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Despite the current gray skies signalling the slow but impending arrival of the end of summer, Madison London presented a last hurrah celebrating the twilight of the British Summertime. Last Bank Holiday Weekend, Madison London celebrated the end of summer with their “White Isle Weekend” extravaganza — a four day Ibiza style party ending the summer with a bang. Team Coco checked out Madison London’s Mad Brunch last Saturday for an afternoon of sweet sunshine, slick beats, and some truly good food.

They kicked off the weekend with internationally renowned DJs Evo & RST, played some wicked beats on Madison’s spectacular St.Paul’s rooftop. Saturday morning was all about Madison’s ever popular Madbrunch, followed by Sundays RNB party, and closing off with Madison’s resident DJ Dave Silcox – to close off this outrageous bank holiday series.

And so with an appropriate amount of bubbles in hand, we got the chance to elevate our typical Sunday brunch by making our way to Madison London’s sleek rooftop bar and restaurant. Not only did we get to spend the afternoon enjoying London’s best view of Saint-Paul’s Cathedral, but we also enjoyed some cheeky brunch cocktails in one of the City’s best rooftop bars – and that’s by no means an exaggeration!

Madison London’s Mad Brunch offers some scrumptious British fare, accompanied by fantastic service and sleek modern interiors, not to mention panoramic views of London’s skyline. We started off with the Carpaccio of salmon, which featured deep-fried cares and smoked eel & kohlrabi remoulade, followed by the absolutely mouthwatering truffle Risotto Bianco and a hearty serving of roast fillet of stone bass. To finish it off — we had a ‘sharing’ dessert menu of their sinfully sweet Elderflower Panna cotta and passion fruit cheesecake. (but it was mighty difficult to share when the dessert is this damn good!) We promise you, there is no better way to end a boozy weekend brunch than with an equally indulgent passionfruit cheesecake!

Overall, if you’re trying to make the most of what’s left of the British summertime, we cannot recommend the Madison London more highly. Our server Hazal and the restaurant manager, Martins Dacis took great care of us — ensuring that we not only enjoyed a perfect brunch and service, but also made sure that we had an unforgettable afternoon.

Check out what other events Madison London has in the pipeline

If you’re feeling down about the next few weeks of detoxing, #TeamCoco have got some sure-fire ways to help you through.

From Michelin-starred vegan tasting menus at Pollen Street Social, the freshest ceviches at LIMA and brand new meat free ramen at Bone Daddies, to mocktails that will leave you wondering why you ever needed alcohol anyway, detoxing has never been easier.

So no need to hibernate this month, get out there and socialise whilst still being healthy with our top picks…
New vegetarian ramen at Bone Daddies
London’s favourite rock ‘n’ roll ramen bars, Bone Daddies, have added two new vegetarian ramen to the menu just in time for those partaking in meat free January this New Year. Using delicious kara-age tofu as a substitute for meat, both dishes offer vegetarian versions of two of the restaurant’s most popular varieties of ramen for the first time: the Tantanmen 3, which includes sesame, chilli, bok choy and egg and the tofu curry ramen, featuring padrón peppers and cabbage. Proving that you don’t need meat to create a flavour-packed and satisfying ramen, Bone Daddies is now more accessible than ever for vegetarians or those opting to avoid meat this January.

Vegan menus at Pollen Street Social

Last January, Jason Atherton’s Pollen Street Social became the first Michelin-starred restaurant in London to launch a vegan menu, offering a selection of dishes free of all animal products. Now, one year on, the team have been developing the vegan offering further to include dedicated five and eight course tasting menus spanning creative starters, main courses and desserts. Elevating vegetables, herbs and fruit to a new level, dishes include braised broccoli stem, lemon purée, toasted almonds and seaweed and sea buckthorn sorbet with coconut. The innovative menus showcase Atherton’s flair for seasonal produce, the highest quality ingredients and beautiful presentation, offering a unique opportunity to experience vegan fine dining.

Italian vegan set menu at Theo Randall at the InterContinental

This January, one of London’s most prominent chefs, Theo Randall, will contribute to London’s burgeoning animal product-free dining scene with the launch of his Italian vegan set menu. Priced at £29 for two courses or £35 for three, the menu spans antipasti to side dishes and desserts, and even includes pasta and risotto options, enabling vegan guests the opportunity for a full dining experience at his restaurant at the InterContinental, Park Lane. With dishes such as linguine, with violet aubergines, tomatoes and basil, and risotto with courgettes, San Marzano tomatoes and basil, the menu relies on seasonal Italian produce rather than gimmick ingredients to create an enticing and varied selection of vegan dishes.

