tikichris

New Orleans in 18 Eats | #TCEatsNOLA

Posted on 2016-11-23 by tikichris

If New Orleans doesn’t represent the most wonderful concentration of restaurants in the world, I don’t know where does. And believe me, I’ve looked long and hard – only to return to NOLA with greater appreciation for its graciously crafted cuisine and the profound depth of its food culture. Get ready, y’all. It’s time to eat!

An opportunity to visit the Crescent City and take a significant bite out of its dynamic dining scene came my way back in September and I relished every edible moment of it. This was not my first time in New Orleans and I certain it won’t be my last. But it was the most delicious to date. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, Louisiana, New Orleans, New Orleans in 18 Eats, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged #FollowYourNOLA, #TCEatsNOLA, Conti Street, Follow Your NOLA, Food, french quarter, Hotel Le Marais, hotels, louisiana, new orleans, New Orleans in 18 Eats, nola, Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery, restaurants, Tchoupitoulas Street, Travel | Leave a comment

Twilight | #TCTikiTour

Posted on 2016-11-21 by tikichris

Exploring California tiki culture old and new turned out to be a terrific way to experience the best of the Golden State and enjoy a tour along its magnificent coast.

As twilight descends upon this series highlighting Kemey’s and my road trip from San Francisco to San Diego, I want to take a moment to say thanks to all the bars and restaurants (tiki and non), hotels, etc – and especially to the friends and family who made time to see us – for the immense hospitality provided. A word of gratitude is in order for Kemey too, for indulging me in such a tiki-laden two weeks on the road (though, truth be told, I’m pretty sure she had a blast). Continue reading →

Posted in California, California Tiki Tour & More, road trip, Tiki, Travel | Tagged #DreamBig, BARS, california, California Tiki Tour & More, Critiki, Drink, road trip, TCTikiTour, tiki, Tiki bars, Travel, Visit California | Leave a comment

Best Affordable Winter Getaways (Going Places)

Posted on 2016-11-21 by tikichris

Anna Om / Shutterstock

Already planning your great winter getaway?

Whether you’re a snowbird seeking to avoid the cold or a ski bunny hoping to make the most of it, our list of affordable destinations for the holiday months is full of great places that can either warm you up or keep you cool.

Read my complete post at Going Places.

Posted in Going Places, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged Going Places, OneTravel, Travel, Winter travel | Leave a comment

Recipe: Maple Walnut Wings | #WingingIt

Posted on 2016-11-21 by tikichris

Here’s a recipe for chicken wings combining the rich flavours of maple and walnut.

My maple walnut wings are really moreish, if I do say so myself! I didn’t add any spicy heat to them but chipotle or Tabasco would go well with them (and it’s easy enough to incorporate on your own). I would encourage you to try these as suggested in the recipe first though, to get a taste of just how yummy chicken, maple and walnut are together. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Recipes, Shopping, Winging It | Tagged canadiian maple syrup, chicken wings, chicken wings recipe, Food, hot wings, maple syrup, maple syrup from quebec, Maple Walnut Wings, recipes, Shopping, tikichris recipes, walnut oil, walnuts, we love maple, Winging It | Leave a comment

Win a Bottle Each of Jägermeister + Jägermeister Spice

Posted on 2016-11-20 by tikichris

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!

Brrr! It’s getting cold out there! So I’ve teamed up with Jägermeister to help warm things up as you ring in the festive season with the chance to win two bottles of full flavoured winter warmers – one of Jägermeister Original and one of Jägermeister Spice – for free.

That’s right! Not one but two bottles of the world’s preferred herbal liqueur crafted and perfected in Germany are up for grabs! Continue reading →

Posted in Competition, Drink, Freebies, Shopping | Tagged #JagerWin, competition, Drink, free, freebies, Jägermeister, Jägermeister Spice, RT to win, twitter competition | Leave a comment

Falafel Party at Pilpel Aldgate | 10X10 with tikichris

Posted on 2016-11-19 by tikichris

This past Friday night was falafel night here in tikichris land with a friendly gathering of folks at the weeks old Pilpel Aldgate.

