Author Archives: tikichris
Best Ice Cream of 2018
There’s always time and room for ice cream, especially if you’re near one of these parlors or restaurants in London, Cleveland, Denver, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Köln and Stuttgart – and that goes double for the German ice cream places that made this list! Continue reading
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Posted in Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Cleveland, Food, Germany, London, Ohio, Restaurants, Travel, USA
Tagged Frankfurt
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Maskelyne & Cooke Magic Bar at Le Meridien Piccadilly
Five-star luxury hotel, Le Meridien Piccadilly, pays homage to a pair of the early 20th century’s most celebrated magicians – John Nevil Maskelyne and George Alfred Cooke – with the launch of its new cocktail bar. Continue reading
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Posted in Bars, Drink, Entertainment, Food, Freebies, Hotels, Live Performance, London, Luxury, Travel
Tagged BARS, cocktails, Dominick Zwolinski, Drink, Entertainment, Food, hotels, Laura London, le meridien, le meridien piccadilly, live performance, London, luxury, magic, Maskelyne & Cooke, Maskelyne and Cooke, mayfair, piccadilly, Tony "Sonic" Middleton, Tony Middleton, Travel, W1, W1J 0BH
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Best Burgers of 2018
Is there anything more satisfying than a big juicy burger? After compiling my list of the best burgers I had this year I’m having trouble coming up with ideas for foods I crave nearly as much. My Best of 2018 … Continue reading
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Posted in Bars, Basel, Beer, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Drink, Dublin, Edinburgh, England, Food, London, Pubs, Restaurants, Scotland, Switzerland, Tennessee, Travel, USA
Tagged 1777, Armando's, BARS, Basel, beer, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, birmingham, Bleecker, Bleecker Burgers, brixton, Bunsen, BurgerChief, burgers, Chattanooga, cheeseburgers, Crystal Palace, Denver, Drink, dublin, edinburgh, england, Five Guys, Food, Free State Kitchen, Halo Burgers, hamburgers, Holyrood 9a, ireland, Joanna's, liverpool, London, Original Patty Men, Pop Brixton, pubs, restaurants, scotland, Shake Shack, south london, street food, switzerland, TENNESSEE, TOMMI'S BURGER JOINT, Travel, vegan, vegetarian
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Win a Bottle of El Dorado 12 Year Old Rum
Guyanese premium rum producer, El Dorado uses regionally grown Demerara sugarcane to make some of the world’s most interesting and delicious rum. If you love a spirit with warm character and balance tropical notes, you need to taste El Dorado 12 Year Old. Continue reading
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Posted in Competition, Drink, Freebies
Tagged competition, Drink, El Dorado 12 Year Old Rum, El Dorado Rum, free, freebies, RT to win, rum, twitter competition
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Best Pizza of 2018
My Best of 2018 series rolls on with my recs on where to eat the tastiest pizzas in London and beyond. Pizzerias in Milan, Edinburgh, Frankfurt and Cleveland made the cut, with the Cleveland pizzerias particularly wowing my palate. Continue reading
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Posted in Bars, Beer, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Cleveland, Drink, Edinburgh, Food, Germany, Italy, London, Ohio, Pizza, Restaurants, Scotland, Travel, USA
Tagged 44102, 44113, 60329, baker street, BARS, beer, Best london pizza, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, best pizza in london, Brera, Brera Design District, brushfield street, Cleveland, da michele, Detroit Avenue, Dough Pizza, E1, E1 6AA, east london, EC1, edinburgh, Edison's Pizza Kitchen, EH1 1QS, EH2 4BA, fitzrovia, Food, Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, germany, goodge street, Icco, Il Rione, italian food, italian restaurants, l'antica pizzeria da michele, Lombardia, Lombardy, London, london pizza, Luini, Milan, milano, N1 1RU, Niddastraße, NW1 6UY, Ohio, Old Spitalfields, old spitalfields market, Oxmantown, OYSTERS, Panzerotti, pizza, Pizza 7 Bello, Powerscourt Centre, Professor Avenue, restaurants, Rose Street, Royal McGregor, royal mile, San Antonio, Saucy Brew Works, scotland, seven dials, Shimada Fisheries, shoreditch, spitalfields, spitalfields market, street, street food, street markets, Sud Italia, texas, The Pepper Pot, Travel, UK, upper street, USA, Via Santa Radegonda, W1, W1T 4LU, West 65th Street, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Next Stop? #InLombardia (at King’s Cross)
If you’re going to be around King’s Cross Station this weekend, be on the lookout for the #InLombardia bus and the chance to win a free trip for two to the Lombardy region of northern Italy and all sorts of other prizes Continue reading
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Posted in Competition, Freebies, Italy, London, Travel
Tagged #InLombardia, COMPETITIONS, free, freebies, Italy, king's cross, Lombardia, Lombardy, London, Milan, milano, Travel, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Best Breakfasts and Brunches of 2018
Welcome back to the Best of 2018. Here’s a plateful of hearty recommendations for breaking fast in London and elsewhere, and in this case elsewhere means San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country, Dublin, Edinburgh, Milan and Hiroshima.
