Monthly Archives: October 2013

A Quartet of Great Chicago Food Blogs (OneTravel)

Posted on 2013-10-17 by tikichris

No matter what’s taking you to Chicago, one thing you need to make sure to bring is a healthy appetite! Folks here know how to eat – and love to talk about what they’re eating too. Here’s a list of five … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Drink, Food, London, OneTravel, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged (312) Dining Diva, An Epicurean in the Windy City, Blogs, chicago, Chicago Eater, chicago food blogs, ChicagoBites, Drink, Food, illinois, OneTravel, restaurants, Sky Full of Bacon, Travel | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: Matsuri

Posted on 2013-10-17 by tikichris

The fine folks from Kikkoman invited yours truly out earlier this week to upscale Japanese restaurant Matsuri St James’s for a soy sauce masterclass taught by Chef Simon Hulstone. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, London, London Daily Photo, Photography, Restaurants | Tagged chef simon hulstone, Food, japanese food, japanese restaurant, kikkoman, kikkoman soy sauce, LDP, London, London blog, London Daily Photo, masterclass, matsuri, matsuri st james's, mayfair, Photography, photography blog, restaurants, Simon Hulstone, soy sauce, st james's, street photography, SW1, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Celebrate Halloween in Edinburgh (CheapOair)

Posted on 2013-10-17 by tikichris

Where better to spend a night of spooky merrymaking than in Edinburgh – purportedly the most haunted city in not just Scotland or the UK but the whole of Europe. From ghost stories to frightfully fun parties, here’s a roundup of some this great city’s best Halloween events and activities. Continue reading →

Posted in Art, CheapOair, Drink, Pubs, Scotland, Travel | Tagged edinburgh, Edinburgh Dungeon, Frankenstein Pub, Fright Night, hallloween 2013, halloween, Halloween Hearth Fires, halloween in edinburgh, scotland, Scottish Storytelling Centre, The Edinburgh Secret Society, The Edinburgh Secret Society’s Fright Night, The Real Mary King's Close Dark Truth Tour | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: The Time Thief at the 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair

Posted on 2013-10-16 by tikichris

London Daily Photo: The Time Thief at the 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair Continue reading →

Posted in Art, London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged 1-54.com, 1:54, 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, LDP, London, London blog, London Daily Photo, Photography, photography blog, somerset house, The Time Thief, Zak Ové, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Give Thanks for a Great November in Houston! (CheapOair)

Posted on 2013-10-16 by tikichris

Planning a visit to Houston next month? Here’s a list of some of the more interesting events coming up on the Houstonian calendar to help you celebrate Thanksgiving in style and get ready for the run up to Christmas and New Years.
Continue reading →

Posted in CheapOair, Christmas, Shopping, Texas, Theatre, Travel | Tagged a christmas carol, A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas, alley theatre, ballet, christmas, christmas lights, christmas shopping, houston, houston ballet, november 2013, Nutcracker Market, pow wow, reliant park, texas, Texas Championship Native American Pow Wow, thanksgiving, thanksgiving 2013, The Nutcracker, theatre, Traders Village, travel blog, Uptown Holiday Lighting | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: The Last Instinct at Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar

Posted on 2013-10-15 by tikichris

Man oh man! I got an education last night from Jaume Beato, lead bartender at Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar at the Marriott Hotel County Hall. From a crash course in the history and global reach of gin (Gillray’s keeps close to 70 different gins behind the bar) to how to mix a classic cocktail … Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, London, London Daily Photo, Photography, Restaurants | Tagged bar, Cocktail, Drink, Food, Gillray's Steakhouse & Bar, gin, hotel, jaume beato, LDP, London, London blog, London Daily Photo, marriott, Photography, photography blog, restaurant, rum, rum cocktail, south bank, southbank, The Last Instinct, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

An Interview with Chef Albert Roux (Great British Chefs)

Posted on 2013-10-15 by tikichris

… the affable 78 year old seems as pleased or perhaps even more so to talk about the recent successes of his son as he is his own achievements. My interview with Albert felt more like a friendly conversation as he shared memories from the early days of his career along with advice for up-and-comers in the restaurant industry today. Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrities, Food, Great British Chefs, interview, London, Restaurants, Shopping | Tagged Albert Roux, Celebrities, chef, Food, GBC, GREAT BRITISH CHEFS, interview, Interview with Albert Roux, La Gavroche, London, London blog, London Restaurant Show, MICHEL ROUX JR, michelin star chef, restaurants, Shopping, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: Sinister Screen

