Food & Drink - House Of Coco Magazine

Behind the bar November 9, 2023

Behind the bar: Mercato Metropolitanos, Cha Cha Mayfair

Cha Cha Mayfair is a new seafood bar and restaurant at Mercato Metropolitano in the Grade I St Mark’s Church, Mayfair, right in the heart of central London. With a mix of stained glass windows, grilled octopus with salsa verde and lashings of fiery margaritas…it truly is a religious experience.

A Fusion of Mediterranean Seafood and Exotic Cocktails

Cha Cha Mayfair is the latest in a series of exciting new openings for the Initiative Group and combines eclectic cocktails with fresh Mediterranean seafood. With a prime position overlooking the entirety of the food market, Cha Cha’s bar is surrounded by beautiful church windows and has an open seafood kitchen so you can watch the expert chefs at work.

New dishes from the expertly curated menu include the mouthwatering lobster and crab roll with horseradish sauce and the grilled octopus with salsa verde. Larger seafood platters to share with friends are also on offer such as ‘The Carmen’ (£25) which includes rock oysters, king prawns, lobster and langoustine as well as ‘The Sergio’ (£20) which includes scallops, rock oysters, palourde clams and blue mussels. The staff are passionate about serving up the best cocktails in town and are committed to sourcing the best spirits for each drink. We sampled the fresh Cha Cha Margarita as well as the fruity El Dorado (ideal for the vodka lover). The bar was buzzy, the drinks were zesty and the food was unbelievable. We had the best seats in the house.

A Hub of Sustainable Dining and Culinary Innovation

At its heart, Cha Cha’s ethos is defined by responsible sourcing, enforcing a zero-waste policy and being mindful of the way in which they consume products. This is also in keeping with the values of Mercato Metropolitan whose mission is focused on using fresh, artisan and sustainably sourced ingredients as much as possible. In addition to Cha Cha, the church space has two levels of food stalls and bars which are accompanied by a rooftop terrace, whilst the vaulted crypt basement hosts an authentic wine cellar with fresh cuts and world cheeses, a micro-brewery, events and cookery classes for everybody to gather, learn and share. Cha Cha Mayfair is just one of the many exciting developments in the pipeline of the Initiative Group. Over the next year, expect to see the following setting up around the country:

Cha Cha at Eden Locke (Edinburgh): All-day casual dining and drinks,
Taco by Cha Cha (London): Tacos bar and drinks

www.mercatometropolitano.com/mmarketplace/mercato-Mayfair

Check out our recent feature on a Genius-themed evening at TT Liquor on House of Coco.

Cocktails November 9, 2023

#TeamCoco in Residency at The Westbury Mayfair

Opened in 1955, The Westbury Mayfair, a Luxury Collection Hotel, London is primely located on Bond Street, in the heart of Mayfair’s fashion and arts district. The only hotel to occupy such a prized address, it shares its illustrious position with prestigious boutiques, arts institutions and city landmarks, offering an ideal base from which to explore the individuality and authentic personality of the neighbourhood. Recently House of Coco were in residence and St George’s Penthouse Suite was taken over by our #TeamCoco for 48 hours. Here’s what we got up to…

House of Coco founder, Laura Bartlett, headed up a goal setting retreat for the team where they discussed everything from themes for the upcoming print issues, the vision for 2020 and a brainstorming session around new ideas for the publication. Broken up only by a delicious lunch, the team were filled with inspiration and ideas to take House of Coco magazine to the next level.

Given that the sun was shining, it was the perfect excuse to head out on to the penthouses private balcony to do a team photoshoot. Showcasing designer brands that had been shipped in for the occasion, the avid photographers in the team shared their tips and tricks on getting the best shots.

Laura also spent time interviewing the team at The Westbury Mayfair, including Monika Mulder the Director of Marketing and Sales, before getting behind the bar with Ciprian to get her hands dirty at cocktail making (and drinking) in the famous Polo Bar. It was an action packed day of fun, ideas and team work not only from #TeamCoco but from the staff at the hotel.

Getting out of the hotel to explore the local area, Laura, Stuart and Caoilfhionn were chauffeur driven around London to see the sights in a lush Bentley from the team at Jack Barclay, the ultimate way to cruise the Capital in style!

