Author Archives: tikichris

About tikichris

Chris Osburn is the founder, administrator and editor of tikichris. In addition to blogging, he works as a freelance journalist, photographer, consultant and curator.

Top 5 Winter Break Destinations

Skiing, snowboarding and enjoying the idyllic winter scenery in the mountains or a spring-like temperature in warmer areas? No matter what the choice is the winter holiday will always be an unforgettable experience. Continue reading

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Ken Price Retrospective at Hauser & Wirth London

Open now and running at Hauser & Wirth London until the 4th of February, Ken Price: A Survey of Sculptures and Drawings, 1959 – 2006 is the first exhibition of American artist Ken Price’s work in London since 1976. Continue reading

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A Gift Guide for Travelers (Going Places)

We all have people in our lives who love to travel just as much as we do. Whether it’s family or friends, we know you’ll be thinking about what to gift these savvy travelers this holiday season.

To make your life easier, here are five considerations to keep in mind as you make your lists. Continue reading

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New Orleans in 18 Eats | Index | #TCEatsNOLA

Lord have mercy! It’s a good thing this blog came equipped with an elastic waistband. Otherwise, I might not have been able to finish my 18-stop tour of America’s culinary capital on a streetcar named delicious. Continue reading

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New Shake Shack at Leicester Square

“Modern day roadside burger stand” Shake Shack has launched its fourth London outlet (and fifth in the UK) at Leicester Square. Continue reading

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Willie Mae’s Scotch House | #TCEatsNOLA

Last but by no means least among my list of 18 New Orleans Eats is the great Willie Mae’s Scotch House which has been serving exceptionally satisfying fried chicken and soul food fixings in a modest home setting since 1957. Continue reading

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Infographic: Rise of the Street Food Van

Are you a budding street food entrepreneur hoping to make the most of the street food revolution? Check out this fun infographic from Van Monster. Continue reading

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Upperline Restaurant | #TCEatsNOLA

Moving back uptown for another phenomenal feast among my 18 New Orleans Eats, I’m sitting down for a most sublime supper at the accommodating and gentile Upperline Restaurant, where the very definition of Southern hospitality may be enjoyed to its fullest and most delectable extent. Continue reading

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Win a £150 Gift Card from Pocket High Street

Daunted by the task of Christmas shopping? Hoping to avoid the same old big box retailers this year and find prezzies that are as special and distinctive as your friends and family whom you’re buying for? Have I got a gift for you! I’ve teamed up with the folks at PocketHighStreet.com to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a £150 gift card to spend at the best independent shops in London. Continue reading

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Trinity | #TCEatsNOLA

Trinity restaurant on Decatur Street in the French Quarter had only been open for about three months when I paid a visit. Nevertheless, Executive Chef Michael Isolani’s 21st century take on Haute Creole cuisine more than met the standards for fine dining in NOLA, seemed to fit in with the local scene as if it had always been there, and certainly proved suitable as a choice for one of my 18 New Orleans Eats. Continue reading

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Beiriso Updated

One of the first eateries I reviewed this year was Beiriso near Holborn Station. The takeaway café with a menu focused on reasonably priced, freshly made and quickly served sushi and pasta invited me back recently for another taste after rearranging the dining area and giving it a refurb and honing in on the best aspects of their kitchen. Continue reading

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Shaya | #TCEatsNOLA

When I first started to come up with my wish list for New Orleans in 18 Easts, I wasn’t thinking about falafel and hummus, neither was I expecting Israeli cuisine made almost exclusively with locally grown Louisiana ingredients to top my list of all-time favourite restaurant meals. Then I found out about Shaya and wisely took a chance on eating there. Continue reading

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Coffee Island, Upper St Martin’s Lane

Coffee Island new café near Leicester Square aims to provide customers with sustainably sourced coffee brewed in a variety of methods and offered as customised blends. Continue reading

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La Petite Grocery | #TCEatsNOLA

Elegant and indulgent, novel and authentic, worldly and homespun, fine and funky: my uptown lunch at La Petite Grocery was a gourmet dream of gourmand extravagance. Had I ever been presented with a richer, more inventive meal – even among … Continue reading

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All Day Brunch at Over Easy, Marylebone

Across Duke Street from Selfridges, Over Easy is a stylish café for brunchy endeavours and caffeinated pit stops. Continue reading

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Parkway Bakery & Tavern | #TCEatsNOLA

The folks at Parkway Bakery & Tavern reckon they do the best po-boy/po’ boy/poor boy in Louisiana. Maybe. Although some fans of this famous sandwich of New Orleans origin would suggest you need only go about five miles uptown for a taste of a worthy contender. Whatever the case, Parkway has been making authentically delicious and massive po-boys since 1911 – and you’d be a fool to fault ‘em for it. Continue reading

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Breakfast in America (espressoCrazy)

The tastiest aspects of my recent US escapades often took place in the morning. So I thought I’d share with you a few especially memorable breakfasts from my time in the Land of Plenty. Continue reading

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K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen | #TCEatsNOLA

Legendary Louisiana chef, Paul Prudhomme, is widely recognised as the man who brought Cajun and Creole cooking to the masses through his fame as a chef and restaurateur and the popularity of his Magic Seasoning Blends sold throughout the US. Sadly, Chef Prudhomme passed away in 2015, but his legacy lives on in scrumptious glory at his French Quarter restaurant K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen. Continue reading

