Happiness Recycled With Coca-Cola

Posted on June 20, 2013 by cheriecity

Every music festival that I’ve ever been to has ended with a previously green field submerged in a swamp of rubbish.  Now that there are so many festivals around the UK each year, a sustainable solution needs to be found.

Coca-Cola Enterprises introduced its Happiness Recycled Initiative to two Scottish festivals this summer - RockNess and the Royal Highland Show.  To get festival-goers engaging in recycling, Coca-Cola set up interactive recycling bins and hosted a series of games and flash mobs.

The reactions of festival-goers were captured on camera and they were able to collect their photos at the Happiness Bank, a converted shipping container manned by Coke and Zero Waste Scotland volunteers.

Beyond the festivals, Coca-Cola is also giving the chance to win recycling-themed prizes online.

To see the Happiness Recycled initiative in action, visit Youtube or watch this video below….

Sponsored post

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Best Summer Sun Care

Posted on June 19, 2013 by cheriecity

Gone are the days when summer sun protection meant sticky, bright white creams that dissolved in the swimming pool.  The latest sun care products are designed to be more effective than ever, while keeping the skin calm with light, easily-absorbed formulations.

Here are some of my favourite high-tech sun care products for summer holidays…

Piz Buin Wet Skin (£17.99) is a brilliant new product that you must pack in your suitcase for summer holidays.  The light-weight sprays have a transparent, light oil texture and are available in SPF15 and SPF30.

They can of course be applied to dry skin as usual, but the best thing is that you can spray directly onto wet skin, straight from the sea or swimming pool.  Piz Buin Wet Skin cuts through the water on the skin, so it doesn’t slide off and offers more efficient protection against sun damage.

I tested Piz Buin Wet Skin in both SPFs recently on the beach in Ayia Napa and again in the intense dry heat of Beijing and humid Shanghai.  I liked that the oil absorbs into the skin well and it’s so quick and easy to apply – plus, I didn’t burn once.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Extreme Fluid (£16.50) is the ideal suncare fix for those who find regular sun creams for the face too heavy and greasy.  It is an essential suncare product for sensitive and sun intolerant skin and is best-suited to normal and combination skin.

The white fluid has a milky texture and absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving a soft base for a touch of make-up if you’re on a city break, or on its own if you’re hitting the beach.  Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Extreme Fluid helps combat UVA rays with a filter system that combines Mexoryl with the natural cell protector Senna Alata.  It is also waterproof, non-comedogenic and free from paraben and fragrance.

SPF 50+ is very high, so it helps keep out the harmful rays and protect the delicate facial skin, however my face still had a healthy glow from the sun.  Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Extreme Fluid is now also available as a tinted fluid.

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil is a must for preventing the sun from drying out hair and preserving hair colour.  The super light water-resistant UV defense mist creates an invisible barrier and locks out sun exposure for up to 16 hours.

It contains UV/UVB filters derived from wintergreen and cinnamon bark oils, natural anti-oxidants including green tea extract and a blend of organic shea butter, coconut and palm oils to detangle and nourish.  Its tropical aroma of neroli, ylang ylang and cistus gives it that luscious holiday scent and lifts the spirit in the way that Aveda products are designed to do.

What are your summer sun care favourites?  Do you have a top tip for avoiding sun damage?

* samples

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Weekend Brunch at Temple Restaurant Beijing – China

Posted on June 17, 2013 by cheriecity

Temple Restaurant Beijing is one of the most exciting, stylish restaurants in the city and a real must for design lovers.

The award-winning restaurant is housed in a 600 year old Ming Dynasty Tibetan temple which was renovated in 2008 and given a contemporary new look by Australian architectural and design firm, Hassell.

Temple Restaurant Beijing is tucked away among the hutongs of an unassuming residential Dongcheng street, close to the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and the National Art Museum of China.  It can be tricky to find, particularly as there are no signposts or visible branding.  Well-dressed staff were waiting outside to escort us to the restaurant, however, I can imagine it would be a marvellous discovery if you stumbled upon the restaurant by yourself.

The man behind the restaurant is Ignace Lecleir, the Belgian former General Manager of Maison Boulud in Beijing, whose concept for the complex includes several event and gallery spaces and this year’s new opening, The Temple Hotel.

