tikichris

Feeling Fino: Montesierra Jamon Iberico

Posted on 2016-08-13 by tikichris

Since the late 1800s, family-owned Montesierra has been sourcing free range, acorn munching Iberian pigs from the dehesas (wooded scrublands) of the Sierra Morena mountains and curing them without additives or preservatives (just salt and mountain air) in the village of Jabugo and the city of Jerez.

I paid a visit to Montesierra’s Jerez cellars during my Feeling Fino trip for a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the drying and curing rooms, followed by a tasting and an extremely tempting browse in the shop at the end. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Feeling Fino, Food, Jerez, Shopping, Spain, Travel, Wine | Tagged #FeelingFino, Andalusia, cured meats, Drink, Feeling Fino, Fino, Food, fortified wine, Gonzalez Byass, ham, Jabugo, jamon, jamon iberico, Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera, Montesierra, sherry, Shopping, spain, spanish ham, tio pepe, Travel, wine | Leave a comment

The Ultimate List of All the Best Filet Mignon Spots in America (Going Places)

Posted on 2016-08-13 by tikichris

HandmadePictures / Shutterstock

August 13th is National Filet Mignon Day, a day to indulge and to savor the most tender cut of beef.

Here’s a rundown of a few of America’s best steakhouses known for their filet mignon.

Read my complete post at Going Places.

Posted in Food, Going Places, Luxury, OneTravel, Restaurants, Travel, USA | Tagged Filet Mignon, Food, Going Places, luxury, National Filet Mignon Day, OneTravel, restaurants, steak, Steak houses, steakhouses, Travel, USA | Leave a comment

Voyage de Fromage: Win a Comté Hamper Worth £50

Posted on 2016-08-11 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!

Indubitablement, I had a delectable time on my Voyage de Fromage in the Jura Mountains of Eastern France. But in case you can’t getaway to enjoy your own cheesy Jura jaunt, here’s an opportunity to experience the great taste of Comté without even leaving your home.

That’s right! I’ve teamed up with Comté Cheese UK to run a fun and friendly competition offering the prize of a free hamper worth £50 filled with an assortment of treats and a variety of aged Comté cheeses. Continue reading →

Posted in Competition, Food, France, Freebies, Shopping, Travel, Voyage de Fromage | Tagged #VoyageDeFromage, cheese, competition, comte, Comte cheese, Drink, Food, france, free, freebies, french cheese, French Jura, hamper, jura, Jura Mountains, RT to win, Travel, twitter competition, Voyage de Fromage | Leave a comment

Feeling Fino in the Viñedos and the Bodegas of Jerez

Posted on 2016-08-10 by tikichris

Key to understanding what makes a great wine so distinctive is discovering where it’s grown, produced and aged. In the case of Tio Pepe – that means discovering the wonders of Jerez, from the vineyards on its outskirts to its cellars in the heart of town.

My first full day of ‘feeling fino’ commenced with a drive to Viña la Canariera, a vineyard just beyond the city limits of Jerez. Situated upon slightly lilting upland bordered by vast fields of sunflowers with a commanding view of Jerez on the horizon, the vineyard was an evocative setting for my premiere lesson in all things Tio Pepe. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Feeling Fino, Jerez, Shopping, Spain, Travel, Wine | Tagged #FeelingFino, Andalusia, Antonio Flores Pedregosa, Del Duque, Drink, Feeling Fino, Fino, fortified wine, Gonzalez Byass, Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera, sherry, Shopping, spain, tio pepe, Travel, Viña la Canariera, wine | Leave a comment

Jim Beam “Tastes of Kentucky” Menu at Joe’s Southern Table & Bar

Posted on 2016-08-09 by tikichris

Jim Beam and Covent Garden restaurant, Joe’s Southern Table & Bar, have teamed up to create a Tastes of Kentucky menu pairing Jim Bourbon cocktails with classic American comfort food favourites.

I dropped by Joe’s over the weekend for my own taste of this Tastes of menu. Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, Drink, Food | Tagged american food, BARS, bourbon, cocktails, covent garden, Drink, Food, jim beam, Joe’s Southern Table & Bar, king street, London, restaurants, reviews, Tastes of Kentucky, WC2, WC2E 8JD, whiskey, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Eat Ethical Chicken at H.en, Upper Street

Posted on 2016-08-08 by tikichris

Now that H.en has opened in Islington, the next time you’re schlepping down Upper Street hankering for some chicken, you won’t need to fly the coop.

