Here’s a list of some of the best places in Bologna to shop for food – all centrally located within easy walking distance of each other, near the Piazza Maggiore and around the evocative and quaint Via Drapperie. But the wisest advice for any Italian food lover visiting Bologna would be simply to hit the cobbled streets and explore every last portico of this delicious city.
Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.
I had a lot of fun last Saturday “hanging out” with Chef Marcello Tully of the Kinloch Lodge on the Isle of Skye. The Great British Chefs Google Hangout in association with Tesco Real Food offered an up close and personal opportunity to see this brilliant chef in action … from the privacy of my own home. I liked how I got to watch – in real time – just how Marcello went about making fresh mayonnaise. I gleaned some valuable tips during the viewing and was even able to ask Marcello some questions. The theme of the Hangout was cooking with kids and featured a demo of how to prepare the chef’s “Rice Krispie Fish Fingers” recipe.
Check it out for yourself here:
http://www.greatbritishchefs.com/community/join-chef-marcello-tully-google-hangout
Image courtesy of Great British Chefs
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.”
Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.
Star of the table at Palm London is the steak: New York strip, rump and boneless rib-eye to be precise. Sourced exclusively from Smithfield stalwart – Tom Hixson & Co – and grilled to perfection by Executive Chef Spencer Westcott and his kitchen, the Palm serves gorgeously marbled and tender corn fed, hand selected USDA Prime beef aged for a minimum of 35 days … But the reasons to choose Palm don’t stop with the steaks.
Read my complete post at the Comte des Cierges CDCLifestyle blog.
Before I went to university, I took a gap year. I decided to take a year off education to go around the world, explore new countries and meet new people. I went from the US to Australia to South East Asia to interrailing across Europe, and along the way I met a lot of new people who I wanted to stay in touch with. Of course it’s all very well swapping numbers, but everyone knows how expensive it can be to make phonecalls and send texts from abroad.
At first, I tried swapping email addresses with a few of my new friends before we went our separate ways, but I soon realised that it’s very unlikely anyone will have time to reply to emails, and by the time we’ve reached an internet cafe our news will probably be long out of date, scuppering any plans to meet up. We added each other on social networking sites, but the same problem applied: we were just too busy experiencing the world to get ourselves online.
Then, when I got to Thailand, I met up with a group of travellers who had been using international SIM cards. These allow you to use your mobile in a much cheaper way, meaning you can call and text everyone you meet without racking up a giant phone bill. It’s a much better idea to buy one international SIM card rather than getting an individual one for each country you visit because it means you have the same number for the duration of your trip so you don’t need to keep texting everyone to let them know where you are and how they can get in touch.
At first it felt a bit strange being stood in the Czech Republic and calling a friend in Australia to find out when they were planning the European leg of their trip. I was so used to avoiding phonecalls at all costs that I worried that it wouldn’t work and it’d cost me hundreds of pounds to catch up with people overseas. However, I checked my credit again later and everything was in order.
Everywhere I went after that, I asked people if they had international SIM cards so that we could stay in touch. Surprisingly few people knew what they were, so I told them how it worked and they all agreed it sounded like a good idea. It meant that suddenly it was so much easier to stay connected with the people I’d met, and my parents were happy because it meant I could give them a quick call when I arrived in each country to let them know what I was up to. While you can get by without one, it certainly made my trip a lot more fun and less stressful knowing I could get in touch with anyone at any time, and I’d really recommend them to other people.
Carla Bedouin writes for a number of online publications about her experiences travelling the world as a backpacker.
An active supporter of London theatre, MasterCard has teamed up with three of the world’s biggest musical productions with a campaign to share a few priceless moments with some very lucky theatre goers. The Priceless Theatre campaign gives fans a chance to jump onstage and sneak a peek behind the curtains of some of London’s most popular shows and to attend the 37th Olivier Awards with MasterCard.
The three productions are all Oliver Awards audience award winners from the last three years. Winners and their guests will get to experience Priceless Moments ranging from photo shoots with the cast of Wicked to singing on stage with the casts of We Will Rock You and Les Misérables during actual dress rehearsals. The prizes also include pre or post theatre dinner, luxury accommodation and four show tickets so you can share your experience with family or friends in style.
As the headline sponsor of the 2013 Olivier Awards, the most prestigious awards in British theatre, MasterCard is also going to give two lucky fans the chance to walk the red carpet on the night itself and to rub shoulders with the stars, including hosts Sheridan Smith and Hugh Bonneville. The winners will also dine at a Michelin star restaurant, stay in a luxury London hotel and attend the Olivier Awards’ after party.
The Priceless Theatre campaign is on now but ends soon. MasterCard cardholders have until the 22nd of April 2013 to enter. For more information and to register visit pricelesstheatre.co.uk. Good luck!
