I feel as though, since the pandemic, a few places have been buzz words for travel. Everyone obviously went to Dubai. Influencers secured territory in Mexico. And the world refell in love with Ibiza.
I was excited to go for many reasons but predominantly due to the fact that I was going to stay at the party hotels: Ushuaïa and the Hard Rock Hotel. Located next door to each other, both are just a few minutes drive from some of the best clubs the island has to offer. As well as hosting their own entertainment events, the two hotels are in prime position to make sure you have the best stay on the island. While the island has more to offer than just a good time, I was ready to experience just that.
Ushuaïa has its tower residence full of rooms, as well as the Club suites and apartments, where during the season, guests can watch David Guetta and Kygo perform their sets right from their rooms. Talk about boujie. Priorities are taken seriously at this hotel, it seems.
The Hard Rock Hotel was the same: aside from the tower (which guests might opt for for more privacy and quiet time), there are swim up suites with private pools, club villas with their own hot tubs and other rooms with a prime viewing spot of the Hard Rock Stage, which hosts various music acts and events, including the popular Children of the 80s party. ABBA Voyager, who?
I was able to get tickets to Ushuaïa’s famous pool party, Ants, and let me tell you, whether you make your way to O Beach or the other clubs, it’s well worth going to this event. From a great DJ line up, to sipping on drinks as you get (fake) ant tattoos to really fit in with the atmosphere, it’s the perfect pre-party before heading to nearby Hï or Amnesia later on.
Right, let’s talk breakfast. Now I know it’s coined the most important meal of the day but, to be honest, I’ve always figured parents made that up to get us to eat before school. Well, Ushuaïa Ibiza is here to scrap that theory entirely. Yes, you’ve got your regular fruit plates, hot food buffet, juicers and omelette stations but there is so much more.
I’m talking a chocolate fountain, a pick n mix Ferris wheel – the works. Fancy a Simpsons-worthy iced donut? They’ve got it. Just come from the club and want a kebab as a form of luxe junk food? It’s made-to-order. Regrets from Amira? Not actually ordering one. I know, I know but I always get distracted by the eggs…
From oysters on the beach to paella poolside, there’s a variety of food choices at Ushuaïa. Fine dining options come in the form of sushi and steak – with vegetarian options also available.
At the Hard Rock Hotel, the beach front restaurant offers dinner and a show – with fun loving costumed characters appeasing both adults and children. The saxophone is definitely favoured at this hotel, with a musician playing top tunes both here and by the pool. If this serenade doesn’t have you wanting to party, I don’t know what will.
Speaking of poolside entertainment, I’d thoroughly recommend opting for lunch at one of the Bali beds at the Hard Rock Hotel, as it’s the ultimate way to soak up the Ibiza ambience – and the sun. Guests wanting to dress up in the evening can visit Tatel for beautiful inteirors and delicious cocktails. Must-order: the truffle tortilla. Match made in heaven, that. The hotel also has a delightful rooftop bar for after dinner drinks or to simply watch the sunset.
If you’re looking to take some time out and simply relax after a night full of music and dancing, there’s no better place for it than the Rock Spa. A tranquil oasis within the hotel, it is a completely secluded spot featuring saunas, jacuzzis and various treatments. The outdoor pool comes equipped with water fountains and massage beds and is the perfect place to escape the buzz of the poolside areas.
Planes flying into Ibiza soar over both Ushuaïa and the Hard Rock Hotel, and while this is a novelty during the beginning of your stay as you’re sipping on cocktails by the pool, it’s a sight you don’t want to see as you near the end of your trip and are reminded that you’re going home soon. Ah well, time to plan next season!
Booking details
Rates
Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza – B&B doubles start from £183
Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel – B&B doubles start from £243
Easter weekend is finally upon us and it’s safe to say we’ve all been long looking forward to this bank holiday weekend – and the delicious food that will come along with it.
From an abundance of chocolate eggs and other confectionery, this weekend signals a cemented move into spring – so expect to see lots of roast lamb dishes; spring tarts and many more recipes filling your social media feeds.
But if you’re not up for cooking a feast – and there’s no shame in this if you simply want to relax this weekend – we have some excellent Easter celebratory meals for you to lust upon (and eventually enjoy!) this bank holiday.
Easter weekend with 28-50’s lamb
Easter 2022 is a rather fun celebration at 28-50 Chelsea and South Kensington – as both restaurants will be offering a limited edition dish across the whole weekend. Guests can devour a delicious lamb saddle served with Wye Valley asparagus, Jersey Royal potatoes and lamb jus – for just £24.95. You’ll forget about a homemade Sunday Roast in no time.
Complement this gorgeous meal with 28-50’s fabulously curated wine list and fully enjoy this bank holiday weekend with family and/or friends. A la carte menu dishes still remain, including the confit duck leg with Jerusalem artichokes, braised shallots and blackberry jus – as well as the renowned cheeseburger with smoked bacon and truffle mayo. If you’re craving something sweet to finish the meal, why not enjoy the lemon posset blood orange and sable biscuit – or caffeine lovers can opt for the coffee crème brûlée.
Made In Oldstead by Tommy Banks
If you don’t want to dine out on this bank holiday weekend, you can still enjoy an Easter meal cooked for you. Yorkshire-based Michelin-starred chef, Tommy Banks has a three-course feast ready to be delivered to your door. Known for his sustainable efforts in the kitchen, the menu focuses on ingredients which are foraged, picked or grown on or around Tommy’s family farm in Oldstead. Devour lamb neck with turnip velouté, lamb rump with a mini lamb pie nad porached rhubarb topped with a rosemary gel and cocoa crumb – with vegetarian and pescatarian options available too.
Duck & Waffle’s limited edition Golden Duck Egg Dessert
Finger always on the pulse with anything decadent and occasion-themed, Duck & Waffle has created an indulgent Golden Duck Egg dessert for guests to enjoy across Easter weekend.
Paired with one of London’s most iconic views, the decadent dessert features an orange puree yolk, surrounded by a light Valrhona Oplays white chocolate mousse and is encased in tempered Valrhona millk chocolate. Pasty Chef Singer’s creation is almost too beautiful to eat – almost – and is served with a maple caramel syrup. Why not make a meal of it and enjoy the traditional Easter Sunday or Monday lunch of a whole roast leg of lamb, with all the trimmings, this weekend too?
Easter for two from Pied à Terre
One of London’s oldest Michelin-starred restaurants is also catering for those who enjoy the finer eats in life this Easter, with a three-course vegan feast for two. The box includes a number of delicious dishes – including carrot patch hummus, “egg” plant casserole and a divine hot cross bun and butter pudding.
Easter Feasting on the 32nd Floor of The Shard at Oblix
Make this Easter weekend unforgettable – or the food, at least, with an exciting trip up The Shard in London. Oblix West will be serving a limited edition Easter bottomless brunch, with guests able to choose from the Rosé Brunch or the Champagne Brunch. Available across Saturday and Sunday in Oblix West, executive chef Marcus Eaves has curated a selection of starters including burrata, truffle flatbread or Diver scallops, as well as sea bass with lemon hollandaise, wild mushroom orzo with summer truffle and cashew cheese or signature pepper steak for mains. An Easter-themed dessert platter for the table is the perfect way to finish the meal.