The sleek dining room is in a modern annex that was once a television factory, creating the capital’s first black and white TV.  Floor to ceiling windows, vibrantly coloured Scandinavian furniture and striking artworks punctuate the minimalist space.  Even the black slate bathrooms are sexy and luxurious, with low lighting and a small Buddha puffing incense smoke out of his mouth.

Service at TRB (as it’s locally known) is exemplary, with waitresses all in elegant teal chiffon dresses and suited waiters darting to the table to deliver each course, top up water and push in our chairs every time we moved.

The menu at TRB is contemporary European and the wine list is predominantly French, boasting some excellent wines, including Bordeaux, Burgundy and my favourite Sauternes.

We were lucky enough to be in town on the weekend and enjoyed a boozy Saturday brunch, including wines paired with each course.  The fabulous brunch began with glass of Bollinger Champagne and a sharing plate of freshly-baked, flaky pastries with jams and honey.

The first course of White Wine Poached Shrimps and Avocado was mouth-wateringly delicious.  The poached shrimps were very fresh and lightly marinated and were perfectly complemented by the cool, crushed avocado.

Duck Egg en Cocotte, Foie Gras, Artichoke and Bacon was a light and tasty dish.  The duck egg was slow-cooked and the artichoke and bacon added plenty of flavour.  The long garlic artisan bread twists came in handy for scooping up the yolk.

Sea Bass, Spinach and Curry Oil was a delicate dish with clean flavours.  The fish was fresh and succulent and the dash of curry oil added a subtle kick.

The Roast Chicken and Grilled Asparagus was juicy and tender with a crispy, golden layer of skin.  The chicken was served on a bed of spinach and a rich jus while the asparagus was nicely charred.

The Lychee Mousse dessert looked pretty with powder pink icing sugar adorning the plate, however, it was a little disappointing.  The mousse was unexpectedly frozen and didn’t taste very much like lychee, although I did like the sticky top layer of lychee milk jam.

The meal ended on a high note with a delightful selection of chocolate truffles and assorted fruity marshmallows.  We enjoyed a pot of fresh mint tea and relaxed a little longer before hitting the next stop on our itinerary.

As we were leaving, the staff brought us a bottle of Temple Restaurant Beijing branded water each for our travels.  We couldn’t resist a few photo opps with the outdoor sculptures of the crouching men, deep in thought.

TRB is a leader of Beijing’s thrilling fine dining restaurant scene and the experience is both memorable and impressive.  While the restaurant is undoubtedly high end, the prices can be quite reasonable, particularly for the set lunch menu.  Someday, I would love to return for dinner, as the temple locations looks particularly captivating at night.

A five course Brunch is priced at RMB 298; wine pairings are an extra RMB 160.  For menus and booking, visit: www.temple-restaurant.com

Chérie City was a guest of Temple Restaurant Beijing and Shangri-La Hotels

Photos by Chérie City (evening exterior by TBR)

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THE ADVISORY – Burgers and Beer in Hackney, East London

Posted on June 15, 2013 by cheriecity

Last night, I was one of the first through the door at the launch party of THE ADVISORY, a new diner-restaurant in Hackney.  Located in the former Asian Women’s Advisory Centre, just a few doors down from The Dolphin pub and Bouchon Fourchette, THE ADVISORY is on a part of Mare Street that is gradually becoming much more interesting (and it’s conveniently within walking distance of my flat).

The restaurant has kept the original exterior sign and has a rough-luxe feel with low-hanging lights, a cool neon sign in Chinese and unpainted plaster walls adorned with vinyl slogan prints by London-based Mortar&Pestle Studio.  Split on two levels, the dining room is smallish and intimate, with rustic wood tables, church pews and simple wooden chairs.

On first impressions, it seemed like an unusual location for a burger joint, but then I remembered my stay in a former prison in Ljubljana and touring a renovated abattoir in Shanghai.  While sitting there, I couldn’t help wondering has the centre relocated, or was it a victim of the government’s cuts?

