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Food & Drink November 9, 2023

FIVE MINUTES WITH WES AVILA – THE CHEF BEHIND LA’S GREATEST TACOS

House of Coco were recently lucky enough to be invited down to Breddos Tacos’ one weekend only collaborations with LA’s taco truck legends Guerrilla Tacos. We grabbed five minutes with Wes Avila, the man behind the best sweet potato taco we’ve ever had. (EDITOR’S NOTE: If you’d seen the movie ‘Chef’, this is it IRL!)

HOC: We’re increasingly seeing food becoming a very important component for choosing a holiday destination. We know we do it all the time! Do you see this a lot in L.A.?

WA: Yes very much. Even on my own trips, a huge influence is if the destination is known for a great food scene. L.A. continues to offer one of the best and most diverse culinary scenes in the world which appeals to young travellers. From the relaxed offering at our food trucks to innovative fine dining by the world leading chefs, to chef-driven, fast-casual cuisine, Los Angeles has it all.

HOC: As this is your first time in London we know you’ve been checking out the food scene. What are the differences between the L.A./London food scenes?

WA: The London food scene seemed more relaxed – the food was fantastic and service was great. A lot of times in L.A. people are clamouring to find the new hot thing and I didn’t feel that was the case in London.

HOC: This collab seems made in heaven, how did it come about?

WA: I met Nud Dudhia and Chris Whitney from Breddos Tacos on a trip to Tijuana, Baja California. On that same group of people was Ray Garcia of Broken Spanish, Carlos Salgado of Taco Maria, Eddie Ruiz of Corazon Y Miel and myself. It was arranged by Bill Esparza so Breddos being in that same group of people already opened a door to across the pond collaboration possibilities. I have never visited London so when we had a chance to collaborate on an event I jumped at it!

HOC: You’ve wanted to be a top taquero for years but when you look at other food movements that are taking off, if it hadn’t had been tacos, what would you have like to be a master in?

WA: I probably would have gravitated toward producing food rather than cooking. I’ve always found the art of cheese making as super interesting. Maybe I would have become a cheese maker….

HOC: Everyone can get on board with a good cheese! Finally, what’s your favourite food place in L.A. right now?

My favourite food place is probably Baroo (5706 Santa Monica Blvd) . There are a ton of great places here but that place stood out. Fantastic food!

House of Coco will be heading out to Los Angeles in early March and will bring you some more amazing food from the sunshine state. If you’re heading out there check out guerrillatacos.com for their locations!

For more information, visit the official visitor information website of Los Angeles at DiscoverLosAngeles.com , join the more than one million people who follow L.A. Tourism’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/LosAngelesFan, or follow @discoverLA on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Accessories November 9, 2023

Superstar Sunnies: All the Best Sunglasses for Spring

Here at House of Coco, we know the value of a great pair of sunglasses. And with spring finally bringing in some welcome sunshine, a fabulous pair of sunglasses should be on everybody’s shopping lists for the season.

Whether you are lounging on the beach in the Maldives, or enjoying a warm après ski in the Swiss Alps – a good pair of sunnies is an absolute must for any stylish jet-setter. Not only are sunnies the perfect finishing touch for any ensemble, they also serve as the perfect travel companion no matter where your destination. From Oliver People’s feminine yet angular styles, to Céline’s modern take yellow frames, House of Coco rounds up the best Superstar Sunnies of the season, to help you pick our your new favourite pair just in time for your next holiday.

Swarovski Clear Sunglasses £120
Sener Besim S3 in Nero/Graphite £1076
Oliver Peoples Rassine in soft rose gold & Magenta £255
Grey Ant Iemall $370
Céline Yellow Sunglasses £320
Ace & Tate Frances in Poppy £98
Moncler Gold sunglasses £300
Ace & Tate Vivian in Rose Gold £148 www.aceandtate.co.uk

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

The Booze Tales

Here at House of Coco we love indulging in a sparkling beverage at the end of a long day and we’re equally enthralled by the stories behind some of favourite indie booze brands. Come with us as we get intoxicated by these booze tales from around the world…

