Our Top Pick is Perfect For Easter: Delicario Sweet Easter Hamper

best easter hamperThere was much excitement when the Delicario Sweet Easter Hamper arrived at our home. ‘What is that?’ the children endlessly enquired. The husband asked when we would break into it. Well, it was not that long after it arrived, no one has that amount of willpower.

The hamper includes hand-crafted mini eggs (which are the best I have ever tasted) and a Madagascar dark chocolate egg for connoisseurs from Italian artisan chocolatier Autore (which is out of this world). Delicious melt-in-the-mouth sourdough Pear and Chocolate Bauletto cake (one of the best cakes I have ever tasted, just glorious), fragrant lemon biscuit and crunchy rich dark chocolate and hazelnut Goloso biscuits (both gone quickly). It sells for £79.50 and is worth every penny.

I love Easter and this hamper gives instant joy. I cannot recommend it enough.

There is a greeting card and personal message included. The hamper itself and the greetings card are elegant and beautiful.

easter cake

It is available here: https://www.delicario.com/hampers-gifts/p/delicario-sweet-easter-hamper Treat yourself, or someone else, now.

The Best Non-Fiction Books For Christmas

theilluminatiThe Illuminati by Robert Howells

An interesting and well-researched book. Worth a read.

The Illuminati: The Counter Culture Revolution-From Secret Societies to Wilkileaks and Anonymous

howtodevelopabrilliantmemorytoolkit

How To Develop a Brilliant Memory Toolkit By Dominic O’Brien

This excellent toolkit has a book, a poster and cards.  Dominic O’Brien is an eight-time world memory champion and knows what he is talking about.

From amazon.co.uk and waterstones.com

greatbritainincolourbook

Great Britain in Colour: Images that define Great Britain by Paul Farrell

A bright, beautiful and unique book. Truly wonderful.

Great Britain in Colour is available here.

howtohygge

How To Hygge. The Secrets of Nordic Living By Signe Johansen

Hygge has been huge in 2016. No wonder as it has been a tough year. This great book is all about Nordic living. From recipes to outdoor activities. Hygge roughly translates to ‘cosiness’ and Signe Johansen shares the secrets of Nordic living and shows you how to adapt it to your life. The Nordic countries are constantly rated as the best for quality of life, this book helps to add to yours.

How to Hygge: The Secrets of Nordic Living is available here.

theartistswayjuliacameron

The Artist’s Way By Julia Cameron

A classic book for writers and artists. Essential reading and worth the hype.

The Artist’s Way is available here.

kenclarkekindogblue

Kind of Blue. A Political Memoir by Ken Clarke

A great insight into politics and government.

Kind of Blue: A Political Memoir is available here.

insidehteclintonwhitehouse

Inside The Clinton White House. An Oral History by Russell L. Riley

A riveting and exciting book. It gives a wonderful snapshot into history.

Inside the Clinton White House: An Oral Histories available here.

 

Our editor has three great non-fiction books:

howtobeasuccessfulactor

For actors and aspiring actors

How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur

Has had great reviews on both sides of the pond. It has all of the information that any actor needs to make the best career possible.

How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur is available here.

theultimateguidetobecomingasuccessfulblogger78654

For bloggers

The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger

Has everything you could possibly want to know about blogging, and being successful at it.

The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger is available here.

weddingbook

For those planning a wedding.

The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity

Gives couples all of the knowledge they need to plan a wedding while removing the stress. An essential book.

The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity is available here.

leanin15

Lean in 15 by Joe Wicks The Body Coach

#leanin15 has become huge and rightly so. Joe Wicks helps people get into the best shape of their lives without depriving themselves, All while exercising less. What’s not to like? Great book.

Lean in 15: 15 Minute Meals and Workouts to Keep You Lean and Healthy is available here.

sadanimalfacts

Sad Animal Facts by Brooke Barker

We really loved this book. It is just so original and funny and perfect. It has brilliant illustrations, sad animal facts, and the animals reaction to the fact. One of the best books ever. Endless fun.

Sad Animal Facts is available here.

tonyrobinsonnocunningplan

No Cunning Plan: My Story by Tony Robinson

A wonderful and engaging autobiography from one of Britain’s best, and most prolific, actors. A must read for fans, but also actors and Blackadder fans.

No Cunning Plan: My Story is available here.