Brighton based ethical source chicken shop, H.en (which I guess you pronounce as “hen” – but no actually said the name to me or explained why there’s a full stop after the H), has launched an outlet on Upper Street in collaboration with Masterchef finalists Billy Wright and Jack Layer. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged chicken, chicken burger, Ethical, Food, fried chicken, H.en, Hen, islington, London, N1, N1 1RA, restaurants, reviews, upper street, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Voyage de Fromage: Jura Food and Drink

Posted on 2016-08-08 by tikichris

Every meal of my Voyage de Fromage was an extremely enjoyable experience of saveur locale presented with regional pride and kind hospitality. I can highly recommend the Jura as a delicious destination for even the most finicky of gourmet travellers.

Here’s a look at the best bites of my trip. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, France, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel, Voyage de Fromage, Wine | Tagged #VoyageDeFromage, absinthe, Chalet de la Frasse, cheese, comte, Comte cheese, Drink, Emmanuel Chamouton, epicurea, Food, france, french cheese, French Jura, geneva, Hostellerie Saint-Germain, Hotel Arbez Franco-Suisse, hotels, jura, Jura Mountains, l’Hostellerie Saint-Germain, La Table du Marc Tupin, Logis hotels, NATURAL WINES, Shopping, switzerland, Tic Tac Toque, Travel, Voyage de Fromage, wine | Leave a comment

Cane to Cocktail: Cheers

Posted on 2016-08-07 by tikichris

Does having firsthand knowledge of what goes into a product and what’s behind its story enhance how we enjoy it? I certainly savour more fully every sip of one of my favourite rums with an increased understanding its origins and the fond memories made touring Jamaica with Appleton Estate and seeing how and where this top shelf spirit is produced.

Yep, my Cane to Cocktail trip to Jamaica was as insightful as it was fun. I hope, through my coverage, I was able to convey at least a taste of what it was like to be there and why Appleton Estate Jamaican rum is a quality choice. Continue reading →

Posted in Cane to Cocktail, Drink, Jamaica, Shopping, Travel | Tagged appleton estate, Cane to Cocktail, CARIBBEAN, cocktails, Drink, jamaica, jamaican rum, Joy Spence, rum, Travel | Leave a comment

Gourmet Goat Re-Veals New Menu Item

Posted on 2016-08-05 by tikichris

Borough Market traders, Gourmet Goat, just got a more gourmet and less goaty with the introduction of a new meat on the menu: rose veal.

High-welfare British rose veal is now on offer at Gourmet Goat, winners of “Best Street Food Trader or Takeaway” at the recent 2016 BBC Food & Farming Awards. As is the case with Gourmet Goat specialty, kid goat meat, the veal is sourced from ethical dairy farms to reduce food waste and curb at-birth culling of thousands of dairy bull calves that can’t be reared for milk production. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, London, Restaurants, Street Markets | Tagged BBC Food and Farming Awards, beef, borough, borough market, Food, Gourmet Goat, London, Nadia Stokes, Nick Stokes, restaurants, Rochester Walk, rose veal, SE1 9AF, south london, southwark, street food, street markets, veal, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Voyage de Fromage: Discovering the Comté Difference

Posted on 2016-08-05 by tikichris

Chief aim of my Voyage de Fromage (aside from eating lots of yummy cheese while checking out a part of France I’d not been to previously … oh and drinking gorgeous local wines) was discovering what sets Comté apart from the many other wonderful cheeses of France.

Comté has been produced in the Jura Mountains of Eastern France for more than 1,000 years. In and of itself, old-timey cheesemaking isn’t all that unique anywhere in Europe. But what’s particularly special (and so very French as well) about Comté is that all these hundreds of years it’s been made by cooperatives. If it’s not from a member dairy farmer member of the collective, it ain’t Comté. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, France, Shopping, Travel, Voyage de Fromage, Wine | Tagged #VoyageDeFromage, cheese, comte, Comte cheese, Drink, Food, france, french cheese, French Jura, jura, Jura Mountains, Travel, Voyage de Fromage, wine | 2 Comments

BBQ Hacks Video Series

Posted on 2016-08-05 by tikichris

Here we are at the height of summer. So far so good, right? As much as we might love to complain about the weather here in Britain, we must admit there have be some pretty decent stretches of absolutely wonderful sunshiny summer days. BBQ season is in full swing. Have you fired up your grill yet?

