tikichris

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

QP LDN

Posted on 2016-10-21 by tikichris

Fine Southern Italian cuisine – and exceptional wine – is on impeccable display in Mayfair’s luxurious QP LDN.

This Dover Street destination restaurant offers wow factor interiors and luscious flavours, for those willing to splurge. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged Antonio Mellino, Chef Antonio Mellino, Dover Street, Drink, Food, gelato, italian food, London, luxury, mayfair, pistachio gelato, QP LDN, Quattro Passi, Quattro Passi London, restaurants, reviews, W1, W1S 4NG, wine | 2 Comments

Absurd Bird Soho

Posted on 2016-10-20 by tikichris

The most absurd thing about dining at this new Soho eatery is the ginormous portion size. Seriously, it’s nothing to cluck at.

Even I couldn’t finish my dish and had to ask for a doggie bag. I was glad to have the leftovers the next day for breakfast too. The restaurant’s chicken and waffles (with smoked sweet gravy and maple syrup, £11) was about as tasty as it was big. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged Absurd Bird, Absurd Bird Soho, Chicken and waffles, Chicken tenders, Drink, Food, fried chicken, Peter Street, restaurants, reviews, soho, W1, W1F 0AG, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Check out this fun video from Singapore Airlines: such amazing skill and attention to fine detail!

Every fine detail plays a big part in enhancing your Singapore Airlines inflight dining experience. As this tiny yet tasty video shows, there’s no detail too small.

Sponsored post

Posted in Food, Travel, Video | Tagged #NoDetailTooSmall, air travel, airplane food, Food, Singapore Airlines, SPONSORED POST, Travel, Video | Leave a comment

Live at Zedel: Miss Hope Springs at Crazy Coqs

Posted on 2016-10-19 by tikichris

A night on the town wound down with a maudlin performance replete with twinkling piano keys in a swank cocktail bar was the right mix for a Saturday outing in Soho.

Kemey and I had a fun time this Saturday catching a performance by “ex-Las Vegas showgirl” Miss Hope Springs (as portrayed by drag artist and pianist Ty Jeffries) at the Crazy Coqs bar inside the art deco wonder world of Zédel near Piccadilly Circus. Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, Drink, Entertainment, Live Performance, London, Music | Tagged BARS, Brasserie Zedel, cocktails, comedy, drag queen, Drink, Entertainment, Live at Zedel, live performance, London, Miss Hope Springs, music, piano, piccadilly circus, Sherwood Street, soho, Ty Jeffries, W1, W1F 7ED, Zedel | Leave a comment

Win Six Bottles of Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference South African Wines

Posted on 2016-10-18 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!

Did you know that all of Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference South African wines are Fairtrade? And as I discovered at a recent tasting, they’re all delicious too. Here’s an opportunity to taste the difference for yourself with a chance to win six bottles of Taste the Difference South African wines for free.

Bosman Family Vineyards is the leading producer of premium Fairtrade wines in South Africa. The eighth-generation family business is co-owned by the staff, and the farm is part of the largest land reform transaction in the South African wine industry. For years Bosman has been the supplier of Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Fairtrade Chenin Blanc and Taste the Difference Fairtrade Cabernet Merlot. Now two new wines from Bosman are coming to the Sainsbury’s shelf: Taste the Difference Fairtrade Shiraz and Taste the Difference Fairtrade Vine Garden Rosé (comprised of 47 different varieties of grapes). Continue reading →

Posted in Competition, Drink, Freebies, Shopping, Wine | Tagged #FairtradeWin, competition, Fairtrade wine, free, freebies, RT to win, sainsbury's, Sainsbury's wine, South African wine, Taste the Difference, Taste the Difference wine, twitter competition, wine | Leave a comment

The Potato Project, Soho

Posted on 2016-10-17 by tikichris

I wouldn’t have thought I’d have been so impressed with a jacket potato for lunch. But my recent visit to The Potato Project in Soho was one of the more satisfying meals out I’ve had recently.