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Posted in Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Chocolate, Coffee, Drink, Dublin, Edinburgh, Food, Ireland, Italy, Japan, London, Restaurants, Scotland, Texas, Travel
Tagged 20121, 739-0412, bagels, bakeries, Bandera, Bandera Texas, Benita Bakery, Best breakfast, Best breakfast in London, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Boondocks, breakfast, Brera, Brera Design District, brunch, CAFES, chocolate, City Road, coffee, Corso Garibaldi, covent garden, D02 CH28, Drink, dublin, earlham street, east london, EC1, EC1V 1JN, edinburgh, EH1 1QS, Fabrique Bakery, Food, haggis, Hatsukaichi, high street, highbury, Hiroshima, hot chocolate, hoxton, ireland, islington, japan, Lombardia, Lombardy, London, Main Street, Mary's Abbey, Milan, milano, Miyajimaguchi Nishi, N1, N1 1RU, North City, O.S.T. Restaurant, Odilla Chocolat, Oxmantown, Oyster Hut, OYSTERS, Pepper Pot, Powerscourt Centre, Royal McGregor, royal mile, San Antonio, scotland, seven dials, Shimada Fisheries, shoreditch, texas, The Pepper Pot, Travel, UK, upper street, USA, WC2, WC2H 9RY, William Street South, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Chef and Author Antonina Parker | #TCTalks Episode 52
For my 52nd episode of tikichris Talks, I speak with chef and author Antonina Parker. Hosted in her flat which doubles once a month as a dating app supper club, I chat about with Nina about how banana bread, cooking … Continue reading
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Posted in Books, Celebrities, Food, interview, London, Podcast, Recipes, Shopping, TCTalks, Travel
Tagged #TCTalks, Antonina Parker, books, Celebrities, chef, Chef Antonina Parker, Chef Nina Parker, cookbooks, Food, interview, London, Nina Food, Nina Parker, PODCAST, recipes, Shopping, supper clubs, tikichris talks, Travel, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Best Cafes of 2018
Excellent coffee is crucial, particularly when I’m travelling. Having comfortable places to drink it is a big deal too. So are competent and affable baristas. If you can throw in reliable WiFi and an outlet to keep my laptop and phone charged while I drink coffee, you’re golden. This list of three London espresso bars and six more in Chattanooga (Tennessee), Greenville (North Carolina), Köln, Liverpool, Pittsburgh, and Zurich met all my requirements and shined the brightest for me in 2018. Continue reading
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Posted in Bars, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Drink, England, Food, Germany, Pittsburgh, Switzerland, Travel
Tagged 15210, 27858, 37408, 50667, 8001, Appestat, Arlington Avenue, Auf dem Berlich, bakeries, BARS, Best cafes, Best cafes in London, Best coffee, Best coffee in London, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Black Forge, Black Forge Coffee, Black Forge Coffee House, Blackbeard Coffee, Blackbeard Coffee Roasters, Boki, breakfast, Café enSoie by ViCAFE, Cafe Kogi, CAFES, Chattanooga, coffee, Coffee Houses, Coffee shops, Coffee Station, Cologne, covent garden, Drink, E17, E17 4NX, E17 9QF, earlham street, East 5th Street, east london, East Main Street, england, espresso, Espresso bars, Farnan Avenue, Food, Ganton Street, germany, Greenville, Hanover Street, Hoe Street, islington, Islington High Street, Koln, L1 4AF, Lindentreppe, liverpool, London, London cafes, London coffee, N1, N1 8EG, Niedlov's, Niedlov's Breadworks, North Carolina, pennsylvania, Perky Blenders, Perky Blenders - The Magistrates, Pittsburgh, Root Coffee, Root Liverpool, Sacred Cafe, seven dials, soho, Specialty coffee, Station Approach, Strehlgasse, switzerland, TENNESSEE, Travel, UK, USA, ViCafe, W1, W1F 9BL, waltham forest, WALTHAMSTOW, Walthamstow Central, Walthamstow Central Station, WC2, WC2H 9LG, Zurich, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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My Coffee with Melitta | Win an AromaFresh Grind & Brew Coffee Maker
Continuing to share My Coffee with you, I’ve teamed up with Melitta for one more giveaway competition offering one lucky tikichris reader the chance to win an AromaFresh Grind & Brew coffee machine. Continue reading
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Posted in Coffee, Competition, Drink, Food, Freebies, My Coffee, Shopping, Video
Tagged #WinMelittaAromaFresh, Aroma Fresh, AromaFresh, AromaFresh Grind & Brew, AromaFresh Grind and Brew, coffee, coffee machine, coffee maker, competition, Drink, Food, free, freebies, Melitta, My Coffee, My Coffee with Melitta, RT to win, Shopping, twitter competition, Video
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Best Hotels of 2018
Next up in my Best of 2018 series is a short list of hotels that impressed me most. I took rooms in lots of hotels over the course of 2018. Most were perfectly fine, and I would be cool with … Continue reading
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Posted in Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Drink, Hotels, Japan, Luxury, Restaurants, Spain, Texas, Travel, USA, Wine
