Royal China Baker Street London

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

Royal China is known for its Dim Sum. Tantalising handmade parcels of tasty delights. Royal China’s Dim Sum is prepared on a daily basis by a team of dedicated Dim Sum chefs using only best ingredients. Created with utter love and devotion, each chef is trained to the highest standard and this really shows when the food arrives at the table.

We recently enjoyed the most incredible meal at Royal China along Baker street. The menu is so beautifully presented and its really easy to pick all the dishes you want. Myself and Lottie went along one mid week lunchtime thinking it would be a little quieter…NO! This place gets packed. We headed in and where given an impressive menu with lavish offerings.

We sipped bubble virgin cocktails. Totally mind blowing with Little beads of juice bobbing around ready to be sucked up the oversized straws. Totally delightful and incredibly moorish. Strawberry, lychee and Passion fruit are the options and we just had to try every one! I couldn’t possibly tell you what one was the best as they where all delicious. Then it was time to choose from the tremendous well laid out menu…

We drank jasmine tea as we assessed the stunning menu and our surroundings.

Finally we decided what we wanted off the eye catching menu. Once we ordered it came to the table in record time. With our eyes all lit up we set about digging in to this amazing array of dishes.

Feeling like Royalty we ate dumplings with various vegetarian and fish fillings. The Scallops where totally delicious and tender. The sesame spring rolls melted in the mouth and our mains of prawn wonton noodle soup and mushroom fried noodles had us reminiscing all afternoon. Every bite was delightful.

The presentation, flavours and attentive staff make this place stand out a mile. Whats more all this gorgeous food was so reasonable.

We highly advise a visit very soon. You will need to make reservations if you don’t want to be disappointed. Make sure you go hungry as you will want to try as many dishes as possible.

The portion sizes are exceptional and you won’t leave feeling disappointed we promise you!

See if you can manage to try all the bubble cocktails too. We will defiantly be back for more of those very soon thats for sure. Just don’t try to fit all the beads in your mouth at once like Lottie! They where just too good not to finish off!

You can find their Flagship restaurant Royal China along 23-25 Baker Street London.

Lazeez Tapas– A Taste of Lebanon in the Heart of London

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Frostie

London’s newest Lebanese restaurant ‘Lazeez’ is a quirky al fresco escape, full of stylish character and heart-warming services. Deriving from the Arabic language, Lazeez basically means tasty, whilst Tapas refers to Spanish tradition of sharing small wholesome dishes. Simply put ‘tatsy sharing dishes’.

Opened summer 2014, Lazeez aims to celebrate Lebanon’s rich culture and diverse food and drink. Made up of a strong culinary team that comprises of both authentic Lebanese chefs and mixologists, with a combined experience of over 30 years in the food beverage industry. Lazeez prides itself on using nothing but the best traditional ingredients to create meals that both replicate and challenge our western favourites.

Described as the perfect hangout whatever your mood, Lazeez is set over two floors and offers a modern stylish interior with warmly coloured walls, an open plan kitchen and wide floor to ceiling windows, that open up and overlook the terrace giving you an al fresco dining experience. It has a range of seating in the bar and kitchen area, plus a lounge in the basement that’s perfect for a quieter meal or to hire out for a private party. In the warmer weather, guests are encouraged to take advantage of the terrace and enjoy their meal and drinks al fresco.

Catering for the avid healthy eater the food menu offers a selection of meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan dishes. Guests can also sample an array of fresh brewed teas and coffees, organic juices, cocktails and Lebanese wines (available for your drinking pleasure).

Lebanon is one of the oldest wine providers with a history that dates back more than five millennia and Lazeez’s head mixologist George is keen to promote the renaissance of their ancient wine culture.

Situated in the heart of Marylebone, opposite Selfridges, Lazeez Tapas is fast becoming a local favourite with its delicious low-caloried menu, friendly staff and bespoke V shisha pipes.

The wide use of olive oil, exotic herbs and low starch foods makes Lebanese tapas a delicious alternative to high street fast food options.

Lazeez is open daily from 11.30am till 12midnight.

