Category Archives: Travel

DINING IN ’94 WITH EL PIRATA MAYFAIR

Posted on by

Looking for a meal in Mayfair that won’t break the bank? We know, we know, it’s like asking for a unicorn at the end the rainbow. Until now. The lovely lot at El Pirata are extending their 25 birthday celebrations to the masses, offering tasty tapas at their original 1994 prices.

The Back to ’94 Menu will feature 12 tapas dishes and two wines and each dish on the menu leaves change from a £10 note. Highlights from the menu include: calamares con arroz negro – black rice and squid £5.95; gambas pil pil – prawns in olive oil, garlic & dried hot chilli peppers £4.75; and montaditos de jamon serrano – toasted bread with olive oil and fresh tomatoes topped with cured ham £3.95.

 

This place could also help with some star-spotting. Johnny Depp, Brian May and Jose Mourinho have apparently frequente this spot and First Dates Maître d’ Fred Sirieix even named the restaurant as one of his favourite restaurants in London.

 

To book a space, head to https://www.elpirata.co.uk/

Exploring Inspirational Casino Destinations

Posted on by

There’s nothing quite like going on a great vacation, getting away from our daily routine and doing something completely different, leaving our homes behind to explore new horizons. Not only is the experience believed to be good for our physical health, but it’s also said to be good for our mental wellbeing, as we focus entirely on the pursuit of leisure and leave the stresses of our occupations behind for a while.

Given that online gaming has become such a popular activity over the last decade or so, with the ability to enjoy casino games from the comfort of our own homes, that too has become the inspiration for vacations, as impressive resorts spring up in exotic locations around the world. 

Using this as the theme for a vacation packed with excitement and the opportunity to discover something new, let’s take a look at two Asian countries aiming to attract gaming tourists with their own unique cultural flavor, along with a look at the “entertainment capital of the world” that inspired them.

Las Vegas – America’s Casino Culture Capital

First-time visitors to Las Vegas are usually filled with awe and excitement – some are even overwhelmed by just how much there is to take in. Even if you’ve visited before, this location is continually in a process of change and evolution, ensuring that anyone venturing there will never repeat the same experience twice. Likewise, with so much to see and do, it’s virtually impossible to experience everything the Nevada hotspot has to offer in one trip.

One of the keystones upon which Las Vegas has constantly prided itself is offering entertainment of every flavor and variety, meaning there’s always something to suit any taste – whether that’s sampling the finest cuisine from internationally acclaimed celebrity chefs, hitting the casinos, or taking in some of the diverse range of shows. 

Musical stars of the past have always been popular here, but the city is now considered a modern music mecca for the younger generation, given that hip-hop star Drake has a residency with XS Nightclub at the Wynn Las Vegas resort. He is just one of many recent chart toppers such as Lady Gaga, Pitbull, and Gwen Stefani, with scheduled residency dates at different Las Vegas venues through 2019.

Image Source: Pixabay

Image Caption: Las Vegas: “The Entertainment Capital of the World”

Although such acts underline how Las Vegas is evolving more to cater to the rapidly increasing number of millennial visitors, some entertainment in the city almost seems like a permanent fixture. As they always have, the huge casinos still offer an abundance of gaming activity, from card games such as blackjack and poker in several variants to the dancing dice of craps or the bouncing ball in the roulette wheel and to slot machines of every theme you could possibly imagine.

Showcasing just how much the casino culture is impregnated in the very essence of this city, the latest and most innovative slot machine games are among the first things tourists will observe at McCarran International Airport when they arrive. Amongst them, you might even see slots featured around headline entertainment acts with resident shows in Las Vegas, such as uniquely comedic magical duo Penn and Teller at the Rio hotel, or the legendary Cirque du Soleil at the Mirage resort. Don’t be surprised to see slot games like these appearing soon at your favorite online casinos either, if they haven’t already.

