London Daily Photo: Brick Lane
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Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography
Tagged brick lane, east london, London, London Daily Photo, london photographer, Photography, spitalfields, street photography, tower hamlets, whitechapel, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Excellent Italian Cuisine at La Tagliata, Spitafields
Classic Italian cookery to keep you coming back for more is the drawn of Spitalfields restaurant, La Tagliata.
Amid a tangle of Spitalfield lanes being filled rapidly with fancy restaurants and upscale boutiques, is La Tagliata. It’s a classy but comfy sort of place – intimate and attractive (especially if you like artist Modigliani) with seating areas divided into little rooms. Prices are more than reasonable than most nearby options, and the food is terrific.
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Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants
Tagged Drink, E1, E1 7HW, east london, Food, italian food, La Tagliata, London, pasta, restaurants, reviews, Sandy’s Row, spitalfields, steak, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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London Daily Photo: Outside Office Hours
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Barrio Central: Refurb and a New Menu
Guess who’s gone and done a spruce up just in time for December festivities? Everybody’s favourite pan-Latin food and booze establishment, Barrio Central in Soho.
I had a tiempo fantastic when I swung round to take a gander at the spiffy new interiors (thumbs up) and take a bite out of the new menu.
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Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants
Tagged Barrio, barrio central, Barrio Soho, BARS, cocktails, Drink, Food, Poland Street, restaurants, reviews, soho, tacos, W1, W1F 8PS
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Time Restaurant & Wine Bar | Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto | Rome
Craving to unwind, be pampered and have a taste of La Dolce Vita in grand style? When in Rome you can do so at the Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto’s superb Time Restaurant & Wine Bar.
Last month’s dash through Rome (see more about that trip here and here) was spent mostly on the streets admiring the city’s most famous sights and bouncing between its best attractions. Almost every meal was of the budget friendly variety and enjoyed on the go (Roman cuisine is ideally suited for both) … and with no complaints. But, Kemey and I did allow ourselves to indulge in a bit of luxury while taking it all in. And what a luxurious indulgence it was!
Opened in 2009 with 116 rooms and suites, the lavish Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto joins two renovated and restored 19th century villas for one ultra-lux hotel with two fine dining restaurants, a rooftop solarium, a state-of-the-art spa (replete with waterbed shower treatment room), five meeting and function rooms, a fitness centre and a collection of art displayed throughout the hotel featuring works by Picasso, Dali, Dali and Chirico.
I was invited by the hotel for a sample of things to come from its main restaurant, Magnolia, which is closed for a refurb at the moment but with big plans to reopen under the guidance of Michelin starred Executive Chef Franco Madama. Time Restaurant & Wine Bar in the lobby was in full swing though and provided a relaxing setting for working through an assortment of dishes to be introduced once Magnolia reopens.
From a plate of the Roman classic bucatini all’Amatriciana that could more than hold its own against any served in the Eternal City to a more inventive and novel grilled tuna with spinach, pomegranate and wasabi yoghurt – dishes demonstrated an adept skill to indulge without overdoing it. Taster courses of aubergine with chestnut and red pepper, and pureed potato with walnuts and smoked caciocavallo, and a gorgeous chestnut and orange cheesecake confirmed a menu constructed with an ingenuity tempered by an understanding of what makes Italian cuisine so great (showcasing minimal, top quality, seasonal ingredients).
As much as Madama’s dishes pleased, I was just as delighted by libations on offer and deeply impressed with Bar Manager, Domenico Maura, for his knowledge of all things thirst quenching, his skill as a barman and his gracious hospitality.
Divulging my penchant for Old Fashioneds, Maura had me try the bar’s perfectly quaff-able house version to then be followed by a glass of his very own “New Old Fashioned.” A mix of Genever Gin, simple syrup, orange bitters, mineral water and mint, Maura’s update proved a magnificent rendition (though I might still be inclined to stick with the old Old Fashioned still; if it ain’t broke …). Kemey’s love for Negroni was satisfactorily met with the bar’s Luxury Negroni featuring Bitter Rossi D’Angera, Gran Lusso Martini Vermouth and Tanqueray Old Tom Gin.
The liquid highlight of the night – if not the year – for me came at the end with a wee glass of Mirto di Lusso (and Il Mirto Nero Classico Riserva at that). In a class all to itself compared to any other mirto I’ve ever had, this was one of the most flavoursome drinks I’ve yet to come by. Full bodied, silky and leggy as a supermodel, with minty/citrus notes accentuating its punchy berry flavour, it rounded out an excellent meal in elegant style.
After our mirto, it was back to the streets for more explorations and more than a few mentions in the conversation about how fabulous our experience at Time Restaurant & Wine Bar turned out to be – and when we might be able to get back to Rome for a meal at Magnolia once it’s reopened.
Time Restaurant & Wine Bar is located in the lobby of the Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto, Via Vittorio Veneto, 155, 00187 Rome, Italy. Find out more at jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/rome/jumeirah-grand-hotel-via-veneto.
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Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, Italy, Luxury, Restaurants, Rome, Travel
Tagged BARS, Chef Franco Madama, cocktails, Domenico Maura, Drink, Food, Franco Madam, hotels, Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto, Lazio, luxury, Magnolia Restaurant, Mirto, Morto di Lusso, reviews, roma, rome, Time Restaurant & Wine Bar, Travel, Via Vittorio Veneto
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London Daily Photo: Untitled
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Tagged London, London Daily Photo, london photographer, Photography, street photography, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Win a Bottle of Old Forester Bourbon
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!
Established in 1870, Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon is the only bourbon to be bottled pre, during and post Prohibition. For a potent and authentic taste of Americana that’s as rich in flavour as it is in history, Old Forester 86 Proof is hard to beat. Keep reading for your chance to win a bottle in a specially designed gift box.
Spicy with notes of vanilla and orange, Old Forester 86 Proof is a fantastic whiskey – on its own or in a cocktail – and despite its 145 years of production it’s a rather new bottle to be found on the shelf here in the UK (look for it at The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky Shop and other fine spirits retailers).
I love the stuff and am happy to share a spare bottle stashed away for one lucky tikichris reader’s Christmas prezzie. The 70cl bottle, valued at £40, comes in a special gift box. It’s a full-bodied spirit (43%) with a high rye content for a toasty taste.