After all the work was done, it was time to head down to Alyn Williams restaurant on the ground floor for a specially curated menu in the private dining room for some of the team who were also joined by amazing women that Laura has met along the way. From Bandi at Glamour magazine to Ashleigh from the BBC, every single woman in the room that night meant something to Laura and it was an amazing energy having them all together. Almost as amazing as the food!

The Westbury Mayfair really know how to make you feel special and after the day and night of dreams, it was time to retire to the suite for the night for Laura and Stuart where they got to download the activities of the day whilst watching the sunset from the balcony. The next morning, sad that things were coming to an end, the butler arrived in the suite to deliver a hearty breakfast which set them up perfectly for the day. This was definitely 48 hours that they won’t forget any time soon.

To create your own memories at The Westbury Mayfair, click here and book your room today.

For our #TeamCoco Editorial Shoot, the team were dressed in head-to-toe Paloma Blue. Shop our looks on www.paloma-blue.com

Dog-friendly November 9, 2023

A Doggy Valentine’s Date at Pastaio London

Since we’re all about change in 2020, this year we skipped the traditional Valentine’s Day date and instead went on a romantic rendezvous with our four-legged best friend.

So, with PAWsecco in tow, we took our resident doggy journalist, Charlie TeamCocopup, to a Doggy Valentine’s date to Pastaio London, one of the most delicious pasta places in town.

Located right by buzzy, bustling Carnaby Street Pastaio London is as bright and colourful inside, as its cool Covent Garden locale. Once inside, you are immediately greeted by the aroma of freshly made pasta – and the burst of bold colour of the restaurant’s Rob Lowe designed feature wall where TeamCocopup and I found a cosy corner table for our doggy date.

There’s plenty of authentic Italian fare to choose from, and it’s also worth talking about how Pastaio London has an entire vegan/gluten-free green menu for those looking to extend their Veganuary to the rest of the year. The vegan menu offers healthy starters like the Sardinian crispbread, and the Taggiasca olive and orange salad; to gluten-free pastas such as the smoked chili and black olives spaghetti and the Ragu Bolognese with porcini mushrooms.

All the food is made on-site in Pastaio London’s kitchen and you can really tell the difference. We started with the red cabbage, squash, and hazelnut starter, followed by the Wild mushroom, garlic, lemon and parsley reginette. Both paired with some truly zesty Prosecco Slushies. The piece de resistance, however, has to be the ‘Lady & the Tramp ‘style Spaghetti & Meatballs sharing plate. The dish is for two to share, and while, you can share your bowl with your doggy-date we highly recommend getting your pup his/her own bowl instead.

With a generous serving, the Spaghetti and Meatballs is everything you’d expect from a perfect bowl a pasta, albeit given that ‘al dente’ twist that Pastaio London has perfected. TeamCocopup Charlie gobbled his portion up in due time, and of course, posed for his ‘Lady & the Tramp’ moment too. The staff were nothing short of superb and gave our resident doggy-journalist plenty of fuss We’re definitely giving Pastaio London five stars/paws and will soon be coming back for a second (or third) serving.

The Spaghetti & Meatballs Sharing Plate will be available in Pastaio London until 24 February

WWW.PASTAIOLONDON.COM

Brunch November 9, 2023

The Delicious Discoveries of Marylebone Village

I’ve recently instigated ‘Sunday Funday’ with one of my friends, an initiative to get us out of the house, make the most of our weekends and discover new pockets of London we haven’t yet experienced which last month delivered us to Marylebone Village.

Despite its W1 postcode and proximity to Oxford Street (and ergo my 9-5…) Marylebone still manages to feel like an area of London relatively new to me, that’s managed to keep its village charm and ambiance. Of course there are chains – two Pret’s practically within an arm-span on the high street – but alongside them nestle a healthy dose of independent shops, food suppliers and restaurants, not to mention a spectacular Sunday Farmer’s Market with a host of utterly delectable produce.

Here are our tips for the best foodie discoveries, make sure to head down on a Sunday to make the most of them…

Good Life Eatery

Situated towards the southern end of Marylebone Lane, the Good Life Eatery strives to encourage us all to eat better, healthier and happier. Founded three years ago by co-founders Yasmine Larizadeh and Shirin Kourus, they wanted to bring something new, fresh and healthy to London’s food scene. Its menu includes cold-pressed juices and smoothies as well as ‘all-day yumz’ from a ‘Shred Breakfast’ of poached eggs, sweetcorn, hummous, shredded greens and omega seeds to the more indulgent and yet still deliciously healthy Chestnut & Almond Waffle, served with rhubarb and chia compote, coconut yoghurt and banana mash.Grab yourself one of their powerful shots to kick your metabolism into gear – we loved the First Aid Shot of Lemon, Echinacea, Turmeric and Baobab.