From “a twist on a classic” to “something a little different,” The Potato Project’s menu ranges from just what you’d expect to see placed atop a potato to more inventive and even intriguing combinations. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Food, Jacket potatoes, London, lunch, Noel Street, potatoes, restaurants, reviews, soho, The Potato Project, vegetarian, W1, W1F 8GZ, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Where to Find Florida’s Most Delicious Key Lime Pies (Going Places)

Posted on 2016-10-17 by tikichris

Key lime pie–it’s a treat and one that’s as sweet as it is distinctive with its fruity Florida flavor! So, enjoy this generous slice of Americana as we reveal the best places to try this tasty, tangy dessert.

To be sure you get your hands on the most authentic Key lime pie, we’ve ensured that every eatery listed here is in the Sunshine State, with most of them actually in the Keys.

Read my complete post at Going Places.

Posted in Florida, Food, Going Places, OneTravel, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged florida, Florida Keys, Florida's best key lime pies, Food, Going Places, Key lime pie, Key limes, OneTravel, restaurants, Travel | Leave a comment

Bloggers Recommend: London’s Best Winter Date Ideas (Curious London)

Posted on 2016-10-17 by tikichris

Curious London, the “no-bullshit guide to eating, drinking and doing” in London, has published a roundup of winter date recommendations from a handful of London bloggers, including yours truly. It’s a fun read full of great ideas for couples looking for fun in the months to come. So I thought I’d share an excerpt from my contribution and link to the entire post.

If we’re talking autumn, it’s a great time for a long walk in a leafy park. My girlfriend and I took a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park a few days ago and it’s so beautiful this time of year. Simple things like watching squirrels burying nuts, encountering the feral parakeets near the north end of the Serpentine, and just hearing crunch of fallen leaves under our feet were all delightful ways to decompress and enjoy our time together.

As for a date in the wintertime, London is home to some the best bars in the world. Grab a drink, claim a cosy nook and have an actual conversation. A few of my favourite watering holes at the moment are The Beachcomber Bar in Notting Hill, The Pink Chihuahua at El Camion and Bar Termini, both in Soho, and the Shepherd Market Wine House in Mayfair.

Read the complete post at Curious London.

Posted in Blogs, Curious London, London | Tagged Blogs, Curious London, dating, London, winter, Winter date, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Fiji: Art & Life in the Pacific at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

Posted on 2016-10-15 by tikichris

The largest and most comprehensive exhibition about Fiji ever assembled opens today at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, on the campus of the University of East Anglia, for a four month run.

I paid a visit for the press preview of Fiji: Art & Life in the Pacific yesterday. I’d love to go back again for a browse – and I long now more than ever to make it to Fiji for what I imagine must be a visually stunning paradise, not just for its far flung island setting but for the material culture as well. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Art, Barkcloth, East Anglia, exhibition, Fiji, fiji art, Fiji: Art & Life in the Pacific, fijian art, Karen Jacobs, Katrina Talei Igglesden, museums, Norfolk, Norwich, Professor Steven Hooper, Sainsbury Centre, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Steven Hooper, UEA, University of East Anglia | Leave a comment

Chocolate Week Afternoon Tea at The Langham London

Posted on 2016-10-15 by tikichris

The Langham London’s Executive Pastry Chef, Cherish Finden, has done it again, this time round with a special – and especially chocolaty – afternoon tea for Chocolate Week.

Earlier this week, I found myself relaxing in the Langham’s Palm Court for a taste of the new menu. With the right company and the piano lulling, it’s one of Central London’s most elegant spots to lose track of time. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants | Tagged afternoon tea, CHERISH FINDEN, chocolate, Chocolate afternoon tea, chocolate week, design, Drink, Food, hotels, London, luxury, marylebone, Portland Place, regent street, restaurants, tea, The Langham London, W1, W1B 1JA, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Eventbrite’s Top 30 Food & Drink Influencers in the UK

Posted on 2016-10-15 by tikichris

Folks at Eventbrite, the global marketplace for live experiences, recently published a roundup of the UK’s top 30 food and drink influencers. Not even aware my blog was in the running, I was chuffed to find out tikichris had placed as fourth overall. Honoured just to be included, I was surprised see my blog ranked in the top five, especially considering so many of the others listed were celebrities, major print publications, organisations with paid staff, etc.

