Author: Lucy Ann Watson

Travelex Tourist Challenge – London

What Travelex set me a challenge to take $150 AUD and turn it in to the best day out I could possible have in London. Travelex, I accept your challenge and here are the results… I made my way to the Tower Hill Travelex branch to pick up my Multi Currency Passport. $150 AUD was loaded on to my card and I was ready to go. Where Darwin Brasserie at The Sky Garden The Sky Garden is a glass domed conservatory which sits on the 35th floor of 20 Fenchurch Street, commonly known as the ‘Walkie Talkie’ building.  Once at the top, head up the winding staircase and between  the trees you will find Darwin Brasserie.  It offers the best views of the city, spectacular altitude foliage and one of the best breakfast menus around. If I could spend every morning here, drinking a detox-zing juice and carving eggs benedict, believe me I would. Cost Detox-Zing juice £4.95, Eggs Benedict poached eggs with smoked salmon on a toasted muffin with hollandaise £12.50 The Monument A short hop, …

Sutton & Sons

What Sutton & Sons renound fishmongers and fish restaurant in Stoke Newington has branched out with a new restaurant in Islington. Where 356 Essex Road, London N1 3PD Experience When I first moved to London from rainy Manchester I really missed a good fish supper. Despite being famous for fish and chips, London was lacking something. How times have changed. I invited fellow Northerner Tom to try out newly opened Sutton & Sons Islington restaurant on a rainy night (to remind us of home). The front of the restaurant is a traditional fish and chip shop take-away bar, and the back hosts a quaint restaurant for eat-in diners. The décor a perfect blend of shiny, new and modern metal crossed with authentic dark wood and simple menus. It was a last minute thought to order a starter to share, but I was so glad we did. Sweet, salty, crisp Tempura batter enclosed our huge, juicy king prawns. They were the tastiest prawns I have eaten since childhood. The only bad thing was that I had …

Jet-Set with NY-LON Lounge Bar

What NY-LON Lounge Bar brings the best of New York and London style, design, glamour and mixology to The O2. Where Unit 4.03 Entertainment Avenue The O2 North Greenwich London SE10 0DX Experience Having arrived at the O2 a little early, I marched straight over to NY-LON. I was met at the door by a smartly dressed waiter who showed me to my seat in the slick, shiny new bar and restaurant with a first class Virgin Atlantic Lounge feel. After a long ponder on the cocktail menu I ordered the 30, 000Ft. It was a modern‎ variation on the old fashioned with a Woodford Reserve bourbon base, orange and maraschino cherry notes, taking you right above the London clouds. The menu offers up a selection of small plates and sharing platters inspired by New York and London. Specialities are New York speciality cured meats and Billingsgate fish pie. My friend and shared some small plates to ease the pressure of choosing what to eat. The Brooklyn crab salad was light and fresh and was …

Paloma Club Sultan

What Luxury all inclusive resort of Paloma Club Sultan Where Özdere, Turkey Experience It was the first family holiday I had been on since I was five. My entire childhood was spent travelling to and from Saudi Arabia to visit my Dad who lived and worked in Jeddah. Perhaps it was the Arabic influences which lead us to choose to travel to Turkey that, and the guaranteed heat in October half-term. During hours of searching hotels, my eldest sister Kate voiced her wishes; “I’ve done the whole travelling thing. This time I want everything to be organised for me. I want luxury”. There was only one hotel we all agreed on, The Paloma Club Sultan in Özdere. Wellness and Spa Centre It was my sister Elaine’s priority on the first day to locate the Wellness and Spa Centre. Within ten minutes of breakfast she had booked a 30 minutes Anti-Stress Massage for the afternoon. I let her be the guinea pig and when she returned to the pool praising the masseuse, Kate and I followed …

National Calvados Week 2015

What Try your five a day the Normandy way, it’s Père Magloire National Calvados Week running from Sunday 18 October and Saturday 24 October. Where Taking place in bars, supermarkets and independent off licenses across London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Liverpool including 155 Bar & Kitchen, The Hawksmoor, Waitrose and Gerry’s of Soho. http://www.nationalcalvadosweek.com Experience It’s the time of year when Normandy’s finest green apples are harvested then transformed into the golden nectar that is Calvados. The complex, warming apple brandy is as fresh and pure as the beguiling French countryside from which it is born. My new favorite autumn tipple is not as well known in the UK as it should be. Take the opportunity this week to sample it for yourselves with special cocktails menus, Père Magloire Calvados range tasting, food pairing and specially prepared menus cooking with Calvados taking place all over the city. Make mine a large avec de le glace, and show me the cheese board!