Guests to Cambalache will get the chance to try up to 150 wines from 28 of Argentina’s top wineries. Everybody’s heard of – and rightly loves – the mighty Malbec. But Cambalache will feature wines from all of Argentine’s major producing regions, stretching over 2000 km from Salta in the North to Patagonia in the South, passing through La Rioja, San Juan and Mendoza along the way.
Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.
As basic and simple as it is, my mom’s tuna salad is really filling and super delicious.
MOM’S TUNA SALAD Yum
What method? Drain a can of tuna, dump it in a bowl; chop up a couple of gherkins and hard boiled eggs (I like to keep them both kind of chunky) and add them to the bowl along with the mayo, lemon juice and salt. Mix well.
Serve on a bed of iceberg lettuce … or wrapped with a handful of shredded iceberg lettuce in a warmed up large flour tortilla … or on top of a piece of toast … or on its own in a the same bowl you where mixed it.
Depending on how hungry you are, this recipe can provide one substantial meal or enough for two main courses. Making a larger version of the dish is pretty straightforward, just proportionally add more of the same ingredients.
CRN is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year as a luxury yacht builder. Part of the Ferretti Group since 1999, CRN specialises in the manufacture of bespoke mega yachts between 40 and 90 metres long. These boats are customised completely to the client’s specifications and sometimes even their wildest whims …
Read my complete review at the Comte des Cierges CDCLifestyle blog.
For the launch, GBC also surveyed over 1,200 parents across Britain and found that 97% are in favour of the government’s recent proposals to make cooking lessons compulsory. Kids appear to like the idea too. 75% of parents said their kids love being the kitchen and often ask to cook.
GBC will publish the full results of their survey on their site Tuesday afternoon. Until then, have a look at this sneaky peek summary of some of the foodie findings (click on it for a bigger, easier to read version).
Yeah, multimillion dollar boats for multibillionaires seeking seaworthy luxury retreats.
According to brand manager Luca Boldrini, back in 1963 when CRN started making mega yachts, buyers were eager to purchase something shiny to show off while schmoozing at sea. These days – as CRN celebrates its 50th anniversary – its super rich clients are more keen to splurge on a boat that enables them to slip away from the world and from the ogling eyes of all us less affluent folk. Still, the boats that CRN makes today could hardly be called understated and modest.
At the bespoke mega yacht level, the mod cons and creature comforts eclipse even the most bling bling of gansta rap video trappings. The world’s largest full HD plasma screen television (Panasonic’s 103”) … a private deck with its own helipad … an aquarium that doubles as a bar … a clear glass lift that goes opaque if someone happens to walk by while you’re in it – some of the stuff I saw touring around these yachts had me rethinking the implausibility of outlandish super villain hideaways I’d seen in James Bond movies and such. Just what sort of over-the-top amenities are available to purchase if you’ve got the money?
CRN’s shipyard is on the Adriatic coast in the sleepy little seaside town of Ancona. And for all my poor boy impulses which have me pondering the inequity of these fanciful floating mansions, I must mention even being able to complete one or two of mega yachts a year means that CRN can employ hundreds of local folks with meaningful work … that artisans are afforded a chance to apply age old skills and craftsmanship to actual commercially viable projects … that designers are commissioned to think boldly and to innovate.
To be sure, you can expect to see plenty more posts popping up on my blog about this recent trip. And my shipyard snoop was only half the fun. I bumbled around Bologna for a day as well. As brief as my visit was, I ate so incredibly well and got to gawk at all sorts of amazements.
Until I get around to publishing the next related post, enjoy these pics from the CRN Shipyard (click a thumbnail to view a bigger version of a photograph).
And even more shoots:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tikichris/sets/72157633064625603/
A newly opened exhibition at London’s Somerset House offers a sweeping overview of the rich genre that is 21st century landscape photography. Landmark: the Fields of Photography is the first of its kind anywhere to show both the harsh and sometimes brutal realities of our rapidly changing environment alongside the natural world’s more enduring and stunning beauty.
Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.
Here’s a quick little list of good stuff I’ve recently come across and thought I’d share with you. Enjoy!
Brindisa: I wandered by their Borough Market shop en route to a meeting last week and could not resist stocking up on cooking chorizos, agridulce paprika, Padron peppers and few other essentials. Such a brilliant shop for Spanish provisions.
