All posts tagged: london

The Chesham Arms

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What Newly restored Hackney pub, The Chesham Arms, is open for business. Experience In June, I finally made the move West across the water. Not the Atlantic, but Duckett’s canal, from Hackney Wick to Hackney Central. Days after my arrival, as if they knew I was coming, East End boozer The Chesham Arms re-opened its doors at the end of my street. It took a lengthy court battle, backed by local residents and Hackney council, to prevent the historic site being turned into flats. The 150-year old building has been stunningly renovated and restored to its former glory. The bar is stocked with French wines and specialist gins. The pumps are packed with a thirst quenching array of London-centric real ales and award winning beers. Fancy a bar snack? Order one of their quality pork pies, served in a picnic-style wooden basket with mustard. By far the best thing about The Chesham Arms is the magical south facing beer garden. Throughout summer it will host weekly BBQ’s and serve smoked meat sausage platters for the …

Champagne Plus Fromage 

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What An evening of Champagne tasting at Champagne Plus Fromage Where Champagne Plus Fromage, Brixton Village Experience On a rare smoking hot summer evening I headed down to Brixton’s Champagne Plus Fromage to enjoy a taster evening with co-founder Maud Fierobe. Champagne Plus Fromage is a collaboration between French Bubbles who import award winning limited production grower champagne and Une Normande à Londres, a family owned company who bring to London the very best artisan cheese, cured meat and preserves from across France. The shop and bistro (there is also one in Covent Garden and another recently opened in Greenwich Village) serve beautiful artisan food within their bustling rustic interior with shelves piled high with jars of terrine, rillettes, cassoulets and delicious confits. Their Fromagerie serves over 50 different types of soft and hard cheeses and a selection are expertly paired to compliment the 4 different Champagnes we would be drinking that evening. The bistro is as charming as Maude herself who stood at the head of the table and introduced all of the wines to …

Gin & Tonic ice cream by Jude’s and Sipsmith

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What do award winning Sipsmith’s gin and Jude’s ice cream have in common? They are of course both quintessentially British, but now they have teamed up to make Jude’s Gin & Tonic ice cream – splendid old chap! Sam Galsworthy, Sipsmith co-founder explains “Our collaboration with Jude’s is the perfect marriage of two Great British Summertime institutions; ice cream – and the gin and tonic.” Grab a limited edition Gin & Tonic ice cream this summer at Selfridges, online at Ocado, or at various on-the-road events. Having a summer soiree? Why not impress your guests by serving up some Sipsmith and Jude’s Gin Alexanders? Hello summer, meet gin. Sipsmith and Jude’s Gin Alexanders Ingredients 40ml Sipsmith London Dry Gin One scoop of Jude’s Gin & Tonic Ice Cream Method Combine ingredients in a shaker and shake until ice cream melts Serve in a chilled coupe glass with a dash of nutmeg

A Tasty Tipple at Temple Brew House

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Where Temple Brew House, London What Artisan beer-loving Londoners are invited down to Essex Street where they will find Temple Brew House, an on-site brewery in the heart of central London. Experience Temple Brew House is now offering private brewery tours by their very own house brewers. Food for Think was lucky enough to be invited on a tour with head brewer Venesa de Blas Montoya. As she took us to where the magic happens, Venesa explained that beer originated back in 7000BC though “It was the Egyptians who actually mastered the beer making process. They had 80 different recipes to make different beers and they took it quite seriously”. We are so grateful! Venesa revealed her brewing routine and provided some trade secrets for those considering experimenting at home. Tours are held routinely every month and also on request. What would a brewery tour be without the tasting? Visitors can select a variety of tipples by ordering a ‘paddle’ of three 1/3 pint glasses. The Temp Ale, smooth and easy drinking, is brewed on …

Music, Poetry and British Grub at The Forge, Camden

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Where The Forge, Camden What Camden culture vultures are being encouraged to dine at The Forge. Located just off Camden High Street is the beautifully designed concert venue offering lucky North London visitors top quality classical, jazz, folk and spoken word events – and first-rate British cuisine. Experience The menu is almost split in two. On the left is a choice of sophisticated modern British cuisine for those looking to have a relaxed meal and on the right is a selection of homemade burgers, for those wanting to grab a quick bite before the show. For starter, my friend ordered the cured gravlax seasoned with dill and pepper which was fresh, light and smoky. It was accompanied by a side of indulgent horseradish cream, capers, a lemon wedge and tonnes of lightly toasted doorstep granary bread. I opted for the roasted Portobello mushroom topped with goats cheese and stuffed with thyme, garlic, more mushrooms and served with salad leaves and caramelised onions. Each mouthful was a joy to eat and I even wiped my plate …