THE ADVISORY was quick to fill up with a mostly young, ‘hipster’ crowd that all seemed to know each other and the service was super laid-back and informal.  Yes, it was a launch night with an unbeatable deal, but you get the impression that this place is going to be permanently busy and popular.

We went for the launch night offer of beer and a burger for £5, which was great value as the cheeseburger is usually priced at £6.  There was a choice of cheeseburger or veggie burger and the beer was a refreshing, ice-cold Tsingtao.

When the burgers arrived, they looked exemplary, however I had to send mine back as it was just too under-cooked inside.  I was then told that they serve their burgers medium-rare, but it would have been helpful knowing this before ordering, so I could have requested for it to be cooked medium.  I’ve eaten plenty of medium-rare burgers, particularly in Paris, but it just didn’t seem to work with this kind of strongly-flavoured beef.

My second burger was perfectly medium and a vast improvement on the first, as it was much more juicy and the strong mature taste was softened.  The glazed brioche bun was fluffy and nicely toasted and the cheddar-smothered patty was packed between a large lettuce leaf, a fat tomato slice, gherkins and a tangy red pepper burger sauce – all held together with a wooden skewer.

The patty may look small but in fact it’s quite rich and 100% pure lean meat.  The high quality beef is from free-ranging rare breed Longhorn/Galloway cattle in the Lake District, locally sourced from Craig Atkins Quality Meats in Bow.

The fries (£2.50) were thin and crispy and there are lighter accompaniments available such as roasted carrots and greens with chilli and garlic.  We didn’t stay for dessert, but the Chocolate and Hazelnut Brownie Sundae and New York Baked Cheesecake did sound tempting.

THE ADVISORY is open for weekend brunch, with dishes including pancakes, bacon sandwiches and Eggs Benedict.  Take-away is also available, in case you can’t get a table or want to eat burgers in nearby London Fields.

While Hackney is no stranger to grilled meat (Turkish restaurants Cirrik, Anatolia and Tad are all neighbourhood favourites), but THE ADVISORY is one of the only places to get a proper burger in a sit-down restaurant.  Having just launched, it hasn’t quite hit its stride yet, but THE ADVISORY is a welcome addition to the Hackney restaurant scene.

THE ADVISORY, 161 Mare Street, Hackney, London.

All photos by Chérie City

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Nissi Beach Resort – Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Posted on June 14, 2013 by cheriecity

Nissi Beach Resort is a fabulous base for exploring Ayia Napa and spending lazy days by the sandy beach with crystal clear waters.  Surrounded by lush tropical gardens and swaying palm trees, the resort is close enough to the nightlife yet still a quiet retreat, so guests get the best of both worlds.

The four-star Nissi Beach Resort comprises three types of comfortable, modern accommodation – the main hotel, bungalows and a two-storey Garden Wing.  We stayed in the main hotel and on arrival late at night, we were warmly welcomed with ice cold cloths and glasses of tropical juice.

My Sea View Twin Room was bright and airy, designed in a colour palette of white, sand and beachy blues with dark wood touches.  The room is contemporary and simple, with a stunning view of the sea from the private balcony.  Room features include a flatscreen satellite TV, dressing table, mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities and most important of all – excellent air-conditioning.

Unfortunately, wifi in guest rooms is charged, however you can connect for free in the public areas (it is rather slow, though).

The beige stone tiled bathroom is medium sized and features a circular sink, a bath and powerful shower, magnifying mirror and the hotel’s adequate own brand bathroom amenities (a brand like L’Occitane or Molton Brown would have been better).

In the morning, it is a real treat to take breakfast outside on the terrace of the Ambrosia Restaurant, starting the day with views of the gardens and the cool sea breeze.  The expansive breakfast buffet offers everything you could want for your morning meal, including freshly-cut fruits, yoghurt, pastries, mini muffins and a full cooked breakfast.  The machine coffee and fruit ‘juice drinks’ aren’t great, but there is a very good selection of teas and silver tea pots.

We dined in local restaurants during our stay, but there are plenty of different food options in the hotel, particularly in the high season.  The seasonal Nissi Taverna serves fresh fish and international dishes while Bacchus Bar and Terrace is a sunny place to enjoy light bites and cocktails under the pretty bougainvillea.

We enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea of fresh mint tea and mini cakes in the Orpheus Lounge and if you can’t bear to be too far from your sunlounger, there are five beach kiosks serving ice cold drinks and snacks.

A perk of staying at Nissi Beach Resort is access to the Health Club, which includes a gym, a small sauna and steam bath, heated indoor swimming pool and whirlpool.  Spa treatments are also available, using products by Thalgo and Decleor.

If guests want something a little more exhilarating than lounging by the outdoor pool and the beach, the resort has an impressive number of sport activities.  These include tennis on four floodlit courts, beach volleyball, table tennis, darts, billiards, archery, aqua aerobics, water polo and boccia (a ball sport similar to boules).  Water sports such as water skiing and para-sailing are available, plus there is an internationally accredited diving school.

Nissi Beach Resort is also a popular wedding venue and Marios and his team can arrange everything for the big day.  Ceremonies take place in a stylish white gazebo or rondavel with the stunning backdrop of the sea and the exotic gardens – what could be more picture perfect than that!

Nissi Beach Resort is ideal if you want everything from a beautiful beach and relaxing spa treatments to plenty of dining options on your doorstep.  Staff are friendly and it has a warm, unpretentious atmosphere, while being a cut above most mid-priced beach resorts.

A twin sea view room at Nissi Beach Resort (www.nissi-beach.com; +357 23 721 021) starts from €75 per person, bed and breakfast. Twin garden rooms start at €63 per person per night. A Beach bungalow starts from €90 per person per night. Half board rates €24 extra; full board €48 extra. 

Cyprus Airways (www.cyprusair.com; 020 8359 1444) has flights from London Heathrow to Larnaka twice daily from £221 return. 

Chérie City was a guest of Nissi Beach Hotel and Visit Cyprus

Photos by Chérie City and Nissi Beach Hotel

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Chérie Loves: Hemmingford Grey Accessories

Posted on June 12, 2013 by cheriecity

Hemmingford Grey is a new British accessories brand and online store that offers handbags and shoes that let the leather and the design do the talking.  There are no visible logos or fussy hardware, just stylish staples and elegant statement bags in excellent quality leather.

Hemmingford Grey was founded less than a year ago by retail expert Julia Reynolds, whose long career in high street fashion has included a stint as CEO of figleaves.com.  Each bag and pair of shoes is named after a street or location in or just outside London.

Prices range from £30 for a bright and bold Newport Small Patent Bag to £495 for the dazzling Royce Baguette Crystal Clutch Bag.  Everyday leather handbags are priced around £200-£250, which is very reasonable considering the high quality and the amount of leather used (designer equivalents would be at least double).

Hemmingford Grey kindly gave me one of their bestsellers, the Belgrave Large Soft Nappa Leather Tote Bag in red and it hasn’t left my side since.  The gorgeous, slouchy tote bag is made by Italian craftsmen and features butter-soft, grainy nappa Italian leather.

The handles are sturdy and I can fit an impressive amount of things inside it.  The cotton-lined bag includes a large central zip compartment, an inside zip pocket with a discreet leather Hemmingford Grey logo patch and a leather mobile phone pocket.

The bag could perhaps benefit from a magnetic clasp to keep it closed, however, nothing has fallen out of my bag in the time that I’ve been carrying it.

Hemmingford Grey is a great online brand for timeless, beautifully-crafted handbags and accessories that are made to last.  For more information and to buy online, visit: www.hemmingfordgrey.com

Belgrave Large Soft Nappa Leather Tote Bag c/o Hemmingford Grey 

Photos by Chérie City

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Christchurch Harbour Hotel – Dorset

Posted on June 10, 2013 by cheriecity

Christchurch Harbour Hotel in tranquil Dorset is the perfect retreat for some summer sun and relaxation.  The hotel overlooks a picturesque harbour and is just a short walk away from the Mudeford Quay Ferry Landing.  From there, you can easily access the stunning sandy beach at Hengistbury Head, lined by colourful beach huts.

Christchurch Harbour Hotel is conveniently just over two hours away from London by train and a short 5-10 minute taxi ride from Christchurch railway station.