Those dining at Oblix East will be treated to a sophisticated Easter Afternoon Tea, featuring seasonally-appropriate sandwiches, freshly-made scones and a variety of chocolate-themed sweet treats. There’s also a giveaway up for grabs, with one lucky winner receiving a golden ticket along with their Afternoon Tea and being treated to a limited edition homemade Oblix Easter egg.
Curries. Tandoori. Biryanis. I could eat the lot, I don’t know about you… In fact, whether I’m dining in or getting an Indian takeaway, the cuisine is lost upon me if you restrict me eating just one dish – instead of feasting upon the entire menu.
You’ve probably heard about Dishoom. I mean, it’s pretty faultless. Great food, fair pricing – the bottomless chai really is a winner here. Go for the lamb chops, Bombay potatoes and the dal – stay for everything else. But what about the notorious queues?
Now, as a serious foodie, I’m not adverse to waiting my turn for a good bite to eat – but in London, where there is a plethora of restaurants spanning every cuisine, I feel as though queuing should be done sparingly.
So, as fabulous as Dishoom is, I thought I’d highlight a few other delicious Indian eateries in the city that are definitely worth a shout out. Whether you’re looking for a cosy ambience or to dine in luxury, there’s most certainly no shortage of exquisite Indian food in London.
So, without further ado, here are a selection of Indian restaurants in London to visit when you next dine out.
For those who enjoy the finer things in life – but still want a good curry, Benares is the Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant to be on your list. Having visited a couple of times myself, neither food and service have ever faltered. Starting off with lychee and mango cocktails, this is the best way (in my opinion) to peruse the menu. The baked malabar scallops with coconut curry are a strong favourite, while the cured sea-bream and oyster ceviche chaat is an innovative offering on the menu. Mains-wise, it is truly hard to choose – with everything from
Basmati Rice and Scottish Lobster Cooked in Aromatic Stock, Dill and Pink Peppercorn Raita Onion Salad tandoori lamb cutlets to duck curry making my mouth water as I scanned the delicious-sounding words. In the end, I opted for the lobster cooked in stock with rice (a biriyani-style dish) served with pink peppercorn raita onion salad. Divine, if a little pricey as you are fishing about for the succulent pieces of lobster a little bit. wild halibut with clam moilee in a rogan josh type of sauce was really interesting.
Fish curry rarely disappoints when it’s done right. With various kulchas, rotis, naans and rices on the side, if you have room for dessert, it has to be the pistachio praline dark chocolate tart is for those who have a fair bit of room left and wish to indulge, while the Kesar mango with coconut water granita and almond biscuit is a light palate-cleanser.
While many central London spots run the risk of appearing gimicky and appealing to tourists alone, Farzi is not one of them. A huge success back in New Delhi, the people of London have been graced by the popular and authentic Indian restaurant for a good few years now – and I’m here to tell you that things have not slipped in the slightest over the years.
What to order? While the whole menu offers something for everyone, my personal favourite is (and will always be) the butter chicken baos. What a creation. So simple but so delicious. Butter chicken. In a bao. There’s not much more to it except that if I haven’t convinced you to order them on your next visit, please do get in touch as I’ll take you the next time I go. As thanks to these beauties, there’ll always be a next time.
Now I’m actually here to talk about the brunch offering at Farzi, too (I know, my ode to the butter chicken bao was a slight red herring). A truly reasonable offering, the dishes come in at about a tenner less than the price of a mains dish from the à la carte menu. There’s a range to choose from, too: eggs royale or florentine with masala hollandaise and a take on avocado chaat for my savoury people and banana ragi pancakes for those who prefer something a little more sweet.
My favourite had to be the dosa taco – you can opt for a veggie version with jackfruit or go for the full works, with chicken and a fried egg. Both are delicious but I actually might have preferred the meat-free version. Don’t mind me – just out here doing God’s work for you all. Wash it all down with a series of Farzi’s signature cocktails and that’s a solid Saturday, in my book.
Located in the heart of Westfield London, this is the perfect destination for any tired shopper, in need to a tasty break from their retail endeavours. What I immediately loved about the menu at Copper Chimney was the division into curries, tandoori dishes and biriyanis – as well as the waiter’s insistance that I must try one of each. My type of waiter (any others reading this, please take note).
It should also be a rite of passage in Indian restaurants that guests should create their own mixed platter of starters. This is what I opted for and my eyes lit up when a variety of dishes holding delicious things such as yoghurt and cheese tikkis, green pea and potato samosas, carom-flavoured shrimp and poppadoms (with all the chutneys) arrived at my table. The waiter pulled up another table; I liked her even more.
The only dish from the starters section I didn’t fall in love with was the Delhi-fried chicken. Maybe it was overhyped to me, maybe it just wasn’t unique-tasting enough. It’s not bad by any standards but my tummy and my tastebuds much preferred the other appetisers.
Next to adorn our previously plain table were chargrilled chicken tikkas and lamb seekh kebabs – sizzling away in their impressive nature, accompanied by fresh and zesty dips. Representing the biriyanis was a spiced prawn and saffron special – and did it represent the rice dish well. Torn between my old friend butter chicken and the more interesting sounding dish of pickled chicken masala, our lovely waiter persuaded us to try the latter – and while I think butter chicken will never not be good in my books, the tartness of the chicken masala was a flavour I found exceedingly moreish (as I mopped up the pot with garlic and cheese naans).
If you have any room for dessert, the Gajar Pistachio Crumble (slow-cooked carrot cake with cardamom) is the perfect sweet finish – and don’t be shy about ordering from the cocktail menu as the sour whisky and mango went down a treat.
Step away from Central London and guess what – you’ll find the same array of delicious restaurants. Some may even be better. Pure Indian Cooking is such an example where you don’t need to fight the busy crowds and booked table reservations to eat well and be treated to delightful service. Husband and wife duo Faheem Vanoo and Shilpa Dandekar dominate both the front of house and chef sectors of this restaurant to ensure the perfect dining experience.
I’ve never once been disappointed by a sharing board of starters so that was the immediate choice for appetisers. Devouring treats such as tandoori paneer, chilli fried squid, malai tikka and seekh kebab was the perfect way to begin our meal – accompanied by the ‘Taste of Mumbai’, featuring a classic trio of bhel, pani poori and papdi chaat.
It was hard to bypass the lamb chops (a must-order for me at any Indian restaurant) but I spied the Telangana prawn masala and was instantly hooked. Cooked in ginger, curry leaves, chilli and tomatoes – sometimes it’s the simple dishes that make a solid impact. Craving another classic with a twist, I went rogue and opted for the pistachio chicken curry (I never normally order chicken when dining out, unless out for Persian food). Obviously the usual suspects chimed in in the form of side dishes – the dal makhani was fantastic; the pea and jeera pulao could have appeared and tasted a little more interesting but was tasty nonetheless and I will never say no to a butter naan.
I find myself choosing palate cleansers for dessert and the pistachio kulfi and mango sorbet just did that – along with a healthy glass of a mango margarita.
Walking under a ceiling of sparkling chandeliers, I thought to myself “this restaurant has got the decor right”. Impressive to all (and dare I say, perfect for the average Instagrammer!), it’s an instantly pleasing aesthetic to walk into at Colonel Saab.
