Tag Archives: restaurants

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

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25% Off Food and Drink at Punch Tavern, Fleet Street EC4

Yep, that’s right. There’s no typo in the title you just read. I have teamed up with Fleet Street’s historic Punch Tavern to offer you folks a sizeable discount on some properly yummy pub grub. How do you get a quarter of your food and drink bill sliced away? Just tell ’em tikichris sent ya! Continue reading

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A Great Lunch in Italy with Coffee as Good as I Get Back Home (espressoCrazy)

Towards the end of 2013, I hit the road for a gourmand adventure across the north of Italy. One of the trip’s many highlights was the day I spent in Modena taking in the sights and sounds … and delectable … Continue reading

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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

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Dine Like a Creole King at the Palace Cafe in New Orleans (CheapOair)

You could spend a lifetime writing about the New Orleans dining scene. During a recent NOLA excursion, I did my best to slurp up as sizeable a spoonful of gumbo as possible during my brief stay. And I’ve gotta tell … Continue reading

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Proper Pies and Great Pub Grub at Punch Tavern, Fleet Street

In addition to the great food and drink, Punch Tavern has a singular air about it and is a lovely spot to find yourself. There’s gorgeous natural light streaming in from a glass ceiling in the main bar area, a working fireplace, and original features from 1897 such as marble bar, dark oak panelling, and a series of original Punch and Judy themed paintings. Continue reading

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MyCheck App Takes the Wait Out of Paying Your Restaurant Bill

A new (to London) restaurant bill payment app, MyCheck, that aims to do away with the hassle of waiting for someone else to process that payment and to put you in control of when can get up to go. I recently tried MyCheck and was impressed … and relieved that the answer to an elusive waiter might be only a click away. Continue reading

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Ramen Fun at Shoryu Soho, Denman Street

So it’s been about a month since I visited Shoryu Soho ramen bar. But that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten how much fun I had dining there. Besides, judging from the queue out-the-door I observed when I passed by the Soho outlet last night, I guess the restaurant hasn’t been in need of any positive press. Nevertheless, here’s mine up-thumbed input about the place. Continue reading

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Dixie Detours: Miami in a Minute

The final stop of our Dixie Detours visit to the US was Miami, where an overnight layover afforded Kemey and me the chance to check in on some friends who had recently moved there – big thanks to Tanya and Francesco for being such fantastic hosts and showing us around so much of your fine town – while soaking up some south Florida sunshine before heading back to Blighty. Continue reading

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Dixie Detours: Sweet Shoals Music

Before our visit to the Muscle Shoals area of Alabama, I never would have imagined the music of Aretha Franklin could resonate even more with me than it already did. Goosebumps on top of goosebumps – how’s that gonna happen? But there I was standing in Studio A of Fame Studios in humble little Florence, Alabama where the mighty diva recorded such classics as Do Right Woman, Do Right Man, and something clicked in a deep and soulful sort of way. In the few days since Kemey and I checked out the Shoals, listening to Aretha’s songs has been coupled with an even deeper and more satisfying feeling than before. Continue reading

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Dixie Detours: A Cajun Good Time in Lafayette

It’s a down home kind of place, Lafayette, where a koozie for your cold one is handy asset indeed. Continue reading

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Dixie Detours: NOLA!

New Orleans is a sultry dream. I can’t imagine anywhere else in America that’s even half as beguiling or idiosyncratic. Probably the most dynamic city in the US, it is without doubt the most spontaneous and freewheeling. When I think about other destinations across the planet that offer experiences comparable to what I’ve happened upon in NOLA, I find myself coming up with a list of my absolute favourites places. Put simply, NOLA rocks (it shucks, jives, slides, saunters, shimmies and rolls too). Continue reading

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Dixie Detours: Overnight Luxury in Mobile, Alabama

The rather underrated and often overlooked Gulf Coast town of Mobile proved to be an excellent choice and our time there an all too short and actually quite luxurious stay. Continue reading

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Dixie Detours: When in Rome … Georgia