To be in with a chance to win a bottle of Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon and have it delivered to your home in time for Christmas, simply tweet the following:
Please take a moment to read the terms and conditions before tweeting!
T&C
I’ll pick one winner at random on Monday 21 December at 11.30am BST. The winner will receive one 70cl bottle of Old Forester in a special gift box, valued at £40. To be eligible to win, you need to have an address in the UK where the prize can be delivered. Obviously you also need to be of legal drinking age to receive this alcoholic product and must be able to show ID that proves your age.
Find out more at oldforester.com and please drink responsibly.
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!
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London Daily Photo: Chives
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Tagged London, London Daily Photo, london photographer, Photography, street photography, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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The Best of Sicilian Cuisine for Christmas
Come Christmas time, Sicilians get busy planning the feast they will be preparing and sharing with families and friends. They love their food and they are proud of their culinary culture. During the holidays is one of the best times to visit the place because the atmosphere is cheerful and you will find the aromas of food waffling through the air in every corner you go. Be prepared for your holidays in the island! Wishsicily.com offers trustworthy information for villas in Sicily, which can be the perfect, comfortable and affordable accommodations for Christmas.
As is the widespread custom, homes get spruced up in Christmas decorations starting from the 8th of December, during the Immaculate Conception. When you go to Sicily in this period time, you will notice that feasting usually begins on the 24th of the month, where tables are piled high with mouth-watering dishes for everyone to enjoy. This serious eating tends to last for 24 hours! You will also note that sweets are given much importance. Traditional winter foods are sold in shops and are expected during the traditional Christmas banquet.
If you are planning a traditional Sicilian Christmas dinner, rich flavours will play an important role. Pasta al forno is a typical dish served for Christmas Eve. Such example is Lasagna al Cacata traditional of Modica. Here are some other typical holiday foods, which you can try to make or are sure to find everywhere. Sfincione is a traditional Sicilian dish often served in Palermo which is made of pizza dough and covered with tomato sauce, sardines, onions, caciocavallo cheese, olive oil and bread crumbs. Buccellato is a kind of pastry that is stuffed with dried figs, almonds, raisins, pine seeds, walnuts, candied orange peel and sugar. Other recipes include grappa or Marsala wine. They come in large sizes and according to tradition, the bigger it is, the more luck is bestowed on those who eat it. Cosi Chini is a typical pastry that has dried figs and almond stuffing.
Torrone, while not a typical Christmas treat in Sicily, you will find these sold in supermarkets everywhere during winter months. They come out in the cooler months in Sicily when they are less likely to melt. It is a popular nougat confection made typically of honey, egg white, sugar, toasted almonds or other nuts. These come in either a round cake or the more classical rectangular tablet. Cobaita, a nougat made with honey and sesame seeds or almonds and walnuts is a popular type of sweet. Nugatoli cookies can also be found everywhere and they contain chopped dried nuts such as almonds and pistachios and flavoured with cinnamon. Zabaglione is either a beverage or a dessert made of egg yolks, sugar and sweet wine. The dessert version has the characteristics of a light custard which is whipped to incorporate a large amount of air.
Spending Christmas time in Sicily would be a great way to visit the place and get to know the culture. You will enjoy the views without all the usual flock of tourists and you will get to experience the annual holiday traditions which are as old as time. If you planning to visit Sicily, a particular place you have to go is Pasticceria. There are many everywhere. And they sell typical sweets. The Best Pasticceria a Palermo is Cappello. You can´t miss it! Click here for its official facebook page.
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Tagged christmas, italian food, Italy, sicily, SPONSORED POST
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London Daily Photo: Blurry Outside
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Cocoa-Centric Cuisine at Rabot 1745, Borough Market
Rabot 1745 is Hotel Chocolat’s cocoa-based restaurant. Set in the heart of Borough Market with an expansive terrace offering commanding views over the market this shop/café/bar/restaurant is a great place to sneak a chocolate treat, grab a drink (especially if you’re in the mood to peruse a fantastic list of rums – just be sure to enquire about what rums are behind the bar but possibly not mentioned in the drinks list) and/or have a surprisingly sophisticated meal.
It’s a good one to keep in mind as we settle into full-on festive season mode too. Ginormous range Gifts for chocophiles? Check. Attractive Central London bar with a competent staff? Check. Great dining space with some availability left for year end parties? Best call ahead but that was a “check” as of last week.
Rabot 1745 also hosts a range of chocolate events including “Tasting Adventures” and a “Bean to Bar” chocolate making class.
I’d been to Rabot 1745 a few times over the past few years but had never had the pleasure to dine there. After my lunch there last week I realise I’d been missing out. It’s a great, inventive restaurant where novelty (not gimmick) defines a robust menu. Highlights from meal included an intriguing (but deliciously so) main course of rare seared tuna with cacao-creole roast sweet potatoes and spicy cucumber, peanut and coconut salad (£19). Sides (£4.50 each) were tasty too. I especially liked the chips with cacao ketchup and the basil and cocoa nib carrots. A dessert of cacao-honey roast fig with nib ice-cream, Brittany shortbread and conched chocolate sticks (£8) yielded a delightful end. Drinks suited my liking immensely.
Named for the 250-year-old Rabot Estate in St Lucia where Hotel Chocolat sources its cocoa, the restaurant leans on the Caribbean for its creations from the kitchen and the bar. If you like rum and rum cocktails, you’ll be as happy to imbibe here as at any bar in London. I loved working through the stash of bottles of award-winning and ultra smooth Plantation Rum.
When you go try to grab a table out on the terrace (or book ahead to secure one). There are space heaters and blankets; so, unless it’s super duper cold outside you should be fine. The privileged views over Borough Market really blew me away.
Rabot 1745 is located at 2-4 Bedale Street, SE1 9AL. Find out more at hotelchocolat.com/uk/restaurants/rabot-1745.