I’m told I have to try the Andhra-style baby aubergine; served with curry leaf & tamarind sauce, it was the perfect mix of something sweet and light but with a tang. Paired with a more classic dish: paneer; the rich and creamy sauce was balanced by the former dish’s punchy bite. Memsaab’s chicken curry (so-named after the Colonel’s beloved wife) had to be ordered, almost as a rite of passage to the restaurant. I was glad to try the signature dish and could only fault it for being slightly bland for my personal taste – but I much preferred the Colonel’s butter chicken. Having hankered a craving for it, this dish hit the spot.
I can’t say I lean too much toward a tomato-based curry or a cream-based one so I think, for me, it all depends on whichever I’m feeling most up for eating in the moment.
No Indian meal is complete without a flamboyant selection of chutneys, dals, naans, rotis, rice and the rest of the classic side crew – though Colonel Saab’s cumin potatoes made a strong, long-lasting impression on me, in particular. Though cheesecake is my favourite dessert period, it was the rasmalai milk cake that stole the show in a completely more-ish way. That cardamom cream – I’m still thinking about it.
Nestled just behind Marble Arch, Chourangi is a hidden gem within Central London. Now, there are undoubtedly classic dishes which no Indian restaurant’s menu can be without. However, when you cast your eyes on something like crackling spinach with almond slivers, it’s a nice change from bhel to snack on as you peruse the rest of the menu.
From tandoor, to large curry plates to biryanis – Chourangi is another Indian restaurant which appears to do it all. I pretty much selected my own tasting menu feast to appease my appetite and remove any ‘fomo’ of order regret. The tandoori tiger prawns were so tasty, flavoured with black peppercorns, ginger and yoghurt and served with a celery-mint-dill-coriander creation. Next up: the chilli paneer which had an enjoyable kick to it, while the steamed crab prawn parcels were an interesting choice and not something typically seen on a menu.
I was told I absolute had to try the Kosha Mangsho – slow-roasted Welsh lamb with yoghurt, green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and mustard oil. The waiter had me at slow-roasted. An alternative but truly tasty choice, it complemented the chicken biryani we opted for nicely – with the rice being the perfect soaking-up substance for all that rich curry sauce. Of course naans were also used to mop up the vibrant amber-orange liquid, with the bread basket options alone were well deserving of applause.
Unable to stomach dessert at this restaurant but perfectly content with a full tummy and Tupperware to take home, I’d still call this dinner a success.
There’s a fair few Masala Zone spots around, so you’d be forgiven for potentially thinking this Indian restaurant is like countless other chains in the business. However, aside from gorgeous decor and friendly, accommodating staff, the menu boasts some little gems that are not to be missed from your order. The Jaipur gol guppa pops are a fun starter, with the crispy-fried puffed balls filled with potato, chickpeas, onions and spices – only needing tamarind water added for a fun, tasty treat. The Goan crispy fried prawns are a must-order, accompanied by a vindaloo mayo dip, while the onion flower bajia is perfectly crispy and a moreish snack, indeed.
Butter chicken is a classic and Masala Zone served up one satisfying dish, while the paneer tikka and lamb seekh kebab were both packed full of flavour. The black dal and homemade raita complemented all the dishes well and there were sufficient naans and chapattis on-hand, for mopping up extra sauces and dips. If you have a sweet tooth, the kulfi or halwa are the desserts for you – but the coconut ice cream hit the spot for us with which to finish the meal.
We won’t lie to you: St Patrick’s Day is one of the best for food and drink festivities – and 2022 is no exception. Whether you’re looking to see the day at your favourite local Irish bar – or you plan on cooking your own Irish stew feast at home, we’ve got your food and drink covered.
While historic celebrations centred around the “Feast of St Patrick” and involved eating a dish of bacon and cabbage post-church attendance, the more modern affairs typically include pints of Guinness and heartwarming Irish food.
However you’re celebrating St Patrick’s Day 2022, we want to make sure you’ve got all the information about where to source the best food and drink or how to indulge in your own creations at home.
Coupette
Bethnal Green is home to the little gem that is Coupette. The neighbourhood cocktail bar is a favourite among both locals and other Londoners and will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day 2022 in true Irish fashion – with live music and whiskey. A regular host of live music performances from resident singer and pianist Nata, Coupette is also collaborating with The Busker Irish Whisky for the occasion. Guests can enjoy a specially curated Irish menu of £7 Busker cocktails, created by the award-winning Coupette bar team.
Tickets are £10 and include two free The Busker cocktails, available via Eventbrite.
Honest Burgers
To celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Honest Burgers has teamed up with Guinness to create an Irish-themed burger for the ever-popular monthly special. Consisting of a classic Honest beef patty, topped with candied bacon, Guinness fondue, Guinness beef and bacon gravy, crispy onions, rocket and pickles, this burger is certainly not one to miss. To truly get you into the spirit of things, every Honest Burgers restaurant will have Guinness MicroDraught available.
Teeling Irish Whiskey
Teeling’s St Patrick’s Day event takes place in the heart of Shoreditch, London – setting up at Milroys of Spitalfields. Running until Sunday 20th March 2022, the week-long takeover of London’s iconic whisky bar allows visitors to sample the range of spectacular whiskey on offer.
Teeling Whiskey will be taking over the cocktail menu in the downstairs basement, as it offers up a range of delicious cocktails – including the Teeling Highball, the Teeling Irish Coffee and a trio of whiskey tasting flights (available in 3, 4 and 5 whiskey flights). What’s more is that if you buy any bottle of Teeling Whiskey or Tasting Flight on St Patrick’s Day itself, you can get a free embroidered Teeling Whisky flat cap to wear all evening and for many days after too.
Crosstown Doughnuts
Crosstown is coming through again with the limited edition doughnuts – this time to celebrate St Patrick’s Day 2022. The doughnuts are created with Baileys Irish cream chocolate ganache, filled between two layers of chocolate Guinness cake doughnut and hand-dippe in Guinness icing – before being finished with Crosstown’s chocolate soil.
The perfect way to eat your way through St Patrick’s Day, the individual flavours of these doughnuts are available in-store, for collection and on-demand delivery. Gift boxes are available to pre-order nationwide.
Mash Direct
The award-winning Northern Irish vegetable sides brand has just launched a series of delicious recipes for St Patrick’s Day. Should you be spending the Irish festivities at home, why not cook up your own feast, featuring a Marmite-Infused Cheesy Guinness Dip for your Mash Direct fries?
St Patrick’s Day Marmite-Infused Guinness Dip with Mash Direct Skinny Fries
Ingredients:
1 large yellow onion, sliced into 1/4-inch thin half moons
4 ounces Dubliner cheese, plus extra for sprinkling on top
8 ounces cream cheese
¼ cup of mayonnaise
¼ of a cup of Guinness
1 tbsp of mustard (any variety)
2 handfuls of freshly chopped chives
3 tsp of marmite
2 tbsp unsalted butter
Salt
Pepper
2 packs of Mash Direct Skinny Fries
Method:
Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees.
Cut a large yellow onion in half and then slice into 1/4-inch thin half-moons. Heat a 10-inch skillet on medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and add in the onions. Toss to coat and cook slowly until golden and caramelized.
Then, toss the onions into a bowl with the 8 ounces cream cheese, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 4 ounces of the Dubliner cheese, 1tbsp of Mustard, a handful of fresh chopped chives and salt and pepper.
Pour in 1/4 cup of Guinness
Next, stir until thoroughly combined.
Spoon the mixture into a small-ish oven safe dish, with a dollop of marmite on top.
Spread the dip evenly and sprinkle with the remaining Dubliner cheese. Slip the pan-o-cheese into your preheated 400° oven for 25 to 28 minutes or until the dip is golden and bubbly.
Finish with a scattering of the fresh chopped chives to garnish.
Allow the dip to cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes before you start dipping.
Whilst the dip is cooling, place your Mash Direct Skinny Fries on a baking tray and cook as per pack instructions.
Swift Bars
London cocktail bar Swift will be hosting festivities for St Patrick’s Day at both its Soho and Shoreditch locations. Famous for its signature Irisih coffees, this menu will run until Saturday 19th March and will feature Jameson Back Barrel and Guinness on tap for the week.
On St. Patrick’s Day itself, Swift Soho will celebrate with traditional Irish music from Alan Dunn and Jerry Bloom, while its sister in Shoreditch will be plating up a limited edition Jameson Black Barrel and Guinness Tiramisu – available for the day only.
We’re fast approaching Valentine’s Day 2022 – and while there are a myriad of romantic things to do and gestures to make to celebrate love, we can’t think of a better way to do so than through our stomachs.
Now, the great thing is, whether you’re in a relationship or not, you can enjoy these tasty treats regardless of your relationship status.
Choose to spend the weekend or actual day with your significant other – or celebrate by eating and drinking with friends, family or even solo. After all, sometimes there’s nothing better than some quality time to yourself.
From finish-at-home meal kits to a cosy winter’s walk with your favourite cup of hot chocolate, we’ve got you and your tastebuds covered this Valentine’s Day.
A night in with Restokit
Sack of the cooking and avoid any arguments in the kitchen, thanks to these easy but delicious finish-at-home meals from Restokit. Enjoy a quiet night in with a wide range of meal kits to choose from – so you can order whatever romantic meal you’re craving that evening. Order from restaurant favourites such as Bocca di Lupo, Chick’N’Sours and Gymkana – or go for a Spanish sensation from Ibérica. Tapas lovers can dive into these limited-edition meal kis, featuring a selection of hot and cold tapas dishes; artisan cheeses, truffled Ibérica salchichon; toasted bread with tomato; aubergine with pine nuts and honey – and not forgetting a bottle of delightful Catalan sparkling wine, of course.
Order a finish-at-home kit of your choice from Restokit here.
A romantic walk with Knoops hot chocolate
Aside from Knoops’ romantic gift set contianing its best-selling 34 per cent chocolate flakes and limited-edition heart-shaped marshmallows, why not do something alternative with your favourite hot drink this Valentine’s Day? Take a romantic stroll with your significant other, friends or family, or even have a day to yourself – and be sure to pick up a hot chocolate for your crisp, cold day’s walk. To add a little more romance, a special Valentine’s sleeve can be added to any hot chocolate tube for just £1 in-store.
Knoops’ Richmond store opened in 2021 so why not pay it – or your local branch – a visit?
Love at first bite with Crosstown
Donut dreamboats Crosstown have done it again and come through with a limited edition Valentine’s Day special menu of tasty treats. Featuring three unique flavours, you can feast upon Candy Apple (a vegan sourdough, filled with candy apple compote, dipped in a grenadine glaze and topped with popping candy crumble and edible glitter); Passion Fruit (vegan sourdough again, glazed with a Passoa liueur icing and decorated with dried edible lily flowers) and, finally, a Chocolate Hazelnut (decadent chocolate hazelnut custart encased in the black cocoa dough, dipped in dark chocolate ganache and finished with choclate curls and gold dust).
The perfect plant-based night in or treat to yourself this Valentine’s Day, the brand is also offering gift boxed donuts to celebrate properly.
This February Yard Sale Pizza is back with its famous heart-spaced pizza. Yes, that’s right – what better way to celebrate the day of love with everyone’s first love: pizza. The pizzas will be available as a Margherita (with a vegan option avaiable) and the famous Holy Pepperoni – across Sunday 13th February, as well as Valentine’s Day itself. Get a slice of the action at home delivery or dine-in at Dulwich, Crystal Palace, Crofton Park, Finsbury Park, Hackney Road and Leytonstone.
You can’t always rely on British weather but you can reply on Spanish food – so why not stay in on the special day and devour a 30 day–aged steak with triple-cooked chips, available to order nationwide for £80 and serving the perfect couple, generously. Served with scrumptious sides including confit piquillo peppers, bitter leaf salad with lemon vinaigrette and red cabbage with beetroot and vermouth, all finished off nicely with a chocolate ganache with Maldon salt, olive oil and shortbread, make this year’s celebrations truly unforgettable with this feast.
If dining out is your special thing, then fear not – Pizarro Restaurant Bermondsey has you covered for the most romantic day of the year, offering an indulgent 8-course Valentine’s tasting menu featuring delicacies from earth and sea including Ostras con manzana (Oysters with apple vinaigrette); Canelon mar y montaña (Mediterranean prawn and Iberian pork Catalan canelon); and Txuleton Gallego (Galician rib eye steak on the bone served with green salad and baby potatoes). Wash it all down with José Pizarro’s Brut Nature ‘Gran Reserva’ and finished off with homemade Turfs de chocolate (chocolate truffles).
True Romance at Nine Lives Bar
Head to your new-favourite local taco and cocktail bar for a screening of one of Tarantino’s greatest creations – the romantic classic True Romance. The film will start at 7pm on Monday 14th February and movie-lovers can purchase tickets for £22 – which will include a Blood Orange Negroni or Margarita Picante cocktail, ceviche, an ice cream treat from Happy Endings and a bucket of popcorn. Dress for the theme or just to impress, enjoy tacos and Tarantino wit your significant other or your friends.
It seems as though most people have been supporting the hospitality industry since things opened up on 12th April, seeing as it’s been almost impossible to get a reservation anywhere. However, I was lucky enough to secure a spot or two to dine out this past month. Whether you’re looking to dine al fresco for the next week or make indoor reservations for the date everyone has marked in their diaries (17th May), these reviews may help you decide on where you’ll be eating.
From courtyards to terraces and even indoor restaurants’ takeaway hatches, here’s a variety of spots to dine out at, as the world continues to open up. Here’s seven restaurants to book now for al fresco dining or for when we can eat indoors.
Zuaya has such a sultry vibe that it is such a shame it’s currently restricted to it’s outdoor terrace dining – but only one week to go. The London to Lima is the cocktail to go for here – the restaurant’s take on the Pisco Sour – and let me tell you, it goes down a treat with some guacamole and sweet potato chips. Always a fan of the starters section of a menu, Zuaya’s particularly impressed me, with both the tuna avocado taco and the lamb taco being thoroughly good. The lamb, especially, was cooked so well; it was pulled and juicy and what dreams are made of. Other appetisers that delivered were the daily croqueta – squid – and the beef empanada with red pepper sauce.