Are you planning to host a back garden BBQ and feeling a bit of trepidation about it going awry? Or have you already done some outdoor grilling this year and found your results to fall on a spectrum of disappointment somewhere between meh and massive disaster? Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Shopping, Video | Tagged BBQ, BBQ Hacks, Food, Grilling, MyVoucherCodes, Shopping, summer, Videos | Leave a comment

Feeling Fino in Jerez with Tio Pepe

Posted on 2016-08-04 by tikichris

Warm summer nights with a cool breeze coming in from the Atlantic, rapturous flamenco performed live and rumbling from the stage of an age-old bar with a reverberant and heartfelt wallop, irresistible tapas after irresistible tapas devoured al fresco with ample sherry to wash it all down – Jerez de la Frontera is a dream.

To be sure, I revelled in my visit to this far south Spanish city. Hosted by the good folks from sherry brand, Tio Pepe, I was there in mid June for a tour of the town and the countryside. Before and after that trip though, I was amazed by how often I had to explain to others why getting to go there was such a pleasure for me. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Feeling Fino, Jerez, Shopping, Spain, Travel | Tagged #FeelingFino, Andalusia, Drink, Feeling Fino, Fino, fortified wine, Gonzalez Byass, Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera, sherry, Shopping, spain, tio pepe, Travel, wine | Leave a comment

Win Italian Ham and Cheese | Prosciutto di San Daniele + Grana Padano

Posted on 2016-08-04 by tikichris

It’s a match made in heaven, or at least one of the more delectable corners of Northern Italy: a thin slice of Prosciutto di San Daniele and a thick chunk of Grana Padano. Keep reading for your chance to win a generous taste of this delicious ham and cheese combo delivered directly to your door for free.

Prosciutto di San Daniele and Grana Padano Cheese have been recognised by the
European Union as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products since 1996. So, they’re the real deal when it comes to tradition, origin, and flavour – and hold their own against all the great Italian hams and cheeses. Continue reading →

Posted in Competition, Food, Freebies, Shopping | Tagged #EnjoyingPDO, #HamAndCheeseWin, cheese, Food, free, freebies, Grana Padano, Grana Padano cheese, ham, italian cheese, italian food, Italian ham, prosciutto, Prosciutto di San Daniele, RT to win, San Daniele di Friuli, San Daniele ham, San Daniele prosciutto, Shopping, twitter competition, Win Italian Ham and Cheese | Leave a comment

Escape the Election! 10 Destinations to Help Avoid the Onslaught of Political News (Miles Away)

Posted on 2016-08-04 by tikichris

2j architecture / Shutterstock

There are fewer than 100 days to go until America votes for a new president. And while Trump vs. Clinton is THE hot topic, not only in the US but also around the world, you likely need a break from the rancor and a timeout from the attack of never-ending news (and non-news) coverage, right?

… preempting conversations about the election or avoiding them all together is going to be easier to do in some places than in others. With that in mind, here are 10 suggestions for trips near and far to get you off the campaign trail.

Read my complete post at Miles Away.

Posted in CheapOair, Miles Away, Travel | Tagged 2016 election, cheapoair, Miles Away, Travel | Leave a comment

Cane to Cocktail: Master Blender Joy Spence

Posted on 2016-07-31 by tikichris

The highlight of my Cane to Cocktail tour of Jamaica was the opportunity to experience a slice of island living with Appleton Estate Master Blender, Joy Spence, and to savour the rums she created with her there to discuss the science and the craft that goes into making them.

So, my visit to distillery (as mentioned in the preceding post of this series) wasn’t all that special. I don’t get me wrong; I loved it. I’m just saying it’s something that’s open to the public and one of the top attractions in Jamaica. What made my time distillery so extraordinary was having Master Blender Joy Spence as guide. Continue reading →

Posted in Cane to Cocktail, Drink, Jamaica, Luxury, Shopping, Travel | Tagged appleton estate, Cane to Cocktail, CARIBBEAN, cocktails, Drink, jamaica, jamaican rum, Joy Spence, luxury, Master Blender, Master Blender Joy Spence, rum, Travel | Leave a comment

Voyage de Fromage: Consider Comté

Posted on 2016-07-29 by tikichris

Consider Comté: an unpasteurised, cow’s milk cheese made by traditional methods at farmer cooperatives to exacting standards in one of the most beautiful corners of rural France, to the delight of gourmands across the globe.

