Once upon a time the Kings Cross area was better known for wasted winos than it was for wine. It’s an indication of how things have changed to discover that vines are about to be planted here. An old piece of wasteland just behind Kings Cross could soon be producing Britain’s next breed of wine, but more importantly it is hoped it will encourage others in London to follow suit, go green and explore the possibilities of turning wasteland into fantastic food and wine producing areas.

The makers of Tanqueray® Gin have teamed up with the world’s most prestigious photo agency, Magnum photos, to offer amateur photographers the chance to win £5,000 and have their work showcased alongside Stuart Franklin, the president of Magnum and some of the world’s greatest photographers in a unique exhibition.

Come fall in love with Moti Mahal’s Golden Kiss Cocktail. On 13 and 14 February 2009, Moti Mahal, the chic Indian restaurant located in the heart of Covent Garden, will be offering the deliciously romantic cocktail. The cocktail is a floating vision of romance, as it will turn guests’ lips gold after sipping. The Golden Kiss Cocktail, priced at £9 each, is an innovative love birds special. It will combine Rémi Martin Coeur de Cognac, Chambord and rose syrup, shaken with fresh cranberry juice, lemon juice and gold flakes, and garnished with rose petals and golden passion fruit caviar pearls.

Leaf Tea Shop and Bar is a ‘punk tea shop’ newly opened in the heart of Liverpool. Set on the ground floor of the freshly refurbished uber-cool Liverpool warehouse space- Elevator, Leaf Tea Shop and Bar is like no other venue around, nestled amongst some of the nation’s most imaginative artists working spaces including The Zutons, The Rascals, Hot Club de Paris and many more.

Have you noticed the sudden changes in small appliances lately? DIY seamstresses can purchase a machine that draws and cuts out every pattern or shape they can think of. And who needs to learn calligraphy beautiful fonts can be printed out in two seconds. So why grind coffee beans or stand over hot steam to make a cappuccino? With the new Bosch improvements to the Tassimo machine, hobbiest baristas can join the second wave of computerized appliances. With a small TDISC full of flavouring and the push of a button, create a perfectly measured coffee-shop drink in the time it takes to boot up the on-line morning paper. No mess, no grounds and no waiting. Just pure pleasure, one cup at a time.

Be careful who you gift a box of Kshocolât’s hot chocolate mix this year because they may never be satisfied with their usual mug of cocoa again. Good chocolate alone is enough to send most people spinning into bliss, but when good chocolate is blended into a heavenly drink, its extra special. Kshocolat has now added “flavour bites” to the hot-chocolate-drinking experience.