All posts filed under: Food & Drink

Coin Laundry

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What Laid back neighbourhood bar and restaurant, Coin Laundry, serves up proper comfort food, 70s revival cocktails and a big fat slice of nostalgia. Where 70 Exmouth Market London EC1R 4QP Experience Perched at the top of Exmouth Market sits 1970’s inspired restaurant, Coin Laundry. The restaurant boasts nostalgia-inducing culinary delights and retro classic cocktails. I met my friend Sophie on Saturday afternoon to give their new cocktail menu a whirl. “What do you mean 70’s? Like pineapple on a stick?” “Exactly, Soph”. I was expecting extravagant Retro Bar-themed decor, but was pleasantly surprised to find a spacious subterranean bar with subtle references to 70’s design. The room felt contemporary, less Bee Gees, more Rolling Stones. The cocktail menu was a joy to ponder. Apart from a few well known classics, the menu featured a host of real original flavour combinations I was excited to try. First up, some bubbles. The Flipper blends apple sorbet, prosecco and lemon in a wide champagne coupe with jelly accompaniments. Sophie and I agreed that we had never tasted …

Festival of Heat

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What The Festival of Heat: London’s Chilli Festival is back on 25 September 2016 Where Red Market 288 Old Street EC1V 9LA Experience Preparations are hotting up for London’s spiciest food festival at Shoreditch’s culinary hub, Red Market. Workshops, tasting sessions, supplies, music and deliciously confusing chilli infused drinks await. Last year was my first Festival of Heat experience. I cooked my own infused chilli oil, which has been keeping my pizza crusts happy all year. The festival focus is on eating, growing and cooking chillies, and is designed for those who like to add a little heat to their mealtimes. This year, vendors keeping our bellies happy include Ayam Happy – White Men Can’t Jerk – Agua Na Boca amd Purbeck Ice Cream. See you at the tasting stall. Cost Early Bird Ticket £10 here Door Price £15

Opulent Perfection at Delaire Graff – ZA

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What Lunch and wine at Delaire Graff Estate. Where Delaire Graff Estate, Stellenbosch,  South Africa Experience After an incredible mini holiday to Cederberg National Park, we decided to counterbalance our time out in the wilderness by stopping off in Stellenbosch for a few days of indulgence. Surrounded by the vineyards of the Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch is the epicentre of the South African wine industry and you are spoilt for choice with lavish scenery and luxurious wine tasting tours. Since arriving in Cape Town, more than a few people have told us that Delaire Graff wine estate is a place to be experienced at least once, so we decided to go there and see. Finally getting into Stellenbosch at about 10pm, we continued driving along the stunning Helshoogte Mountain Pass towards Farm France, our home for the night. We hadn’t quite realised that we would be driving straight past tomorrow’s lunch destination, but it was impossible to miss it. Set back into the hills, the entrance to the estate is impressively landscaped and lights up the …

Summer at the Sky Garden

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What The Sky Garden hosts live music summer sessions Where Sky Garden 1 Sky Walk, London EC3M 8AF Experience Do you ever spend time looking for the perfect summer drinks venue? Then look no further. The Sky Garden has gourmet food, the most spectacular sweeping panoramic views of London, and a garden oasis. It has been my hot-spot place to recommend for the last year and has now excelled even my expectations by hosting live music sessions featuring artists, band and DJS from ALR music all summer. My city-girl friend Steph had only a few more days in London before she moved to the countryside so I asked her to join me for the opening night of live music at Sky Garden. It could not have been a more perfect end to her London adventure. We walked around the 360 degree platform while listing all city sights viewable from the three storey floor-to-ceiling windows, while surrounded by tropical foliage and sipping prosecco. We watched three bands who played a perfect blend of soul and funk which …

Swan Restaurant – A Midsummer Night’s Dream Afternoon Tea

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What To coincide with the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death and Emma Rice’s staging of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe Theatre, Swan has launched A Midsummer Night’s Dream themed afternoon tea worthy of the fairy queen herself. Where Swan, Shakespeare’s Globe 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London, SE1 9DT Experience I strolled easterly along the Southbank to Swan restaurant on a sunny Wednesday afternoon to experience a magical Midsummer Night’s Dream themed afternoon tea. I arrived early and was shown to a private room overlooking both the glistening Thames and inside Globe Theatre grounds which has been transformed into a fairyland forest. I knew to expect something very special indeed. The white clothed tables were decorated with playful crockery designed by illustrator Annika Wester who mimics themes in the play. When other guests had finally arrived we were all served a Love Potion cocktail. The separate potion contained Earl Grey infused gin, honey from the London Honey Co and blackberry puree. I was encouraged to add my potion to a half glass of prosecco …