Tagged 25597, 25700, 739-0505, 78205, Best hotels, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Carretera d’Espot a Sant Maurici, Carretera N260, Castell de Ciutat, Catalonia, catalunya, Drink, East Travis Street, Espot, foo, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Hotel Castell de Ciutat, Hotel Miyajima Villa, Hotel Roya, hotels, japan, La Seu d'Urgell, Lérida, Lleda, luxury, Miyajima, Miyajimacho, Pyrenees, resorts, restaurants, San Antonio, Setouchi, spa, spain, texas, The St Anthony, Travel, USA, wine
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Magician Tony “Sonic” Middleton | #TCTalks Episode 51
Here’s an interview with magician and theatre producer Tony “Sonic” Middleton about how he got into magic, his shows around London and his involvement with the soon-to-open Maskelyne and Cooke magic bar at Le Meridien Piccadilly. Continue reading
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Posted in Bars, Christmas, Drink, Entertainment, Hotels, interview, Live Performance, London, Podcast, TCTalks, Travel
Tagged #TCTalks, BARS, christmas, Drink, Entertainment, hotels, interview, le meridien, le meridien piccadilly, live performance, London, magic, magician, mayfair, park lane, piccadilly, PODCAST, Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, sleight of hand, sleight of hand on the strand, Sonic, The Magic Hour, tikichris talks, Tony Middleton, Tony Middleton Sonic, Travel, Unfathomable, W1, W1J 7BX, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Best Podcasts of 2018
The first list in my Best of 2018 series is a new category for my annual consideration: podcasts. Continue reading
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Posted in Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Entertainment, Podcasts, Travel
Tagged 538, 538 Politics, Alice Levine, Best of, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Best Podcasts, Best Podcasts of 2018, Brexit, Brexit Means, Brian Lehrer, Brian Lehrer Show, financial times, FiveThirtyEight, FiveThirtyEight Politics, FT, FT Politics, guardian, James Cooper, Jamie Morton, Michael Barbar, My Dad Wrote a Porno, Nate Silver, New York Times, News, NY TImes, On the Media, Podcasts, politics, ProPublica, Sarah Koenig, Sebastian Payne, Serial, Serial podcast, The Brian Lehrer Show, The Daily, The Financial Times, the guardian, The Guardian’s Brexit Means, The New York Times, Travel, Trump Inc, WNYC
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New Series on Amazon Prime: The Three Drinkers
The Three Drinkers, a new Amazon Prime travel series, has launched with a four-part season about Scotch whisky. Continue reading
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Posted in Drink, London, Shopping, Television, Travel
Tagged Aidy Smith, Amazon Prime, BELGRAVIA, Colin Hampden-White, Drink, Grovsvenor Gardens, Helena Nicklin, Moet Hennessy, reviews, SW1, SW1 ODH, television, The Three Drinkers, The Three Drinkers Do Scotch Whisky, tv, Video, whisky, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Best of 2018
As 2018 draws to an end, I would like to share its highlights with a year-end roundup of the best food, drink, and travel related treats that I came across over the past 12 months. Continue reading
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Posted in Bars, Beer, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Coffee, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Pizza, Podcasts, Pubs, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel
Tagged BARS, beer, Best of, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, brunch, burgers, CAFES, CHEAP EATS, cocktails, coffee, Drink, Food, hotel, hotels, ice cream, London, luxury, pizza, Podcasts, pubs, resorts, restaurants, Shopping, tea, Travel, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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How Adding Hot Food Displays Can Improve Your Business
One way of growing your business without a ton of investment is by looking into the addition of hot food display equipment. Continue reading
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The Welsh Sporting Events You Cannot Miss Out On
Sporting action is at the heart of every Welshman and Welshwoman. For this reason, if you ever find yourself visiting Wales, to truly experience this beautiful country you should task yourself with seeing and experiencing as many Welsh sporting events … Continue reading
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Why Schools Need to Think about Investing in Gym Equipment for Students
Fitness and sports are integral parts of most high schools. Focusing on health and fitness promotes a healthy lifestyle for the future of our country. Continue reading
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Monsieur Le Duck
If birds of a feather flock together, London gastronomes who favour the flavours of southwestern France are sure to find each other flying in and waddling out of Monsieur Le Duck on Brushfield Street. Continue reading
