Author: Sarah Kemp

Running in Heels Review: La Clairière, Alsace

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This was originally posted on Running in Heels following a press stay at La Clairière in Alsace. Even in the dim evening light, the quaint villages between Strasbourg and eco spa hotel La Clairière are a fairytale feast of delicate gabled roofs and charming crooked cottages. Further on, as you speed  through dark forests, the impression grows stronger until, suddenly, La Clairière looms up out of the foliage like Rapunzel’s tower. I, however, had not come to eat enchanted gingerbread or drink magical wine – or indeed, anything approaching either of those at all. Instead, I was here for a detox programme, one of the many wellness programs offered by the Alsace-based spa hotel. Three days, scores of treatments, four-course detox lunches and dinners and unlimited use of the spa – I was ready to go. First though, I headed upstairs to check out my room, which was far more traditional than the brightly coloured communal seating area downstairs and equipped with twin beds, a living space with a sofa, two balconies, a TV, mini bar and kettle with …

The Kitchen Table at Odettes, Primrose Hill

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Where Odettes, Primrose Hill What One of London’s oldest dining rooms, Odettes is situated on the beautiful leafy Regent’s Park Road in Primrose Hill. The restaurant is owned by Chef Bryn Williams, who took over the property in 2008 after beating a number of established chefs on Great British Menu in 2006. The experience I don’t know how I have managed to evade Regent’s Park Road for so long. The beautiful tree lined street features a range of small independent businesses and period terraced houses. It is conveniently situated a short stroll from Chalk Farm and a stones throw from one of London’s most famous green spaces and favourite of the stars, Primrose Hill. The lavish and comfortable dining room at Odettes is the perfect fine dining neighbourhood restaurant, with some diners having been visiting since the 70s. The recent refurbishment saw an addition of a private dining room and The Kitchen Table, where diners can watch the chefs at work under head chef Jamie Randall. I was at Odettes to sample The Kitchen Table …

Lunch and Cocktails at Scarfes Bar, The Rosewood Hotel

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In my early 20s I had a short stint at being a legal secretary. It definitely wasn’t the best job I have ever had but it did allow me to get out of the office from time to time. Most days I would hop on the tube to Holborn and walk past the Rosewood Hotel on the way to court. Each time I passed I wondered what delights the building had in store and never would have believed how incredible it was until I finally got to have a peek a couple of weeks ago when I visited Scarfes Bar to sample the lunch and cocktail menu. As the Bubble & Shrubs cocktails were placed in front of us, I wondered whether 1pm was a bit too early to be starting with this kind of behaviour. But the cocktail, a mix of Sipsmith Gin, St. Germain elderflower, home-made berry shrubs, orange bitters, bubbles and edible flowers, was a feast for the taste buds as well as the eyes and I swiftly told myself to shut …

Mega Friday Night Fun at Earlham Street Clubhouse

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It’s Friday night and I’m meeting an old work colleague (and awesome friend) for dinner and drinks. Where to go? Should we opt for a nice restaurant with a laid back vibe, a cosy pub or even a nice bar? No. Let’s try something a bit different and tear it up at a Covent Garden pizza and cocktail bar. That’s exactly what we did last Friday. We were a little worried at first as we walked through the door, faced with music blaring out of the speakers and loud voices, but our fears about not being able to have our much needed catch up soon disappeared. Everything about Earlham Street Clubhouse screams fun, from the greeting by the doorman to the name of the pizzas and cocktails, the music and the extremely happy, cool and laid back waiters. By the time we had finished the last mouthful, the tables of people behind us were up dancing on the floor next to us. We thought it would be rude not to so as soon as we …

Emozioni – Italian Style and Substance

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A few weeks back I received a delivery of Emozioni products at work. I knew what was inside but as I pulled the boxes out of the package, I asked my colleagues to guess what was inside. They had their suspicions that it was a trick question but nearly all of them guessed that I would be pulling fancy cosmetics out of the boxes. Even when the bottle of truffle oil was produced, they still didn’t guess that it was edible. I was intrigued by the products; mainly because I have always associated good quality Italian products with classic packaging and the most delicious Italian food I have eaten has always been traditional. Emozioni, however, well and truly bucks the trend with a range of luxury Italian food products with contemporary and distinctive packaging. After seeing the beautiful packaging in the flesh, I was left asking whether it was a case of style over substance. So off I went to try them out. I tried paccheri pasta (£5.90), porchini dried mushrooms (£16.50 for 30g) and …