Category Archives: Drink

Clementine Communications Showcase: Good Stuff!

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on a few of the many fine things to sip or savour which I’ve recently come across during the Clementine Communications showcase of clients at the end of last month and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading

Posted in Chocolate, Drink, Food, Good Stuff, Shopping, Valentine's Day, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Get a Free Hot Chocolate at Hotel Chocolat Cafes All Valentine’s Week!

To show my readers how much I appreciate each and every one of you for supporting my blog, I’ve come up with a sweetheart of an offer that’s good all Valentine’s Week: FREE hot chocolate from Hotel Chocolat! Continue reading

Posted in Chocolate, Discounts and Special Offers, Drink, Food, Freebies, London, Shopping, Valentine's Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Afternoon Tea at the Intercontinental London Park Lane? It’s a Guiltless Pleasure.

Yes, the folks at the Park Lane Intercontinental have done it again: wowed my senses in one of London’s most elegantly comfortable public settings … and with gracious and polite service to boot! This new vegetarian (without ever stating so) afternoon tea was a delight and yet another point to be added to a now rather lengthy set of reasons to recommend the hotel as an ideal destination for making the most of your time in the West End. Continue reading

Posted in Art, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, London Daily Photo, Luxury, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Preview: Maggies Bigger Hair Night

On Thursday 5 February, Maggie’’s 80s club in Chelsea will partner with luxurious beauty institution, MichaelJohn, in Knightsbridge, to help dust off those closet cobwebs after a ‘dry January’, blowing them and your hair into seasonal style, with an event … Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Fashion, London, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Teapigs Matcha Pop-Up at Boxpark

Teapigs, the English company founded with an eye for ethics and a taste for good tea, has had a short stint at Boxpark in Shoreditch since last week. Launching on the 16th of January, the popup shop has put a heavy focus on their most popular product: matcha, a delicate powdered green tea from the Nichou region of Japan, packed with flavour and antioxidants. Unit 26 has been transformed, at least for a little while, into a haven for tea and a menu of tasty treats you may never have associated with it. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Recipes, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

#LoveCinema with eHarmony

While we’ve traded in our parchment for iPads, romance is not something we’re ready to grow out of. eHarmony’s #LoveCinema reminds us that members’ bars and private societies aside, sometimes all it takes is a leap of faith and a night at the movies to start your own love story. Old school meets new age: this is how we might like to fall in love. Continue reading

Posted in Discounts and Special Offers, Drink, London, Video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Win a Personalised Valentine’s Hamper from Hans Sloane Chocolate

Melt that special someone’s heart this Valentine’s Day with a personalised Hans Sloane Valentine’s Hamper, featuring two exclusive Rich Dark Drinking Chocolate Hearts, inscribed with your initials Continue reading

Posted in Chocolate, Competition, Drink, Food, Freebies, Shopping, Valentine's Day | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Secret Seven: London (Urban Travel Blog)

Worried that your weekend in London is heading towards Tourist Central, calling at all stations via Boring Break? In that case we strongly suggest you change onto our Secret Seven line and alight at any of these intriguing stops. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel, Urban Travel Blog | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kanada-Ya: Tonkotsu Ramen Worth Waiting For

Since Kanada-Ya opened last autumn in St Giles, the restaurant has attracted steady queues of people waiting patiently for a fix of authentic tonkotsu ramen.
The good news for those shivering outside is, Kanada-Ya is not the kind of place you linger for ages. The menu is ultra streamlined, offering just three choices of piggy goodness (vegetarians, look away now). Sure enough, a couple of spots at a window bench became available fairly quickly. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Den Udon: Time for Japanese Food Lovers in London to Rejoice?

Den Udon’s hip new venue just opened its doors to business, with a clean layout and alternating menus that convert it from a casual luncheon spot to a cosy place for conversation over dinner and drinks. The trendy, minimalist vibe and welcoming staff make you feel right at home, and hearty menu options offer an array of traditional Japanese food with a bit of a twist. Fair portion sizes, a long list of sharable appetizers, and communal tables make Den and especially appealing alternative if you’re dining with a large group. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Healthy and Quick Italian-Japanese Fusion at Beiriso in Holborn

Recently opened Italian-Japanese fusion eatery, Beiriso, brings a tasty assortment of lunchtime and on-the-hoof dining options to the hectic streets of Holborn that’s bound to woo passers-by with affordable prices and a mostly health-conscious selection of food and drink. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Stuff #37