The party was the latest of my 10X10 celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of my blog. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants, TC10 | Tagged 10 Years of tikichris, aldgate, Alie Street, Drink, E1, E1 8PX, east london, falafel, Food, free, Free falafel, free lunch, freebies, London, Pilepl Aldgate, Pilpel, restaurants, reviews, supper club, TC10, TC10X10, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

San Diego Serenade | #TCTikiTour

Posted on 2016-11-18 by tikichris

Last stop on our California tiki bar road trip was sunny San Diego.

Sadly, Kemey and I only had one night to enjoy San Diego – a standalone destination worthy of a far longer visit. But I’d say we packed as much into our overnight as possible. And our whistle stop tour was a conch shell blowout as far as the tiki seeking was concerned. Indeed, we even enjoyed a stay at a mid century modern tiki resort, Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn on San Diego’s Shelter Island. Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, California, California Tiki Tour & More, Drink, Food, Hotels, Restaurants, road trip, Tiki, Travel | Tagged #DreamBig, Bali Hai, Bali Hai San Diego, BARS, california, California Tiki Tour & More, cocktails, Drink, Fairweather, False Idol, fish tacos, Food, Half Moon Inn, hotels, Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn, Martin Cate, Oscar's Mexican Seafood, Rare Form, road trip, san diego, Shelter Island, Shelter Island San Diego, Southern California, tacos, TCTikiTour, tiki, Tiki bars, Travel, Visit California | Leave a comment

Sneak Peek at the Ceru South Kensington’s Menu

Posted on 2016-11-17 by tikichris

A London based mainstay of the catering/pop-up/festivals circuit, contemporary Levantine restaurant Ceru will take up permanent residence this December in South Kensington in its own Bute Street restaurant.

I dropped by their production kitchen earlier this week for a taste of the menu and reckon So Ken diners are in for a flavoursome filling Middle Eastern treat. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food | Tagged Bute Street, Ceru, Ceru Restaurant, Ceru Restaurants, Drink, Food, Levantine cuisine, London, MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD, restaurants, reviews, south kensington, SW7, SW7 3EY, west london, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

A Guide to the World’s Best Whiskey/Whisky Destinations (Going Places)

Posted on 2016-11-17 by tikichris

Did you ever wonder where your preferred tipple came from? How it was produced? Or even the history behind it? The world of whiskey (and whisky) is one of heritage and craft, of idyllic natural water sources in scenic settings, of good times and lifelong memories.

Care to pay a visit to the best distilleries on the planet? Here’s our guide to where to go for a trip that’s guaranteed to leave a bold taste in your mouth and a smile on your lips.

Read my complete post at Going Places.

Posted in Drink, Going Places, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged Drink, Going Places, OneTravel, Travel, whiskey, whisky | Leave a comment

Tapas Brindisa Shoreditch

Posted on 2016-11-16 by tikichris

After extensive renovations Spanish restaurant group, Brindisa Kitchens, has relaunched its Shoreditch restaurant, Tramontana, as Tapas Brindisa.

I dropped by the launch party last night. I was impressed with the new digs (loved the massive marble bar) and couldn’t get enough of the food on offer. The sliders with the morcilla mixed in with the mince were irresistibly delicious. The paella was maybe the best I’ve ever tried (for real). Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged BARS, brindisa, Brindisa Kitchens, curtain road, east london, EC2, EC2A 3AT, reviews, shoreditch, spanish food, tapas, tapas bar, tapas brindisa, Tapas Brindisa Shoreditch | Leave a comment

Ahi Poke, Percy Street, Fitzrovia

Posted on 2016-11-16 by tikichris

Poke popularity in London continues to intrigue me. Don’t get me wrong though. I love the stuff and am glad to see I’ve got options on where to get it when I’m on the go. One such eatery is Ahi Poke in Fitzrovia.