The Best of Tech | Christmas Gift Guide

For those who you truly love giving the gift of great sound, music or even just a retro Mad Men style telephone is going to make you truly popular indeed. We have been blasting music and making calls galore. Our neighbours probably hate us, or they were dancing away as much as we were. Time will tell. Either way: here is out best of tech.

thebestoftech

Stellé Audio Pillar

£249 / Available from Apple stores and selfridges.com

stellespeakerandcase stelleaudiopillar

The Stellé Audio Pillar was a lot of fun to test. It was very easy to use, had amazing sound and could even be used wirelessly. You can even take calls on it. We have fallen completely in love with it. Just AMAZING. The Stellé Audio Pillar is for those who refuse to compromise style, boasting high-quality sound and fashion a  subwoofer connecting to any Bluetooth enabled device in a 50ft range. With a built-in microphone, users can enjoy handsfree calls and 15 hours of continuous play. The Pillar is currently available in four colours; Hi Gloss White, Brushed Aluminium, Matte Black and Pewter.

Stelle Audio Brushed Aluminium Audio Pillar Bluetooth Speakers

 

Stellé Audio Couture Pillar Carriers in Leather and Suede

£99 / Available from Stelleaudio.com

Stellé Audio Couture DwellStudio Pillar

Great for carrying around this amazing speaker. Effortlessly stylish. Available in four styles, black and white python, black and midnight blue cross hatch and Pantone’s new Colour of the Year, radiant orchid, these bags have been designed to securely transport the elegant Audio Pillar.

Libratone Loop 

£399 / Johnlewis.com and on Apple Online

speakerreview libratoneloop

The sound on this unique and beautiful speaker is amazing. It is also wireless and has a lot of connectivity options. Some of us found it hard initially to connect it wirelessly and some of us also had technology that was too advanced. It is still brilliant, has amazing sound and is perfect for people who are not as inept technically as some of us are.

Create the perfect Christmas soundtrack with the Libratone Loop. It’s not only a powerful sound source, equipped with Libratone’s signature FullRoom™ technology and numerous connectivity options including DLNA, PlayDirect™ and Apple’s Airplay, it also really stands out, whether mounted on the wall or free standing thanks to its svelte cylindrical design. The Loop comes in three colours – pepper black, salt grey and raspberry red.

 

View Quest ColourGen Retro Radio

59.99 / Available from viewquest.co.uk

viewquestretro viewquest

We love this radio. Retro is very much in at the moment. That doesn’t mean there is any compromise on sound or quality however. It has the best of both worlds. The much-loved Retro radio is now available in a smaller and more compact form. Offering both DAB and Bluetooth functionality this radio is sure to put a smile on the face of any loved one. 

 

View Quest Emma Bridgewater Black Toast radio 

Available from Apple for 129 

emmebridgewater

There is also this unique one from Emma Bridgewater: With an in-vogue vintage look, the Emma Bridgewater Black Toast Retro radio features all the latest technology and functionality for unbeaten audio quality.

pureevoke evokepureradio

Pure Evoke D2 Digital Radio

Also retro and very cute. Is small and portable along with great sound. Has Bluetooth which enables wireless music streaming both inside and outside the home. Is ideal for small spaces. Equipped with kitchen timers and alarm function. Additional features include an aux input for iPod/iPhone and the option to purchase a chargePAK for portability.

Pure Evoke D2 Portable DAB/FM Radio is available here.

leitzspeaker letizportablebluetoothspeaker

 Leitz Complete Professional Bluetooth Stereo Speaker £134.91 Via Amazon.co.uk

This stereo speaker is absolutely gorgeous. Just slick and glamorous. It allows you to listen to music anytime, anywhere via wireless Bluetooth technology. The sound is crystal clear and the adjustable base and treble give perfect sound From Amazon.

retrotelephone

GPO Classic Rotary Telephone

We are completely obsessed with this phone. The fact we have been watching Mad Men has not helped. It is just so freakin’ cool. This is a wonderful blend of modern tech and retro inspired design that runs through the GPO brand. Sometimes when you can have just about anything, stylish and retro is best. It even has the proper traditional rotary dial up. Each of the products is stocked in GPO’s online store but also NotontheHighStreet.com, Tesco.com, Amazon.co.uk and Very.co.uk so plenty of choice.

GPO 746 Rotary in red is available here.

 

What is your favourite?

