Tag Archives: Food
Portugal Please: Até Logo
If you’re into engaging with friendly salt-of-the-earth folks in a beautiful and largely rural setting, Portugal should be at the top of your list of destinations. Continue reading
Wandering Round Walthamstow, Northeast London (OneTravel)
At the northern end of the London Underground’s Victoria Line lies the quaint and quirky Walthamstow. Wedged between the ancient Epping Forest (yeah, a real forest in London), the River Lea and some of East London’s more ‘authentic’ (read edgy) … Continue reading
Portugal Please: Comporta Comfort Food at O Zé
One last lunch, one last chance to take in all the yummy hospitality I’d come to expect while travelling through Portugal – a stop in the seaside town of Comporta en route to the airport in Lisbon yielded one of the best meals I had during my stay in the country. With an emphasis on serving traditional dishes from Alentejo using fresh, local, sustainably sourced, and mostly organic ingredients – the family owned O Zé Restaurante Lounge pleased my palate and ensured I headed back London satisfied to be sure yet already longing to return for more festive feasting. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Padaria Joana Roque, Traditional Alentejo Bakery
Instant Grandma! That’s what I got my final morning of my Portugal Please road trip when I dropped by the a traditional home bakery in the village of Vidigueira where Joana Roque’s been baking the same bread in the same method for more than 40 years. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Herdade da Malhadinha Nova
My Portuguese adventure coming to a close, I was left with only one more night to savour before flying back to Blighty. Good thing my last night was in an absolutely fantastic setting! Otherwise, I might have started to doubt for a second the hospitality show to me throughout this lovely little country as well as the foodie expertise that’d gone into the execution of my Festival of Food itinerary. As the trip unfolded though, I never once questioned the restorative benefits of my adeptly planned week-long ramble through Portugal. Indeed, I arrived back home eager to share the stories of my time abroad. The story I’m sharing today is one of a luxury homestead that’s an easily recommendable destination: Herdade da Malhadinha Nova. Continue reading
SPOTLIGHT: Interview with Cooksister Blogger, Jeanne Horak-Druiff (CheapOair)
Jeanne Horak-Druiff is a South African who lives in London. Her delicious and photo-rich food and travel blog, Cooksister, is held in high regard among London’s eclectic mix of bloggers and foodies. The blog for Jeanne is a side project, … Continue reading
Portugal Please: Evocative Evora
Leaving the Almojanda farm, I hit the open road for an afternoon in UNESCO World Heritage city of Evora. The hour and a half drive was pure scenic joy. I’d been to Evora before years ago and getting to go back there was a treat – and something I’d be happy to repeat several times over. Indeed, when talking with the Sunvil folks about the design of my Festival of Food itinerary I specified that I was especially keen to stop in Evora. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Delicious Diterra and Tasty Terrius
Another day, another delicious opportunity to have a taste of the Festival of Food offerings in the Alentejo. Before leaving the Portalegre area, I spent my morning at the family-run Almojanda farm sampling a variety of products from its own Diterra range (under the brands of Almojanda and Fadista) as well as items from Terrius, another food producer from up the road about 20 kilometres in Marvão. Continue reading
Win Dinner for Two at Notting Hill Kitchen – Courtesy of Zomato
In case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve been blogging a good deal about a recent trip I took to Portugal, especially about how much I enjoyed all the great food and wine while I was there. Well, thanks to a team up with online restaurant discovery guide, Zomato, I’m offering one lucky reader the chance to have a taste of some of the best Portuguese cuisine in London with a free dinner for two at Notting Hill Kitchen. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Suckling Pig Paradise, Bairrada
From Aveiro, I drove south to the town of Mealhada for a meal that had me squealing with piggy delight. Mealhada and its region of Bairrada (still within the greater region of Centro) seem to be the suckling pig capital of the world, where the main drag through town is lined with restaurant after restaurant boasting leitão à Bairrada (as suckling pig is called there). For my feast, I paid a visit to one of the most popular and best established eateries, the rather prosaically named Restaurante Típico da Bairrada. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Charming and Cheeky Aveiro
Know as the “Venice of Portugal,” Aveiro is an attractive little coastal canal-crossed town in the Centro region of Portugal. I spent a couple of days in this part of the country, marvelling at how awesome the region was yet how largely undiscovered by tourists it seemed to be. Pretty, walkable and full of lovely shops, bars and restaurants, Aveiro was a particularly fine place for my introduction to the area. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Morgadio da Calçada
Situated atop a plateau yielding (yet more) beautiful panoramic views of the Douro River and its undulant valley, the tiny ancient village of Provesende was my final stop in the area. Here I took a quick wander round the village and a proper snoop inside 17th century mansion (with contemporary accommodations) Morgadio da Calçada. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Even More Douro Valley Quintas
