Yauatcha Restaurant Review | Celebrating 10 Years

Posted on September 7, 2014 by Paloma Kubiak

With a rainbow of macaron’s elegantly displayed in the restaurant window, Yauatcha immediately catches your eye and invites you in to sample the patisserie-come- Chinese dishes.

We were led downstairs to the basement by a lady in red, where we were pleasantly surprised by the buzz of diners, faces lit by the centre-piece of the room – the horizontal fish tank running the length of the bar.

We were greeted by numerous servers and told that as part of Yauatcha’s 10^th anniversary in Soho, we would be served secret off-menu items which would only be disclosed once the dishes came to our table.

The first dishes arrived in steaming bamboo baskets; a trilogy of dumplings and a prawn and bean curd cheung fun saddled our table too.

The wild fungus and pomegranate dumpling was squidgy and earthy and the fruit seed added a pleasant drop of sweetness to the palette.

Not being a huge fan of lychee, nonetheless, the flakes of the scallop puff oozed with freshness as the dry texture of pastry was drenched with the juices of the tropical grape-like fruit.

Unusually green, the seared spicy lamb and fig was the last dumpling to pass my lips. The meaty flavour of lamb was subtly mixed with the sweeter fig flavour, creating a unique explosion of flavours.

But the real moment of heaven was with the prawn and bean curd cheung fun drizzled in soy sauce.

A firm favourite with Yauatcha diners, it’s easy to see why. Encased in a soft pasta-like shell (the bean curd), it protectively lined the plump, slightly salty prawns and contrasted with the crispy fragments separating the different textures.

For mains, we shared the Kung pao chicken with cashew nut and stir fry rib eye beef in black bean sauce.

The beef sauce gently pricked our throats with spice as we edged closer to the bottom of the plate. The peppers were crispy and charred with a smoky flavour and the chicken was tender with hints of garlic and onion.

For dessert, my partner opted for the cheesecake with lemon, blueberry and graham cracker which was impressively stacked and burst with zesty tangs of citrus.

I plumped for the apricot chocolate, jaconde sponge, curd, chocolate cremaux and chiboust. Again it was impeccably presented and the sweet chocolate and apricot was interspersed with spoonfuls of refreshing sour sorbet.

We spent a pleasant evening at Yauatcha, part of the Hakkasan group which includes HKK in Shoreditch, and I loved the unique way dishes were served. The waiting staff are composed of commis in black uniform and serving staff in white.

The commis carry the dishes to the table and the serving staff quickly appear by their side ready to present each plate with a complete description to the diner. To me, this seemed like an eloquent game of chess; each time black edged towards the target, the white pawn would quickly follow suit.

My only niggle is the seating; after a few hours sitting on the uber-funky but backless sofa, I did feel like I needed a bit more support, but overall, a fantastic experience.

Next time we’ll be nipping in for macarons and a cocktail, turning the Chinese dining experience into a modern European affair in Soho.

15-17 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 0DL. Email reservations@yauatcha.com

Tips For Long Journeys With Children: Don’t Miss Out On Adventure

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Aidan

Taking a long journey with young children in tow is never easy. Aside from the military-type organizational procedures that have to be followed before anyone can leave the house, the actual journey itself can be stressful and leave parents tearing their hair out! The good news is that there are ways to relieve the stress and keep the journey fairly trouble-free.

Occupying the kids

One of the main issues with any long journey, whether it be by car, train or plane, is that children do get bored. Anyone with regular experience of long trips with kids will know that making arrangements to keep the children occupied is essential. When traveling with kids, it is a good idea to allow them to take along a few games or books. This will help to stave off boredom and is particularly useful when travelling by train or plane where there are usually small lap tables for them to use. It is important to make sure that they do not get out all of their toys and games all at once. They should be rationed throughout the journey so that the children do not get bored with everything in the first half hour. They can pick the toys and games themselves before leaving home, but their choice should be vetted to make sure that they are practical for the trip.