Whether it’s visiting the fabled “Sin City” to enjoy gaming at the buzzing casinos, take in shows featuring some of the latest trending artists of music and the stage or as a base from which to explore the natural and man-made wonders in this part of Nevada, there’s certainly always something new to discover in and around Las Vegas.

South Korea – Gangnam Style

Given the ultra-modern and urban high-tech appearance of South Korea, especially the capital city of Seoul, it’s sometimes easy to forget this is a country steeped in history and tradition. Unmissable when visiting the city is taking in the magnificence of Gyeongbokgung Palace, enjoying the tranquility of Jogyesa Temple and the surrounding parks or admiring the traditional architecture strolling through Bukchon Hanok Village and delving into quaint little stores.

Image Source: Pixabay

Image Caption: The Urban Center of Gangnam in Seoul

Seoul is also renowned for its vibrant nightlife and the locals love to enjoy themselves, often visiting several destinations during a typical night out on the town. The most popular districts are Itaewon, Hongdae, and of course, the glistening urban center Gangnam. This location sparked an international craze with a “style” of its very own, which shows how much Koreans love to party and dance the night away.

If gaming is going to be part of your nighttime experience, it’s also in Gangnam where you’ll find the Seven Luck Casino, one of the largest gaming hotspots in South Korea and only open to foreign visitors. This is part of a grand overall complex in the center of town which includes the world-class InterContinental Seoul COEX hotel alongside Asia’s biggest basement shopping mall. 

Japan – Rising Sun of Change

One of the hardest parts about planning a trip to Japan is usually choosing which part of the country to visit. There are so many natural wonders to discover, cultural and historical marvels to explore, or vibrant urban centers in which to immerse yourself. Deciding where to base a vacation brings up countless and equally wonderful options. One thing you won’t find in the Land of the Rising Sun yet are the integrated casino resorts that have already started appearing with such success in other countries around Asia.

Image Source: Pixabay

Image Caption: Historic Wakayama Castle in Provincial Japan

However, they are coming to Japan thanks to recent changes in legislature which promises to bring Las Vegas style gaming to three locations around the country. As they’re the biggest urban centers, Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka are expected to be at the forefront of bidding to be potential destinations. However, and perhaps more appealing for adventurous travelers, provincial areas like Hokkaido and Wakayama are also very keen to be chosen as integrated casino resort destinations.

It will certainly be well worth staying tuned to the bidding process for where the integrated resort casinos will be based, because Japan as a country never tends to do anything by halves, having already insisted that the chosen locations will boast some of the biggest and best entertainment facilities in the world. In the meantime, tourists visiting the country and keen to experience the Nippon equivalent of slot games we enjoy in the west, might want to try visiting the bustling Pachinko parlors.

Whichever these destinations takes your fancy, there’s always something new and different to enjoy. Don’t forget to do plenty of research before you travel and most of all, have a great time when you get there!

 

Sponsored Post. 

FROST’S FAVOURITE… STREET FRIES

Posted on by

Let’s be honest, whilst we love donning the glad rags and heading for a sit down meal, there’s also something completely delicious and satisfying about rustic, hearty street grub. Enter, Poptata.

What started as a selection of street food trucks, Poptata is now making roots in four London foodie hotspots. It offers a feast of fancy fries and zingy cocktails to wash down the carbs.

The menu is split into three sections (Classic, Cheesy and Loaded) and both fries and toppings can be made vegetarian or vegan.  You can custo  mise your order too with a huge variety of dips including curry ketchup, caramelised onion & mustard and smoky BBQ. Swoon.

Looking for the fanciest on the menu? Check out these gorgeous options below:

Lucifer Fries – garlic, rosemary and thyme dusted fries, cheddar & Red Leicester, hot shot sauce (£4) Tex Pulled Pork Fries – pulled pork, sour cream, smoky BBQ, spring onions, cheddar (£7.95)
Guaca Fries – smashed avocado, grilled halloumi, red roasted pepper sauce (£7.95)
Halloumi Fries – deep fried cheese with banana ketchup/caramelised onion mayo/pink garlic mayo/sweet chilli (£6)


Parmesan Fries – fresh parmesan and pink garlic (£4)

You can find Poptata at Boxpark (both Shoreditch and Croydon), Portobello Road and Tooting Market.