Please join me as I recount my early summer Voyage de Fromage to the Jura Mountains of Eastern France in a brief series of posts about Comté, the bucolic wonderland where it’s produced, and the fascinating factors contributing to its irresistibly unique flavour. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, France, Hotels, Shopping, Travel, Voyage de Fromage, Wine | Tagged #VoyageDeFromage, cheese, comte, Comte cheese, Domaine du Revermont, Drink, Food, france, french cheese, French Jura, geneva, Hostellerie Saint-Germain, hotels, jura, Jura Mountains, Logis hotels, Saint-Germain-lès-Arlay, switzerland, Travel, Voyage de Fromage, wine | Leave a comment

4 Secrets to a Cheaper European Summer Vacation (Going Places)

Posted on 2016-07-29 by tikichris

With August just around the corner, you may be thinking that you’re missing out on yet another summer to see Europe in all her glory and will have to drop some serious coin if you want to get there before fall. But don’t despair: there are ways to get the most out of your budget and limit the pain in your pocketbook while hitting the continent in the summertime.

So if you’re gearing up for a last minute trip (or thinking about next year’s travel plans), have a look at this quartet of tips on how to make the most of a summer vacation in Europe…while spending the least amount of money.

Read my complete post at Going Places.

Posted in Going Places, London, Money, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged budget travel, europe, Going Places, money, OneTravel, Travel | 1 Comment

Little Galicia at Tapas Revolution Shoreditch

Posted on 2016-07-28 by tikichris

Tapas Revolution has teamed up with Estrella Galicia beer for a series of “Little Galicia” events this summer to bring a taste of Northern Spain to Shoreditch.

Little Galicia will be held over six weeks with events taking place every Tuesday night with themes ranging from beer and food pairing to Galician steak nights to encompass the beer culture, gastronomy and quality associated with Estrella Galicia. Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged beer, BETHNAL GREEN ROAD, brick lane, chef, Drink, E1, E1 8JW, east london, Estrella Galicia, Food, hackney, Little Galicia, London, omar allibhoy, reviews, shoreditch, Spanish beer, spanish food, tapas, tapas revolution, Tapas Revolution Shoreditch, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

The Langham Children’s Afternoon Tea with Hamleys

Posted on 2016-07-28 by tikichris

Mia – a tikichris contributor, Cordon Bleu trained pastry chef, and mother of a toddler – visits The Langham London with her three-year old son for the launch of its new Children’s Tea with Hamleys – and gives it “triple whammy WOW!!” approval, from a pastry chef’s point of view, from a mum’s point of view, from a kid’s point of view.

The Pastry Chef

Being a Cordon Bleu trained Pastry Chef resulted in me being terribly high maintenance when it comes to all sugary creations. The Langham did not disappoint. I mean, Cherish Finden is the Executive Pastry Chef. The lady with the ruler on GBBO ‘Crème de la Crème”? Do I need to say more?? It was delicious, beautiful and very, very special. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury | Tagged afternoon tea, Celebrities, CHERISH FINDEN, Children, Children's Afternoon Tea, design, Drink, Family, Food, hamleys, hotels, London, luxury, marylebone, MIA, Portland Place, regent street, restaurants, reviews, Shopping, tea, The Langham Children’s Afternoon Tea with Hamleys, The Langham London, toys, W1, W1B 1JA, Лондон, ロンドン, 伦敦 | 2 Comments

Review: Magic & Mixology at The Vaults

Posted on 2016-07-27 by tikichris

So yeah, maybe I was a cocktail or two into my evening. Still, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and even the most sober of eyes would not be able to work out the illusions and tricks presented up close and in front of small audiences during the hour set of Magic & Mixology at The Vaults.

An hour of close-up magic presented to small groups by three ace magicians in rotation – Friday night’s Magic & Mixology was excellent entertainment. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Entertainment, Live Performance, London | Tagged Brendan Rodrigues, Chris Dugdale, Close-Up Magic, Entertainment, illusionist, Leake Street, live performance, London, London Festival of Close-Up Magic, magic, magician, reviews, SE1, SE1 7NN, Sonic, south london, The Magic Hour, The Vaults, Tony Middleton, Tony Middleton Sonic, WATERLOO, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Good & Proper Tea Co, Leather Lane

Posted on 2016-07-27 by tikichris

Does the above photo make you green with envy? It should because it’s a picture of a delicious breakfast – a good and proper breakfast actually – enjoyed recently at Good & Proper Tea Co’s new location on Leather Lane. If you haven’t had a smartly selected G&P tea with a homemade crumpet you’re missing out and should be so jealous.

