London Daily Photo: Mare Street

LDP 2013.06.16 - Mare Street

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London Daily Photo: Golden

LDP 2013.06.15 - Golden

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Good Stuff

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Check out thank-you-for-playing.com. It’s a lot of fun.

Here’s a quick little list of good stuff I’ve recently come across and thought was worth sharing with you. Enjoy!

Acer Iconia A1: Got ahold of one of these sturdy little tablets recently. At just under 8” and £150, I’ve found it to be an affordable and practical device to keep at hand. I really like it – in fact I’m composing this post on my Iconia!

Pinta: I really enjoyed my all too brief browse through this recent Latin American art fair at Earl’s Court and hated that my schedule didn’t allow for more. Stuff I loved exhibitions from these galleries: Dacil Art (Buenos Aires), El Museo | Fernado Pradilla (Madrid), Lyle O. Reitzel (Miami), Sammer Gallery (Miami), Set Espai D’Art (Valencia),

Eggs Leopold at Dreyfus Cafe: Dropped by this local favourite for breakfast the other day and tried the new “Eggs Leopold” which is apparently something invented right there at the cafe. With caramelised leeks, tarragon and bacon and priced nice at £3.95, it was a treat.

Green Machine from Naked Juice: I recently had a taste of Naked Juice’s Green Machine. With no added sugars or preservatives, the fruit juice-based smoothie instead features ten green super foods: spirulina, broccoli, chlorella, spinach, wheatgrass and ginger. Good stuff indeed! I pulled a chilled 450ml of Green Machine from my fridge after a recent run and that it really hit the spot. Naked Juice is stocked at Sainsbury’s Local, Waitrose, Wholefoods, Boots and Ocado and cost £2.36 Starbucks has Naked’s range fo smoothies too, priced at £2.50.

Lifeway Frozen Kefir: Now available in the UK (I think just at Harvey Nichols for the time being) is frozen kefir, the “tart and refreshing cousin of yoghurt.” Tart and refreshing it is too! I’ve tried the plain and the strawberry – loved the creamy texture and the flavours. Kefir has only 90 calories per serving. It’s gluten-free and 99% lactose-free with ten live and active probiotic cultures. Awesome! As I yummed my way through a few scoops of the plain with a handful of fresh blueberries, I was thinking frozen kefir was a wonder food but was slightly bummed when I read the label to see glucose is one of the ingredients.

RIP

Rest in peace Jeff Hansen, guitarist for Slayer, a band who rocked my face off more than possibly any other. When the mood hits, nothing compares or motivates like Slayer.

Rest in peace Ray Manzarek, keyboardist for The Doors. Man, I’ve listened to a lot music by The Doors in my life. Never gets old.

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Win a Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky Mini Set for your Dad. Happy Father’s Day!

Win a Mini Set of Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky

COMPETITION IS NOW OVER AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING TIKICHRIS. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR LOTS MORE FUN AND FREEBIES TO COME!

My dad was the hardest working man I’ve ever met and the best father anybody could have asked for. I say this without an ounce of hyperbole and with loads of pride. However, let’s suppose for argument’s sake that your dad is actually the best. Reckon he is? Well, check it out! I’ve got a nice little treat for you to show you love him this Father’s Day. And if your pop’s an uber frugal father like mine was, he’ll love this bit: it’s a freebie.

Glenfiddich is the world’s most awarded single malt whisky and makes an idea gift for Father’s Day. I’m giving some away for free to one of you lucky readers to enjoy with your dear ole dad. I’ve got one Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky mini set – which includes a bottle each of 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old and 18 Year Old single malt (3 x 5cl) to share with him.

To be in with a chance win the Glenfiddich mini set for your dad, simply tweet the following:

RT to win – Hey @tikichris, my dad’s the best. Give him some @GlenfiddichSMW whisky for Father’s Day! http://bit.ly/11e2UmB

Here’s to Dad! Good luck 🙂

T&C

I’ll pick one winner at random at end of play today (Friday 14 June 2013, 5pm-ish British time). To be eligible to win, you need to have an address here in the UK. Obviously you also need to be of legal drinking age to receive this alcoholic product and must be able to show ID that proves your age.

You won’t get the prize in time for Sunday, but it should be with you by early next week.

About Glenfiddich

For over 125 years, Glenfiddich has distilled whisky deep in the rolling hills of the Scottish highlands. Its uncompromising quality makes it the perfect gift for any whisky drinker. Celebrate Father’s Day by giving your dad a bottle of exquisitely smooth Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, warm and honey-spiced 15 Year Old or the robust and mature 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky.