 

 

The Best Christmas Stocking Fillers

Christmas is coming in fast, October is nearly over and we are already hearing jingles when we are out. It may be a time of festivities but it is also stressful and shopping can be a nightmare. So we are bringing you Christmas Gift Lists. Lots and lots of Christmas Gift Lists, bringing you great ideas and suggestions for your nearest and dearest. First up: stocking fillers. We hope you enjoy and feel free to add any comments below.

christmasstockingfillers

rington2015diary

Ringtons’ 2015 Diary set £4.99 available now

This fantastic 2015 Diary Set will make organising the coming year as simple as making a cup of tea.  Offering fantastic value for money the set includes both a desktop and a slimline diary.  Exploring Ringtons’ history and including recipes, stories, Ringtons facts and customer poems, this diary set makes a lovely keepsakee or gift. We thought this looked great and was very handy. The little one will fit in your handbag, the bigger one is great for more detail.

frontdoortoffeetin

Front Door Toffee Tin  £4.99

This gorgeous red front door with festive Christmas wreath lid lifts off to reveal a selection of traditionally made flavoured Devon toffees. With six different flavours to choose from – including vanilla, strawberry, rum and butter, liquorice and treacle clotted crèmes, as well as chocolate éclair – this is a must-have for toffee fans. We loved this. It looks great, couldn’t be more festive if it tried and the toffees are good too.

 

The Bay Tree Christmas Selection

One of the UK’s leading producers of fine preserves, The Bay Tree is celebrating 20 years in business and has launched a collection of Christmas products. They have wonderful jams, chutneys and biscuits. They look great and they taste great. We would like a stocking full of their stuff this Christmas please.

baytree

Christmas Mini Jar Selection

All delicious: This trio of festive favourites has all bases covered. The three mini jars may be small in size but each is bursting with flavour. The Christmas Pickle is a delightful mix of cranberry, apple and currants – far better with hot turkey than simply cranberry sauce. To add a dash of sweetness and spice to the cold meat platter is the Boxing Day Chutney – an aromatic blend of apricots and coriander seeds. You’ll wonder how you ever survived Boxing Day without it! To keep the over-indulgence running right through till breakfast The Bay Tree’s Christmas Marmalade is a decadent recipe made using wild Moroccan oranges and a luxurious mix of spices.

3 x 100g RRP £8.30

 

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Mulled Wine Spices in a Tin

We love mulled wine at Frost. So much that we have been known to have it all-year round. This gorgeous tin has five Bundles for mulling your festive Wine or Cider in a pretty oval tin. £3.60.

brandybutterthebaytree

Brandy Butter

Yum. We love this. Just wonderful. Rich, buttery and boozy serve with Mince Pies and Christmas Pud £3.00.

 

leitznotebook
We are a sucker for a good notebook and they are always the perfect thing to buy someone-who-has-everything. These Style Notebook range are from one of the leaders in office products and accessories, Leitz. Ideal for the jet setter that likes as much style in her work life as her wardrobe, Leitz Style Notebooks are the perfect gifts. The elegant Notebooks are available Via Amazon.co.uk and are available in five slick colours: arctic white, garnet red, celadon green, titan blue and Satin black. The Style Notebooks are available in A5 or A6 and have an attractive soft brush look, perfect for everyday note taking and comes with special features such as a built in back pocket and two sticky note piles to ensure optimum organisation. With the choice of a hard and soft back, the Style notebooks are as practical as they are chic.

Buy a Leitz Notebook here.

avlakigiftboxoliveoil

Avlaki Olive Oil 250ml Presentation Gift Box

We are a huge fan of Avlaki olive oil and were delighted when they sent a beautiful gift box for us to review. Their olive oil is first-class, truly brilliant stuff: Avlaki have created a festive gift pack featuring two of their extra special finishing oils – one of which won a gold one star in Great Taste 2014 and 2013. It is the ultimate gift for lovers of fine foods and those who enjoy exploring new tastes and flavours. It is also the perfect treat for those who would like to add a touch of gourmet glamour to their festive feasts.

