Café Rouge unveil their new re-furbishment and this time there’s Escargot

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Kesh

With a recent study showing that the restaurant industry has reported a 39% growth since 2010, it’s no wonder that well established much loved chains are willing to up their game to keep them one step ahead of the newer more trendier restaurant scene. Café Rouge established since 1989 has been serving up Eggs Benedict long before younger, quirkier establishments such as The Breakfast Club and The Riding House café, so it’s no wonder that they’ve invested in a new re-furbishment to unveil their ‘New Rouge’ theme to remind customers why they are still firmly on the map and are staying put.
The appeal of eating out has always been with me as a child but being a fast-food nation it was a real treat passing an actual restaurant and looking into the window to discover this other world in which a civilised eating atmosphere existed. Passing through Southgate on a weekend, Café Rouge with it’s Parisian style decor and ambient lighting and huge windows, I would always look in and wish that I was in there, and certainly old enough, to be enjoying a glass of wine and a chit chat over amazing food which is what I often saw. When I did finally become a customer, all of my expectations were met and more. The Poulet Breton became a firm favourite and I often did pop in just for a quick coffee and a Croque Monsieur or a Croissant to try and pretend to be Parisian if only just for the afternoon. Nothing much has changed, the Café has always retained it’s same charm and appeal, but after 26 years, it is quite rightly going re-furbishing all of the restaurants and rejuvenating the menu and we were lucky enough to test it out.
We were greeted at the Kingsway branch by very happy Wait staff always a plus in my book who were attentive and genuinely delighted to see us there regardless of the fact that there was a private function when every table was almost full. Despite the restaurant being packed, there was never a moment were the restaurant felt crowded at all and there was no sense of rushing around and hectic-ness that you normally get in a full house. The new decor designed by Keane Design Studio has ensured that the Bistro has regained it’s authentic design with even more Paris with the addition of antique chandeliers, rouge leather banquettes and velvet curtains. A slightly sexier feel in my opinion with more private sections and booths giving the option for date-nights or slightly larger parties!

The head chef asked me straight away if I was brave enough for the Escargot! Mais Oui! If there is something definitely worth trying on this menu, let me recommend to you The Ragoût D’escargots, this dish is delicious without being daunting. The snails are presented in a large pastry with mushrooms in a rich truffle sauce. Best of all, there’s no snail shell so perfect for anyone deciding to give snails a go for the first time.

We also tried the Croquettes du Canard which were tasty, rich and light all at the same time. Not too filling as a starter and just the right balance of duck, potato and salad.

Loup de Mer

For mains I was split between all of the delicious options and The Poulet Breton obviously appealed to me because it really has become one of my favourite Café Rouge dishes, but with all of the tempting steaks on offer I had to opt in to the 10oz Rib Eye with Truffle Mayonnaise. Personally, this was a risky option having eaten Steak in many a chain restaurant, it’s often hit or miss knowing what the quality of the meat is, how fresh it is and how accurately it’s being cooked to order. French restaurants are often berated for cooking everything rare and I ordered medium so I was nervous, but when it arrived it was cooked to utter perfection, the Steak was fresh, and the truffle mayo went perfectly with it, the staff inform me it’s from Argentina and the quality of it was just the correct amount of fat on a rib-eye. Having ordered steak in a few chains (rival chains) previously, the standard has always been mediocre/unsatisfying and left me regretting my decision but Café Rouge blows all competitors out of the water on this one. Bang on. My friend quite conveniently opted for Poulet Breton to my joy and it still tastes as good as I remember it the first time. Generous portions, tasty, satisfying and incredibly comforting. The Sauce is rich and delicious with courgette and Mash and the Chicken is also cooked to perfection. With all of the meals, they were paired by recommendation by a selection of delicious wines from the impressive wine list.

When it came to dessert, there were a few options we wanted to try so we ordered a selection. First up the Ganache au Chocolat Noir which was a creamy chocolate mousse served with a dark chocolate and lime sorbet. This was certainly not as rich and heavy as it appears and the balance between light as air mousse and rich sorbet balanced out perfectly to cleanse your palate nicely. The Trio De Desserts featured miniature Tarte Tartin, Tarte au Citron and Chocolate Fondant. All delicious, all absolutely faultless and a perfect combo if you want to try bites of everything without the fullness and feeling of over-indulgence after. The Salted Caramel ice cream was not too sweet and also portioned generously and what struck us, was the amazing glassware that the desserts were served in which seemed to take away the fullness and need to eat every single bite when served in a simple bowl. The showstopper for me was the Strawberry and Black Pepper Sorbet. Utterly tasty, refreshing and no guilt afterwards, an absolute taste sensation.

For me the overall experience was that I remembered exactly why I used to come to Café Rouge in the first place and it was only more enhanced by the new additions to the menu and fabulously light but still charming interior and staff. Dining here was an absolute treat and with constant voucher codes and promotions being offered on Café Rouge restaurants nowadays, I would thoroughly recommend you to give it a go. Above all competitors, the staff were consistently attentive and full of joy all evening.

To Find your nearest Café Rouge : www.caférouge.com

Celebrate National Snail Day at Café Rouge this Bank Holiday #RougeSnails

Posted on May 23, 2015 by Kesh

In case you didn’t know, this Sunday is National Snail Day and to help celebrate, Britain’s best loved Parisian Bistro Café Rouge are offering you the chance to sample them for free. In the same month that they unveil their brand new look and ‘Rejuve’ Menu, Café Rouge are offering all diners a taster pot of the famous escargots simply by asking the waiter. Trust me you won’t be disappointed and the benefits of these delicacies are that they are high in protein and low in carbohydrates and calories. The tastiest diet food.

If you’re feeling extra adventurous in the snail department this Sunday and want to have a go at preparing them yourself then Duncan McEwan, Head Development Chef at Café Rouge, has come up with two fab recipes to try out:

1. Snails on toast! Why not try garlic mushrooms on toast, and throw in a few snails for good measure. The crunch from a beautiful toasted wholemeal slice, with mushrooms, garlic and a touch of parsley, finished with a squeeze of lemon is delicious.

2. A twist on the classic! Keep it simple and go for the traditional Parisian way, sautéed in a little melted salted butter with plenty of chopped fresh garlic and finished with parsley. The addition of chopped chilli and a squeeze of lemon juice would lift this to another level, but it all depends how hot you like it and how much of the snail you want to taste!

To find your nearest branch check out www.caferouge.com

Review: The Rehearsal at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Vicky Edwards

Photo credit: Catherine Ashmore

The Rehearsal
By Jean Anouilh

The Minerva Theatre, Chichester. Until 13 June
Box Office: 01243 781312 www.cft.org.uk

Anouilh has fallen out of fashion somewhat in recent times. Having seen Chichester’s revival of The Rehearsal one wonders why.

An insightful, dark and sharply witty comedy that is almost musical in its fluidity, the setting is a French chateau in the 1950s. The absurdities of class and relationships are in the spotlight as Count Tiger (Jamie Glover) revs up for one of his legendary parties. Deciding to include a performance of Marivaux’s The Double Inconstancy by way of entertainment, he hustles together a cast that includes his wife (Niamh Cusack), his mistress (Katherine Kingsley) his wife’s lover (Joseph Arkley), Lucille, a young resident nursemaid to a dozen orphans (Gabrielle Dempsey) and Hero, his old school friend and chronic alcoholic (Edward Bennett).

Rehearsals descend into a thinly veiled slanging match as both Tiger’s wife and mistress realise that he has fallen for the young nanny. Copping off with people of ‘their own kind’ is quite acceptable, but a servant? The shame! And worse, Tiger appears to have actually fallen in love, and that doesn’t suit at all. Resorting to trying to frame the girl for theft, a plan that swiftly comes apart, the Countess enlists the help of Hero, persuading the hopeless drunk who ‘likes breaking things’ to help her to boot out the little commoner with all speed.

It’s a well-meshed cast with terrific individual performances, not least Edward Bennett who is simply mesmerising as Hero. Shallow, cynical and permanently sloshed, as his desperation and despair becomes increasingly evident the effect is both nerve-shredding and heart-breaking.

Etiquette and manners doing little to disguise the cattiness of their verbal scuffles, Niamh Cusack and Katherine Kingsley are marvellously acerbic as the wife and the mistress, while Gabrielle Dempsey gives Lucille perfectly proportioned perception and vulnerability.

Translated and directed by Jeremey Sams, this is an accomplished and compelling production. Do not miss.

Make it an ‘Al Fresco’ Summer at Gaucho Piccadilly’s Rooftop Terrace

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Kesh

With the summertime quickly creeping up on us, (wishful thinking), there really is no better place to enjoy the warm rays than in the privacy of your own little Rooftop Terrace. Right at the top of the sexy and stylish Gaucho Steakhouse, retreat to the daylight and grab a breath of fresh air whilst enjoying a cocktail.

The Roof Terrace is open now for all to enjoy, and if you’re planning a little summer soirée, you’ll be pleased to know that the booths are available for private bookings but get in there quickly because there’s no doubt that they will be booked up soon! We hope you all get to experience the luxurious cocktails among this private little sanctuary Gaucho have created away from the hustle and bustle and fear not, it can never rain on your parade out here as Gaucho rooftop comes with fully retractable roof and outdoor fireplace.

www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk

Gaucho Piccadilly,
25 Swallow Street,
London,
W1B 4QR

Phone Number:

020 7734 4040

Opening Times:

Monday – Saturday: 12:00 – 00:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 23:00

Stand Up… You’re Rockin’ This Boat! Brian May Attends Royal Caribbean’s Production of ‘We Will Rock You’ On-board Inaugural Anthem Of The Seas Cruise

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

Imagine this… stepping out of your suite on-board Royal Caribbean’s inaugural sailing of Anthem of the Seas two hours before curtain-up, closing the door and swinging around to be face-to-face with Brian May, snuggling lovingly into the

neck of his partner, Anita Dobson, as they walked along the corridor, only for her to turn and look me straight in the eye and say, in her Eastenders cock-er-ney accent…

“‘ello darlin’, you alright?”

At that point, I knew this performance was going to be special… the cast were playing, tonight, to the Master himself. This company had to nail it.

I sit in the front row, I always sit in the front row, perhaps too close but I need to feel the emotion and the effort put in by the cast. Months of rehearsal, careful application of costume and make-up cannot be wasted on a seat further back in the auditorium… just a general synopsis is not my style, I have to feel a production… cast vs me – game on.

Transferring a production from the West End to a cruise ship is no mean feat, the word ‘logistics’ is holy. Fact one – you’re in the middle of the ocean, if anything ‘kicks off’, evacuation is gradual and there’s nowhere to run. Fact two – the dressing rooms for the cast and the storage for the sets have to be compact and very bijou. Fact Three – your audience is multi-cultural upon each sailing – colloquial ad-libs and audience cognition of dialects and comedic one-liners differs, depending on your demographic. I could punctuate with more ‘facts’, but you get the gist… it’s difficult and this performance had to prove it was possible to bring one of the most successful productions from the West End to Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines..

I sat with Brian May’s eyes searing deep into my neck, haunting Mercury tones in my ears, the curtain went up…

We Will Rock You (often abbreviated as WWRY) is a musical based on the songs of Queen with a book by Ben Elton, a storyline set 300 years in the future. The musical tells the story of a group of Bohemians who struggle to restore the free exchange of thought, fashion, and live music in a distant future where everyone dresses, thinks and does the same. Musical instruments and composers are forbidden, and rock music is all but unknown.

Although the musical was at first panned by critics, it has become an audience favourite, becoming the longest-running musical at the Dominion Theatre, celebrating its tenth anniversary on 14 May 2012. The London production closed on 31 May 2014 after a final performance in which Brian May and Roger Taylor both performed.

I have to open with the Royal Caribbean band, they had this sewn up, the cast were in capable hands and nurtured through every track. Impeccable to the point of perfect interpretation of the true heartbeat of Queen, difficult to acclaim highly enough.

Amanda Coutts played Scaramouche, a sarcastic, hard-bitten cynical girl and Galileo’s love interest. A rebel, deeply introverted and complex, a goth teenager, an awkward loner, a misfit. She uses her self-deprecating wit to cover her sensitivity and vulnerability, brittle, hard and bitter, headstrong and stubborn,defensive. Amanda’s Romford-esque delivery enthralled the audience, perfect timing, cutting script, all made sense, making the character charmingly sweet with a vicious edge.

Killer Queen (Allyson Kaye Daniel), the villain, an iconic figure, ruler of the world with an amazing rock/soul voice. She’s camp, sexy, voluptuous, feisty, funny, powerful and power crazy, ruthless, the BOSS. Every man’s dream of an older woman with a strong bi-slant. Allyson carried this character to the extreme, gorgeous and so 80’s-inspired… sexy!

Khashoggi (Preston Hammond), Killer Queen’s second-in-command, the head of Globalsoft’s police and carries out Killer Queen’s dirty work. A smooth operator, ruthless and heartless, attractive, sophisticated, intelligent, sinister, cruel, cold but charming. Preston’s interpretation of this character had me enthralled, secretly my favourite. Enticing with a ‘Las Vegas’ kind of spin. I wanted to know more about this character and doors were left open… very enticing.

‘Pop’ doubles as the Rebel Leader of the Bohemian movement, a rather pompous figure who has made himself an expert on the legend of rock and is perhaps a bit too pleased about it! An elderly librarian trying to figure out the exact date the music died. Bar man, ex-rebel, a hippie stand-up comic, a cross between George Carlin and Robin Williams. Pop is worldly with a natural curiosity and passion for life and music.

I met Kevin Kennedy back in January when he was appearing in Norwich Theatre Royal’s pantomime production of ‘Peter Pan’, playing the evil Captain Hook, and it was during our conversation that he enlightened me of the forthcoming production aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Anthem of the Seas, playing the part of Pop, following his highly successful run at the Dominion Theatre, London.

The words ‘Kevin Kennedy – Family Man’ run through the core of Kevin like a Blackpool stick of rock – his family values are never far away from his thoughts and the household of three giddy females rocks his world. A Mancunian, married to Clare, became infamous as the character ‘Curly Watts’ in ITV’s Coronation Street, falling in and out of skittish catastrophes, including the scatterbrain marriage to Raquel Watts (Sarah Lancashire). Kevin appeared for 20 years in the UK’s longest-running television soap as the UK’s favourite supermarket-worker. Kevin and Claire now live in Brighton with their two beautiful girls, and promoting their alcohol recovery charity Addiction Management UK Limited. As I disembarked, the family were due to join Kevin for a few days, and to say he was excited… an understatement. Life on the floating city makes you value your family and home, Kevin was certainly feeling the draw.

If the costumes didn’t give it away, then the music certainly did. So slash up your pussy bows and consign your neat little A-line skirt right to the back of the wardrobe… the 80’s aggro chic, cod mod, naughty fashion and punk frock – aggro chic, was played out with a vengeance. The costume design of the production thrived on schizophrenic tension and the ‘up yours’ style was the perfect Hyde to ladylike chic’s Jekyll. Inky black ‘goth’ lips, distressed suits and long silver chains, spiky hair and heavy black eyeliner… every street style from punk to goth to mod to rudeboy to biker was plundered with all the enthusiasm of Sid Vicious raiding the minibar at the Chelsea Hotel.

The supporting cast consolidated the production. Every conceivable angle, from the audience’s point of view, was covered. Enthusiasm, professionalism, vocal co-ordination and costume intricacy was accomplished to perfection.

Galileo (Alex DeLeo), a young man, a rebel and the central character. Attractive and sexy, vulneraable, sensitive and doesn’t really fit in, restless, headstrong and stubborn. Tense, living on his nerves, a dreamer. Alex vividly portrayed a young man, a dreamer, on a mission to accomplish something with his life, trying to find the right way to fulfil his dreams. This character required strength but with a thread of vulnerability which Alex completely radiated.

The production, produced by Alex Marchant, directed by Tony Edge with Tim Hammond as Musical Director, under the management of Nick Weir, Vice-President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, achieved a challenging goal, to put a superior show on the high seas, achieved previously so successfully on the safe ground of blighty, without running adrift with logistical anomalies associated with cruise productions.

And what did Brian think?

He joined the cast on-stage at the end of the performance and was visibly moved … the new production of ‘We Will Rock You’ is in safe hands.

Images copyright Shane Finn at Visual Devotion

www.visual-devotion.co.uk

Royal Caribbean Productions creates, produces, and manages the largest premium entertainment operation at sea! From full Broadway musicals, to Las Vegas style production shows, and even ice and aqua spectaculars; no single production company provides more exciting opportunities to both entertainer and audience member. Our core team is always seeking the best talent from around the world as we constantly strive to create inspiring shows, events, and spectaculars onboard Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises.

At Royal Caribbean Productions you will find so much more than a gathering place of unparalleled talent, but also a comfortable working environment created specifically to foster new talent alongside seasoned professionals from every background. The production staff consist of award-winning creative professionals from Broadway and West End Theaters, to Broadcast TV and Film, and even Themed Entertainment, they strongly believe that bringing together different points of view and challenging themselves everyday is the only way to consistently create the future of the Cruise Entertainment Industry.

www.royalcaribbeanproductions.com/

About Brian May…

Brian Harold May, is a British musician, singer, songwriter, and astrophysicist who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the rock band . He uses a home-built electric guitar, called the Red Special. His compositions for the band include “We Will Rock You“, “Tie Your Mother Down“, “I Want It All“, “Fat Bottomed Girls“, “Flash“, “Who Wants to Live Forever” and “The Show Must Go On“.

He was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2005 for “services to the music industry and for charity work”. Brian attained a PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College in 2007 and was Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University from 2008 to 2013. He is an active animal rights advocate and was appointed a vice-president of animal welfare charity the RSPCA in September 2012.

In 2005, a Planet Rock poll saw May voted the 7th greatest guitarist of all time.He was ranked at No. 26 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time“. In 2012, May was ranked the 2nd greatest guitarist of all time by Guitar World

www.brianmay.com

About Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B76ublmS8B0

Way Upstream by Alan Ayckbourn at Chichester Festival Theatre

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Vicky Edwards

Credit: Simon Annand

When a play requires a river, a tree-lined bank and a floating motor cruiser as its set, it’s destined to be seldom performed. But Chichester Festival Theatre doesn’t scare easily when it comes to technical challenges and Nadia Fall’s extraordinary production of Alan Ayckbourn’s dark comedy easily meets the play’s epic technical demands.

With most of the action taking place onboard Hadforth Bounty the first half is where the laughs are to be had. Keith and June have taken to the water with colleagues and business partners Alastair and Emma for a jolly waterways holiday. Trouble on dry land back at their novelty goods factory sees PA Mrs Hatfield (Nicola Sloane) having to show up bankside with daily updates. Brash and self-important, Keith (Peter Forbes) quickly nominates himself as captain, while his disgruntled wife June (Sarah Parish) carps, huffs and idles. Lily-livered Alastair (Jason Hughes) and his timid missus Emma (Jill Halfpenny) end up doing the bulk of the graft, resentment building like a slowly developing tidal wave.

But the sit-com feel and the jokes at the expense of well-drawn middle-class characters give way to altogether nastier themes. With the arrival of Vince (Jason Durr), a savvy and seemingly harmless bit of eye candy who does, unlike the novice sailors, at least seem to know how to avoid capsizing, initial barbed teasing swiftly degenerates into disturbing casual cruelty, punctuated only by drunken revels and sexual shenanigans. Manipulating Keith off the boat to go and deal with the threat of strike action back at the factory, Vince introduces minxy Fleur (Emily Laing) into the equation, all the while ramping up the intimidation and spite.

As Ayckbourn highlights the consequences of power in the wrong hands and the fallout of perpetual feebleness, the laughter from the audience gets increasingly nervous.

Fabulously played, the performances are all stunningly good; not even Ben Stones gloriously clever set, beautifully lit by Tim Mitchell, can upstage this superb cast.

An odd but nevertheless compelling play, the launch of the 2015 Festival season at Chichester makes an impressive splash.

Until 16 May. Box office: 01243 781312; www.cft.org.uk

Vicky Edwards

An evening fit for a foodie! L’atelier des Chefs launch Mobile Kitchen

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Kesh

One of the best things you’ll find about being a writer is the occasions when you get to review a restaurant or get invited to an event which involved food and drink but unlike the usual, L’atelier des Chefs wanted us to cook our own dinners and what a treat it was!

L’atelier des Chefs are the guys that want you eat well but learn while you’re doing all the eating. Their service have two static Kitchens located in the West End of London where they offer events a public cooking classes. ‘Mobile Kitchen’ is now L’atelier des Chef’s latest offer with a chance for you to bring your kitchen to a venue of your choice be it a hotel, outdoor space or your workplace making it an ideal team building or party opportunity. With no limit to how many guests you can have, this is also perfect for a super special date too. The highly trained chefs well then teach you to make a variety of dishes and cocktails too! All abilities welcome, you can get as interactive as you want and with the chefs providing everything you need, this takes the stress out of possibly having to cater your own dinner party! Your guests will be blown away and very very jealous.

We checked out the launch which was hosted at the iconic Oxo building. With St Pauls in the background as the sun was setting, It was such a perfect and unique ocation for a cooking event and not so daunting for those who would feel a cold sweat at the thought of being in a professional kitchen. On the menu was something with everything from Sushi to Seabass Ceviche, there was even a mixologist who taught you to make your own cocktails which was followed by a desert menu which featured, Crêpes, Chocolate Truffles and Mille Feuille to name a few. A personal highlight was actually getting to make the Sushi and finding out all the tricks from the pros something I will definitely be trying out at home and that’s exactly what made the experience so versatile and great value, you get to utilise those skills back in your own kitchen and you might surprise yourself and find that you could be the next Gordon Ramsay… well not quite but by the end of the night, you will definitely feel like a pro.

What was all the more special and brilliant about this event like was that it was such a social and interactive experience giving us a chance to fully revel in our good efforts! I found myself quite the Sushi making master but equally having a laugh at a failed Mille Feiulle after a few cocktails was definitely a good talking point. So swap the sadly catered food at the Christmas Party for a Mobile Kitchen event and who knows who you’ll bond over a burger with… one that you’ve made yourself!

All of the recipes we made can be found at http://www.atelierdeschefs.co.uk/en/recipes.php as well as details on their other cooking classes at the cookery school with prices starting from £15

And if you’re running to your phone to book a Mobile Kitchen event contact Veronica Suess on 020 7659 9961

Happy Cooking!

Wellness afternoon at London City Island with Personal Trainer Scott Ashley

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Kesh

With fitness craze after craze, it’s hard to know what class is right for you nowadays. Do you prefer a spinning class? Yoga? or are you brave enough for some Insanity?? Well this week, Frost tried out Scott Ashley’s revolutionary fitness class HOLIXIR right on the exclusive, still to be finished London City Island by Ballymore.

I must admit i’m an absolute fiend for trying out new classes and anything to do with working out but straight away this was going to be a workout like no other as we were not working in a simple gym studio in a soul-less gym but the setting was on the site of the new London City Island development. We were driven to the site which is currently being dubbed, ‘mini manhattan’ and after passing through the dust and the builders, were greeted by the gorgeous Scott Ashley in a stunning showroom.

Scott Ashley the Celebrity Personal Trainer has worked with everyone from Duncan James to Valentino and coming from such an athletic, hardworking background it’s no surprise that he has such a host of loyal clients. As well as working with celebs, Scott explained he had lots of experience working with people with eating disorders to Type A personalities creating a bespoke approach to each individual. As well as having his own pool of clientele, Scott is also resident trainer at Café Royal on Regent Street.

Living in fast-paced and constantly evolving times, what I was most intrigued to know about was the question of how to keep motivated and stay on form when you’re on the road. Scott explains that staying diligent as to what your consuming is the most important thing. With a lot of his clients on tour all the time he explained that the hardest thing is to stay away from the allure of a fast-food restaurant or rest station goodies. If you can’t find any healthy options then it is worth carrying healthy snacks with you. In terms of diet, I wanted to know what Scott absolutely stayed away from, refined sugar and wheat were at the top of the list. With wheat increasing bloating and triggering huge spikes in insulin it’s no wonder someone who’s looking to improve tone and fitness would curb the wheat intake. Before we took Holixir for a spin, we were also interested to know what it was all about, described as a holistic body weight workout Scott went on to explain that this is a multi disciplined workout which will stretch you and go on to improve posture, strength, flexibility and give you a better metabolism. With that, we were lead to an open roofed terrace on a lovely sunny day to try it out.

So the class begins with a Yoga flow sequence designed to stretch out and warm up your muscles followed by core strength group exercises, Tabata training, Pilates and double stretching. Let’s not be deceived by the name which suggests it to be a gentle, holistic class, this class will really get you working up a sweat and setting your core on fire within 5 minutes. Some of the moves I found were similar to Insanity especially during the Tabata section, which is basically a High Intensity interval workout, but it didn’t make you shudder with dread at the thought of there being four more rounds of the same to go! The Pilates roll down exercises and double stretching to finish will save your sanity and this is a great way to end a workout if you’re working with a partner. The whole class was very social and also allowed you to motivate each other and everyone was left with a great sense of achievement after!

If you’re interested in giving the class a go, details on Scott Ashley and HOLIXIR can be found here;

http://www.scottashley.com/holixir/

London City Island by Ballymore, will be a new neighbourhood in London located a stone’s throw from Canary Wharf, the development will have 1700 homes as well as a host of restaurants, bars and private members club. More details can be found here;

http://www.londoncityisland.com

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