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School trips are a fantastic way to get pupils engaged with a subject. Whether you’re planning on arranging a class visit to London’s Science Museum, the Tate Modern or London Zoo, you’ll need a way to get your pupils there. The idea of taking an entire class of 30 children all the way to the capital might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be if you plan efficiently.
You might initially consider public transport. However, the costs soon add up. Once each child has bought a travelcard to allow them to use the London Underground and the buses and paid for a train ticket to get them into London, it could be a fairly costly way to travel. Also, it can be difficult to keep an eye on each child in busy, bustling London, and navigating 30 children through the complicated Tube system can be a nightmare.
A better option can be hiring a coach. Here, you benefit from paying one pre-arranged fee for the use of the coach throughout the day, and your class can be transported directly between each component of the trip. There is usually dedicated coach parking close to the entrance of each location, meaning no long walks through the streets from the Tube, and no tired legs or children complaining about the walk.
Another benefit of hiring a coach to London is that you can keep all of the children together. Buses may become full or busy Tube trains may mean that the group has to split in order to get the entire class from place to place, which can be stressful and may result in children being left behind. On a coach, however, you’ll know exactly where all the children are, and they will be transported safely from place to place.
Plus, delays and cancellations on public transport aren’t uncommon. If you miss one connection, it can be a headache trying to persuade the train company to let you use the next service, and parents will be expecting their children back at school by a certain time. With a coach, you can set your own schedule, and as long as you allow for traffic you won’t be at the mercy of the public transport system, meaning you can much more accurately plan your day.
If you want to make sure your school trip to London goes smoothly, it is definitely worth thinking about hiring a coach to transport your class. You’ll be travelling safely and in comfort, and won’t need to change your schedule at the last minute when a bus doesn’t turn up or a train is delayed.
Pearl Wallace has been taking school groups out in Britain’s capital for over ten years and believes there is more to see today than there has ever been.
Believe it or not April 20th is World Circus Day. And as the place where the world’s first modern circus was presented back in 1768, London’s as apt as any destination to celebrate this family friendly event.
Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.
Newly opened at the recently refurbished Grand Brighton hotel, GB1 Seafood Restaurant & Bar serves up a treat for lovers of fresh and expertly prepared fruits of the sea.
Read my complete review at the Comte des Cierges CDCLifestyle blog.
Before this past week, the last time I’d dined at Imli was back in October of 2010. I had been a few times before that and enjoyed every visit. But, I can’t say I was ever really blown away by the place. In the same group as upscale restaurants Zaika and Tamarind (two restaurants which I think rather highly of), I could go to Imli and expect above average food and service even if its offering of “Indian tapas” was more middle of the road and downmarket compared to the dishes served from its sister restaurants’ kitchens.
Now this South Asian Soho stalwart has undergone a revamp and has been relaunched as Imli Street with a totally new menu and interior design in what appears to be an effort to catch up with the fickle and fleeting zeitgeist of London’s ever evolving dining scene. If you liked Imli before (or didn’t), you’ll probably still feel the same or even find you prefer the updated version a little more (or less).
Menu wise, I think the folks giving Imli a rethink drew considerable inspiration from Moolis and Dishoom along with traditional Indian street food and London’s current and seemingly insatiable hunger for grub a la curbside. Chilli cheese toast? Crispy squid in a bucket? A butter chicken “naanwich?” A breakfast menu featuring artisan bread? As before, most dishes are still made to share, but now there seems to be greater focus on the fryer and the hob than the tandoor. The menu may seem a little crasser than it used to be too, but I think that’s just the preference of Soho diners these days. And, to be honest, I must say I enjoyed a number of items I tried during my recent dinner.
Stuff worth mentioning:
The “Coastal Mix” (£9.90) of crispy squid, tiger prawns with ginger and peppercorn, and tilapia fish fingers was ample and yummy as was an order of coriander and cheese naan (£2.50). All vegetarian sides I tried were awesome. I loved the spinach and paneer (£2.90), the yellow lentils (£2.50) and the Pulao rice (£2.50). I had some other items as well, and everything was pretty decent except for the “Chicken 65” (spicy fried chicken wings, £5.90) which was kind of bland and not really any different from what you’d get at a greasy fast food joint. Desserts (all £5.50 each) were stellar. I felt like a kid (and a happy one at that) diving into my Haji Ali Folooda (malai kulfi, vermicelli, basil seeds and rose syrup). I had a bite of the chocolate pataka (Lonavala Chikki, sizzling walnut brownie and dark chocolate sauce) too. Total gooey brownie fix!
As for the done up digs … well, I don’t really have any strong recollection of what Imli actually looked like before, which maybe says a lot about how and why the place needed some sprucing up. So, I reckon a redesign was a smart move. It’s certainly attractive and comfy now, all scaled back and urban and minimalist. Think Pho (just down the street) or Pizza East.