Avlaki’s finishing oils are completely different. They are made from olives grown at varying altitudes on Lesvos Island in Greece, under the watchful eye of producers Deborah MacMillan, an artist, and broadcaster Natalie Wheen. They are handpicked in December, milled and bottled as soon as possible to capture the explosion of flavours from the olives in the bottle – and all to the highest British quality standards.

cordellomug

Cordello Home have a great range of everyday homeward products featuring their iconic heart symbol.  The launch collection is designed to bring vibrancy and fun into your home – a true reflection of what the festive season is all about. These cute mugs are £12 each. They are good quality and look beautiful. They also have cushions and plates with the same designs.

festive-jars-christmas-puddingcoffee festive-jars-mulled-spicecoffee

Beanies have brought out Christmas flavoured coffee. Yup, Christmas Pudding flavour and Mulled Spice flavoured coffee. All coffees are syrup free, sugar free and only 2 cals per cup. Great for stocking fillers.

pebblegreyLEDcosmeticmirror

pebble grey

Pebble Grey specialise in LED bathroom mirrors and cabinets.  They have a recently launched range of LED vanity mirrors and we love them. This hand held mirror makes you feel like a Hollywood star whilst checking out your appearance in a very good mirror. Presentation is beautiful: it comes in a box and a velvet drawstring bag. Beautiful and functional. Available for £19.99 at www.pebblegrey.co.uk

franksredhotsauce

American hot sauce Frank’s RedHot is the ideal last-minute present for students, food fanatics or the man in your life. Perfect for fans of spice. Slip this into their Christmas stocking, they will love it.

  • Choose from the classic Original recipe, authentic Buffalo Wings, tangy Chili N’ Lime and daring Xtra Hot
  • £1.49 from Amazon.co.uk, ASDA.com, Sainsburys.com, Tesco.com, WholeFoods.com, Waitrose.com and Ocado.com

 

If you’re struggling for inspiration this Christmas, fill your stockings up with Frank’s. Hot, flavoursome and authentic, it’s the must-have sizzling stocking filler that’s perfect for men and foodies. Watch and enjoy as your loved one cracks open their present to reveal one $#It hot saucy gift this Christmas.

Frank’s is the American classic beloved by foodies everywhere for its versatility and zest. Add a fiery twist to a Christmas classic and

put a drop or two on your Boxing Day sausage rolls. Or if you’re ‘Christmased’ out by the 26th, take some leftover turkey and a splash of Frank’s Original to make some mouth-watering fajitas. We have recipe for you below. Yum, sounds delicious.

 

BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP

2 lbs softened cream cheese

2 cups blue cheese dressing

2 cups Frank’s RedHot® Sauce

1 cup crumbled blue cheese

8 cups shredded cooked chicken

2 cups finely diced celery

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese

Julienne vegetables, chips, crackers, etc. as needed

 

1. Whisk together cream cheese, dressing, Frank’s and crumbled blue cheese. Fold in chicken and celery, mix well. Portion 1 cup of mixture into shallow oven or microwave proof ramekins. Top each with 2 tbsp. cheese. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

2. For service reheat dip until golden and bubbly and surround with dips

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My Little Day has a great range of decorations for children’s parties that are also stylish and festive enough for Christmas. Their napkins, straws and glittery decorations are all beautiful and first class. Highly recommended for adding a bit of class to Christmas.

Popcorn Kitchen

popcornkitchen

Popcorn Kitchen refer to their popcorn on their website in caps locks as “THE BEST POPCORN YOU WILL EVER TASTE, HANDMADE USING TRADITIONAL METHODS”. We like confidence here at Frost and we also love popcorn so we thought we might be on to a winner. Turns out we were right. The popcorn is hand-popped in a giant kettle and then they hand-sift it to remove unpopped kernels and then taste every batch to make sure it’s perfect. It works and is tasty, moreish stuff. Perfect for watching endless Christmas TV with.

 

 

 

 

What would you add? 

 

The Best Sex & The City Quotes

It has been 10 years since Sex & The City was on our screens and to celebrate we have brought you some of the best quotes from Carrie & Co. Enjoy.

sex and the city quotes

Samantha on oral sex: “Easy?! You men have no idea what we’re dealing with. Teeth placement and jaw stress and suction and gag reflex. And all the while bobbing up and down, moaning and trying to breathe through our noses. Easy? Honey, they don’t call it a job for nothing.”
Stanford: “Puberty is a phase… fifteen years of rejection is a lifestyle.”

 

Carrie: “Saturday night’s dinner came and went with no call from Big. My life was suddenly shit.”

 

Samantha: “Men cheat for the same reason that dogs lick their balls… because they can.”

Samantha: “Did you see that bulge…?”

Miranda: “Um. He was wearing a cup.”

Samantha: “Well honey, his cup runneth over.”

 

 Miranda: “I said no white, no ivory, no nothing that says ‘virgin’. I have a child. The jig is up.”