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Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants
Tagged brushfield street, Drink, duck, E1, E1 6AN, french food, french restaurants, liverpool street, liverpool street station, London, Monsieur Le Duck, restaurants, spitalfields, spitalfields market, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Kobe Beef | #TCTalks Episode 50
Episode 50 of tikichris Talks features an interview I conducted in while in Kobe, Japan with Mr Tetsunori Tanimoto. Mr Tanimoto is Head of Kobe Beef Association and President of Livestock Division for Hyogo Prefectural Headquarters National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative. During our conversation, he dispelled a few myths about Kobe beef while explaining what sets it apart from other products and how to know if you’re getting the real thing. Continue reading
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Posted in Food, interview, Japan, Luxury, Podcast, Restaurants, Shopping, TCTalks, Travel
Tagged #TCTalks, beef, Food, Hyogo, interview, japan, japanese food, Junko Usui, kobe beef, Kobe Beef Association, luxury, PODCAST, restaurants, Shopping, steak, Tetsunori Tanimoto, tikichris talks, Travel, Wagyu
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Halo Burger Launches at Pop Brixton
Plant-based burger joint, Halo Burger, has launched in London with a outlet at cargo container retail village, Pop Brixton. Continue reading
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Posted in Christmas, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants
Tagged Beyond Beef, Beyond Burgers, Beyond Meat, brixton, Brixton Station Road, burgers, cheeseburgers, christmas, Christmas burger, Drink, fast food, Food, Halo Burger, Halo Burgers, hamburgers, London, Pop Brixton, restaurants, reviews, south london, SW9, SW9 8PQ, vegan, vegetarian, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Unsung Cities | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Going with Pittsburg for the start of this new series was a no-brainer. I had a great time there in September and would not be averse to making repeat visits. The blank stares I’ve received from people here in London when I say I was recently there (and loved it) suggests the city has a way to go before shaking off any unsung status. Continue reading
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Posted in Food, Good Cause, Pittsburgh, Restaurants, Travel, Unsung Cities, USA, Video
Tagged Acorn, Acorn PGH, Acorn Pittsburgh, Food, good cause, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, HIAS, Onion Maiden, pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, restaurants, Travel, Tree of Life, Tree of Life synagogue, Unsung Cities, USA, vegan, vegetarian, Video
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Win a Christmas Tree Bottle Filled with Gingerbread Liqueur from Il Gusto
Just in time to help you have the merriest of Christmases, I’ve teamed up with Il Gusto one more time for another competition that’ll see one lucky tikichris reader win a Christmas tree-shaped bottle filled with gingerbread liqueur. Continue reading
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Posted in Christmas, Competition, Drink, Food, Freebies, Shopping
Tagged #WinChristmasTreeBottle, #WinGingerbreadLiqueur, christmas, christmas tree, Christmas tree bottle, competition, Drink, Food, free, freebies, gingerbread liqueur, il gusto, RT to win, Shopping, twitter competition
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How to Visit the Philippines on a Budget
The Philippines is one of the most incredible budget travel destinations in the world by default because of its free attractions, cheap wine and food, and pocket-friendly accommodation options. Continue reading
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Unsung Cities
Here’s a quick introduction to Unsung Cities, a new series of posts about overlooked and under appreciated urban wonders I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. Continue reading
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Nurses | #TCTalks Episode 49
Episode 49 of tikichris Talks is a Thanksgiving special celebrating the dedication, compassion and ambition of nurses. The show is comprised of interviews with three close friends of mine who, one way or another, unexpectedly found themselves on difficult but rewarding paths toward careers in nursing. Continue reading
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Posted in interview, Podcast, TCTalks, Thanksgiving, Travel
Tagged #TCTalks, Chip Tucker, Chris Smith, interview, Julie Palmer-Hoffman, Nurses, Nursing, PODCAST, thanksgiving, tikichris talks, Travel
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Thanks
Every Thanksgiving Day since 2011, I’ve written a sort of ‘things to be grateful for’ blog post. So I’ll keep with the tradition and do the same today. But if you want know the truth, I feel ambivalent and glum. Continue reading