Find out more about the world’s most awarded single malt whisky at glenfiddich.com.

COMPETITION IS NOW OVER AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING TIKICHRIS. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR LOTS MORE FUN AND FREEBIES TO COME!

Check out more tikichris competitions.

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Lunch at Assiette Anglaise, Liverpool Road, N7

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I had a fantastic lunch last week at Assiette Anglaise, a relatively new restaurant for Highbury and a welcome one indeed! It’s is a fine little neighbourhood brasserie which locals should be proud to call their own. Everybody else? This all day eatery’s only a short stroll away from Highbury and Islington Station (and is just about as close to Holloway Road and Caledonian Road stations too). The delighful meal I had was certainly worth the time I spent on public transport to get there.

I loved my salade Lyonnaise. At £6.50, it was a generous portion with plenty of thick bits of bacon. An inventive (for a residential north London lane anyway) main course of chimichurri steak tartare (£11) hit the spot as well. I’d recommend both for folks with hearty appetites and wouldn’t be against having either of them again myself.

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My wine was wonderful too. A glass of Gascogne Rouge “Aramis” (Château D’Aydie,
Gascony, 2011) was a fresh and well structured complement to my meaty meal (£5 for a glass, £13 for a carafe, £19.50 for the bottle). For my afters I went with a couple of cheese (£3 each) followed by a highly commendable coffee. I absolutely loved the Selles de Cher goat cheese.

Beyond a delicious and value-for-quality lunch, Assiette Anglaise does brekkie, din-din and (according to my server) a very popular weekend brunch.

Service was fine – polite and informal. The space (it’s the old Morgan M restaurant) was a comfortable blend of elegance and fortuity, not overly precious or at all shabby chic. Obviously, the restaurant can’t guarantee nice weather, but the sunlight streaming through Assiette’s giant windows and the mild breeze blowing in the open front door during my visit were extremely pleasant touches. With St Mary Magdalene Garden across the street and Paradise Park round the corner, a sunny day visit would be a grand idea (you’d be wise to call ahead to book a table on the weekend though).

Assiette Anglaise is located at 489 Liverpool Road, N7 8NS. Find out more at assietteanglaise.co.uk.

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London Daily Photo: Untitled

LDP 2013.06.14 - Untitled

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Miami Club Rum: Miami’s First Rum Distillery (OneTravel)

margaritaville

Miami Club Rum, a premium rum made and produced in Miami has just launched early this year and is already the toast of the town, gaining fans and garnering awards by the shot. The Miami Club business might be new but founder Matt Malone went on five generations of his family’s involvement producing rum in Puerto Rico, going back in time to 1911. Adhering to tradition seems to be going well for Malone. His white rum recently won a gold medal for “Best Platinum Rum in the World” at the recently held 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.

Photography/alex de carvalho

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Bourbon Tasting Flights and a Steak of the Month at JW Steakhouse, Park Lane

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JW Steakhouse at the Marriott’s Grosvenor House hotel has recently introduced a couple of brilliant new reasons to pay this fine dining establishment a visit post-haste: a series of four bourbon tasting flights and a Steak of the Month. Both these offers represent deliciously good news to be sure! However, what is perhaps even more deserving of me shouting about you making a speedy beeline to enjoy is the simple fact that, as I discover during my dinner last night, everything else about this American style Steakhouse is fantastic too.

Bourbon and beef? Yee-aye-uh! I happily sipped my way through a flight of the Buffalo Trace Collection (£25) featuring Buffalo Trace White Dog, Straight, Hancock’s President Reserve Single Barrel, and Thomas H Handy Uncut rye. All pleased my whisk(e)y loving palate, especially the very solid Straight and the wonderfully flavoursome rye. While I was digging on the Buffalo Trace, my dining buddy went with the Jim Beam Experience (£15). Not as much of spirits fan as me (or at least she didn’t claim to be), she was nevertheless won over by Beam’s black cherry infused Red Stag. After taking a slurp for myself, I couldn’t blame her. The restaurant also has a Jack Daniels Exclusive Sampler (even thought JD’s a Tennessee sipping whiskey not a bourbon) and a Small Batch Sampler of Basil Hayden’s, Booker’s, Baker’s and Knob Creek samples.

DSC04122Photo by Vysia Duffield

And the steak? Oh yeah, baby. That was lovely too. This month’s selection by Head Chef Julian Ward is England’s own Longhorn. Upon our server’s recommendation, we split a one kilogram wing rib cut (something not usually on the menu). What a lot of beef! Incredibly tender too. And cooked beautifully rare as requested. If the SOTM doesn’t do it for you, there’s always USDA beef as well as Aberdeen Angus sourced from Macken Brothers Butchers of Chiswick on the menu.

