The Best of The London Whisky Weekender

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With hundreds of delicious Whiskies to choose from, we were spoilt for choice at this years London Whisky Weekender. It seems almost criminal to pick a favourite as most of the exhibitors deserved a special mention and also being a novice to Whisky compared to most of my fellow attendees, I would feel slightly foolish. But if I had to pick there were some absolutely stand out drams. Obviously we didn’t make our way through the entirety of the selection…we would clearly need another hour or so, but this year I made sure that I tried out some of the less known and small batch distilleries, trying some drams that I wouldn’t normally favour such as the Peatier kinds.

With that said, our favourites this year;

Murray McBride; The Vatting Peatside

Youth is favoured here at only 6 years old, Peatside has been resting in a bourbon barrel with a combination of port pipes and a sweet sherry cask. The overpowering flavour of bacon will bowl you over in a most pleasant way. We had to go back for more.

Scapa

Scapa, originating from The Orkney mainland, is a fresh and balanced Single Malt. Aged 16, the sweet Heather Honey and flavours of autumn will leave you feeling content.

The Quiet Man 8 year old Single Malt

An Irish Whisky to add to the mix, this very new craft distillery have created something which would rival the legends. Sweet Vanilla, Honey and Spicy Oak all contribute to the smooth finish.

Michters American Whisky

A real small batch Whiskey here, Michters unblended American Whiskey is blended in Bourbon soaked barrels. The result, butterscotch, caramel and ripened fruit. Delicious.

If this has inspired you to get your dram on, then make sure you don’t miss out next year.

Glamour, Gatsby and the Gaucho Film Club

Glamour, Gatsby and the Gaucho Film Club Glamour, Gatsby and the Gaucho Film Club2The Great Gatsby is one of my favourite novels and I loved the original film starring Robert Redford, so I jumped at the chance to view the remake in the intimate setting of the Gaucho restaurant just behind Goodge Street.

With its cowhide wall panels and jet-black interior, it provided the perfect backdrop for the screening.

The waiters and waitresses were dressed in 1920s gear, which added a 3D twist to the session and the overall experience brought the screen to the stage of the restaurant.

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It boasts of the experience: “In true Gaucho Film Club Style, what’s on the screen will be on your plate”.

We sampled the fare of the roaring 20s and joined the actors as they chinked their champagne flutes and sipped on vodka martinis at the many parties held at the residence of Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio).

All dishes and drinks were bought out with military precision as described in the programme, and the ribeye steak was expertly seared to retain all the juice and tenderness of the beef. The mash was creamy and the al dente green beans were covered in a delicate buttery sauce.

Minutes later as the champagne corks popped on screen during the wild and decadent parties, our very own cold Chandon was brought to the table.

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Once Nick Carraway – Gatsby’s neighbour and cousin of Daisy Buchanan whom Gatsby is in love with – received an invitation to attend one of the parties, we also indulged in a vodka martini with a slither of lemon to celebrate the inevitable meeting of the past lovers.

As Gatsby and Daisy meet for the first time in years after being invited by Nick for afternoon tea, we were also treated to a chocolate cupcake and tea served from beautiful bone china. The cupcake was rich, sweet and moist.

We enjoyed a welcome reprieve from the alcohol as the tea was followed by freshly squeezed orange juice. But it wasn’t long until the next party and so we sampled salmon mousse, devilled eggs and stuffed mushrooms – perhaps the canapés of choice from the era.

Elegantly simple, the little canapés packed a punch as the soft mushroom was filled with a smokey paprika-like flavour while the egg yolk was creamy and the white perfectly boiled.

The salmon mousse was the star of the trio as the fishy taste was eased by the sprinkle of dill.

The special menu allowed for one final tipple – a tumbler of whisky over ice. It had a heavy charcoal accent and it was the perfect end to a wonderful experience.

 

 

What’s On This Weekend

 

A round up of another glorious four-day week with a host of spectacular activities in and around The Capital. Our top picks include;

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The London Whisky Weekender 1-3rd;

Starting today, The London Whisky Weekender will transform the East London venue, Oval Space into a Dramtastic dream. With Whisky’s to try from all around The World this is the perfect day out for any Whisky Lover of any degree. Enjoy a dram of something you love or something brand new amidst a backdrop of blues music and some quality street food.

For tickets and info;

Whisky

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Saturday Brunch at Gaucho’s Electro Brunch;

From 11am-3pm every Saturday, work your way through Gaucho’s impressive, unlimited brunch menu complete with cocktails and sparkling wine. Available at their Canary Wharf, Piccadilly and Smithfield branches and priced at £45 this is the absolute perfect way to start the weekend.

For more info and booking;

Brunch

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Feast of Rugby takeover Urban Food Fest 2nd April;

This year’s HSBC London Sevens will be celebrating their partnership with Urban Food Fest by hosting a ‘Feast of Rugby’ takeover at the Shoreditch street food market on Saturday 2nd April.The market will be fully HSBC London Sevens themed and there will be special guest appearances from the England sevens team – who will be helping vendors cook up a storm on the day. From France to Fiji, think Sweet and Savoury Crêpes, slow roasted and pulled pork burgers and Venezuelan Maize arepas. Yum Yum.

Entry is free just turn up;

Euro Car Parks
162-167 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch
London, E1

For more info;

Food 

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The cosiest “Night In” at Pillow Cinema.

This Saturday, snuggle up to a loved one… or two in a stunning Tudor House setting in the heart of Hackney and enjoy a screening of either Romeo and Juliet or The Danish Girl. Complimentary blankets and fatboy beanbags provided. All you need to do is turn up for a super chill Saturday Night at The Movies.

For tickets and info;

Cinema

Whisky Lovers gather round for The London Whisky Weekender 1st-3rd April

Celebrate the end of a four-day week with a toast of some of the finest Whisky’s from around the world. The London Whisky Weekender is back and returns to the popular East London venue, The Oval Space. From only £30 ticket-holders can revel in trying a whole host of new and traditional Whisky’s from American bourbons through to Japanese, Irish, Scotch and more. This year sees a particular emphasis on Old and Rare World Whiskies, along with a programme of unique ‘blendathon’ workshops, tastings, guest appearances from distillers, whisky cocktails, street food and music all weekend, making it the whisky event on the London calendar.

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With four sessions to choose from from Friday-Sunday, there will be plenty of time to try, buy and ask any burning questions to the expert exhibitors who include, Talisker, Chivas Brothers, Jamesons and Jura to name a few. Included in the ticket price is a bottle of water, a festival guide and a Glencairn glass for you to try drams from any of the eclectic exhibitors. With the opportunity to try out some of the legends or the newer craft and small batch distilleries, The London Whisky Weekender is your grain-filled oyster. If you’re after something extra special, why not try one of the Under-the Counter drams this gives you a chance to purchase tokens to try some of the more exclusive and rare Whisky’s on offer.

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Soaking up the whisky will be a roster of tasty street food offerings and local organic suppliers, whilst a soundtrack of rock and blues will set the tone for a whisky fuelled weekend. We think it’s the hottest ticket for the Weekend, whether you’re a connoisseur or novice, trying something new or enjoying an old favourite, toast away your winter blues with a decent old dram.

For more info or to purchase tickets visit;

 The London Whisky Weekender

Special offer if you visit on Friday 1st April session 2 tickets for £40

Oval Space, 29-32 The Oval, London, E2 9DT

Top of the Pop-Ups this Easter at the Perrier-Jouët Modern Mayfair Garden

Spring has sprung and what better way to celebrate than with a glass of fizz in an idyllic garden setting. Let’s toast this Easter at La Caprice, Mayfair and be sure to enjoy your lunch before or after perusing The Royal Academy of Arts’ latest landmark exhibition. Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse, sees Claude Monet’s water lily paintings brought to the UK for the very first time. We think this is the perfect opportunity for you to immerse yourself into spring whilst enjoying some remarkable art, food and also some lovely goodies to take away.

Paul Winch-Furness / Photographer

Priced at £38 per person, this includes a glass of Perrier-Jouët Champagne, two-course lunch at Le Caprice, tickets to ‘Painting the Modern Garden’ exhibition, a Floris London gift bag with Rose Hand Cream and Jermyn Street fragrance sample.

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The Perrier-Jouët Modern Mayfair Garden is open throughout the exhibition’s run period – 30 January until 20 April 2016

We think it’s the perfect Easter treat for the adults!

For more information visit: Le Caprice

30 Days of Gratitude Day Seven #30daysofgratitude

Today I am grateful for good food. My husband and I are both foodies. Food is the only thing I really spend money on other than my son. And it is so worth it. We eat out when we can (it helps that we review restaurants) and we buy the best food we can afford. My husband is also a great cook. So I am grateful for my husbands culinary skills as well as good food in general. The below picture is dumplings from Hakkasan. One of my favourite restaurants in London. Yum.

dumplings from Hakkasan

Catch up on other days:

Day 1.
Day 2.

Day 3.

Day 4.

Day 5.

Day 6.

What are you grateful for?

 

 

Brunch out at Gaucho with their impressive Electro Brunch

Known for it’s unbeatable Argentinian fayre, Gaucho tops the list for exquisite steak and a wine list that would make Jilly Goolden weep. As if they couldn’t get any better, introducing the Gaucho Electro Brunch available 11-3pm every Saturday. We were chomping at the bit to try out this one and it really topped the list.

Eggs Benedict
With a menu worthy of a King, unlimited cocktails, Domaine Chandon and Bloody Mary’s we think this is quite possibly top of the Brunch. Steak lovers, prepare to face your ultimate fantasy, there is certainly plenty of Steak and with other menu items such as Avocado on Sourdough Bread, Pancakes with Dulce De Leche and Eggs Florentine, the menu has really been executed with every taste in mind featuring all your Brunch favourites.

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If you’re tee-total or if you just fancy a fresher option, fear not, the blend your own juice bar was a particular highlight. With a table of seasonal fruit and veg, just take your pick of whatever you like and voila, the fantastic hosts will mix you up a special custom juice in no time.

The menu has been designed for you to feast your way through every dish after all you do have a good 4 hours to enjoy everything. The Sandwich items are slightly larger if you would prefer a bigger dish, but we recommend trying out everything you can as many times as you can. We were thoroughly stuffed to the eyeballs when we had left but not gonna lie, definitely wished I had time to order at least 3 of the items again.

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The impressive feasting and the outrageously cool ambience of Gaucho are just a few reasons why everyone should pay them a visit at least once in their lifetime. But with a price tag of only £45pp Electro Brunch is a no-brainer. Eat, drink and be merry and let Gaucho’s Electro Brunch be the motivation which gets you out of bed on a Saturday.

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The Electro Brunch will take place every Saturday at Gaucho Piccadilly, Gaucho Chancery Lane and Gaucho Smithfield from 11am to 3pm with unlimited food and drinks included for a price of £45 per person.
For more information call Gaucho or visit: www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk/restaurants/piccadilly

Mumm Brut Rosé Champagne The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

Mumm Brut Rosé Champagne The Perfect Mother's Day Gift

It can be hard to buy mum the best gift for mother’s day but it is nigh on impossible to go wrong with champagne, and even more so with Mumm’s Brut Rosé Champagne. I have often said the colour of a rosé is a good indicator of how good it is and this is a gorgeous, fresh, light rose. Not too red, but not too pale either. It is luxurious, fresh, decadent and of the highest quality. I am a huge fan of rosé champagne and this one has beautiful notes of red berries. Perfect. 

Mumm Rosé offers finesse in both taste and design. A beautifully drawn rose – designed by the great Franco-Japanese artist and friend of the House, Léonard Foujita – adorns the bottle. Within, notes of red berries expand into delicate scents of caramelised vanilla. The result is a luscious champagne dominated by Pinot Noir and created by Maison Mumm, a Champagne House whose founding mantra of providing “Only the best” continues today.

 Maison Mumm, established in 1827,  is the official champagne for celebration, its iconic red sash symbol celebrates an ancient French distinction for bravery – the Legion d’Honeur. 

This is Mumm’s first ever Rosé champagne, offering an iconic rose watercolour design and dynamic freshness to charm mothers of all ages..

Available online and inshore at Waitrose.com for £29.99