There’s a stronger focus on the bar now too. The re-design brings it front row and centre now with the dining area appearing to flow out from it as an afterthought. I browsed the cocktail list (all cocktails a reasonable £7.5). It was a fun read, and I almost went with the Nashik (Laproaig 10 years, amaretto, Benedectine and bitters) but decided to behave and had a glass of red wine instead.
Service was personable and efficient during my visit. Nothing terribly out of the ordinary, but better than I’ve come to expect at most places in the area.
I’m as apt as I would have been before the relaunch to recommend Imli Street. If you’re in Soho with a group looking for somewhere casual that can accommodate a range of appetites and palates, keep it in mind. There’s the added bonus of there being plenty of seating at and around the bar. So, Imli would be a safe bet for meeting up for a cocktail and bar snacks, then moving on if something else struck your fancy or simply staying put and exploring more of the menu.
Imli Street is located at 167-169 Wardour Street, W1F 8WR. Visit the restaurant online at imli.co.uk.
Photo courtesy of the restaurant. I’d taken a bunch of photos during my meal but got a new gadget the other day and while learning how to use it accidentally deleted all those shots – doh!
This year’s Queen’s Day promises to be a particularly special one, and presumably the last for a very long time. The Queen has announced that she will abdicate on the date and that her son, Willem-Alexander, will be inaugurated.
Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.
Here comes summer (and not soon enough!). For the young and the youthful among European music fans that means it’s time to party. Heading to Europe this summer and hoping to add an extra dose of fun to your vacation? Check out these four unique music festivals …
Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.
UPDATE: THE NAME OF THE PIZZERIA AT THE “BACK OF PALM 2” is LATTO’S PIZZA. FIND OUT MORE AT lattospizza.co.uk.
Pizzas on offer include Margherita (£5.50); chorizo with chilli and fennel (£7); mushroom and wild garlic (£6); and purple broccoli with chilli and capers (£6.50). I tried the mushroom pizza as well as a slice of the Margherita last Friday. I loved them both and am still hankering for more.
Pizzas are available Thursday and Friday 6pm to 11pm and Saturday noon to 5pm. Order at the deli counter in the back of the shop.
Palm 2 is located at 152-156 Lower Clapton Road, E5 0QJ.
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UPDATE: THE NAME OF THE PIZZERIA AT THE “BACK OF PALM 2” is LATTO’S PIZZA. FIND OUT MORE AT lattospizza.co.uk.
Amber Topaz takes it off with style
Starring the grand dame of British burlesque, Jo King, and sensational R’n’B singer, Kele le Roc (amazing voice!!!), Burlexe takes a look beyond the stage into the world of burlesque – how the dancers got into it … how they cope … how the industry’s changed over the years … the highs, the lows … the good, bad and ugly.
And if you think such dancers daringly expose themselves when they’re topless and wiggling about onstage, you should see ’em when they’re recounting tales of tough luck in a sexist society.
Maybe there’s a bit more Vagina Monologues and the show’s slightly too maudlin than certain fans of burlesque would prefer (some of the subject matter is rather heavy and might not be the sort of stuff you’d hope to ponder during an evening out with friends). Still, tongues are planted firmly in cheek for most of the show – and to be sure you get to see beautiful woman shake their money makers and get their tassled tits out.
I, for one, enjoyed myself immensely when I checked out the show this week. I laughed a lot. I blushed as dancers made eye contact, took to the audience and once when one performer even ran her finger along my jawline as she serenaded me. Ooh la la!
Kele le Roc wins a new fan
As I understand it, the dancers change from week to week. My visit saw an exceptionally seductive (and very good actor) Chloe Ewart and an agile and kinda wacky Amber Topaz wow the audience. With respect to the non-dancing bits, each performance wasn’t perfect but what was good was truly great. And I felt the little imperfections along with the bare bones non-set (just a stage, static lighting and a DJ) added to the behind the scenes feel of the show.
I only have one complaint – having to pay £5 for a bottle of Peroni. Central London these days. Sigh. Aside from that, I had a lot of fun and am happy to recommend Burlexe. If burlesque is your thing, this show is a must!
Burlexe runs every Wednesday night (with no end date that I know of) from 7.30pm at the Shadow Lounge, 5-7 Brewer Street, W1F 0RF. Doors open at 7pm.
Tickets normally cost £25 (and you’d be wise to book in advance – they’ve had 11 sell out shows in 18 weeks). But check this out: I’ve got a promo code to share with you!
Type in BURLEXE-NEW when you book and get ten quid off the ticket price!
Find out more at burlexe.com.
All in all, my lunch at Clockjack Oven was way better than I’d expected or even hoped – so satisfying, in fact, that I could definitely see myself craving for a repeat visit soon.
Read my complete review at Blue Tomato.
