Category Archives: Wine
Red, White or RAW? (Great British Chefs)
Whether you’re looking to quaff some environmentally friendly vino, keen to sample something dramatically different than that same old pinot grigio or you’re simply curious about what might just be the next big thing in viticulture and in the cellars of the world’s top chefs, this year’s RAW takes place at London’s Old Truman Brewery in London on the 19th and 20th of May. Continue reading
Bubbles, Berries and More – a Brilliant Time in Bristol
Some work-related reasons led me to Bristol for an overnight stay. Kemey was able to join me for the trip, and we found plenty of pleasure to go along with the business during our short time in this small but vibrant town. Maybe it was the gorgeous sunshiny weather? we really didn’t do all that much while there but had an absolute blast. Here are some of the highlights from a chilled out 24 hours in Bristol. Continue reading
The Great British Tapas Project with José Pizarro and Codorníu (Blue Tomato)
With his eponymous and popular tapas bar and an equally adored sit-down restaurant (each just a minute’s walk away from the other on the trendy restaurant row that is Bermondsey Street), chef patron José Pizarro knows a thing or two about tapas and the British palate. Now, this master of the London tapa (before opening his own eateries, José was a chef at Eyre Brothers, Gaudi and Brindisa) has teamed up with cava brand, Codorníu, to add a Spanish twist to some of Britain’s most popular dishes – with the launch of the Great British Tapas project. Continue reading
So Impressed! Mozzarella & More, King’s Road SW3
Mozzarella & More is the newest outlet (and concept) from the Made in Italy restaurant group. One part trattoria, one part mozzarella bar and one part deli, M&M is located just a couple of doors down from the original Made in Italy restaurant. It’s also the only restaurant in London producing its own mozzarella. Continue reading
Raw Wine Festival Returns to London (OneTravel)
Coming to London next month is RAW, a “totally independent” wine fair created and organized by “Crazy FrenchWoman” and the first French female Master of Wine, Isabelle Legeron. The two-day fair celebrates natural wines from around the world that, as Isabelle puts it, are “authentic expressions of place” and the “polar opposites of industrialized, big-brand, manufactured, nothing-but-alcoholic-grape-juice wines, that use imagery and suggestion to sell a product.” Continue reading
Sophisticated Indian Flavours at Zaika (CDCLifestyle)
Dishes are as attractively presented as the setting and taste just as gorgeous. Head chef Navin Prasad’s kitchen delivers refined and delicate dishes that nonetheless check the boxes for filling and yummy. Continue reading
Sophisticated Indian Flavours at Zaika Restaurant, London (OneTravel)
Head chef Navin Prasad’s kitchen delivers refined and delicate dishes that nonetheless check the boxes for filling and yummy. Case in point is the hearty yet dainty starter, pan-seared spiced scallops with sautéed cavolo nero and pumpkin sauce. Equally delicious, a main course of king prawns simmered in a rich coconut cream sauce flavoured with lime leaf proves curry prowess and gourmet subtly needn’t be mutually exclusive attributes. Continue reading
A Beguiling Ode to Great Britain at Alvin Leung’s Bo London (CDCLifestyle)
It’s been a little over a month now, yet I still find myself carrying on about how lovely my dining experience at Bo London was. I’ve enjoyed a fair number of fine meals since but, still, something about my time there lingers. Odds are my dinner will go down as the best meal of the year. And if not, well then, the rest of 2013 promises to be one of exquisite culinary delight. Continue reading
Wine of the Month: Soryu Koshu 2010
Japanese wine … yes, by “wine” as in fermented grape juice. Who knew? Not me until very recently when I attended the fourth annual Koshu of Japan UK Trade and Press Tasting late last month at the Westbury Hotel. Continue reading
Sophisticated Indian Flavours at Zaika, Kensington High Street
Dishes are as attractively presented as the setting and taste just as gorgeous. Head chef Navin Prasad’s kitchen delivers refined and delicate dishes that nonetheless check the boxes for filling and yummy. Continue reading
Good Stuff
Here’s a quick list of good stuff I’ve come across lately but for whatever reason didn’t make it to a post here, my tikichris-to-go Tumblr blog or one of my client blogs but are well worth me mentioning and you checking out! Continue reading
In Search of London’s Best Tiramisu (CheapOair)
Lusciously layered Savoiardi biscuits dipped in coffee with a whipped mixture of egg yolks and mascarpone cheese, and flavored with marsala wine and cocoa – a dessert dish of tiramisu often provides a great litmus test for determining the merits of an Italian restaurant. Too bad it’s served at the end of a meal! Here are but a few of London’s most moreish tiramisu offerings. Continue reading