Crayons and pads allow children to color or draw their own pictures. Parents who offer prizes for the resulting creations will find that this helps to keep the children focused for a little longer but need to take care to keep this balanced – each child should win at some point in order to avoid any tantrums!

Get a little creative

Sometimes a standby like books or travel versions of games like Scrabble just will not keep the kids occupied for long enough. This is where parents need to show a little creativity. Children can be encouraged to engage with the journey by talking to their parents about what they can see as they travel – this is a good one for a car journey. Looking out for landmarks can be turned into a game.

Parents can also read up on the places they are going to be visiting and spend some of the journey time talking to the children about them. It is important not to make this sound like a history or geography lesson – it should be as fun as possible. For example, a child with an interest in dinosaurs might want to hear about the natural history museum at the destination. Travel journals are a good option for those who have older children. Children can describe what they see and add things such as postcards and photos during the stay. This can be useful when they return to school and are asked to talk about their vacation!

Any journey taken with children can be challenging but, with a little forward thinking, it can actually go smoothly. Giving the kids activities that are relevant to the destination also helps them to feel a part of the trip and not as though they are just along for the ride.

http://www.roughguides.com/article/20-tips-for-travelling-with-children/

http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/387689/jewish/TipsforEasierPlaneTravelingwithKids.htm

Taking Small Steps To Improve Your Health

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Aidan

Many of us whose waistline is on an expansion mission know there are simple solutions to rein in weight gain. In many cases, a healthy lifestyle is seen as being too much effort, but the truth is that just a few small changes to lifestyle and diet can see a massive difference to health and wellbeing and in most cases you will hardly notice a difference to daily routine.

Why is it important to stay healthy?

Eating properly and having the right amount of exercise are key to your ability to fight off illness and disease. The immune system needs the right amount of nutrients to remain strong in order to work efficiently, but it is also hampered when you are overweight and out of shape. Additional factors to consider if you want to improve your health include the damaging effects of smoking and alcohol consumption. Both of these can lead to illness and also reduce the effectiveness of your immune system.

A healthy diet

Following a healthy diet will mean that you are providing your body with all the nutrients that you need to stay in good health. With plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet it will be much easier to get the right nutrients. The recommended daily amount is around five portions a day, but some scientists are now recommending that people extend this to seven portions a day, with just two of those as fruit. However, if you are one of those people who rarely eats fresh fruit and vegetables, the first step is to include just some each day. Over time, you can build this up to the right amount.

In addition to fresh fruit and vegetables, it is a good idea to make a few swaps so that your unhealthy choices are suddenly much better for you. One example is fries. Replace these with jacket or boiled potatoes and you will cut your fat intake dramatically. White bread can be swapped for wholegrain and you can opt for brown versions of rice and pasta instead of the standard white.

For some it can be difficult to get the balance right, particularly if there are underlying health issues. Herbal and nutritional supplements can be useful here. A good multivitamin can help to redress the balance, but you can also incorporate herbal teas as an easy way to add the benefits of herbs to your diet. Jasmine Tea, for example, is considered to be very calming and perfect for those who suffer from stress and anxiety, both of which can have a negative effect on health.

Don’t forget exercise!

Finally, make sure that you get regular exercise. The jury is still out on just how much exercise a person needs but the good news is that you only have to go for a good walk a few times a week to see a difference. Exercise does not have to be hard work or boring – take up cycling with the family or even try something like ballroom dancing. You will be having so much fun you might not even notice the pounds and inches slipping away!

How To Create The Perfect All Year Round Garden

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Aidan

Having the perfect garden all year round is something that many homeowners dream of, giving them an outside space that can be admired whatever the weather. Gardens created with the varying seasons in mind can be incredibly low maintenance once the initial planting has been done, and offer households a real haven that will attract a wide range of wildlife throughout the year.

A year round garden is also ideal for those who are looking to sell their home; a low maintenance, but attractive, outdoor space can be tempting to prospective buyers, and homeowners will be assured of a great-looking garden, no matter how long their house takes to sell. The perfect garden can be a deal breaker when it comes to real estate; a badly kept outdoor space risks putting buyers off while a well-kept plot, which they can imagine themselves using and enjoying, can sell a whole house.

Planting a year round garden

The key to a year round garden is maintainability; it should make the most of plants and features that will look good in every season with very little upkeep, and it’s a great idea to bed flowers that will come back with the changing seasons without the need for constant replanting. This will give gardens a continual new lease of life and bring bursts of color no matter what the weather’s doing. Narcissi, or daffodils, can be planted in the fall and will bloom come spring. Once planted, narcissi will continue to flower each year, creating a beautiful display of white, orange, and yellow with little repeat effort. Similarly, crocuses, snowdrops, peonies, sedum, and the Siberian iris will return year after year. These blooms, known as perennials, are a dream come true for the year round garden.

Shrubs are a great addition to any garden, helping it to look lush and green whatever the season, while a well-kept lawn can also make a beautiful focal point, and will prove a huge selling point to any prospective buyers. Landscaping is another great way of ensuring a garden’s suitability all year round. Carefully planned rockeries, patio areas, water features, and themed beds can help homeowners to create their ideal gardens with very little effort, allowing them to keep to a strict, easily attainable, plan.

Maintaining a year round garden

It is essential for homeowners to keep on top of simple gardening chores such as pruning, weeding or using a weed eater to maintain the pests on the lawn (we personally use black and decker weed eater), and raking, ensuring that their gardens remain smart and attractive. Even low maintenance gardens require some effort, after all, but it really is worth it to create a space that families can enjoy day after day.

Another vital task is ensuring that garden tools are kept in good working order. This includes storing them properly and taking the time to clean them after every use, and will save money on costly repairs and replacements further down the line. Maintaining tools also means that they will be ready for use at any time – perfect for homeowners expecting prospective buyers. It is particularly essential that lawnmowers, which do the biggest job in the garden, are kept well maintained and in working order; they should be stored somewhere secure and dry, and gardeners should take care to replace parts as soon as they begin to wear.

Online retailers, such as Pat’s Small Engine, generally stock a ready supply of lawnmower parts, gardening tools, and special clothing, as well as advice for maintaining more complex equipment; it has never been simpler to keep a garden, and its tools, in fantastic shape. A year round garden needn’t, and shouldn’t, take all year to get right. However, with a little thought and general upkeep, it can be enjoyed whatever the season and will make a great selling point for any home.

Steitz Spätburgunder 2011 & Steitz Weisser Burgunder Trocken Achat 2012 Wine Review

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Frostie

Some wine just has something special about it and this is obvious straight away. I am not talking about the packaging of the Steitz Weisser Burgunder Trocken Achat 2012 and the Steitz Spätburgunder 2011 although that is also sleek and beautiful. The bottles are long and thin: very classy. No, the actual contents are special.

Let’s start with the Steitz Spätburgunder 2011. It got the Decanter Silver Award 2014. It is pricey at £22 but is it worth the price? This is otherwise known as a Pinot Noir, it is high quality and it is concentrated and has spicy notes of cherry, wild raspberry, cardamom, cinnamon and violet. It has a full and smokey flavour. It has been barrel aged for 26 months which also gives it a delicious vanilla flavour. It is a very good wine indeed. Worth the price.

Enjoy with: lamb, duck and guinea fowl.

Next up is the Steitz Weisser Burgunder Trocken Achat 2012. Otherwise known as a Pinot Blanc, full or aromas of roasted almonds, quince, pear and vanilla. This is a truly wonderful wine. Cheaper then the Steitz Spätburgunder 2011 at £15 but still as good. It won the Decanter Commended Award 2014. A well deserved win.

