I remember when Callooh Callay first opened, back then I was living in Dalston before it was cool and Callooh Callay was one of the early ones to hit close to Kingsland Rd. I loved it but moved not long afterwards and so haven’t really been back in a few years. That is until I received an invitation in my inbox to come and...
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We’ve had a heatwave (sort of ) and so it’s official. Summer is on the way! This means long evenings out in the garden and barbecues. It also means a whole different load of wine to drink. Yes, even more different than the spring wines. After all, nobody really wants to sit inside nursing a bottle of red when the sun is out to...
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Cono Sur Head Winemaker and CEO Adolfo Hurtado was in town recently to talk about their continued sponsorship of the Tour de France. This is the second year that Cono Sur has been the official wine of the Tour. It may sound rather unusual to have a Chilean winery sponsoring a French sporting event but they have been allowed to be...
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The 3 Martini lunch is making a comeback. Back in the good old days of business lunches that started at noon and carried on until dinner time, the 3 Martini lunch was a staple. Sadly, the spread of American style working hours and the need to always be working or to be seen working (don’t ask me) seemed to take hold for...
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Everything is coming up roses this week (or at least flowery) as it’s the week of the Chelsea Flower Show. I visited the Kensington Hotel last night to sample the special cocktail they’ve created to celebrate all those stunning floral displays down the road. Their mixologist Alessandro Pizzoli has concocted the Lily of the Valley,...
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I’ve always loved to visit the seaside. As a kid growing up in Central California, we would often take road trips to the beach and stay overnight in little seaside hotels. The Gallivant just outside Rye in Sussex aims to capture that easy going California vibe – and I think they are quite successful at doing that. Situated across...
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The Chelsea Flower Show is this week and as they’ve done for a number of past years, The Dorchester has partnered with Laurent-Perrier Champagne to create a breath-taking show garden, marking Chatsworth’s debut at Chelsea for the 2015 show. The tea will be held in The Dorchester’s Promenade and will be served with...
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The sun is now making regular appearances in the skies over London which means it’s time to take advantage and start dining and drinking al fresco. Gaucho in Piccadilly have recently renovated a section of their second floor and now have a rooftop terrace. The terrace is intimate and cosy with a fireplace at one end and a...
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Recently, I found myself rolling through the English countryside on a vintage train, drinking vintage Champagne. I was travelling on the Belmond British Pullman train for lunch and the launch of the 2006 vintage of Laurent-Perrier Champagne. Growing up in California, I never really had much chance to travel by train but...
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If you’re slightly worried about your cholesterol intake or trying to lose a few pounds, don’t even THINK about visiting Joe’s Southern Kitchen. It’s true Southern cooking, tasty and totally unhealthy but with food this good, who cares? Live a little, as long as you don’t make a habit of going every...
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