Sakata: I received a sample package of these crispy Japanese rice crackers. Tasty. I liked the minimal ingredient plain ones the most, but have to admit I kept going back for another seaweed and soy sauce ones. There’s a pack of BBQ flavoured crackers I’ve yet to open. I wonder how munch worthy they’ll be. All Sakata crackers are gluten free and have only eight calories each.
Black Dog Books: Way back before Christmas the folks at Black Dog Publishing sent me a few books to review. Then I came down with the Noro virus, followed by a merry Christmas and what’s proved to be a hectic 2013. I thought one of those books was particularly lovely, Between Exits: Paintings by Hani Zurob featuring plenty of gorgeous full colour pictures of the Palestinian artist’s works.
Pie, Mash & Ravey Pop-up: I’m bummed I’m gonna have to miss it but feel I should pass the word on about Nicos Popupalot’s latest edible adventure. Nicos, who previously filled plenty of happy tummies with the Fingers and Thumbs Shellfish Restaurant (which I absolutely loved) will be back at Arch 289 on Cambridge Heath Road with a three-day, three-course menu over Easter, based around ye olde favourite comfort food, pie and mash. £25, BYOB.
Without doubt, Atlanta is a fantastic destination in its own right. It’s also an excellent base for exploring some of the best sights around the great state of Georgia. Here are but four of the many fun places to visit within a short drive of Altanta …
Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.
First of all, my girlfriend loved this place. So there, problem solved and thumbs up for the Palm. Actually, I loved it too. Food was great. Drinks were well made. Service was solid. The setting was especially comfortable. No complaints (at all – a rarity for me!) … with thumbs as up as my stubbly little hands will allow. Add to these commendable qualities a special offer that also makes this cosy Belgravia restaurant a real bargain to visit and you’ve got the makings of a rave review.
So yeah, I really enjoyed my visit to Palm London and found its newly launched PrimeTime discount menu of cocktails and “Prime Bites” to be an excellent way to get a taste of what makes this neighbourhood favourite so special.
The PrimeTime special runs (at the bar only) from 5pm until closing every day of the week, when the price you pay is determined by the clock. Before 5pm all items on the PrimeTime food and drink menu are their usual listed price, but from 5pm prices are as follows: £5 (until 6pm), £6 (until 7pm), £7 (until 8pm), £8 (until 9pm), £9 (until closing). And get this: on Mondays the bar extends its offer into the Palm’s front dining room and “stops the clock” at 5pm so all PrimeTime items are a mere £5 all night long.
What’s especially cool about the PrimeTime menu is that the food is really tasty. I thought the prime steak sliders (regular price £11.90) with Cheddar, pickle and pesto mayonnaise were amazing. I was still blathering about how delicious they were on my way back home. So called “dirty shrimp” (panko fried shrimp tossed in Creole spices with slaw and remoulade, regular priced £12.90) satisfied heartily as well. Crispy calamari fritti tossed with preserved lemon and marinated peppers (regular price £11.90) was also a delight. Portions were ample (particularly considering I was there on Monday and everything was £5 a go) and dishes were served up quick.
Drinks impressed too. All cocktails from the PrimeTime are regularly priced at £10. There’s close to 20 of them. It’s a nice list of classic and signature mixes as well. I loved sipping the Classic Charmer Manhattan (Bulleit Bourbon and Martini Rosso) and thought the Rum Reserve Rita (Appleton Estate Rum, Grand Marnier liqueur, lime and lemon juice) was a winner too.
Palm London is one in a group of around 30 American owned restaurants started back in New York during the 1920s. The London location is the only Palm outside the States. The feel is very American in the best of ways. Expect friendly and attentive service and a lively casual vibe. If you’re up for more than bites at the bar, the dinner menu features Italian American standards, USDA prime beef steak, Nova Scotia lobster, New York style cheesecake and more.
Beyond the yummy and reasonably priced bar snacks and cocktails, I think what Kemey and I liked most about Palm was the ambience. We were made to feel very welcome by the staff. The booth we nestled into was a roomy nook. The wall o’ caricatures of regulars (including Sean Connery?!) was a hoot of a backdrop. Everything aspect of our visit was accommodatingly pleasant. I totally recommend this place to anybody looking for a no fuss dining experience around Knightsbridge or Belgravia.
See you there on a Monday night (even though I live clear on the other side of town)? It’s pretty likely we’ll be heading back there soon!
Palm London is located at 1-3 Pont Street, SW1X 9EJ. Find out more at thepalm.com/london.
