Tag Archives: Food

What Is Gluten? Lecture Baking Class at Bake With Maria!

Here’s the recipe: One heaping serving of grains from Shipton Mill, some Fresh Ginger, and a few ovens pre-set to 220 degrees. What does that make you? Maddie Salters shares her thoughts from her hands-on baking experience with Bake With Maria in South Hampstead. Continue reading

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Win a Night Out in Notting Hill with Yelp and Bubbleology

Check out this chance for you and a guest to attend an exclusive “After Dark” tasting hosted by Yelp at Bubbleology in Notting Hill on Friday 27 March . Continue reading

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Shackfuyu: Japanese Fun Food Pops Up in Soho

The izakaya good times keep rolling with another Bone Daddies opening in Central London. This one, Shackfuyu, is a pop-up in a failed pizzeria on Soho’s Old Compton Street. Is worth a visit? Here’s a nuanced take on the Nippon inspired nosh I tried there last week. Continue reading

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Good Stuff #40

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. Morty & Bob’s Pop-Up at … Continue reading

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The 5 Best New York Pizzerias Outside of The City (OneTravel)

Do you “heart” New York pizza? What if I told you some of the tastiest pies are actually baked beyond the bridges and tunnels of New York City? Foodies worth their crust know that you can head upstate or out … Continue reading

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Tequila with Zing

World of Zing’s new range of Flavoured Salts is delicious; the salts pair especially well with Tequila Ocho – the world’s first single field (and still only?) premium tequila – for a most flavoursome margarita, and a fine bar for enjoying said cocktails is El Nivel near Covent Garden. Oh yeah, one more thing: World of Zing and Tequila have teamed up to launch a bottled Persian Lime and Nori Margarita cocktail. It’s yet to hit the market, but based on the sips I took a tasting a few weeks back, I can confirm it’s a lip smacker that’s well worth a wait. I reckon it’d make a terrific thirst quencher served just about anywhere you hanker to have it. Continue reading

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Bar Termini: Best Thing to Happen to Soho in Ages?

Been to Bar Termini, yet? If yes, give this review a quick skim, nod in agreement, and head back over to this understated and stylish bolthole of good taste. I’ll see ya there (and probably soon)! But if you haven’t been so fortunate, have a read why I reckon the bar is one of the best spots to open in Soho in a long time. Then make plans to get over there ASAP … and if you’re hoping to drop by in the evening, be smart and book a table first. Continue reading

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On Safari with Chef Chavot (Great British Chefs)

Do you know what’s better than going on safari at one of South Africa’s most luxurious private game reserves? Going on safari at one of South Africa’s most luxurious private game reserves. Then heading back to the reserve’s award winning … Continue reading

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Could Your Pooch be a PiCKUP Ninja? #chocninja

As Crufts 2015 opens its doors today with parades of perfectly pampered pooches, another dog competition is launching nationwide, and anyone can get involved. Yes, that’s right, the hunt is on across the UK for the final canine contestant to … Continue reading

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Good Stuff #39

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. Ceru This Levantine pop-up located … Continue reading

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Perfect Pies + Great Gins at Punch Tavern, Fleet Street

Not my first (or last) time to dine at Punch, I recently paid a visit to see if this 118 year old Fleet Street mainstay lived up to the 2014 Great Taste awards it had won for its pies. I can vouch for the cauliflower cheese pie (£11) and the steak and Doom Bar Ale pie (£13) – both served with ample and satisfying mash, veg and gravy. Puds are ace here too – love the sticky toffee pudding (£4.50).
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Bah Bah Persian Pop-up at The King & Co

For those of you who don’t know, “bah bah” is what Persians say when something is especially appetising; it’s the equivalent of “mmm” or “yummy” and a very apt name for the food at The King & Co’s latest pop-up residency. Continue reading

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PB & Me: My Nutty Month with Pip & Nut

Putting the nut back in nutritious, Pip & Nut is a new natural foods brand offering health conscious shoppers a range of super tasty spreads: peanut butter, almond butter, and coconut almond butter. From coming up with a couple of … Continue reading

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Win a Complete Range of Dahlias For Gourmets from Lubera #DeliDahlias

