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5 Reasons To Visit Florence This Winter

With beautiful snow filled pictures popping up this week in Florence, it’s looking even more incredible this winter. Having lived in Florence for almost 5 years, I admit it I am biased. For me this magical city packed with history is a year round destination, however many only think of it only as an Italian summer fling. Consider these when planning your perfect winter weekend away…

1- No Tourists

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There is no getting away from it, summer in Florence is hectic, the beautiful winding streets become packed with tourists, squeezing through alleyways and forming queues in front of all the best gelaterias. Locals head for the hills (literally) or the sea side, to escape the hustle and bustle of peak season. However during the winter, the city is yours. The Uffizi and Accademia Gallery filled with the grand masters are much more accessible and you can take time to savour the historical surroundings in peace. Wander along the banks of the River Arno or dream about your next jewellery splurge on the famous Ponte Vecchio in a leisurely fashion.

2- Value For Money

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Florence is not a cheap destination, especially in the peak summer months, however during the winter you can get some seriously good off-peak deals. Direct flights into the UK from multiple airport locations can be as little as £60 return into Pisa, which is an quick and easy transfer into Florence. Plus best of all, many of the beautiful luxury hotels along the Arno and in the palazzos around Florence offer low season rates. You can even find special offers on some tours and museums due to the lower demand.

3- Italian Comfort Food

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Cold wintery days made brighter with homemade Italian goodies! Whilst the hot summer days may bring on cravings for ice cold gelato and light caprese salads, Florence is ripe in winter with rich homemade dishes, traditional favourites including Tuscan Ribollita soups, gnocchi and every type of pizza and pasta imaginable. The streets of Florence are filled with unexpected cosy corners to curl up and enjoy a roaring fire or sip on cioccolata calda, a perfect spot to try is Hemmingways chocolaterie, offering a selection of incredible hot chocolates and cakes, perfect fuel for a winter walk.

4- The Shopping

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During the summer being inside seems crazy, however during the winter retreating from the cold is a good excuse to check out the local designers, plus it’s sale season! Florence has the usual high street names but also offers some wonderful local shopping experiences and brands, which can only be found here. From indoor markets and local artisan workshops making mosaics, silverware and linen there is an amazing selection on offer. Another favourite location, which is a shopping destination in it’s own right due to its stunning architecture is Farmacia Santa Maria Novella, it’s the world’s oldest pharmacy and along with luxury products to purchase also offers a beautiful museum with artefacts dating back to the 16th century.

5 – You Can Ski in Tuscany!

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Florence is ideally located to access the surrounding Tuscan countryside, from vineyards to cooking classes, the same wonderful experiences are available in summer and winter (often cheaper during the winter). Plus it offers a few you may not have even considered! Arezzo in Tuscany, offers antiques fairs throughout the winter months boasting the finest antique pieces, while Tuscany also offers the highest number of hot springs throughout the whole of Italy. So make wellness a priority this winter and sample the thermal waters. Tuscany is also surprisingly, home to some fantastic skiing, with the Pistoia Mountains offering 80 kilometres of powder white slopes, making up 26 runs in total. So base yourself in Florence but keep some time to explore, you will need it!

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Arts

City of Stars: Make like La La Land & dance in the streets!

Here at House of Coco we love a good theme and we got giddy with excitement when we heard about Grey Goose new Film Awards Season Cocktail Collection in celebration of those who defy expectations in film.

After collaborating with five leading bars in London there’s a classy cocktail crawl to be done to try a smoky Blindfold at Sexy Fish, a refreshing dose of Bear Necessities at London Edition Hotel, a bittersweet Mezzo e Mezzo at Cafe Monico and the intriguingly named and szechuan infused A Dream Has a Price.

Much like the dazzling Emma and Ryan, the American Bar at The Savoy has us falling in love with the city all over again with ‘City of Stars’. It’s the perfect tipple to enjoy out or when tinkling the ivories with a jazz musician, as you do….

Grey Goose, City of Stars

45ml Grey Goose Vodka

15ml Roots Mastiha

30ml Lemon Juice

15ml Roasted sunflower honey

Egg white

Matcha tea

Method

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a martini glass.

Dust with Matcha tea and enjoy!