DRY JANUARY
Non-alcoholic bubble tea mocktails at Jason Atherton’s 7 Tales

The team at Jason Atherton’s downtown Tokyo-inspired bar, 7 Tales, will launch a new non-alcoholic bubble tea detox menu in time for those observing ‘Dry January’ this year. Based on the tapioca pearl drink originating from Taiwan and popular across Japan, the five mocktails each contain a different Japanese tea along with powerful ingredients designed to offer health benefits as well as a flavourful alternative to an alcoholic drink. Named after Japanese cities, the varieties include Kyoto, a blend of coconut milk, mango tea and antioxidant-rich matcha powder and Osaka, which combines black tea, cinnamon and a syrup made from fermented apple that packs a probiotic punch. A playful way to avoid alcohol this January, the bubble teas are each priced between £6-£8.

‘Due Dill-igence’ at Jason Atherton’s City Social

For those going alcohol free this January, the bar at Jason Atherton’s City Social will be using Seedlip, the world’s first non-alcoholic spirit, to create Due Dill-igence, a mocktail to help guests survive Dry January. Bar Manager, Tim Laferla, will be using the Garden 108 variety, featuring fresh, grassy and floral notes, and blending it with elderflower, lemon, ginger, cucumber and the dill that lends the mocktail its playful name. Served against that incredible view over London, who needs alcohol anyway?

Non-alcoholic cocktails at Margot

Throughout January, the team at Covent Garden newcomer, Margot, will be mixing up two non-alcoholic cocktails for those opting for a dry January. Whilst these tipples may be alcohol free, they are certainly not lacking in spirit. Felicitá comprises mixed berries with pomegranate, cranberry juice and lemon, while Mr. Greene is a refreshing mix of cucumber juice, apple, agave syrup and lime.

‘Dry Martini January’ at Jason Atherton’s Pollen Street Social

The destination gin bar at Jason Atherton’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Pollen Street Social, will be serving up a characteristically playful take on this year’s ‘Dry January’. Throughout the month, the bar team will be running ‘Dry Martini January’, serving up three variations of the classic cocktail: a Beefeater 24 variety with a grapefruit twist, a Plymouth version with the addition of lemon and the particularly indulgent Monkey 47 martini, featuring a cherry garnish and a grated butter chocolate top. Priced at £14.50-£17.50 each, the ‘Dry Martini January’ cocktails are perfect for those looking to ditch the detox.

Seedlip partners with Launceston Place to create exclusive January non-alc tasting menu

Seedlip, the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirits brand, has partnered with award winning restaurant, Launceston Place, to create an exclusive January tasting menu. Throughout the month, Launceston Place’s exquisite tasting menu will be served alongside a series of expertly-paired Seedlip non-alcoholic cocktails, proving that fun and indulgent experiences can still be had this January! Launceston Place’s five-course tasting menu will feature dishes such as Blue crab, creamy potato, tarragon and carapace jus (served alongside a Seedlip ‘Spice Toddy’ cocktail, created with Seedlip Spice, apple, ginger drops and clove),Guinea fowl, green and brown cauliflower and pomegranate (paired with ‘Spice Soda’, created with Seedlip Spice, vanilla and black cardamom soda) and for those with a sweet tooth, Chocolate cremeux, caramelised popcorn and yoghurt (served alongside a warming ‘Winter Martini’ created with Seedlip Spice, sweet cranberry & fir shrub). The collaboration is running from 2 – 31 January 2017, for lunch or dinner from Tuesday to Saturday (£70pp for the tasting menu, plus an additional £30pp for five expertly paired Seedlip non-alcoholic cocktails).

Not doing dry January? Try Skinny Prosecco as a healthier alternative January tipple

It’s very easy to make New Year’s resolutions but despite all the best intentions it’s also very easy to end up breaking them in the first week of January! In order to avoid this inevitable downfall, why not opt out of dry January and instead take up drinking Thomson & Scott Skinny Prosecco which is a delicious, vegan and organic Prosecco with 7g of sugar per litre compared to the usual 12/15g usually added. Which means Skinny Prosecco has less sugar but the same alcohol content making it just as fun! It is the perfect “healthy” new year tipple to get you through those cold January nights.
Available to buy as a Magnum, standard 75cl bottles or as handbag sized Skinny Mini!

Avocado cocktail at The Distillery

Addicted to green juice and avo on toast? Make things a bit more fun and enjoy the new avocado cocktail at The Distillery, a vibrant cocktail bar at Hilton London Bankside. Their new healthy creation – The Vert Garden cocktail, made with tequila, fresh avocado, coriander and agave, fresh lime juice and smoked salt, is guaranteed to pep up a January evening whilst surely counting as one of your five a day! Hilton London Bankside will also be opening its boutique two-treatment room spa in January, stay tuned for further updates.