Are you a gourmet with a green thumb? Then here’s a giveaway competition for you! I’ve teamed up with the “fruitful gardening folks” at Lubera to get the word out about their exclusive DeliDahlias range. These new dahlias for foodies offer all the beauty of these bright majestic blooms combined with the superb flavour. Keep reading to find out about the chance to win the complete range of six DeliDahlias for your own garden (and kitchen)! Continue reading

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Breakfast at Fish & Chips by Des McDonald, Old Broad Street

One of the better breakfasts I’ve had recently was at Fish & Chips by Des McDonald (the newer location near Liverpool Street, not the one nearer Angel). I loved the look and feel of the place – a sort of idealised and spiffed up caff with a gorgeous centrepiece bar, rather austere but not at the sake of comfort. The food was delish. And the top ups for my cuppa – a filter brew a la Ozone Coffee – never ceased flowing until I was ready to leave. Win? Big time. I hope to be back soon (if only for a cup of joe to go) and am happy to recommend the place to anybody seeking somewhere in the City for a quick brekkie bite or early morning meeting. Continue reading

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Sunday Lunch at the Crown and Two Chairmen, Soho

My lunch at the Crown was ace, and I loved the upstairs dining space, which was all but empty at 1.30pm (things picked up considerably by 2.30 though with hardly a free seat in the house). Highlights? To begin with service was efficient and friendly, seating was comfy, and I got a kick out of spotting a couple of celebrities out the window walking down street (if making a reservation, ask for a table by the window looking down on Dean Street). Continue reading

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Glam Rock Afternoon Tea at the K West Hotel

The new Glam Rock Afternoon Tea at the K West Hotel is an effortless combination of two seemingly diverse British delicacies: Ziggy Stardust and Finger Sandwiches. Continue reading

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What a Mess! And Where’s My Coffee! (espressoCrazy)

My partner and I moved into a new residence recently. A major accomplishment for sure, but the move was only phase one of a much greater plan. Since the move, we’ve been essentially camping out in a building site for … Continue reading

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Win a Trio of Delicious and Nutritious Nut Butters from Pip & Nut

The Pip & Nut range includes a perfectly yummy back-to-basics peanut butter, an awesome almond butter, and an indulgent almond and coconut butter. Each is high in nutrition and low on ingredients. As Pip & Nut’s inaugural Blogger of the Month, I’ve been having fun nibbling and playing around with the P&N product. I’ve been given a few extra jars of butters to share with one lucky reader as well. Would you like to have some really tasty and healthy natural nut butters sent your way for free? Keep reading. Continue reading

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Good Stuff #38

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. Bread Street Sessions with Dub … Continue reading

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Le Menar: Modern Approach to North African and Middle Eastern Cuisine

It’s nice being pleasantly surprised, right? And that’s just what I was during a recent dinner at newly relaunched Le Menar restaurant in Fitzrovia. It wasn’t that I had been expecting any sort of substandard meal; I just didn’t realise Head Chef Vernon Samuels’ “modern approach” to North African and Middle Eastern cuisine was going to be so inspired, thoughtfully prepared and intriguingly tasteful. Continue reading

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Big Night Out at Balans, Westfield London

Balans is on a mission to revamp its eateries with its Westfield London outlet being the first to receive a spruce up. An invitation to drop by for a look and meal at its updated “Soho Society” digs resulted in a tasty night out for Kemey and me – made all the more pleasant by outstandingly prompt service. Continue reading

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Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge Added to National Geographic’s Top List of Lodges (OneTravel)

I’m just back from a few days of luxury safari at Earth Lodge in the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve in South Africa. Yes, I was only there for a four nights. To be sure, I would have been delighted … Continue reading

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Romance Is “In the Bag” with Brompton Food Market

Leila Dukes loves eating out at restaurants, but there’s one day of the year when she reckons it’s best to avoid them at all costs. Continue reading

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Sabi Sabi Safari

Making eye contact with a lion metres away from my seat in a topless Land Cruiser … lounging in a private plunge pool in the buff while smoking a Cuban and staring off into the unfenced and utterly vast savannah … losing track of how many rhinos and elephants I’d seen in the span of a couple of hours … having a multi course feast prepared by a Michelin starred chef and paired with some of the best South African wines available … getting one to most relaxing massages I’ve had in too long awhile … Sabi Sabi turned me into a blathering mess of wow. Continue reading

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Gordon Ramsay’s Heddon Street Kitchen, Mayfair