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Posted in Chocolate, Christmas, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants, Shopping
Tagged BARS, Bedale Street, borough, borough market, cacao, Caribbean food, chocolate, christmas, Cocao, cocktails, Drink, Hotel Chocolat, London, Rabot, Rabot 1745, reviews, rum, SE1, SE1 9AL, Shopping, south london, southwark, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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London Daily Photo: New Spitalfields
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Good & Proper Tea + Super Scrumptious Crumpets | The Bower, Old Street
Imagine something good and properly British making the London street food rounds that’s not so much newfangled – and definitely not contrived – but traditional and comforting and prepared with thoughtfully sourced product and served with a friendly smile. Ah tea … and crumpets. Amid an Old Street panoply of virtually whatever you want to sip and sup, food that’s quintessentially British is in short supply. Good & Proper Tea Co aims to change that.
Entering its second week of trading as a bonafide brick-and-mortar, Brockley Market mainstay, Good & Proper Tea Co, brings a tried and true favourite to the similarly brand-spanking The Bower just outside Old Street Station with a delectable offering of whole-leaf, single origin teas, all carefully chosen by founder Emilie Holmes and accompanied by a short and sweet assortment of house-made crumpets and cakes.
This wee comptoir’s scope is narrow but goes deep with a smart selection of teas to cover all the bases of a complete range – from black to white with herbal too. I had a couple o’ cuppas of teas recommended by Emelie when I slid by last week for taste of what was brewing. The Yunnan black tea was a cocoa and smoke heavy hitter, great for a morning rev. The Eastern Beauty, a fragrant and silky “dark” oolong was a sweet and sour winner that I’d be glad to have again (and again … and especially as winter drear sets in).
If you don’t know your Yunnan from your Assam, or your lemongrass from lemon verbena, then you’re luck because much of the fun of the Good & Proper experience is getting to learn and try tasty things and find out what sorts of teas might suit your taste buds best (assuming staff isn’t swamped with a queue of new adherents when you drop by). Also a lot of fun is watching your tea being brewed very techy, geeked-out and slightly mesmerizing Steampunk machines designed to speed up and enhance tea making. The “theatre of tea” is an important aspect, according to Emelie.
But rest assured if you’re in a rush and prefer to simply ask for a “builder’s”, Emilie and team will be happy to oblige with efficiency.
Something to eat? Good & Proper serves amazingly scrumptious crumpets, on their own or as toasties. I was heartily pleased with the ham and cheese “crump’ monsieur when I paid a visit. Next time if more inclined for something sweet, I might go with a crumpet with homemade hazelnut spread (along the lines of that well-known Italian treat whose name begins with an “N” and rhymes with ella, ella, ella).
Not one to bandy about Shoreditch and its Silicone Roundabout? Be on the lookout for the Good & Proper Co Citroen H Van or Brew Bar at Brockley Market on Saturdays and at pop-ups, markets and special events around town.
As a black coffee snob from foreign shores, I tend to reserve my tea drinking to the quainter moments of life – or when I fear the offer of coffee from a stranger means someone’s going to stir around a scoop of instant coffee granules in a mug for me. But Good & Proper impressed and had me reassessing my relationship with the brew so closely identified with this country I’ve called home for over a decade. Not twee, dainty or presented with pomp – and certainly not about dipping bags of tips in scalding water or taking any shortcuts – Good & Proper Tea Co does justice to a time honoured drink.
Good & Proper Tea Co is located at Unit E, The Bower, EC1V 9NR. Find out more at goodandpropertea.com.
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Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants
Tagged crumpets, Drink, east london, EC1, EC1V 9NR, Food, Good & Proper, Good & Proper Tea, Good & Proper Tea Co, London, old street, shoreditch, tea, The Bower, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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London Daily Photo: Borough Market
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Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography
Tagged borough, borough market, London, London Daily Photo, london photographer, Photography, SE1, south london, southwark, street photography, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Having a Rewarding Experience in Rome with IHG’s Spire Elite
Taking advantage of my chance to try out IHG Rewards Club’s new top membership level, Spire Elite, I had a fantastic time last month exploring one of my favourite cities: Rome.
For my extended weekend away, I stayed at Hotel dei Borgognoni. Steps from the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, the hotel was ideal for sightseeing and exploring the city on foot. Staff members were all especially friendly and helpful. My room was comfy and spacious. There was great WiFi in my room and throughout the public areas of the hotel. I would be pleased to stay there again and would recommend it happily – especially to first time visitors. Find out more at hotelborgognoni.com.
Booking my room and my flight with British Airways via IHG Rewards Club was a breeze and probably less complicated than if I’d done so through the actual hotel and airline websites or most travel booking sites.
The highlights of my trip were many: the Vatican (especially the Sistine Chapel), the Coloseum, the Pantheon, attending a late hours/1€ entry opening of the Musei Capitolini with free concerts set up throughout its halls and galleries, eating delicious pizza baked in age-old historic ovens … and so much more.
Rome truly is an amazing destination. And despite having visited it a number of times, I’ve still yet to get my fill. It’s a good thing all roads lead there!
Spire Elite
Awarded to club members with a minimum of 75 nights at qualifying rates who earn at least 75,000 Elite Qualifying points over a calendar year, once Spire Elite status is reached, members stay at that level until the end of the following year.
Participating IHG brands in the new level include InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites, Even and Hualuxe.
Extended checkout, no blackout dates, free internet access, priority check-in, and complimentary room upgrades are but a few of the goodies offered to Spire Elite members.
Find out more about Spire Elite and IHG Rewards Club membership at rewardingexperiences.ihg.com.
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Movie Review: Sherpa | Trouble on Everest
You know those sinewy and muscled – and mostly Western – climbers wearing advanced gear and gadgets worth more than most people’s monthly wages who go after the glory of living out a lifelong dream to ascend the summit of Mount Everest (aka Chomolungma in the local vernacular)? Well did you ever stop to wonder who’s actually lugging their loads up the mountain, trekking through ice fields in the dead of night to ensure a safe passage for their clients the next day, and generally doing all the logistic and grunt work for these elite climbers? Those would be the Sherpas.
The term Sherpa refers both to the ethnic group of Himalayan people living on the borders of Nepal and Tibet and to the high-skill, high-altitude mountain guide work undertaken by so many of them. It’s also the name of a new film documenting Everest activity, mostly from the perspective of the guides, at an especially volatile time as more and more foreigners seek to ascend the world’s highest mountain … and as global climate change makes this momentous task trickier and more perilous than ever.
Sherpa aptly captures the increasingly acrimonious tension between foreign climbers and their guides while highlighting the codependence between the two parties and awing the eyes with stunning cinematography featuring the world’s most majestic mountains as a backdrop.