The seafood beat the meats, in my opinion. The marinated lemon chicken was tasty but, unfortunately was no comparison to the garlic prawns with lime and chilli and the octopus with sweet potato. The seabass ceviche was also delicious, arriving in a creamy, fruity sauce and garnished with red berries. The mix of flavours in this dish worked really well together, making it unique in flavour. Although it was a struggle to fit it in, I’m never one to leave a job unfinished and so the classic chocolate tart was the last thing we ordered. A luxurious and indulgent chocolate dessert, it was the perfect ‘something sweet’ with which to end the meal.
There are many streets in London are blessed by a Barrafina. Probably with good reason, given the recent travel news too – if Spain is on the green list, you can at least indulge in the cuisine. Barrafina is one of those spots that’s amazing to revisit, particularly with the Dean Street location being known for its chalkboard specials, in addition to the firm favourites on the regular menu.
A glass of Albariño firmly in our hand, I got to work on the menu. Selecting ‘a few small eats’, I started off with the iconic crab croquetas, chiperones (which are like candy to us) and the prawn and piquillo pepper tortilla – oozing in all its beauty. Moving onto that chalkboard of specials, we opted for the scallops wrapped in pancetta, which are succulent and so tasty, while the tuna tartare thoroughly surprised us. Not that I thought it would be bad, but it is just not one of my go-to orders at the restaurant.
I spied turbot on the menu, along with clams and brandada (a mixture of salt cod and potatoes) and it was the fastest and most successful order to date. A perfect combination of premium fish and our favourite cockles, this was the standout dish of the dinner. Moving on to select a meat course, I rounded off the main meal with the Iberico pig cheeks in brandy with girolles, which fell apart instantly – a credit to the produce itself, as well as how it was cooked. To finish things off, a lemon and fig Basque-style cheesecake – a personal win, with cheesecake being a favourite dessert and this one certainly not disappointing.
Iraqi restuarant Juma Kitchen has been holding the fort down via its street food stall KUBBA, in Borough Market. Usually serving a fine dining menu, – and it will again, come 17th May – KUBBA is where you can find a variety of Iraqi treats. I ordered a selection: the potato chap with Juma’s homemade date and tamarind sauce was something special. The only criticism I have about these tasty treats is that my smile soon turned to a frown, due to their bite-sized nature. The haleb was also delicious: a crunchy rice shell filled with spiced beef, lamb and onion. Dipped into Juma’s signature amba sauce, it sparked all sorts of satisfaction among my tastebuds.
The mushroom chap was also great but the first two fried bites stole the show. In addition to the chaps and halebs, I also tried Juma’s chargrilled chicken kebab with salad, sauces and freshly baked tanoor bread. There’s something about the way this part of the world cooks its meat that’s so flavoursome, succulent and tender – and it doesn’t need to add spice to get it this way.
I truly felt for Como Garden, having opened days before London’s third lockdown was announced before Christmas. However this Italian gem in High Street Kensington is a secret which needs to be spread. With gorgeous interiors – come 17th May – and a cute little corner for outdoor seating, Como Garden should be high on your booking list. Starting off with delicious cocktails, the Como Fizz immediately caught my attention with its refreshing taste of basil and cucumber paired with gin. The Lago Amaranto is another Como Signature, this time going a bit more rich and fruity, mixing blackberries with limoncello, gin and egg white.
As I’m usually not a fan of having our menu selected for me, it was a huge trust exercise to let my waiter take the reins on this. However, I soon realised I had nothing to fear, feasting upon delicious plates of arancini with parmesan & fontina cheese; confit artichokes and melanzane alla parmigiana. The star of the starters show had to be the gorgonzola & pear raviolo, with the mix of blue cheese and fruit being a beautiful marriage; so simultaneously sweet and tangy.
Don’t miss out on the Trofie Al Pesto – Como Garden serves up no ordinary version of the pasta dish.Using fresh short pasta from Liguria, this recipe is actually one handed down from one of the chef’s grandmothers. Hands down, best pesto pasta I’ve ever tried. Having been let down by a few octopus dishes in the city, I felt justified in having a few slight trust issues upon this part of the order. However, what a waste of a worry: the octopus was grilled to perfection – moist and tender and not at all chewy. Served with gremolata and beautifully roasted potatoes, it was a definite highlight.
I feel no Italian restaurant should be visited without trying the tiramisu so this was an immediate order – and with good reason. The Como Ferrero Rocher is one of the eatery’s famed desserts and it certainly is impressive in presentation and taste. Just maybe get a few spoons as you might – regrettably – want to share this one.
Although we are meant to be headed toward the summer months, the weather in the UK isn’t completely on board. It seems as though there’s no better time to dive into a delicious bowl of udon. Koya London offers both atsu-atsu (hot udon in hot broth); hiya-atsu (cold udon in hot broth); hiya-hiya (cold udon with cold sauce to dip or pour). There’s also a selection of donburi and small plates from which to choose. Koya City offers shelter under the cover of the Bloomberg Arcade so there’s no concern whether you’re dining inside (post-17th May) or outdoors.
A huge fan of tempura, the prawn tempura hot udon had to be my choice and nothing was more welcoming on a windy day that a steaming bowl of udon noodles and broth. Adding wakame seaweed and a poached egg gave the broth more texture and a little bit of dinner theatre is always fun. I’m still a bit sore that the karrage chicken was removed from the small plates menu in the City location but the fried and grilled tofu and vegetable tempura made for nice sides/starters to the meal. The katsudon (breaded pork) with an egg was also delicious, so I definitely wouldn’t write off the non-udon dishes from your order upon your next visit to Koya.
Another Italian restaurant to make note of, Passo is a place of solace off the Old Street roundabout. The arancini to start with was paired nicely with a lemon mascarpone, making it slightly different to the regular rice balls you get at other Italian spots. A couple of pizzettas graced our table as I chose a classic mozzarella with garlic butter – simple but so satisfactory – and a salami, n’duja and pickled chilli pizza. The latter was great for adding some heat and flavour, complimented by the sweetness of the honey drizzled over the spicy meats. Pasta-wise, I’ve already said how I’m a sucker for clams (read: I would marry a clam), so is it any surprise that the linguine with clams, garlic, chilli and parsley was a cemented part of my order from the moment I sat down? Again, such a simple dish but providing so much satisfaction and genuine happiness.
The Jolie Jardin is now open at the end of King’s Road and the restaurant’s outdoor terrace has some small plates and nibbles to accomapny your champagne cocktails. In partnership with Piper Heidsieck, the bar will make you other drinks but the champagne is the obvious star of the show.
In terms of the food, I did feel that this spot is definitely more a drinks and nibbles spot, rather than somewhere to go for dinner. The pulled chicken and truffle sliders were a delight, as was the King scallops en croute – the latter releasing a pool of fondue leeks as the pastry breaks apart. The wild mushroom croquettes were tasty – if a little small for my liking – but I could not recommend the mussels from the visit I made to the jardin. The fries were stellar though – and I know what you’re thinking, but fries are so commonplace that few places now actually do them justice.
The UK has started to open up, with outdoor dining and drinking leading the way to our path to normality. It’s a great turn of events and especially great for our beloved hospitality industry, who have suffered harshly at the hands of the pandemic.
But if you’re still hesitant to venture outdoors – or perhaps the classic British weather is doing the least to entice you – we’ve rounded up some fabulous ways to eat and drink well and support the industry – all from the comfort of your home.