Lazeez is located 29 Duke St, London W1U 1LH

Website: www.lazeeztapas.co.uk

Facebook: /lazeeztapas

Twitter: @lazeeztapas

Sleeping Dogs Film Review

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

London. Eve spends her days caring for her almost vegetative fiance Tommy while struggling to make ends meet. Tommy’s only hope of recovery is a radical new treatment, but it’s expensive. Running out of time, Eve turns to Tommy’s old friends for help. Little does she know that journeying into Tommy’s murky past will unravel a chain of deception that will prove the ultimate test of her devotion.

This film was shot as a collaborative project by a crew of two and a core cast of five for a production budget of £100. It went on to be nominated for a BiFA.

Floris Ramaekers co-wrote, directed, was DOP, camera operator and editor. Pretty impressive stuff. Now for the film…

Dark and heavy, the film is beautifully shot and looks far more expensive than it is. I cannot tell this is a low budget, scaled back production. The acting is great. While some of the characters are not exactly likeable, each is well-written and the actors do an excellent job. Special mention to veteran British actor Jon Campling who has been in so many great films he has probably lost count himself. He is a star who is destined for great things. Liberty Mills is also amazing in the title role.

Sleeping Dogs is an entertaining, gritty British film in the way only Brits can do. It is no surprise it has received nominations. I loved it and was incredibly impressed at what was achieved. I hope this team of cast and crew make another film as this one really is excellent.

Go and see it.

All Hell Let Loose In World War 1 By Wendy Breckon

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Margaret Graham

THE UNTOLD STORY OF WILLIAM AND TOM so that we can give thanks to all those represented by the poppies planted in commemoration at the Tower before memory fades into the frenzy of Christmas.

Patriotic fever, uncertainty and a touch of sadness are in the air. The year is 1915. Our country is at war. This is the moving story of two men, both connected to my family.

The first, my great grandfather William Ralph Wootton, was born in 1877 in Ardwick Manchester. The other, born in Bedfordshire in 1884 many miles away, Thomas Henry Seamer, my husband’s grandfather.

Two young men leaving their families, not sure of their future, but that is where the similarity ends. One returned and sadly one did not.

The father of five sons, William Ralph, Lance Corporal Wootton (2748) of the 5/7^th Lancashire Fusiliers was killed on the 9^th August 1915 in Gallipoli. He met his bloody end a few weeks after joining up in the battle of Krithie Vineyard.

My poor great grandmother paid the price as he did, for the ‘Hell Let Loose’ campaign, (a term coined by one of the battalion survivors). Now the repercussions started. My grandfather, William Richard, the oldest son, had to go out to work to support the family. As well as losing his dad, his dreams of further education as he was such a bright lad, were scuppered. He never got over this and remained resentful.

Years later, he and his brothers were working in a mill in Lancashire when Winston Churchill visited. As they blamed him for their father’s death, due to the mishandling of the Gallipoli conflict, all five of then turned their backs on him and continued working, as Churchill walked down the aisles. Each of the Wootton brothers had their pay docked for not switching off their machines. Such feelings are understandable, as sadly they had all paid the price of growing up without their father.

In my hand, there is a faded brown leather wallet, a bullet, and a selection of torn letters. Their owner was my husband’s late grandfather, Private Tom Henry Seamer of the 1/8 Middlesex Battalion who fought at Ypres in France. One of these was from his little daughter Lizzie, saying ‘she looked like a toff in her new coat’ and ‘please come home soon daddy’.

The other one was from his employer who owned a flour mill in Hertford. The rich owner of the business, wrote from Falmouth on his honeymoon, to Tom in the trenches.

‘We are having a blissful time. The weather is beautiful. You wouldn’t have thought there was a war on here Seamer because all the men are away’.

One evening whilst on active service, Tom took out his prayer book to read a psalm and noticed that… a stray bullet had penetrated the wallet which he kept in his breast pocket.

This had ripped through his letters and photographs but miraculously, because of its full contents, his life had been saved.

Private Tom Henry Seamer did return to Hertford after the war to his wife and daughter, taking up his old job with the mill, driving a cart and his horse. Life in the trenches was rarely talked about to friends and family. Always at the back of his mind, he would have realised that he was a survivor, whilst too many of his friends were not. I suspect a great loneliness was his companion as he went through life.