About half a year ago I was glad to have discovered Good & Proper’s tiny tea bar at The Bower off of Old Street. Today I’m just as pleased to shout about its new, and not so tiny, café on Leather Lane. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged breakfast, buttermilk crumpets, crumpets, Drink, east london, EC1, EC1N 7TX, farringdon, Food, Good & Proper, Good & Proper Tea, Good & Proper Tea Co, holborn, leather lane, London, reviews, sourdough crumpets, tea, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Cane to Cocktail: At the Source

Posted on 2016-07-26 by tikichris

Produced only in Jamaica on one single estate in a small, circumscribed geographic area, Appleton Estate rum is one of the world’s few rums with a terroir. The core event of my Cane to Cocktail tour was a visit to the estate to discover what sets it apart from other rums and gives it such deep flavour.

At 400 feet above sea level, surrounded by mountains more than 2,000 feet above sea level and spread across 4,600 hectares (11,400 acres) of the verdant Nassau Valley with its rich soil and distinctively hot and sticky microclimate – Appleton Estate grows its sugarcane and produces its rums in an area of the island known as Cockpit Country. It’s been doing just that right there for more than 265 years, making it Jamaica’s oldest sugar estate and distillery in continuous production. Continue reading →

Posted in Cane to Cocktail, Drink, Jamaica, Luxury, Shopping, Travel | Tagged appleton estate, Cane to Cocktail, CARIBBEAN, Cockpit Country, cocktails, Drink, jamaica, jamaican rum, Joy Spence, karst, KINGSTON, luxury, Nassau County, poje, rum, Travel | Leave a comment

7 Underrated Destinations You Must See (Going Places)

Posted on 2016-07-26 by tikichris

Earl D. Walker / Shutterstock

With summer in full swing, you might be looking for the ideal destination. However, in your quest for the perfect summer getaway, don’t forget that there are so many places that are a bit under the radar, but still have a lot to offer.

Here’s a quick scan of seven underrated destinations worth keeping in mind as you plan your vacations, weekend breaks, and impromptu excursions.

Read my complete post at Going Places.

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

Win a Case of Free Beer | Alhambra Reserva 1925

Posted on 2016-07-25 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!

Alhambra Reserva 1925 is the star of beers in the Cervezas Alhambra range. To produce this refreshingly crisp handcrafted lager, the small Spanish brewery draws on nearly a century of tradition and a commitment to source the finest of ingredients. I’ve teamed up with Alhambra to offer two tikichris readers the chance to win a case each of this exceptional Spanish craft beer.

Despite the emergence of modern brewing methods, Cervezas Alhambra maintains its artisanal heritage, to create its Alhambra Reserva 1925 the same way as when it was first brewed in 1925. Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Competition, Drink, Freebies, Shopping | Tagged #UnObviousBeer, #WinAlhambraBeer, Alhambra Beer, Alhambra Reserva, Alhambra Reserva 1925, beer, Cervezas Alhambra, competition, CRAFT BEER, Drink, free, free beer, freebies, lager, RT to win, Shopping, Spanish beer, twitter competition | Leave a comment

Bidvine: A Safe Bet for Hiring the Right Pro

Posted on 2016-07-24 by tikichris

Bidvine is an app-based and online local services marketplace that dubs itself as “the easiest way to find and hire local professionals.” The folks at Bidvine recently got in touch to see if I’d like to browse their site and see about giving one of the services a go. I took ‘em up on it. My house has never been cleaner.

The idea behind Bidvine is that they “do the legwork to find you the right pro for your project.” Here’s how it works: Continue reading →

Posted in Apps, London | Tagged apps, ASV Solutions, Bidvine, Cleaning service, housecleaner, housecleaning, London, London cleaners, online marketplace, reviews, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | 1 Comment

Little Feast, Shepherd’s Bush

Posted on 2016-07-23 by tikichris

Go for big street food flavours in West London at Little Feast in Shepherd’s Bush.