Fresh and healthy New Year eating at LIMA Fitzrovia and LIMA Floral

After a month of feasting on endless mince pies, pigs in blankets and Quality Street, not to mention all of those festive tipples, the LIMA menus offer fresh, healthy dishes that will provide an easy and enjoyable way to kick start a healthier 2017. With a selection of protein rich ceviches marinated in tiger’s milk, a trusted hangover cure in Peru, dishes with superfood Peruvian ingredients including kiwicha and quinoa, and even the suitably detox friendly sugar-free avocado ice cream available for dessert, a visit to LIMA this January will leave diners feeling refreshed, healthier and finally free of that festive hangover.

Gluten free pasta dishes at Margot

Available in January and throughout the year, recently opened Covent Garden restaurant, Margot, will contribute to the growing gluten free dining scene in London by offering each pasta dish on the menu as a gluten free option. Executed with Morelli’s light touch, dishes range from tagliolini with Sicilian red prawns, artichokes and torpedio tomatoes to tagliatelle with hare ragu and offer both gluten intolerant guests and those detoxing this January the opportunity to enjoy a vast and varied selection of authentic pasta dishes this New Year.

Michelin-starred detox at Jason Atherton’s Social Eating House

For a Michelin-starred detox this January, Jason Atherton’s Social Eating House has created a healthy three course menu offering lighter dishes for diners watching their waistline. Starters include slow braised pork shoulder, carrot and cumin soup with barley salad and warm tartare of Scottish salmon with sesame, wasabi avocado and warm dashi. Main courses range from charcoal oven baked Cornish cod with extra virgin olive oil and herb crust, spinach and pomme mousseline to a not-so-naughty mac and cheese. For those with a sweet tooth, the liquorice and lemon thyme poached pears with vanilla mascarpone, cocoa nib and pear sorbet is sure to hit the spot, offering a luxurious way to detox this New Year.
The Bertinet Bakery: “Everyday” artisan sliced sourdough tin range

This January take the first step to a healthier lifestyle by swapping your usual breakfast loaf to a healthier alternative. The Bertinet Bakery have developed a sourdough range baked in a tin that can offer similar usage and keeping qualities but without any of the additives. Made using only 3 ingredients (4 in the case of the malted wheat), the range contains no additives, preservative or processing aids yet stays soft enough for a sandwich for 4 days and can be used for toast well beyond this. The new range includes both a White loaf and a darker Malted wheat loaf that has malted wheat flakes rolled into the crust. The loaves are priced at £3.50 for a large 1kg loaf and are available in selected Waitrose stores.

Yeotown detox retreat

To kick-start the New Year with a healthy mind and healthy body, visit Yeotown. Located in the rustic and unspoiled wilds of North Devon, only a two hour train journey from central London, Yeotown is one of the Europe’s leading health and detox retreats. Run by a friendly team of down-to-earth, highly knowledgeable experts, the retreat focuses on providing guests with a healthy diet, exercise, core work outs, yoga, stress release techniques, mindfulness, and relaxation. A typical day could include a two hour coastal hike, cycling, yoga-inspired stretching, a cookery lesson, mindfulness and meditation, deep tissue massage and dry sauna or hot tub, and evening relaxation by a roaring fire or watching the sun set in the lush gardens. The programme perfectly combines fitness activities with post relaxation methods, leaving guests feeling renewed, refreshed and detoxified upon leaving Yeotown. The cost of the 5 day programme is £1870 per person.

New Year’s resolution ‘healthy package’ at Great Northern Hotel

This New Year, Great Northern Hotel are launching their ‘healthy package’ to get those New Year’s resolutions rolling. Partnering up with Thomson & Scott skinny prosecco as well as world-famous fitness trainers Barry’s Bootcamp to give guests a body-blitz workout and after a well-deserved glass or two of low-sugar bubbles. Guests can expect a total workout with Barry’s Bootcamp, with their signature hour-long workouts include interval cardio routines and strength training using a combination of items such as free-weights, resistance bands and medicine balls, enhanced by pumping night-club playlists – no one class is ever the same. The package includes a stay at the hotel and a healthy breakfast at award winning restaurant on the hotel’s first floor, Plum + Spilt Milk, where light and nutritious dishes include crushed avocado, tomato and chilli on granary toast; quinoa and pumpkin seed granola with low fat yogurt, apple and golden raisins; and buckwheat crepe with coconut yogurt, mango and agave.
The ‘Healthy Package’ is priced from £239 per room per night, based on two sharing and available on a Friday or Saturday night only.

VOGA™ MAMA launches at Coq d’Argent

To kick off the New Year, City restaurant Coq d’Argent is teaming up with House of Voga to host monthly VOGA MAMA classes. Designed by Juliet Murrell, creator of the fashion-meets-fitness movement VOGA™, this new special class allows mums-to-be to enjoy all the benefits of the original style-charged yoga and vogueing fused workout, in a safe, fun and supportive environment. Catering for the varying comfort levels of each participant, the classes are mostly floor-based with ‘chill out’ options available throughout the routine. Classes will be held on the last Sunday of every month in Coq d’Argent’s stunning rooftop garden, and guests will then be invited to enjoy Coq d’Argent’s delicious vegan menu, with dishes such as Golden and red beetroot salad, black truffle and balsamic vinaigrette and Wild mushroom and artichoke risotto. Running from11am-12pm, the classes are priced at £15, with the vegan menu served from 12-4pm, and priced at £26pp for two courses, and £29pp for three courses.