This article is dedicated to the memory of Lance Corporal Wootton and Private Seamer and written by Wendy Breckon, (nee Wootton) x

An Award Winning Cheesy Evening With Nigel Haworth & Colston Bassett At Northcote

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Keeley Watts

It may be a bit of a trek into the countryside from the centre of Manchester but when asked to visit a Michelin starred restaurant you don’t say no. Nigel Haworth of Northcote had teamed up with Colston Bassett dairy to create a food and wine paired menu using Colston Bassett’s awarding winning stilton and Shropshire blue.

We were greeted with tapioca crackers dusted with the Shropshire blue as well as two types of risotto balls with the stilton. The crackers were my favourite; they were light and fluffy with the lightest cheese flavour.

The starter followed with onion caramel charred hangar steak, pickled artichokes and Colston Bassett stilton. Charred cabbage gave the dish a bitterness whilst the sweetness of the pickled artichokes balanced the dish. Paired with Ramos Pinto Adriano white reserva port to bring out the caramel notes of the steak I thought this worked superbly. Some weren’t keen on the charred cabbage finding it didn’t work with the dish but I liked the way it added something different to the dish as a whole.

The main was Goosnargh cornfed guinea fowl, a Colston Bassett Shropshire blue cheese crumb, damsons, girolles and a Colston Bassett Shropshire blue cheese mash. Despite the inclusion of the cheese into many elements of this dish it was not overpowering with the meat cooked medium rare and the damsons providing a delightful tartness against the richness of the meat. Our wine expert for the evening Craig Bancroft explained that he could have easily paired this dish with a white wine but settled on the Chanson Le Bourgogne pinot noir as the raspberry, cherry and red berry notes worked too well with the guinea fowl to leave it out. He was right to and, considering I’m not really a lover of red wine, this one was beautifully smooth and highlighted the damsons really nicely.

I wasn’t sure how Nigel would incorporate cheese into the dessert but the figs in port with stilton ice cream was incredible and easily my favourite dish of the night. The port had been reduced to a treacle toffee like consistency and when paired with the Ramos Pinto had a wonderfully fruity taste on the palate with enhanced the flavour of the figs.

Colston Bassett have won numerous awards for their cheeses with their stilton being a rich cream colour with blue veining throughout. A smooth and creamy cheese there is no acidic taste whatsoever, just a beautiful mellow taste that melts in the mouth. The Shropshire blue is a similar story with the blue veins spread throughout. This cheese has a creamy taste and is milder than the stilton with a delicate sweetness which I love.

Thanks to Northcote and Colston Bassett for putting the menu together and special thanks to Starlings Photography for the amazing photographs featured above.

You would think this exquisite meal was enough but no, petit fours followed with Turkish delight that melted in the mouth and mini eccles cakes that had a crispy pastry case finished off the event along with some Colston Bassett cheese to enjoy in their natural form.

Struggling To Get Pregnant? Losing Weight Will Help

Posted on November 22, 2014 by Frostie

One of the many reasons that women, and occasionally men, come to see me for weight loss advice is because they want to start a family, but are struggling. Did you know that obesity is a major cause of difficulty getting pregnant – and can increase the risk of miscarriage or problems during pregnancy and childbirth? In fact, there is a significantly greater risk of diabetes during pregnancy if you are overweight – and this can affect the future health of your child as well as you.

Research evidence shows that being overweight can contribute to period problems, hormonal imbalances, lack of ovulation, resistance to fertility treatment and therefore fertility problems particularly in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

There is a higher risk of miscarriage, higher risk of abnormalities of the baby as well as still birth in women who are overweight. The pregnant overweight mother is also at higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and difficult or complicated delivery of the baby by Caesarean or forceps.

Some women end up seeking help with IVF (in-vitro fertilization) or other forms of fertility treatment, but this isn’t usually funded unless women are below a BMI of 30 or under the age of 40 – which is why I get women coming to me for weight-loss surgery. They are desperate, the clock is ticking, and they can’t seem to lose weight on their own. It’s sad to see, and the stress of it all doesn’t help fertility in the slightest!