Posted on 2013-10-14 by tikichris

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged LDP, London, London blog, London Daily Photo, Photography, photography blog, street photography, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

5 Everyday Signs You Need a Break [Infographic]

Posted on 2013-10-14 by tikichris

Posted in infographic, Travel | Tagged 5 Everyday Signs You Need a Break, iInfographic, infographic, Travel | Leave a comment

Exploring the Causses and the Cévennes of Southern France (OneTravel)

Posted on 2013-10-13 by tikichris

I’ve just returned from a jaunt around le region where I found the Causses and the Cévennes to be a captivating destination. Here’s a roundup of a few (of many) highlights from that trip. All the attractions listed are within a short drive of each other. If you got your timing right, they could be visited in one fairly busy but especially scenic day. Continue reading →

Posted in France, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged abseiling, Aven Armand, bird watching, birdwatching, Causses and the Cévennes, caving, Cévennes, Chaos de Montpellier-le-Vieux, chef Daniel Lagrange, church of st gilles, Ferme Caussenard d’Autrefois, france, gorges du tarn, Languedoc, LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON, Maison des Vautours, Montpellier, Montpellier-le-Vieux, Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport, mountaineering, OneTravel, repelling, river tarn, rock climbing, SOUTH OF FRANCE, southern france, stalagmites, SUD DE FRANCE, Travel, travel blog, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage, unesco world heritage site, UNESCO World Heritage sites, UNESCO World Heritage sites in France, vultures | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: Hospital

Posted on 2013-10-13 by tikichris

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged chelsea, LDP, London, London blog, London Daily Photo, Photography, photography blog, street photography, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Post-it Notes? Et Voila!

Posted on 2013-10-12 by tikichris

3M Post-it Notes are ideal for adding a splash of colour to your messages and reminders. With such a big palette of shades on offer, there’s sure to be a hue to match your message … and brighten up your desk space too! Personally, I come with a variety of uses for Post-it Notes all the time. Here are a few recent instances when they’ve proved a valuable tool for me. Continue reading →

Posted in Shopping, Travel | Tagged cat, kitten, norwegian forest cat, post it notes, post-it, Shopping, SPONSORED POST, Travel, winston | Leave a comment

25% Off Voucher Code for Millennium & Copthorne Hotels #MCBloggerConf

Posted on 2013-10-12 by tikichris

Planning any trips in the UK or Europe for December or January? Check out the Millennium & Copthorne Trip Tailor Facebook app for tips on things to do and be sure to take advantage of my limited offer discount code for 25% savings on your accommodation. Continue reading →

Posted in Discounts and Special Offers, London, Social Media, Travel | Tagged #MCBloggerConf, 25% off, discounts and special offers, Europe hotels, facebook app, hotel, hotel discount, hotels, London, London blog, london hotel, London Hotels, Millenium & Copthorne, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Millennium Gloucester Hotel, millennium hotels, promocode, tikichris special, Travel Bloggers Conference, travel blogging, trip tailor app, voucher code, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: Tite

Posted on 2013-10-12 by tikichris

“Free From” But Still Flavourful Food by Orgran

Posted on 2013-10-12 by tikichris

I recently got hold of a range of “free from” products by Orgran. The three products I sampled – Buckwheat Pancake Mix, Buckwheat Pasta Spirals and Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce – were gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, egg free, yeast free, soy free and vegan … and still right flavourful too. Nice thing is, all those missing ingredients hadn’t been replaced with a lot of unpronounceable crap created in a lab. Instead the products provided me with a few back-to-basics meals that left me satiated without feeling bogged down. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Shopping | Tagged buckwheat, Buckwheat Pancake Mix, buckwheat pancakes, buckwheat pasta, Buckwheat Pasta Spirals, dairy-free, egg free, Food, gluten free, orgran, pasta, product review, review, Shopping, soy free, Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce, vegan, vegetarian, wheat free, yeast free | Leave a comment

Win a Pair of Tickets to the bettane+desseauve Wine Experience London

Posted on 2013-10-11 by tikichris

The second edition of the bettane+desseauve Wine Experience London will take place the last weekend of October at Saatchi Gallery where guests will have the chance to sample more than 400 of the best European wines on the market today. Tickets for the tasting run 30 quid a pop. But check it out! I’ve got eight pairs of tickets to share with you lucky readers. Continue reading →