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Yeah, I was at JW Steakhouse to review the bourbon tasting flights and the SOTM, but I soon realised there was a lot of other stuff well worth mentioned as well.

To be nestled within the upscale grandeur of Grosvenor House, JW Steakhouse is a rather low key and laid back place to eat. But don’t let such a relaxed vibe fool you. The staff here hustle. I was so impressed with service and how adeptly I was accommodated during my meal.

Starters impressed as well. A massive mound of tender calamari (£12) might have been the best I’ve ever had in London. Seriously. And my friend’s course of JW Maryland Style Lump Crab Cake (£14 as a starter, £27 as a main) was delectably chunky. Both starters were accompanied by some really tasty “old bay tartar” sauce. Our steak was complemented by gorgeous sides of sautéed wild mushrooms (£6) and extra yummy Cheddar mac ‘n’ cheese (£6). Desserts also amazed. A super rich Mississippi mud pie with a scoop of bourbon ice cream (£8) lived up to such an indulgent title and the “best cheesecake this side of the pond” (£14) may very well have been just that. It was certainly thick and dense and devoured with plenty of mmmms and even one or two oh my Gods.

There were a few other nice touches to our meal, but I reckon some things should be left for you to discover for yourself.

The bourbon tasting flights and the SOTM would provide a lovely experience whatever the occasion (they certainly made my Wednesday feel like something special) and, to be timely and topical, they’d make particularly awesome gifts for Father’s Day. Yep that’s this Sunday!

Visit jwsteakhouse.co.uk to book a table, request a gift certificate and find out more.

J W Steakhouse is located inside the Grosvenor House hotel, 86 Park Lane, W1K 7TL.

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London Daily Photo: Whitechapel Market

LDP 2013.06.13 - Whitechapel Market

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The Top 5 Sights in Milan (CheapOair)

Ferrari

It’s difficult to think of a more fashionable destination than Milan. It’s also a fantastic place to delve into Italy’s rich history and culture. Here’s a quick look at five of the city’s must-see attractions that will have you envying the luck of the Milanese …

Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.

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London Daily Photo: Save Our Sugar

LDP 2013.06.12 - Save Our Sugar

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I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll – Mariachi Style

Doritos’ boys in green go rockabilly inside their very own jukebox and add a little Mexican fun to the 1981 Joan Jett classic
– Sponsored

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Samphire Picking in the River Dart Estuary (Great British Chefs)

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It’s low down dirty work gathering samphire. But that doesn’t mean it’s bad, just that you’ve got to get in the mud and squat, stoop, bend or crawl to pluck the tasty little stems from the earth. A trusty pair of Wellies are obligatory and, as I recently discovered, wearing kneepads would be a smart idea as well. Up until last week, picking samphire meant pointing to a container inside a deli counter and saying something along the lines of “May I please have 100 grams, please?”. Now, after accepting an invitation to Devon by Riverford Organic Farms to harvest wild samphire in the River Dart Estuary, I have a new appreciation for what goes into bringing this crisp and salty coastal treat to my London plate.

Read my complete post at Great British Chefs.

 

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Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait at the Jewish Museum in London (CheapOair)

Amy Winehouse

The answer to her hit song Rehab may very well be “NO NO NO!” However, if fans of British superstar Amy Winehouse are wondering whether they should check out a new exhibition in London that looks beyond the tabloid news and fame to focus instead on her family life, the answer is without a doubt, “YES YES YES!”

Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.

Photo/Fionn Kidney

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London Daily Photo: Lower Clapton

LDP 2013.06.11 - Lower Clapton

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Scottish Wildlife: Meet the Big Five (CheapOair)

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2013 is the Year of Natural Scotland (according to VisitScotland anyway). With vast expansions of wilderness, any year’s a good one to make the most of one of the world’s most rugged and beautiful landscapes. To celebrate the best of natural Scotland, VisitScotland has teamed up with Scottish Natural Heritage to “showcase some of the country’s best loved wildlife” with a list of Scotland’s Big Five.

The list includes the golden eagle, the harbour seal, the otter, the red deer and the red squirrel, all of which are native species and can still be viewed in their natural habitats. Here’s a quick look at these five fantastic animals with tips on where best to spot them in the Scottish wild.

Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.