 

Anthony: “Ugly sex is hot. Some of the best sex I’ve had is with people I can’t stand.”

 

Miranda: “What’s the big mystery? It’s my clitoris, not the sphinx.”

Carrie: “I think you just found the title of your autobiography.”

 

Miranda (leaving a message on Carrie’s answering machine): “Your good friend Miranda has just taken a piece of cake out of the garbage and eaten it. You will probably need this information when you check me into the Betty Crocker Clinic.”

Charlotte: “I read it in a magazine.”

Miranda: “What magazine? Convenient Theories For You Monthly?”

 

Carrie: “I like my money right where I can see it… Hanging in my closet.”

 

Carrie: “I’m 35. 35 is not 25.”

Miranda: “Thank God!”

Carrie: “I’m 35!”

Samantha: “Oh, shut the fuck up. I’m 140.”

 

Miranda reacting to Steve proposing after she finds out she is pregnant:

Miranda: “What are you? Fucking crazy?”

Steve: “That’s your answer!?”

 

Samantha: “Yes. I need glasses and I’m not ashamed. I have a sexy young man who loves to fuck me and I’m fabulous.”

Miranda: “Have you considered putting that on a t-shirt?”

 

Charlotte: “My vagina’s depressed.”

Miranda: (to waitess who asks if she wants anything) “Oh, I’m fine but why don’t we ask Charlotte’s hoo-ha if it’d like a side of fries?”

 

Berger: “I’m sorry. I can’t. Don’t hate me.” On the post-it note he broke up with Carrie with.

 

Miranda: “I can’t go. I’m just not ready to be separated from the baby.”

Carrie: “What???”

Miranda: “I’m kidding! Steve took him two hours ago. I’m free, I’m free!”

Carrie: “I’ve spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live?! I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes.”

 

Samantha: “He tried to hold my hand.”

Carrie: “You mean to tell me that Smith is a hand-holder? And to think he once served us food.”

 

 

On always having an orgasm when she has sex: Samantha: “When I RSVP to a party, I make it my business to come.”

 

Carrie: “People go to casinos for the same reason they go on blind dates – hoping to hit the jackpot. But mostly, you just wind up broke or alone in a bar.”

 

Carrie: “And if you would shut your trap, I could tell you that I love, love, loved it! I loved it… Except for one huge problem. You have your leading lady running all over town wearing a scrunchie. A SCRUNCHIE!”

 

Carrie: “Miranda was a huge fan of the Yankees. I was a huge fan of being anywhere you could smoke and drink at two in the afternoon without judgment.”

 

Samantha: “I’m a try-sexual. I’ll try anything once.”

 

Courtney (showing Carrie her book cover): “Let me talk you through it. Blurred background, aah, fast paced city. And you, naked with nothing but your ideas.”

Carrie: “I get it. But, see, no matter how fast paced the city, I always manage to get my clothes on before I leave the apartment.”

 

Miranda: “Whatever happened to aging gracefully?”

Carrie: “It got old.”

 

Miranda: “I once was broken up with by a guy’s doorman: ‘I’m sorry Ms. Hobbes, Jonathan won’t be coming down. Ever.'”

 

Samantha: “It’s my week between waxes. I have three errant hairs and this asshole thinks I’m George Of The Jungle.

Carrie: “Well that’s horrifying.”

Samantha: “And you should see the bush on him. I need a weed-whacker just to find his dick.”

 

Samantha: “Ladies! Seamen, twelve o’clock!”

Miranda: “I pray when I turn around there are sailors, because with her, you never know.”

 

Samantha: “I’m back with Richard.”

Charlotte: “Richard whose death we’ve been plotting?”

 

Samantha: “I think I have monogamy. I caught it from you people.”

Carrie: “Now it’s airborne.”

Carrie: “I used to think those people who sat alone at Starbucks writing on their laptops were pretentious posers. Now I know: They are people who have recently moved in with someone.”

 

Entertainment on the Move: The Best Movie and TV Streaming Apps

 If you’re slightly lazy like us, the chances are that you consider the biggest benefit of smartphones to be not the Sat-Nav, the e-books and the ability to work from home but simply the fact that it’s now possible to stream South Park whilst sat in the bath.  In a tribute to that level of sloth, we’re going to take a look at what we think are the very best TV and Movie streaming apps currently available on the Android market. These should work on everything from a Windows-based system to a tablet PC by Lenovo.

