Tag Archives: Shopping
5 Great Cookery Schools in Central London (OneTravel)
Here’s a list of five of the best cookery schools in London. I’ve been to all five, and I’m happy to vouch for all of them. Indeed, I’m a better cook for visiting each one. I’ve still got a long ways … Continue reading
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
Top 5 Christmas Lights in London (CheapOair)
Tis the season to enjoy the twinkly show of holiday lights in London. Here’s the definitive list of the five best spots to get in the spirit. Merry Christmas and happy new year! Read my complete post at the CheapOair … Continue reading
London’s Top 5 Department Store Christmas Windows (CheapOair)
Doing some last night gift shopping in London? Be sure to take a moment to enjoy all the festive sights and pretty lights! The city’s famous department stores do it up in grand style this time of year to show … Continue reading
Cooking up a Scandilicious Christmas with Norwegian Seafood and Signe Johansen
Here’s a quick mention about a fun cookery session I recently sat in on at rather swank cooking school, Aveqia. Hosted by the Norwegian Seafood Council with London’s own Scandilicious chef Signe Johansen at the helm, it was a tasty opportunity to discover what makes seafood from Norway so special and delicious while dabbling in a bit of Scandi Christmas tradition too. Continue reading
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
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
Ancient Frescos and Fresh Mountain Air in Trento, Italy (CheapOair)
With a newly opened museum designed by star architect Renzo Piano; a distinctive sparkling wine with a rich tradition behind it; an exquisite regional gastronomy that’s big on flavour; and of course a stunning backdrop of snowcapped mountains, the lively … Continue reading
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Antica Corte Pallavicina
Just outside the blink-and-miss-it village of Polesine Parmense, Antica Corte Pallavicina is a gorgeously restored 14th century castle situated on the banks of the Po that’s been transformed into a six room boutique hotel with Michelin starred restaurant. As refined as it is rustic, the venue is the result nearly two decades of dedication by local chef Massimo Spigaroli (whose other Michelin starred restaurant, Al Cavallino Bianco is located in the same village). Dining at Pallavicina was a sumptuous affair, yielding one of the loveliest meals I’ve had this year. Knowing that practically everything I put in my mouth came from here and was made onsite made all the more tasty. Continue reading
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: November Porc
Celebrating a decade since its inception, November Porc is a month long foodie festival held every weekend during (yep you guessed it) November with each weekend seeing the party move to a different village in the Province of Parma. If the idea of visiting Torino was the impetus to planning my trip, the possibility of attending one of the November Porc weekends was what led to designing my actual itinerary and coming up with its broad “Ham Highway” theme. Continue reading
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: a-MuSe-ing and Bubbly Trento
After an all too short sojourn in Friuli (God, I hope I make it back there before too long), I hit the autostrada heading west to the region of Trentino for an overnight stay to see what sort of wonders its scenic city of Trento had to offer. With a newly opened museum designed by a star architect; a distinctive sparkling wine with a rich tradition behind it; and an exquisite regional gastronomy that’s big on flavour, locally sourced ingredients and seasonality – the answer I soon discovered was A LOT! Continue reading
Wine of the Month by @willbedwards: Pol Roger ‘White Foil’ Brut
Champagne is a wine intimately linked to celebration and festivities, and Christmas is the one day of the year when the ‘wine o’clock’ rule is entirely disregarded. Wine, and particularly Champagne, makes a wonderful gift at Christmas; or if like me you are just choosing a breakfast tipple, then the Pol Roger ‘White Foil’ Brut is a perfect candidate. Continue reading
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Delectable Collio Goriziano
With the charming Udine as my base for a couple of days, I spent an afternoon in the nearby wine country of Collio Goriziano visiting a wine producer and cheese maker, both of whom had been recommended to me … along with finding out about a local ham maker whom I wish I’d had the chance to meet. Here’s the scoop on what makes this little nook of northern Italy such a yummy destination. Continue reading
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Udine
Udine is the hub and historical capital of the small Friuli Veneza Giulia province of the same name. With a sizeable university, it’s a lively setting with an interesting mix of people and pretty decent nightlife. If you’ve been to your share of checklist-y must-see Italian destinations (such as … oh let’s say … Florence) or you simply get a kick out off veering off the beaten path in an attempt to see what real life in a foreign country is like then Udine is a brilliant town to keep in mind. Continue reading
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Speck-tacular Views and Smoky Brews in Sauris
Day two of my foodie odyssey had me saying goodbye to the Dolomite gateway town of Forni di Sopra and heading even higher (and deeper) into the Alps to the tiny Germanic enclave of Sauris for a taste of the local delicacies and to take in the sweeping views – all of which elicited some form of audible and involuntary whoa or wow from an overwhelmed me. Continue reading
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Ciao and Grazie!
