes with smoked streaky bacon and maple syrup (£11) could have done the trick if I’d been in that sort of mood. There’s a lot more to the menu that just those mentions too.

Other highlights from my lovely late morning linger included excellent coffee – just Illy but superbly tempered and pulled … great marmalade and strawberry jam … a “Popeye punch” juice featuring spirulina, spinach and apple juice (and more stuff I think) … a nice bossa nova heavy soundtrack wafting through the restaurant … free WiFi … and just staring out the window upon the tony streets of Chelsea and ogling the line up of luxury cars most mere mortals could never afford zip by. It was a gorgeous sunny morning too, and The Botanist’s wide open doors and large windows seemed ideally suited to take in plenty of the lovely natural light.

In fact, I was enjoying my time there so much, I stayed well after my brekkie to do a spot of work.

The Botanist is located at 7 Sloane Square, SW1W 8EE. Read about the new morning menu and everything else at thebotanistonsloanesquare.com.

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In order to provide the right office space, it’s essential that you take your time when deciding which items to acquire. Functionality and comfort are incredibly important, and if either of these factors are lacking you may see staff morale being hit, and your operations suffering too. Most companies have budget limitations, so it’s also essential that you make your money go as far as it can. It’s widely advised that you buy the latest office furniture available to you in order for your office space to look as impressive as possible. If office furniture looks tired and worn, the whole working atmosphere can be compromised. Glass office furniture and boardroom tables are just two examples of some of the items that most office-based businesses require.

Comfort And Style

A comfortable workforce tends to be a happy workforce too, which makes ergonomic furniture extremely desirable. The more comfortable your staff are, the more productive they are likely to be. Poor seating for instance can result in back pain, and can even lead to staff taking days off sick due to poor physical well-being. You should ensure that the items of furniture that you acquire are a good visual match for each other. Clashes can be extremely off-putting and make your environment seem incoherent and unattractive. If you’re inexperienced when it comes to buying office furniture it could be wise to get outside assistance. If you already have some items in place that you want to keep, the items that you do buy should also be a good match for them. To get ideas on furnishing your office you could look online to find arrangements that appeal to you, or even base your plans on offices that you have visited in the past.

Storage Solutions

Glass office furniture is a timeless choice that can look particularly impressive. This type of furniture does tend to stand the test of time and companies have chosen it time and time again due to its universal appeal. You should ensure that you have the right cabinets for storing your documents and stationary in, and may even wish to invest in a quality coffee table for your staff to use when they are on a break. If you regularly hold meetings at your business premises, a sturdy and well-built boardroom table and chairs can make group discussions more prosperous.

Consider Buying Online

If you have new technologies to accommodate you should ensure that they can be catered for. You should look for spacious desks that give strong support for desktops, laptops and even tablets, whilst leaving enough room for paperwork to be attended to when it needs to be. Chairs need to be adjustable to suit the needs of various members of staff. Buy buying office furnishings online, you’re likely to benefit from a greater degree of choice. It’s extremely wise to choose a reputable supplier and manufacturer however to ensure that the quality levels on offer are sufficient.

Why not visit interoffice, where there is a member of the team ready to take your call and help you find the right office furniture to match your budget, taste and needs.

Guest post by Sebastian Bos

Perhaps nowhere in London is the variety of restaurants and dining options as varied as in Soho, the compact and social heart of this sprawling city. Even once you’ve decided on what type of food you’re keen to enjoy, going out to eat in Soho brings with it tough decisions. To help narrow your list down, here’s a list of a few choice Indian eateries in (and around) Soho …

Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.

Whether you’re looking to quaff some environmentally friendly vino, keen to sample something dramatically different than that same old pinot grigio or you’re simply curious about what might just be the next big thing in viticulture and in the cellars of the world’s top chefs, this year’s RAW takes place at London’s Old Truman Brewery in London on the 19th and 20th of May.

Read my my complete post at Great British Chefs.