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

Posted in Chocolate, Drink, Good Stuff, London, Shopping, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The World’s End Market: Fresh and Flavoursome Finesse on the King’s Road

I expected a very good – potentially even great – dining experience when I accepted an offer to review newly opened The World’s End Market. I didn’t expect to be wowed though. However, some of the dishes that Kemey and I tried on our Monday night visit did just that and delighted my unsuspecting palate. I was deeply impressed and can easily recommend this King’s Road eatery for anyone seeking quality meal simply prepared with locally or ethically sourced ingredients. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The MacRib: Mega Meaty Americana at Joe’s Southern Kitchen

Up until last weekend, I would have filed Joe’s Southern Kitchen under that category of Central London restaurants that I’ve walked by innumerable times but never actually ventured inside. Heck, I can even remember when the place was called Navajo Joe’s. But when an offer came round to sample this Covent Garden stalwart’s new (and blatant “homage” to you-know-who’s limited offer you-know-what) MacRib sandwich, I reckoned it was time to give the place a go. I’m glad I did. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

M Restaurants on Threadneedle Street, EC2

It was the last restaurant I visited in 2014 and the first one I’m reviewing in 2015 – appropriate enough for a finish or start to a great year of dining as any I reckon. My late night dinner at M – a newly opened and rather slick two-in-one restaurant plus wine bar combo just a stroll from Bank Station – pleased my palate with a menu full of tartare, tiradito and sashimi selections that didn’t leave me feeling raw. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2014 – Best of the Best

Going back over of the best sights, bites and more from the past 12 months was a fun and fruitful exercise in counting my blessings and strive for more. I hope my series of Best of 2014 lists may assist you in making the most of your time in the months to come. Cheers for reading tikichris in 2014! Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Coffee, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Restaurant Review: The Cavendish, Marylebone

Newly opened The Cavendish sets a dual tone for a night out. The downstairs bar (which was absolutely jam packed the Tuesday evening I was there) offers casual drinks with upscale air while a more subdued if rather swish upstairs dining room promises a more formal experience (though still quite far from stuffy). Whether it be a quick drink, bar snacks with cocktails, or a full-on feast – The Cavendish is a worthwhile venue to keep in mind next time you’re seeking a suitable place to enjoy food and drink in Marylebone. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Pubs, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Restaurants (Everywhere Else) – 2014

Have I ever eaten so well in so many different destinations? Nope. If 2014 was one thing for me, it was a fantastic time of great foodie adventures. When coming up with this list of noteworthy restaurants visited the past year (see my list of London’s best here), I realize I did the bulk of the job of making a list of the best restaurants I’ve ever visited in my life. Continue reading

Posted in Basel, Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Drink, Faroe Islands, Food, Louisiana, Portugal, Restaurants, Switzerland, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Best Restaurants in London – 2014

Most of these ‘best of lists’ I’m doing have been compiled with some degree of difficulty often leaving me feeling guilty for excluding somewhere excellent that for whatever reason was nudged out by another place. However, making a concise and definite list of my favourite few London restaurants visited over this past year was an absolute breeze as five fantastic eateries clearly did stand out from the rest with respect to quality of food and overall dining experience. Continue reading

Posted in Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Upscale Japanese Served with Knightsbridge Panache at Nozomi

From my wisely suggested and promptly served Japanese Old Fashioned to my palate cleansing spread of homemade sorbets (ooh the pineapple!) – and all the tasty moments in between – there were so many highlights worth reporting from my luxuriant Saturday night out at Nozomi in Knightsbridge. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Luxury, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win a De Beauvoir Deli Basket from The De Beauvoir Deli Co

Teaming up with the dynamic De Beauvoir Deli, I’ve come up with a great excuse to pop round this ace little shop by offering my readers the chance to win a De Beauvoir Deli Basket valued at £30. The lucky winner will need to be able to pick up the prize in shop and will walk home with a delectable assortment of treats in a handy dandy 12” basket. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Chocolate, Christmas, Competition, Drink, Food, Freebies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Beer – 2014

Beer. I can’t say I really drank a whole lot of it in 2014 (especially compared to how much I’ve consumed in earlier years), but I can say I drank some very fine beer indeed over the last 12 months. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Drink, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Best Bars (Everywhere Else) – 2014