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Arts

Experience A-list treatment at Toronto’s most stylish and chic hotel

Nestled in the trendy Yorkville district and overlooking the fashionable boutiques, bars and restaurants you’ll find The Hazelton Hotel. The hotel is a sophisticated retreat from the city, showcasing a selection of Canadian artwork throughout, it oozes glamour and feels almost like a private members club minus the stuffiness. It’s easy to see how this place attracts the glitterati, low lighting combined with discreet dark colours and plush fabrics gives it that vintage, Hollywood vibe. The hotel has hosted the likes of Gaga, Justin Timberlake and Naomi Watts and home-grown talent like Drake and Justin Bieber are often spotted in the bar.

While this place oozes style you don’t feel like an outsider, the staff and team under General Manager, Hani Yousef are friendly, relaxed yet professional. As soon as I arrived, I was given an A-lister welcome, the concierge and front of house team are attentive, nothing is a problem and they make you feel you’re just as important as the celebrities that regularly frequent the place.
With just 77 rooms there’s a real boutique feel to the hotel. My room didn’t disappoint, a large and contemporary space with lounge area and comfy king size bed backed with sumptuous leather surrounds. I had my own large dressing area made of zebrawood and with floor to ceiling mirrors, I felt every inch the celebrity. The bathroom was the jewel in the crown, complete with heated floors, an LCD television built into the mirror, separate deep soaking tub & rain shower and a selection of, L’Occitane goodies to pamper myself with.

Executive chef (and Top Chef Canada judge) Mark McEwan oversees One at The Hazelton Hotel, this is the place to be seen so book your table in advance as it’s popular with locals and visitors. The menu combines French and Italian flavours with some of the best local Ontario produce. Team Coco was lucky enough to be invited to a private dining Style Plate with Canadian menswear designer Christopher Bates, to celebrate Toronto Fashion Week. The dishes were excellent, the Eggplant Arrabiata combined fried eggplant, ricotta, buffalo mozzarella dressed with aged balsamic, pickled onion and basil. This was followed by a Sweet Pea Falafel served with pomegranate yogurt, apple, on a soft, fluffy bed of couscous with a coriander dressing. While we are talking food, I have to mention the breakfast, I like to think of myself as an avocado and poached egg on toast connoisseur, it’s my go-to breakfast and brunch choice and the offer at One was the best I’ve ever tasted. The plumpest green avocado was smashed on freshly toasted sour dough with juicy red cherry tomatoes, a sprinkle of red chilli and a soft poached egg. It was divine!

The hotel has an amazing cinema room, the 25 seater theatre draws all the film stars during Toronto International Film Festival, perfect for a private screening. During the festival guests have included Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck, Reese Witherspoon and George Clooney. The room has a 16-foot high ceiling and mohair wrapped walls for extra soundproofing. Then there’s all the cool gadgets and gizmos like super surround sound and a high-tech digital projection system. If you are looking for Hollywood movie star treatment the team at The Hazelton will arrange for you watch your favourite film along with the obligatory popcorn.

If you want to relax and unwind you can visit the Spa by Valmont and try one of the luxurious treatments using their luxurious Swiss skincare line. The spa offers world-class facial treatments, luxurious body treatments and specialised massages designed to release stress and toxins. I opted for their signature massage, I literally floated out the door and it was much needed after a long flight and lots of walking around the city. You can also take advantage the 24-hour gym as well as a heated saltwater pool.

The Hazelton manages to tick every box, it has that welcoming home from home vibe with that touch of glamour. I really didn’t want to leave but rest assured the next time I’m in Toronto I’ll be checking in.
Team Coco travelled to Toronto courtesy of Tourism Toronto www.seetornotonow.com
For more information or to book a room visit www.thehazeltonhotel.com

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Tequila, it makes us happy…and hungry! Mexican delights at Peyotito

When you think brunch we bet you that you are thinking of avocados…but what if we paired those avocados with fresh and smokey margaritas…now we’re talking an elevated experience to your usual hungover dissection of the night before!

We would even dare to suggest that you should brunch at Peyotito on a clear head and a good night’s sleep; so good is the atmosphere, team, music and goodies on offer in their Notting Hill restaurant which is cunningly situated parallel to the madness of Portobello Road.

As we got lost in the menu, our first margaritas arrived as we were visiting on National Margarita Day (22nd Feb for your diaries, ladies!) for the Peyotito special cocktail which comes with an extra shot of beautiful mescal in a dinky little bottle.