Ahi Poke offers a good – if London-ised – version of poke in a short but tasty menu with an assembly line approach to fresh preparation. Seafood is sustainably caught. Veg is locally sourced when possible. Prices are reasonable, which bowls ranging in price from £5.95 to £9.95. Service is friendly and speedy. The dining area is pretty basic but clean, well light and pleasantly decorated with fun and sunny wall paintings. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged Ahi Poke, Drink, fitzrovia, Food, hawaiian food, japanese food, London, lunch, Percy Street, Poké, restaurants, reviews, tottenham court road, W1, W1T 1DF, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Wondering Why Savvy Travelers Are Headed to Samoa? We’ll Tell Ya (Miles Away)

Posted on 2016-11-15 by tikichris

Need a break? How does the prospect of sipping from a freshly cracked coconut and lounging around on the beach of a quiet, pristine lagoon in the middle of the South Pacific sound to you? Ladies and gentlemen … tamaʻitaʻi and alii … I give you: Samoa!

I’ve just gotten back from a visit to this tropical island paradise. The laid-back lifestyle, dramatic coastline, endless opportunities to get wet in scenic locations, warm weather, and equally warm welcome of the Samoans all completely blew me away. I don’t think I was quite ready for just how wonderful my time there turned out to be. I certainly wasn’t ready to come back home (and to the onset of winter!).

Does Samoa sound like an ideal getaway to you? Here’s some general info about this tiny island nation alongside a few highlights from my trip to help you start planning your own vacation in Samoa – the Pearl of the Pacific.

Read my complete post at Miles Away.

Posted in CheapOair, Miles Away, Samoa, Travel | Tagged cheapoair, Miles Away, Samoa, Travel | Leave a comment

A Good Time in Huntington Beach? It’s a Shore Thing | #TCTikiTour

Posted on 2016-11-14 by tikichris

From Disneyland, Kemey and I continued our tiki tour to Huntington Beach, where we parked our car for a few days of fun in Surf City USA.

We had a blast staying in this Orange County seaside enclave. Our hotel was an ideal base for a laidback beach break. Every meal we enjoyed around town was delicious. As for the tiki, it was of the full-on and classic variety. Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, California, California Tiki Tour & More, Drink, Food, Hotels, Restaurants, road trip, Tiki, Travel | Tagged #DreamBig, BARS, california, California Tiki Tour & More, cocktails, Don the Beachcomber, Drink, Duke's Huntington Beach, electric bicycles, electric bikes, hotels, Huntington Beach, Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel, Ola Mexican Kitchen, Orange County, Pedigo, Pedigo electric bikes, road trip, Shorebreak Hotel, Southern California, TCTikiTour, tiki, Tiki bars, Travel, Visit California, Zimzala | Leave a comment

Win One of Three Sets of Cocktail Gummies from SugarSin

Posted on 2016-11-14 by tikichris

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

What’s your favourite cocktail? What’s your favourite candy? Can’t decide? Why decide?

I’ve teamed up with candy maker SugarSin to offer tikichris readers the chance to win one of three sets of cocktail gummies. So whether you’re shopping for Christmas stocking stuffers for your family and friends or craving a little something indulgent for yourself, this competition is a sweet treat that can’t be beat! Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Competition, Food, Freebies, London, Shopping | Tagged #sugarsinwin, candy, cocktail gummies, cocktails, competition, covent garden, Food, free, freebies, London, RT to win, Russell Street, sugarsin, twitter competition, WC2, WC2B 5JD | 3 Comments

An Unmissable Christmas in London (Trainline)

Posted on 2016-11-14 by tikichris

Trainline Blogger Network’s Chris Osburn (also known as tikichris) is back and this time helping us plan a festive trip to London…

Happy Christmas! Are you heading to London this festive season for a family outing or shopping expedition? Here’s a list of Yuletide sights and activities you’re sure to love. Everything listed here is easily accessible via public transportation and mostly situated a short walk from a London Underground station.

Read my complete post at the Trainline blog.