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Mozzarella and the City: Where to Get the Good Stuff in London (OneTravel)

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Mozzarella di Buffala (buffalo milk mozzarella) has become something of a celebrated cheese in London lately with new mozzarella bars opening and fine dining establishments featuring it prominently on their menus. A good number of quality delis, pizzerias and restaurants around town now carry the proper white stuff. Here’s a look at a few of the best.

Mozzarella & More
257 King’s Road, SW3 5EL
Nearest London Underground station is at Sloane Square or Fulham Broadway.

Mozzarella & More is the newest outlet (and concept) from the locally popular 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 (they’ve got a production kitchen just across the river). So, the cheese in this case might not actually have made in Italy, but it’s as authentic and as fresh as you’re going to find outside southern Italy. They make their own ricotta, sausages, desserts and more at this lovely little Italian gem.

Obikà
Unit 1 West Wintergarden, 35 Bank Street, E14 5NW
Nearest London Underground station is at Canary Wharf

Italian mozzarella champion Obikà launched its premiere London restaurant in Canary Wharf back in 2011 and has been wowing fans of freshly made Italian cuisine ever since. Purportedly Italy’s favourite restaurant group, Obikà’s focus is to offer premium Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP served alongside a typical assortment of Italian artisan products, such as Prosciutto Crudo di Parma DOP, Bresaola della Valtellina (cured beef) and Isle of Ewe smoked salmon along with a mouthwatering list of antipasti, hot dishes, freshly baked pizza and aperitifs. The “Campana DOP” business means it’s made in the traditional region and method and has been granted “Protected Designation of Origin” by the European Union – in short, it’s the real deal!

Santa Maria
15 Saint Mary’s Road, W5 5RA
Nearest London Underground station is at Ealing Broadway

A bit out of the way from central London in the west London borough of Ealing, Santa Maria may very well be the best pizzeria in London (and some say one of the best outside of Italy itself). It’s well worth the trip if you truly love pizza (and it’s on the way the Heathrow too)! Try the Santa Bufalina (vegetarian with tomato sauce, buffalo DOC mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan and fresh basil) for an amazing mozzarella mouthful!

Santoré
59-61 Exmouth Market EC1R 4QL
Nearest London Underground Station is at Farringdon or Angel.

The “holy king” of London pizzerias, Santoré specializes in pizza al metro (by the metre). So don’t be surprised to find pizzas passing through the dining room longer than some of the tables. Classic Neapolitan pizzas and dishes – and of course smartly sourced buffalo mozzarella – offered at reasonable prices are the stars at this local favourite.

Sartoria
20 Savile Row, W1S 3PR
Nearest London Underground Restaurant is at Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus

Aptly named restaurant located on London’s famed street for tailors – Savile Row – Sartoria is an upscale and contemporary Italian restaurant where the food is as stylish as it is delicious. Sartoria’s policy is to change its menu monthly to focus on a different part of Italy. May’s menu is a mozzarella lover’s dream. A whole “treccia” – a two kilogram plaited mozzarella – is available for the rest of this month parties of eight people, priced at £80 (about $120) and served alongside grilled Mediterranean vegetables. Alternatively diners could opt for 125g of sliced treccia for £11 per person. Giant braided slabs of artisan cheese or not, an experience at Sartoria is to be savoured.

This post was originally published on the OneTravel blog.

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London Daily Photo: Playtime

LDP 2013.06.10 - Playtime

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Curry for Change Menu for Charity at Cinnamon Kitchen (CDCLifestyle)

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A new promotion for a good cause is on now and running throughout June at Cinnamon Kitchen near Liverpool Street station. The offer – three courses and a cocktail for only £29 – sees a donation of £5 going to the Find Your Feet charity as part of its current Curry for Change campaign.

Read my complete post at the Comte des Cierges CDCLifestyle blog.

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Recipe: Blueberry Beef Picadillo

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Sometimes I get a crazy idea for a recipe in my head and just have to give it a try. Occasionally it turns out to be pretty good. Such is the case with this recipe for blueberry beef picadillo. A picadillo is a meat hash. Blueberry hash? Yeah, it’s a bit weird. But think of the berries’ acidity and sweet taste as being along the same lines as tomatoes for a meat sauce or cranberries to be served with roast turkey and maybe then my idea won’t seem quite as bizarre.

However strange “blueberry beef picadillo” may sound, my recipe is still really tasty. I’m not convinced the below instruction is the final rendering of it though. I think a spoonful of Dijon or some mustard seeds would be a smart addition … maybe a bit of sage too. But as is, I think you’ll find it intriguing and delicious. Give it a try for yourself and tweak as you see fit.

