The Spiegel Saloon featuring at this year’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will transport you out of the frosty city air and into a time-forgotten space of colour of warmth.
Loseley Summer Meadow Butter Christmas Pudding
So easy to make, this Loseley Christmas cake packed with rum, butter and dried fruits all mingle together to taste like Christmas. This recipe is a must-try and would transfer perfectly to individual miniture cakes as gifts.
The Rookery, Clapham Common
Overall the Rookery seems to be doing the right things in the right way to become a popular neighbourhood joint. There’s a lot of middle-class, recession immune, money in Abbeville village but the restaurants there have mostly got complacent, giving the Rookery a chance to fly in successfully.
Suda Rice Bar in Covent Garden
Being at the ambassador’s party among life size marionettes, not to mention the piles of indigo butterfly pea rice, was a warming experience for an early winter evening. This was the Thai ambassador and the party was at Suda, the ‘Siamese rice bar”, or more correctly, swanky Thai restaurant, officially opened in autumn at London’s Covent Garden.
Tasting India Christine Mansfield
We often hear that recipe books are dead and that everyone goes online to find recipes now. Well this book is a counter-argument to that, offering you something beyond mere information, but instead a tangible sensory experience too, a feast for the eyes, a tactile treat and something to curl up in a chair with. Just make sure it’s a strong chair.
Mongoose Beer, your new favourite curry house drink?
If you remember your Jungle Book, the film or the book, you’ll recall that the only creature brave enough and tough enough to take on the fearsome Cobra was the mighty Mongoose. So it’s a cheeky bit of branding for Wells & Young to call their new beer, one aimed at the curry loving market, Mongoose beer. They clearly have their sites set on the big snake of curry house lager
Top Ten Christmas Gifts under £20
Christmas gift ideas to ensure that you remain the pillar of generosity and good taste this festive season. From salt platters to gold-dusted candies, you can impress everyone this year with your innovative gift ideas and all for under £20.
Chakra opens in West London
Chakra opened in November, marking the celebration of the Hindu festival of light, Diwali. and is situated on the border of Notting Hill and Holland Park
Kikkomans Soy sauce recipes
Here are some recipes for Tamari and Chilli Glazed Lamb with Shredded Vegetable Pickle, Salmon and Cucumber Salad, and Pork with a spicy crust, served with mushrooms and onions in a sweet soy glaze and root vegetable mash.
Eating the truffles at Refettorio
Refettorio’s truffle tasting menu may sound expensive at £125 a head and of course no one can deny that sort of cost is not for everybody. But if you’re on the right side of the great UK rich/poor divide, then actually it’s not bad, as Refettorio have kept the cost the same as last year, despite truffles being more expensive owing to the poor crops.