I was at Madame D’s in mid November taking up the restaurant on an invitation to have a taste of its recently launched menu, featuring a new range of gorgeous momos (Tibetan style dumplings). I loved every ferociously flavoursome bite.
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Silver lines the walls, objects are stacked precariously among each other; it takes a few seconds for my eyes to fully adjust to the array and begin to distinguish between each object: a gilded horn, antique candelabras, ruby rings, and goblets. Nothing is precocious here or simply on show, each object is waiting patiently for a new home. Continue reading
So, as I’ve done on this blog every Thanksgiving Day since 2011, I’d like to take a quick moment to reflect upon the year and say a few words of thanks. Continue reading
Here are some of the things for you to keep in mind when you are looking for a place to do all of your online festive season gift shopping. Continue reading
So if you’re wondering which US cities are the absolute best for taking a holiday retail wander then check out this all nice/not naughty list of the choicest shopping destinations in America.
Read my complete post at Going Places.
I had the opportunity to play around with the new compact earlier today at the official UK press launch. The camera is a thing of beauty that feels ‘right’ in the hand and – most importantly – takes great shots. Continue reading
Among the standouts and best established is Three Choirs vineyard and winery in Gloucestershire (yes, Gloucestershire!). But Three Choirs isn’t just a working winery with 30-hectare vineyard. It’s a B&B with guest lodges placed among the rows vines and an fantastic little restaurant as well. Continue reading
I don’t think I’ve seen my girlfriend quite so excited about me coming up with a recipe as she was when the first round of cookies were baking and filling our house with such a yummy aroma. They will be baked again! Continue reading
This year’s “hugely entertaining and mildly terrifying evening of orchestrated chaos”
is scheduled for Monday 4 December and will see risqué singer Meow Meow joined on stage by pianist Ben Dawson for a Christmas themed evening of song with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Northey providing harmonious support from the pit. Continue reading
Christmas always comes earlier than we can all agree on. One thing I am happy to concede is that preparations must start early. Whilst it is NOT OK to decorate your home before 1st December food preparation must start early. My grandmother would soak dried fruit in brandy as early as October to be used in the Christmas pudding. Continue reading
You know it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas when ice skating rinks pop up across London. Forget the lights on Oxford Street, the sound your skates make as they skid to a halt across the ice bring me back to winters in Michigan. Unlike Dad who grew up skating on the lake, we’d always visit the parking lot decorated in large snowflakes and paved with ice. We’d leave Mom in the aching cold as we went round and round and round again. Bless her. I’d spend hours there. Continue reading
Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip, savour and more – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading
It was literally crunch time at Westfield London, Shepherd’s Bush this week courtesy Nature Valley and their new snack – Nut Butter Biscuits. The Atrium in Westfield was transformed in to a tennis court complete with reserved seating to celebrate the release of the movie Battle of the Sexes. Continue reading
The show runs for one night only at an undisclosed but said to be “opulent” location in East London. Continue reading
I paid a morning visit to sketch for the launch and was subdued, mesmerized and delighted by the work. Continue reading
The surge of international visitors always helps in supporting the development of better infrastructure, which has only speeded up Auckland’s transformation into one of the world’s most liveable cities, says an expert at Cruxton Travel, leading provider of cheap business class flights to Auckland. Continue reading
Such was the case when I pitched in to help Chef Jeremy Pang (of TV and School of Wok fame) and hundreds of other volunteers with his Wok for 1000 charity cooking event held recently at Borough Market. Continue reading
Here’s a look at six of the most affordable places in America and abroad to make the most of the winter.
Read my complete post at Going Places.
Leggera means “light” in Italian and is a term that aptly applies to these low calorie single-serving pizzas created for people who want to eat healthily without compromising on flavour. Continue reading
As a spirit, Cognac tends to get a bad rep. Lacking the neutrality of vodka, the respect of whisky or the recent hipster makeover of gin, this French brandy still tends to conjure up images of old men in smoking jackets rather than hip young things on the cocktail scene. However, it looks set to be the next spirit to break the traditional mould and hit the mainstream in Paris – and the annual Cognac Cocktail Connexion (CCC) is largely responsible for this. Continue reading
Whether it’s a brassy pantomime, a blockbuster musical, or a heady play – attending a show during the run up to Christmas or as part of your Boxing Day or New Years celebrations is a cherished tradition for many.