Veggie version using Quorn: I’ve made this recipe with beef mince and with Quorn mince. Both attempts were yummy. And in a way, I thought the Quorn version brought out the flavour of the blueberries in a more intense way.

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BLUEBERRY BEEF PICADILLO Yum

Ingredients (four to six servings)

  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing;
  • 1 large white onion (finely chopped);
  • 2 cloves of garlic (finely chopped or pressed);
  • 400g lean beef mince (or 350g of Quorn mince)*;
  • 1 whole chipotle chilli;
  • 1 star anise;
  • 4 tablespoons of rock salt;
  • 200g of fresh blueberries;
  • 2 bell peppers (diced);
  • 1 tablespoon of cinnamon;
  • 1 tablespoon of oregano;
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin;
  • 1 teaspoon of ground ginger;
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander;
  • Pinch of thyme;
  • Dash of fennel seed;
  • Dash of Worcester sauce;
  • 4-5 pickled jalapeños slices with about a tablespoon of the pickling vinegar;
  • Black pepper to taste;
  • 1 tablespoon of honey;
  • Juice of 1 fresh lime;
  • 1 small bunch of fresh coriander.

*If substituting Quorn for beef, you’ll need to pour in a cup of water when adding the mince. Once all the ingredients are in, add another cup.

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Method

  • Place a large pot on a hob at low heat;
  • Pour the olive oil into the pot, add the onion and garlic and one tablespoon of rock salt;
  • Sauté for a few minutes;
  • Add the mince and cook until brown;
  • Add the whole blueberries, chipotle, star anise and another tablespoon of rock salt;
  • Gently stir all these ingredients evenly in with the mince (trying to keep the blueberries intact);
  • Cook for another minute or two and stir a couple more times;
  • Add the bell peppers and stir evenly into the mix;
  • Toss in the cinnamon, oregano, cumin, ground ginger, ground coriander, thyme, fennel seed, Worcester sauce and pickled jalapeños slices with pickling vinegar;
  • Thoroughly mix;
  • Add the honey, fresh black pepper, rest of the salt and lime juice;
  • Mix again, place the lid on the pot and let cook for about an hour (tasting and stirring another four or five times during this time);
  • Top off with the fresh coriander when serving.

Serving

If you can cook the picadillo several hours (or even preferably an entire day) before you intend to serve it, you’ll find the flavours are more pronounced after reheating than if served soon after cooking. If you do reheat, add a little extra lime juice and top with fresh coriander.

There are a number of ways to enjoy this recipe: served in bowl with quinoa and fresh coriander over a bed of salad greens(as pictured at the top of this post); as a main course with rice; as a filling for burritos, tacos or sloppy Joe sandwiches; cooked with potatoes and carrots as a stew; or pat together with about a half cup of quinoa and re-cooked as fried-up hamburger patties or baked as meatballs.

Read more tikichris recipes.

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London Daily Photo: Dresses

LDP 2013.06.09 - Dresses

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Sunday Lunch: Paradise by Way of Kensal Green

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I don’t want to give away too much about the fantastic dining room of Paradise by Way of Kensal Green. If you’ve never been, it’s worth a bit of uncertainly for the wonderful surprise of seeing the interiors for the first time. And, of course, if you have been then you know what I’m talking about. Nice place for a drink, eh? But have you tried the Sunday lunch? It’s full-on (and filling!) and as lovely as you might expect to enjoy in such a pleasant setting.

I won’t be as withholding about the Sunday lunch at Paradise as I am about the way the place looks. The food was delicious. I loved my trough of Bowland rib of beef served with all the trimmings (and plenty of ’em including additional complimentary Yorkshire puddings available on request, £17.50).

A glass of 2010 Umani Ronchi Vigneto San Lorenzo Rosso Conero (Marche, Italy, £5.95 for 175ml or £8.25 for 250ml, £24 for a bottle) offered a long finish and fine accompaniment alongside my beef. Not convinced by my choice of quaff? Have a look at the Paradise wine list for yourself. It’s a good read.

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Kemey came along with me for the feast and was really impressed by her vegetarian roast – a pumpkin, mushroom, spinach and herb Wellington (with all the trimmings including vegetarian gravy, £13.50). In fact, she said it was one of pitifully few times she didn’t “feel cheated” by a pub’s Sunday roast veggie option. Also notably yummy were the home made ice creams (£5.75). The blood orange flavour was an especially nice treat.