Viva la small fry! Cheers to Eventbrite to keeping my work on your radar. Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Drink, Food, Travel | Tagged Blogs, Drink, Eventbrite, FESTIVALS, Food, Food and drink influencers | Leave a comment

Recipe: Grilled Sausage Dogs with Alabama White Sauce and Jalapeños

Posted on 2016-10-14 by tikichris

Here’s the second recipe for the Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge: grilled sausage dogs with Alabama white sauce and jalapeños.

There are almost as many versions of Alabama white sauce as there are folks who make it. You can add all sorts of ingredients to give your version its own twang. But I think most people would agree the basics are mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt and black pepper. My recipe is essentially just that – along with a touch of celery seed.

Traditionally used to dress chicken and with BBQ, the sauce goes well with plenty of dishes. I reckon it’s an especially ace condiment for a quality pork sausage. My palate was certainly pleased when I paired it with Tom Hixson’s slightly peppery gluten-free pork sausages, especially when I gave it the jalapeño kick. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, London, Recipes, Shopping, Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge | Tagged Alabama white sauce, Alabama white sauce recipe, butcher, Food, Grilled Sausage Dogs with Alabama White Sauce and Jalapeños, Hot dog recipe, hot dogs, jalapenos, London, meat, pork, recipes, sausage, Sausage dogs, Shopping, tikichris recipes, tom hixson, Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge, Tom Hixson of Smithfield, white sauce, White sauce recipe, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

easyJet #WhyNot Pop-Up

Posted on 2016-10-14 by tikichris

As part of its #WhyNot campaign, easyJet is hosting a free immersive theatre experience in Shoreditch that celebrates the joys of European travel with a quick pop-up passage to Holland and the chance to win free flights.

I’m sorry to just be posting about this now as there’s only one day left (Saturday the 15th). But if you can pop round there tomorrow, you’re certain to have fun. Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, London, Netherlands, Travel | Tagged air travel, E1, E1 6PG, east london, Easyjet, Entertainment, holland, immersive theatre, London, N&C Showrooms, pop-up, shoreditch, shoreditch high street, the netherlands, Travel, whynot, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

How to Live Every Day Like It’s National Taco Day (Miles Away)

Posted on 2016-10-14 by tikichris

Suriel Ramzal / Shutterstock

Last week, we took you on a tour of America’s best taco trucks for National Taco Day. And it was great. But here, we don’t believe that tacos should be enjoyed on just one day.

We strive to live every day like it’s National Taco Day. So have a look at the best tacos across America and try not to drool.

Read my complete post at Miles Away.

Posted in CheapOair, Food, Miles Away, Restaurants, Travel, USA | Tagged cheapoair, Food, mexican food, Miles Away, restaurants, tacos, Travel, USA | Leave a comment

Juma Kitchen at The King & Co

Posted on 2016-10-13 by tikichris

Juma Kitchen brings its Iraqi-inspired menu to The King & Co pub in Clapham for a month long residency this October.

Juma Kitchen head chef and founder Philip Juma draws on his English-Irish-Iraqi background to create a range of flavoursome dishes that’s as much a homage to his heritage as it is a tasty attempt to draw in new fans to the oft overlooked and misunderstood cuisine of Iraqi. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Pubs, Restaurants | Tagged CLAPHAM, Clapham Park Road, Drink, Food, Iraqi food, Juma Kitchen, London, MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD, pubs, restaurants, reviews, south london, street food, SW4, SW4 7BZ, The King & Co, The King and Co, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Victorian Entertainments: There Will Be Fun at The British Library

Posted on 2016-10-13 by tikichris

Victorian Entertainments: There Will Be Fun journey’s back in time to examine how folks spent their free time and got their kicks during the late 19th century.

