Is Your Mother An Art Lover? Gift This!

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

If your mother is a lover of art, a unique and welcome gift she would appreciate

is a ticket to attend one of London Art Studies’ events.

London Art Studies – a series of exclusive events designed to make learning about art both accessible and entertaining –

unveils an exclusive partnership with the Bulgari Hotel in London’s Knightsbridge.

Expert lecturers on the arts will host a series of classes comprising ‘power hours’ over a cocktail

and morning discussions over coffee in the luxury hotel’s private screening room.

From investigating the works of Warhol, Grayson Perry and Duchamp, to getting the most out of hotly-anticipated exhibitions throughout 2015,

lectures have been carefully curated by London Art Studies to

make each session highly relevant as well as compellingly full of insider knowledge.

Lecturers are selected not only for their expertise but also for their accessible and engaging teaching styles.

The new London Art Studies evening class series (LAS Evenings) and morning lecture series (LAS In Focus)

at the Bulgari Hotel sit neatly alongside the institution’s established and popular art lectures held

over lunch at Koffmann’s at The Berkeley Hotel.

Explains London Art Studies Founder Kate Gordon:

“London is the arts capital of the world and I wanted to provide art lectures for people who don’t have

time to sign up for lengthy courses, but who still want access to the very best teaching in a fun and

sociable format. Our courses appeal to both curious beginners and more knowledgeable art-lovers and

collectors. Our aim is to take some of mystery out of the art world and one of the nicest compliments I’ve

received about our classes is from a student who called them a “spa for the mind” – I think she meant that

our classes are inspiring and also an escape from everyday life”.

As a pre Mother’s Day treat London Art Studies recommends –

LAS Lunch: American Art Since World War II on 12th March 2015.

A wonderful way to be inspired and escape the ‘daily grind’. London Art Studies founder,

ex Sotheby’s and CNN producer Kate Gordan deems the experiences ‘spas for the mind’

and are also wonderful experiences for mother and daughter (or son) to share.

Lectures include representatives from Christie’s, Sotheby’s, the National Gallery and Tate.

Individual ticket prices range from £50 to £175.

Tickets and gift cards can be purchased from www.londonartstudies.com

March, 2015

3rd LAS EVENINGS The Shock of the Old Ben Street 19.00 – 20.15

5th LAS LUNCH Best of British: From Bloomsbury to Bacon Lizzie Perrotte 10.00 – 14.30

10th LAS IN FOCUS Focus on Impressionism: Degas, Morisot and Pissarro Richard Stemp 10.00 – 12.00

12th LAS LUNCH American Art Since WWII Ben Street 10.00 – 14.30

May, 2015

5th LAS IN FOCUS Sarah Lucas, Sargent and Alexander McQueen Richard Stemp 10.00 – 12.00

5th LAS EVENINGS 20 Great Paintings of the 20th Century Ben Street 19.00 – 20.15

6th LAS LUNCH Modern Art: From Duchamp to the YBAs Linda Smith 10.00 – 14.30

7th LAS LUNCH The Legacy of Minimalism Ben Street 10.00 – 14.30

19th LAS LUNCH British Art from Freud to Emin Richard Stemp 10.00 – 14.30

June, 2015

2nd LAS IN FOCUS Delaunay, Hepworth and Martin Richard Stemp 10.00 – 12.00

2nd LAS EVENINGS Venice Biennale 2015 Overview Ben Street 19.00 – 20.15

16th LAS TOUR Highlights of the Courtauld Gallery Lizzie Perrotte 10.00 – 11.15

September, 2015

7th LAS TOUR The Saatchi Gallery Lizzie Perrotte 10.00 – 11.15

16th LAS LUNCH The Legacy of Surrealism Ben Street 10.00 – 14.30

24th LAS IN FOCUS Ai Wei Wei, Goya, Pop Art Richard Stemp 10.00 – 12.00

November, 2015

10th LAS IN FOCUS Calder & 20th Century Sculpture Richard Stemp 10.00 – 12.00

17th LAS LUNCH American Art Since World War II Ben Street 10.00 – 14.30

December, 2015

1st LAS LUNCH Great Tarts in Art: High Culture & The World’s Oldest Profession Linda Smith 10.00 – 14.30

LAS In Focus – £75, includes light refreshments

LAS Evenings – £50, includes light refreshments

LAS Lunch – £175, includes two-course lunch at Koffmann’s

LAS Tours – includes ticket entry to the exhibition

Tickets can be purchased for individual events and as season tickets by visiting the London Art Studies website www.londonartstudies.com or emailing/calling London Art Studies direct at office@londonartstudies.com

About Bulgari Hotel…

Located in Knightsbridge on the edge of Hyde Park, London’s Bulgari Hotel is both a haven of calm in the centre of the city and yet under a minute’s walk from such landmarks as the famous Harrod’s department store. Since opening in 2012 the Bulgari has set new standards among the luxury hotels of the British capital. Elegant contemporary architecture and Bulgari’s legendary flair for design are matched by class-leading quality of service. Design and service along with generously proportioned rooms and suites combine with unrivalled facilities such as a full gymnasium and physical training centre with on-site personal training team, WORKSHOP; 11 single spa treatment rooms and 1 private spa suite; 25 metre, three-lane swimming pool; 47 seat cinema; unique Cigar Shop and sampling lounge, a stunning Ballroom; to deliver a city hotel experience that is unique in the world.

www.bulgarihotels.com

About Koffmann’s at The Berkley Hotel…

It was a love of international rugby rather than good food that brought a 22-year-old Pierre Koffmann to Britain in 1970. As he says: “Food was not at its best and the rugby more interesting.” Pierre expected to stay only six months. By pure luck Pierre quickly found himself working for Michel and Albert Roux at Le Gavroche in London’s West End. Within another six months he was promoted to Number 2 and after a quick stint at their Brasserie Benoit in the City, Pierre was appointed Head Chef at the Roux Brothers’ new Waterside Inn at Bray. In his five-year tenure he helped them achieve two Michelin stars. In 1977, Pierre and his first wife Annie opened their first restaurant, La Tante Claire, in Chelsea and achieved three Michelin stars before taking up residency in the Berkeley Hotel in 1998. After decades of contributing massively to British cuisine and training some of our finest chefs, Pierre folded away his precious knives in 2003 and realised a dream of hanging up a sign saying “Gone Fishing”. Becoming slightly bored a year later he came back to be a consultant to some major food retailers. The call of the restaurant trade was too loud. In 2009, Pierre agreed to take a ‘pop-up’ La Tante Claire to be the Restaurant on the Roof at Selfridges for one week. Two months and 3,200 servings of his classic Pieds de Cochon aux Morilles later, Pierre once again returned to The Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge and to open Koffmann’s with partner and business partner Claire Harrison.Koffmann’s offers a relaxed, informal style with classic provincial French cuisine. The food of Pierre’s childhood in rural Gascony and the food that first inspired Pierre to follow his love of cooking using fresh, seasonal ingredients to deliver exquisite unspoiled flavours.

www.pierrekoffmann.co.uk/about-pierre

www.corinne-modelling.co.uk

Searcys Launch Own Brand of Champagne.

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Kesh

Renowned Champagne house Searcys known for their longest Champagne bar in Europe, have gained sparkling reputation in all of their 120 years of operation. Starting out as a catering service, the brand has grown from strength to strength so it makes sense that after such an extensive time serving up the luxury drink to thirsty patrons, that they have just launched their own unique blend of Champagne.

Don’t let the fact that this Champagne not having been on the market for as long as some of the big boys put you off, they have cleverly selected a blend which is perfectly drinkable alone or with food. The blend itself an instant hit with only 2% Chardonnay grape which certainly for myself removes the headache, overbearingly dry factor.

To make the launch of their very first own brand Champagne even more unique, Searcys have ensured that a taste of their delicious Champagne will be a truly fascinating experience. The drink is served in an innovative tower of six glasses, The ‘Coupe Stack’. The ‘Coupe Stack’ is designed to let the Searcys Selected Cuvée perfectly flow like a waterfall and fill each glass perfectly. This was demonstrated a couple of times at the launch to much ooo’s and aaahhh’s each time the brave pourer took to the challenge.

To encourage customers, Searcys are giving lucky punters the chance to win a meal for two at SixtyOne Restaurant and all you have to do is share your ’stackselfie’ before the 15th of March. To share, you must post a picture of yourself with the Coupe Stack onto social media, using #searcysstack. You can find them on Twitter (@SearcysBars), Instagram (@SearcysChampagneBars) and Facebook (Searcys Champagne Bar).

Hakkasan Chinese New Year Menu Review | The Best of London

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

We have reviewed Hakkasan before and are never disappointed. This michelin-starred restaurant feels like the centre of everything. People talk about Hakkasan in hushed tones in office, they pull happy faces when you say you have been, talking about how delicious the food is. Hakkasan on Hanway Place, the original Hakkasan, is the place to see and be seen. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to relax however. There is no pretension for all its class and the staff are very friendly and know their stuff. Hakkasan is, without doubt, the best of London. Hakkasan is where to go for traditional Cantonese cuisine.

For Chinese New Year, the year of the sheep, Hakkasan will be honouring the Chinese “Wishing Tree” tradition by collecting wishes from around the world as well as offering a nine dish festive feast perfect for family and friends. The wish collection and signature menu will be available to guests from Sunday 8th February to Sunday 1st March.

This nine dish menu starts with small eats to start.

Dim Sum, Spicy lamb lupin wrap and Golden fried soft shell crab with red chili and curry leaf.

The starters are stunning. The Dim Sum is always brilliant. Scallops, crab meat, prawn: they are just heavenly. The spicy lamb lupin wrap is perfect, there is a good heat from the sauce and the lamb is expertly cooked. It has a delicious soft texture. The fried soft crab with red chilli and curry leaf is superb. The crab is amazing and the curry leaf goes well, a wonderful and original dish.

To go with our food we have a Kumquatcha, a specialty cocktail representing good fortune, prosperity and happiness, I have a virgin one and my colleague has the real deal. Both taste amazing. A brilliant combination of Germana cachaça, Campari, Kumquat and lime.

The mains include a number of signature Hakkasan items like their Spicy prawn, Stir-fry black pepper rib eye beef with Merlot and Grilled Chilean sea bass in honey, We also have Stir-fry Lily bulb and garlic shoot and Abalone and dry scallop fried rice,

The spicy prawn has generous and delicious prawns in a yummy sauce, the Stir-fry black pepper rib eye beef with Merlot is just perfect and Grilled Chilean sea bass in honey is definitely one of the best sea bass dishes I have ever had. The Stir-fry Lily bulb and garlic shoot is as tasty as it is original and the Abalone and dry scallop fried rice is the best rice ever. I still have dreams about it. There is no bum note in this menu: all of this food is just one mouth-watering dish after another.

The desserts are as amazing as the other dishes. Stunning in their originality, a Kumquat Wishing Tree: chocolate, caramelised macadamia and cocoa rocks, and delicious chocolate treats hanging off a Kumquat tree end the meal. The dishes are out of this world. Not all Asian restaurants do dessert well. I am glad to say that Hakkasan is definitely an exception.

I also have another mocktail. Hakkasan do mocktails very well. Perfect if you don’t want to drink. If you eat from the Chinese New Year signature menu you will receive a red envelope with special gift of a complimentary cocktail or mocktail. More reason to indulge.

Hakkasan’s limited edition menu created by Michelin-starred Executive Head Chef Tong Chee Hwee includes a selection of its acclaimed signature dishes as well as a contemporary interpretation on authentic Chinese New Year fare.The Chinese New Year menu is available for £88.88 per person. A la carte items will be individually priced, starting at £12.88.

For more information on Chinese New Year at Hakkasan, please visit hakkasan.com.

Where To Go For Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

Hakkasan

Romantic and stylish. You can’t go wrong with Hakkasan. It is decadent and romantic.

Read our Hakkasan review.

Gaucho Sloane

Argentinean and with a reputation that precedes it. The steak is amazing and the waiters really know there stuff. The Mojito mocktail tastes just like the real thing.

Read our Gaucho review.

Yauatcha

Their food is out of this world. I would eat here everyday not just for the food, but also the atmosphere. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, and they also have an amazing patisserie. Buy up everything for the one you love.

Read our Yauatcha review.

Charlotte’s Bistro

Just brilliant food. Their gin soaked salmon was one of the best starters I have ever had in my life. They also do amazing cocktails and have a Gin School. Yes, a Gin School. Sign me up.

Read our Charlotte’s Bistro review.

Cinnamon Soho

Quite possibly the best Indian food in London. Reasonably priced and the food looks great too. Their house white is superb.

Read our Cinnamon Soho review.

Bob Bob Ricard

Deserves a mention for their ‘Press here for champagne’ button alone. Incredibly stylish and the waiters look great in their pink waistcoats. Their sea bass is just brilliant.

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar

It has a wonderful location on the South Bank. Great view, amazing steak and brilliant cocktails. You couldn’t ask for much more.

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar review

Don’t know what to buy your love for Valentine’s Day? Check out our Valentine’s Day gift guide.

The Wellington: Margaret Graham’s Local in The Heart of London

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Margaret Graham

OK, so it’s the middle of winter, the wind is hurtling along the Thames, and you’re crossing Waterloo Bridge, head down, unaware that the bridge was rebuilt in the 2^nd World War, and the workforce included women. The only thought in your head is food and shelter.

Such was the situation a couple of years ago as Penny Deacon and I (writers and organisers of Words for the Wounded) reached the Strand, and there it was; this beacon in a sea of misery, the fantastic, fantabulous Wellington on the Strand. Straight across the road we powered, and hit the stairs to the restaurant at a run, resembling nothing as much as drowned rats.

That was the start of our Wellie adventure: within a few months it was the Graham’s London ‘local’. Penny lives in the West Country so looks on enviously, but I’m in High Wycombe, which is just a hop skip and jump from town. Often I meet Jan Speedie (besties since we were nine and she is also an organiser of Words for the Wounded). We spend an inordinate amount of time in the National or Portrait Galleries, in St Martin’s in the Fields poking about, or at the theatre, or exploring the City. Where do we eat? The Wellie of course.

Sticky slow-braised pork belly.

But why? Isn’t one pub much like another? I think, quite frankly, that whoever said that, needs to go and wash out her/his mouth with soap, as my mother would say.

The Wellington has the knack of becoming special to everyone we’ve brought along; the ‘grands’ love it, our friends too. It dates from 1903 and its neo-gothic exterior is a bit of a landmark. It is named after Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington whose historic victory over Napoleon in 1815 ended the Napoleonic Wars. (If you haven’t been to Apsley House, home of the first Duke of Wellington and his descendants, you should. It stands right in the heart of London at Hyde Park Corner.)

The Wellingon sits next to Covent Garden, a name derived from the Convent Garden, which belonged to Westminster Abbey. It was to Covent Garden that I went to buy a gift for my granddaughter with money presented by Jose on behalf of the staff, as she was having a serious operation that day.

The staff are gorgeous. There’s the manager, Ruth, from Australia, Jose the team leader, (Spanish) who wins the rosette for character. There’s Michal, assistant manager, who grows a moustache for charity from time to time and who has read Maeve’s Afternoon Delight, so has a big tick from me. There’s our lovely pal Eszter from Budapest who we love because of her great kindness, and Thomas from Krakow who I’m trying to get to write a feature with me about Krakow for Frost Magazine.

The ambiance is smart as a button, especially after its recent makeover but so many of the original features are still there that it’s hard to go wrong. One of the highlights for me is the Art Nouveau windows.

So, now we come to the food, of course. My favourite is the belly pork, Dick seldom strays from the sausage and mash, but Jan plumps for the fish fillets or seafood pie. We invariably add a large glass of Pino Grigio each. It’s always the right temperature, always rather too nice.

Let’s not forget the bar… The Wellington boasts a gorgeous long bar, and that brings me to the ales, which Dick and his bestie, Tim Norman, swear by.

The ales change seasonally so the Wellie rotates between 18 seasonal ales 4 times per year and also rotates between 19 National favourite ales. Nicholsons Pale Ale is always stocked – it is a classic English-style Pale Ale and brewed exclusively for Nicholson’s by St Austell Brewery. It is brewed with the finest Cornish Maris Otter barley.

If you’re after a super friendly attractive venue, with great food and drink, you don’t need to be freezing. Just head to the Wellie (The Wellington on the Strand, 351 Strand. London) www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/thewellingtonstrandlondon

The Queensbury Pub and Dining, Willesden Green

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Paloma Kubiak

In the cold air as we walked up to The Queensbury, the decorative lights and laughs from within welcomed and warmed us inside where we were led to the back of the pub to the separate and more formal dining area.

As we were seated, in my head, I kept saying ‘mirror, mirror on the wall’ as one side was wholly decorated with retro mirrors while the back of the room featured wallpaper with rows upon rows of faces. The interior was homely and relaxing and the guests kept coming in throughout the evening to be wined and dined.

I started off with the crispy butternut squash and ricotta risotto balls with pine nuts and sage butter (£6.50). They were beautifully presented as a trio on the plate, and the individual bundles were surrounded by the sage butter and the flecks of pine nuts.

Perfectly brown and crispy on the outside, inside the risotto rice was sticky and was speckled with a whisper of butternut squash that added a hint of fleshy sweetness.

My fiancé went for the gin cured salmon with cucumber relish, caper berries and lemon dressing (£7.45). The dish was beautifully smoked and the deep-orange slithers had a tangy, moist texture which complemented well against the bitter taste of the capers.

He then plumped for the slow cooked lamb and vegetable stew with colcannon mash (£12.95) from the specials menu. It was a hearty meal delicately spiced and the lamb was very tender. The distinctive smell of the meat was masked by the herbs and spices and the colcannon mash, an old Irish recipe, was sweet, smooth and sour all at the same time.

Hoping to be a bit more adventurous, I ordered the seared pheasant breast and confit leg with spiced cabbage sweet potato rosti and a juniper jus (£13.95). The pheasant, a slightly darker, gamier meat to its competitor, the chicken, was again presented perfectly. The deep red of the tangy, soft cabbage against the deep green crispy kale was both pleasant on the eye and on the palette.

For dessert, we ordered the pear bakewell cheesecake with a mulled berry compote (£6.50) and a sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream (£6.50). Every mouthful of the sticky toffee pudding was deliciously wicked and sweet and the blueberries added little bursts of sharpness cutting the sugary rush. The cheesecake was a refreshing twist to the cold American classic and you could really taste the grainy flavour of the pears.

Throughout our three courses, Saul, the assistant manager and our waiter for the evening, was polite, friendly and knowledgeable.

We don’t venture out much to north London as we live in the south east, but we had a lovely evening at The Queensbury. The voices and laugher remained as we made our way back to the station heading for home.

The Magnum Restaurant Review Edinburgh

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Melissa Volpi

The Magnum restaurant’s dining room glitters like gold. There are rows of fairy lights draped across each street facing window and magnum sized bottles of champagne decorating every shelf.

This is a room full of unexpected surprises – especially after walking through a rather dingy bar to get to it. The restaurant’s atmosphere is quiet and intimate. There is plenty of space between each table, making it the perfect venue for a private candlelit meal.

Our well-spoken waitress sits us at a table for two in one corner of this room. We have a window to our right, which overlooks Albany Street (where this restaurant is located) and a view of the dining room bar to our left.

The dining room bar is very different to the main bar that you have to walk through en-route to this small restaurant… there are no punters propping up the bar here, just the bar staff preparing drinks.

The table settings are relaxed (two sets of cutlery, side plates and paper napkins) and the restaurant and bar menu is urban chic – it’s a folding wooden menu.

There are five starters on the menu and all are under £7.00. There is homemade soup of the day, one game dish, two fish dishes and a vegetarian option. The gazpacho topped with hand picked Scottish crab, avocado cream, pepper brunoise and baby tomato finished with olive oil tempts both my partner and I. But, as crab meat can sometimes be a little overpowering for us, we decide on the carpaccio of spice rubbed duck and the Scottish smoked salmon with warm dill pancakes.

On scanning the wine list, we come across this quote: “Wine is bottled poetry” by Robert Louis Stevenson. I quite agree and order a bottle of the house white for us to try. My rule when dining out is this… if a restaurant has good quality house wine, then you know it is a good restaurant.

Starters

When our waitress places our duck and salmon starters in front of us, my partner and I both look at each other and smile. It is not just the dining room that is full of unexpected surprises at The Magnum, it is the food too. We were both expecting pub style food – something hearty that tastes nice more than looks nice. But, the presentation of both these starters is superb. It’s not fine dining, but it is colourful and creative.

My carpaccio of spice rubbed duck is laid out on the plate like a bicycle wheel. The long, lightly pink fingers of duck stretch outwards like spokes from the Romanesco floret, fennel and baby leaf centre and the small circular drops of burnt orange syrup between each piece of duck resemble the nuts and bolts.

I cut a mouthful of duck and dip it into the syrup. It is exceptionally thin, just as carpaccio should be, and has a delicate texture. It melts in my mouth, leaving a pleasant sweet and sour aftertaste.

My partner’s salmon looks festive, reminding me of a Christmas cracker. A rectangle shaped handful of lambs leaf is secured between two half moon shaped smoked salmon and dill pancakes. A mound of parsnip crisps on either side of the salmon remind me of the ends of a cracker, making me want to pull them.

My partner dips a piece of salmon into the accompanying horseradish cream and nods his head in appreciation.

Maincourse

Again, the maincourse menu offers five possibilities, ranging from £14.50 to £22.50.

We both stick to the same theme for our maincourses. My partner carries on the fish theme and orders the pan-fried sea trout with a chorizo, podded pea and saffron potato fricassee and a warm caper and tarragon dressing. And I carry on the game theme by ordering the seared venison haunch with soured cabbage, Montbeliard sausage, green beans, baked beetroot and rosemary jus.

Seared Venison Haunch

It’s hard to find good restaurants that offer seasonal game on the menu in Edinburgh. But, The Magnum is one of them.

I smell the seared venison haunch before I see it – there is an earthiness and a Scottishness about the smell that is truly unique. And the taste is equally as memorable. It feels like a heady mix of heather and moor has exploded in your mouth. We are what we eat, as the saying goes, and our red deer feast on the very best that the Scottish Highlands have to offer…

The presentation of this dish is spot on too. Three seared cuts of haunch rest on a bed of cabbage and green beans, and two thick chunks of sausage are marinating in the beetroot and rosemary jus that encircles this dish.

My partner’s sea trout rests on top of the chorizo, pea and potato fricassee mix. It looks colourful and is just as rustic as my venison dish. The portions are substantial here, but my partner’s plate is empty within minutes – which is always a good sign.

We feel contentedly full, but order desserts’ anyway after reading that Cranachan cheesecake is on the menu. Cranachan is a traditional Scottish dessert containing oats, cream, whisky and raspberries. It’s normally served as a trifle, so it will be interesting to try it cheesecake style.

Dessert

The Cranachan cheesecake with red berry coulis and raspberry compote and the chocolate and macadamia nut pudding with chocolate sauce and white chocolate and rosemary ice cream look stunning on the plate. Both portions are small and simple. The Chef has let each dessert take centre stage and has only added as much condiment as is necessary, which makes a nice change. You feel that you are eating little works of art, rather than tucking into a diabetics nightmare.

The Cranachan cheesecake tastes like traditional Cranachan, but the addition of the shortbread base and the thick raspberry compote topping transform it into a modern master. The Chef has also used a few pieces of dried Scottish heather as decoration on the plate, which is not just noteworthy but poignant.

The chocolate and macadamia nut pudding with chocolate sauce is as decadent as it sounds. But the white chocolate and rosemary ice cream ice cream cancel out the American heritage of this dessert and give it a refined look and taste.

Our thoughts

The Magnum restaurant in Edinburgh is not a posh eatery. It is a relaxing and informal hidden gem that I am loath to publicize – only because I want it to retain its quiet, intimate charm.

The Chef uses local and seasonal produce and is not afraid to cook traditional Scottish dishes. He has cooked us a meal that is proud of its roots. One that uses the best of our resources. And one that fills us with comfort after a long day battling the cold.

The Magnum restaurant is one of only two game restaurants in Edinburgh that I would recommend. It is a restaurant for everyone. A place where you can breathe and sit back and not worry about what you’re wearing or how you look. It’s a place to go for good food. But then, I knew that at the beginning of our meal after sampling the house wine. My one restaurant rule has never failed me yet: if a restaurant has good quality house wine, then you know it is a good restaurant.

Contact details:

For reservations call: 0131 557 4366

The Magnum Bar and Restaurant is open 7 days.

Sunday to Thursday from 12 pm to 12 am

Friday to Saturday at 12 pm to 1 am

Website: http://www.themagnum.webeden.co.uk/

Christmas Menu At Browns, Manchester Review

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Keeley Watts

Browns is located at the top of King Street in the old converted Athenaeum that was once Parrs Bank banking hall. Possibly one of the prettiest builldings in this part of town Browns bar and brasserie splits eating and drinking areas well so, even if the bar is bustling, you can still enjoy a quiet meal with friends.

We visited to try the festive menu which is reasonably priced at £35 for three courses. The choice is incredible and vegetarians are also welcome to choose from the main menu if they don’t fancy the vegetarian option on the festive menu. I thought this was a lovely touch knowing many vegetarians who struggle with a set menu in a restaurant.

I struggled to choose a starter but eventually settled on the soup. Made with honey roasted pumpkin it had a lovely hint of chilli to heat the mouth whilst the basil oil added a touch of savoury to mellow out the sweetness the pumpkin. The crusty bread was warm and served with soft butter – something I am a huge fan of and that every bowl of soup should be served with.

The smoked duck was served with fried pickle, orange and cranberry dressing which worked well together to balance the flavours of the dish. The duck was soft and succulent with a melt in the mouth texture and lightly smoked flavour.

Our mains were served with sharing platters of honey & thyme roasted Newark carrots, Brussels sprouts, roast parsnips, curly kale and roasted potatoes. I’m not a fan of parsnips and these ones were slightly overdone for my taste. The carrots were lovely and sweet yet still firm. You wouldn’t get me near a Brussels sprout but my friend assured me they were gorgeous and ate them by the forkful until the bowl was empty. The curly kale was a lovely addition yet slightly overdone and with a bit too much garlic, I certainly kept the vampires at bay for Christmas! The roasted potatoes on the other hand were perfect. soft and fluffy on the inside with a crunchy outside . The bowl didn’t last long that’s for sure.

My friend chose the vegetarian option of flat cap mushroom, stilton and spinach parcel that was served with green beans and an onion gravy. I’m not a fan of mushrooms so it certainly wasn’t to my taste but the fluffy pastry was crispy and she ate the whole thing as well as the bowl full of Brussels sprouts!

I chose the traditional turkey option served with orange and cranberry stuffing, buttered cabbage, pigs in blankets and redcurrant gravy. I thought the sweetness of the gravy would overpower the flavours of the turkey but it worked well together. The bacon wrapped around the juicy chipolata sausages was crispy and the addition of orange to the stuffing was a lovely touch. The turkey was juicy and the cabbage just cooked so it still had bite and flavour. Having not been on a Christmas do this year my main at Browns hit just the spot.

For dessert I chose the Eton mess that had been given a winter spin with roasted plums, cinnamon, chestnuts and orange soaked cranberries. Served piled high the meringue was a little too well done for me, I prefer my meringue to be slightly soft and chewy. I did love the winter flavours though and the plums were nice and soft which worked well with the cream.

My friend went for the cheeseboard which had a lovely beetroot chutney. It was slightly sweet and clearly fresh – something so many restaurants get wrong and serve out of a jar. The biscuit selection was also good with some pretty heart shapes too. The star of the board was definitely the cheese with Croxton Manor brie, Garstang bomber and little black bomber. My friend was certainly a happy lady and made short work of the platter considering the amount of food we had already consumed!

Huge thanks to Browns for the hospitality. I’ve heard so many people say how disappointing their Christmas do meals have been this year. I’ll be recommending Browns for next year that’s for sure.

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