Unfortunately, I do have one complaint. What could have been a fantastic starter – endive salad with apple, walnut and Blue Monday cheese (£7.25) – had another ingredient (rapeseed oil, I think) and way too much of it (so much so that I wondered if somebody accidently split the bottle over my plate). To be honest, I’d order the salad again, as it was otherwise delightful. I would just ask for the oil on the side.

Service was exemplary (ice water served upon arrival, light convo, warm smiles, efficient delivery of our order).

Beyond an amazing Sunday lunch (one of the best I’ve had this year despite the disappointment with my starter), Paradise hosts a range of notable happenings and events such as the seriously impressive Kilburn Lane, W10 4AE with (check this out!) a cheese dinner with musician and farmer Alex James (£50), a butchery course by The Ginger Pig (£35), a Paul Young chocolate master class (£15), and an oysters and cocktails taster with Mother Shuckers and Sipsmith (£15) … and more! You’d be wise to book in advance!

Paradise by Way of Kensal Green is located at 19 Kilburn Lane, W10 4AE. Find out lots more info at theparadise.co.uk.

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London Daily Photo: Fragile (Detail)

LDP 2013.06.08 - Fragile (Detail)

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Bar Snacks at the Old Queen’s Head, Essex Road

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You’re kinda spoilt for choice if you’re looking for a place to drink on Essex Road. A handful of quality boozers (some great places to eat too!) are clustered close to where the road meets Upper Street with a few more commendable establishments presenting themselves up along the away nearer De Beauvoir Town. One of the best among all of these is the Old Queen’s Head.

Long story short, I had been running around all over the place last Saturday from early morning, tying up loose ends and crossing through necessary but boring items on what seemed like a never ending to-do list. An invitation to explore the bar menu at the Old Queen’s Head was the only respite in my long day – and as I finally made my way into the pub, I was glad to commence my break in such a relaxed setting.

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Off my feet with a pint of Brooklyn Lager soon in hand and some bar bites quickly slid below my scruffy chin by a smiling member of staff with a friendly “cool, man” attitude. Straddling the line between quirky and classy without coming across as overly (over overtly) designed, the pub provided just the sort of refuge I’d hoped for. It was afternoon sometime between 2 and 3pm. Sunlight streamed through the large windows of the otherwise largely unlit pub. Some mellow tunes piped through the air at a reasonable volume. A quartet of twentysomethings chuckled round a mountain of boardgames while a small but growing assemblage of birthday party celebrants (all ages, sizes and seemingly from a wide range of social statuses) gathered at a long dining table on the other side of the room.

I’d bent my elbow a few times in the past at the Old Queen’s Head. It’s a fun and laid back place attracting a somewhat eclectic and fairly young-ish crowd. But I had never tried the food before. An affordable and succinct bar menu offered a solid list of pub grub standards. Best bits? A very satisfying and substantial portion of triple cooked chips (£3.50) served with sour cream and chives (nice touch!) … a comforting and large fish finger sandwich (£5.25) with a terrifically fresh and tarragon-y tartar sauce … a deep dish of scampi (£5.75). I tasted some really nice mushy peas as well. I tried a couple of other things too, good but not worth much mention. The Hereford beef burger (£6, + 50p with Stilton or Cheddar) tempted but I’d had a burger the day before.

I liked how (aside from the sandwiches and burgers), the bar menu is designed for sharing, and I thought the prices were right on.

The Old Queen’s Head is located at 44 Essex Road, N1 8LN. Beyond a fine selection of beers, smart cocktails and yummy bar snacks, The Queen’s Head does live music, a Sunday roast, quiz nights and a whole lot more. For details, go to theoldqueenshead.com.

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London Daily Photo: Fragile

LDP 2013.06.07 - Fragile

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Intercontinental Resort Tahiti (OneTravel)

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Despite its lagoon side setting spread across 23 verdant and attractively landscaped acres, this four star resort is but a few minutes’ drive from Faa’a International Airport and only a couple or so minutes further from the relative bustle of downtown Pape’ete. Coming from pretty much anywhere except possibly sailing from another nearby island, odds are you’ll pass through Faa’a, making the Intercontinental a smart and hassle free option.

Read my complete post the OneTravel blog.

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New Reasons to Love an Old Favourite: Gourmet Burger Kitchen at the N1 Centre, Angel

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Remember when Gourmet Burger Kitchen was virtually the only place in London where you could go for a halfway decent burger? I guess such a time really wasn’t all that long ago but it seems like ancient history given all the choice we have for burgers now. I reckon GBK deserves much of the credit (or should I say blame?) for creating the conditions that led to the burger mania that’s swept across London these past couple of years. And now that a few stars risen from the recent onslaught of burger joints seem to have eclipsed GBK in popularity and success, is the beefy trendsetter still worth taking a bite out of? Yeah, I’d say so.