Aubaine

If you like your breakfasts a little more indulgent (read: French), London favourite Aubaine has an outpost on Moxon Street. Typically decorated in its signature palette of tonal greys, it’s a big branch offering their classic menu of treats like Lobster Benedict, Black Truffle Scrambled Eggs and the Full French breakfast of Toulouse sausage, eggs, portobello mushroom, Alsace bacon, baked beans, sweetcorn fritter, kale and slow-roasted tomatoes. Where they really come into their own however is the pastries (quelle surprise…). We popped in mid-morning to warm up after our chilly mooch with a steaming pot of tea and one of their Pain aux Pistaches, a twice-baked pain au chocolate with pistachio and almond. And yes, it was every bit as delicious as it sounds…

The Ginger Pig

Carnivores may already be familiar with London butcher The Ginger Pig; with eight shops across the capital, the Marylebone Village outpost is one of only two that offer their signature butchery classes, alongside the Borough Market space.Have a look at forthcoming dates on their website; there’s an Easter lamb shoulder nose-to-tail class coming up, or try the Game class. Seasonal variable, the class currently covers fur game or venison and rabbit until September, whilst the featured game class covers grouse, partridge and pheasant from October to January.

Beef is dry-aged in house for a minimum of 28 days. Sausages and burgers are made by hand by their skilled butchery team, while bacon and gammons are cured either by hand-salting or using a traditional brine; in short, it’s a meat-lover’s dream. Make sure to sample one of their signature sausage rolls – their bestseller – with crispy, flaky pastry and deliciously juicy sausagemeat, before picking up dinner.

La Fromagerie

Those with a sensitive nose may wish to avoid this emporium of cheese. Turophiles take note; this may be your Holy Grail. La Fromagerie Marylebone is one of three sites in central London, each of which houses a signature temperature and humidity-controlled cheese room featuring dozens of favourite and little-known varieties, along with a tasting café complete with a carefully-sourced wine selection, selected by region to complement the cheeses and tasing menus.

With a pantry of delicious treats made in-house, you’ll want to stock up on their seasonal chutneys, pickles, preserves and jams, not to mention the homemade granola, hummus, cultured butter and buttermilk and seasonal fresh produce delivered each week from delivered each week from markets in Italy, France and farms around the UK. Stick around for lunch and you’ll be rewarded by cheesy favourites like fondue, raclette and one of the best grilled cheese sarnies you’ll every try.

La Brasseria

One gets the impression from La Brasseria that it’s something of a local favourite. We headed there for lunch and it had the comfortable hum of conversation from tables dotted with families of several generations, couples out for a lazy lunch, groups of girlfriends catching up; it’s the very epitome of a cosy brasserie.

The decor is gorgeous; teal walls, wood panelling and brass fixtures, it nails the chic Italian design. We tucked in to a creamy burrata with sliced tomatoes and prosciutto, followed by a perfect carbonara packed with pancetta and one of their signature crispy pizzas. The weekend brunch is also a total treat, with dishes like French toast with maple bacon, banana and pecan nuts and the Italian American with fried eggs, prosciutto and road potato.

Marylebone Farmer’s Market

I’m saving the best for last, but Marylebone Farmer’s Market has enough to it that it could warrant a visit to the area just by itself. On every Sunday, the market is a showcase of some of the finest and freshest food producers from around the UK. Ironically, the very first stall we came across was fresh fruit, veg and apple juice from Perry Court Farm in Kent; five minutes from my parents’ house it’s a place I’ve frequented many a time.

We passed freshly baked breads from the likes of Karaway and Clapham’s Old Post Office Bakery, pies, cakes and pastries courtesy of Honeypie Bakery, fantastic fungi from The Mushroom Table and the most incredible sausages from The Parsons Nose, who served up freshly cooked bangers dripping with onions for a hearty breakfast bap. Windrush Valley Goat Dairy is a must-visit, for not just their cheeses but delicious goat’s curd and milk, and make sure to stop off at Anatolia, a Turkish couple making gozleme and tantuni on site using their mother’s recipes.