Little Feast street market has been going strong for almost two months now with about another month to go. I just managed to swing by for the first time last week. It’s a pleasant setting for a fun night of nosh with plenty of (covered) outdoor seating, a friendly vibe and a convenient location just across the street from Goldhawk Road Station. Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants, Street Markets | Tagged beer, burgers, buttermilk chicken, Cheeky Burger, cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, Drink, Food, Goldhawk Road, Jama Cubana, London, Nanny Bill's, reviews, shepherd's bush, Shepherd’s Bush Yard, street food, street markets, W12, W12 8HA, west london, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | 2 Comments

Preview: Walthamstow International Film Festival

Posted on 2016-07-23 by tikichris

Still from Ruby Moore’s The Lost Bear

Fans of short film and lovers of the ‘Stow get a WIFF of this!

The 2016 Walthamstow International Film Festival runs tomorrow (Sunday 24 July 2016) at Vestry House from 11am to 5pm.

WIFF screens “innovative short films from around the world and around the borough.” Categories include Drama, Documentary, Experimental, Animation, Young People and Silent. All films run 5 minutes or less in duration and are suitable for family viewing. The festive is competitive and prizes are awarded for overall winner, best in each category, and audience vote. Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Entertainment, London, Movies, Museums | Tagged Art, Carol Gyasi, cinema, E17, E17 9NH, east london, Elena Brodach, Empire Cinema, Empire Cinema Walthamstow, Entertainment, film, film festival, independent cinema, independent film, Kayayo, London, Matt Harris Freeth, Movies, museums, Paul Murphy, Previews, Ruby Moore, short film, Vestry House, Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road, waltham forest, WALTHAMSTOW, Walthamstow International Film Festival, WIFF, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Cane to Cocktail: Half Moon Resort, Montego Bay

Posted on 2016-07-22 by tikichris

In my last post about my time in Jamaica, it might have seemed like I was pooh-poohing the idea of lounging around at a resort. Perish the thought! I only meant to say there’s so much to see and do that isolating yourself to the confines of some closed-off retreat would keep you from enjoyed many of the things that make Jamaica such a fascination destination. Nevertheless, there’s nothing wrong with indulging in a little rarefied rest and relaxation now and again. And I’m glad I got to do just that in fine Caribbean style for a few nights of my Cane to Cocktail tour at the splendorous Half Moon resort in Montego Bay.

Set along a two-mile stretch of pristine Montego Bay coastline, Half Moon luxury resort is within easy reach of Sangster International Airport but feels as removed from it – or any concept of hustle and bustle – as can be. Continue reading →

Posted in Cane to Cocktail, Drink, Food, Hotels, Jamaica, Luxury, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged appleton estate, Cane to Cocktail, CARIBBEAN, Drink, Food, Half Moon, Half Moon Montego Bay, Half Moon resort, hotels, Island Outpost, jamaica, jamaican rum, luxury, Montego Bay, resorts, restaurants, rum, Travel | Leave a comment

Recipe: Golden Champion Ale Brined Wings | #WingingIt

Posted on 2016-07-21 by tikichris

Beer and chicken wings are a match made in heaven, especially when you combine the two for one great recipe. Try this easy recipe for beer brined wings made with Badger Ale’s Golden Champion, a crisp and fruity golden ale, for wings with a lot flavour.

I must admit my inspiration for this recipe came during a recent Badger Ales tasting I attended in London. Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, Recipes, Shopping, Winging It | Tagged Badger Ales, Badger Beer, Badger wings, beer, Beer brine, Beer brined wings, beer wings, chicken wings, chicken wings recipe, cooking with beer, Food, Golden Champion Ale, Golden Champion Ale Brined Wings, hot wings, recipes, Shopping, tikichris recipes, Winging It | Leave a comment

Genuine Pizza at Zia Lucia, Holloway Road

Posted on 2016-07-21 by tikichris

Holloway Road warriors, listen up! There’s tasty pizza to be had at newly opened Zia Lucia.

Good pizza – it’s not too much of an ask, is it? To be sure, pizza options are considerably better and more plentiful than when I first moved to London back from the States back in 2001, but there’s still a long way to go.