Posted in Christmas, London, Shopping, Trainline, Travel | Tagged christmas, London, Shopping, train travel, Trainline, Trainline blog, Travel, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

easyCar’s Secrets of London

Posted on 2016-11-05 by tikichris

I (not to mention an impressive lineup of other Londoners reckoned to be local experts) teamed up recently with easyCar for a collaborative look at some of London’s lesser known but still super fun things to do.

Hidden gems … insider knowledge … underdog destinations … stuff like that … and all wrapped up in a very attractive and information format with loads of cool graphics. Continue reading →

Posted in easyCar, London, Travel | Tagged easyCar, London, Secrets of London, Travel, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

The Islington Townhouse

Posted on 2016-11-05 by tikichris

A fine meal in a fun setting was had recently at The Islington Townhouse.

During my dine I sampled a selection of small dishes from the “Autumn’s Plates” menu. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged angel, Drink, Food, islington, Islington Townhouse, Liverpool Road, London, N1, N1 0RW, The Islington Townhouse | Leave a comment

Thanksgiving Dinner with A Little Lusciousness: Menu Revealed!

Posted on 2016-11-04 by tikichris

Top rated Grub Club’s top rated chef, Rosie Llewellyn, has revealed her menu for our A Little Lusciousness/tikichris Thanksgiving team up.

Check it out! Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants, TC10, Thanksgiving | Tagged 10 Years of tikichris, A Little Lusciousness, Angie's Little Food Shop, chiswick, Chiswick High Road, Drink, Food, Grub Club, London, POP UPS, Pop-up restaurants, restaurants, reviews, Rosie Llewellyn, supper club, TC10, TC10X10, thanksgiving, thanksgiving in london, Thanksgiving pop-up, Thanksgiving supper club, W4, W4 1PU, west london, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Snapshot: Jakarta

Posted on 2016-11-03 by tikichris

A photo posted by Jakarta Jakarta_Daily (@jakarta_daily) on Oct 19, 2016 at 6:12am PDT

Planning a trip to the vibrant Indonesian capital of Jakarta?

Check out this quick snapshot to help make the most of your time on the ground. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Hotels, Indonesia, Shopping, Travel | Tagged Food, Hotel Borobudur Jakarta, hotels, indonesia, jakarta, Shopping, Snapshot, Snapshot: Jakarta, Southeast Asia, Travel | Leave a comment

Enchanted Day at Disneyland | #TCTikiTour

Posted on 2016-11-03 by tikichris

Next up on our California tiki tour was a visit to Anaheim for an especially tiki day out at Disneyland.

It was easy enough getting to Anaheim from our Pasadena hotel. We were there on Labor Day though. So it took some waiting in touch-and-go traffic to actually get in the park once we were near. The place was packed for sure – and I imagine to a far greater degree than usual. But, by making a bee-line to Disneyland’s main attraction, the Enchanted Tiki Room (well, the main attraction for a tiki tour anyway), taking advantage of Fastpass (a time allocation system for queue-free access to rides) and generally just having an easygoing approach to rides and activities, Kemey and I had a blast. Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, California, California Tiki Tour & More, Drink, Food, Hotels, Restaurants, road trip, Travel | Tagged #DreamBig, Anaheim, BARS, california, California Tiki Tour & More, cocktails, disney, Disneyland, Disneyland Hotel, Drink, Enchanted Tiki, enchanted tiki room, hotels, L.A., LA, los angeles, michael murphy, Orange County, Pasadena, road trip, So Cal, Soap Plant / Wacko, South California, TCTikiTour, tiki, Tiki bars, Tiki-Ti, Trader Sam's, Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar, Travel, Visit California | Leave a comment

The Restaurant Scene in Montreal is Alive and Thriving

Posted on 2016-11-02 by tikichris

T.E.A Photography / Flickr

The Restaurant Scene In Montreal Is Alive And Thriving.