If you’re heading to the market for your food shop make it an early one; we popped back at 12 en route home to find several stalls sold out, all the fresh fish gone and not a bunch of flowers to be seen where there were dozens an hour before. What a wonderful sight to see so much local support for small producers, buying fresh and seasonal over the plastic-drowned produce in our supermarkets.

www.marylebonevillage.com

Arts November 9, 2023

Macarons, Manga & the Maison Pierre Hermé Paris

Can you feel it in the air? Now that dreaded January is out of the way our thoughts have turned to springtime, booking holidays and Valentine’s Day. If you haven’t given a thought as to what to buy your other half, bestie or maybe even yourself, don’t fret; #TeamCoco have got your back.One of our favourite Valentine’s gifts this year is the gorgeous macaron box from Pierre Hermé Paris, the 4th most influential French person in the World according to Vanity Fair. We caught up with him to talk passion, trends, anime and, of course, the city of love itself, Paris!.. .

HOC: Hello Pierre, so great to meet you – we remember stomping around Paris in the rain looking for your shop on Rue Bonaparte before you opened in London. We can believe you are the World’s Best Pastry Chef! Can you tell us a little about what’s hot in pastry this year, what should we be looking out for?

PM: To be very honest, I’m not concerned about trends – I have never looked for them or followed them, I let only my inspirations guide me and I listen only to my own creative instinct. My only concern is taste! I find myself often asking myself the question, “is it good enough?”, does it taste good? Am I satisfied with what I’ve created? These are important questions that I can think about for seconds, weeks or sometimes years!

At Pierre Hermé Paris, our mission is to offer connoisseurs a unique experience in taste, sensations and pleasure. This year we have a lot of surprises in store – from the “Les Jardins” 2017 collection with some exceptional and rare ingredients and techniques, to the Easter collection, focusing on two artistic tributes and exceptional Grands Crus Pure Origin chocolates, to the latest “Fetish Macaron” launching in boutique for the first time at the end of April…

So, what to look out for: the selection of top-notch ingredients, attention to detail, creativity and innovation!

HOC: Sounds incredible, we can’t wait! In addition to how great everything tastes, we love how everything looks. Could you tell us about how the current collaboration with Nicolas Buffe came about?

PM: I met Nicolas Buffe at an exhibition, he is an exceptional artist. We launched the collaboration in February 2016 and it will end with the Valentine’s Day collection for 2017. It has been a truly unprecedented collaboration for the Maison Pierre Hermé Paris, with a story, various activations and creations being revealed across different markets and across the year. We gave Nicolas free reign and it led to the creation of a unique universe – a saga calling on ancestral myths, manga culture, as well as Renaissance and Baroque art. You can have a glimpse of it via the exclusive interactive adventure we released last October on www.pierrehermenicolasbuffe.com. (Editor’s note: we recommend checking it out, it’s stunning!)

Although unprecedented in terms of scope, this type of collaboration is part of a tradition at Pierre Hermé Paris and is part of the brand DNA. Having my work dialogue with those of other artists is extremely important to me and a very interesting way to work. Whether it be with painters, sculptors, musicians, perfume designers, architects or other…what motivates me in the first place and most importantly is the desire to create ideas with people working in different areas, different crafts, different universes. Every month, my business partner, Charles, and I invite several artists for a breakfast or lunch. It is a very unique experience, as we meet with people whose work is of particular interest to us, it is always full of surprises and creates a lot of good energy.

HOC: This idea of dialogue is really intriguing. How did this play out for this collaboration?

PM: In this type of collaboration, an exchange is always established and there is a mutual learning, it is a truly enriching way to work.

For example, the story created by Nicolas is inspired by the Pierre Hermé Paris universe, the robot Athanor 3 has a sweet tooth and is fanatical about macarons, the Fairground Gardens are inspired by the Parc Monceau, my favourite park in Paris and just a stone’s throw away from my Atelier de Création and if you look carefully in the drawings there are many references to macarons, cakes and other gourmandises!

Working with Nicolas or with other artists gives me another point of view, another vision on my work and can always inspire new ideas.

HOC: The artwork is so romantic, manga-esque and steampunk; we love it. We love that the story is romantic but not soppy, more a Ghibli fairytale! How was the story created?

PM: The style is Nicolas – he belongs to a generation that has been influenced by Japanese culture, references further enriched through his studies with classics from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. When we started to work together, each time we met, we came up with more and more ideas.