Beautifully fresh and reviving we were then taken through the menu by the passionate team who seem to know exactly what we should eat and when to bring it. We grazed on vibrant ceviche, the most incredible pork and beef tacos ; where you could happily eat the taco shell on its own; it really is that good. The highlight of the meal is Adriana, the Girl Boss chef herself, hand delivering the delicioso chicken mole to the table. Talking of mole, they have a white chocolate mole on the menu which we are heading back to sample soon!

As our brunching continues, the atmosphere kicks up a notch with the arrival of well heeled families (who get us checking the state of our heels!) and kids who definitely have better weekend lunches that the alphabites and chicken dippers of our childhoods.

We can’t begrudge them too much as they don’t get to enjoy the Ginger and Chilli Margarita which appears as if by magic and starts bringing us out of the ‘we’re on holiday in Mexico City’ make-pretend we’ve been cultivating and energises us to explore the equally colourful houses and characters of Portobello Road market…

We visited Peyotito’s Notting Hill restaurant. To find out more about Peyotito restaurants and book your table head to www.peyotitorestaurant.com

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MISSED ‘GIN & TONIC DAY 2017’?! IT’S NEVER TO LATE TO CELEBRATE

Where has this month gone? One minute we were sad about the demise of September and *bang* before we knew it, it’s pretty much Bonfire Night. We even missed out on celebrating one of our favourite national events, Gin and Tonic Day (October 19th). If you missed out too – firstly, mark it in your 2018 calendar – and secondly, grab that bottle of Bombay Sapphire, you’re going to need it!

Pear & Ginger G&T

50ml Bombay Sapphire Gin

15ml pear juice

¼ fresh lime squeeze

100ml tonic water

Ginger slice, lime wedge & sage leaf

  • Fill a balloon glass with cubed ice in order to cool it, and keep the liquid as cold as possible
  • Build the drink over the ice, start by adding BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, followed by the pear juice and squeeze fresh lime, stir with a cocktail stirrer
  • Add tonic gently in to glass
  • Garnish with a slice of ginger, lime wedge and sage leaf
  • DRINK!

If this all feels like too much hard work, here’s our top gin bar recommendations from across the country who all created special Bombay Sapphire drinks for G&T Day and if you ask super nicely may just whip one up for you – CHEERS!

Sager and Wilde, 250 Paradise Row; London E2 9LE

Three Sheets, 510b Kingsland Rd, London E8 4AB

Panda and Sons, 79 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 4NF

The Finnieston, 1125 Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8ND

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Afternoon Tea

What to Eat in London This Month

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, autumn is most definitely here and with it comes a slew of new dishes to whet the appetites of London. From the latest openings to our favourite must-book menus, here’s our pick of what to eat in November that will really tickle those tastebuds.

1. Sample the dark side of Mexican dining

Esteemed Mexican chef, Martha Ortiz, is celebrating Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) through the Painted Black menu at her authentically modern Mexican restaurant, Ella Canta. The Park Lane dining room encourages guests to discover the flavours of Mexico with a touch of the colour of death, in honour of the famous Mexican holiday.

Available until 16th November, the dramatic menu of six courses includes a series of traditional Mexican meat and fish dishes, including Octopus with Black Sesame and Lime and Seabass with Onion Ash powder and Potato Puree. Guests will end their experience on a sweet note, with a refreshing Hibiscus sorbet, with beet and orange candy and for the grand finale, they will discover María la Catrina, a creation which represents immortality, an ornate creation inspired by La Calavera Catrina, the elegantly-dressed skeleton figure and symbol of the Day of the Dead celebrations. Don’t forget to accompany your deadly feast with one of their new cocktails; The Lady in Black is a citrus focused margarita made with Amarillo Chile infused Patrón silver tequila, Cointreau, Rinomato Bianco aperitivo, lime juice, angostura bitters and Serrano Chile. Spine-chilling.

Available until 16th November at £70 per person, inclusive of a cocktail.
www.ellacanta.com

2. Dine the deep sea without leaving Covent Garden

The clue is in the name, but FishWorks’ arrival to theatre land brings with it the very best fresh fish and seafood, responsibly sourced from Devon and Cornwall’s fish markets and day boats. With its beautiful marble oyster bar, in-house fishmonger and an opulent private dining room, the new FishWorks Covent Garden – sister restaurant to the existing Marylebone site – the purse- and time-friendly theatre menu offers two courses for £16.50 and three for £20.50.