From DIY kits sticking around to virtual wine tastings, we’ve got a real mix for you. If you’re staying inside, here’s what to eat and drink and still have a fabulous time with friends and family.
If lockdown cooking and takeaways got the best of you, Nutrition Kitchen is an excellent way to detox. Designed with meal plans for those who want to lose weight and those who want to build muscle, the catering team select healthy plans for you across breakfast, lunch and dinner. All plans offer balanced meals, with dishes featuring a variety of meat, fish and vegetarian-focused elements. Breakfast includes poached eggs, mushrooms and spinach, as well as a ham and gruyère cheese omelette. For lunch and dinner, feast upon things such as tandoori chicken with salad; halibut with roasted vegetables or chili con carne. What’s particularly great about Nutrition Kitchen is that your meals arrive at your door each morning so you know everything was prepared fresh on the day.
One of the best DIY kits we’ve seen during this pandemic, the five-course dinner from Romulo Café allows you to enjoy the unique and unfortgettable taste of the Philippines at home. Since we can’t quite travel to the most exotic of destinations right now, travelling through food will have to do. But with Romulo, it’s hardly a consolation prize. The five course finish-at-home kit can be ordered via Plateaway and contains a variety of Filipino dishes. The beauty of this menu is that you can tailor it to your personal preferences, choosing from the likes of Inasal Sisig (lemongrass chicken); Lumpiang Sariwa (vegetable spring roll) and Kinilaw sa Gata (sea bream ceviche) for your starters.
Moving onto the main course: we chose the Crispy Pata (Dingley Dell crispy pork hock) which was a dream to cook and crunch into. Other delicious options for the main course include wok-fried noodles with chicken or prawns or vegetables, as well as Romulo’s signature truffled chicken Adobo. For dessert, it had to be the Ube cheesecake for us, but there’s also Sans Rival (a layered cashew cake) or Banoffee Turon.
Virtual wine tastings just got an upgrade thanks to Tom Gilbey’s vast knowledge and enthusiasm for the humble grape. He’s recently launched his online masterclasses, which are suitable for both small groups and larger parties. Ditching the stuffy nature for something more informal and entertaining, Tom’s wine tastings focus on a particular theme (A French Connection; The Italian Job; The Old World Meets New etc.) and participants are sent four wines to be paired with British cheeses, relishes and biscuits. The wine tasting is conducted over Zoom, as Tom guides his guests through each wine, drawing upon his decades’ worth of experience in the industry. There’s opportunity for the audience to interact or to simply sit back and sip away.
Intrigued? The next class is on Friday, in partnership with Sophie’s Steakhouse. Participants will discover which reds are best paired with steak, as well as having the opportunity to cook their own Premium Côte de Boeuf. Taste wines from Bordeaux, Argentina and Tuscany, alongside a beautiful steak dinner, for the perfect Friday night in.
A recent survey from Flora found that 61 per cent of Brits prefer a barbecue as their choice of al fresco dining. Well, if you’re part of this clan, we’ve got just the barbecue bundle for you. 44 Foods is here for all of your fruit, vegetable and other fresh produce needs but, seeing as barbecue season is pretty much upon us, why not stock up on bits for the grill? The large meat bundle includes two packs of tasty pork ribs, two packs of our delicious Ultimate Scotch Beef Burgers, two succulent steaks and much more.
With so much to go around, you’re definitely going to want to host the al fresco dining options rather than scramble for bookings. If you’re trying to avoid the supermarket shop come the nice weather – when it appears as though everyone in the country is barbecuing – you can also buy your rolls and buns from 44 Foods as well. For those looking to do the same as Martyn this Christmas, he shares his guide on how to throw a Christmas Dinner barbecue. Visit OutDoorHappens.com for some great barbecue recipes for your next party.
If you still fancy putting on a dinner party but are stuck at the pudding part, Mon Dessert is here to help you. Taking the stress out of baking, it offers a variety of popular desserts – all easy to make but impressive in appearance and taste. Choose from a range of sweet treats, such as the iconic Crème Brûlée; little Madeleines or the new Mille-Feuille. We opted for the classic Tarte au Citron, which was both fun and not so fiddly to create – the perfect dessert with which to get started. All the ingredients are provided for you; Mon Dessert just makes some small suggestions on what you might want more of etc.
To be completely honest, we knew we were going to love the latest DIY kits from Cue Point just as much as the first ones to hit our stomachs. We didn’t need to review to gain this insight. But a) what irresponsible journalism would that be and b) we would never turn down an offer to try Mursal and Josh’s beautiful brainchild. Offering up short rib and lamb ‘nacos’ to get even the fussiest of mothers (mine) to lick her lips and clean her plate, the new Birria kit will have you drooling over cheesy flatbreads and barbecoa. Not to be dismissed: those zaatar buttery smashed potatoes. Vegans, listen up, Cue Point caters for plant-based eaters too, with an aubergine naco kit.
Get the best Borough Market has to offer – in a box, delivered to your front door. Whether you’re planning a cheese and wine night in or you’re still not sick of a good, old fashioned picnic in the park, Borough Market has a series of boxes for you. This a great way of supporting your favourite suppliers and market in London from the comfort of your own home. With the “Picnic Box”, you can be treated to nibbles such as Moroccan olives; cornichons and mushroom pâté. Enjoy a selection of cheese, charcuterie and chutney with crackers and a rosemary and olive sourdough loaf. You can either supply your own drinks for the picnic – or add on wine, beer or champagne from Borough Market too. Available as a one-off purchase or for subscription, there’s enough boxes to see you through the summer months.
Another one for the barbecue or grill, popular Persian restaurant Berenjak has been offering up its kebab kits throughout lockdown. The Soho restaurant hasn’t yet been able to open its doors but indoor seating will be available come May 17th. Until then, the home-cooked kebab kits will give you your taste of Persia. Grill marinated jujeh (chicken) and koobideh (minced lamb) kebabs; charcoaled tomatoes and wrap it all up in lavash-style Persian bread.
The beauty of these kits is that everything is provided to you: you’ve got onions; lemons and spices such as somagh (sumac) to make the meal complete. The kit even includes mast-o-musir – the classic yoghurt and shallot dip served in Persian restaurants as a starter (alongside bread). If you want to turn up the heat, the kebab kit is also available in a spicy version, with chicken and barreh (cubed lamb). As a Persian person, my family and I all thoroughly enjoyed this kit – entertaining to make and delicious to eat.
The world is opening up and we’re all feeling a little relieved at not having to cook every single meal for ourselves anymore. However, if you’re feeling a little shy about rejoining normal life but you still want a bit of a break from cooking, we’re putting ByRuby on your radar.
ByRuby is the brainchild of founders Milly and Ruby, who create nourishing, home-cooked food – in the form of a frozen ready meal. All the nutritious value and healthy elements, without the strain of having to be responsible for cooking it all. Ruby, a Leith’s-trained chef met Milly, her creative co-founder, and the two hit it off straight away about wanting to create something food-lovers would appreciate but made eating at home that little bit less stressful.
Another day, another virtual sit down, Amira Arasteh chatted with both Milly and Ruby about their business, their outlook on healthy eating and the brand’s sustainable and ethical efforts.