Although the province of Quebec has long been very rightfully celebrated for its amazing French cuisine, there are other types of food available in the region. For example, a Google search for “Restaurant italien à Montréal” will quickly reveal plenty of first rate choices for a gala night out at an Italian establishment. Variety is the true spice of life, and there’s plenty of it to be had in Montreal. With so many choices, it can be difficult to decide just where to spend a pleasant evening of fine dining, but this is a problem that other cities would give their teeth to confront. Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Drink, Food, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged canada, Drink, Food, italian food, montreal, quebec, restaurants, Travel | Leave a comment

Top Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Travel (Going Places)

Posted on 2016-11-01 by tikichris

Tyler Olson / Shutterstock

Tis the season – or maybe not quite yet but it’ll be here quicker than you can jingle a bell – for holiday travel. It’s America’s busiest time of the year on the roads and in the air. The span of weeks from right before Thanksgiving to just after New Year’s Day brings a lot of joy, but also a lot of potential stress. It doesn’t have to be that way though.

Here are some merry and bright tips for stress-free holiday travel to help you maximize the good times and celebrate with family and close friends to the fullest.

Read my complete post at Going Places.

Posted in Christmas, Going Places, OneTravel, Thanksgiving, Travel | Leave a comment

Good Stuff #60

Posted on 2016-10-28 by tikichris

Good stuff and lots of it! 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 →

Posted in Art, Food, Good Stuff, London, Shopping, Travel | Tagged 31 Dover, 31Dover, 31Dover.com, Abakus Foods, Art, Bailey's Pumpkin Spice, baileys irish cream, Cask Strength Rum, Chika's, Chika's Food, Chika's Snack4Change, contemporary art, Drink, Food, Jujube, London, Marchel Dzama, Marchel Dzama and Raymond Pettibon: Let us Compare Mythologies, Mount Gay, Mount Gay 1703 XO, Raymond Pettibon, rum, SOS Children's Villages, Travel, whisky | Leave a comment

On Set in France | The Incantation

Posted on 2016-10-27 by tikichris

Last month while passing through LA, I got to catch up with childhood friend and filmmaker Jude S Walko. Jude was in town working on his latest project and directorial debut – indie horror flick, The Incantation. But it wasn’t the first time I’d seen Jude this year. Filming for The Incantation took place in France over the summer, and I was able to slip down to its location in the Loire Valley for a behind the scenes snoop during shooting.

Based on the original script written by Jude, The Incantation is the first original content feature film for Blue Falcon Productions. It follows young American Lucy Bellerose as she pays a trip to her family’s ancestral castle in rural France. Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrities, Entertainment, France, Movies, Travel | Tagged blue falcon productions, Celebrities, Dan Campbell, Dean Cain, Entertainment, film, france, horror, horror movies, Jude S Walko, jude walko, Loire Valley, Movies, Sam Valentine, The Incantation, Travel, Valerie McCaffrey | Leave a comment

How to Have a Stress-Free Family Vacation (Going Places)

Posted on 2016-10-27 by tikichris

altanaka / Shutterstock

Vacations are for relaxing and rebooting from the stress of everyday life. And then there’s the family vacation. Yes, you love them but they can get on your last nerve when all you’re trying to do is take it easy and have some fun.

Here are some ways to take a family vacation minus all the unnecessary hassle.

Read my complete post at Going Places.

Posted in Going Places, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged family vacation, Going Places, OneTravel, Travel | Leave a comment

Thanksgiving Dinner with A Little Lusciousness | 10X10 with tikichris

Posted on 2016-10-26 by tikichris

Hoping to have a happy Thanksgiving across the proverbial pond? Here’s info about my next event to mark a decade of blogging that I’m especially grateful to be able to share with you: a one-off Thanksgiving feast with one of London’s most popular pop-up sensations.