I don’t mean to disparage rich folks who get the chance to cross off world wonders from bucket lists of major achievements (if I had a lot more time and money, I – as I reckon anybody – might consider doing similar), but such mountaineers don’t come across as very kindly in Sherpa, especially when it comes to the wellbeing of their guides and the livelihoods of Sherpa families.
A couple of the foreign climbers in the film (and one egregiously obnoxious so-n-so in particular) refer to their guides in the most dehumanizing of terms as if Sherpas were chattel with no concern but to get their masters to the top of the mountain at any cost. And when, in April 2014, 16 Sherpas died as a 14 million ton block of ice crashed down upon them, those same climbers express little sympathy for the deceased or those who also very likely could have been killed that day.
Still, there’s potential for a somewhat and rather bittersweet happy ending to Sherpa and for some optimism to be drawn from watching it. The tragic events of April 2014 provoked a drastic reappraisal about the role of the Sherpas in the Everest industry and through collective action, their jobs are safer and more secure. But what does the future hold and will the Nepalese government continue to take the necessarily precautions to minimize Sherpa risk and human-caused degradation of its most famous landmark?
Sherpa is directed by Jennifer Peedom (Solo, Life at 7, Living the End) and produced by Bridget Ikin (An Angel At My Table, Look Both Ways) and BAFTA-winning John Smithson (Touching the Void, 127 Hours).
Sherpa is in cinemas from 15 December and will broadcast globally on Discovery Channel in 2016. Visit sherpafilm.com for listings.
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Posted in Entertainment, Movies, Travel, Video
Tagged cinema, documentary, Entertainment, film, Mount Everest, movie review, Movies, reviews, Sherpa, Travel, Video
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London Daily Photo: Suggest
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#BBQbound: South in the Mouth Success!
My BBQ Bound miniseries chronicling my three-week quest for the best BBQ in the American South has now come to a burnt end. Ready for the recap?
Designing a road trip built around visit to as many of the States’ most highly regarded BBQ pits turned out to be one of the smartest – and tastiest – travel ideas I’ve ever had. A heaping helping of delectable local culture at every stop was all but ensured alongside the opportunity to enjoy some of the most deeply satisfying meals of my life – usually presented with warm reception at independent, family-owned establishments.
If I can inspire others to visit some of these amazing (and in a number of cases historic) eateries, to encourage visitors from abroad to venture beyond the New York – San Francisco – Orlando destination rigour, and to contribute to the longevity of great tradition and gorgeous food, then so much the better.
As fulfilling as the experience was, results of my efforts were hardly exhaustive. My list of visited establishments is not without glaring omissions. For each pit checked off, several other shrines of wood-smoked tradition were closed when I would have been able to visit or just out of reach for whatever reason. BBQ Bound Part Two? Here’s hoping! But in the meantime …
To help you browse the posts I’ve published about my BBQ Bound road trip, here’s a list with links to all of them:
- An Epic Quest for the Best BBQ in the American South
- Austin and the Hill Country
- Dallas
- Memphis
- Road Notes: Arkansas and Tennessee
- Lexington, North Carolina
- Hillsborough, North Carolina
- Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Pitt County, North Carolina
- Charleston
- Savannah
- St Simons Island
- Macon, Georgia
- Athens, Georgia
- Atlanta
- South in the Mouth Success!
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Addison Lee
My visit to the US began and ended with Heathrow airport transfers booked via the Addison Lee app. Yep, another awesome trip made easy by the services of London’s largest fleet of minicabs! I’ve relied on the app a number of times before and have yet to encounter issues or less than exemplary service. Find out more at addisonlee.com/apps.
British Airways
British Airways offers daily flights to/from Austin/London Heathrow, from £619 per person, travelling January 1 – March 23. Includes World Traveller return flights from London Heathrow and an Economy car. Book by November 30. For reservations visitba.com/car or call 0844 493 0758.
Brand USA
My trip would not have been possible without the extensive and active support of Brand USA. For more information from Brand USA about travelling to the US and for loads of help planning your own trip, go to VisitTheUSA.com.
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Posted in Arkansas, BBQ Bound, Food, Georgia, North Carolina, Restaurants, road trip, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Travel
Tagged addison lee, addison lee app, addison lee minicabs, Arkansas, athens, Athens GA, Athens Georgia, atlanta, Austin, BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQbound, Brand USA, british airways, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Dallas, Food, georgia, Greenville, Greenville North Carolina, Hillsborough, Hillsborough North Carolina, Lexington, Lexington North Carolina, Macon, Memphis, North Carolina, restaurants, Savannah, South Carolina, St Simons Island, TENNESSEE, texas, Travel, USA, Visit the USA
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London Daily Photo: Fronds
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Win a Bottle of Snow Leopard Premium Ethical Vodka
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!
Snow Leopard is the world’s first premium ethical vodka, with 15% of each bottle sold donated to saving snow leopards from extinction. For your chance at a taste of this vodka for a good cause, keep reading. There’s a spare bottle on the shelf for one lucky tikichris reader.
Snow Leopard Vodka is a spelt grain vodka produced in small batches and distilled six times at Polmos Lublin distillery in Poland, resulting in a full bodied vodka with a creamy taste and a silky finish that’s perfect for a martini or on the rocks. The vodka itself comes in a beautifully crafted glass bottle, which makes it a standout gift for any shelf.
When you buy a bottle of Snow Leopard Vodka, 15% of the sale goes directly to the Snow Leopard Trust to help save snow leopards from extinction. The Snow Leopard Trust, based in Seattle, WA (United States), is a world leader in conservation of the endangered snow leopard, conducting pioneering research and partnering with communities as well as authorities in snow leopard habitat to protect the cat.
To be in with a chance to win a one 70cl bottle of Snow Leopard and have it delivered to your home in time for Christmas, simply tweet the following:
Please take a moment to read the terms and conditions before tweeting!
T&C
I’ll pick one winner at random on Wednesday 16 December at 11.30am BST. The winner will receive one 70cl bottle of Snow Leopard vodka, valued at £33.70. To be eligible to win, you need to have an address in the UK where the prize can be delivered. Obviously you also need to be of legal drinking age to receive this alcoholic product and must be able to show ID that proves your age.