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Vinegar Pies and Burgers Stacked High: The Most Delicious Side of Pittsburgh (Metro)
Pittsburgh had been on my radar for the past couple of years as an ever-improving dining destination, so I was glad to have the chance to see what the fuss was all about for myself. As I saw it, the food and drink scene was fiercely hyper local, with eateries concerned more about pleasing regulars than appealing to out-of-towners and destination diners. That said, showing up from foreign shores as I did, I was received with a warm welcome everywhere I ate, and each meal came with the feeling that I was not going to be allowed to leave unsatisfied. Indeed I never did. Continue reading
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Posted in Drink, Food, Metro, Restaurants, Travel, USA
Tagged BARS, Drink, Food, metro, pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, restaurants, Travel, USA
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Bronte Aurell of Scandi Kitchen | #TCTalks Episode 48
For episode 48 of tikichris Talks, I chat with Scandi Kitchen co-owner, Bronte Aurell. During our conversation at her café and shop near Oxford Circus, Bronte and I discuss the true meaning of hygge, how to enjoy a Scandinavian Christmas and what it’s like to be a proud immigrant. Continue reading
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Posted in Christmas, Coffee, Drink, Food, interview, London, Podcast, Shopping, TCTalks, Travel
Tagged #proudimmigrant, #TCTalks, Bronte Aurell, CAFES, christmas, coffee, Drink, fitzrovia, Food, Hygge, interview, London, Nordic food, oxford circus, PODCAST, Scandi Kitchen, scandinavian food, Shopping, tikichris talks, Travel, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Dreaming Big About Winning Big
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to suddenly have access to a load of cash – like inheriting a fortune from a long lost relative or winning a lottery bet? Continue reading
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Coastal Highways to Pirates Past (Hertz Together)
Ahoy ye landlubbers! If you’re searching for high seas adventure (without such a high cost to enjoy it or even having to venture too far into the sea) allow this seadog to suggest a road trip along the southeastern Atlantic coast of the United States. Continue reading
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Posted in Cars, driving, Hertz Together, road trip, Travel, USA
Tagged blackbeard, cars, driving, Hertz, Hertz Car Hire, history, Pirates, road trip, Roadtrip, Travel, USA
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Buddha Bowl at Beany Green
Buddha Bowl options include lemon and herb chicken, meatballs with tomato, and vegan Beany balls (think beetroot-flavoured falafel), all served with a mix of roasted sweet potato, chickpea ragu, roasted aubergine, greens, mixed grain rice and fermented jalapeño hot sauce. Continue reading
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Posted in Food, London, Restaurants
Tagged Beany Green, Buddha Bowls, Daisy Green, Daisy Green Collection, Food, London, lunch, Maida Vale, paddington, Paddington Basin, restaurants, reviews, Sheldon Square, vegan, vegetarian, W2, W2 6EZ, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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8 Underrated Ideas to Elevate the Aesthetics of Home Bars
Just because it’s your home bar that doesn’t mean that it needs to be shabby, messy or unappealing. There are several décor ideas that you can use to upgrade the aesthetics of your home bar. Today, we have compiled a list of such underrated ideas to help you give your home bar that fancy and sophisticated appeal. These ideas are tried and tested and will give you much sought after results.
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Why Bakeries in the UK Must Become Energy Efficient
It’s now so important for bakers to consider their energy usage and take steps to work more efficiently. By doing this, not only can they improve their bottom line, but they can also make their businesses more sustainable —reducing their impact on the environment. Continue reading
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Win a Free Park & Ride at London Gatwick Airport with Cophall Parking Gatwick
Planning to fly out of Gatwick sometime in the next 12 months? I’ve teamed up with Cophall Parking Gatwick to make your travels easier and cheaper with up to two weeks of free parking at Gatwick Airport. Continue reading
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Posted in Competition, Freebies, London, Travel
Tagged #WinAirportParking, Airport Park and Ride, Airport Parking, competition, free, freebies, gatwick, gatwick airport, London, RT to win, Travel, twitter competition, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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