Grabbing drinks or having a meal at the right place and for the right amount of time can help set the tone to commence or end any theatre outing on a delicious note.
But finding a suitable spot for food and drink before or after a performance often can turn out to be more of a major production than many might prefer. It doesn’t have to be that way though.
Read my complete post at Trainline.
One of the things that makes having a US passport such an invaluable resource is how much of the planet it enables you to visit without having to deal with any paperwork or visa applications beforehand. Indeed, most nations greet US citizens with open arms.
Read my complete post at Miles Away.
How do you like your art? Shaken, not stirred? How about edible? Well, now anything has been made possible. Smith and Sinclair, who made all our grown up dreams come true by creating alcohol pastilles, have teamed up with the equally indulgent Lanique liqueur to bring us The Flavour Gallery. Continue reading
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!
Hotel Chocolat’s Classic Christmas Chocolate Sleekster features a festive selection of 32 Christmas chocolates including truffles, caramels, and pralines with seasonal flavours along the lines of mulled wine, clementine, orange and walnut, treacle tart and more. Continue reading
These charming cabins often have special deals during typically slower times. The spacious cabin floor plans are far better than stuffy hotel rooms that are cramped. Linen is provided free of charge, and no extensive cleaning is ever necessary. A fully equipped kitchen makes meal times a breeze. There are BBQ grills and fire pits ready for guest use in certain outdoor locations. These cabins should be added to everyone’s must-see list. Continue reading
So, do you remember Shuffleboarding? Yes, as in the classic American on-deck game played by pensioners on cruise ships? The game where you slide your ”biscuits” onto a triangle at the end of your lane? Well, it appears that it’s what we Londoners want for Christmas. Except that we would like to do it with a cocktail in hand. Continue reading
It’s shocking how many well traveled folks I know here in London who’ve never traveled to Scotland or may have been only once and who seem not to have a clue about how amazing the place is on practically level. We returned home feeling so invigorated by our escapade up north but also glum to acknowledge the adventure had ended. Continue reading
I dropped by the Nunhead branch for lunch last week and was pleased with what I got to sample: Continue reading
As mentioned in my last post, our Vauxhall Mokka X proved a handy asset for handling the back roads and country lanes of the Highlands. Likewise, compact Inverness turned out to be a smart base for starting off on our explorations and a much-appreciated haven to head back to after mucking about in the woods for most of the day.
From Fortrose on the Moray Firth to Loch an Eilein in the heart of the Cairngorms, the range of beauty spots that are only about an hour or so away from Inverness is vast. But two of our walks in particular remain most worthy of mention: one just a leisurely stroll away from our in-town accommodation and the other rather more remote but well worth our efforts to see. Continue reading
The Australian-American horror comedy directed by Chris Peckover starts out preparing viewers seemingly for one kind of plot and then twists into another – and then another in a romp that’s a bit like Home Alone with considerably more adult themes and a babysitter thrown into the story for good measure. Continue reading
In particular, the epically scenic A82 road from Glasgow to Inverness (via Loch Lomond and Fort William, through Glen Coe and along the length of Loch Ness) was a dream of a drive. Continue reading
Dan Doherty might be known best for one famous coupling: the duck and waffle dish at the Duck & Waffle restaurant where he’s Chef Director. But the man knows his way around a San Daniele prosciutto and Grana Padano cheese wheel as well. And I was glad to be among the guests attending his workshop. And he seemed very much at home indeed doing his thing in Dock Kitchen’s attractive canal side digs. Continue reading
It’d been years since either Kemey or I had been to Glasgow and our two-night (and really only one full day) pit stop proved far too short. Nonetheless we had an amazing time and loved discovering how much more delicious the city had become since we’d last been there.
Have a look at what we loved best about the visit. Continue reading
Years ago when I first moved to London, it was Spitalfields that amazed me most and seemed to have the most London-y look and feel from my limited American perspective. Well over a decade later, it’s still one of my preferred spots to roam around – and to grab a bite. Continue reading