The idea of the Interactive Adventure online came quite naturally from his style and our desire to create something innovative, a new way of communicating and interacting with our clients. It was very well received and was awarded with three awards: a Silver EPICA Awards – Digital, a “Site of the Day” Awwwards and an Emerald Cristal – Digital.

HOC: Let’s get back to your art, your treats! If someone has never tried one, what would you recommend and why?

PM: It’s a difficult choice! In our boutiques, there are four signature flavours: Mogador – milk chocolate and passion fruit, one of the most iconic flavour associations, Infiniment Rose, Infiniment Caramel and Infiniment Chocolat Paineiras. For a newcomer, this might be the best place to start!

The other macarons change according to the seasons and some only last for a limited time only – like the Jardin de Lima (lucuma & candied ginger) – currently in the boutique in London and part of the 2017 “Les Jardins” collection – not to be missed!

Once the choice has been made, it is important that the macarons are tasted at room temperature – not eaten straight from the fridge. I mostly drink water or tea with macarons and it is important to take a generous bite in order to fully experience the different elements and architecture of taste.

HOC: A great tip! Finally, as our readers love to travel; where should they eat when they visit Paris this year?

PM: In Paris, one of my favourite restaurants remains Le Baratin, a small bistro in the 20th arrondissement where the owner and self-taught chef Raquel Carena uses remarkable ingredients. It is a place with real soul, offering hearty cuisine and an excellent choice of local wines. Other favourites include Akrame’s restaurant for a dose of pure creativity or Pierre Sang on Gambey, perfectly orchestrated with Korean influences.

With that we wrapped up our inspiring chat with M. Pierre Hermé and headed straight to his boutique and we recommend you do the same!

For Saint Valentine’s Day 2017, the Maison Pierre Hermé Paris presents Cupidon – Hélios’ faithful companion on a beautiful box of 18 macarons. £42 from Pierre Hermé Paris boutiques in London (Covent Garden, Belgravia) or the concession in Oxford Street Selfridges.

Austria November 9, 2023

It’s all about the Cheese : Catching up with the Raclette Brothers

In a late-summer day in Brixton, Team Coco got to catch up with Steve and Jaimie, aka – The Raclette Brothers. You may have heard of these cheese wheel wielding sibling sensations on the street-food scene, but they’ve now opened a semi-permanent spot in Pop Brixton.

Over some truly great ‘space-cat’ wine, and of course, some mouth-watering Raclette – we chat with Steve and Jaimie about their love for food and Alpine cuisine brings to the table.

Tell us a little bit about yourselves and your background? Where would you say your passion for food came from?

I’ve grew up in the food industry, as our family business was traditional grocery stores and supplying produce to restaurants. This meant that we always had some amazing ingredients lying around the house, although the majority were items that couldn’t be sold due to shorter shelf lives. I think that’s where my passion for food came from. My mom was great at creating crazy dishes from anything and everything (sometimes with varying degrees of success)!. Saying that, I was actually a very fussy eater when I was younger, and survived on a diet of largely plain chicken and potatoes! That’s all changed now and there isn’t much I won’t at least try.

What’s the best/worst thing about working with your brother?

This might be a bit of a revelation to some, and is one of the most frequently asked questions to us, but we aren’t actual brothers! We are as good as brothers and Jamie even spent an extended period of time living with my parents when we first got the business up and running. The best thing is that it hasn’t had an impact on how we are outside of work, we still go wake-boarding together regularly and on the odd night off we usually end up in our local pub for half price G&Ts. The worst thing is probably the disappointment on people’s faces when we have to tell them we aren’t actually brothers!

What made you guys decide to start working together; and why did you choose to focus on Raclette?

We actually met through the snow-sports club at University. Towards the end of Uni we’d been talking about a lot of different ideas that meant we could avoid getting ‘real jobs’. We both had a big passion for food and loved the street food scene from a customer perspective. This, combined with various drunken raclette eating experiences in the Alps lead to ‘Raclette Brothers’. We felt that raclette as a street food offering brought something new and exciting, that it would be a great experience for customers as well as being delicious.

How would you describe Alpine cuisine? What makes it special?

The Alps is a really interesting place for food. Half of the year is spent under a thick layer of snow and ice, making any kind of outdoor farming near impossible. Due to this, a lot of classically Alpine food is pickled, preserved or cheese-based as they can be stored for long periods. It’s a very rich, ‘comfort food’ based cuisine, due to the high energy output from traditional activities such as skiing and the harsh climate. The beauty of Alpine cuisine is that it encompasses so many different influences: French, Swiss, German, Italian, Austrian , etc.

After running around the street food scene for two years, you’ve set up your first permanent restaurant, Alpes London, in Pop Brixton. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to face making that transition?

It’s been a huge learning-curve, that’s for sure! We’ve gone from an operation where, if we wanted to take a couple of days off then we could easily just not book an event, to operating 7 days a week! Now, closing because you feel like it, just isn’t an option. The biggest challenge we’ve found is finding great staff. It’s the key to any hospitality business as they’re your face to customers, and really good chefs and FOH staff are hard to come by. When we first started, this meant we were clocking up over 100 hour weeks every week. We’ve fortunately now found an awesome team, which has meant we can take a few hours off every now and then, and focus more on next steps.

Alpes London is the first restaurant in London to serve Raclette on a traditional cheese wheel, what has the reception been like?

The reception has been awesome, we were fortunate enough to have tested the concept for a while on the street food scene, so knew to an extent that it would go down well. The worry was whether it would work in a fixed location but people seem to be loving it. Even in the really hot summer we’ve had, people have shown there’s no shortage of demand for hot, melted cheese! We’ve just launched a group raclette experience as well, where guests get the grills on their table and can scrape their own cheese. Hopefully this will go down really well as it makes the whole meal more of an experience and interactive.

What’s the dynamic like between you two at Alpes London?

We’ve worked together for a while now so both know what our roles are, without even having to talk about it. I run the financial/business side of everything and Jamie handles the day-to-day operations; it works really well. We still have a great time working together and a few post-shift beers are always on the cards. To this day, we still haven’t had an argument over the business, which I think is rare between any business partners.

What’s next for the Raclette brothers? Any new & exciting projects or collaborations in the pipeline?

There are always ideas being thrown around but we’re currently focussed on the winter season, where we’ll have 7 sites open all week around London. Some of these are with great organisers: Street Feast, Skylight, Southbank Centre , etc. After that we’ve got the ball rolling on plans for another permanent spot and a different street food concept. More details will be released through our instagrams once they’re confirmed: @raclettebrothers and @alpeslondon

alpeslondon

Australia November 9, 2023

London Valentine’s Day Date Ideas That Won’t Make You Cringe

Whether you’re coupled-up or out with your girls for #Galentines, nothing kills a vibe quite like spending Valentines Day staring into a sub-par set menu alongside half of London. It might be last minute, but fear not – there are still plenty of things to do in the city if you’re looking to celebrate with something a little out-of-the-box. Here are our favourite alternative date ideas for a cute, not cringe, Valentines.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnzD9VLBTKs/

Greenwich Peninsula Golf Range

You don’t need to be a pro to book a bay at Greenwich Peninsula Golf Range – but with sparkling views of Canary Wharf and drinks delivered while you play, this is one seriously dreamy date idea for couples who can appreciate a good golf innuendo. If you don’t fancy braving the elements, try Swingers – underground indoor golf in the City, with market food stalls from Pizza Pilgrims, DF Mexico and Patty and Bun.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUh3RAfho37/

East London Wine School

Forget pouring over the wine list in a posh restaurant, trying in vain to convince your date know something about wine. Instead, head to East London Wine School, located in a private room in the Chamberlain hotel and run by ace sommelier Sam – whose easy-going attitude and passion for wine make these courses both informative yet accessible, and seriously good fun. This February 14th, choose from a 4-week wine tour of the new world, or try an evening tasting wines from Australia and New Zealand. If you can’t make the 14th, they also do gift vouchers, because nothing says I love you like wine in our book.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsoMBRPB5o3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading

Banya No. 1

Whether it’s just for two or the whole girl gang, this traditional Russian spa club offers something a little different to your traditional spa day. An authentic Russian Banya, water is thrown onto hot stones providing a revitalising balance of heat and humidity, followed by a thermal massage where you’re whipped with birch and oak branches. There are cold pools to cool off in, as well as massages, honey and salt body scrubs and luxuriating foam baths. Leather booths in the post-treatment area serve Russian specialities (go for the dumplings), coupled with a few shots of Russian Vodka. Booking essential, gift vouchers also available.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtdTUQ8lZFO/