With lavish lobster dishes, towering fruits de mer platters, classic fish and chips, bottomless brunches and a seafood bouillabaisse with £1 from each bowl to the Fishermen’s Mission charity, it’s a pescatarian’s dream. For those who fancy themselves a bit of a home chef, the Marylebone restaurant is hosting a Christmas cookery masterclass on Saturday 23rd November with a crash course in how to fillet your fish, shuck your oysters and cure your salmon, followed by a lunch with individual wine pairings and a selection of seasonal sides. The masterclass runs from 10am -12.30pm and is priced at £200pp.

FishWorks 2-4 Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JY
www.fishworks.co.uk

3. Swap Spain for California with Victor Garvey’s latest launch

Fans of Victor Garvey rejoice, for his award-winning Catalan restaurant Rambla is relaunching as SOLA. The Soho space will be serving food from and inspired by California, after undergoing a total refurb and reopening with its new look next week.

The chef’s followers will know he always has an eye on the next project and, with the successes of Encant, Sibarita and Rambla behind him, the latest adventure – a portmanteau of ‘Soho/Los Angeles’ – sees a shift away from the Spanish food of Rambla to the modern cuisine of his father’s native California. Expect a menu featuring high class American comfort food like Lobster Pot Pie, Kingfish Crudo with gazpacho vinaigrette, white miso ice-cream, watermelon, tomato raisins and Mussels & Clams with pistachio, lime & chilli butter, dipping soldiers.

SOLA 64 Dean Street, London W1D 4QQ
www.solasoho.com

4. Get your Alpine fondue fix ahead of ski season

Switzerland comes to Mayfair this season as the Swiss ski resort of LAAX has unveiled their LAAX baby! bar at Mews of Mayfair. The ski bar transports drinkers to the snowy slopes of LAAX, where laid back living, meets nostalgic party vibes, serving a wide range of alpine cocktails, in collaboration with One Gin and the UK’s most celebrated sparkling wine, Ridgeview.

The cocktail list includes the Galaaxy Shots – a shot of frozen apple and One Sage Gin to really get the après-ski party started – the kirsch and moscato tinged White Haze and a Rocks Negroni, but it’s the food menu that will get your stomach growling. Traditional delicacies on the menu include a Bündner Teller, a charcuterie board of air dried meats, wagyu bresaola, fennel & garlic salami, coppa and Swiss Comte cheese, as well as a traditional Swiss cheese fondue, made from a blend Le Gruyere AOP, Schlossberger and Reblochon Cheese, melted down with white wine and a splash of kirsch. It’s as delicious as it sounds.

LAA baby! at Mews of Mayfair, 10-11 Lancashire Ct, Mayfair, London W1S 1EY
www.mewsofmayfair.com

5. Start feeling festive with a winter afternoon tea

Now Halloween is over we’re allowed to start getting excited about Christmas… right? Festive dining is my kryptonite, and the new winter afternoon tea from Scoff & Banter is going straight to the top of the nibble list. A contemporary British tea with a wintry twist, the new treats will be available in their Tea Rooms at Oxford Circus and in their Kensington location, which has also partnered with the iconic Natural History Museum Ice Rink for a unique ‘Dine & Skate’ experience, with packages from £28.50 including a two or three-course meal or afternoon tea along with tickets to the ice rink. New sweet treats on the menu include lemon & white chocolate meringue, a raspberry & vanilla choux crumble and coconut glazed sponge cake.

Over at the Scoff & Banter Tea Room on Oxford Circus, guests can choose from winter comforts includingmini Yorkshire puddings with roast beef, horseradish creamed potato and red wine sauce and pancetta-wrapped wild boar and apple sausages with roast potatoes.

www.scoffandbanter.com

6. Get your Freak (Scene) on at lunchtimes

Soho pan-Asian restaurant Freak Scene has launched a new street food concept for its lunch offering alongside a brand new autumn menu. The brainchild of chef Scott Hallsworth, since opening last March it’s continued to showcase inventive and creative Asian cooking. Eight new dishes will pack a serious punch for the colder months and will include Phar’s Thai mackerel tacos with kaffir lime mayo, whole butter roasted lemon sole with spicy shiso ponzu and Takikomi gohan – Japanese rice hotpot with roasted pumpkin, fried tofu and wasabi.

With a new lunch menu inspired by Scott’s travels in Thailand earlier this year, The Freak Scene Kanteen (situated in the restaurant) is open Monday – Friday 11am – 3pm and customers can choose from a base of jasmine rice or thin egg noodles and a top of crispy frame fried chicken, spicy Thai pork sausage, miso grilled aubergine with a chilli, lime & tomato relish and walnuts and slow cooked sweet soy and ginger short rib, customised with homemade sauces and all from just £6.50.