No, I didn’t just lounge around at a couple of scenically situated hotels while in the Douro (although, that would be a terrifically recuperative way to spend one’s time). When I wasn’t enjoying my stay in the luxury laps of Quinta do Vallado and Quinta Nova, I was bopping all over the rest of the valley trying to visit as many different vineyards as possible – and loving every minute of it. Here are a few brief notes about the rest of the Douro Valley quintas I visited, including Quinta do Crasto, Quinta da Pacheca, Quinta do Panascal and Quinta do Seixo. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Quinta Novo de Nossa Senhora do Carmo
A lovingly restored 18th century manor cum 21st century four star hotel and the centrepiece of a lofty patchwork of vineyards rolling down to the Douro River: Quinta Novo de Nossa Senhora do Carmo was my home for a night. Leaving Vallado for a full-on day of winery visits around the Douro, my second evening in this idyllic valley wound down in equal parts elegance and comfort. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Sniffing Around Quinta do Vallado
After a quick sightseeing jaunt and overnight stay in Porto, I was off to the Douro Valley for a few days of scenic sipping. My first night there, I had the ultra-luxe pleasure of spending some time – and a very restful night – at Quinta do Vallado. To put it plainly, I loved everything about this place. It hurt a little to have to leave and I’m aching to return for another chance to admire in situ this wine hotel’s blend of tradition with modern design; savour more of its homey food; and, of course, enjoy its fabulous wines. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Porto
My Portugal Please tour commenced in the compact and cosy city of Porto, which proved to be an excellent gateway to the Douro Valley and a fine place to visit in and of itself. If you’re looking for somewhere to visit for a city break, Porto is only a two hour flight away from London with plenty to see and do and eat and drink and browse and buy. Here are some highlight from my all too brief time there. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Wão. What a Trip!
Does it ever seem like far too many folks are stuck in the same tired rut of a far too well beaten path, only hitting a few main sites in a short selection of only a few Western European countries – namely Spain, France, and Italy – and never realising that there’s so much more to explore just as close, just as scenic, just as steeped in tradition … and often accessible at far greater value than most of the EU? Not you and me though. We’re going to Portugal! Continue reading
Istanbul in an Instant
For my birthday, Kemey and I spent a long weekend in Istanbul. Yes indeed, ya gotta do the Blue Mosque/Hagia Sophia/Basilica Cistern/Topkapi Palace/Grand Bazaar shuffle when you’re there, but there’s so much more to see and do in this massive and dynamic city. Here are just a few of the “other” highlights from our trip. Continue reading
Win an Assortment of Vini & Bal’s Rustic Indian Curry Sauces – Fresh is Best!
Vini & Bal’s award winning curry sauces are fresh, chilled, nutritious and healthy. They’re super yummy too and full of rustic Indian flavour. But don’t take my word for it. Here’s a chance to win a goodie bag of Vini & Bal’s sauces and have a taste for yourself! Continue reading
Win an Extra Thick Easter Egg from Hotel Chocolat
Easter’s almost here, and luxury British chocolatier and cocoa grower Hotel Chocolat has launched its 2014 range of Easter chocolates. Tiddly Chicks, Goose Eggs, a Neapolitan Easter Egg Sandwich and lots lots more – there’s something special for all lovers of fine chocolate along with plenty of gifts and treats for egg hunts and family fun. Keep reading for your chance to win one eggspecially luscious Extra Thick Easter Egg. Continue reading
Dub Jam Jerk BBQ and Rum Shack, Covent Garden
Transforming a cloakroom into a “rum shack,” tiny 16-seater Dub Jam has opened near Covent Garden serving reggae, rum and Caribbean inspired dishes – all with a heaping side of Jamaican kitsch. The reggae? A selection of Trojan Record classics on … Continue reading
Win a Sushi Kit for Two
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! Have you ever wondered how sushi is actually made or wished that you … Continue reading
7 of NOLA’s Oldest Restaurants (OneTravel)
Here’s a historically delicious look at seven of the finest and oldest restaurants in New Orleans. It makes a heck of a gourmand wish list as well. I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting one of these places, Tujague’s (love … Continue reading
Souli: Friendly Marylebone Takeaway with a Fine Dining Focus
Open now for a couple of months, Souli is a small and attractive takeaway in the heart of Marylebone. I had an exceptionally satisfying lunch there about a week back, finished up by one of of the best espressos I’ve had in London this year. According to affable owner, Hella Souli, the concept behind her eponymous eatery is to offer “high end restaurant quality” food in an efficient and friendly cafe setting – fine takeaway if you will. Continue reading
SKREI – umptious Norwegian Cod
Skrei is a migratory cod that swims thousands of miles every winter from the Barents Sea to the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway to reproduce. Such a journey results in a lean, firm flesh rich in protein that’s a sustainably sourced, line-caught Norwegian delicacy only available from January to April. Continue reading