The exhibition focuses on the careers of five Victorian performers with a delightful collection of posters, handbills, advertisements, tickets, and other examples of rare ephemera alongside contemporary film and sound recordings of Victorian era performance. Continue reading →

Posted in Art, London, Museums | Tagged british library, euston, EUSTON ROAD, exhibition, EXHIBITIONS, London, museums, NW1, NW1 2DB, reviews, V, Victorian Entertainments, Victorian Entertainments: There Will Be Fun, Victorian Era | Leave a comment

Big Fun, Big Flavour, Big Sur | #TCTikiTour

Posted on 2016-10-13 by tikichris

From San Francisco, Kemey and I headed out en route to San Diego along the pull over picturesque Pacific Coast Highway. The stretch of PCH hugging the curved, cragged and undulant coast from Monterrey Bay through Big Sur was a particularly wondrous to behold. Nestled snug in the wooded seaside splendour among all this scenic beauty is tiny Carmel-by-the-Sea, the first stop of our road trip.

Friends with Chef Patron Emanuele Bartolini and his wife and co-restaurateur Anna Abney Bartolini (she’s a high school friend of mine from back home in Georgia), we were keen to drop by their restaurant La Balena for an evening of heavy duty catching up (it’d been years) and luscious dining. Continue reading →

Posted in California, California Tiki Tour & More, Drink, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, road trip, Travel, Wine | Tagged #DreamBig, Anna Abney Bartolini, Big Sur, cali itali, california, California Tiki Tour & More, california wine, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Central California, Central Coast California, Chef Emanuele Bartolini, Drink, Emanuele Bartolini, Food, hotels, italian food, La Balena, La Balena cucina toscana, luxury, Monterrey, Monterrey Bay, Monterrey County, Quail Lodge, Quail Lodge & Golf Club, restaurants, reviews, road trip, TCTikiTour, tiki, Travel, Visit California, wine | Leave a comment

A Little Lusciousness Blackberry Themed Menu

Posted on 2016-10-12 by tikichris

There’s a good reason why Rosie Llewellyn is Grub Club’s top rated chef. Her food is fucking awesome and her A Little Lusciousness supper club – or at least the one Kemey and I attended this past Saturday – offers a cheerful dining experience is a pleasant setting.

I had enjoyed Rosie’s food before but never the pleasure of the complete pop-up restaurant experience. I’m glad I finally got round to it. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged A Little Lusciousness, Angie's Little Food Shop, blackberries, chiswick, Chiswick High Road, Drink, Food, Grub Club, London, POP UPS, Pop-up restaurants, restaurants, reviews, Rosie Llewellyn, supper club, W4, W4 1PU, west london | Leave a comment

Cocktail Recipe: Isla de Encanta

Posted on 2016-10-12 by tikichris

Here’s the recipe for Isla de Encanta, my drink served during London Cocktail Week at The Beachcomber Bar in celebration of the 10th anniversary of my blog.

Please note, I owe the folks at The Beachcomber big time for opening up their bar for me to create this drink and especially to bartender Ashera Goonewardene for helping get the portions right. Thanks! Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, Drink, Food, London, Shopping, TC10 | Tagged #TiPunchTiki, 10 Years of tikichris, agricole rum, Ashera Goonewardene, BARS, Cocktail recipes, cocktails, Drink, Isla de Encanta, LCW16, London, London Cocktail Week, recipes, Rhum Clément, rum, Shopping, TC10, TC10X10, The Beachcomber, The Beachcomber Bar, Ti Punch, tiki, tikichris recipes, W2, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | 1 Comment

Get Hitched with One of These Offbeat Destination Wedding Ideas (Going Places)

Posted on 2016-10-12 by tikichris

Erik Madsen / Flickr

Your wedding day is supposed to be your special day — a moment for you and your life partner to share your commitment to each other with the world in your own way. Every wedding is unique, a little off the wall, and sometimes even outrageous. So why not start “the rest of your life” by tying the knot in a unique setting that represents the two of you perfectly and sets you apart from other couples?