Over the next several days I will share highlights from my adventure in a Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway miniseries of posts featuring entries about the following phenomenal destinations – Forni di Sopra, Sauris, San Daniele, Udine, Collio, Trento, Torino, Parma, Modena, and Bologna – all with tips and suggestions to help you plan your own delectable itinerary. Continue reading
London’s Top Christmas Markets (OneTravel)
December is a fantastic time to visit London, offering a healthy dose of Christmas cheer that’s unparalleled. Here’s a roundup of the city’s best Christmas markets to help you fa la la your way to an excellently English Christmas. Read … Continue reading
Win a £150 Voucher from Zalando: UK’s Largest Online Wardrobe
Online shopping for top brands with guaranteed free deliveries and returns – that’s not just a Yuletide offer from Zalando, the UK’s largest online wardrobe, but what they provide to customers year round. With a great range of festive styles, a smart selection of Christmas gifts, and of course vouchers to give that friend or loved ones who might be a little more difficult to shop for, now is a great time to browse Zalando’s online aisles – especially since I’ve got a Zalando gift voucher worth £150 to share with one lucky reader. Continue reading
What Happens When Your Christmas Gifts are Left Alone at Night?
Ever wonder what sort of magic takes place this time of year when the shutters are closed and the lights turned off at a major department store? See what happens when Christmas gifts are left alone at night in this fun little clip from BHS featuring some very clever slow motion animation. The video is only about a minute and a half long but is chocked full of all sorts of great gifts available at BHS Continue reading
Reminder: Win Seasonal Pasta Christmas Hamper from Carluccio’s Today! #BuonNataleUK
Okay. So I’m just back from a rather epic week-long foodie ramble across the north of Italy. Yes, I had an amazing time. Soon enough, I’ll be writing about all the delectable highlights I experienced and sharing some top tips learned along the way. Keep an eye out for plenty more posts about my trip. Until then though, if you have a craving for some cibo Italiano but can’t getaway before the festive seasonal, don’t forget to enter my latest competition for a pasta hamper from Carluccio’s. Continue reading
Product Review: Heat Holder Socks (CheapOair)
Ever spent a whole day away from home with cold feet? I’m not being metaphorical and talking about being too shy or afraid to enjoy yourself. I mean being uncomfortable because you’re not wearing the right socks for the weather. … Continue reading
Spotlight on illy SustainArt Prize Winner: Adan Vallencillo (Espresso Crazy)
Honduran artist and recipient of the 2013 illy SustainArt Prize, Adan Vallencillo, has arrived in Venice to commence his three-month residency with the Bevilacqua La Masa Foundation. Continue reading
Win a Seasonal Pasta Christmas Hamper from Carluccio’s
Carluccio’s is a fantastic one stop resource when Christmas shopping for the foodies in your life, whether you’re browsing for authentic Italian foods in-store or shopping online for the best of Italy brought straight to your door, with a new next-day delivery service. Treating friends, family and colleagues to Carluccio’s selection of hampers, gift boxes, cakes, biscuits, sweets and chocolates is an excellent way to ensure the people most important to you have a deliciously buon Natale this year. To find out more about all the yummy festivities happening this Christmas at Carluccio’s plus the chance to win one especially scrumptious Christmas hamper for free, just keep reading! Continue reading
Kamps: New German Backerei Café on Tottenham Court Road Near Warren Street
Kamps is a new German backerei café on Tottenham Court Road near Warren Street station. Stop by for a coffee (artisan wood roasted in Oxford) and a pastry, an especially budget friendly and tasty breakfast or a loaf of bread baked fresh in-store. Not yet open a full week with no marketing , the clean little shop is making fans quick. After my recent visit I can see why. Continue reading
Deck the Halls with Post-it Index This Christmas
Hoping to avoid a fa-la-la-la-fail this Christmas? Post-it Index is an excellent and versatile resource to help you stay organised and on top of your game over the festive season. Continue reading
Festive Season Ideas for Coffee Gifts and Entertaining (Espresso Crazy)
The festive season will be here before we know it. And if you’re like me, coffee is going to play an even more important part of life than usual over the coming weeks. Whether downing a much needed boost of caffeine during an exhausting round of shopping, capping off a fantastically filling roast dinner with a shot of espresso or leisurely sipping a moreish mocha while admiring twinkling lights on a Christmas tree, coffee is going to help me cope with my hectic schedule, celebrate the important moments with my family and friends, and relax as the final days of the year wind down. Continue reading
Win a Selection of Christmas Chocolates from Hotel Chocolat
Love chocolate? Check out the recently launched 2013 range of Christmas chocolates from luxury British chocolatier and cocoa grower Hotel Chocolat. From gorgeous stocking fillers and stunning boxed chocolates to full-on family hampers, there’s something for everyone with something for all gift giving budgets. And for one lucky reader of this blog, there’s a chance to win free chocolate. Continue reading