I’m collaborating with Grub Club’s top rated chef, Rosie Llewellyn, to host a one-night-only Thanksgiving feast in Chiswick. So save the date – Thursday 24 November – for what promises to be this year’s best American Thanksgiving dinner in London. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, London, Restaurants, TC10, Thanksgiving | Tagged 10 Years of tikichris, A Little Lusciousness, Angie's Little Food Shop, chiswick, Chiswick High Road, Drink, Food, Grub Club, London, POP UPS, Pop-up restaurants, restaurants, reviews, Rosie Llewellyn, supper club, TC10, TC10X10, thanksgiving, thanksgiving in london, Thanksgiving pop-up, Thanksgiving supper club, W4, W4 1PU, west london, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

LA Daze | #TCTikiTour

Posted on 2016-10-26 by tikichris

Resuming the more tiki-riffic goals of our California road trip, Kemey and I said farvel to Solvang and hit the highway for LA.

There’s way more to the LA tiki scene than the TIki-Ti. But if you only had one night (such as our schedule permitted) to experience the best of Los Angeles tiki, you’d be wise to spend it at this classic Hollywood watering hole. I’d been to the Ti years before (had a blast) and knew any tour of California tiki bars that didn’t include it would be remiss. Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Bars, California, California Tiki Tour & More, Drink, Food, Hotels, Restaurants, road trip, Shopping, Tiki, Travel | Tagged #DreamBig, BARS, california, California Tiki Tour & More, cocktails, Drink, DusitD2 Hotel Constance, Hollywood, Hotel Constance, hotels, L.A., LA, La Luz de Jesus Gallery, los angeles, Los Feliz, lowbrow art, michael murphy, Pasadena, road trip, Soap Plant / Wacko, TCTikiTour, tiki, Tiki bars, Tiki-Ti, Travel, Veggiegrill, Visit California | 1 Comment

Win a Three Month Wine Subscription from Le Petit Ballon

Posted on 2016-10-25 by tikichris

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!

Le Petit Ballon, the top wine subscription service in France, is now in the UK. Ready to find the wine you love? I’ve teamed up with Le Petit Ballon to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a three-month subscription (two bottles per month and more).

Picking the best wine for a particular occasion can be struggle sometimes.
Le Petit Ballon allows you to enjoy your wine without the waffle by doing all the legwork for you and offering handpicked wines selected by Master Sommelier and ex Head Sommelier of the Ritz in Paris, Jean Michél de Luc. Continue reading →

Posted in Competition, Drink, Freebies, Shopping, Wine | Tagged #WinLePetitBallonWine, competition, free, free wine, freebies, french wine, Jean Michél de Luc, Le Petit Ballon, Shopping, sommelier, twitter competition, wine, wine subscription | Leave a comment

Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge | Recipe Index

Posted on 2016-10-25 by tikichris

I hope you enjoyed reading my recipes for the Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge.

Tom Hixson of Smithfield is a third generation, family-run butchers sourcing beef, lamb, pork, poultry and deli products from across the globe for an impressive range of restaurants, Michelin star chefs and in-the-know carnivores hankering top quality meat. For the challenge I was invited to develop my own “Masterchef-style” dishes with a range of meats from Tom Hixson. Meats I was given to cook with included Picanha rump cap, gluten-free pork sausages, and bone marrow beef butter burger patties. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, London, Recipes, Shopping, Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge | Tagged butcher, Food, London, meat, recipes, Shopping, tom hixson, Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge, Tom Hixson of Smithfield, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Ant Beer Cocktails at Sager + Wilde Paradise Row | Happy Halloween!

Posted on 2016-10-24 by tikichris

Sager + Wilde Paradise Row and Wychwood Brewery have teamed up for a creepy crawly Halloween special: beer-based cocktails featuring Wychwood’s flagship beer, Hobgoblin, and ants (yes, actual ants).

– Excuse me waiter. There’s an ant in my drink!
– Yes, but only for a limited time!