Snow Leopard is available at Waitrose stores nationwide and priced at £33.70 for a 70cl bottle. Find out more at snowleopardvodka.co.uk. For more about the Snow Leopard Trust, go to snowleopard.org.
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!
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Tagged competition, Drink, free, freebies, premium vodka, RT to win, Shopping, snow leopard, snow leopard trust, snow leopard vodka, spelt vodka, twitter competition, vodka
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#BBQbound: Atlanta
Justin Fox at his and his brother’s Texas-style hot spot, Fox Bros BBQ
Hotlanta was a great city to wind down my BBQ Bound adventure. The hickory smoked meats coming out of Atlanta’s smokehouses I visited ranked right up there with any I’d had along the way, and were cooked to perfection with equal parts hillbilly grit and city slicker sophistication.
Fox Bros Bar-B-Q
1238 DeKalb Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307
Jonathan and Justin Fox, two Texan expats hunkered down in ATL, started a low ‘n slow fire that proved unstoppable when they commenced cooking for their friends … and then their friends’ parties … and then their friends’ friends parties … all eventually leading to opening their own place which to me looked to be one of Atlanta’s most ridiculously popular restaurants – if judging only by my trouble finding a place to park nearby for Sunday lunch. Any minor hassles or waits were well worth the effort though as every bite had was full of mega flavour. Fox Bros’ most munchable must-try mega bite? It’s gotta be the chicken fried ribs (double sided, thick cut ribs breaded, fried and served with white sauce).
My Fox Bros feast was my last BBQ Bound meal before dashing to the airport for my return flight London. I reckon I ended my three-week trek on a deliciously appropriate note. Awesome place.
Find out more at foxbrosbbq.com.
Grand Champion BBQ
Krog Street Market, 99 Krog Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307
As the name suggest, these boys take their eight-hour smoked meat seriously. The super juicy brisket is amped up with robust flavour and tender as it gets. The five-cheese mac and cheese is amazing too.
Check ‘em out online at gcbbq.net.
Sweet Auburn Barbecue
656 North Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30306
Famous for fusing Southern style BBQ with Southeast Asian flair, owner Howard Hsu looks to his Georgia upbringing and Malaysian-Chinese heritage to bring Atlanta a singularly delicious take on slow cooked meats and accompanying dishes. Starters and sides are especially yummy. I loved the pimento cheese wontons, pear coleslaw, and skillet green beans.
Visit Sweet Auburn online at sweetauburnbbq.com.
Jordan and Erin Leigh Wakefield at their restaurant, Smoke Ring
Smoke Ring
309 Nelson Street SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30313
Husband and wife team Executive Chef Jordan Wakefield and bar manager Erin Leigh Wakefield have created an excellent setting for having a meal or grabbing a drink with friends at their Smoke Ring restaurant in the historic downtown Castleberry Hill neighbourhood. I was deeply impressed with the chef-y and creative – yet still downhome delicious – dishes I had at Smoke Ring. Among the most notable were the BBQ deviled eggs and the best brisket I had outside of Texas.
More: smokeringatlanta.com.
Beyond the Q
Courtyard Atlanta Downtown
133 Carnegie Way NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Great downtown location, comfy room, easy access to I-75 and I-85, affordable valet parking: I was pleased with my stay at the Courtyard. Details: marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/atldo.
Joystick Gamebar
427 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30312
One of the coolest bars I’ve been to this year, Joystick Gamebar in Edgewood area of East Atlanta. There’s killer range of classic arcade games, but I was too busy bending my elbow at the bar to turn around for a play. Friendly folks, excellent people watching, and an excellent selection of beers and cocktails would have me coming back again and again if I lived just a little closer. Click joystickgamebar.com for details.
More
To learn more about Atlanta go to atlanta.net, and for info about making the most of a visit to Georgia have a look at exploregeorgia.org. For loads of help planning your trip to anywhere in the States, go to VisitTheUSA.com. And please be sure to keep an eye out for one more BBQ Bound wrap up post.
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Posted in BBQ Bound, Beer, Drink, Food, Georgia, Hotels, Restaurants, road trip, Travel
Tagged ATL, atlanta, Atlanta Georgia, BARS, BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQbound, beer, Brand USA, Courtyard Atlanta Downtown, Food, Fox Bros, Fox Bros BBQ, georgia, Grand Champion BBQ, hotels, Joystick Gamebar, marriott, restaurants, Smoke Ring, Smoke Ring BBQ, Sweet Auburn Barbecue, Travel, USA, Visit the USA
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Roam Around Rome: The City’s Best Street Food (Great Italian Chefs)
As is the case throughout Italy, I’m sure that Rome has an excellent restaurant and fine dining scene. However, despite having travelled there a number of times, I can’t seem to get past the phenomenal pizza and street food. For budget bites while seeing sights, there’s possibly no better destination in Europe than the Eternal City.
All those museums, churches and such in Rome? Each one is a marvel to behold, but when I’m getting my holiday on they seem to be there for me to merely pass time between meals. Of course, I’m being facetious (but only just). Rome really is a delectable town, and even without its many magnificent attractions and bounty of World Heritage sites, I’d still crave continual repeat visits for the food alone.
Read my complete post at Great Italian Chefs.
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Posted in Drink, Food, Great Italian Chefs, Italy, Pizza, Restaurants, Rome, Travel
Tagged Great Italian Chefs, Italy, pasta, pizza, restaurants, roma, rome, street food, Travel
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London Daily Photo: Details
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Tagged London, London Daily Photo, london photographer, Photography, street photography, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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#BBQbound: Athens, Georgia
Before I start my rave about how amazing Athens, Georgia is, please allow for full disclosure. I lived there most of the 90s (making the town second only to London for number of years lived in one place as an adult), I studied as an undergrad there at the University of Georgia, and I enjoyed the hell out of keeping this small open-minded oasis as an off-and-on base during my 20s. For nightlife, art, live music, food and fun, I’m pleased to report that a couple of decades later, the town still excels at showing folks a good time. And one up on when I used to live there, Athens has even better BBQ than it had back in my day.
My BBQ Bound itinerary had me hopping to two local joints: newbie Pulaski Heights BBQ and long time family eatery Hot Thomas just down the road in Watkinsville.