ROYAL CHINA – RESTAURANT REVIEW

Posted on by

Who wants some world famous Chinese food? Us, obviously. We took a trip to Baker Street’s Royal China restaurant and experienced huge flavours from its Cantonese menu with some superb service to boot.

Renowned for its Dim Sum and Hong Kong style dishes, alongside seasonal menus, the restaurant has something for any Chinese food lover.

The Baker Street branch is considered to be the Group’s flagship (of its six restaurants in London from Queensway to Harrow on The Hill) and when you walk into the atmospheric dining hall which can hold 250 people, you immediately see why!

Head chef Pak Kuen Ng is somewhat of a celebrity in the biz. Growing up in Hong Kong, his own experiences influencer the flavours. Our favourite dishes on the day included the Honey Roast Pork Puffs, deep fried stuffed crab claw, roast duck Cantonese style and ‘Royal China’ Lotus Leaf Rice. OK, we know that’s a lot on the favourites list but trust us on this one, the flavours are on point!

If you are drawn towards the Dim Sum, you’re in luck – there’s a new menu launching this month which will be served daily from noon through to 5.30pm. A huge mix of Cheung Fung, dumplings, buns and meat pots, all ranging from £3.90 to £6.60 a dish, it’s a budget friendly way to trial the lot however the Black Gold Yolk Lava Buns are eying us up…

You won’t be going thirsty here either, with over 40 different teas to choose from and over 100 wine bins, there’s a tipple to compliment each dish.

Visit https://www.royalchinagroup.co.uk/ to book and see what’s on

 

LOST BOYS PIZZA – MIXING MODERN DAY FOOD WITH AN 80s CULTURE

Posted on by

Where can you pay homage to some of the greatest movie moments from the 80s whilst feasting on the latest foodie trends AND enjoying a full on Absinthe bar? Camden, of course!

Lost Boys Pizza recently opened its second branch in this tourist hotspot and serves up charcoal based pizzas in a down and dirty setting.

There’s so much to chat about with this place but we’re going to focus on three things – the food, the drink and the vibe…

The Food

So, charcoal pizza. Don’t get us wrong, we were a little apprehensive at first but it turns out that the taste barely differs to your standard crust (it’s just a bit smokier) but it does feel much lighter on the gut – meaning less guilt all round… hurrah! Lost Boys take a twist to their pizzas so there’s no traditional margerita or Hawaiian pizza here. What you will be treated to though, is an array of really reasonably priced dishes (avg. £8.50) with funky names (Santa Carla, Ready Pizza One and Fangs For The Memories) and even funkier tastes (in a good way).

The Drinks

One of the things that really makes this place stand out is its Absinthe packed lair. The first Absinthe bar in London town, here you can try variants of the strong stuff whilst getting a full education on its history and the best way to take the liquor. And no, it’s not straight from the bottle on a Greek street corner.

The Vibe

No matter where you look, there’s a nod to a retro movie. Black and white posters, actual costumes from top film sets (we won’t give away the surprises) and a playlist that will have you wanting to don your Doc Martins, you’ll leave wondering what this modern day madness is outside.

LUNA CINEMA PARTNERS WITH NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Posted on by

 

If you’ve not yet attended a Luna Cinema event in London, now’s the time to try! Hosting an array of springtime screenings in the iconic main hall, cinemagoers can catch their favourite film, grab a free bag of popcorn and settle under the, erm, skeletons to watch a flick.

