Tag: restaurants
An invitation from the stars
I’d like to share our inspiring celebrity films that were launched the other day! In which super model Twiggy, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, Dame Judie Dench,and the British actors Dev Patel and Rupert Everett share their favourite parts of Britain.
Dame Judi Dench, filmed at Hever Castle, her favourite place to relax and recharge her batteries. Twiggy, filmed on location at Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge. Dev Patel, filmed in Leicester Square, a hub of cosmopolitan London life and Rupert Everett, filmed at the Garrick Theatre, where he has just opened in Pygmalion. Jamie Oliver speaks about his great passion for British food and multicultural Britain.
Enjoy the films and read more about the stars in your local language, by clicking on the links below:
Sweden: www.visitbritain.se
Denmark: www.visitbritain.dk
Norway: www.visitbritain.no
You’re Invited!
-Helene-
Nightclubs and cupcakes in London
My sister Sine and her friends went to London for a couple of days, and here are her best restaurant and nightclub tips:
Morito, tapas restaurant
Cosy Morito is a tapas restaurant situated on Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell. The interior is more rustic compared to its famous sister Moro next door. Here you sit on old chairs and stools around wooden tables which gives the restaurant a very relaxed and laid-back feeling. The place seemed to have a lot of regulars, which is usually a good grade for a restaurant. So if you like tapas, you should pay Morito a visit.
Find it on our Britain Map
Website: www.morito.co.uk
Tube station: Angel, Farrington
Ping Pong, Dim Sum restaurant
Best Asian restaurant I’ve ever been to outside Asia! They serve delicious and perfectly cooked dim sum (baskets and dishes of little sweet and savoury snacks, usually steamed, baked or fried), good and original drinks and has great service, all packed in a modern Asian interior design. Can really recommend a visit!
Find it on our Britain Map
Website: www.pingpongdimsum.com
Tube station: Westbourne Green, Bayswater
Primrose Bakery
If you like the 50s, good music and cupcakes all dressed in pink – you’ll love Primrose Bakery. This is cupcake heaven. Here you’ll find cupcakes in all the colours of the rainbow and in flavours like chocolate, vanilla, carrot, coffee or why not a lemon merigue.
Find it on our Britain Map
Website: www.primrosebakery.org.uk
Tube station: Covent Garden
Dragon Bar
Dragon Bar is a DJ-bar and the night I was there a female DJ played great music (a bit alternative) for a mixed crowd, but most people were probably between 22-28 years old. This place was right up my alley, but if you don’t like it, the bar is situated right in the middle of the best nightlife in East London, so there are several great clubs and bars just around the corner.
Find it on our Britain Map
Tube station: Shoreditch High Street, Hoxton
Eight over Eight, bar/nightclub
Eight over Eight is a trendy bar and pan-Asian restaurant on Kings Road in Chelsea. Unfortunately we never had time to visit this place. But my friend Karin, who lives in London loves it, so this is a definite first choice next time I visit London. It’s a really popular place though, so be sure to book a table before you go.
Find it on our Britain Map
Website: www.rickerrestaurants.com/eightovereight
Tube station: South Kensington
Enjoy your stay in London!
- Towe and Sine -
Dine with Sybil and Basil from Fawlty Towers
Are you a fan of the TV series and ever wondered what it would be like to stay and dine at Fawlty Towers?
I’m sure it would be quite a unique experience…and this autumn you’ve got the chance to try it at The Faulty Towers Dining Experience on the London restaurant ship Hispaniola.
As a guest you become part of an interactive theatre experience while you are served a three-course meal by a cast re-enacting the many comedy lines and controlled chaos from the television series Fawlty Towers. The main television characters, hoteliers Sybil and Basil Fawlty and their Spanish waiter Manuel, all take part in a two-hour dining event.
The Faulty Towers Dining Experience has been touring Australia since 1997 and Europe since 2008. The London cast features Alison Pollard-Mansergh as Sybil, Michael Davoren as Basil and Andy Foreman as Manuel.
It runs between 4-30 October, Tue–Sun at 6.30–7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets cost £75 for the two-hour show including a three-course meal.
Bon Appetit and lots of laughter I presume!
-Helene-
Royal wedding celebrations in London
Thought I’d share some photos from the Royal Wedding celebrations in London on 29 April.
Champagne breakfast at The Cadogan Hotel
I visited London with my family – my husband and our two kids, a girl 4 1/2 yrs old and a boy 1 1/2 yrs old. We started the day with Champagne breakfast in front of the television at The Cadogan Hotel on Sloane Street, close to Knightsbridge. We didn’t know what the weather was going to be like so better be safe than sorry!
Hyde Park 29 April 2011
After a while we continued to Hyde Park, and watched the rest of the ceremony on the big screens. We tried to get close to the route procession on The Mall, to get a glimpse of the newly weds but by the time we got there it was too crowded to be able to get through with a pram. Our daugter was hoping to see the Princess in real person…but you can’t get it all… 
We went back to Hyde Park and enjoyed the fairground with the kids instead. And my daughter and I took a ride the big wheel – and then I realised how much people were down there! I had no idea until I got to see the ground from the the air!