Pulaski Heights BBQ
The Leathers Building, 675 Pulaski Street, Suite 100, Athens, Georgia 30601
Owned by hands-on Chef Chuck Ramsay, Pulaski Heights adheres to old ways when it comes to slow-cooking meats to succulent perfection but tends to go about its veg with worldlier health-conscious methods. Unlike many BBQ joints, Chef Chuck Ramsey makes his side dishes to complement his ‘que rather than being another excuse for big smoky meaty flavour that merely manages to mirror the main course. Ramsey’s vinegar lime slaw, collard greens, squash casserole, smoked cauliflower, kimchi and more are all excellent accompaniments for a mega meaty chow down but equally would please as a veggie plate. I cherished every bite of everything I sampled – from the spiced pecans and boiled peanuts to the banana pudding with a whole lot of meat (the house bacon and smoked chicken were memorably gorgeous) and veg in between.
Check out Pulaski Heights BBQ online at pulaskiheightsbbq.com.
Mark Thomas at his family-owned restaurant started by his father in 1984
Hot Thomas BBQ
3753 Greensboro Highway, Watkinsville, Georgia 30677
Just outside of Athens, is blink-and-miss-it Watkinsville where owner Mark Thomas carries on the family legacy at Hot Thomas BBQ. Its name does not refer to the restaurant’s tantalisingly tangy sauces (among the very best tasted during my trip) but the fevers Mark’s father, “Hot” Thomas, suffered as a small child. Evolving out of the family-owned general store, Hot Thomas BBQ opened in 1984, the. The humble eatery’s focus is on smoked ham. But a selection of choice meats and sides is available.
For more information go to hotthomasbbq.com.
Beyond the Q
Springhill Marriott Suites Athens
3500 Daniells Bridge Road, Athens, Georgia 30606)
I stayed at the new Springhill Marriott Suites during my time in Athens. This was my second time to stay at a Springhill. Like my booking last year at the one in Lafayette, Louisiana, the Athens property was extremely clean with spacious and comfortable apartment-like suites. The location wasn’t ideal for exploring downtown Athens but but turned out to be ideally situated for heading to next (and final) destination, Atlanta. As I said last year after my visit to Lafayette, I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for other Springhill properties for future trips. More: springhillsuites.marriott.com.
Creature Comforts Brewery
271 W Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601
There is so much great craft beer coming out of seemingly every corner of the States these days. God bless America! But some of the best I had in a long while was enjoyed while holding down a barstool at Creature Comforts Brewery in Downtown Athens. The Athena (a crisp Berliner weisse beer, 4.5% ABV) and the Reclaimed Rye (a rye amber aged in French oak, 5.5%) both rank among the tastiest brewskis had this year. The onsite brewery setting, buzzy atmosphere, and knowledgable and kindly staff might have swayed my opinion, but I’d be pleased to drink either of those Creature Comforts beers (or to sample others) anytime, anywhere. Details at creaturecomfortsbeer.com.
The Grit
199 Prince Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601
Athens’ mainstay vegetarian restaurant, The Grit, was my favourite place to eat during the 90s. It’s still there, it’s still awesome, and it’s still a really affordable place for a pleasant dinner (especially coming from London). The assortment of home-style veggies is as delicious as it is wholesome and the cornbread live up to its legendary status. How a look at thegrit.com.
Georgia Museum of Art
90 Carlton Street, Athens, Georgia 30602
The official art museum for the state, the Georgia Museum of Art has a permanent collection of more than 9,000 works and a dynamic sculpture garden and hosts a variety of travelling exhibitions. I loved browsing the collection’s range of folk, fine and otherwise piece, and was really blown away by a few of the temporary exhibitions: In Time We Shall Know Ourselves: Photographs by Raymond Smith, Before the March King: 19th-Century American Bands, and Georgia’s Girlhood Embroidery: “Crowned with Glory and Immortality”. All three are still on at the moment and run into 2016. Admission is free. Visit the museum online at georgiamuseum.org.
More
To learn more about Athens go to visitathensga.com, and for info about making the most of a visit to Georgia have a look at exploregeorgia.org. For loads of help planning your trip to anywhere in the States, go to VisitTheUSA.com. And please be sure to keep an eye out for more BBQ Bound posts to come!
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Posted in BBQ Bound, Beer, Drink, Food, Georgia, Hotels, Restaurants, road trip, Travel
Tagged athens, Athens GA, Athens Georgia, BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQbound, beer, Brand USA, CRAFT BEER, Creature Comforts, Creature Comforts Brewery, Fincher's, Fincher's Barbecue, Food, Fresh Air Barbecue, georgia, Georgia Museum of Art, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Garden Inn Macon/Mercer University, Hot Thomas, Hot Thomas BBQ, hotels, marriott, Pulaski Heights, Pulaski Heights BBQ, restaurants, Springhill Marriott Suites, Springhill Marriott Suites Athens, the grit, The Grit Athens Georgia, Travel, UGA, university of georgia, USA, Visit the USA, Watkinsville, Watkinsville Georgia
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Uni Restaurant, Elegant Setting for Nikkei Cuisine on Ebury Street
Uni Restaurant offers discerning diners Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) cuisine in a sleek yet cozy Belgravia setting.
I dropped by for a Friday night graze of ex-Nobu Chef Rolando Ongcoy’s menu a few weeks back and was pleased to have done so. Spread over two attractive floors with marble and leather design elements, the restaurant exuded an upscale elegance with the causal air of a beloved neighbourhood haunt, ideal for sampling the range of Ongcoy’s Pacific inspired creations. Continue reading
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Tagged BELGRAVIA, Chef Rolando Ongcoy, cocktails, Drink, ebury street, Food, Japanese Peruvian food, London, nikkei, restaurants, reviews, sushi, SW1, SW1W OLU, Uni, Uni Restaurant, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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London Daily Photo: Wall
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Gunpowder Brings Indian Family Recipes to its Spitalfields Table
Pow! My dinner at newly opened Gunpowder was a tasty meal – and one I’d recommend to folks foraging for full flavoured Indian food.
With a “made to share” menu based on family recipes collected by Founder Harneet Baweja and Head Chef Nirmal Save, this small and cosy Spitalfields eatery sits just a block from Brick Lane. But don’t expect to get your balti fix here. Come to Gunpowder for hearty eats backed with sophisticated heat.