Bethnal Green bar Sager + Wilde Paradise Row has launched two cocktails just in time for Halloween: the Hobgoblin Beer Vermouth + Ants cocktail and the Hobgoblin, Rum + Malt. I dropped by for preview recently, really enjoyed these drinks and am now glad to recommend them to you. Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, Beer, Drink, Food, Halloween, London, Restaurants | Tagged 250 Paradise Row, Ant cocktails, BARS, beer, beer cocktails, bethnal green, bourbon, cocktails, Drink, E2, E2 9LE, east london, edible insects, Food, halloween, Hobgoblin, Hobgoblin Beer, London, Olive Oil Old Fashioned, Paradise Row, restaurants, reviews, Sager + Wilde, Sager + Wilde Paradise Row, Wychwood Brewery, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Free Falafel Pitas Today at Pilpel Aldate

Posted on 2016-10-24 by tikichris

From noon to 2pm today: free falafel pitas at the new Pilpel at Aldate!

I swung by a Pilpel launch party for Pilpel over the weekend and had a great time. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Freebies, London, Restaurants | Tagged aldgate, Alie Street, E1, E1 8PX, east london, falafel, Food, free, Free falafel, free lunch, freebies, London, Pilepl Aldgate, Pilpel, restaurants | Leave a comment

Sideways Detour to Solvang | #TCTikiTour

Posted on 2016-10-24 by tikichris

Continuing with the More part of our California Tiki Tour & More road trip, Kemey and I made our way to sunny central coast city of Solvang – just up the road from Santa Barbara and about a 100 miles north of Los Angeles.

Not in the know about Solvang? I wasn’t either before this trip. Here’s the gist.

Solvang is a small Danish town in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County. By Danish, I mean Danish immigrants from the Midwest founded it. In search of milder winters, they moved on to California to settle in Solvang in 1911. Then came the fake windmills, Danish bakeries, a replica of Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid statue … stuff like that. It’s kitsch and quaint – a walkable and extremely pleasant spot to relax. Continue reading →

Posted in California, California Tiki Tour & More, Drink, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, road trip, Travel, Wine | Tagged #DreamBig, aebleskivers, breakfast, california, California Tiki Tour & More, california wine, Central California, Central Coast California, Chef Steven Snook, Drink, First & Oak, First & Oak at the Mirabella Inn, Food, Hotel Corque, hotels, luxury, Mirabella Inn, Pence Ranch, restaurants, reviews, road trip, Santa Barbara Country, Santa Rita Hills AVA, Santa Ynes Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, Sideways, Solvang, Solvang Restaurant, Stagecoach Co Wine Tours, TCTikiTour, Travel, Visit California, wine, Wine tours | Leave a comment

Recipe: Walnut and Parmesan Pesto

Posted on 2016-10-23 by tikichris

Photography / John Holdship

Last week I attended a delicious cooking session where the key ingredient was my favourite cheese: Parmigiano-Reggiano. During the event, a number of recipes were introduced. One was especially yummy – and super easy to make: walnut and Parmesan pesto. So I thought I’d share it with you here.

The recipe was the work of freelance chef Bridget Colvin. I was really impressed with her ideas as a cook and am keen to keep an eye on what she’s got coming up. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, London, Recipes, Shopping | Tagged Bridget Colvin, central street, cheese, Chef Bridget Colvin, Clerkenwell, EC1, EC1V 8AJ, Food, Food at 52, food at 52 cookery school, italian cheese, italian food, London, parmesan, parmigiano-reggiano, Pesto, Pesto recipe, recipes, Shopping, Walnut and parmesan pesto | Leave a comment

Recipe: Bone Marrow Burgers with Buttermilk Béchamel

Posted on 2016-10-22 by tikichris

My third and final recipe for the Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge is an especially meaty dish: bone marrow burgers with buttermilk béchamel.

Ready to take your burgers to the next level? My recipe for bone marrow burgers with buttermilk béchamel should do the trick!