54 Frith St, Soho, London W1D 4SL
www.freakscene.london

7. Get a festive food fix at Taste of London

Fans of the Regent’s Park summer event will revel in four days of festive delights at Tobacco Dock, where you can celebrate best food and drink from London’s internationally renowned culinary scene.

New additions include Soho favourite Berenjak, Thai barbecue masters Smoking Goat, Lewis Hamilton-backed Neat Burger with its plant-based burgers, and the hotly anticipated Bubala, which opened in September and features vegetarian Middle Eastern food from ex Berber & Q and Barbary chefs. Also joining the line-up are Taiwanese legends BAO and XU and finally Master Wei, bringing a taste of Shanxi cuisine with its legendary noodles, as more than 120 artisan producers will line the Grade 1 listed former warehouse, transforming it into a winter wonderland with dozens of foodie workshops on offer, including alcoholic jam making and interactive paella-cooking tutorials. Fans of a festive tipple can also enjoy pop up bars and masterclasses from the likes of Tanqueray No. TEN, Ketel One and Johnnie Walker Whisky.

Open from 21st – 24th November
www.london.tastefestivals.com

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Must-see in New Orleans

At House of Coco, we always like to stay ahead of the curve. When exploring new places, we go beyond the unspeakably obvious to get to the real essence of a place. That’s why we’ve enlisted the help of luxury tour operators Abercrombie & Kent to bring you unlimited access to New Orleans, with a list of must-dos that you didn’t even know you could, along with our classic ‘Big Easy’ favourites.

DO

Visit the historic French Quarter

The old world charm of the French Quarter is the prime tourist destination in the city, and for a good reason. Just twelve blocks wide by six deep, ‘the Quarter’ is the original French settlement of New Orleans from back in the 18th Century. Don’t be fooled by the name, most of the original French architecture was destroyed by the Great Fire of New Orleans, and replaced by the wrought iron balconies of Spanish colonial style that NOLA is instantly recognised for.

Check out America’s most haunted graveyard

That’s right, St Louis Cemetery No.1 (if one wasn’t creepy enough, there are three) is considered the most haunted cemetery in America. Because the entire city is built on a swamp, bodies have been buried above ground here since 1789 – making it easier for their spirits to walk the earth. If you believe all that poppycock then you’ll probably ruin your pants on a cemetery tour, but make sure you book, the graves are off limits unless you’re with a licensed guide.

EAT

Cover your face with sugar

Usually, I wouldn’t step over the threshold of somewhere that doesn’t serve alcohol, but I’d walk barefoot over a mile of broken glass just to get to Café du Monde. An iconic setting since 1862, this place is famous for its beignets (square donuts with mountains of powdered sugar) and cafés au lait. It’s an institution, and an absolute must.

Go one-on-one with a top Creole chef

If you take one look at the queues at the main foodie haunts and decide that’s not for you – Abercrombie & Kent can give you VIP access to one of NOLA’s top chefs. Check out the classic Commander’s Palace, or maybe John Besh’s haute cuisine at Restaurant August for a once-in-a-lifetime chef’s tasting and wine pairing that you’ll struggle to forget.

DRINK

Tear up Bourbon Street

If Royal Street is the backbone of the French Quarter by day, then Bourbon Street is its naughty little sister by night, teemed with bars, jazz joints and burlesque clubs. Couple that with some famous Louisiana hospitality and you’ve got yourself a good night.

Dive into NOLA’s cocktail history

What some visitors perhaps don’t appreciate while they’re dancing on a bar necking Absinthe from the bottle, New Orleans is absolutely steeped in cocktail culture. Join an expert cocktail historian to pair some of the world’s first cocktails, in the bars where they were conceived, with classic creole and Cajun fare, ending at a hip, local bar for a demo and try your hand at making them yourself.

Sound fun? Visit abercrombieandkent.co.uk/usa/deepsouth or call one of the experts on 01242 547717.

Images courtesy of New Orleans CVB.

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Brunch

What to Eat in London This Month

The mornings are getting that little bit lighter, the mercury edging up just enough to switch your Big Coat for something a little less hefty and with spring on the horizon our palates are turning from indulgent winter comfort food to something altogether lighter as the days lengthen and we hurtle towards a new season.

London is, as ever, a harbinger of new menus and with a host of delicious dishes springing up this month, it’s the perfect opportunity to leave winter behind and awaken your tastebuds.

  1. Discover the Taste of Istanbul with Yeni’s Pre-Theatre Menu

Located in the heart of Soho, Chef Civan Er of Yeni has just announced a new seasonal set menu for lunchtimes and the pre-theatre slot. The Istanbul-inspired eatery has split the menu into three sections – Vegetables, Meat & Seafood and Desserts – featuring some favourites from their a la carte menu along with new dishes.

Sample classics such as the delicately handmade Manti dumplings served in a bed of double fermented yoghurt, the Samsa savoury meat pastry made from hand rolled beef phyllo and yoghurt or the delicious Octopus rings a la plancha, served with bulghur, aioli, sumac and parsley.

The menu is priced at £16 per person for three dishes and is available for lunch Monday to Friday and from 5-6pm Monday to Saturday. Additional dishes can also be added for £6 each.

www.yeni.london

2. Celebrate Holi at Saffron Circle

New on the London restaurant scene last month, Swiss Cottage’s Saffron Circle is the first international opening from esteemed restaurateur Lavanya Mahate, founder of five successful outposts in Salt Lake City, Utah. Specialising in the most popular dishes from the North, South, East and West of India, Saffron Circle takes guests on a journey, highlighting the subcontinent’s immense culinary diversity.

This month, from 9th – 15th March, celebrate the Indian Holi festival as Executive Chef Santosh Shahhas introduced an eclectic array of dishes to the Festival of Colour Menu, at just £29.95 per person. To start, choose from either the succulent lamb chops marinated with fresh ginger, dried fenugreek, herbs and spices or the tender chicken tikka marinated in ginger garlic, spices, yoghurt and lime juice. Mains are served up in the traditional Indian Thali style, where guests will sample Saffron Circle’s signature dishes including Kerala Prawn Curry, Saffron Paneer and Chettinad Chicken Curry.

www.saffroncircle.co.uk

3. Indulge in Every Kids Dream Dinner at Waffle Week

Yes, you read it right. Prayers have been answered; Waffle Week is a thing. We of course have city hotshots Duck & Waffle to thank for it, instigators of the forthcoming 24/7 celebration featuring a menu of new and signature homemade waffle dishes running from sunset to sunrise to sunset again. From Monday 23rd March to Sunday 29th March, the inaugural Waffle Week will feature everything from the namesake signature dish to new offerings inspired by traditional British desserts, created by Executive Chef Elliott Grover.

Breakfast fans can kick off their day with a Duck Benedict, while for those with a sweet tooth, the signature Full Elvis, with PBJ, caramelised banana, Chantilly cream and all the trimmings will satisfy all the cravings. If those weren’t indulgent enough, late night visitors can indulge in the Caramelised Banana Waffle of housemade hazelnut & chocolate spread, vanilla ice cream, and peanut crunch or the new Lemon Meringue Waffle with lemon curd, Italian meringue, lemon sherbet ice cream, and dill.

www.duckandwaffle.com

4. Get an Injection of Latin Flavour at Cha Cha x Sister Jane

This spring Notting Hill will be getting an injection of Latino flavour with the opening of Cha Cha x Sister Jane, a restaurant and bar that will be big on taste and on music to match. Due to open at the end of March, the multi-story restaurant and roof terrace on Golborne Road will feature a menu developed by Head Chef Kai Rykowski (ex Chiltern Firehouse), featuring Mediterranean cuisine with a Latino twist.

Due to open its doors at the end of the month at 36 Golborne Road, breakfasters can look forward to daily specials of cheese and truffle toasties, French toast with vanilla custard and rhubarb pistachio, and acai bowls topped with pumpkin, sunflower and chia seeds and coconut powder. From 11am until midnight, an all-day menu will showcase moreish sharing plates of sea bass ceviche, tempura squid with wasabi mayo and lime, and oysters with green tomatillo and jalapeño mint gazpacho; bountiful salads such as grilled baby gam with maple butter, queso fresco and lemon brioche crumble, and showstopper mains hot from the robata grill including a half lobster tail, duck breast and octopus.

5. Embrace Cherry Blossom Season at May Fair Bar

This spring the May Fair Bar has partnered with the House of Suntory’s Roku Gin to celebrate the arrival of Japan’s iconic cherry blossom season, and centuries-old practise of Hanami; the traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers, as the bar is transformed into a blush-hued cherry blossom-filled escape.

Guests can enjoy bespoke cocktails alongside a selection of exquisite contemporary pan-Asian small plates including tuna, salmon, Yellowtail and sea bass served with wasabi and soy, Wagyu beef sliders with creamy spiced shichimi mayo, chicken truffle teryaki robot skewers and crispy wasabi prawns. A weekend brunch will also include the likes of a decadent toasted lobster bagel and Bao buns filed with Wagyu beef fillet, with crispymelting gorgonzola cheese and chilli habanero sauce. Delicious.

www.themayfairhotel.co.uk

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Ninety One: Your new favourite Shoreditch Spot

#TeamCoco is always on the pulse whenever it comes to new London openings, so Ninety-One, a newly launched all-day cafe and late night bar is exactly what we’re looking for to amp up our East London evenings.

Launched in early December, Ninety-One is an achingly cool new hybrid space in the Old Truman Brewery, that breathes Shoreditch authenticity.Think neon-lit pared back concrete walls, an abundance of foliage, artisanal cocktails, and a rotating residency of chefs that will surely make your mouth water. Every few months, Ninety One will feature a rotating series of chief residencies that champions all the wonderful local talent of East London. We were lucky enough to experience some lovely dishes from Sabel, a seasonal kitchen by husband and wife duo Toby Williams and Lianna Jewell. Their unique take on locally sourced British cuisine is effortless and undeniably impressive. A few of our favourites include the Ogalshield cheese and ham hock toastie with gherkins, and some grilled tender stem broccoli with aioli — yum.

Wash it all down with some Victorian inspired cocktail recipes from head bartender Amon Kale. Don’t let the term ‘native botanical home-infusions’ intimidate, because these cocktails are truly delicious (and certainly pack a punch) If you’re feeling tropical, we highly recommend the deconstructed Pina Colada, a Wray & Nephew, Salani Coconut Liqueur, and charred pineapple mixture — that’s the perfect drink to accompany you throughout the evening. Finally, end the evening dancing away to Ninety One’s live jazz performances and DJ sets, their Function One sound system will impress even the most discerning audiophile. Ninety One is a space that transitions with you throughout the day, seamlessly from work to play — and we’re all for it.

In the vein of multi-functional spaces, Ninety-One was designed as a café and workspace by day, and a late-night music venue for audiophiles by night, and it could not be more at home than in the buzzy graffiti strewn streets Brick Lane.

For more information visit https://91bricklane.com/
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Discover Your Taste Profile This Weekend With A Grey Goose Vodka Brunch

If there’s one thing that really gets #TeamCoco in the summer mood, it is a delicious cocktail to match a lazy brunch. So you can only imagine how excited we are to hear that Grey Goose is holding Le Grand Fizz Brunch Club this weekend. And we were lucky enough to get a sneak peak of the new concept so you can rest assured that Le Grand Fizz has the #TeamCoco seal of approval.

Expect a unique dining and cocktail experience completely personalised to your own taste profile. Bringing together the expertise of well-known foodie Anna Barnett and Head of Bars at The Ned, Dan Berger; you will be taken on a journey of exploration inspired by the five key taste profiles: sweet, sour, salty, umami and bitter.

Taking place on Saturday 12 August at Carousel, Marylebone – you can enjoy bespoke Grey Goose Le Grand Fizz cocktails created by Dan Berger, which can be customised to individual taste profiles and paired with a menu of extraordinary brunch dishes curated by Anna Barnett.

Upon arrival, you will enjoy a brunch style canape reception, where you will be invited to explore and identify your preferred taste profile. You can then personalise your own dish with Anna Barnett on hand to share her expertise. The ingredients behind each dish have been carefully crafted to pair with Grey Goose’s refreshing summer serve, Le Grand Fizz.

Bringing to life the finest seasonal ingredients in both dishes and cocktails, the two-course brunch will be complimented by a ‘living wall,’ offering you a variety of herbs, spices, and botanicals, to personalise and season your dishes and cocktails.

We would recommend being adventurous with your creations – I went for an umami cocktail with sweet and salty dishes – and my only regret was that I felt a little too full for a third helping…

Where: Carousel, 71 Blandford St, Marylebone, London W1U 8AB

When: Saturday 12th August 12pm – 2pm

To buy tickets follow the link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/grey-goose-le-grand-fizz-brunch-club-tickets-36351281662

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