Interestingly it’s not all about the woman’s weight. In men, being obese can cause the following problems: reduced semen volume, a reduced sperm count and increased sperm DNA damage. Losing weight will improve these parameters.

So, if you are thinking of starting a family, it is a great incentive for both you and your partner to lose weight. But you have to make sure you do it in a way that is good for you. Fad dieting which will starve your body of essential nutrients which, for women, is just at the time when you and your unborn child need them most. In fact, some studies suggest that a mother’s diet, even BEFORE she actually gets pregnant, can affect the health of her child. So instead of crash dieting, treat your body with the care and respect it deserves – after all, you’ll be relying on your body to create a healthy new life within it. Fill it with the most nutritious food you can find, keep active to ensure you are as fit as you can be – and not only will you be rewarded with a slimmer healthier body but you will find it easier to get pregnant too.

By Dr Sally Norton – UK leading NHS weight loss surgeon & consultant

Shove a Stache in it: Very Cool Dummy | Parenting

Posted on November 22, 2014 by Frostie

You need all of the amusement you can get when a child won’t stop crying so we loved this moustache dummy.

The Chill Baby Moustache Dummy. Made from non-toxic silicone this is the perfect present for pregnant friends, babies and tough toddler.

Get your baby equipped with a hip and hilarious dummy for an awesome price of £7.95 from www.prezzybox.com.

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe

Posted on November 22, 2014 by Margaret Graham

Iain Rennie Hospice at Home service, provided by Rennie Grove Hospice Care, offers essential palliative and end-of-life care based around patients and their families, both day and night.

I know several people whose relatives have been nursed by these exemplary nurses and carers, nursed at home which is the wonderful concept of this charity.

One of their main fundraising arms is the charity shop. The Iain Rennie Hospice shop in Downley High Wycombe is just one of many. Downley is a village with a fantastic sense of community and a great deal going on, and is perched on the top of a hill to the west of High Wycombe, with a five minute walk to the Chiltern woods one side, and a twenty minute walk into town on the other.

Mandy Dowling runs the shop with the help of invaluable volunteers and Mandy’s award winning window dressing is a lesson to us all.

Inside is an Aladdin’s cave of Charity Chic, all donated, so that Mandy is never sure what will be brought in, which is part of the fun of working in a charity shop.

I found amongst many other ‘buys’ a pair of shoes, New Look. £5.00. Just the thing for clubbing. Slightly out of my age range, but only slightly, I say, hopefully.

More appropriate perhaps is the Laura Ashley Jacket for £5.00.

I found two beautiful slender white vases for £2.00 each and photographed them beside a neat black bowl with white dots. Sophisticated with clean lines. Mandy and I put them on top of a glass fronted cabinet that had been sold to someone who is going to upcyle it, in a distressed style. It was only £20 and I can’t believe I missed it.

Candle holders are my ‘thing’. These are often brought into the shop but these I left for someone else. I have no more room, and Dick would leave home if they came through the door. These are new, and priced at £4.00 each.

Christmas is coming and the shop is festive, with most of the decorations and Christmas bric a brac for sale. I found these little ‘friends’.

Smiley Face is £1.00, the glamour-puss bear is £2.00 and the book, The First Snow of Winter by Graham Ralph is a snip at 50p. (lovely book. I read it while I was standing there)

Over the last few weeks, Mandy and her staff have been snaffling up cafetieres for the Words for the Wounded LitFest Day on 18^th April. Look at my haul thus far. Priced at £3.00 each.

And yes, there are those magical moments you hear about on Antiques Roadshow. Mandy tells me of a dusty old painting that came into the shop and which could have slipped through their hands. But a bit of a rub (much like the gennii’s lamp) and a name appeared – Victoria Crowe who Mandy googled. It sold on ebay for £500.

To make a donation to Rennie Grove Hospice Care: www.renniegrove.org/donate or to volunteer www.renniegrove.org/volunteer

For further information: www.renniegrove.org/standards

There are so many more Aladdin’s Caves out there, doing good whichever way you look. The customers get a fabulous deal, and hours of fun browsing, and the charity gain much needed money. Contact us with tales of your favourite charity shops/stalls and the buys that have brought you pleasure. Contact margaret@margaret-graham.com

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