Gin House Burlesque

If you’re looking for something to spice things up this Valentines, look no further. Following a year of sold-out roaring gin-house parties, London’s premium vintage showgirls welcome you back to East London’s best-kept speakeasy, The King’s Head Members Club. On 15th February, Miss Betsy Rose, Jolie Papillon and Missy Fatale will transport you back to the golden age of Jazz, with an oh-so seductive evening of burlesque, vaudeville, circus and snake-charming.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Btx6pwRn22J/

Wellington Masterclass, Holborn Dining Rooms

When the way to your other half’s heart really is through their stomach, look no further than THE PIE ROOM at Holborn Dining Room. Spearheaded by Executive Head Chef and pastry expert, Calum Franklin, in this Aladdin’s cave of pastry treats you can also learn to make your own Beef Wellington, with a 2 and a half hour masterclass. All that cooking is thirsty work, so we’d recommend a drink at the ridiculously magical Glenlivet Glade – an immersive winter terrace, where you can enjoy Glenlivet cocktails under twinkling fairy lights.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq0gHgKAmog/

Natural History Museum, Lates

If you want to avoid the cringe-fest that is Valentine’s day, why not postpone till next week? The 22nd of February is Lates at The Natural History Museum, where you can see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Life in the Dark exhibitions. Plus, it’s over 18’s only, and there’s a bar, food and a band to enjoy while you geek-out together.

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The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art and Natural History

There’s out of the box, and then there’s this. It might not be for everyone, but this curious corner of Hackney is weirdness at its most wonderful. With top hat-wearing taxidermy, shrunken heads and endless oddities and erotica – it’ll give you something to talk about. While it might not be for the faint-hearted, the adjoining Last Tuesday Society bar upstairs offers cocktails, that are worth the visit either way.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj0HJ5tHt3V/

Moonshine Saloon

Part BYOB, part immersive theatre, Moonshine Saloon transports guests from Chelsea to the real Wild West, with the promise of making a fortune in illicit moonshine smuggling. There may be lots of hats and you’ll have to debut your best American accent (sorry y’all) but with house bartenders turning your moonshine into creative cocktails quicker than a fast draw, you’d be hard-pressed not to get in the spirit of things.

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

#TeamCocopup: A Dog friendly review of Bluebird Cafe White City

For 20 years, Bluebird Chelsea has been a staple for stylish Londoners looking for a chic all day drinking and dining destination. Last year, Bluebird spread its wings openings its sister restaurant in the BBC Television Center in White City, offering the same kind of stylish dining as it’s big sister on Kingsland Road. Our resident doggie journalist, TeamCocopup Charlie, checks out Bluebird Café White City for a dog-friendly review.

Bluebird Cafe White City certainly has big shoes to fill, and it does so with its own distinct flair. West London sybarites can definitely rejoice, because here, you can expect the same familiar charms that made their sister restaurant a Chelsea landmark for over 20 years. This expansive 5000 square foot space has all the Bluebird signatures, and some new and interesting elements too. Think clever pattern play and eccentric art hanging on the walls, a show stopping art deco bar, and a cosy outdoor winter terrace that was created in collaboration with Fever Tree.

Of course it wouldn’t be Bluebird without the impeccable staff. Charlie was greeted with a friendly smile (and an appropriate amount offuss) before we even got to our booth. Once there, he was given his own little doggie water bowl and plenty of ear scratches from restaurant passerby and our lovely Italian server Maria. We kicked off with some of Bluebird’s signature cocktails.My personal favourite was the Viola Flower Bellini which was a lovely mixture of White Peach Purée, Sparkling wine, Crème de Peche and Elderflower, covered with violet and lemon air. A perfectly blended concoction that balances delicate flavours with just the right amount of booze. We then sampled Executive Chef Simon Gregory’s signature modern European menu and he certainly didn’t disappoint.

There’s plenty of goodness to choose from, but it’s here the starters are exceptional. We decided on two states to share, and they were both equally scrumptious. The Burrata and Heritage beetroot, sprinkled with walnut and truffle oil was the highlight of my meal. I even went to so far and to try and inquire where to get this lovely creamy cheesy indulgence; and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Bluebird sources the Burrata directly from a local producer in Puglia. (which just gives me yet another reason to return to Bluebird Cafe White City for more). The grilled prawns with garlic, parsley, and tarragon butter and toasted brioche is also worth shouting about. The only problem you’ll have is that you won’t have enough! BRB, while TeamCocopup Charlie and I schedulea return visit on our diaries.