The wedding of my old friend Jack and his lovely fiancée Beth was the main reason prompting my and Kemey’s visit back home and a big factor behind the design of our Dixie Detours itinerary. The wedding was held in Rome, Georgia where Jack had attended university. Yes, that’s right. I went to Athens one day and Rome the next – all without leaving the great state of Georgia! Continue reading

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Dixie Detours: Athens, Georgia

First stop on my Dixie Detours road trip was the quintessential college town of Athens, Georgia – the city which I had called home for most of the 90s during a rather scenic, circuitous and often hazy experience as an undergrad anthropology major at the University of Georgia. Much of the reason for my meandering approach to higher education and indeed life in general during my 20s was due to spending loads of time mingling with the musical set of this amazing little city famed for hosting more than its fair share of influential musicians and bands (REM, B52s, Vic Chestnut, Neutral Milk Hotel, Of Montreal, etc ad nauseam). Continue reading

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5 Great Cafes Near London’s Oxford Circus (CheapOair)

Yes, it’s invariable that I will leave at least a couple of great cafes off this list in my pursuit to share a few ideal places to have a quality coffee while keeping within striking distance of all on offer … Continue reading

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Daawat Indian Restaurant at the Strand Palace Hotel

Presenting tried and true South Asian comfort food on the Strand and just down the street from Covent Garden, Daawat Indian restaurant at the four star (and recently renovated) Strand Palace Hotel is a smart choice when you’re on the go and seeking a satisfying meal. Continue reading

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Win a Seven Dials Shopping Spree Worth £100 + Dinner for Two at Flesh & Buns

Wanna shop like a chic Brit and chow down like a Japanese rock star in one of London’s most stylish and centrally situated locations? And all for FREE?!? Check it out – I’ve got a £100 Seven Dials gift card plus dinner for two at Flesh & Buns to share with one lucky reader. Keep reading for your chance to win. Continue reading

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Celebrate Chinese New Year at London’s Finest Chinese Restaurants (OneTravel)

Does celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Horse mean an excuse to eat like one? Here’s a list of six exceptional Chinese restaurants in London for doing up Chinese New Year in fine style. Read my complete post at the … Continue reading

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Turin: City of Foodie Firsts (CheapOair)

Turin is a city of firsts in many ways. The northern Italian city is home to the country’s first official capital. It’s the birthplace of the Fiat automobile and is essentially the go-to scene for contemporary art in Italy today. And … Continue reading

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5 of London’s Beefiest Burger Blogs (OneTravel)

Heading to London and hankering for a good burger? Be sure to give these blogs a read for tips on where to find the best burgers (and avoid the worst) while in town. Read my complete post at the OneTravel … Continue reading

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Super Bowl Sunday in London (OneTravel)

Excited about that upcoming trip to London but bummed because you think you’ll have to miss the big game on TV? Nonsense. The NFL is becoming more and more popular in the UK. Besides, if there’s a reason to drink … Continue reading

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Restaurant Review: Rocket Bishopsgate

A crowd pleasing menu at a convenient location with funky décor, Rocket Bishopsgate is a safe bet decision if you’re looking for a quick bite or a night out near Liverpool Street Station. Continue reading

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10 Reasons to Eat and Drink at London’s Seven Dials (CheapOair)

Seven Dials is a small but popular area of Central London near Covent Garden where seven streets converge at one junction. The area is conveniently located near a number of Tube stations including Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Holborn which … Continue reading

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Ergon, Greek Deli + Cuisine in Marylebone

Ergon is a newly opened Greek deli and restaurant in Marylebone. Its menu features dishes designed by Dimitris Skarmoutsos, Greece’s best know celebrity chef. The shop sells products only from independent Greek producers. And, in the face of the the gargantuan econonomic meltdown, this startup business managed to expand across Greece and actually make a profit. Now with its Picton Place shop launched just before the new year, Ergon aims to bring an authentic taste of Greece to London. The reasons to visit are many. But if you need just one reason go, make a take home jar of the cod roe spread. That stuff is gorgeous. Continue reading