Just a stroll stroll from Highbury Corner, newbie pizzeria Zia Lucia offers diners a menu of Neapolitan style pizzas baked in wood-fired oven alongside a variety of other southern Italian faves. And if my recent lunch there is any indication, it’s a welcome addition to the London pizza scene! Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Pizza, Restaurants | Tagged beer, Drink, Food, highbury, Highbury and, Highbury Corner, holloway road, islington, italian food, London, N7, N7 8LX, north london, pizza, restaurants, reviews | Leave a comment

Excited about the Olympics? Learn How to Get to Rio and What to Do When You Arrive (Miles Away)

Posted on 2016-07-21 by tikichris

AGIF / Shutterstock

The Olympics are almost ready to take over Brazil! The Games kick off Friday, August 5th with a calendar of amazing athletic events running until Sunday, August 21st. Can you imagine how samba-licious that Opening Ceremony is going to be or how hot the competition is going to get? Rio 2016 promises to be one of the Games’ most sizzling and sensational editions yet.

Read on to learn how to have the best experience in Rio this summer – from booking to flying back home, we’ve got you covered …

Read my complete article at Miles Away.

Posted in Brazil, CheapOair, Miles Away, Sports, Travel | Tagged brazil, cheapoair, Miles Away, olympics, Rio, Rio 2016, rio de janeiro, sports, Travel | Leave a comment

The World’s End Market (Again)

Posted on 2016-07-19 by tikichris

It’s a good feeling when you revisit a place you already like a lot to find it’s even better than you remembered. That was the case when I recently paid a repeat visit to The World’s End Market in Chelsea.

The menu’s still great. I loved my starter course of charred Octopus, eggplant puree, chorizo oil, and creamy feta cheese (£9.50), while sharing the cote de boeuf for two served medium rare with salad, choice of fries or mash and choice of sauce (I liked the Bearnaise) was a indulgent treat (around £65, but check to see if it’s still available. I don’t see it on the most recent online menu). Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged American steakhouse, BARS, chelsea, cocktails, Drink, Food, king's road, London, Old Fashioned, restaurants, reviews, steak, SW10, SW10 0LR, The World's End Market, wine, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

Good Stuff #58

Posted on 2016-07-17 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.

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Posted in Art, Beer, Books, Celebrities, Design, Drink, Fashion, Food, Good Stuff, London, Photography, Shopping, Travel, Virginia, Wine | Tagged Art, Art books, Barboursville Vineyards, beer, black dog publishing, books, Celebrities, design, Drink, fashion, Food, good stuff, Governor McAuliffe, K Beisiegel, London, Michael Freeman, Michael Portillo, Octopus Publishing Group, pablo picasso, Photography, Photography books, picasso, Picasso: The Artist and His Muses, Polo Mints, Polo Sugar Free Extra Strong Mints, Port City Brewing Co, Port City Brewing Company, reviews, shoes, Shopping, Strawberry Hill House, Terry McAuliffe, The Photographer’s Pocket Book, Travel, travel shoes, USA, Vibram, Vibram Furoshiki, virginia, Virginia Beer, Virginia Wine, wine | Leave a comment

Most Affordable Places to Visit Each Month of the Year (Miles Away)

Posted on 2016-07-16 by tikichris

Radoslaw Lecyk / Shutterstock

Need a break that doesn’t bloat your budget? Have a look at our list of most affordable places to fly to each month of the year.

From January to December, we’ve got your travel destinations covered. A few of these recommendations may actually surprise you!

Read my complete post at Miles Away.

Posted in CheapOair, Miles Away, Money, Travel | Tagged budget travel, cheapoair, Miles Away, money, Travel | Leave a comment

Preview: London Festival of Close-Up Magic

Posted on 2016-07-16 by tikichris

I was delightfully bewildered witnessing the slight of hand and uncanny trickery of magician Tony Middleton (aka Sonic) when I caught his Magic Hour back in March. Now Tony’s back with a full-on Festival of Close-Up Magic and I can’t wait to see what surprises lay in store.

The very first London Festival of Close-Up Magic will run from Friday 22 to Sunday 31 July 2016, launching with Magic and Mixology featuring Middleton and two other magicians wowing their audiences in the atmospheric surroundings of The Vaults. After that, the festival will continue with a series of performances by award-winning magicians in the plush surroundings of the Grand Royale Hyde Park hotel. Continue reading →

Posted in Hotels, Live Performance, London | Tagged Brendan Rodrigues, Chris Dugdale, Close-Up Magic, Dominick Zwolinski, Entertainment, Grand Royale London Hyde Park, hotels, illusionist, Jasper Blakeley, Kochov, live performance, London, London Festival of Close-Up Magic, magic, magician, Previews, Sonic, The Magic Hour, Tony Middleton, Tony Middleton Sonic, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦 | Leave a comment

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August 13th is National Filet Mignon Day, a day to indulge and to savor the most tender cut of beef.