If you’re combing the web for unusual and inspiring wedding destinations, seek no further! Check out this list of the most amazing destinations where people actually get married.

Read my complete post at Going Places.

Posted in Going Places, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged Destination weddings, Going Places, OneTravel, Travel, WEDDINGS | Leave a comment

Emerging Education Trends: Online Degrees and Certificates

Posted on 2016-10-12 by tikichris

Our current educational system is one of the oldest, least evolved systems in the World. The way in which it has been delivering knowledge has not changed (much) during the past century. Considering how much change technology has brought to some, even most basic, fundamental ways we go about our lives, this is a rather strange “phenomenon”. Even questionable, sceptics would (and do) argue. But we’re not here to question that.

The Next Educational Revolution

We are just happy to be living through the preliminary stages of the next educational revolution, right? Even though some of us might not be aware of this, it is happening – and is doing so in the form of online degrees and certificates. Yes, they have been around for quite some time now. However, it is only in the past two-three years that the public perception of the quality of education acquired this way matches that of a traditional education. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged education | Leave a comment

Loving My Lumix GX80

Posted on 2016-10-11 by tikichris

When the folks working on the launch of Panasonic’s new Lumix DMC-GX80 got in touch to see if I wanted to get a chance to play around with (and keep) one I was all for it. I just didn’t realise I’d be even more avid a couple months later when I started using it almost exclusively by default. It’s a great camera.

The invitation to shoot with the Lumix came during the end of August right before I took off for more than a month to travel in the States. Thus, I’m just now getting round to blogging about it (sorry). But the long pause certainly doesn’t mean my new camera was stowed away this whole time. I put that baby to good use – far more so than I reckoned I would have too. Continue reading →

Posted in London, Photography, Shopping, Travel | Tagged camera, DMC-GX80, GX80, London, lumix, Lumix GX80, panasonic, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80, Photography, reviews, Shopping, street photography, Travel | Leave a comment

Recipe: Picanha with Hemp Seed Chimichurri

Posted on 2016-10-10 by tikichris

First up from my recipes for the Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge is pichanha with hemp seed chimichurri.

Picanha, also known as rump cap, is a cut from the top section of the hindquarter of the cow. Fairly firm meat compared to, say, a fillet or rib eye, picanha has a layer of fat covering for especially juicy results when grilled. The cut is particularly popular across South America, which is why I paired mine with classic Latin sauce for grilled meat, chimichurri. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, London, Recipes, Shopping, Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge | Tagged beef, butcher, chimichurri, chimichurri recipe, Food, hemp seed, hemp seed chimichurri, London, meat, picanha, picanha with hemp seed chimichurri, recipes, rump cap, Shopping, steak, tikichris recipes, tom hixson, Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge, Tom Hixson of Smithfield, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

San Francisco: Golden Getaway | #TCTikiTour

Posted on 2016-10-10 by tikichris

The thunder clapped, and the rain came down in heavy sheets. Our California Tiki Tour was off to a perfect start with an exotic night out in San Francisco.

No, the skies had not opened up. Kemey and I had not been caught out in a sudden downpour. We were sitting pretty at the historic Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar in the basement of the fabulous Fairmount San Francisco. The rain was a fake – and regularly scheduled – tropical storm (via a jazzed up sprinkler system) over a fake lagoon (swimming pool) with a floating stage featuring a live band. And we had a waterside table for enjoying the live show over a few drinks and during our meal. Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, California, California Tiki Tour & More, Design, Drink, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, road trip, Travel | Tagged #DreamBig, Adventure Cat Sailing Charters, BARS, Big Bus San Francisco, Big Bus Tour, Big Bus Tours, california, California Tiki Tour & More, citypass, CityPass San Francisco, cocktails, Drink, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, hotels, luxury, Martin Cate, road trip, san francisco, Smuggler's Cove, TCTikiTour, tiki, Tiki bars, Tonga Room, Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, Travel, Visit California | Leave a comment

Crossing a Border for a Bargain (Going Places)

Posted on 2016-10-10 by tikichris

Chad Zuber / Shutterstock

Visiting one country but close to the border with another? It might be worth taking a quick trip to the other side for some cost-effective shopping. Lots of travelers and locals do this all the time to take advantage of cheaper prices, lower or no sales tax, and access to what one country does better than the other.