One of the places that has been on my radar for several months is Heddon Street Kitchen, the latest in Gordon Ramsay’s international portfolio. Mr “Big Sweary” has a dozen or so restaurants in London and this newest offering promises informal Modern European food in Heddon Street, a pedestrianised section of Mayfair which is being dubbed “Regent Street’s Food Quarter”. Continue reading

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Recipe: Elvis Oats

As “blogger of the month” for Pip & Nut, I thought I’d come up with a few recipes using its creamy peanut butter. Here’s one for a hearty breakfast that I like to call Elvis Oats. You know about those peanut butter, banana, honey, and bacon sandwiches that Elvis Presley loved so much to eat, right? And I’m sure you’re aware of the sad tale of how the King of Rock ‘n Roll, died “on his throne”. If only Elvis had been a more regular guy, he might still have been rocking with us today. What if there had been a way for the king to have enjoyed his preferred royal dish while adding some much needed fibre to his diet? That’s where my recipe for Elvis Oats comes in. It’s a fibre-filled homage to Elvis’ favourite treat that’s delicious, a little bit indulgent and especially filling. Continue reading

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Support The Sick Children’s Trust by throwing a Big Chocolate Tea Party (Great British Chefs)

When he’s not busy making some of Britain’s best chocolate, Master Chocolatier Paul A Young volunteers his time as Vice President of The Sick Children’s Trust. The trust provides free, high quality accommodation, as well as emotional and practical support, … Continue reading

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Plan Your Romantic Day in London (OneTravel)

Will you be planning Valentine’s Day with your sweetie in London? Make it a day to remember with this list of a few of the most romantic settings … Read my complete post at OneTravel.

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Koshu of Japan 2015

Last week saw the return of the annual 2015 UK Trade and Press Tasting of Koshu wines from the Yamanashi Prefecture of Japan to The Westbury Hotel in Mayfair. Lucky to have scored a place at the event’s food and wine matching seminar, I’m pleased to share with you some of my faves from the tasting. Continue reading

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Clementine Communications Showcase: Good Stuff!

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on a few of the many fine things to sip or savour which I’ve recently come across during the Clementine Communications showcase of clients at the end of last month and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading

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eHarmony Promo Code + a Chance to Win a Month’s Worth of Popcorn

eHarmony has launched a new #LoveCinema campaign. To help them spread the word, I’ve team up with the popular dating site and with Metcalfe’s Skinny Topcorn to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a month’s worth of popcorn for free. I’ve also got a generous promo code to share that gives anyone signing up to eHarmony a 12 month membership at £9.95 a month – a 38% discount on the sites’ standard 12 month membership (and 75% off the monthly rate). Continue reading

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Recipe: Peanut Butter and Pickle Chicken Melt with Sriracha Dijon Dip

As “blogger of the month” for Pip & Nut, I thought I’d come up with a few recipes using its creamy peanut butter. Here’s my first go: a peanut butter and pickle chicken melt with sriracha Dijon dip. Sound like a mouthful? That’s the idea! But if the prospect of blending peanut butter, pickle, cheese, chicken, hot sauce, mustard, and honey into one bite seems a little odd or even off putting, I’d suggest you at least try this mighty ensemble – you might be surprised how yummy (and not really all the unusual) it tastes. And if you reckon such a sandwich may well indeed do the trick to appease mega-flavour craving taste buds, you could find it’s actually even better than you imagine. Continue reading

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New Afternoon Tea at the Intercontinental London Park Lane? It’s a Guiltless Pleasure.

Yes, the folks at the Park Lane Intercontinental have done it again: wowed my senses in one of London’s most elegantly comfortable public settings … and with gracious and polite service to boot! This new vegetarian (without ever stating so) afternoon tea was a delight and yet another point to be added to a now rather lengthy set of reasons to recommend the hotel as an ideal destination for making the most of your time in the West End. Continue reading

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PB & Me: Pip & Nut Peanut Butter and More!

Putting the nut back in nutritious, Pip & Nut is an all-new natural foods brand offering health conscious shoppers a range of super tasty spreads: peanut butter, almond butter, and coconut almond butter. I love all three … and am pleased to announce that in addition to a bit of pre-launch nibbling and playing around with the P&N product, I’ve been granted the honour of being the brand’s inaugural Blogger of the Month. That’s NUTS! Continue reading

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