Mindful Chef #NotJustForJanuary

Forget ‘January detox’ or ‘dry January’, Mindful Chef, the healthy recipe box delivery service holds the key to a long-term healthy lifestyle, a resolution you can stick to, and it’s #NotJustForJanuary. Mindful Chef, launched in 2015 by Myles Hopper and Giles Humphries, offers a simple solution to healthy eating which can be easily incorporated into your everyday life. Offering 8 weekly recipes packed with lean and sustainably sourced ingredients delivered straight to your door (free of charge in the UK), they make eating healthily easy. Mindful Chef go above and beyond their competitors presenting truly healthy meal kits that include no refined carbs and therefore avoid high-carb fillers such as pasta or bread, which are still present in other “healthy” meal kits. Instead, Mindful Chef guarantees genuinely exceptional quality, gluten-free, dairy-free and locally sourced fresh, produce, believing that the key to a healthier life is reducing your intake of gluten and that refined sugars and refined carbohydrates should be avoided.

We joined Hendricks gin and Mr Fogg’s for an immersive advent calendar adventure this festive season.

If you’ve yet to feel the Christmas spirit, we urge you to visit Mr Fogg’s residence for your next cocktail evening. The much-loved Mr Fogg’s crew have truly turned up the festive vibes this season. Alongside Hendricks gin, they have crafted an immersive advent experience whereby an advent box containing gin-tastic treasures can be discovered in one of their six sensational sites around London.

We couldn’t wait to take part in the experience to see what our prize would be so we headed to Mr Fogg’s residence to find out. It is the ultimate venue for a festive drinks night, decorated head to toe in twinkling lights with a heavily adorned tree at the entrance and Christmas classics playing in the background. Once seated in the cosy outside area we were treated to a spread of cheeses, hams and bread before our immersive experience began.

The advent quest commences

The Mr Fogg’s and Hendrick’s curious calendar treasure hunt started with a question which had a numerical answer. Once we had cracked this code, we were escorted by the brilliant ‘Earl of Cucumbria’ to the special Christmas advent box and punched in the numbers to open it. Inside, there was a kaleidoscope of colours which unveiled a secret message for us which we conveyed to our table host in order to gain our prize. We were so pleased to open our envelope and discover complimentary cocktails, but other gifts to be won also include bottles of Hendrick’s Gin and a range of Mr Fogg’s experiences.

Festive thirst-quenchers

Their Christmas cocktail menu is a gorgeous Hendricks shakable snowglobe which lists all of their specials for the season. We couldn’t resist the warm inviting smell of spiced mulled wine* served in dainty china mugs, but would also highly recommend tipples such as the fruity Passepartout’s uncle* and the sweet treat Mayfair Mistletoe,* how can you resist a cocktail that comes with a miniature cake and lashings of cinnamon goodness?

After a fun and rewarding experience, we sat under our toasty heaters, sipping happily in beverage bliss and enjoying the infectious festive ambience that Mr Foggs does so well. Always re-inventing the wheel and jazzing up cocktail hour, Mr Fogg’s isn’t one to miss this December time if you’re looking for some extra magic from your evening out.

To partake in the Mr Foggs and Hendricks Christmas countdown, keep an eye on Mr Fogg’s instagram to discover which of the venues the advent box will be taken to next:

Website: mr-foggs.com

Twitter & Instagram: @mrfoggsgb

*Runs until 24th December.

Did you miss it? That’s okay, keep your eyes peeled for more of their experiences in the New Year!

*The Household’s Marvellous Mulled Wine: Monkey Shoulder scotch whiskey, Drambuie and Phileas’s mulled wine.

*Passepartout’s Uncle: Hendricks gin, cucumber, raspberry syrup, lime juice, red wine and egg white.

*Mayfair Mistletoe: Hendricks gin, Roots Rakolemo liqueur, apple strudel and grapefruit.

A relaxing night away in the middle of December was just what the doctor ordered for House of Coco’s UK Travel Writer, Rachel McAlley.

Barton Grange Hotel was the destination for a mid-week night of luxurious relaxation, located just outside Preston, Lancashire, where this charming family owned hotel could be found, full of Christmas cheer and plenty of character.

Check-in was simple and easy, and after dropping bags in the hotel room, swimming attire was grabbed and the pool was the destination for an hour of swimming, plus time for chilling out in the sauna, and a short trip to check out the mini gym.