If you’re thinking about taking such a cross-border trip, make sure you’re aware of any limits on quantity of purchases or outright restrictions on buying certain things.

Some of the better-known border crossings for bargain hunters are …

Read my complete post at Going Places.

Posted in Going Places, Money, OneTravel, Shopping, Travel | Tagged Going Places, money, OneTravel, Shopping, Travel | Leave a comment

Have an Affordable Stay in Central London

Posted on 2016-10-10 by tikichris

You may not get the chance to travel to a place like London very often. In fact, for some people, it may be a once in a lifetime opportunity so you want to try to make the most of it while you can. Unfortunately, the price of traveling to any big city in the world today keeps going up and up, making it seem like you will never get the chance of making your dream come true to see places like Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace or the Houses of Parliament.

You may not realize it, but there are ways that you can have an affordable stay in London so that you can get the chance to see the city if you know what to look for. Continue reading →

Posted in Hotels, London, Travel | Tagged hotels, London, trave, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge

Posted on 2016-10-08 by tikichris

Before putting my blog on hiatus and hitting the road for an extended stay in the States, I had the chance to participate in an epically meaty endeavour: the Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge. Now back in town and posting again, I’m craving the opportunity to share my creations with you.

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. I’ve been a fan for a while and was super excited (and pleasantly surprised) when I received the invitation to be part of the Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge. 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

Brünch with Jägermeister

Posted on 2016-10-08 by tikichris

Aside from the fun little tiki do I actually helped to cohost a few days back, Brünch with Jägermeister was the only London Cocktail Week event I tagged along to.

It was a good one too – inventive and convivial – and a tasty opportunity for me to get officially over my aversion for this herby German digestif. Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, Drink, Food, London, Pubs, Restaurants | Tagged BARS, brunch, Brünch with Jägermeister, cocktails, Drink, Food, GASTRO PUB, Jägermeister, LCW16, London, London Cocktail Week, Noemi Dulischewski, pop-up, pubs, restaurants, seven dials, shaftesbury avenue, soho, WC2, WC2H 8HJ, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Best Breakfast Blogs (espressoCrazy)

Posted on 2016-10-08 by tikichris

Coffee: it’s the ultimate morning drink and a quintessential part of any quality breakfast.

But just what is a quality breakfast? Check out this quartet of blogs for top brekkie ideas on where to go, what to eat and more a.m. inspiration.

Read my complete post at espressoCrazy.

Posted in Blogs, Coffee, Drink, espressoCrazy | Tagged Blogs, breakfast, coffee, Drink, espressoCrazy, Food, illy | Leave a comment

Ti Punch Tiki at The Beachcomber Bar | 10X10 with tikichris

Posted on 2016-10-07 by tikichris

As part of my 10X10 celebration of ten years blogging, I teamed up with one of my favourite London bars for a cocktail collaboration. We played around with the recipe for a classic ti punch, adding a touch of tikichris madness to make it truly something special. Head over to The Beachcomber Bar this weekend for a taste.

My cocktail – which I’ve called Isla de Encanta (after the killer song by The Pixies) – is kind of like a ti punch and a pina colada mash up with a few heavy handed dashes of absinthe poured in for good measure. In my humble opinion, it’s a well-balanced drink – not too sweet or pert but mouthwatering and very juicy. Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, Drink, Food, London, Shopping, TC10, Tiki | Tagged #TiPunchTiki, 10 Years of tikichris, agricole rum, Amathus Drinks, bar snacks, BARS, bayswater, Caribbean food, cocktails, Creole Kitchen, Drink, Food, Isla de Encanta, LCW16, Life's a Peach, London, London Cocktail Week, Nik Speller, queensway, Rhum Clément, rum, Shopping, TC10, TC10X10, The Beachcomber, Ti Punch, tiki, Tiki bars, tikichris recipes, W2, W2 3RR, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Win EasyPick On-the-Go Kits from TePe

Posted on 2016-10-07 by tikichris

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

Do you have trouble maintaining your winning smile when you’re on the go? The healthy smile experts at TePe want to make it easier for you to clean your teeth wherever you may be heading. Their EasyPicks are a simple solution to feeling confident about showing your pearly whites with pride while travelling.