Dishes like the rich Chettinad pulled duck served with homemade oothappam (£7.50) and Maa’s Kashmiri lamb chops (£8.90) please diners in search of umph-y flavour with a slow cooked results perfect for meaty feasting, while menu highlights – such as the Sigree grilled mustard broccoli (whole £8.50, half £5.50) – confirm there’s a lot more to the kitchen doings than hammering one’s palate with a mega load of protein.
Desserts are definitely worth saving room for. I especially enjoyed the Old Monk Rum Pudding (£5.50).
As ideal as I found Gunpowder to be for a proper sitdown, it’s an equally smart choice for a quick bite or a few rounds of drinks. The dining and bar area is an evocatively lit nook with cool design features: lights made from clusters of chutney pots, a bar built from the backrests of old curry house chairs.
There’s a range of classic and house specialty cocktails, a good wine list (a bottle of house recommended Malbec did delicious justice to my meal), and a great selection of tea.
Service is personable and efficient.
A great little local exuding with charm and pride, Gunpowder is located at 11 White’s Row, E1 7NF. Find out more at gunpowderlondon.com.
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Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants
Tagged Chef Nirmal Save, Drink, E1, E1 7NF, east london, Food, Gunpowder, Gunpowder London, Harneet Baweja, indian food, London, Nirmal Save, restaurants, reviews, spitalfields, tower hamlets, White’s Row, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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London Daily Photo: Out the Door
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Tagged London, London Daily Photo, london photographer, Photography, street photography, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Win a Certainly Wood Traditional Yule Log for Christmas
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!
Yule love this Christmas competition for a free Yule log from Certainly Wood.
Hereford based Certainly Wood is the UK’s largest specialist producer of sustainable British firewood. Teaming up with Tilhill Forestry this year, Certainly Wood has created a contemporary Yule log made of ancient oak from woodland in need of thinning.
Each Yule log is giftwrapped and includes a box of handmade Flamers (natural firelighters) along with kiln-dried kindling to make lighting your fire simple and straightforward. There’s also an accompanying scroll, which tells the age-old story of the Yule log, plus instructions on how to light it in keeping with tradition.
Certainly Wood’s Yule log is priced at £25 including P&P and can be ordered online between now and 19 December. But there’s a log set aside for one lucky tikichris winner.
To be in with a chance to win a Yule log for Certainly Wood and have it delivered to your home in time for Christmas, simply tweet the following:
Please take a moment to read the terms and conditions before tweeting!
T&C
I’ll pick one winner at random on Thursday 10 December at 11.30am BST. The winner will receive one ancient oak Yule log around 25cm long and 8-10cm in diametre from Certainly Wood, valued at £25. To be eligible to win, you need to have an address in the UK where the prize can be delivered.
Certainly Wood
Certainly Wood is a family business and the largest specialist firewood supplier in the UK, producing 20,000 tons per year of kiln dried logs and kindling. All firewood and kindling is hardwood and from sustainable British woodland, locally sourced within a 100-mile radius.
Find out more at certainlywood.co.uk.
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!
Check out more tikichris competitions.
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Posted in Christmas, Competition, England, Freebies, Shopping
Tagged Certainly Wood, christmas, competition, england, free, freebies, Hereford, RT to win, twitter competition, Yule Log
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London Daily Photo: Reds
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#BBQbound: Macon, Georgia
For not such a big town, Macon, Georgia has produced a preponderance of world famous musicians: among them the Allman Brothers, Little Richard, and one of the greatest of them all, Otis Redding. Something in the water? Nah, it’s in the BBQ.
It’s a cool place, Macon, with a sound and a taste coming together in a way that’s singularly soulful. I had a lot of fun during my breeze through town. This was my first time to visit – despite my being a Georgia boy by birth – but I certainly hope it’s not the last.
Jake Fincher with his mother Alice
Fincher’s Barbecue
3947 Houston Ave, Macon, Georgia 31206
Pit-cooking hams in the Middle Georgia style for more than 75 years, family-owned Fincher’s Barbecue in Macon has the distinction of smoking the only BBQ to be sent into space. One taste and it’s easy to see why astronaut Sonny Carter made his odd request for Fincher’s wood-smoked ham to be part of the cargo for his 1989 NASA mission. When you go (ain’t no “if” for those in the area and hankering top quality BBQ), get the Pig Special (large BBQ sandwich with slaw and sliced tomato). Pork perfection? Pretty close to it!
Visit Fincher’s online at finchersbbqga.net.
George Barber at one of his family’s Fresh Air restaurants
Fresh Air Barbecue
3076 Riverside Drive, Macon, Georgia 31210
With locations in Macon and Jackson, the 18-hour wood-smoked hams at family-owned Fresh Air have been wowing local folks (and out-of-towners keen for an authentic taste of Georgia BBQ) since the 1929 The hams are amazing, as is the Brunswick stew.
For more information go to freshairbarbecue.com.
Beyond the Q
Hilton Garden Inn Macon/Mercer University
1220 Stadium Drive, Macon, Georgia 31204
In Macon, I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn for a night. I really appreciated the warm reception, spacious and comfortable room, and the quick access to I-75, Mercer University, and downtown Macon. Have an online look at hiltongardeninn.com.
Ocmulgee National Monument
1207 Emery Highway, Macon, Georgia 31217
A visit to the fascinating Ocmulgee National Monument near downtown Macon is a chance to discover 17,000 years of Native American heritage at the only reconstructed Earth Lodge in North America with the original 1,000-year-old floor and learn about the region’s prehistory, and what life there was life before the arrival of Europeans and during the Colonial era. For details go to Ocmulgee at nps.gov/ocmu.
More
To learn more about Macon go to visitmacon.org, and for info about making the most of a visit to Georgia have a look at exploregeorgia.org. For loads of help planning your trip to anywhere in the States, go to VisitTheUSA.com. And please be sure to keep an eye out for more BBQ Bound posts to come!