This recipe uses Tom Hixson’s Bone Marrow Beef Butter Burger patties, but most any beef patty could be substituted. That said, Hixson’s 28 day dry aged beef with marrow butter is exceptionally delicious and (in my humble opinion) pairs perfectly with my buttermilk béchamel sauce. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, London, Recipes, Shopping, Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge | Tagged bechamel, bechamel sauce, Bone marrow, Bone Marrow Burgers, Bone Marrow Burgers with Buttermilk Béchamel, Bone marrow butter burgers, burgers, butcher, Buttermilk Béchamel, Food, hamburgers, Hot dog recipe, hot dogs, jalapenos, London, meat, pork, recipe, recipes, sausage, Sausage dogs, Shopping, tikichris recipes, tom hixson, Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge, Tom Hixson of Smithfield, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

~13~ of America’s Most Haunted Hotels … That You Can Stay In! (Going Places)

Posted on 2016-10-21 by tikichris

Bonita R. Cheshier / Shutterstock

Want a “BOO!” with your next hotel booking? With a bit of luck, you’ll receive a complimentary creep-out and more when you check in at one of these historic haunted hotels.

Take a peek at this list of America’s ~13~ most haunted hotels and see which one is the best for your next ghost-hunting adventure!

Read my complete post at Going Places.

Posted in Going Places, Halloween, Hotels, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged ghosts, Going Places, halloween, Haunted Hotels, hotels, OneTravel, Travel, USA | Leave a comment

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Exploring California tiki culture old and new turned out to be a terrific way to experience the best of the Golden State and enjoy a tour along its magnificent coast.

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Last stop on our California tiki bar road trip was sunny San Diego.

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A London based mainstay of the catering/pop-up/festivals circuit, contemporary Levantine restaurant Ceru will take up permanent residence this December in South Kensington in its own Bute Street restaurant.

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Did you ever wonder where your preferred tipple came from? How it was produced? Or even the history behind it? The world of whiskey (and whisky) is one of heritage and craft, of idyllic natural water sources in scenic settings, of good times and lifelong memories.

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After extensive renovations Spanish restaurant group, Brindisa Kitchens, has relaunched its Shoreditch restaurant, Tramontana, as Tapas Brindisa.

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From Disneyland, Kemey and I continued our tiki tour to Huntington Beach, where we parked our car for a few days of fun in Surf City USA.

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Trainline Blogger Network’s Chris Osburn (also known as tikichris) is back and this time helping us plan a festive trip to London…

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I (not to mention an impressive lineup of other Londoners reckoned to be local experts) teamed up recently with easyCar for a collaborative look at some of London’s lesser known but still super fun things to do.

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Top rated Grub Club’s top rated chef, Rosie Llewellyn, has revealed her menu for our A Little Lusciousness/tikichris Thanksgiving team up.

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The Restaurant Scene In Montreal Is Alive And Thriving.

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Good stuff and lots of it! 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.

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Vacations are for relaxing and rebooting from the stress of everyday life. And then there’s the family vacation. Yes, you love them but they can get on your last nerve when all you’re trying to do is take it easy and have some fun.

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Le Petit Ballon, the top wine subscription service in France, is now in the UK. Ready to find the wine you love? I’ve teamed up with Le Petit Ballon to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a three-month subscription (two bottles per month and more).

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I hope you enjoyed reading my recipes for the Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge.

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From noon to 2pm today: free falafel pitas at the new Pilpel at Aldate!

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Continuing with the More part of our California Tiki Tour & More road trip, Kemey and I made our way to sunny central coast city of Solvang – just up the road from Santa Barbara and about a 100 miles north of Los Angeles.

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Last week I attended a delicious cooking session where the key ingredient was my favourite cheese: Parmigiano-Reggiano. During the event, a number of recipes were introduced. One was especially yummy – and super easy to make: walnut and Parmesan pesto. So I thought I’d share it with you here.

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My third and final recipe for the Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge is an especially meaty dish: bone marrow burgers with buttermilk béchamel.

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Want a “BOO!” with your next hotel booking? With a bit of luck, you’ll receive a complimentary creep-out and more when you check in at one of these historic *haunted* hotels.

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Want a “BOO!” with your next hotel booking? With a bit of luck, you’ll receive a complimentary creep-out and more when you check in at one of these historic haunted hotels.