For more information visit www.bluebirdcafe.co.uk

Arts November 9, 2023

A Guide to Toronto’s Distillery District

It’s often said that a city is defined by its neighbourhoods, each one brimming with the culture and character of those that inhabit it. The Distillery District in the heart of Toronto is a neighbourhood well worth a visit, jam-packed with creativity and style.

The site, former home to Gooderham & Worts distillery, has been transformed into an inspired blend of Victorian Industrial architecture and stunning 21st century design and creativity. The result is an internationally acclaimed, pedestrianised village of one-of-a-kind stores, shops, galleries, restaurants, studios and cafes.

Check out Team Coco’s best places to visit in The Distillery District:

Soma
Calling all chocolate lovers, for a truly rich chocolate experience you need to visit Soma. This factory store has expert chocolatiers on hand to point you in the direction of some the finest chocolate treats. Make sure you try their Spiced Mayan drinking chocolate, its got a real kick!

The Ordinary
This cult beauty brand is anything but ordinary. The Ordinary’s products are described as “Clinical formulations with integrity” by the company itself. The brand is completely vegan and 100% cruelty free which is why their budget skin and make up collection is one of the hottest ranges on the market. Products often sell out within hours of hitting the shelves because they work and don’t break the bank. Invest in one of their $7 foundations and $5 Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum.

El Catrin
This Mexican restaurant has a lively and fun vibe. El Catrin offers authentic, traditional and modern Mexican dishes all created by Olivier LeCalvez, one of Mexico City’s top chefs. It took three Mexican artists almost 100 days to create the dramatic floor to ceiling murals that fill the walls. The cocktails here are off the hook and a fully stocked tequila and mescal bar occupies the length of the restaurant. It’s well worth the visit.

The Spirit of York
This craft distillery specialises in producing a gin, a vodka, a whisky and an aquavit. Visitors can settle into the cosy round bar in the centre of the room and sample the products. All of the spirits are made from 100% rye grain and expert distillers are on hand to talk you through the process and flavours. The most impressive part of the Spirit of York’s cellar door is the huge glass wall at the back where you can view the working distillery. Settle at the bar with a drink and watch the spirits being made.

Arta Gallery
Arta Gallery offers an impressive collection of contemporary work by both Canadian and international artists. Under the leadership of Director, Fay Athari the vision is to bring art to our daily lives and make talented artists accessible to the Toronto community. Art consultants are on hand to help you find the latest emerging artists and recommend some of the finest artistic works to accommodate your taste and style. The gallery also boasts an art bank where you can rent an outstanding collection of art works for your home or office.

Team Coco travelled to Toronto courtesy of Tourism Toronto www.seetorontonow.com

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

#CocoDrinks: Cadello Hits The UK

With an Asian and Italian heritage, a smooth recipe that took more than three years to develop and the inspiration that arose from Venetian masked balls, Cadello is released in the UK. A brand unlike any other that you have seen before, its premium spirit claims to define a category of its own, and we at House of Coco can’t wait to see it on a drinks menu around the UK’s top bars and restaurants.

Cadello serves up a spirit as magnificent as the wealthy merchants of Venice and masked balls that came to be the inspiration behind this brand. Providing a distinct and singular experience, this spirit is crafted with eight carefully selected ingredients, which unveil flavours of coffee, chocolate, star anise and vanilla, with hints of caramel, hazelnut, mint and toffee. The ingredients are infused in grain alcohol and then distilled separately, before being carefully blended into French Oak barrels with coffee beans, to age into a spirit that encapsulates the perfect depth, complexity and smoothness.

Cadello is perfectly smooth and can be simply enjoyed on its own to allow a full sensory experience of the flavours mentioned above. A spirit that is pleasing at any time of the day, Cadello works well as an aperitivo, digestivo and a delicious addition to any cocktail. Fashioned by top bartenders in Zurich, London, Paris, Scandinavia, Germany and Mumbai, Cadello offers a wide range of cocktail recipes; satisfactory to everyone’s tastes.

Why not try the Cadellotini? Cadello’s very own spin on the much-loved Martini. This cocktail was created by Goethe Bar in Zurich and includes Cadello, Vodka, Frangelico, Cherry Liqueur and Espresso. If that’s not to your tastes, then why not combine Cadello with fresh lemon juice, Tio Pepe Dry Sherry Fino and Ginger Syrup to create the Fizzy Fiddler. A cocktail created by award-winning bartender Chloé Merz-Salyer.

Priced at £30 for 50cl, available online from Honest Grapes.