Back in the deluxe room post-swim, and it was time to have a leisurely Nespresso coffee with biscuits whilst watching the music channel on the flat screen TV before having a power shower in the super contemporary bathroom. The bathroom with its very own ‘powder room’ lighting around the mirror (the perfect makeup mirror), had a great selection of bathroom essentials including the usual shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and shower cap, which sat perfectly alongside a shoe shine mitt, an unusual yet brilliant addition!

It was time to head for a festive dinner in the lovely Walled Garden Restaurant, decorated beautifully with Christmas trees, twinkly lights, and plenty of wreaths, tinsel and baubles. The menu was hearty, homely, and filled with classic dishes. The House of Coco team, feeling very festive, opted for the special Christmas seasonal menu of white onion soup with thyme, followed by roast Lancashire turkey dinner, and cherry & chocolate roulade. Then it was time to retreat to the bar lounge area of the Walled Garden where local cheese and biscuits were served with coffee.

After doing some serious people watching in the bar and lounge bed was calling, and a few tweets and instagram updates needed to be done whilst laying on the soft mattress swathed in linen and throws. Sweet slumber was fast approaching and the alarm was set, it was definitely time to enter the land of nod!

Morning arrived with gusto and breakfast beckoned in The Grange Room, and as expected the breakfast lived up to expectations. Excellent service just the same as the evening before, with a full range of continental and hot breakfast to choose from. Eggs Benedict (with a side of mushrooms) were the preferred choice for the morning plus a hot cup of tea. The perfect end to a wonderful stay Barton Grange Hotel.

The hotel is around 25 minutes drive from Blackpool, which means it’s great for a girls weekend away, and just 45 minutes from the Trafford Centre, another fabulous reason for a night away (this was our destination for a spot of Christmas shopping after check-out)!

Rooms are priced from £70 for a double and rise to £130 for an executive. Nothing is too much for the team at Barton Grange to organise for their guests (including free wifi), and a special shout out to Hannah on reception who looked after our check-in and check-out, as she was super helpful with all our requests.

We will definitely be returning to Barton Grange Hotel in the future.

www.bartongrangehotel.co.uk

Veganism isn’t usually the first thing that springs to mind when a Steak House is mentioned. However, right on the vegan trend is Heliot Steak House in London. We check out their new winter menu.

Named after a lion tamer who used to perform in this building in the 1990s, Heliot Steak House now overlooks London’s Hippodrome Casino. It thus attracts quite an eclectic crowd. A politician, a group of South African businessmen and a young British couple are amongst the diners during our visit.

With the buzzing casino below and the curtains separating us from a performance of Magic Mike, the atmosphere is exciting if a little hectic. Perfect for those who love to people watch, the tiered restaurant tables afford excellent views onto the gaming and the glowing light trees on the ground floor.

We are there to test out the new menu, developed by Ioannis Grammenos and designed to reflect the change in seasons. This means heartier dishes, such as Kakavia fish soup and roast baby chicken with root veg. It also includes Heliot’s very first vegan slider burgers.

I sample the tasty sliders, complete with mojo verde sauce, tomato and vegan coleslaw, and accompanied by some delicious sweet potato fries. My partner opts for the classic medium rare steak with pepper sauce and lobster tail. He says it is one of the best he has ever tasted.

We round off the meal by devouring the cookie cheesecake with caramel sauce and the melting chocolate sphere with spicy dark chocolate sauce. Both are as decadent as they sound.

The Heliot Cocktail Bar is the centrepiece of the space and offers an extensive drinks list. We recommend the quintessential gin and rosemary Casino Sling or the alcohol-free passionfruit and berry Tutti Frutti for those who want to save themselves for the Christmas party.

If you love steak and have a vegan in tow, Heliot Steak House is your best bet – and in the most central of central London locations, Leicester Square, it makes a great choice for a pre-theatre or movie dinner.

For more information, visit www.hippodromecasino.com.

Team Coco checks out Alpes London, the Raclette Brother’s new semi-permanent opening in Pop Brixton; bringing all the wonderfully cheesy flavours of the Alpes right into the heart of South London. So if you’re a raclette lover looking for an unpretentious après-ski (in London), then Alpes London will definitely be your new favourite pop-up.

We make our way to Pop Brixton on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The place is buzzing despite the usual lazy vibe signalling the dreaded end of the weekend. For those who haven’t had the chance to visit the South London location, Pop Brixton is a melting pot of different restaurants and bars, all built conveniently into container vans. Alpes London is located in prime real estate right above the entrance, where guests can view all the happenings down below. With options for both indoor and outdoor dining, Alpes offers is a casual alternative to Street-food dining, without all the faff of being in a fancy restaurant – i.e. no sitting on steps or leaning on tiny cocktail tables.