London in celebrations
We walked around the city easily and some parts of London were really quiet – I guess people gathered in front of their TV sets, if not joining the one million (!) crowd along the route.
I feel very fortunate that we got the chance to experience this big day in history. Will be a great memory for all of us as long as we live.
-Helene-
P.S How did you celebrate the wedding? Would be great to hear about your experiences too!
Daylesford Farmshop & Café – An organic piece of heaven
A couple of weeks ago, the Danish journalist Hanne Høiberg visited Daylesford Farmshop & Café in London. Here’s her review.
“- Want to try a piece of brie with truffle, we just made it?
The waiter behind the bar must be a mind reader. I was just thinking, full of a fantastic pumpkin risotto and a glass of the house wine from their vineyard in Provence, that I might want a little piece of cheese to go down with the rest of the wine. So of course I say yes and complete the meal with a perfect little piece of mature soft brie, together with some mascarpone and truffle oil – on the house.
The staff here at Daylesford Farmshop & Café in Notting Hill is without a doubt passionate about their work and want to share their passion with a Danish journalist doing a research trip. Not that I told them I wanted to write about it. In their eyes I’m just one of all the tourists coming through, who looks like they’re enjoying the food and the beautiful surroundings. And they are perfectly right.
It was a total coincidence that I wandered into this hidden pearl on cosy Westbourne Growe – a vegetable shop, bakery, butcher, cheese store and café, all in one. And everything is organic! Actually, I originally just popped in for a quick cappuccino, the best I’ve ever had in London and enjoyed the sight of the bulging cabbages, crispy carrots, homemade raspberry vodka and yellow cheddar on display in the light rooms decorated in with a Nordic design, while feeling the delightful smell of newly baked bread. After that experience, I just had to come back for breakfast.
Almost everything in both the shop and the café comes from Dayleford’s organic farm in Gloustershire. Not only the beef, chicken, fruits and vegetables are made here, but also the milk, yogurt and cheese, because Daylesford also has their own creamery. And the few ingredients that are not produced at Daylesford, are all from farms living by the same philosophy of organic foods and sustainability.
The Daylesford products have won more than 80 national and international gastronomic prizes. So if you value good fresh food in a beautiful environment, Daylesford Farmshop & Café is a must, when you are in London. “
Daylesford Farmshop & Café in Notting Hill is open Monday to Saturday 8.30am – 7pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm. Get directions in our Britain Map or visit their website www.daylesfordorganic.com for further information about their farm or other shops.
Enjoy!
/Towe
Dining with a view in Edinburgh
There are many great ways to eat your way around Edinburgh. I had a chat with the owner of Oloroso - one of the top restaurants and one of the best locations if you want to dine with a view over the city centre. Here is the story of Tony Singh and his passion for Scotland and local, seasonal food!
How did you start your career as a chef? And how did your interest in food come about?
I started with a Youth Training Scheme with Scottish and Newcastle, but my passion for food and sharing it came from my Mum and my Religion. I am Sikh and one of the corner stones of our faith is a Free Communal kitchen – a meal called Lungar.
Oloroso is one of Edinburgh’s leading restaurants – what would you say is best thing about running a restaurant in Edinburgh?
It has to be the amazing amount of events that happen in the city – from the Science Festival, to the Film Festival and the Festival Fringe – there are so many to mention! They all bring in so many interesting people from around the world.
Oloroso – what does the name come from and what does it mean?
The name means aromatic, spicy and was chosen by my late partner, James Sankey, who was a truly amazing person. James loved his wine, and the name also comes from a style of Sherry called ‘Oloroso’ because it is left to oxidize in the barrel to give it a vey aromatic and tasty style.
Olroso head chef Tony Singh
Where do you find your inspiration?
From all over – from travel, books, working with different chefs, trying different food… I am like a Magpie – anything that glitters and is good I will have it!
What would you say makes Oloroso unique compared to other restaurants?
My team, they are great at making guest feel welcome and have a great time in Oloroso. And the setting – the view from our roof terrace is just spectacular at sunset with the iconic Edinburgh Castle back drop.
Scotland’s food scene is growing and there are loads of award winning restaurants, what makes Scotland such a great place for food & drink?
The simple answer is Scotland’s larder is one of the best in the world. Our seafood, beef and game are renowned across the globe, and we have such a array of artisan produces and fantastic chefs that do the produce justice. Scotland is a foodies treasure trove!
Yum, I’m getting hungry now!!
Find your way to Oloroso with our Britain map >
-Helene-
‘The Quarter’ in Liverpool
My cousin Helle has lived in Liverpool for 3 years, and she’s got a great tip for you! Thanks for sharing!
- Hanne -
Liverpool’s ‘The Quarter’ is one of those cafe’s/ restaurants that seems to be perfect for every occasion, be it a quick coffee or a nice celebration meal. It has a relaxed and non-pretentious atmosphere, and is light and warm at the same time.
I was a very frequent customer when living in Liverpool, and it is the first place I go to when I’m visiting. The restaurant/cafe is located on a peaceful cobblestone street, Faulkner street, just off Hope Street (another lovely street with The Philharmonic Hall, many restaurants, hotels etc), but is a bit of a walk from the centre of Liverpool. However, if you’re going for a concert at the Philharmonic Hall it’s the perfect place for some food/drink before the show.
The food varies from pasta dishes (try the Chevre..), pizza’s (the garden pizza is great!), salads (nice Caesar salad), daily specials, and many delicious cakes.. The prices are good, pizzas from £5 to £8/pasta dishes from £6 to £9, so a good alternative for a gathering, or a “can’t be bother to cook” night. They also have a lovely breakfast menu, serving great coffees. Though I very rarely book a table, it might be wise to do so on Friday and Saturday nights. It can get a bit packed when there’s a show on. It’s open 8am – 11 pm weekdays, and 10am – 11 pm Saturdays/10.30pm Sundays. If you like the sound of this place and want to check out their menu, have a look at their website.
Hope you like it!
Helle
iPhone app to Londons night life
Going clubbing in London or just want to know which restaurant to go to and you have no idea on where to start? Then I have the perfect tool for you. Time out Guides and Magazine has developed an iPhone app together with Smirnoff and it actually works really well. Every week Time Out editors pick their favourite of London gigs, events, restaurants, club nights and essential film releases. Today for example, the app told me that Paul McCartney is playing at the
O2 or that I can see Peter Pan on West End theatre. So if you’re going to London, check it out. Since I’ve only tried it from home, send me feedback if you use it.
Merry Christmas,
Towe
Birthday celebration in Edinburgh
I spent three wonderful days in Edinburgh to celebrate my dad´s 75th birthday. We were a family of 10 from ages 12 upwards … Edinburgh has something for everyone ! Here are some highlights from my trip.
Abercorn Guest House just outside central Edinburgh (Portobello) was fantastic ! A delightful couple who owned the place, who were always happy to help. Only a few minutes walk away from the beach and bus into town (bus took about 15 minutes).
The Royal Yacht Britannia. This magnificent ship was home to Her Majesty The Queen and Royal Family. I loved the dining room with gifts from all over the world. Very good audio commentary. The latest is that they even serve afternoon teas on this yacht !
We had a lot of fun at “Camera Obscura” enjoying spectacular rooftop views as well as amazing optical experiences.
For jazz lovers a must is a visit to “The Jazz Bar” on 14 Chambers Street. On Saturdays they have afternoon jazz from 3-6pm which is easier for youngsters to come along to (14-17 ) Poor Joely 12 couldn´t join us so her mum and her did some therapy shopping instead, whilst the rest of us sat in this cool basement bar listening to live music. A special treat for the birthday boy who loves that sound of jazz !
One evening at 9pm we dared “The Cadies & Witchery Tours” with our guide Adam Lyal a deceased highwayman who was executed in Edinburgh´s Grassmarket on 27th March 1811. He lead us through the dark courtyards and alleyways of the Old Town telling tales of witchcraft, tortue, plague, along with a group of about 30 people. Not only scary at times but amusing ?!
We also visited “The Edinburgh Dungeon”. With many shows & displays this is a wealth of gruesome discovery ! We loved the “Drop Ride to Doom”.
Most of these attractions that we did (excluding “The Royal Yacht”) are included in the Edinburgh Pass which can be bought in our webshop. Super value, even includes local bus service and Airlink tickets from the airport, as well as restaurant discounts.
Last but not least, my final tip is a restaurant “The Dome” (The Grill Room). Beautiful place, fantastic meals, my nephew said “It was the best meal he had ever eaten” ! My neice visited the restrooms about 6 times, she had never experienced such lovely toilets ! Well worth a visit for maybe that special occasion such as a 75th birthday celebration.
Next year it is mum´s 70th birthday and looks like we will all meet up again for a trip somewhere in Englands South Coast, any tips ?
- Jackie -
London Restaurant Festival 8 – 13 October
Going to London in October and looking for great offers, then why don’t book a table at one of the many restaurants participating in the London restaurant festival? It’s a first time ever that London unites its many restaurants and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in town this week.
During the week you will find a lot of good offers and spectacular events. Gordon Ramsey as one will be cooking at the London Eye for a special Dinner event. Tickets will be auctioned out to this evening and others during the week. Only 10 lucky people will be able to try this spectacular dinner at 135 meter high up, and to place your bid, you have to go to the webpage listed here.
At my favourite food market, Leadenhall Market, you can enjoy a traditional Sunday roast the 11th of October. This will definitely be a popular event! Several restaurants all around London will offer lunches from £10 and dinners from £15. Check out the festivals webpage for more information and ticket bookings!
Cathrine
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