I stopped by the newly opened GBK outlet at the N1 Centre in Angel last week to reacquaint myself with a brand that used to stand out in my mind as the best bet for a burger in London. I must admit, it had been quite awhile (a year … two years?) since I’d last dined a GBK. The place never really had fallen out of favour with me; I just kinda moved on to explore others options. So, I wondered how things were to be at the newly opened outlet. I’m happy to report that – as I remembered – everything was tasty and the sauces were especially delicious. The garlic mayo that once garnered so much publicity for the NZ-esque restaurant group still rocked – as did the gorgeous smoked chilli mayo.

All in all, I felt that quality remained the same (which I always considered to be rather high) but there’s a bunch of new stuff on the agenda giving even more reason to ensure folks keeping coming back …

The Capital: a new 4oz (100% West country beef) burger on the menu, a tasty one too. Featuring American cheese, crispy shallots, tomato, pickled onion, shredded iceberg and secret sauce (£7.95), I’d strongly consider having it again.

The Captain Cook: a fish burger with panko crumbed haddock, (great) tartare sauce, pickled onion and rocket (£8.75). Kemey was with me for the meal, and she had this. I got a bit – pretty yummy and a nice alternative to red meat.

“Naked” burgers: Yeah, without the bun and replaced with slaw and choice of a simple green salad or char grilled corn on the cob for an extra 50p. Kemey got her fish burger served this way. No great innovation here; still, Kemey loved having some corn with your meal instead of a boring bun. I ordered for her; asking for a “naked Captain Cook” felt very silly. Hooray.

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There are a few more new items on the menu and other niceties in-store beyond what I listed, but I hope you get the gist. Fries and sides are still way better than average for London. Portions are ample. Shakes, massive and awesome. Service, friendly and rather swift. No complaints from me! And no reasons why burger fans shouldn’t pay GBK a visit soon.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Angel is located upstairs at the N1 Centre next to Vue Cinema, 39 Parkfield Street (just off Upper Street), N1 0PS. Situated right next to the cinema, the Angel outlet of GBK offers dinner and a movie specials and discounts. Ask at the restaurant for details.

Find out more about GBK at gbk.co.uk.


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London Daily Photo: Top Hats

LDP 2013.06.06 - Top Hats

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London’s Best Department Stores (OneTravel)

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Some of the biggest, glitziest and most celebrated department stores in the world call London home. Here’s a list of the best of the best, some of which are major tourist destinations in and of themselves …

Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.

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Theatre Review: Blind Date at the Charing Cross Theatre

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So. Much. Fun.

I caught last Friday night’s second staging of the recently opened Blind Date at the Charing Cross Theatre and am so glad I did. I’m more than happy to recommend this comedy to anyone looking for some light hearted entertainment. I wouldn’t even mind seeing the show again, honestly, especially considering that all performances promise to be completely different with a new (and haplessly unsuspecting) leading man every time.

Blind Date stars Canadian comedienne, Rebecca Northan as Mimi, a “lovable minx of a Parisian clown”, who’s been stood up for a blind date. Shrugging off the no-show blues as well as many of the traditional boundaries between performer and audience, Mimi turns her attention to the crowd seated just in front of her for a quick replacement. Hilarity (punctuated with moments of poignant insight) ensues. Or at least, it did during the performance I attended. Mimi’s man for the night – Tim, an easygoing estate agent with his real-life girlfriend in the audience – took his surprise acting role in bashful stride (even seemed to bask in the spotlight at times) and was by the end of the night a true hero in the eyes of everybody in the theatre.

Tim was in safe hands with Northan too, who was able to get the most out of her new found romantic lead and adeptly build rapport and chemistry as the impromptu duo ad libbed their way through a series of outrageously funny dating and relationship-y situations.

Blind Date runs until mid July at the Charing Cross Theatre, in Craven Passage arches just off Villiers Street between Embankment and Charing Cross stations, WC2N 6NL.

For more information and to book tickets (a very wise idea if you’re hoping to catch this show!), visit blinddateonstage.com and charingcrosstheatre.co.uk.


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London Daily Photo: Crowns

LDP 2013.06.05 - Crowns

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Top 5 Summer Sweets

LDP 2012.08.16 - Hackney Wick Ice Cream Patrol

Summer’s here (kind of) with its long daylight hours bringing with it all kinds of new opportunities to enjoy tasty treats. BBQs, picnics, sporting events … you name it! Here’s a list of my five favourite sweets for cooling down, chilling out and making the most of the season.