We are greeted right away by the extremely charming Jaime, 1/2 of the Raclette brothers, and front-of-house for Alpes London. As we start off the evening with a bottle of their delicious “Space Cat” wine while Steve, the other half of the Raclette Brother’s, whips up some truly delectable dishes from their Swiss inspired menu. Alpes London champions using only the best producers in Europe; after all the brother’s do come from a long line of producers as well. We start off with some deep fried olives stuffed with goat’s cheese, followed by their vegan offering, the wild garlic asparagus drizzled with hazelnut pesto, and then the melt-in-your-mouth beef cheek pancetta. The piece de resistance however, is definitely the Raclette Jurasienne. A giant wheel of Raclette cheese, melted to perfection and then scraped directly onto a plate of roast Queen Anne potatoes, pickles, and crispy pancetta. Absolutely mouth-watering.

All this and more puts Alpes London on top of London’s culinary pops ups, proving that Raclette is just as good in the summer as it is in the winter slopes. If not for anything else, do pop in and have a chat with the Raclette brothers themselves. Beyond proving their literal hands-on approach to food, with Jaime working front-of-house, and Steve in the kitchen — the brothers are always up for a good laugh over some beers and some truly delicious raclette.

Alpes London is in Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Road, and open from Wednesday-Sundays until 11pm

The capital is full of amazing places to eat. From Asian fusion to artisan Pizza, cuisines from around the world are usually just a Tube stop away. Our girl Jenna has always loved London, especially it’s unique gastronomical side. So when an invite came in to discover all there is to eat at One Tower Bridge, we stuck her on the first train to Kings Cross…

“To me, walking across Tower Bridge never gets old, especially at night. With the bustling crowds and lights of the city, you’d be forgiven for forgetting to look down. But if you just take a peek over the bridge and look for the iconic green umbrellas of The Ivy, you’ll stumble upon one of the best hidden gems in the London foodie scene. One Tower Bridge is London’s most exciting dining destination, where you can experience the ultimate in the riverside dining and culture beside some of the capital’s most famous landmarks.

By Night

One Tower Bridge currently offers 8 options of dining, with views of the picturesque Tower Bridge. Deciding to partake in a true taster experience of three of the most renowned venues, we kicked things off with cocktails and starters at The Coal Shed. Placed just a stones-throw from Tower Bridge and spanning over two floors, diners in the main restaurant are able to watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen in its relaxed, contemporary take on old-world glamour.

Sitting down at a low-lit table, we took a glance at their a la carte and pre-theatre menus and ordered a round of cocktails. The Bridge Theatre is one of the most contemporary theatres to be built in London and the largest commercial theatre to be built outside the West End for over 80 years, so The Coal Shed’s pre-theatre menu must be a huge hit. Opting for Devilled Devon Crab on Toast and Chargrilled Octopus, we sipped on a Clear Royale cocktail (an Elderflower take on the classic Kir Royale) and took in the atmosphere. Born in Devon myself, I have an absolute infatuation with seafood and these dishes definitely didn’t disappoint. Crab Rarebit is something I’d never had before, but it was totally indulgent.

Reluctantly leaving the warm welcome of The Coal Shed, we made our way to a real star of the show, Tom Simmons Tower Bridge. Award winning Welsh Chef and MasterChef finalist Tom Simmons showcases his relaxed and elegant cooking style in his first London venture; Tom Simmons. Tom is at the forefront of the kitchen providing superb dishes from thoughtfully sourced ingredients, so it would have been rude of us not to go for one of his daily specials.

Enjoying a glass of Champagne, I delved into one of the best Rabbit dishes i’d ever tasted. It’s full ingredients escape me, but it’s rich flavour is permanently etched onto my taste buds! This, paired with their signature crispy potatoes (which are basically deep fried Dauphinois – delish) was the perfect way to satisfy my appetite.

After a whole host of indulgent Seafood and delicious meat, it was time to get some brownie points from Mother Nature. Popular US vegan eatery, by CHLOE., has taken prime position at the foot of Tower Bridge for its second UK opening. by CHLOE. – a US export – has successfully created a brand that meets the need in London for delicious, wholesome and affordable plant-based food; serving up breakfast through to dinner and late night munchies. The way I would describe this place is like The Mighty Boosh meets a teenage girls bedroom – it’s WACKY. From the high end interiors of The Coal Shed to the Michelin-style dining at Tom Simmons, this was a little bit of a culture shock. But after a fair few cocktails, totally entertaining!

With swinging chairs, a puppy, CBD brownies and cookie sandwiches – it was a Hippy’s dream. But not really the indulgent dessert place I was looking for. It’s kinda like a Five Guys for Vegans – and we were definitely overdressed. Something I didn’t think possible in this postcode! However, it made for some excellent boomerangs, and the sugar propelled us wayyyy into the night.

The Morning After

After a crazy night at Cirque Le Soir and a beautiful stay at the Sunborn Yacht Hotel, we just had to check out The Ivy for their renowned Brunch. Standing strong adjacent from Tower Bridge, The Ivy Tower Bridge serves modern British classics from dawn until dusk, as well as offering a spectacular al-fresco experience for those wanting to soak in the river breeze and stunning back drop of Tower Bridge.

We fancied the classic up-market vibes of the main brasserie, so took our seats for probably the UK’s most indulgent hangover cure. Ordering fresh juices and probably the best Bloody Mary i’ve ever had – we gazed over their extensive menu. For me, protein is always required after a night London clubbing and copious amounts of Cristal, so the Truffled Orzo Pasta was top of my list. This, accompanied by the Crispy Duck salad was completely satisfying and lead us directly to our mains.

As a Northern girl, I do occasionally crave gravy at the weekends! This, with a need for protein, lead me to the Steak sandwich “French dip”. This sandwich is an indulgent take on the classic Steak Sandwich, with roast beef, caramelised onions, horseradish mayonnaise, Burgundy sauce dip (the gravy!) and thick cut chips. It was exactly what I needed, and I can almost taste it now as I type! My party partner went for the HLT open sandwich which was a medley of Grilled halloumi, avocado, black olives, red pepper, tomato, baby gem and herb mayonnaise.

One Tower Bridge officially took us from dusk til’ dawn and should be top of any hit-list for a London weekend away. Whether you’re looking for sophisticated dining, have a dire case of the munchies or want to boozy brunch until the afternoon…One Tower Bridge has your back. With five other options to choose from including London’s first ever bar dedicated to prosecco, Prosecco House, as well as Rosa’s Thai Café and Gunpowder which opened in August – we’ll definitley be back!”________________________________________________________________________________________________________

One Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Road, Tower Bridge, London SE1 2AA

https://www.lifebyonetowerbridge.london

Exciting new restaurants launching throughout 2018 include Custard , Vapiano and Temakinko. Read more about Jenna’s weekend in the big smoke in December’s Volume 14: The Islands Issue.

The autumn season always gets our wanderlust going, so while Londoners huddle in front of roaring fires, warming their hands on hot cups off cocoa; we’reescaping the city for a cheeky 36 hour weekend in Split, at none other than the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Split of course.

How do you spend 36 hours in Split in the middle of autumn? Let #TeamCoco babe, Hannah Tan-Gillies, show you how.

Friday

Split is a great weekend destination because it is only a 2 hour flight from London Heathrow. After landing in Split airport, make your way to Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Split, which is only a short 20 minute drive away! We arrived just in time for the debut of their new wing, and stayed in one of the stunning suites.

With panoramic sea views, you’d be hard done to find anything better on the Dalmatian coast. We made our way to the Casper Grill for some fabulous Croatian cuisine. Be sure to try the Grgić Pošip wine, it is truly delicious and the sommelier will even give you a short history on Croatian wine.

Saturday

We kick off Saturday morning with a hearty breakfast at the Fig Leaf and a hefty seeing of the stunning coastal views at the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Split’s sprawling terrace. Diocletian’s Palace, is just short 10 minute drive from the hotel and is the best place to catch up on some of Croatia’s truly interesting history. Our guide, Dino Ivancic, led us through the winding underground catacombs, each one revealing a new chapter in Split’s history. Including a few familiar spots that Game of Throne’s fans will surely recognise.

There are so many other idyllic little islands on the Dalmatian coast that you can discover. Channelling Goldie Hawn circa Overboard, we hopped on our own yacht and sped through the azure waters on the Apennine Peninsula. We docked on the island of Brac where we climbed to the highest peak of Adriatic, where you can see as far as the horizon will allow. The Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Split has their own private bay area on the beach, with a staircase that leads straight up to the hotel.

In the evening, make your way back to the Fig Leaf for some truly delectable Croatian fare, live music, exciting performances, and more cocktails — obviously. During our stay, we even got treated to some fabulous fireworks!

Sunday

Before leaving the hotel, we each spent some time in the amazing Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Split Spa. The 2000 metre spa has just come out of a recent refurbishment and reflects; and offers up some fantastic treatments so you can get some well-deserved relaxation. Try the full body massage, and spend some time finding your inner zen in the spa’s indoor pool.

Prices at The Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Split start at 90EUR a night. For more information visit Radissonblu.com.
Want more tips on how to spend a fabulous weekend in Croatia? Then do check out Croatia.hr

With the UK going vega-ga over Veganuary this year and veganism topping every food trend list of 2018, #TeamCoco has her ears pricked for the best vegan openings of the year. And boy, is there a special place about to open in the capital soon. We sent our very own vegan on the team, Rachael Lindsay, to try every dish in The Vurger Co’s test kitchen so that you know exactly what to expect ahead of this 100% vegan burger bar’s opening on the 24 March…

So I tried Veganuary, and it seems like I am still vegan…I astonish myself as I write this as I always said I could never do it, said I was too addicted to cheese, said that veganism was for crazies and health freaks. But then I tried it, couldn’t get over the health, environmental and ethical benefits, and here I am.