Enjoy with: cheese, asparagus and seafood. Serve at 10°C.

Will they make Frost Magazine’s Wine Awards? You will have to wait to find out.

One Step Closer To You Alice Peterson Book Review

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Frostie

The main thing this book has going for it is Polly, a great character who is rebuilding her life. It is fun following Polly on her journey, you really want her to succeed and are willing her on along the way. You will laugh and smile as she makes a new life from the rubble of addiction. Polly has a son and her bond with her child is evident, she also deeply loves her brother Hugh. There is also a love interest on the horizon, will it work out? This is a love story, a rebirth story and a moving exploration of addiction and becoming a better person. It is honest about addiction and the impact it has on an entire family. Beautiful, honest and thought-provoking. Definitely worth a read.

After Polly ends her relationship with the father of her young son, Louis, she is determined to move on. All she wants is to focus on her job, her friends and to be a good mum. No more looking over her shoulder. No more complications…

Then Polly meets Ben.

Ben is guardian to his niece, Emily. They become close, with Polly teaching Ben how to plait Emily’s hair and Ben playing football with Louis. Their friendship is unexpected. Polly has never been happier.

But when Louis’s dad reappears in their life, all Polly’s mistakes come back to haunt her and her resolve weakens when he swears he has changed.

Will she give herself a second chance to love?

Available on September 25 2014. Buy/Pre Order here

A Day in the Life of Tracy Baines

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Margaret Graham

My life is full of distractions, it always has been. It’s one of the hazards of working from home. These days the distractions are mostly delightful and indulgent. First of all we have a new puppy, Harry, a springer spaniel and for the time being his needs come first. At the moment he’s snoozing in his bed at my feet but mostly he’s biting at my files and books and I am constantly telling him NO. He’ll learn.

Once I’ve fed him and myself I’ll get to work on something easy like a blog post, just to get the writing flowing. If I start with emails it’s all too easy to get distracted so I leave that for later when I need a brain break.

I’m working on a book about my experience with my daughter’s eating disorder and the effect it had on the family. It was the kind of book I needed when we discovered how ill she was. It’s hard work as it brings back the awfulness of the situation so after about an hour I’m looking for something lighter to play with. I might edit a couple of chapters of my novel or work on the second Nelly’s Jellies picture book for children, or an article or short story. I write for magazines such as You, (South Africa), That’s Life Fast Fiction, (Australia) and most of the UK women’s magazines.

After lunch my daughter usually appears with my grandchildren, Elsie and Hadley. The kettle goes on and we sit and chat and generally let the grandkids call the tune. So it might be CBeebies with Mr Bloom and Show Me, Show Me, or an hour in the garden. Sometimes my son comes over with his wife and my grandson, Huxley, and then the house becomes full and noisy and before long I want to escape to the quiet of my office and get back to work.

I tend to use the afternoons for admin or going out for lunch with my husband. I can’t say long suffering husband as it’s been the other way around for years and now it’s my turn to pursue my writing career. When he goes out to the golf club I might work for an hour or two in the office, editing a short story unless I’m teaching in which case I might arrive early to class and work on something or catch up on reading and research. I try to use as many ‘bits’ of time as productively as I can to work on my writing as for years that was all that was available to me. I think that’s why short stories are perfect if you don’t have a lot of time to write. You don’t have to hold so much in your head all and yet you have the satisfaction of seeing your work in print. A quick fix if you like.

Kate Moss & Cara Delevingne Team Up For Burberry

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Frostie

Burberry has made a very smart marketing move: hiring two of the hottest supermodels for their new fragrance campaign. There may be an 18-year age gap between Cara and Kate but they are both super-cool and look great together in the campaign.

Credit: Mario Testino Instagram

The campaign is for Burberry’s first ever blockbuster fragrance: My Burberry. Photographed by Mario Testino, they both look stunning in Burberry trench coats.

Watch the video below for a behind the scenes insight into the campaign.

What do you think?