Old Curiosity Distillery, Edinburgh

theoldcuriosity.co.uk

When Hamish quit the family drinks business to travel in North America, little did he suspect that learning from a medicine man in the forest would trigger an obsession with botanicals and lead him to take a punt on a derelict glasshouse on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Moving his family out of the city, he had the vision of building a home for them on an enchanting piece of land at the foot of the Pentland Hills and a better life centered around nature. He now spends his days wild swimming at sunrise and working with some of 600 herbs and flowers grown at his Secret Herb Garden to create naturally colour-changing gins. Look out for their partnership with Marks & Spencer’s on a British Rose and British Lavender gins available up and down the country and also for dandelions, Hamish’s good luck herb.

GEM & BOLT, Mexico

gemandbolt.com

The magical realism of Mexico resonated with bohemian artists AdrinAdrina and Elliott Coon so much so they wanted to share it with the world through their own brand of mezcal. It’s a mystical feminine spirit thanks to ‘Agave’, the female deity combined with an infusion with damiana historically used by the Maya, Aztec, Zapotec culture as a heart opener. Take a sip of GEM&BOLT and be transported to a far-away, magical fiesta, saturated in colour and stories. Mezcal is thought of as medicinal by many Oaxacan people, so no excuses!

Edinburgh Gin 1670, Edinburgh

edinburghgin.com

After 12 months of experimenting with some of the 13,000 species of plants grown at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Head Distiller of Edinburgh Gin, David Wilkinson chose six botanicals fresh from the garden to go into the distillery’s 2018 gin release. Named after the year that ‘The Botanics’, as the garden is affectionately referred to, was established, this gin celebrates the importance of botanicals with its unique, fresh taste. This distillery has created a contender for its garden party Rhubarb and Ginger Liqueur – now available in handy cans for all your picnic needs.

GRL PWR SOUR, Portland

10barrel.com

We recently chatted with the unstoppable Emma McIlroy, CEO of Wildfang, the activist, feminist clothing smashing the patriarchy from Portland who told us tales of a special collaboration with 10 Barrel Brewing Co. The GRL PWR Sour beer was dreamt up, brewed and labelled by an all-girl gang. “We wanted to make a statement about women’s empowerment,” said Emma and the pineapple mint sour certainly does that with a tangy shakedown to the traditionally male-dominated brewing industry. To find out more about the creative scene in Portland and the incredible work of Wildfang, head over to the ‘Girl Boss’ series on houseofcoco.net

Accessories November 9, 2023

All The Influential Modern Art Your Heart Desires : The Broad, Los Angeles

Disclaimer: This #TeamCoco writer does not know anything about art. I would never pretend to and I actively shy away from Arty talk; that’s why we have our residential art guru Rachael Lindsay.

However, if you are spending any time in DownTown LA (or DTLA as the cool kids call it) you have to get a free (FREE?!) ticket for new modern art museum on the block, The Broad (S Grand Ave, DTLA). Open since September 2015, the stunning piece of modern architecture acts not not only as home to Eli and Edythe Broad’s extensive collection of influential art but also a mix of permanent and special exhibition space.

When we visited we were lucky enough to experience the permanent collection to gawp at life changing pieces of art you didn’t even know you knew or had influenced you from Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Barbara Krueger to Takashi Murakami and Roy Lichtenstein.

The special exhibition ‘Creature’ thematically displayed pieces by some of the artists in the permanent collection (notably Koons’ ‘Metallic Venus’) alongside pinch-me-I-can’t-believe-I’m-in-front-of-this work like Damien Hirst’s ‘No Arts, No Letters, No Society’ and Andreas Gursky’s ‘SH III’.

Heading back to the stunning foyer we got our timed tickets for the star attraction, Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room. As an incredibly personal installation, the lines for this are long as it is designed as a single person experience.

Lamentably, a mirror selfie in this space seems to be the main reason for most of the excitable people in the queue, hoping to nail their Tinder profile pic that says ‘Oh hey there, I’m cultured AND fun!’.

We go in, camera firmly in pocket and sit on the floor of the platform that is surrounded by water to enjoy 1 minute alone with this astonishing piece. Get in the queue early when you arrive as there was a 5 hour wait for this experience, but you can leave the gallery and come back when you are texted to do so!