Photo courtesy of the restaurant
So … working from home one day with lunch o’clock closing in, I started craving something Buffalo-y but didn’t have the time to hit a restaurant or to do all the shopping, cooking and cleaning up required to make my own wings. Scrounging around in my kitchen, I cobbled together some things for a quick lunch to get me through the afternoon and appease my need for heat. That meal turned out way better than I had expected. Since then I’ve tweaked my recipe eventually settling on what you can read below.
My vegetarian Buffalo nut quesadillas are quick and easy to make and very tasty. The sort of vegetarianism applied in this recipe comes more from me being a lazy cheapskate than from any ethical or health-related concerns. The aim (which I think I achieved) was maximum flavour through minimum effort. That said, the dish is meat free and features a few superfood ingredients which are very nutritious.
Buffalo nut quesadillas are an awesome snack or meal as well as a fun treat to serve at casual get-togethers.
BUFFALO NUT QUESADILLAS Yum
Ingredients (makes four quesadillas)
Method
You can cook these on low heat in a frying pan if you wish, but I find it’s a lot less hassle and just as delicious to bake them.
Serve
Buffalo nut quesadillas are best served hot and whole, but they’re still yummy when cold and as slices.
If you’re having a Buffalo nut quesadilla as a meal or snack, one or two would be satisfying and filling enough on their own. But serving alongside a salad or with a bowl of soup or chilli certainly isn’t a bad idea. I recommend folding your quesadilla over another time to make it more manageable to eat with your hands.
To serve as a starter or hors d’oeuvre, you can slice the quesadillas as you would a pizza and serve as a finger food or cut it into little squares to be served with toothpicks. It’s best to cut them while still hot.
Read more tikichris recipes.
Yes, of course, the sounds coming from a DJ booth are of utmost important. But assuming the music is to your liking, the look and feel of a venue can certainly add or distract from your time listening to what the DJ is spinning. Looking for a London venue that takes its tunes but not itself too seriously? Here’s a list of some London bars featuring the quirkiest DJ booths …
Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.
Blue Tomato recently joined in a tasting panel to help Fire & Stone pizzerias decide which of an assortment of pizzas to add to its menu. The restaurant group – with three locations in Central London as well as an outlet each in Oxford and Portsmouth – developed the range of six pizzas based upon some original ‘retired classics’ from past menus, with the aim of narrowing down the list to only two pizzas.
Read my complete post at Blue Tomato.
At £45 per adult and £15 per child, brunch at the Blue Boar is indeed a luxury. But if you come hungry and hankering a drink (or two), you should find the experience to offer exceptionally good value for an especially great meal. The ‘price of admission’ gets you unlimited bloody Marys (they’re tasty too!) and Bucks Fizz; access to a ginormous “feasting table” with salad bar, seafood bar, butcher’s board and dessert table; choice of main course with sides or the Sunday roast with all the trimmings; coffee and petite fours.
I loved a lot of what I ate during my brunch. The feasting table choices all but blew me away. Smoked feta cheese with shaved fennel, pomegranate and toasted pistachios salad was particularly tasty (and worthy of a repeat visit to the bar). So was the smoked chicken salad with Granny Smith apple. As for the seafood, I could have stayed all day downing more than my share of gorgeous poached king prawns with the restaurant’s own spicy rub. Venison pastrami, from the butcher’s board, wowed my appreciative palate as well.
Mains were impressive too (or at least my selection pleased me). I wholeheartedly enjoyed my serving of pulled pork with thyme baked rolls, home made pickles, coleslaw and smoky bacon baked bean. It was a properly down home spread … but served on its own pretty little silver tray. I didn’t have much room for dessert (and was more keen about the savouries anyway), but I like what I nibbled: a small piece of carrot cake and a green tea macaron. There were plenty more options available to appease any variety of sweet tooth desires.
Service was efficient and friendly. There was live music (dude singing and playing an acoustic guitar, stuff like Easy by the Commodores). Everything about the brunch was pleasant and relaxing.
The space at the Blue Boar is comfy, despite the restaurant being incredibly massive. It’s a manly dark tones and leather sort of setting. There’s this whole other bar area separate to the main dining area too. While looking for the loo, I kinda got lost in a world of green Chesterfield sofas nestled in evocatively lit nooks with quirky artwork here and there (there’s a bit of a political theme going on – well, this is Westminster) along with all sorts of cosy little areas ideal for discreet catch ups. I had fun exploring the Blue Boar and hope to make it back there soon for a drink (there’s an awesome line up of craft beers) at the bar.
This was my first peek at the new Intercontinental Westminster too. Nice digs. And I got a real kick out of the cheeky Parliament installation by Evil Robot Designs in the lobby.