A blogger walks into a bar … and has an amazing time! No joke! Here’s a quick write up of some excellent places to have a drink in a handful of awesome destinations I had the pleasure of visiting this year. Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Beer, Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Drink, Food, Greece, Hotels, Louisiana, Luxury, Music, Restaurants, Spain, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Best Bars in London – 2014

The options for getting one’s drink on in London continued to broaden and improve in 2014. I truly was impressed with the libations on offer at so many bars around town this year. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Washington DC: Where to Eat in the Political Capital of the Western World (City AM)

Over the past few years, ravenous London scenesters have been snarfing down a vast array of steaks, burgers, hot dogs, shakes, pizzas, burritos and all sorts of other full-flavoured Americana from a diverse range of restaurants, pop-ups and food trucks. US food, as our Stateside cousins would say, is hot right now. Meanwhile, denizens of US capital Washington DC have been reinvigorating the very concept of what it means to eat American, as I discovered during my recent city break there. Continue reading

Posted in City AM, Coffee, Drink, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, Travel, Virginia, Washington DC, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Coffee in London – 2014

What a fantastic year! I’m going to wrap up 2014 with a series of “best of” posts highlighting some of my favourite sights, bites and more from the past 12 months. As with so many important endeavours, I’d like to start off with one of the most fundamental resources known to humanity: coffee! Continue reading

Posted in Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Coffee, Drink, Food, London | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Good Stuff

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

Posted in Chocolate, Christmas, Design, Drink, Food, Good Stuff, Hotels, London, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cheer in Style with Your Own Limited Edition Stella Artois Christmas Chalice

That’s right, Stella Artois has released a Limited Edition Christmas Chalice, available only while stocks last. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Christmas, Drink, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Riverford at the Duke of Cambridge, Britain’s Only 100% Organic Pub

The Duke of Cambridge – Britain’s first and only certified organic pub – has teamed up with Riverford (aka the organic veg box folks from Devon) to “champion seasonal produce” and offer Londoners an ethical and healthier option for quality pub grub. I dropped by the Duke earlier this week for a low key Monday lunch – and very much enjoyed the experience. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Pubs, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Go Greek Naturally and Independently at Isle of Olive, Broadway Market

Isle of Olive is a lovely little shop just off Broadway Market. Specialising in sourcing natural products from independent producers in Greece, its shelves represent a smartly curated selection of the best in Greek food, drink, health and beauty. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Shopping, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sunday Night Jazz at Beagle, E2

Much lauded Beagle restaurant and bar in the railway arches next to Hoxton Station has launched a December series of intimate jazz sessions featuring musicians from The Thames Delta who have played with such notables as Amy Winehouse, Sam Smith and Kelis. I had the pleasure of attending the premiere show this past Sunday. For a chilled out (and not so pricey) Sunday evening of live music and quality drink, keep Beagle in mind. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Music, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Theo Randall’s Pasta and Wine Menu (Great British Chefs)

Theo Randall at the Intercontinental is THE place to head to for an upscale dinner focused on basic quality ingredients with a no-fuss approach to bringing out the best in Italian cuisine. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Great British Chefs, Hotels, London, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#PukkaPimms Pop-Up Curry House – Saturday 6 December, Bethnal Green Road

A cold winter’s night, a warming spicy curry … and a refreshing glass of Pimm’s and lemonade? Wha … ? Believe it or not, these elements come to together in a moreishly complimentary way as I discovered last night at a preview of the #PukkaPimms pop-up restaurant near the ‘top end’ of Bethnal Green Road. Not sure such a mix would actually go down well? Find out for yourself this weekend when the pop-up opens to the public with celebrity Hardeep Singh Kohli as front of house. Continue reading

Posted in Celebrities, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win a Yeni Raki Drinking Kit and Cookbook #UnrushYourWorld

More than simply a bottle of premium drink, a couple of glasses to pour it in and a cookbook, my latest competition offers one lucky reader the chance to “unrush your world” with Yeni Raki, whose distillers believe “slow is a luxury” and the “art of extending memorable moments” is a noble endeavour. Hear! Hear! I’ll drink to that! Continue reading

Posted in Competition, Drink, Food, Freebies, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Stuff

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

Posted in Beer, Christmas, Design, Drink, Food, Good Stuff, London, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment