Category Archives: Shopping

Running From Greenbaum: Andy Hollingworth Portraits at Snap Galleries

Two decades worth of photographer Andy Hollingworth’s portraits of comedians are on view now at Snap Galleries just off the Piccadilly. The show, Running from Greenbaum runs until mid September. Pop our head in for a looksee that’s sure to … Continue reading

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Recipe: Ricotta Buttermilk Ice Cream

This recipe for ricotta buttermilk ice cream is easy to make, requires minimal ingredients, and yields some much more flavour and creamy texture than typical ice creams tend to have. The ricotta and the buttermilk came from Bermondsey’s Kappacasein dairy. I the ricotta is definitely good enough to eat on its own, and I reckon would be great in any number of dishes. Maybe next time I’ll make some cassata. Continue reading

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Win a Bottle of Whitley Neill Small Batch London Dry Gin

Whitley Neill is a small batch London dry gin. Inspired by Africa, it is comprised of nine different botanicals including the South African baobab and cape gooseberry. Fancy a taste … for free? I’ve got one bottle of this distinctive and award-winning premium spirit to give away. Continue reading

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Recipe: Mustard Greens

When making this dish for yourself, it’s worth keeping in mind that the Food Assembly ingredients I used were especially yummy and – I reckon – made the greens that much better than they might have been otherwise. Continue reading

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August Issue of UK Cigar Scene Out Now

Issue Eight of the monthly UK Cigar Scene Magazine is now online and ready for download. Each issue of UK Cigar Scene is free to download and includes a video interview with a key cigar personality along with news of … Continue reading

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You Might be a Coffee Snob If … (espressoCrazy)

Do you consider yourself to be a coffee snob? Do you judge others on how much they know (or don’t) about your favourite caffeinated drink? Have you ever done anything out of the ordinary to achieve a dream coffee situation? Do you even have a ‘dream coffee situation’ in mind? Continue reading

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Get Ready to Crave the New Druid Street Market

Okay folks, I’ve got a couple of phrases I’d like you to repeat after me. The first one is “kimchi and Stilton grilled cheese sandwich” as this is the future of what you shall crave. The other is “Druid Street Market,” which is an important phrase to remember because that’s were you’re gonna head on Saturday to take a bite out of this ultra-umami toastie. Continue reading

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Häagen-Dazs Master Ice Cream Academy: Free Ice Cream Fun at Bloomsbury Square Today!

I dropped by Bloomsbury Square yesterday and had a great time. Already a fan of Dan’s doings at Duck & Waffle, I loved getting to sample his peach melba Champagne float. The event was my second encounter with Professor Smith and I was just as amazed and inspired as I was the first time. Rose’s blog, The Londoner, had been completely off my radar until the event. But to have teamed up with Dan, I reckon her site’s worth taking a look-see at. Maybe I’ll do that now while you make plans to get over to Bloomsbury Square, WC1A 2NS today between 11am and 6pm. Continue reading

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My Food Assembled! Falling in Love with Food Assembly

Have you heard about Food Assembly? It’s a convenient new way to shop locally and seasonally that I’ve just come across – and have fallen in love with. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to share my personal Food Assembly experience across a series of My Food Assembled! posts to whet your appetite (and maybe even run a fun competition to give one lucky reader the chance to shop Food Assembly for free). Continue reading

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The Ultimate Guide to New Orleans Voodoo Culture (Miles Away)

Voodoo. How much of its mysterious traditions are hokey hype and how much is genuine religious practice? There’s no better place to find out for yourself than in New Orleans, where the legend, kitsch, and reality of Voodoo collide. Here’s … Continue reading

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Cold-Press Rapeseed Oil: Oil for One and One for Oil

One type of oil which is increasingly likely to be found in kitchens across the country is rapeseed, with sales rocketing in the last year. The golden elixir attracting discerning shoppers is not the refined, processed stuff often labeled as “vegetable” oil you may associate with rapeseed. British farmers are now producing premium cold-pressed, extra virgin oils from rapeseed crops which are comparable in quality to the best olive oils. Continue reading

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Win a Havana Club Mojito Kit

Key to mixing up a perfect mojito is getting its most important ingredient right. Made in the heart of Cuba, Havana Club 3 Anos is an ideal accompaniment for summer cocktails. The only white rum aged for three years, it develops deep aromas and tastes to suit any assortment of tropical serves, whether an authentic Cuban mojito or refreshing daiq Continue reading

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Pensacola, FL Is the Foodie Paradise You Never Knew About (Miles Away)

Sunny days, sandy beaches and sensational food – Pensacola is one of America’s tastiest seaside destinations. From farmers’ markets and “flip-flop fine dining” to innovative regional and international haute cuisine, if you’re hankering for something good to eat, this friendly Gulf Coast town has plenty to go round. Continue reading

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Sponsored Video: Lipton Ice Tea Asks: Are You a Daybreaker?

Are you a morning person? Over the past month or so Lipton Ice Tea has been sharing some especially tasty ways for even the crankiest of grizzlies to rise and shine with joyful anticipation of the day. From a zip … Continue reading

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This Voucher Code Makes Jealous Sweets 20% Sweeter!

Jealous Sweets makes craft gourmet confectionery for grownups who want a little elegance from their sweet treats. I’m a fan – especially of the intensely fruity Wild Cherries – and reckon the entire range of Wild Cherries, Yummy Bears, Grizzly Bears, Fizzy Friends, Tangy Worms and Sour Beans are packed with way more flavour than any of the typical sweets on the market. Something about the experience seems amplified compared to eating most other candies. Continue reading

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Car Parts?

Where do you shop for car parts? Do you go to your local garage? Hit some big brand store? Look online for the parts you need at sites such as www.BuyCarParts.co.uk? I’m just wondering because – although very much still … Continue reading

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Fizz & Fish! WineTrust at Hook Camden Town

Online wine retailer WineTrust recently teamed up with sustainable fish restaurant Hook Camden Town for a “Fizz & Fish” pairing of Champagnes and sparkling wines with a variety of fish and chip dishes. Coolest thing about this match made in foodie heaven (or at least from my greedy perspective) was that they kindly invited me along to enjoy the savoury slurp fest! Continue reading

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Win a Pot of Hotel Chocolat Fruit Bombes to Chill

Hotel Chocolat’s Fruit Bombes to Chill come in five fantastic flavours: blackcurrant, lime, lemon, cherry and passion fruit. With the perfect contrast of fruit tang and smooth chocolate, they’re best served after being chilled for at least 30 minutes. Pop in the fridge then pop in your mouth. Continue reading

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Yelp London’s Big Night In: Free Treats and Services Delivered to Your Doorstep

Have you heard about Yelp’s Big Night In? With mega-loads of free treats and services being offered to 30 lucky Yelpers, a quiet Friday night at home never looked so good! Continue reading

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Recipe: Jack Daniel’s Manhattan

With a taste of Tennessee and a touch of New York sophistication, a Jack Daniel’s Manhattan is Americana in a martini glass. Using the world’s favourite whiskey to create this highly regarded cocktail is a flavourful (and easy!) way to stir up some good times without raising too much of a fuss. Continue reading

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Sunlight Gleams on My Strategically Placed Coffee Machine (espressoCrazy)

Lousy photo? Maybe. But it illustrates well what I’m most pleased to blog about at this moment. Just look at all that streaming sunlight coming into the shot from my back garden! And what’s it gleaming on? My Francis Francis … Continue reading

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Find the Best Hotels near the Top Shopping Areas in London

Millions of people come to London each year for travel, but they all come for a variety of reasons. While some may visit the city because it is part of their business, others come strictly to take in some of … Continue reading

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Win a Good Night Anti-Snoring Ring

The independently trialled Good Night Anti-Snoring Ring has been clinically proven to work for 85% of people who’ve tried it. It’s super easy to use and offers a “natural, non-invasive and elegant way to stop snoring” simply by putting a bit of mild (and unnoticeable) pressure on your pinkie to clear your nasal breathing passages and “your natural bio-rhythms.” The Good Night Anti-Snoring Ring comes in three sizes, is fully adjustable and costs only £29.99. Available from Boots, your local pharmacy or online. Continue reading

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Good Stuff #43

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

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July Issue of UK Cigar Scene Out Now

The seventh issue of the monthly UK Cigar Scene Magazine is now online and ready for download. Each issue of UK Cigar Scene is free to download and includes a video interview with a key cigar personality along with news … Continue reading

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Movie Review: The Human Centipede 3 (Final Sequence)

Human Centipede 3 is blood-splattered joke. But it’s a joke that had me giggling and guffawing plenty … when I wasn’t squirming in my seat during scenes of excessive gore. I had a blast watching this movie, was chuckling about it the rest of the day, and was impressed by the sheer audacity required to create such a piece of cinema. Continue reading

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Hotels Near the Best Shopping in London

There are all kinds of reasons that you may want to visit the city of London. The history of the city and all of the wonderful tourist attractions you can take it are often more than enough for some people. … Continue reading

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Win a Range of Barman Sirops, Cans and Gourmet Drops from Teisseire

Teisseire has been making French sirop from naturally filtered water in the alps since 1720. The sirops come in a huge variety of flavours – from strawberry to cactus – among the most popular are Passionfruit, Raspberry, Lemon, Caramel, Mojito, Pink Grapefruit and Grenadine. They’re more flexible than cordials and go with both hot or cold drinks. Fancy a summery dash of French flair for free? I’ve teamed up with Teisseire to offer one lucky reader a chance to win a range barman sirops, cans and gourmet drops. Continue reading

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Recipe: Earl Grey Duck (Gressingham)

Here’s an extremely easy recipe that should still impress any dinner guest. Earl Grey is a brilliant marinade for duck breast, infusing the meat with range of light citrus notes and woody tannin flavour while tenderising it even more than it already is resulting in an incredibly succulent dish. Continue reading

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Win a £50 Online Farmers’ Market Shopping Spree + Free Delivery from Bonativo

Bonativo delivers fresh, unique products from producers who can only usually be found at farmers’ markets and specialty shops. I tried the service out recently and was impressed with the items I was able to purchase and by the use of use of the site and the speed at which my order was delivery. For your own taste of this nifty idea and a free chance to shop at this “online farmers’ market” for free, keep reading to find out about an exclusive giveaway competition Bonativo is running for my readers. Continue reading

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Recipe: Sweet Potato Duck Croquetas (Gressingham)

These sweet potato duck croquetas are crowd pleasers,perfect for BBQs and casual dinner parties. I like to dip my croquetas in an easy-to-make chipotle honey mustard sauce: one part yellow “American” mustard, one part honey and couple of drops of … Continue reading

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Recipe: Squid and Chickpea Barley

Sometime during my recent visits to Sicily, Barcelona and Puglia the elements of this recipe starting fomenting in my ravenous mind. Once home with enough time to play around with my ideas, I was keen to create what’s turned out to be a really scrumptious dish: squid and chickpea barley. Continue reading

Posted in A Taste of Puglia, Food, Italy, Puglia, Recipes, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Taste of Puglia: Drinking

The last post in my Taste of Puglia series was about the best bites from the region. But what drinks pair well with all that excellent southern Italian food … wine … coffee? Sure! Puglia can be proud of its contributions to these two most significant liquid elements of Italian culture. Continue reading

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A Taste of Puglia: Eating

If a dietician were to design a food pyramid based solely on my most preferred eats, it would have giant tentacles extending from its based and wrapped around it to the top. Squid … octopus … cuttlefish: I had so much of it – along with all sorts of other bounty of the sea dishes – always sumptuously presented but with minimal fanfare while visiting Puglia … and at such low prices (from my gouged Londoner perspective anyway). Continue reading

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Coffee in My Garden (espressoCrazy)

You know what’s better than enjoying a perfectly made coffee every morning in my own home? Enjoying a perfectly made coffee every morning outside in the garden of my own home! This post is just a brief update on something … Continue reading

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