How is the business faring right now?
Milly: We’re really busy right now, which is great. The last three months held the best sales for us so it’s really exciting. We’ve had some great accounts come on – wholesale accounts – and had some interest from bigger brands, so it’s busy but good. It’s also really encouraging to have had good feedback; we think more people have used our services while being at home and have really appreciated eating something both nourishing and tasty. We’re really lucky that our business has thrived during lockdown so we’re really thankful for that.
Now things are starting to open up and people will go out to eat, how are you feeling about the business?
Ruby: I think we will always have that presence in stores so that will help.
Was that something you thought about before designing your business model?
Ruby: Kind of. We started off at Finn’s of Chelsea, a food shop and deli. Milly used to own it with her Aunt Julia. So we started it there, in a retail space, so we had useful feedback from them. We then developed it as an online business and growing it online but still having the retail connection. We had a few inbound enquiries from independent farm shops to stock our ready meals. So we thought, “let’s do both!” We hired a sales manager to focus on wholesale and retail shops and we envisage having a 50/50 split.
I think it helps people recognise the brand and for us to become more of a household name. I think that will help moving forwards with staycations too; our meals stay frozen for 48 hours so you can take a box on holiday and have all your food cooked for you on holiday. Especially if you’re in the remote countryside and you don’t have the takeaway element or restaurants. That’s an angle we’re going for, directly to the consumer.
Milly: I think, as a consumer myself, what I think about is the ease of knowing I have a healthy lasagne to heat up in the freezer that the whole family will enjoy. I think that’s why our products tie in so well with farm shops. I think people’s shopping habits are going to change; people know they can buy online, so the in-store shopping experience has to be that bit more lovely. We’re focusing on working with these lovely, independent farm shops, where the customer service is key. Our product is just tasty, honest food – no additives or preservatives.
For many, working with the bigger name supermarkets is the goal; is there more of a personable quality working with the smaller businesses? How has it been, as a small business yourself, working with another small business?
Milly: It’s worked really well. We’ve realised there are certain shops where our product thrives and we need to be in the right stores. It’s simply about the customer base and what they care about. Our customer really cares about the provenance of their food; that it’s not full of salt and sugar; that it helps to make their lives easier. Most of the people we provide food for are really busy and just need a little help. Looking at things like supermarkets, there are some we’d like to be in – Booth’s in the north of England have amazing produce and a lovely ethic behind them. The same goes for somewhere like Ocado, who have just opened their B-corp shop; we’d love to be a B-corp one day.
How would you go about selecting the retailers with whom to work? Particularly if you didn’t feel aligned with them?
Milly: It is rare because are main aim is for our views to be aligned. Also, our product is a bit more expensive and you pay for quality. Sometimes shops say our meals are too expensive but that proves that that shop’s customer isn’t a fit for us.
Ruby: Because we have a high-quality product, the shops we work with have the customer base who are willing to spend more on good quality ingredients. I think the price eliminates any issue.
Milly: But also, in our strategy over the next few months, we are looking to slightly reduce our price points. We want to be a premium brand but also remain competitive with other brands. COOK is one of our competitors but their price point is slightly lower than ours so we want to make our prices a little more in line with others on the market.
How do you deal with competition?
Ruby: I think it’s really important to keep some sort of difference. By maintaining a higher price point, people need to know that our ingredients are organic and free-range. COOK’s ingredients aren’t. That’s one of the main differences. We don’t use any additives and preservatives in our food and COOK often does. So I think it’s just trying to make sure we can scale but keep that difference. We want to make sure we continue using 100 per cent natura ingredients but also be able to bring the cost down to reach a wider audience.
Milly: Ethically, that’s something Ruby and I both believe in. We both eat in a flexitarian way; a lot of vegetarian food but a balanced amount of meat and fish. We’re all about eating less but good quality. It’s also a marketing thing: we need to show the customer what we, as a brand, are about. Lots of these pre-prepared brands are run by men but it’s interesting to see us being run by two women. I think Potage is run by women but it is rarer. Also, with us, everything is made by Chef Ruby.
How would you outreach to certain consumers who see this kind of brand as a privilege? How would you encourage the middle man to make the swap from a supermarket’s own brand to yours?
Milly: I think that’s definitely a point but there’s also people who order a takeaway as a ‘once-a-week’ treat – and our food is cheaper than a takeaway. Our angle is for our food to be your treat meal – except it’s all natural produce and nutritious. Also, because it’s frozen, it helps economincally, because you can keep it if you change your mind and decide to eat out. As someone who cooks regularly, having a ready meal is a treat for me. We’re trying to encourage people to treat themselves in a more healthy way. We can’t compare ourselves to a £2 Tesco ready meal but it’s a great idea to have in the freezer for when you don’t want to cook.
You mentioned you eat a balanced diet, including meat and fish. What are your thoughts on the documentary Seaspiracy?
Ruby: Personally, I haven’t feed it but I did watch Cowspiracy. I think it comes back to making you know where your meat and fish is coming from. We always sure our produce RSPCA-credited. It’s about spending a bit more money on a better-sourced, better quality prodcut and eating it less.
Milly: I haven’t seen it yet but it’s on my list. But, a lot of this comes down to overconsumerism and wastage. I think they’re more main issues in the UK; how disposable people are with their food. That’s something we really believe in and feel strongly about; we literally have no wastage in our kitchen. If we do change a receipe and there’s excess, we send it to a charity called Harvest Bundle. Instead of mashing our potatoes, we bake them and take the insides out, using the potato skins for staff lunch. It’s little things like that, we really hate wastage.
I think that’s how consumers need to change and a lot of that comes down to education about food. We’re working with a charity called Magic Breakfast and they help children who wouldn’t get breakfast in schools. As we grow, we really want to focus on teaching children how to cook. If your parents don’t know how to cook, you never learn.
How much of your range is vegan?
Ruby: 50 per cent of our range is vegan or vegetarian. We wanted to keep the menu flexitarian and ensure that everyone has high quality dishes to choose from.
Have you thought about doing cooking masterclasses or workshops?
Ruby: That’s definitely something we’d love to do in the future. At the moment, we have a small team of ten people, so it’s not feasible right now. But definitely something we want to do, as we grow. We also want to make sure we have an outreach on social media, with regular recipes.
Milly: We’re starting a blog too. I think that kind of thing is really useful, offering top tips and insight.
Ruby: We also have a cookbook coming out in June. It’s all about championing your freezer; using it to make your life easier. I think a lot of people see their freezer as a home for frozen peas. But it’s great for encouraging batch cooking and thinking ahead.
Milly: It will be really practical. Every recipe will have how to make it, how to freeze it, how to reheat etc.
Do you feel like batch-cooking has fallen apart a bit because of working from home?
Milly: I think people have really relished in cooking during lockdown. I think people have been focusing on shopping locally and taking care of the origin of what they’re buying.
Would you like to work with snack brands who are similarly aligned with your views?
Milly: It’s always nice to collaborate with brands who hold a similar ethos as ourselves. We try to make sure we work with British, local producers who care what goes into their food and have the same quality control and standard as us. I think collaborations benefit all partners. We’re working with a brand called Nix and Kix, a flavoured sparkling water brand.
What are your favourite meals from the brand?