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Posted in BBQ Bound, Food, Georgia, Hotels, Restaurants, road trip, Travel
Tagged BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQbound, Brand USA, Fincher's, Fincher's Barbecue, Food, Fresh Air Barbecue, georgia, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Garden Inn Macon/Mercer University, hotels, Macon, Macon Georgia, Ocmulgee, Ocmulgee National Monument, restaurants, Travel, USA, Visit the USA
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Christmas Unwrapped Afternoon Tea at Intercontinental London Park Lane
This review of the Intercontinental’s limited run Christmas Unwrapped afternoon tea isn’t the first (and hopefully won’t be the last) opportunity for me to rave a little about one of London’s more elegant spaces and for you to add a bit of pampered Christmas cheer to your next outing in town.
Best bits? An especially fizzy greeting with a seasonal Champagne cocktail … Stilton, chestnut and walnut vol-au-vent is served alongside a honey roast root vegetable pie complete with gravy for drizzling … orange zest scones with homemade orange liqueur curd … turkey and sage open-faced sandwiches with black pepper and clove mayonnaise. Top points for presentation too! I loved the wow moment when the cakes were brought out giftwrapped with a bow underneath a pair of mini-Christmas trees.
Of choice, to complement these is a smart selection of teas. I especially enjoyed sipping the full-bodied Ceyln Nuwara Eliya Orange Pekoe Choicest single estate tea from Sri Lanka – an especially perfect pairing for the sandwiches.
As ever, service during my visit was prompt and polite.
The Christmas Unwrapped afternoon tea is priced at £42 per person and available now until 3 January 2016 at the Wellington Lounge, in the lobby of the Intercontinental London Park Lane Hotel, One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, W1J 7QY. Reservations for this and all afternoon tea services at the Intercontinental are recommended. Find out more at wellington-lounge.co.uk.
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Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Travel
Tagged afternoon tea, christmas, christmas afternoon tea, Christmas Tea, Christmas Unwrapped, Christmas Unwrapped Afternoon Tea, Drink, Food, hotels, INTERCONTINENTAL, INTERCONTINENTAL LONDON PARK LANE HOTEL, London, luxury, mayfair, ONE HAMILTON PLACE, park lane, restaurants, reviews, tea, W1, W1J 7QY, wellington lounge, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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London Daily Photo: Grids
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Good Stuff #48
Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy.
Edible insect innovators, Grub, is running a Kickstarter campaign to help in the funding of the launch of its Eat Grub Bar made with cricket flour and an aim to keep people healthy and the planet happy. The bar is the work of Chef Seb Holmes (former Head Chef of The Smoking Goat) and is described as a “rich mix of super healthy ingredients and a great source of protein.” According to a report out this month published by the UK’s government’s waste agency, alternative protein sources will be needed for humans and livestock to reduce land and energy use – stating the problem of supplying the UK’s population with a nutritional and sustainable protein supply will be “one of the defining challenges of the coming decades.”
Fiskars has released its 4th generation X-Series range of axes. I recently my hands on the 14” X7 hatchet and am glad to have it among my small but growing assemblage of tools for the garden. Balanced well with a power-to-weight ratio designed to increase swing speed to multiply power “much like an aluminium baseball bat,” this super tough axe features a forged steel, low-friction blade, a shock-absorbing FiberComp handle with textured non-slip grip, and an especially safe and handy shealth. It comes with a lifetime warranty (all axes in the X-Series come with at least a 25 year warranty).
Global Knives Ni Cromova 18 Stainless Steel GN-07
Speaking of cutting edge products, this 15cm vegetable knife is my go-to blade for many a kitchen task. It’s feather light with a hollow weighted handle feels right in the hand this Japanese stainless steel blade does a superb job slicing and dicing and comes with a lifetime warranty. I can see why so many chefs and kitchen pros rely on it (insert here mention of the strong relationship between Global Knives and the Roux family of chefs).
And while I’m honing in with sharp focus on quality kitchenware … Edge of Belgravia’s Black Diamond – an angular float knife block – is a distinctively attractive but above all functional addition to my kitchen counter. It’s probably the best looking piece of kit in the kitchen too. Designed by Christian Bird, the block is can fit up to 11 knives and is suitable for most blades (4mm thick or less). Sliding knives in and out of the Black Diamond is a breeze.
Iconic London brands Meantime Brewing Company and Brompton Bicycle have launched a craft collaboration resulting in a Meantime inspired bike and a Brompton inspired brew. I had a sit on the former and a taste of the latter. Thumbs up to both. The team up is part of Meantime’s Make Time for It campaign “challenging other craftspeople to crate something special over a six week period.”
The limited edition Brompton Lager is a full-bodied beer with a fruit, spice and floral palate (nice one for Christmastime). As for the Meantime Bike, it’s an S2L finished with specs suited for a ride in London and features two gears and a sporty ride position.
Looking for a chance to win a bike and drink free beer? Ahem:
meantimebrewing.com/make-time-for-it
As previewed here tikichris, I tagged along to pop-up impresarios Slap Ya Papa’s Thanksgiving supper club. Great downhome Nawlins style eats! And a much appreciated opportunity to turn on my girlfriend to the wonders of candied yams. In addition to enjoying thoroughly the food, music and festivities, I was blown about by the venue: Styx Bar in Tottenham Hale.
Insects, axes, knives, beer, bikes, and slaphappy supper clubs? What a mess! And this time of year can get especially messy and germy with all the shuffling around town, cold weather and such. Dettols know how important it is to stay healthy during the winter cold and flu season and have release a new video in conjunction with the Global Hygiene Council with tips on how to clean and prevent the spread of cold and flu.
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Posted in Beer, Christmas, Design, Drink, Food, Gardening, Good Stuff, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Shopping, Video
Tagged BARS, beer, Black Diamond, Brompton beer, Brompton Bicycle, christmas, dettol, Drink, Eat Grub Bar, Edge of Belgravia, Fiskars, Fiskars X-Series Axes, Food, gardening, Global Knives, Global Knives Ni, Global Knives Ni Cromova, Global Knives Ni Cromova 18 Stainless Steel GN-07, good stuff, Grub, Kickstarter, Knife block, Knives, London, luxury, Meantime beer, Meantime Brewing, POP UPS, restaurants, Shopping, Slap Ya Papa, supper clubs, Thank Ya Papa, Video, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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London Daily Photo: Old Street Station
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Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography
Tagged east london, London, London Daily Photo, london photographer, old street, Photography, shoreditch, street photography, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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