Blue Boar Smokehouse & Bar is located inside the Intercontinental Westminster hotel at 45 Tothill Street, SW1H 9LQ. Find out more at blueboarlondon.com.
You know the old adage that says if you’re the smartest guy in the room then you’re in the wrong room? Well, I certainly found myself in the right place last week when I sat in on a casual wine and music pairing at the University of London. Honestly, I’m hardly ever the brightest light shining at any wine tasting. And that’s what I love about attending them: the opportunity to know at least a little more than I did before. Well that and, of course, the wine.
Led by professors Barry Smith and Charles Spence, the pairing presented a small group of food and drink writers with a variety of wines to be accompanied by different songs and tones. Smith and Spence are kind of a big deal. They both lead amazing careers exploring how humans perceive the world through the senses. At the end of this post is a blurb each about them which I swiped from the London Gastronomy Seminars website (with lots of cool events listed). Keep reading to find out how you can glean the same cool info from these eminent thinkers.
Slurping wine to music with Smith and Spence at the helm was a heady affair. Still as ‘ivory tower’ as you might think they would be, I found them to be affable and down to earth fellas who seemed, more than anything, to have a lot of fun with their research and to love coming up with cool ways to share what they’ve discovered with others. I laughed as much as I learned and left feeling both light headed from drinking some gorgeous wines as well as enlightened by the session.
Cambalache – One Night in Argentina … in Dalston
The wine and music pairing was hosted by Wines of Argentina as a prelude to its upcoming Cambalache wine festival in Dalston this April. During the event, Smith and Spence will be on hand to run guests through the same wine with music tasting that I got to experience.
Cambalache will feature 150 wines from 28 of Argentina’s top wineries. There’ll be street food from Borough Market’s Argentine specialists, Porteña; cocktails from Galante Bar; dulche de leche ice cream from The Ice Cream Union; live graffiti mural painting; tango performances and much more.
Cambalache – One Night in Argentina will be Thursday 18 April from 6pm to 11pm at MC Motors, 76 Stoke Newington Road, N16 7XB.
Tickets cost £35 and will include all food and drink. Visit winesofargentina.org/cambalache for more info and to book.
About Barry Smith and Charles Spence
Barry Smith is a Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Institute of Philosophy in the School of Advanced Study, University of London where he co-directs a Centre for the Study of the Senses. He is the editor of Questions and Taste – the Philosophy of Wine (Oxford University Press 2007). He is a frequent contributor to In Our Time, and Nightwave, and resented a four part series for the BBC World Service on ‘The Mysteries of the Brain’. He is a contributor to The World of Fine Wine and writes a monthly wine column for Prospect Magazine. He has been a visiting professor at the University of California at Berkeley and at the École Normale Supérieure.
Charles Spence is the head of the Crossmodal Research Laboratory based at the Department of Experimental Psychology, Oxford University. He is interested in how people perceive the world around them … Over the years, Charles has consulted for a number of multinational companies advising on various aspects of multisensory design, packaging, and branding. He has also conducted research on human-computer interaction issues on the Crew Work Station on the European Space Shuttle. Charles and his group are currently working on problems associated with the design of foods that maximally stimulate the senses (together with Heston Blumenthal, chef of The Fat Duck restaurant in Bray) … [He] has published more than 300 articles in top-flight scientific journals over the last 15 years … been awarded … the 2008 IG Nobel prize for nutrition, for his groundbreaking work on the ‘sonic crisp’!
A tip of the hat to the legendary Le Chat Noir club of Paris, the Black Cat Cabaret at the historic Cafe de Paris at Leicester Square draws its inspiration from the “Absinthe-soaked, dark and daring heyday of Montmartre’s cabaret underworld” offering a chance to “discover decidedly modern performance in its many strange and wondrous forms.”
Read my complete post at the OneTravel.
… Windsor and Maidenhead are the place to be for some of the best in British sporting events. Here’s a list of the Windsor and Maidenhead sports line up for summer 2013 …
Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.
Listening to heavy metal and drinking beer go together like teenage angst and wearing black. It doesn’t get more metal than Iron Maiden. So when I heard word that the pioneers of British metal were teaming up with Robinsons Brewery to produce Trooper Ale, it seemed to make perfect sense to me.