Ice Cream!

Ice cream’s probably my all time favourite dessert. Pistachio’s my preferred flavour, but I like it all. Whether it’s a scoop a slowly melting vanilla atop of warm and gooey chocolate brownie at the end of a special meal, a quick Cornetto to complete an afternoon stroll through the park or a sneaky spoonful from the freezer when no one’s looking, I (like practically everyone else) LOVE ICE CREAM!

Summer Fruit

Come on. What could be more satisfying (or healthier) than a nice bowl of strawberries? Chilled blueberries are an awesome treat for a hot summer’s day as well. And popping a blackberry in my mouth takes me back to when I was a little kid tromping around in the woods and foraging along my merry, muddy way. Enjoying the best of the season and the best of British produce – that’s what summer’s all about.

Watermelon

Is there anything more refreshing? Or a more likely crowd pleaser? Introducing watermelon to your warm weather activities ups the summer fun and broadens the smiles.

Carrot Cake

Tough call, but if I had to choose one cake as my favourite, I reckon it would be carrot cake. It’s definitely a great summertime snack and a great mix of sweet and savoury.

Tiramisu

This is a great cold dessert that’s full of flavour and easy to make and somehow when I see it on the menu after a big Italian feast I always seem to find room!

More

Have I made you hungry? From tips on how to make cupcakes to baking your own pizzas, you’ll find plenty more summer treat ideas at the BakingMad.com.

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The Commitments Hit the London Stage (CheapOair)

Roddy Doyle, Jamie Lloyd

Everybody’s favourite Irish soul band, The Commitments, is coming to London with a new West End show adapted for the stage by Roddy Doyle, author of The Commitments, 25 years after his novel that inspired the hit 1991 movie was published.

Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.

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London Daily Photo: Faces

LDP 2013.06.04 - Faces

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New Restaurant Review: The Potato Merchant, Exmouth Market

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The Potato Merchant, London’s first restaurant and grocer specialising in potatoes, has recently opened at Exmouth Market. I had a nice dinner there recently and thought the restaurant would be worth keeping in mind for locals looking for a thoughtful take on the UK’s favourite starchy staple.

Folks visiting from beyond Britain’s shores might assume the vast majority of eateries in this city already specialise in potatoes. Chips have got to be the most likely sidekick to any meal – whatever the time of day or occasion. Jacket potatoes abound. And no one at any time is probably ever more than, say, 50 metres from a packet of crisps. There’s pie and mash, pies topped with mash … etc etc etc.

I’m being somewhat facetious. Potatoes are, obviously, popular all over the world, not just in Britain. And honestly, I can’t think of anyone I know who doesn’t enjoy eating them at least a couple of times a week. In a way, the humble potato is the perfect food. It’s filling and healthy (depending on how it’s cooked), versatile and suitable for practically any type of dish or cuisine and has over the centuries adapted to grow in a range of climates and conditions.

Of course, not all spuds are made alike. And that’s where the Potato Merchant comes in. One might think there’s a lot of potato action going on in commercial kitchens across the UK, but in actuality only a very few varieties are ever used. Sure, Potato Merchant co-owners Ronnie Truss and David Miney might not necessarily be planning to eschew completely everyday taters such as the Maris Piper or Jersey Royals, but their hope is to introduce and wow customers with lesser known potatoes like the Arran Victory and the Shetland Black.

I had a satisfactory visit at the Potato Merchant a couple of Friday nights ago. Prices were reasonable with small starter/tapas-style dishes priced around £5 and larger main course dishes hovering near £10. Service was friendly (maybe a little harried for what seemed to me to be moderately brisk turnover). The comfortable dining area had a smartly tempered rustic feel that was pleasant (if rather dark). And, most importantly, the food was tasty. I especially liked the black pudding croquettes (£5.50) and could see myself craving them again soon. Everything else was good but nothing overwhelmingly so, and there was no one thing (I sampled several items from the menu) that really shouted out the wonders of the potato to me.

I’m happy to recommend this place to anyone who ploughs through Exmouth Market and that bit of Clerkenwell on a regular basis. The restaurant does brekkie, lunch, dinner and even offers potato vodkas and other tuber-based spirits such as sweet potato shochu.

The Potato Merchant is located at 55 Exmouth Market, EC1 4QL. Find out more online at potatomerchant.com.

Image courtesy of the restaurant

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