High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction: March 20 – 23 (CheapOair)
Netting almost $2 million in 2012, the Wine Auction is Atlanta’s top charity fundraising event, the fifth largest charity wine auction in America and the number one charity wine auction to benefit the arts in the world. To date, the High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction has generated more than $20 million during the past two decades. Continue reading
Volare con Vino on Your Flight Back from Rome (CheapOair)
But what do you do when you want to take a bottle of the good stuff back home with you on your flight? Packing glass bottles containing liquid in your check in luggage can be messy – especially if the … Continue reading
Wine of the Month: 2011 Monte delle Vigne Lambrusco 2011
It’s crimson and velvety. It sparkles. It even comes from the ancestral lands of St Valentine. So why Lambrusco isn’t the official wine for couples celebrating Valentine’s Day is a bit beyond me. Having recently tried Monte delle Vigne Lambrusco 2011 during a low key and rather romantic evening out, I thought this lightly frizzante vino rosso would make a fine choice for February’s Wine of the Month. Continue reading
Wine of the Month: Sophie’s Reserve Rouge 2011 – House Red at Sophie’s Steakhouse
One aspect to my lunch at Sophie’s still stands out as exceptional: the house red. Sophie’s Reserve Rouge 2011, IGP d’Oc is a great wine. At £4.75 for a 175ml glass and £16.95 for a bottle it’s great value too. A blend of Syrah and Grenache created by the restaurant’s “own team”, I liked it from the first sip and thought is was an especially smart and easy drinker to go with red meat. Good ‘n’ juicy with a medium body, it’d be a nice one to drink on its own if slipping into Sophie’s for an evening at the comfortable (and I hearing ridiculously popular) bar. Continue reading
In Parma … in London
Just under a year old, Fitzrovia restaurant, In Parma, has been bleeping wildly on my foodie radar all this time. I finally got round to having a meal there earlier this week, and I’m happy to report that my visit was just as delightful, delicious and autentico as what I experienced in the actual city of Parma itself. Continue reading
Moreno at Baglioni London Hotel Review (CDCLifestyle)
The newly launched Moreno at Baglioni restaurant situated inside Kensington’s lush Baglioni London Hotel sees two Michelin star Italian chef, Moreno Cedroni, share his avant garde Italian cuisine for the first time outside Italy. Read my complete review at the Comte des … Continue reading
Four Fine Dines for London Valentines (CheapOair)
Here are four tried and true safe bet restaurants in central London that I think have the right mix of food and drink, ambiance and service for a memorable night out with that special someone in your life. Read my … Continue reading
A Meaty Review of Smithfield’s Grill on the Market
y rib eye was cooked perfectly as I’d requested (medium rare) and was actually one of the better chunks of meat I’ve had in quite a long while. I was completely satisfied with every last bite of it. Continue reading
My Best of 2012 on CheapOair (CheapOair)
From Miami to Burgundy and all sorts of excellent destinations in between, I had a blast blogging for CheapOair this past year. As 2012 draws to a close, I thought now would be a great time to highlight five of … Continue reading
Wine of the Month: Bouchard Aîné & Fils, Crémant de Bourgogne, Brut, 2007
Oh sure, Champagne gets all the credit this festive time of year. But before you pop open another bottle of tried and true champers, consider some of your other fizzy options. Bouchard Aîné & Fils Brut 2007 is December’s Wine … Continue reading
Best Restaurants of 2012 – Everywhere Else
Yesterday I published my list of ten best London restaurants for 2012. Today, I’m sharing a list of some faves from trips beyond the M25. I didn’t get out of town as much as I would have liked during 2012. … Continue reading
Moreno at Baglioni: Playfully Exquisite Italian Fine Dining
One of the most noteworthy meals of the year as well as one of the better restaurants I’ve visited in quite some time, I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner last night at Moreno at Baglioni. This newly launched restaurant situated inside Kensington’s lush Baglioni London Hotel sees two Michelin star Italian chef, Moreno Cedroni, share his avant garde approach to Italian cuisine with his first venture outside Italy. Continue reading
Sodo Sourdough Pizza Cafe – Upper Clapton Road, E5
Simple, quality pizza at a reasonable price in Clapton? Score. Continue reading
Eating in England This Christmas? Sweet! (CheapOair)
Of course, there are some traditions specific to celebrating Christmas in England. Here’s a list of a few that stood out most to me as an American when I first moved to London back in 2001. Read my complete post at … Continue reading