Tickets are available for this incredible museum from https://www.thebroad.org/visit

They are completely free and released at the start of each month.

In addition to the art you’ll find in LA’s incredible museums be sure to check out some Street Art while you are in town. A great place to start is https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/culture/urban-art

Arts November 9, 2023

No-one likes the tuna here!: Taco Tuesday adventure in Los Angeles

Question! (say it like Beyonce, go on) …. On a Taco Tuesday in central Los Angeles are you going to settle for the local bar’s offering of limp, soggy excuses for tacos or go on a quest to hit not just one, but two of LA’s most gossiped about food trucks?!

Answer: Of course you are going to scour twitter to find these beacons of tortilla joy and take that all important ‘food against the sky’ shot your social media followers are dying to see.

Last week the wonderful team at Discover Los Angeles tipped us off about the trucks we had to visit and so we found ourselves heading up the queue at Korean BBQ dreamland, Kogiat their Downtown LA spot, which is just across from the incredible The Broad (seriously, go!) and the MOCA.

The truck itself looks like something out of the skateboard movies of our teenage dreams, fully metal, covered in stickers and manned by a very efficient team of chefs.

We kicked off Taco Tuesday with a short rib Taco at Kogi BBQ which, at the bargain price of $2.50 was a two bite piece of meaty BBQ heaven. The warming spice of the meat is balanced by the griddled corn tortilla and we’d wager is probably the best thing you can get change on three dollars for.

Our appetites whetted we hunted down our next taco stop; Guerrilla Tacos. You might remember these guys from our interview with head chef, Wes Avila, when he teamed up with Breddos Tacos here in London (see here for more on that). This time we’re visiting him on his home turf, in the iconic, spray painted taco mothership. You’ll always find the Guerrilla Taco truck pitching up outside a coffee shop or wine bar; marrying the street food deity perfectly with a little pick me up.

An aqua fresca and innovative sweet potato taco set us up perfectly for an afternoon of adventuring. Just full enough to trek up to the Griffith Observatory but not too full that we couldn’t entertain indulging in a sneaky little donut on the way!

If you are planning a trip stateside we’d wholeheartedly recommend checking out www.discoverlosangeles.com for all your foodie delights…you can thank us later!

Designer November 9, 2023

#Cocofashion: the sustainable, stylish brand you’ll want to be wearing this summer

Here at House of Coco we are always on the lookout for stylish brands making an impact in the fashion industry. If you haven’t come across Asquith London yet I guarantee once this conscious fashion brand is on your radar, you’ll be spotting it regularly in your yoga class, on the school run and in your local coffee shop.

Founded by Alice Asquith in 2002, this yoga and activewear range combines high quality with style and best of all this ethical, eco-friendly brand is not just for the yoga mat, it can be styled for a more relaxed day look. Alice who was taught to ‘make and mend’ by her grandmother has always made her own clothing, when we meet at the Asquith Eco Summit, she is sporting a stylish floral jacket she made in her 20’s and it still looks chic and timeless on her. She greets me like an old friend and wants to know what I think of the brand. I’ve got to be honest, hands up, I hadn’t come across Asquith until recently. My yoga kit is mainly dominated by Nike staples and the odd piece of Lulu Lemon however I’ve a feeling this is about to change.

The new collection is a range of wearable staples, beautifully designed with soft, durable fabrics. It’s inspired by Alice’s love of Miami and its Art Deco buildings. Pops of blue and white are scattered throughout the pieces. Asquith’s style is classic yet flattering and multi-functional, you can easily take it outside the studio. I have to be honest, I live in my Asquith Harem pants and have my eye on their jumpsuit, ideal for travelling in.

The range features two core fabrics, Bamboo and Bambor (a natural performance fabric Alice developed and trademarked). Both are ethically made in a Global Organic Textile Standard approved factory in Turkey. Bamboo is an environmentally low-impact and sustainable fabric, it’s ideal for activewear as it’s breathable, naturally anti-bacterial and wicks moisture from the body to the exterior of the fabric so it can evaporate more easily. Asquith is always innovating and looking for ways to increase their sustainability taking cues from leading fashion brands; “Stella McCartney is leading the way when it comes to sustainable fashion, says Alice. She lives and breathes sustainability with her brand. And I love her use of modern, innovative fabrics and technology and focus on a more circular economy”.