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Best Restaurants (Everywhere Else) – 2013

To say I ate and drank well this year does not begin to describe how delectable 2013 was for me. Both in London and beyond, I had the pleasure of experiencing some of the best meals outside the home I’ve … Continue reading

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Best London Pizza – 2013

To say I ate and drank well this year does not begin to describe how delectable 2013 was for me. Both in London and beyond, I had the pleasure of experiencing some of the best meals outside the home I’ve … Continue reading

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Best Cheap Eats in London – 2013

To say I ate and drank well this year does not begin to describe how delectable 2013 was for me. Both in London and beyond, I had the pleasure of experiencing some of the best meals outside the home I’ve ever eaten. Here’s a list of some excellent London eateries where I’ve found it possible to enjoy a satisfying meal for £5 or less. Keep an eye out for more posts over the coming days listings my favourite London restaurants and pizza places as well as the ten best restaurants I visited outside of London this year. Continue reading

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Best London Restaurants – 2013

To say I ate and drank well this year does not begin to describe how delectable 2013 was for me. Both in London and beyond, I had the pleasure of experiencing some of the best meals outside the home I’ve ever eaten. Here’s a list of the ten London restaurants I enjoyed visiting the most over the past 12 months along with a few extra honourable mentions. Keep an eye out for more posts over the coming days listings my favourite London cheap eats and pizza places, as well as the ten best restaurants I visited outside of London this year. Continue reading

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Spaghetti Bolowhatta? The Real Bolognese Revealed (Great British Chefs)

Let’s get to the meat of the matter. There’s no such thing as spaghetti Bolognese. Or, at least, there isn’t in the actual city of Bologna. You would do well to seek Bolognese inspiration for its rich tradition in pasta making. It’s a deliciously saucy city too and one which rightly lays claim as the original home of a large variety of food products – just not spag bol. Bologna and the region of Emilia-Romagna have as prominent a cuisine and as celebrated a food culture as anywhere in the world. Even among Italians from other parts of the country, the gastronomic sensibilities of the Bolognese are held in the highest esteem. Continue reading

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How to Manga like the Modenese (OneTravel)

With a population of fewer than 200,000 people, the list of icons associated with the northern Italian city of Modena is impressive. Pavarotti, Ferrari, Maserati, Balsamico, tortellini … whatever floats your proverbial boat, odds are you’ve been inspired by someone … Continue reading

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Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Arrivederci and Grazie Mille!

Over the past several days I’ve been sharing highlights from my recent Ham Highway adventure across northern Italy in a special 14-part miniseries. The series features entries about the following destinations – Forni di Sopra, Sauris, San Daniele, Udine, Collio Goriziano, Trento, Torino, Parma, Modena, Nonantola, and Bologna – along with tips and suggestions to help you plan your own delectable Italian itinerary. Continue reading

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Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Bounteous Bologna

That I’ve been to Bologna four times (twice just this year) should speak volumes about how much I love this city. It and the region of Emilia-Romagna have as prominent a cuisine and as celebrated a food culture as anywhere in the world. Even among Italians from other parts of the country, the gastronomic sensibilities of the Bolognese are held in the highest esteem. Continue reading

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Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Balsamico and Lambrusco

During my day in Modena, I made a postprandial excursion to the nearby village of Nonantola (still within the provincial boundaries of Modena) where I visited a balsamic producer and a winery. Finding out what makes aceto balsamico tradizionale such a prized delicacy and why local quaff Lambrusco is a lot better than many wine snobs seem willing to realise added up to a wonderful way to spent an afternoon. Continue reading

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Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Modena: Fast Cars and Slow Food

For a town with a population of fewer than 200,000 people, the list of icons associated with Modena is impressive. Pavarotti, Ferrari, Maserati, Balsamico, tortellini … whatever floats your proverbial boat, odds are you’ve been inspired by someone or something Modenese at some point in your life. Continue reading

Posted in Cars, Coffee, Drink, Food, Hotels, Italy, Restaurants, road trip, Shopping, Street Markets, Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments