Category Archives: Food

Bibendum Bordeaux Tasting

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Bibendum Bordeaux Tasting

 

London Film Museum, Covent Garden – 12 November, 6PM – 8.30PM

 

 

Bibendum, 2012’s European Wine Merchant of the Year, is hosting its Bordeaux 2010 Tasting at the London Film Museum on Monday 12 November. The annual event, which has become the biggest date in the calendar for Britain’s wine enthusiasts, offers an exclusive opportunity to taste the finest wines from the world’s most celebrated vineyards – for just £40.

 

Guests at the event, jointly staged by Bibendum and Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux, will be given the chance to sample more than 150 wines of the 2010 Bordeaux vintage, which is currently dominating the fine wine and investment markets. The event is the UK’s biggest celebration of Bordeaux and is an unmissable opportunity for anyone with an interest in wine – not just the experts – to experience a masterclass in “the king of reds”.

 

The Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux is the association that represents the majority of top Bordeaux chateaux. Participants at the Bibendum Bordeaux Tasting will include famousnames such as Leoville Barton, Pichon-Baron, Lynch-Bages, Haut-Bailly, Grand Puy Lacoste, and La Conseillante.

 

The chateaux owners and their winemakers will be available at the event to discuss the wines with guests and explain exactly what makes Bordeaux the most famous wine region in the world. Many of the wines will be available to purchase on the night.

 

Tickets cost £40 and are available from Bibendum Wine Ltd: www.bibendumfinewine.com / 0207 449 4120 / sales@bibendum-wine.co.uk.

Montezuma’s Christmas Chocolate

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Montezuma’s Christmas chocolate range just tastes like heaven. The little chocolate balls are amazing. Montezuma Orange & Geranium Christmas Chocolate Balls are as original and delicious as I have come to expect Montezuma’s chocolate to be.

Montezuma’s advent calender has organic milk and white chocolate for every day in the run up to Christmas. I was sadly lacking the willpower to keep it for that long and I have ate all mine. It is possible that you will love someone enough to give them some of this chocolate for Christmas – I have a few family members in mind-  but the willpower to hand it over may be lacking.

Full marks. Chocolate heaven.

Montezuma’s Christmas Mini me Bars

Ampersand Hotel Review

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The Ampersand Hotel is in a very convenient location, a few minutes walk away from South Kensington tube station. It is also near the Victoria & Albert Museum, Harrods, Hyde Park, The British Museum and Harvey Nichols. So if location is your thing, the Ampersand Hotel should already be at the top of your list. The hotel itself is beautiful, brilliantly designed, classy and elegant. The staff are friendly and helpful.

The room is beautiful. It has everything you could possibly need. You do expect a hotel of this caliber to have everything and it does not disappoint. It has free wifi, a hairdryer, air-conditioning, TV, a desk, cable, tea, toiletries by Miller Harris and even ice. The bed is comfortable and the curtains are good and heavy, blocking out the light and some of the London noise.

The bathroom is great, with a bath and a shower. It also has lots of handy kits for sewing or vanity. The towels are lovely and fluffy. A dressing gown and a pair of slippers also comes with the room. The only thing I can complain about is the lack of bubble bath.

The lighting is good, the soft drinks in the minibar are free. One of the things that I really liked about this hotel is that you do not feel like a customer, constantly being fleeced of your money, but instead like a guest.

There is also a Business centre, a library, a wine room, a games room and a gym.

The Apero restaurant in the hotel is good. With an emphasis on sharing. We had serrano ham mikado ,(delicious and different) ,Plaice goujons with avocado mayonaise , Grilled neck of lamb with harissa & onion salad and Gnocchi with chard & smoked scamorza and an amazing cocktail called Elixir of Love.

In the morning we had a delicious full English breakfast and read the papers. Our stay in the hotel was relaxing and luxurious. This hotel is highly recommended. One of the best hotels to stay at in London.


Frankie and Benny’s Launch New Cocktail Range | Review

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Frost popped along to Frankie and Benny’s to check out their new cocktail range and have some food. I had a delicious crab  cake followed by a calamari caesar salad. For desert I had a chocolate milkshake. The calamari was fried and delicious and the crab cake came with a good sauce. The milkshake was also very good. The food is very filling and the portions are generous. We tried the cocktails below. Find out what your cocktail says about you.

My colleague also had crab cake for a started and had spaghetti carbonara, Which they said was very good. finishing off with a Vanilla milkshakes. The atmosphere was also good.

What does your cocktail say about you?

 

We all know how stressful being a mum can be, taking care of the whole family often leaves very little ‘me time’.   Between cooking family meals, getting kids ready for school and running the house, plus often working a full time job, it’s easy to see how many mums end up frazzled!  With that in mind, Frankie & Benny’s has launched its new cocktail menu to encourage mums to take time out and sip on a delicious cocktail.  So what does your cocktail of choice say about you?

 

Mojito

Ladies who can’t resist a bit of spice will love this cool Cuban cocktail.  Made with fresh lime, mint and sugar, plus a generous splash of Bacardi rum, a mojito drinker is sure to be the first on the dance floor, ready to spice up any night.

 

Appletini

This fun and flirty drink is perfect for ladies who just want to have fun.  Packed with Eristoff vodka, pressed apple juice and gingerbread syrup, this delightful drink is sure to get the party started. 

 

Cosmopolitan

A sexy and sassy Cosmopolitan is a great choice for those who like to keep it classic.  This zingy and zesty drink comprises vodka, triple sec and cranberry juice creating a cool and crisp taste.  Cosmo ladies love a bit of city glamour and always paint the town pink.

 

Classic Sour

For ladies who like to be adventurous, this quirky cocktail is available with Jack Daniels, Amaretto or Midori and finished with fresh lemon juice, egg whites for added smooth and is topped off with sugar.  It’s the ideal choice for someone who likes to stand out from the crowd.

 

Espresso Martini

This rich and sumptuous drink is ideal for ladies looking for a classic cocktail with a twist.  Fresh espresso teamed with vodka and a coffee liqueur offers an instant caffeine hit, a brilliant blend for any modern mum who is in need of a pick-me-up!

 

 

 

Gentle Breeze

A delicious non-alcoholic cocktail for those who like to behave rather than rave!  This drink combines a delicious blend of apple juice, cranberry and citrus juices and is served over ice, offering the designated driver something delightful to sip on.

 

Bramble

For ladies with a mysterious edge, this deliciously dark cocktail is a tasty mix of Bombay Sapphire gin and black raspberry liqueur.  An added kick of fresh lemon means this drink really packs a punch.

 

The Perfect Candy Apples. | Halloween

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Who’d have thought that eating one of your five a day could taste so good. Drenched in chocolate and loaded with goodies, CakeyPigg Candy Apples are a yummy seasonal treat.

Available in five sparkly flavours, make your bonfire night go with a bang. Choose from :

1. Smartie Pants

2. Fabulous Fab

3. Choccy Dip Dream

4. Dolly Daydream

5. Pretty in Pink

Loaded Candy Apples – order now for Halloween and Guy Fawkes

£2.50 each, 3 for £5 or why not get one of each 5 for £7.50. Available to order online from www.cakeypigg.com (for collection only from CakeyPigg Originals RG7 2DL). Larger orders on request to lovelythings@cakeypigg.com – postage £5.30.

CakeyPigg Originals is a boutique bakery between Reading and Basingstoke specialising in designer cakes, edible gifts and Cakey Classes.

Our speciality is creating edible fantasies designed to impress. If you’re looking for something different and personalised talk to CakeyPigg Originals. They taste good too!

Clients include celebrities and household brand names, Winner of the ‘Ice The Cake’ Sponsors Choice Award 2011, finalist in the Hitched Breakthrough Awards 2011 for best new creative talent.

www.cakeypigg.com

www.facebook.com/CakeyPigg

Twitter @CakeyPigg

Camellia’s Tea Shop | Review

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Camellia’s Tea Shop has a lot going for it; a great location in central London, a great view and a good variety of tea. So, then, why was it one of the worst places I have ever drank in, in London? Let me start….

As I walked into Camellia’s Tea Shop the friend I was meeting was nowhere to be seen. I had a walk around so I could decide where to sit. I finally make up my mind and I am approached by someone I think is the manager, who is rude and condescending. She asks me if I am having tea, something I think is rather obvious in a tea room, I say ‘yes’ very politely. She points to the smallest and most out-of-the-way table and says that I should go sit there. I decide not to create a scene as my friend will be here soon, so I smile and I go and take this table.

I take a look at the menu and I just have a normal tea as I am not a huge fan of most herbal tea. By this time my friend has arrived and I go and order a drink for her too. I pay £3.50 for each tea. My friend likes her tea but mine, well, it really was the worst tea I have ever had in my life. Which is quite an achievement. For a brief moment I actually think the milk they gave me might be off as it tastes so disgusting. I couldn’t even finish it.

It is a shame that Camellia’s Tea Shop does not live up to its potential as it could be a great tea room. The service is awful, the staff are rude and the tea is the worst I have ever tasted. Avoid at all costs.

 

SUDA Thai Birthday Party

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I love Asian food so I was very happy to receive an invite to SUDA Thai’s first Birthday Party. This brilliant Thai restaurant is in the heart of Convent Garden. The restaurant has two floors and the decor is no expense spared. The food is brilliant as are the cocktails and champagne.

We were even given recipes to take home and shown how to cook See Krong Gae Yang Takrai – lemongrass- marinated rack of lamb with papaya salad.

Happy birthday SUDA, and thanks for the invite.

SUDA, St Martin’s Courtyard, WC2E 9AB. 020 7240 8010.

Oddities on the Southbank

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When I am super busy I love to have snacks in my bag. Especially as I am one of those people who tend to get grumpy when I don’t eat. I am covering both the Raindance Film Festivals and the London Film Festival so there is not much time to eat or even relax at the moment.

So it was quite blissful today when I took some time out today on the Southbank and recharged with some Oddities. The weather might not be brilliant but the view still makes up for it.

Oddities are cool savoury baked snacks that come in odd, fun shapes. Oddities come in Smoky Bacon and Cheese flavour. They are a great alternative to other snack things that you can have on the go. They are also much healthier than crisps and cereal bars and don’t have any artificial flavours or colours, They also come in sharing bags if you are not on the go. To find out more go here: Oddities

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