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Indubitablement, I had a delectable time on my Voyage de Fromage in the Jura Mountains of Eastern France. But in case you can’t getaway to enjoy your own cheesy Jura jaunt, here’s an opportunity to experience the great taste of Comté without even leaving your home.

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Key to understanding what makes a great wine so distinctive is discovering where it’s grown, produced and aged. In the case of Tio Pepe – that means discovering the wonders of Jerez, from the vineyards on its outskirts to its cellars in the heart of town.

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Jim Beam and Covent Garden restaurant, Joe’s Southern Table & Bar, have teamed up to create a Tastes of Kentucky menu pairing Jim Bourbon cocktails with classic American comfort food favourites.

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Now that H.en has opened in Islington, the next time you’re schlepping down Upper Street hankering for some chicken, you won’t need to fly the coop.

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Every meal of my Voyage de Fromage was an extremely enjoyable experience of saveur locale presented with regional pride and kind hospitality. I can highly recommend the Jura as a delicious destination for even the most finicky of gourmet travellers.

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Borough Market traders, Gourmet Goat, just got a more gourmet and less goaty with the introduction of a new meat on the menu: rose veal.

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Chief aim of my Voyage de Fromage (aside from eating lots of yummy cheese while checking out a part of France I’d not been to previously … oh and drinking gorgeous local wines) was discovering what sets Comté apart from the many other wonderful cheeses of France.

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Here we are at the height of summer. So far so good, right? As much as we might love to complain about the weather here in Britain, we must admit there have be some pretty decent stretches of absolutely wonderful sunshiny summer days. BBQ season is in full swing. Have you fired up your grill yet?

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There are fewer than 100 days to go until America votes for a new president. And while Trump vs. Clinton is THE hot topic, not only in the US but also around the world, you likely need a break from the rancor and a timeout from the attack of never-ending news (and non-news) coverage, right?

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The highlight of my Cane to Cocktail tour of Jamaica was the opportunity to experience a slice of island living with Appleton Estate Master Blender, Joy Spence, and to savour the rums she created with her there to discuss the science and the craft that goes into making them.

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Consider Comté: an unpasteurised, cow’s milk cheese made by traditional methods at farmer cooperatives to exacting standards in one of the most beautiful corners of rural France, to the delight of gourmands across the globe.

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Tapas Revolution has teamed up with Estrella Galicia beer for a series of “Little Galicia” events this summer to bring a taste of Northern Spain to Shoreditch.

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So yeah, maybe I was a cocktail or two into my evening. Still, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and even the most sober of eyes would not be able to work out the illusions and tricks presented up close and in front of small audiences during the hour set of Magic & Mixology at The Vaults.

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With summer in full swing, you might be looking for the ideal destination. However, in your quest for the perfect summer getaway, don’t forget that there are so many places that are a bit under the radar, but still have a lot to offer.

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Go for big street food flavours in West London at Little Feast in Shepherd’s Bush.

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Fans of short film and lovers of the ‘Stow get a WIFF of this!

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Beer and chicken wings are a match made in heaven, especially when you combine the two for one great recipe. Try this easy recipe for beer brined wings made with Badger Ale’s Golden Champion, a crisp and fruity golden ale, for wings with a lot flavour.

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Holloway Road warriors, listen up! There’s tasty pizza to be had at newly opened Zia Lucia.

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It’s a good feeling when you revisit a place you already like a lot to find it’s even better than you remembered. That was the case when I recently paid a repeat visit to The World’s End Market in Chelsea.

Share this:

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.

Share this:

Need a break that doesn’t bloat your budget? Have a look at our list of most affordable places to fly to each month of the year.

Share this:

I was delightfully bewildered witnessing the slight of hand and uncanny trickery of magician Tony Middleton (aka Sonic) when I caught his Magic Hour back in March. Now Tony’s back with a full-on Festival of Close-Up Magic and I can’t wait to see what surprises lay in store.

Share this:

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