But one of the things I have found the most challenging in becoming vegan is eating out. I am a self-confessed foodie and love trying new dishes in restaurants. So it has been a big change for me to have my menu options limited. Sure, quite a few places now have vegan plates on the menu, but to have a whole menu to enjoy, that is reserved for meat-eaters.

But to my delight, there are veggie-only joints popping up all over London now, thanks to a greater understanding and appreciation of the vegan diet. One of those new openings is The Vurger Co, which is due to open later this month in Richmix Square, Brick Lane.

The Vurger Co has been a stalwart of festivals and pop-ups for a few years now, so it has plenty of fans counting down the days until the opening of their new vegan restaurant on 24 March 2018. And omnivores, don’t panic, over half of The Vurger Co’s loyal customers are non-vegan. There will be shakes, coffee, beer and wine on the menu as well as some seriously, seriously good vegan burgers.

I was lucky enough to try every single burger which will be on that menu. Each one is very different, proving how diverse vegan food can be, and each one is, I promise, ludicrously tasty.

My personal favourite is the Classic which is the vegan take on a classic cheeseburger and is filled with smoky black beans, chargrilled red peppers and drips with melty vegan cheese, some of the best vegan cheese I have ever had. I am also a huge fan of the MLT, mixing borlotti beans and mushrooms with a generous dollop of rocket, sundried tomato and walnut pesto.

The Vurger Co’s traditional bestseller is the Auberger; a smoky aubergine and chickpea patty loaded with tabasco chipotle source and red onion. And for those who like spice, the Holy Habanero is the best choice with its sweetcorn fritter, crunchy spiced almonds, homemade salsa and chilli mayo.

I took my non-vegan partner to try out the vurgers too. Having taken a trip to Burger King the day before and being a self-confessed meat burger lover, even he had to admit that these burgers were pretty damn good.

The owners of The Vurger Co are a lovely, down-to-earth couple who discovered how easy it is to be vegan on a trip to California, and decided to leave their careers in fashion buying and banking to pursue their vegan burger dream. Their enthusiasm for the food they create is infectious, and their determination to make people think of more than portobello mushrooms when vegan burgers are mentioned is something I seriously respect. And rather than feeling threatened by all of the other new vegan places opening their doors in London, they are happy to add something new into the burgeoning vegan scene in the capital.

So go along yourself and see if you love these burgers as much as I do.If you call in, tweet us which vurger is your favourite and how they compare to your favourite meat version at @house_of_coco. We can’t wait to hear what you think! For all our lovely vegan readers out there, check out our other vegan features for mouthwatering desserts, and some of the best vegan eats in Leeds: https://www.houseofcoco.net/the-best-vegan-desserts-to-get-you-through-veganuary/
https://www.houseofcoco.net/plant-based-tastes-5-vegan-vegetarian-restaurants-you-have-to-try-in-leeds/

I’m sure we’ve all been to a Farmers’ Market in the last couple of months, hell some of us will have been to one this week. So, it was with some skepticism that #TeamCoco rocked up to the Farmers’ Market in LA. Nestled next to famous shopping spot The Grove and the TV studio magic of the CBS Studios, this is an unlikely spot for a slice of vintage americana but if you take one thing from this article; this is so much more than a market.

We’re met by Maritza from the market’s team who give us a colourful tour of the market’s history and points out some of the 70-odd merchants at the site who are all small, family run outfits that are carefully vetted and nurtured by the market.

While Maritza isn’t available generally for tours she tipped us off about www.meltingpottours.com who run a 2.5 hour stroll around the market with sampling included. We’ll be back to try out their tour next time.

Any history buff will die in the presence of the stories within the market’s walls. In 1880 A. F Gilmore bought two dairy farms in what is now Los Angeles and in 1934 he was approached by two local entrepreneurs with an idea for a ‘village’ where farmers could sell their produce…

Fast forward to 2017, through silver screen legends like Shirley Temple working behind the counter of Brock’s Candies during a 1936 fundraiser, Marilyn Munroe opening a cheesecake stall (yes, really), Frank Sinatra hanging out at Patsy’s Pizza (that you can STILL visit today) and a little bit about a flying lion called Gilmore ; you can turn up, shop for souvenirs, eat great food and grab a local beer and watch live music.

We visited E.B’s Wine & Beer for a local beer flight and a live pianist, Pampas Grill for South American BBQ, Magee’s House of Nuts to chat to the market’s longest serving employee, Doris and Bennett’s Ice-Cream for an epic hot fudge sundae.

The Market is open 9am- 9pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm on Saturday and 10am to 7pm Sunday. We’d recommend heading there for early evening to soak up the atmosphere, we caught a Beatles cover band while we were there!

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