Arriving in England in 43 AD, the legacy of the Romans in the British Isles can still be seen. From ruins from the settlement that would become the world class city of London to roads that are still regularly used thoroughfares and the sprawling Hadrian’s Wall, the ancient Romans left a historic and indelible mark. Here’s a list of some of the top Roman sights to see across the country.
Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.
Photo/gailhampshire
The Big One – an actual cake-sized Jaffa Cafe – has been launched by McVitie’s. Large enough to yield 12 ample slices, the new cake combines “three layers of fluffy, light Jaffa Cake sponge with zingy orangey filling, all covered with a thick layer of sensational dark crackly chocolate.” I dropped by today’s press preview for a peek and a taste and have to admit I enjoyed my sample. If you love the regular sized Jaffa Cakes, you’ll love The Big One.
The giant Jaffa Cakes go on sale tomorrow (10 April) at ASDA and Morrison’s and are to be priced at £7 each.
Keep an eye out for more on Jaffa Cake’s “Big One” as I might have some freebies and such in the works for you lovely people.
Renaissance Pubs, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this May with a host of festivities and special offers to show all patrons – both regular and newbie – appreciation for a decade’s worth of good times. Kicking things off on the 1st of May with events, activities and giveaways across all six of its pubs, Renaissance will launch its own brand of beer, gin and house wines at the start of the month as well as reveal details about a chance for one lucky pub goer to win free food for the next 10 years.
Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.
The pizzas coming out of the oven during my recent lunch at Venerdi were just those sort of ideal Neapolitan style pies: crisp outer crust with a slightly soupy interior. Nothing fancy. Just right. What I had for my lunch certainly met my palate’s preferences and exceeded my wishful expectations. If I’d had my Venerdi pizza while in Italy it wouldn’t have tasted out of place.
Read my complete review at Blue Tomato.
SPIN London – the world’s first urban focused bicycle consumer show and festival – will debut at the Old Truman Brewery during the May bank holiday weekend.
From the 3rd to the 5th of May, the festival will bring together urban cyclists, cycle traders and anybody interested in riding bikes in cities for a weekend of cycle-art Installations, talks, screenings and satellite events along with food and drink and live music throughout the festival.
Sound like your kind of ride? Whether you’re looking for a new bike, want to update parts and accessories or just get an idea of the latest cycling trends, SPIN London promises to be a lot of fun and just the sort of happening I love sharing with my readers. So, I’m very pleased to announce that I’ve got a pair of weekend access tickets to give away.
To be in with a chance to win a free pair of tickets to the SPIN London festival simply tweet the following:
RT to win a pair of tix to @SpinLDN – the urban cycle show http://bit.ly/145WjxC #spinldn
I’ll pick one winner at random on Friday (12 April 2013) around noon (British time). The two tickets will be valid for entry during the run of the festival.
More about SPIN London
Unlike other mainstream bike trade shows SPIN London sharpens the focus on the urban cycling scene by embracing progressive international brands and smaller indie makers in fixed gear, single speed custom and BMX bikes. Alongside this hardware are emerging cycle fashion brands, apparel and accessory retailers and creative talent from the world of urban cycling.
Confirmed exhibitors include the following:
14BIKE CO, ALLY CAPELLINO, ANTHONY ORAM, ATOMIC22, BICYCLE TAXIDERMY, BIKE PARKER, BLAZE COMPONENTS, CARRADICE CHAPEAU!, COLOURBOLT, DMO FRAMEWORKS, DOUHOU BIKES, DONKY BIKES, DOWNLAND CYCLES, DYNAMO WORKS, FOFFA FRESHTRIPE, FULL WINDSOR, GEORGINA IN DUBLIN, HOBO HACKNEY GT, HOVDING, MICHAUX MILK BIKES, MILLTAG, NINJACATS, OAK CYCLES, OTTO LONDON, REBECCA J KAYE, RESTRAP, ROADRAGS, RUSBY CYCLES, SADDLE&SPOKE, SAFFRON FRAMEWORKS, SINGULAR CYCLES, ‘SUPER TED’ JAMES, SWRVE, THERE CYCLING, TOKYO BIKE, TOKYO FIXED, VELECO, VULPINE …
More exhibitors and the full schedule of events to be announced soon. For further details and to purchase tickets visit spinldn.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.
These or any other deviled eggs are an ideal finger food, especially for casual dinner parties and picnics. I think this would be a fun recipe to try with kids too, especially if you’re a Dr Seuss fan and keen to serve a plate of green eggs and ham.
AVOCADO ANGEL EGGS Yum
Ingredients (12 single servings)
Serve cold. Unless you’re eating your Avocado Angel Eggs right away, it’s probably best to put them in the fridge and to have them within a few hours of being made.
You will invariably have more stuff than egg halves in which to put them. Use the extra as a dip, smoothie, sandwich filler …
Read more tikichris recipes.