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Win a Chocolate or Coffee Explorer Pack from Taste Tripper

Do you have a London friend or family member who’s a coffee or chocolate fanatic? Then I’ve got just the gift idea for you! Taste Tripper Explorer Packs are a fun and tasty way to enjoy the best of the London foodie scene – and I’m giving one explorer pack away to one lucky tikichris reader. Continue reading

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GW Fins | #TCEatsNOLA

Love seafood? Crave innovative cuisine? Seeking an upscale setting with a casual air? GW Fins is the place for you. Continue reading

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Dinner at Beagle, Hoxton

I love the space (and smart use of it). What’s doing at the bar is very much in line with how I prefer to imbibe. Service is friendly and helpful. And the food’s great. Based on my recent visit, I’ve no bone to pick with Beagle and can only bark about how smart a choice this Hoxton restaurant is for a quality meal. Continue reading

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Galatoire’s | #TCEatsNOLA

Blame it on the cocktails (and might I recommend a potent and creamy Brandy Milk Punch) or on the burst of relief upon getting in the door (there’s a no reservation policy but always a lengthy queue out front) … or maybe on notoriously naughty setting on Bourbon Street … whatever the case, Galatoire’s was one the most raucous and rowdy restaurants I’ve ever entered. It was also one of the most rarefied and refined. Maybe all the revelry was simply because folks were feeling understandably jubilant to be eating such great food in such an amazing establishment. I know I was over the moon to be there. Continue reading

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Good Stuff #61

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip, savour and more – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy.

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Elizabeth’s | #TCEatsNOLA

Chef Bryon Peck’s homey from-scratch cooking is as downhome as it gets. I loved my time digging into a big Southern style breakfast while admiring the vibrant folk art on walls (inside and out), at his laid back and creaky floored Bywater restaurant Elizabeth’s. Continue reading

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Preview: Simon Warner’s Viva Hypnosis at Leicester Square Theatre

Comedy hypnotist, Simon Warner, brings his mesmerising act to the West End stage for the first time in 15 years with Viva Hypnosis for two nights only at the Leicester Square Theatre just before Christmas. Continue reading

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Compère Lapin | #TCEatsNOLA

Situated in the lobby of The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery, my hotel for the first half of my NOLA dining adventure, Compère Lapin was only few month’s old, all the rage, and absolutely hopping (jeu de mots) during my stay. Not to try it as one of my 18 Eats, would have been remiss. Beside every time I passed the restaurant on my way in or out of the hotel, the lure of the aromas wafting out of its kitchen grew more irresistible. Continue reading

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Recipe: Banana Split Milkshake

Häagen-Dazs has launched a new seasonal flavour for Autumn/Winter 2016: Honey Walnut & Cream. Mmm mmm good? Uh huh. Oh yeah. Want to add an extra layer of yum to it? Check out my recipe for a banana split milkshake (regular and ‘hard’ versions included) using this delicious limited run ice cream. Continue reading

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Commander’s Palace | #TCEatsNOLA

Family owned Commander’s Palace has been wowing palates with inventive Haute Creole cuisine and utterly genteel service since 1880, making it the third oldest restaurant in New Orleans. With chefs such as Paul Prudhomme, Emeril Lagasse, Jamie Shannon, and now Tory McPhail among its kitchen alumni, this revered Garden District restaurant dripping with awards and accolades is arguably the city’s most popular and historically significant place to eat. Continue reading

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A Relaxing Stay at a Bed and Breakfast

There are some times where you just want to be able to get away for a weekend or a few days and be with that special person, with your family, with friends or just by yourself. You want to go … Continue reading

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Cochon Butcher | #TCEatsNOLA

Warehouse District “swine bar” and butcher shop with sandwich counter and deli – Cochon Butcher finds inspiration in “old world meat markets” and in Louisiana heritage foods such as Cajun specialties boudin, andouille, and tasso. Continue reading

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Win a Big Bag o’ Booze for Free

Oh no! I’m running out of room in my liquor cabinet. And that’s especially good news for one lucky tikichris reader. Continue reading

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Central Grocery and Deli | #TCEatsNOLA

We’re back in the French Quarter for this latest instalment of New Orleans in 18 Eats, with a visit to Central Grocery and Deli for the mutha of all mega-sized sandwiches: the mighty muffuletta. Continue reading

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Adam Rawson Kitchen Residency at The George & Dragon, Fitzrovia

Globetrotting chef, Adam Rawson, has set up temporary residence in the kitchen of Fitzrovia pub, The George & Dragon, and is cooking up his own tasty take on pub grub inspired by his travels. Continue reading

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Camellia Grill | #TCEatsNOLA

If you ever find yourself nursing a hangover in New Orleans or up late working on one for the next morning, keep Camellia Grill in mind. It’s the Garden District go-to for giant omelets, particularly moreish pecan pie, stout coffee and all sorts of other delicacies designed to you help cope with post celebratory suffering and start feeling like a champ again. Continue reading

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Cocktail Recipe: Hot Rye and Chamomile Toddy

Keen for something warm and soothing to drink during the long winter nights ahead? I think I’ve come up with just the right drink: a hot rye and chamomile toddy. Continue reading

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