It’s evident that Alice is on mission to produce stylish pieces that are made with love and you can feel that her new collection is a labour of love. Asquith is not just about the environment, its about the people. Alice regularly visits the factory in Turkey that makes her collection, run by a strong female matriarch character. “It’s like one big family, we lunch together, swap recipes and there’s a real sense of togetherness” she says.

Asquith is a brand that produces gorgeous clothes with a conscience. For more information on the collection visit www.asquithlondon.com

City breaks November 9, 2023

Here’s a sneak preview of the brand new cocktail menu at the iconic Waldorf

Nestled in the iconic Waldorf Hilton Hotel in the heart of London is The Parrot, a stylish tropical hideaway with a brand-new cocktail menu bursting with a selection of tasty tipples. The bar, just a stone throw from some of the major West-End theatres is a great location for a pre-show drink.

The bar’s exotic namesake is alluded to in the interiors, from walls lined with bespoke, hand-painted palm wallpaper to lush foliage and an abundance of greenery planted throughout the space. The plush velvet seating in rich turquoise and midnight blue alongside metallic and rattan detailing draw on the opulence of the historic hotel. The bar front itself is decorated in luxurious teal fish scale tiles beneath exposed Edison filament bulbs, conjuring the moody, atmospheric feel of the speakeasy.

The Parrot’s Bar Manager, Massimiliano Terrile, has designed a menu jam packed with tropical-inspired coolers with fresh and zesty flavours to suit every taste. Team Coco was invited down to the launch party and got to sip and shimmy the night away while nibbling on some delish dishes such as Wagyu beef with pickled enoki, wasabi & pineapple and poached lobster with mango, served with edamame beans, macadamia nuts & yuzu and Quinoa with avocado, sesame, pomegranate & mango, bringing light, exotic flavours to this stylish, tropical venue. Here’s some of our favourite cocktails.

Parrot Puffer
Made with Absolut Elyx Vodka, seasonal fruits and vanilla ice cream, the Parrot Puffer is drizzled with syrup and served in one of the bar’s Instagram-worthy parrot shaped glasses.

Blossom Parakeet
Made with Auchentoshan double oak infused with plum, camomile cordial and ginger ale.

Cockatoos
Made with Black Cow Pure Milk Vodka, bitter XO, cider evaporation and cardamom syrup.

Book your table at The Parrot via www.theparrotldn.co.uk

Girl Bosses of Great Britain November 9, 2023

#GirlBossesofGreatBritain Boot Camp: Workout One, Love Yourself

Have you been enjoying our #GirlBossesofGreatBritain interviews? One of the key themes we keep hearing about is how being your own boss involves a lot of learning. Whether you are your own boss, would like to be or simply want to channel your inner #GirlBoss when planning your next group holiday, we can help.

Welcome to the #GBOGB BootCamp, ladies!

Each week we’ll be sharing some top tips on places to go for more inspo and might even set you some homework, if you are up for it (get those gel pens at the ready!)

Workout One: Love Yourself!

Self-help has some seriously bad rap. Don’t get us wrong a lot of it is about as accomplished and meaningful as the guy spitting some bars on the back of the bus. But self-help is not all about crystals and chakras or power poses (while these things can help if you believe in them!) but finding that place, movie, playlist or book that says something to you.

Here are three of our top sources of ‘Love Yourself’ inspo, with snippy tweet length reviews to whet your appetite:

Love Yourself Reading:

Radical Self-Love by Gala Darling

Gala is a mystical being and self love is her bag. This means whatever you want: meditation, a great squad and the power of a good selfie.

Love Yourself Listening:

Venus Fly by Grimes and Janelle Monae

Oh this song. We hear girl gangs stomping against the male gaze. That may just be our interpretation. Blooming good song all the same.

Love Yourself Watching:

Begin Again, 2013

This is an unexpected, feel good delight discovered on Netflix. Watch and see another side of Keira. Glow inside. Then watch Chef. You are welcome.