According to ironmaidenbeer.com:
Trooper is a premium British beer inspired by Iron Maiden and handcrafted at Robinsons Brewery. Being a real ale enthusiast, vocalist Bruce Dickinson has developed a beer which has true depth of character. Malt flavours and citric notes from a unique blend of Bobec, Goldings and Cascade hops dominate this deep golden ale with a subtle hint of lemon.
The beer is to be available in May.
Thinking back over the years of listening to Maiden and all sorts of other aggressive music as a kid (and still today), I’d be keen to try the ale and to find out if it tastes as good as so much classic Maiden sounds.
The top image is a screen grab from ironmaidenbeer.com. I’m assuming they want to get the word out about the product and won’t mind my usage.
The W London’s newly launched Nip/Tuck package provides … a chance for a revitalising treatment followed by a healthy and re-acclimating lunch. I gave the offer a try yesterday and loved it. It set a serene tone for the rest of my afternoon of meetings and felt more like a revitalising boost than an indulgent treat.
Read my complete review at the Comte des Cierges CDCLifestyle blog.
With its prime location between the coast and the rolling countryside of the South Downs, as well as containing the eclectic Brighton, Sussex is a fantastic place for finding food. From the casual cafe to the gourmet gutbusters, south coast foodies are spoilt for choice. Here is our pick of the best restaurants in Sussex.
Being a seaside town, Brighton has a vast number of fish and chip shops. However, if you want the best fish and chips in the city, steer clear of the overpriced seafront and head to Bardsley’s on Baker Street. It’s well out of the way of all the tourist spots, but is a residents’ favourite thanks to its great range of fresh battered fish, fat, fluffy chips and friendly staff.
Fans of all food marine will love this place. The food is incredible value for money considering how good it is, and its outdoor terrace gives a beautiful view of the Old Town fishing huts for relaxed summer dining. Dishes range from a smoked seafood platter, fresh oysters and jambalaya, along with a range of great British puddings for those with a sweet tooth.
Set in the stunning Victorian Borde Hill Gardens, Jeremy’s serves up a fine range of inventive British fare. From the best quality meats to a range of seasonal sides to some truly sumptuous puddings, Jeremy’s is all about classic food with a twist. They also offer up a hearty Sunday roast to treat yourself after a long Sunday walk through West Sussex, and its wine list is carefully selected to combine harmoniously with the food.
If you’re treating a vegetarian friend, award-winning Terre a Terre is the ideal option. Vegetarian food fearers needn’t worry, because the dishes here are bursting with flavour and interesting textures. It suits a range of special dietary requirements, such as vegan and gluten-free diets, and in some cases raw alternatives are available. The rostis always go down a treat, and there are several options for afternoon tea if you’re feeling naughty.
The Bull is a fantastic choice all year round. Warm up by the open fires in winter in the cosy bar with its exposed beams and cosy decor, or bask in the summer sun on the outdoor terrace. There’s something to satisfy any appetite, whether it’s a light bite you’re looking for (we recommend the crab and mussel sushi) or something more substantial.
Emma Lawson is a food fanatic from Sussex who likes to stay in the loop about the south coast’s best restaurants.
It’s refreshing to come across something that’s practical and simple by design. When form and function meet in equal measure, the results resonate with a lasting satisfaction. Rambling along perpetually up-and-coming and increasingly trendy Hackney Road with its speakeasies and new boutiques mingling with stalwart pubs and dwindling wholesaler outlets, a shop selling handmade wooden spoons stands out.
Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.
Yesterday I dropped by Stratford Library for an event announcing and celebrating the expansion of the Newham Chess Project into even more local schools thanks to additional support funded by East Village (originally mentioned in this post on 4 March).
School kids learning about one of the world’s greatest games from British Champion, Grandmaster Gawain Jones (pictured above) in a shiny and new library? Beautiful.
I’ve no need to really reinvent the wheel with respect to content about the event, though, as The Londondeer’s already summed things up nicely on his blog.
However, I would like to help spread the word and reiterate that Stratford Library is to host a weekly chess club every Thursday from 5.30pm … STARTING TODAY … and that the club needs volunteers like you. Find out how to become a coach at the Chess in Schools & Communities website.
It’s not all about ancient history in Rome. Roman culture is alive and kicking with great museums and galleries focused on the contemporary, modern and even postmodern. Here’s a look at some of the best venues in Rome for viewing contemporary art …
Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.
Photo/mago.uno
No fancy schmancy bottles, no fashion labels bashing you over the head with over the top branding, no celebrities tarting things up: just pretty smelling perfumes. Gorilla Perfume is an East London pop-up open until June and selling its own fragrances and range of related items.
Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.