Posted in Competition, Drink, London, Shopping, Wine | Tagged bettane and desseauve, bettane+desseauve Wine Experience, bettane+desseauve Wine Experience London, Bruno Giacosa, Château Giscours, Château Hostens Picant, chelsea, Cheval des Andes, competition, contest, Domaine des Perdrix, Dominio de Pingus, Drink, Duke of York’s HQ, Food, free, free wine, freebies, king's road, London, London blog, Masciarell, Piper-Heidsieck, retweet to win, RUINART, saatchi gallery, Shopping, sloane square, social media, SW3, SW3 4RY, Taittinger, tickets, twitter competition, win free tickets, wine blog, Wine Experience London, wine producers, wine tasting, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: Appleton Estate’s Senior Blender, David Morrison, at Hawksmoor Spitalfields

Posted on 2013-10-11 by tikichris

It’s London Cocktail Week: red letter days for booze hounds, bar folk and limber elbowed media types from across the globe. I’ve been getting in on the LCW fun a bit too. My lunch yesterday came compliments of Hawksmoor Spitalfields where Appleton Estate’s Senior Blender, David Morrison, was on hand to guide a small group of us (booze hounds, bar folk and limber elbowed media types) through a hands-on rum blending. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, London, London Daily Photo, Photography, Uncategorized | Tagged appleton estate, appleton estate rum, bar, cocktails, david morrison, Drink, east london, hawksmoor, HAWKSMOOR SPITALFIELDS, jamaican rum, LCW, LDP, London, London blog, London Cocktail Week, London Daily Photo, Photography, photography blog, rum, senior blender, soho, street photography, W1, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

5 Top Sights in Manila (OneTravel)

Posted on 2013-10-11 by tikichris

Manila – it’s one of the world’s biggest cities and one of its most exciting and diverse. Steeped in history but with a vibrant 21st century edge, Manilaoffers a tantalizing variety of delights for all travelers. Here’s a list of five … Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, OneTravel, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel | Tagged manila, OneTravel, Philippines, Travel | Leave a comment

5 Fine Ceviches in London (CheapOair)

Posted on 2013-10-10 by tikichris

Ceviche and Latin American cuisine are all the rage in London these days. With terrific restaurants such as the following five places wowing British palates with New World panache, it’s easy to taste why. Continue reading →

Posted in CheapOair, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged best ceviche in london, CEVICHE, cheapoair, cocktails, coya, Drink, Food, latin american restaurants in london, Lima, Lima London, London, London blog, PERUVIAN CUISINE, peruvian food, peruvian restaurants, PISCO SOUR, restaurants, Tierra Peru, Tito's Peruvian Restaurant, Travel, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: 10:10

Posted on 2013-10-10 by tikichris

Corona Capital Music Festival 2013 in Mexico City (CheapOair)

Posted on 2013-10-10 by tikichris

The Corona Capital Music Festival 2013 descends on Mexico City mid October offering music fans one of the most amazing rosters of musicians out there today. Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.

Posted in CheapOair, Mexico, Music, Travel | Tagged Artic Monkeys, Blondie, Capital Cities, cheapoair, Chris Lake, concerts, Conor Oberst, Corona Capital, Corona Capital Music Festival, Corona Capital Music Festival 2013, deadmau5, Deap Vally, Death Grips, Dinosaur Jr, DJ Harvey, festival, Fun, Gary Clark Jr, Grimes, Iceage, Imagine Dragons, Io Echo, Jacques Lu Cont, Jake Bugg, Jamie xx, Jason Zenga (High-Def), Jimmy Eat World, John Talbot, Kurt Vile, Matt & Kim, mexico, mexico city, MIA, Miles Kane, MS MR, Mueran Humanos, music, music festival, Palma Voilets, peace, Phoenix, Portugal. The Man, Quadron, Queens Of The Stone Age, Robert DeLong, Savages, Sigur Rós, Stereophonics, the Black Angels, the Breeders, the Crystal Method, the Dandy Warhols, the Postelles, the Presets, the xx, toy, Travel, Travis, Vampire Weekend, White Lies | Leave a comment

Theatre Review: The Barrier at Park Theatre, Finsbury Park

Posted on 2013-10-09 by tikichris

The Barrier explores what happens when cultures clash and the values of people living side-by-side diverge by pitting two sets of neighbours in the Stamford Hill area of contemporary Northeast London against each other. Continue reading →

Posted in London, Theatre | Tagged Clifton Terrace, east london, finsbury park, hackney, London, London blog, N4, N4 3JP, north london, northeast london, one act play, play, review, stamford hill, the barrier, theatre, theatre review, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: Manette