We arrived just before lunchtime and after an hour’s walk around Mudeford, our room was ready and waiting.  Our Deluxe Four Poster Bed Room is one of the hotel’s newest rooms and boasts a postcard view of the harbour.  The expansive, beach-chic room is bright and beautifully designed in a soft colour palette of white, oatmeal and nautical blues.

Room features include a 26-inch flatscreen TV with DVD player, Nespresso machine, kettle with a selection of teas and biscuits, fresh fruits, complimentary bottled water, minibar, ironing board and free wifi.

The king-size bed was very comfortable and covered in high quality, crisp linen.  With only the gentle sound of the waters, the fresh sea air and luxurious bed, we had the best possible sleep that evening.

The highlight of the room is the fabulous roll top bath.  The bath is well positioned for enjoying the view from the window or watching TV – I couldn’t resist watching Woody Allen’s To Rome With Love from the comfort of the tub.

The petite, pristine white bathroom features an over-sized sink, a powerful rainfall shower, luxurious towels and face clothes and bathroom amenities by Gilchrist & Soames.  There are also fluffy white bathrobes and slippers for use in the room and the spa.

The room doesn’t have air-conditioning, but a desk fan is provided and the two window open to let in the sea breeze.  The room temperature was fine during our visit on a warmish day, but I’m not sure it will be comfortable in high summer.

For dinner we went downstairs to the Upper Deck Bar & Restaurant (the hotel’s other restaurant is The Jetty).  The restaurant was already busy with hotel guests and locals and we were shown to one of the best tables in front of the window, overlooking the harbour.

After ordering, our waiter brought a bread basket to the table and served us a few slices of delicious freshly-baked white or brown bread, topped with sea salt.  For drinks, I highly recommend a refreshing Virgin Elderflower Mojito, which was served strong and sweet, so that it didn’t become too diluted in the crushed ice.

Being so close to the sea, I had to start with Seared Scallops, Sticky Pork Belly and Cauliflower Mash (£11.50).  The scallops were soft, plump and had a fresh sea taste while the pork belly was slow-cooked and tender.  The smooth cauliflower mash had a strong, creamy taste and added flavour to the scallops.

Steven went for the Chicken, Crab, Sweetcorn and Ginger Broth with Prawn Toast (£5.95).  The broth was thick, fragrant and full of meat, with prominent flavours of lemongrass and ginger.  The crunchy, oily prawn toast was a perfect accompaniment.

My 8oz Ribeye Steak From the Plancha (£21.50) was succulent, nicely charred on the outside and cooked medium as requested.  The chunky, home-made chips were flavoursome and crispy – I only wish there were more than three of them!  The béarnaise sauce was light and filled with torn fresh tarragon and there was an abundance of juicy cherry tomatoes and salad garnish.

Steven ordered the Fillet of Cod with a Crab and Herb Crust, Mashed Potato and Crushed Peas (£21.50).  The plump fillet of cod had a clean, fresh taste and the crunchy crust of flaky crab and fresh herbs added extra flavour.  The mashed potato was smooth and buttery while the the crushed peas and creamy sauce made the dish more indulgent.

For dessert, it had to be my usual favourite – Dark Chocolate Fondant with Pistachio Ice Cream (£7.95).  The dark chocolate fondant had a soft cake texture on the outside and was perfectly goey and molten under the surface.  I loved the pistachio ice cream and even the swirl of cream was infused with fresh vanilla.  I accompanied the fondant with a glass of Sauternes Garonelles 2008/9 (£7.95), which was sweet yet drier and less sticky than other dessert wines.

Steven’s Sticky Toffee Pudding (£6.50) was a comforting classic – dense, rich, spongy and smothered in a buttery toffee sauce.  He paired it with the suggested cocktail, a short and strong Old Fashioned (£8.50).

We finished our meal with a pot of fresh mint tea and brownie petits fours on the terrace, enjoying the stunning views.  The terrace of the Upper Deck is rather romantic at night, with soft lighting and lounge music in the background.

In the morning, breakfast is served in the Upper Deck, with a simple continental buffet and a selection of hot dishes to order.  We both started the day with the Full English breakfast,  served with a pot of strong English Breakfast tea and toast.  The cooked breakfast was excellent, with high quality meat and a perfectly-cooked poached egg.