What did we miss out? Join the conversation on Twitter and tell us your secret #GirlBoss weapons…

Fitness November 9, 2023

Why marbella is a perfect destination for a wellness weekend

Holidays are no longer all about excess food, drink and sleep. Health and well-being are high on the traveller agenda, as bookings for wellness experiences soar. According to TripAdvisor’s Experiences Trends Report, global traveller bookings for wellness experiences jumped 69% year-over year as holidaymakers are looking for an all-round healthy break.

The Amare Beach Hotel Marbella is the perfect place to stay for a wellness weekend. They combine an amazing spa, good food and fitness making it the ideal destination for keeping active as well as unwinding. You can design your break to be as active or relaxing as you want. Team Coco opted for a combination of both.

Start your day on a chilled vibe with beach yoga. Guided by Amare teacher, Soledad Jimenez Mateos, this class is aimed at all abilities. Set on the harbour at the front of the hotel you loosen up as you’re taken through some gentle stretching, gradually moving into downward dog and warrior pose. The advantage of doing yoga by the sea is that you breathe in clean air, feel the gentle morning sun on your face and the sea breeze in your hair. The sound of the waves gently crashing on the harbour wall create a real zen moment and I quickly switched off from any busy thoughts just concentrating on the slow, rhythmic movements of my body. Afterwards I recommend you head to the hotel patio to soak up the gorgeous beach views and refuel with a healthy, fresh breakfast buffet.

If you are looking for something a little more adventurous than yoga, then canyoning in nearby Benahavis will get your adrenaline pumping. Travel through the foothills of the mountains and experience unspoiled beauty. The canyons are made up of a series of beautiful rock passages carved and sculpted by water over millions of years. There is a mix of activity including swimming, jumping and abseiling using ropes cascading down white water chutes.

Canyoning was a bit too much for me so I decided to take it down a notch and experience some of the best views of the Costa Del Sol with a hike high up into the Andalusian mountains. There’s a number of trails you can take depending on how far you want to go. This experience is a must for those that enjoy nature and want to experience a perspective of Marbella that few often see. My guide collects me early in the morning and drives up towards the Sierra Blanca. It’s a clear day, the sun is shining so I’m guaranteed some epic views. I opted for the two-hour hike starting at Juanar and heading towards La Concha. The route loops round and takes in olive groves, walnut and pine trees and halfway in we are joined by a wild goat. As we hike further towards the top of the mountain the viewpoints get even better. On a clear day you can see the North African coastline and Gibraltar.

The fresh air and brisk hike left me with an appetite, so I made my way to Amare Beach Lounge for an al fresco lunch. Set on the beach, with a casual Mediterranean vibe the menu includes some tasty tapas staples as well as fresh salads and poke bowls. I went for a selection of traditional Andalusian tapas and a glass of Albarino.

All the hiking gave me a perfect excuse to hit the hotel spa and ease any aching muscles. The spa menu is centred around mind, body and spirit. It features some real treats like the Balance Concept Ritual, which combines an innovative therapy and massage to combat stress. I highly recommend the Sleep Ritual Massage, using essential oils and a range of holistic, calming and relaxing movements your mind and body instantly feel soothed and peaceful, perfect for the end of all long day.

If you are looking for a wellness break in the sunshine, then the Amare Beach Hotel is the perfect spot, reached in just two and a half hours from the UK, with daytime temperatures exceeding 20 degrees from April to October.

Team Coco travelled to Marbella courtesy of Amare Beach Hotel Marbella. For more information visit www.amarehotels.com

Lifestyle November 9, 2023

Beautiful Unsuspecting Festival Proposal

You’re at a festival with some friends and your man.

Weird things happen at festivals. You hug strangers, share glitter and dance together as though you’d been practicing for years.

At Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee this weekend one unsuspecting lady, standing amongst a glistening array of bubbles, began to have strangers handing her pretty flowers and flashing excited smiles.

She had no idea what was about to happen next. It’s simply beautiful. Prepare for the happy tears.

Congratulations to you both from us all here at House of Coco!