Posted on 2013-10-09 by tikichris

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged cro-bar, LDP, London, London blog, London Daily Photo, manette street, Photography, photography blog, soho, street photography, W1, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Culture Vulture Tour Across the South of France

Posted on 2013-10-09 by tikichris

If you like your natural history served with a heaping dose of ancient tradition (not to mention some fantastic wine), then Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France is for you. I certainly had a splendid time riding around the region on a recent tour of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, France, Hotels, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged aiges-mortes, Aigues-Mortes, Aven Armand, bird watching, birdwatching, Causses and the Cévennes, caving, Cévennes, chef Daniel Lagrange, church of st gilles, Daniel Lagrange, Ferme Caussenard d’Autrefois, fine dining, flights from gatwick, Food, france, gorge du tarn, gorges du tarn, Grand Hotel de la Muse et le Rozier, Hôtel du Mont Aigoual, Hotel Family, hotels, l’Hotel de la Paix, Languedoc, LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON, Lodève, Logis, Logis hotels, Maison des Vautours, Mas des Sables, Meyrueis, Montpellier, Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport, Pont du Gard, restaurants, river tarn, Robert Louis Stevenson, roman aqueduct, Romanesque architecture, SOUTH OF FRANCE, southern france, st gilles, st gilles du gard, stalagmites, SUD DE FRANCE, Travel, travel blog, Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage, unesco world heritage site, UNESCO World Heritage sites, UNESCO World Heritage sites in France, Uzès, vultures, wine | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: Noel

Posted on 2013-10-08 by tikichris

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged LDP, London, London blog, London Daily Photo, Noel Street, Photography, photography blog, soho, street photography, W1, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Gastro Pub Perfection at The Only Running Footman, Berkeley Square

Posted on 2013-10-08 by tikichris

If you’ve been following this blog recently you’ve noticed I’ve been on a winning streak hitting a string of terrific restaurants around town. I’m happy to add one more to the list – the evocatively titled gastro pub, The Only Running Footman, as another great example of London dining at its best. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, London, Pubs, Restaurants, Uncategorized, Wine | Tagged berkeley square, Charles Street, fine dining, GASTRO PUB, gastro pub review, gastropub, London, London blog, mayfair, mayfair pub, most unusual pub name in London, only running footman, pub, pub review, restaurant review, review, the only running footman, unusual pub names, W1, W1J 5DF, weird pub names, zomato, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | 1 Comment

2014 Michelin Stars for London (OneTravel)

Posted on 2013-10-07 by tikichris

Whoa, when I first had the idea to list all of London’s Michelin starred restaurants I really didn’t realize it would be quite so lengthy. Yep, London’s got just over 60 fine dining establishments boasting the much sought after stars … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, London, OneTravel, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged 2014 michelin stars, Food, London, michelin guide, michelin stars, OneTravel, restaurants, Travel | Leave a comment

Shake Shack Brat Burger and More: Shacktoberfest

Posted on 2013-10-07 by tikichris

It’s October. Need an excuse to stuff your face? How about the limited time only Shacktoberfest menu at Covent Garden’s Shake Shack? You can even take home your very own Shake Shack beer stein for your gourmand efforts. Here’s my take on the Shake’s autumnal offering. Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged beer, Brat Burger, bratwurst, bratwurst burger, burger, burger review, covent garden, Drink, Food, frozen custard, hamburger, London, London blog, milkshake, october, october 2013, octoberfest, review, shackmeister, Shacktoberfest, Shacktoberfest 2013, Shacktoberfest Beir Stein, Shacktoberfest Brat Burger, Shacktoberfest menu, Shake Shack, shakes, WC2, WC2E 8RD, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: Bateman

Posted on 2013-10-07 by tikichris

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged Bateman Street, LDP, London, London blog, London Daily Photo, Photography, photography blog, soho, street photography, W1, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: Bateman’s Buildings

Posted on 2013-10-06 by tikichris

Posted in Graffiti, London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged Bateman's Buildings, Graffiti, LDP, London, London blog, London Daily Photo, paste-up, Photography, photography blog, soho, street art, street photography, W1, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Win a Bottle of Baileys Chocolat Luxe Chocolate Whiskey Liqueur

Posted on 2013-10-06 by tikichris

Chocolate lovers listen up! Whiskey connoisseurs, you pay attention too! I’ve got a 50cl bottle of Baileys recently launched Chocolat Luxe – the world’s first fusion of Belgian chocolate, Irish whiskey and cream – to share with one lucky reader. Continue reading →