Milly: My favourite meal is the chicken pie. It’s absolutely mega. It’s like a hug if you know if you have it in the freezer. Such a British classic but the perfect night-in meal.
Ruby: I think mine is the miso ramen but I think that’s because of the work that went into making it. It’s vegan but you wouldn’t know it was because it’s packed full of favour. It’s a great lunch dish.
Born out of a love for all things beauty – but also the environment – Snail & Hare is an eco-friendly beauty salon in the heart of London’s Soho. What better place to get your nails or pampering session done this World Earth Day?
Bringing the most innovative organic brands around, the salon’s treatments are carefully selected to get you the pampering session you deserve, without taking a toll on the planet. The brands used at Snail & Hare reuse and recycle and the salon is committed to promoting sustainability in beauty, one treatment at a time.
This World Earth Day, Amira Arasteh sits (virtually) down with the founder of Snail & Hare, Aya Alieva, to discuss more about the brand’s ethos and her passion for both beauty and the environment.
What makes Snail & Hare eco-friendly?
We make sure that we use only biodegradable recyclable materials, not only with our brands but also every day in the salon. We recycle and also use 30 per cent less water for our back wash and pedicures. It’s important that we also encourage our customers to reuse and recycle by providing them a refill service for OWAY products, as well as recyclable packaging of Sacred Nature.
Why did you decide to set up an eco-friendly salon?
I felt that beauty should not cost the earth and wanted to somehow contribute to showing people that we can be both conscious of our environment as well as care about our appearance.
London is a great choice for a first site. Do you have a second favourite city or one with which you think another Snail & Hare would resonate well?
It might do well in New York… I would actually love to open a second site in Berlin though. I feel people would respond well to the message of responsible beauty there.
Do you find your customers specifically come to you because of your sustainable ethos?
I believe it is definitely one of the reasons our clients come to Snail & Hare. They are conscious about the products being used on them and where they originate from. They want to support a salon that is committed to supporting our planet and environment.
What’s your personal go-to sustainable beauty products?
I really love this new brand that we carry – Sacred Nature. Their creams are full of naturally sourced ingredients to protect your skin from environmental aggressors. Moreover, the brand is truly sustainable, has a negative carbon footprint and is committed to reforestation.
How are you celebrating Earth Day this year?
I will be working, trying to promote & create awareness of sustainability in beauty to our online audience.
What’s the easiest thing someone can do to be more sustainable with their beauty regime?
I think just being aware and choosing the right brands and products that support and promote sustainability.
It’s not long to go before restaurants and bars can open outdoors – but until then, here’s six options for food and drink to enjoy Easter at home. Lockdown is still in place but don’t feel you’re missing out on your favourite pub roast as we have a selection for you to choose from – all able to be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home this Easter weekened. From finish-at-home meals to cocktail kits, we’ve got you covered on enjoying the long weekend as any food and drink obsessee should.
Cadbury Creme Egg Frappuccino
This Creme Egg Frappuccino is a delicious, creative Easter recipe made by the experts at Coffee Direct. Easily made in the comfort of your home with simple ingredients, this tasty delight will leave you feeling energised for your Easter activities. Indulge in one (or two) and make your own using the recipe below:
● 2 shots espresso (or 120ml of strong coffee), chilled ● 1/4 cup whole milk ● 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk ● 450g of ice cubes ● 3 Cadbury Creme Eggs – 2 broken into pieces, 1 kept whole for topping ● Whipped cream for topping ● Caramel sauce
METHOD
1. Whizz everything in a blender until smooth. 2. Drizzle caramel sauce in your serving glass, then fill it with ice. 3. Pour in the blended mixture. 4. Top your festive drink with whipped cream, more caramel sauce and a whole creme egg.
ROAST by The Loveable Rogue
Take the stress out of Easter Sunday with this ultimate roast dinner kit from The Loveable Rogue. Choose from either chicken or beef and enjoy all the trimmings alongside it. Start the meal as you might were you able to dine out, with caramelised cauliflower and apple veloute, with curry oil and fresh apple adding a sweet and tangy crunch to the dish. For mains, enjoy Speyside beef – sirloin cut with red wine gravy – or roast chicken with garlic butter and chicken sauce.
Of course a roast isn’t complete without all the sides and The Loveable Rogue does not skimp out: devour cauliflower cheese with a cheddar cheese and herb crumb; rosemary and garlic roast potatoes; honey-glazed root vegetables; vegetable écrasé (mashed vegetables) including celeriac, carrot, chives and carrot crumb – and there’s even DIY Yorkshire puddings. Please note: make sure you have a muffin tin to pour the batter into for these yorkies. No meal is complete without a sweet treat to finish and the pear and vanilla custard trifle with almond crumb is the perfect finisher as it’s just the right size and level of sweet.
The Yorkshire banger brand is doing something a little different for Easter. Not one to miss out on giving you guys a sweet treat, HECK has created a gluten-free chocolate sausage for this bank holiday weekend. If you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional chocolate Easter eggs, HECK is selling this gourmet chocolate sausage until Friday so don’t miss your chance to devour this decadent dessert. The ‘Chausage’, as it’s been nicknamed, is a satifyingly sweet combination of gluten-free shortbread and Amaretti biscuits, butter, milk, sugar, sunflower seeds, apricots, glace cherries, raisins and cocoa powder – finished with a light dusting of icing sugar.
Cocktail Porter has long been a favourite of ours, with their fun twists on traditional drinks. New for Easter is the brand’s Lindt chocolate bunny espresso martini kits – available for nationwide delivery. How this works is you bite the head off the bunny and then shake and pour Ketel One Vodka, Cocktail Porter sugar syrup, Kuka cold brew coffee and Conker liqueur inside the chocolate vessel. We’ll get these for Easter weekend and then continue them for a casual Thursday night tipple, we think.
Green Haus is the gift that keeps on giving, with its ever-changing vegan menus. Enjoy an eight-course meal, featuring patatas mojo verde (baked new potato salad, wild garlic salsa and jalapeno chilli); Masoor dal (spiced brown lentil dip), with flatbread; gnocchi di spinachi al pesto (spinach gnocchi, roasted courgettes, pesto-toasted pine nuts and globe artichoke); paella de tomate y azafran (saffron and sun-blushed tomato and smoked almonds); Shoyu ramen with soy; sausage roll wtih five bean, chestnut mushroom and homemade brown sauce and then two sweet options to finish: apple and gooseberry crumble with fruit and nut topping and coconut and vanilla anglaise – and also a divine lemon drizzle cake with blueberry compote. Eating vegan never tasted so good.
King/Queen chocolatiers Montezuma’s has hatched an eggciting range for Easter this year. Featuring the cutest chunky chocolate chicks (that is until tasty overrides cute and you can’t help but bite into them). Meet Clucky, Lucky and Plucky – so creamy and so moreish. The Easter range also includes peanut butter mini eggs, a selection of handmade marbled and speckled chocolate hens (named Silkie, Orloff and Frizzle) and, of course, the classic smooth organic milk, rich dark and creamy white chocolate slabs. Aiming to cater for everyone this Easter, vegans and lactose-intolerant chocolate-lovers can still come to teh party as Montezuma’s has its award-winning milk-chocolate alternative, Like No Udder, and best-selling Absolute Black 100% Cocoa to devour.