Hitting the big screen in London are:

A Quiet Place – 9th March

The Jungle Book – 10th March

The Greatest Showman  – 10th March

Bohemian Rhapsody – 11th March

A Star Is Born – 11th March

Night At The Museum – 12th March

Jurassic Park – 12th March

Tickets are also available for Leeds Castle in Maidstone Kent

All tickets cost £27.75 per person and a bag of popcorn is included in the price. A pop up bar will serve drinks at an additional charge

For more information, visit the Luna Cinema website

Planning a Backpacking Trip through Europe

Posted on by

Backpacking through Europe is an adventure, and unlike in many parts of the world, Europe truly caters to the backpacking lifestyle. You can find hiking trails, public transit, and hostels that all support the backpacker. However, you can’t just hop on a flight to Europe and go. There are some things you’ll have to be aware of, even if you’re going somewhere you think will feel familiar. Here are a few tips for planning a backpacking trip through Europe.

Have the Right Gear

There are several benefits to having a backpack over a suitcase when traveling in Europe. You can fly there with just a backpack and maybe one personal item instead of checking luggage. You’ll be able to quickly leave the airplane, buses, and trains carrying everything. You’ll be on your way as soon as you arrive. Just make sure you have a comfortable, durable backpack that will carry everything you need while still being safe. If you’re carrying a lot of gear, it should have a built-in frame and waist belt to make it easier to carry.

For some, a daypack needs to be added to the list. This simple smaller backpack can carry personal papers, a laptop, wallet, and other essentials. If you’re going to take a daypack, then you need to have a way to comfortably carry it in your backpack or in addition to your backpack. 

Plan Your Itinerary

Having a rough itinerary before you go is essential. You need to know where you’re going if you’re going to get permission to travel there if it is necessary in your case. Some places like Sweden, for instance, have laws that allow campers to camp on private property. A general itinerary tells you what the weather will be like, while a detailed itinerary allows you to book accommodations in advance. That will save you money over last-minute check-ins. Buying train passes and bus passes in advance can save you money, as well. Research cheap flights to Europe, and don’t forget the return trip.

If you don’t want to be locked into a strict schedule, then search for airlines that let you reschedule your return trip without taking on massive fees. This is a good time to look into travel insurance as well, so you’ll be covered no matter what.

Packing Right

Whether backpacking in the wilderness or through serene countryside, weight matters. Use a lightweight sleeping bag instead of a conventional, bulky one. Carry a minimum of clothes, though the clothes need to suit the climate you’re in. Take several pairs of underwear and socks. Always carry essentials like a phone, identification papers, cash and any medications you take. An extra battery pack, flashlight, and adapters are essentials because you’re lost without them. Take a basic supply of toiletries. You can always buy more socks and toothpaste at your destination.

Put Things in Order at Home

You don’t want to take a trip abroad and return to chaos at home. Put things in order before you leave. Ensure that the rent and other bills will be paid in your absence. Inform your financial institutions that you’ll be traveling abroad, so they don’t lock down your accounts out of fear of fraud because you used your credit card in Europe. Turn off the data on your phone to avoid roaming fees and find out how you could use the phone in those countries at minimal cost.

Conclusion

Backpacking in Europe is an enriching experience. However, you need to take the right steps now to truly enjoy the trip without regretting it later.

 

Sponsored Post.

STOP EVERYTHING: A cheese wheel extravaganza is coming to London

Posted on by

 

That’s right, London locals can reap the benefits of their postcodes to indulge in a pasta, cheese wheeling night of Italian luxury.

Pasta Remoli, a firm favourite of Frost mag, recently opened its Ealing Broadway spot and is celebrating by hosting three, yes three, exclusive evenings for locals.

It’s no ordinary evening though, each night, chef and founder Simone Remoli will present guests with deliciously moreish Maccheroncini Carbonara served hot straight out of a, wait for it, GIANT PARMESAN WHEEL. Just give us a moment to compose ourselves.

For £25, guests will enjoy a welcome drink, Italian starters including Italian salumi and cheese, crispy and velvety arancini, creamy burrata cheese, mixed bruschetta, bread and focaccia before the main event… the giant Parmesan wheel packed with Maccheroncini Carbonara.

 

If that’s not enough for your Italian food – appreciating selves, dessert is also included in the price. Swoon.

 

To make a booking, email ealingbroadway@pastaremoli.co.uk