I’ve teamed up with TePe once again for another competition. This time round we’re offering 10 readers the chance to win some EasyPick on-the-go kits. Each kit includes a selection of TePe EasyPicks in a handy travel case with compact mirror to keep you smiling when you’re on the road, in the air, or bounding across town. Continue reading →

Posted in Competition, Shopping, Travel | Tagged competition, Dental products, EasyPick On-the-Go Kits, EasyPicks, free, freebies, Oral health, RT to win, Shopping, TePe, TePe EasyPicks, TePe UK, Travel, twitter competition | Leave a comment

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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Fine Southern Italian cuisine – and exceptional wine – is on impeccable display in Mayfair’s luxurious QP LDN.

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The most absurd thing about dining at this new Soho eatery is the ginormous portion size. Seriously, it’s nothing to cluck at.

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Check out this fun video from Singapore Airlines: such amazing skill and attention to fine detail!

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A night on the town wound down with a maudlin performance replete with twinkling piano keys in a swank cocktail bar was the right mix for a Saturday outing in Soho.

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I wouldn’t have thought I’d have been so impressed with a jacket potato for lunch. But my recent visit to The Potato Project in Soho was one of the more satisfying meals out I’ve had recently.

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Key lime pie–it’s a treat and one that’s as sweet as it is distinctive with its fruity Florida flavor! So, enjoy this generous slice of Americana as we reveal the best places to try this tasty, tangy dessert.

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The largest and most comprehensive exhibition about Fiji ever assembled opens today at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, on the campus of the University of East Anglia, for a four month run.

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The Langham London’s Executive Pastry Chef, Cherish Finden, has done it again, this time round with a special – and especially chocolaty – afternoon tea for Chocolate Week.

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Here’s the second recipe for the Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge: grilled sausage dogs with Alabama white sauce and jalapeños.

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As part of its #WhyNot campaign, easyJet is hosting a free immersive theatre experience in Shoreditch that celebrates the joys of European travel with a quick pop-up passage to Holland and the chance to win free flights.

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Last week, we took you on a tour of America’s best taco trucks for National Taco Day. And it was great. But here, we don’t believe that tacos should be enjoyed on just one day.

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Juma Kitchen brings its Iraqi-inspired menu to The King & Co pub in Clapham for a month long residency this October.

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Victorian Entertainments: There Will Be Fun journey’s back in time to examine how folks spent their free time and got their kicks during the late 19th century.

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There’s a good reason why Rosie Llewellyn is Grub Club’s top rated chef. Her food is fucking awesome and her A Little Lusciousness supper club – or at least the one Kemey and I attended this past Saturday – offers a cheerful dining experience is a pleasant setting.

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Here’s the recipe for Isla de Encanta, my drink served during London Cocktail Week at The Beachcomber Bar in celebration of the 10th anniversary of my blog.

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First up from my recipes for the Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge is pichanha with hemp seed chimichurri.

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The thunder clapped, and the rain came down in heavy sheets. Our California Tiki Tour was off to a perfect start with an exotic night out in San Francisco.

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Before putting my blog on hiatus and hitting the road for an extended stay in the States, I had the chance to participate in an epically meaty endeavour: the Tom Hixson Masterchef Challenge. Now back in town and posting again, I’m craving the opportunity to share my creations with you.

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Aside from the fun little tiki do I actually helped to cohost a few days back, Brünch with Jägermeister was the only London Cocktail Week event I tagged along to.

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Coffee: it’s the ultimate morning drink and a quintessential part of any quality breakfast.

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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.