Netflix

tv and moviesOh, god bless it.  At less than a tenner a month, Netflix offers the ability to stream an unholy (and unlimited) amount of different content right to your phone or tablet (as well as to your Xbox or Laptop).  There are literally hundreds of shows and movies available to watch immediately.  What is available will depend on whereabouts you are – Netflix is region specific, so the UK area has access to a number of classic British comedies, with the US having exclusive rights to some of their own standout shows.  The only thing worth noting is that Netflix doesn’t always update straight away – other streaming devices might get the latest shows more quickly.

Flixter

Originally, Flixter wasn’t actually a streaming app – it was purely based around information, operating in much the same way as IMDB does.  However, it now also streams movies purchased through Ultraviolet.  Ultraviolet itself is actually a bit fiddly to sign up for (it’s certainly more time-consuming than singing up for Netflix, say), but once that’s sorted it’s a very enjoyable app.  It’s worth observing here, though, that there are some devices that it won’t work on – it’s a good idea to double check before handing over any cash, possibly using the free movie that they give you when you sign up.

HBO GO

This app’s popularity will be primarily based around two things.  First, whether or not you’re in the good ol’ US of A.  Secondly, whether you actually like HBO!  This app – as you might have guessed – is based solely around the US channel and can only be used by those that have a cable service that already has HBO included.  Those complexities aside, for those that do like HBO (and given that the channel has produced Game of Thrones, the Wire, Boardwalk Empire and the Sopranos amongst others, everyone really should like it) the app is a must-have.

Sky GO

Just as HBO is for the Americans out there, so Sky Go is for the British.  Unlike HBO Go, though, Sky’s app can actually be paid for with a separate subscription, meaning that you can sign up for it on a per month basis and end the contract whenever you like.  As well as showing a large amount of comedies and dramas (not to mention the standard channels) Sky Go offers two main things: sport and movies.  Both genres have four different channels each, all of them filled to the brim with everything from cricket to baseball and from everything from Harry Potter to the Human Centipede (not that anyone would want to watch that). For sports and movie fans, the Brits need look no further.

 

How to get the most out of that special meal, the best restaurant tips from toptable

Eating out is always a treat, whether it be for a celebration such as a birthday or anniversary, a hot date or even just a catch-up with an old friend or family member. Special meals can be made even more memorable if you bag a hard to get reservation at an exclusive restaurant, secure the best table or even get more for your money by receiving money off your meal.

 

Lucy Taylor, head of restaurant relations at toptable, the leading consumer destination site for restaurant reservations in the UK, shares her top tips on how to ensure that you make the most of your dining experience:

 

Eat at a less popular time to bag a table: If you have always wanted to eat at that exclusive restaurant but have never been able to get a reservation why not to make a booking at a time that is less in demand such as dinner before 6pm, brunch or lunch.

 

The time of day and week that you go out can also have an impact on how much you spend with some restaurants offering mid-week or ‘early-bird’ special offers. Look out for toptable’s special 1,000 point booking slots at top restaurants that allows users to earn bonus points for booking at selected restaurants and times. Book two 1,000 point tables and receive a £10 dining cheque, which can be used at most restaurants on toptable

 

Don’t be afraid to make a special request: If you want to impress during your meal and make it a memorable experience, don’t be afraid to put in a special request upon booking. Are you celebrating? Tell the restaurant. Do you want that table by the window? Well why not go ahead and ask. It is however, important to arrive on time and be polite and well-mannered at all times as first impressions do count.

 

Special Offers: Look out for special offers and money off vouchers, these allow your money to stretch further when eating out. The toptable mobile site and app available for iPhone, iPad and Android, allows you to see a list of all restaurants that have special offers available within close vicinity of your current location.

 

Try something you wouldn’t try at home: When dining out, try dishes that you wouldn’t be able to make yourself at home. Instead of a pasta dish why try delicacies such as sashimi or monkfish and try deserts such as chocolate fondant or crème brulee to ensure a truly memorable experience.

 

Always read the reviews: If you are venturing somewhere a bit more lavish for that special meal, always ensure that you read up on the restaurant first to ensure that you are happy with your choice, that it works for your budget and that you like the menu it offers.

 

Diner reviews can often be deciding where to eat. toptable.co.uk features reviews that are written by people that have actually visited and eaten at the restaurants. These reviews can be filtered by categories such as ‘good for kids’ ‘good for romance’, ‘good for special occasions’ and help to ensure that you pick the right restaurant to suit what you are looking for.