After breakfast, we spent a long morning in the hotel’s excellent spa.  The Harbour Spa is beautifully-designed with a cool, urban feel and it was very well maintained.  The sauna, salt room and steam room are all powerful and effective while the stylish swimming pool is at just the right temperature for an enjoyable few laps.

The well-equipped gym is also within the spa area and the jacuzzi is super hot, with leg and neck water jets to massage the body.  The spa also offers treatments using ESPA and Thalgo products and the prices are very reasonable.

After checking out, we soaked up the rest of the sun with a pot of fresh mint tea on the comfortable loungers on the terrace, before heading back to London.

Christchurch Harbour Hotel is a fabulous haven close to the beach yet with enough facilities at the hotel to keep you entertained.  The staff are friendly and accommodating and the Harbour Spa and dinner at the Upper Deck were the highlights of our stay.  It’s definitely the place to leave your stresses behind and emerge feeling refreshed and well-rested.

Rooms at Christchurch Harbour Hotel start from £235 for dinner, bed and breakfast per  night on weekends, based on two people sharing a double room.  For more information and booking, visit: www.christchurch-harbour-hotel.co.uk

Chérie City was a guest of Christchurch Harbour Hotel

Photos by Chérie City (Upper Deck and Harbour Spa by Christchurch Harbour Hotel)

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Afternoon Tea at Hotel du Vin Newcastle

Posted on June 7, 2013 by cheriecity

Visiting Hotel du Vin Newcastle with my mum always feels like a real treat and the last time I was back up North, we dropped by for afternoon tea before shopping.

I would have thought that a good roast would draw the Sunday crowds, but the lounge at Hotel du Vin Newcastle was filled with couples and groups of girlfriends enjoying afternoon tea and glasses of Champagne.  There was even a little Bichon Frise taking a sneaky nibble at its owner’s cakes in the corner.

We sat on plush leather sofas and were swiftly brought a pot of the most fragrant and lovely loose-leaf Earl Grey Tea.  Afternoon tea was then presented on a pretty three tier china stand.

We started with some excellent finger sandwiches that included roast ham, smoked salmon, roast chicken and egg mayonnaise.  I’m not usually a fan of tea sandwiches, but the fillings were so delicious and of high quality – the ham and roast chicken were particular favourites.

Freshly-baked scones were served warm on a wooden tray with a thick scoop of clotted cream and strawberry jam.  The cakes were beautifully-made and were surprisingly substantial, in fact we had trouble finishing them and took a few home.  Rather than lots of mini items, Hotel du Vin’s offering was more focused, with larger portion sizes.

The Red Velvet Cake was dense and moist with a striking hot pink cream cheese frosting.  The dome-shaped Carrot Cake was lighter and slightly spiced with a delicate swirl of fresh cream on the top.  The indulgent Chocolate Eclairs were smothered in a thick layer of dark chocolate and the exquisite choux pastry was filled with fresh cream.

Afternoon Tea at Hotel du Vin Newcastle is classic with a fun twist and is extremely good value at just £14.50 per person.  It’s a perfect treat following a day of shopping or a long walk along the nearby Quayside.

Chérie City was a guest of Hotel du Vin Newcastle

Photos by Chérie City

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Thompson LES – Lower East Side, New York

Posted on June 6, 2013 by cheriecity

Thompson LES is the epitome of New York downtown cool with slick, minimalist design and a young, creative crowd.

Located just off the Bowery on Allen Street, the striking 18-storey, 141-guest room hotel towers over the neighbourhood’s tenements, offering up some spectacular views.  It stands out from the landscape but is perfectly matched to the Lower East Side’s arty, style-conscious spirit.

Inside, Thompson LES has a buzzing vibe and the smartly-dressed staff orchestrated a swift early check-in.  Within a few moments we were escorted in the elevator on the way to our room.

Our very spacious Studio King Suite had a contemporary, industrial-luxe style with clean lines and Japanese accents.  Designed in a colour palette of black, white and grey, the room features exposed concrete columns, black wooden varnished floors, a striped grey carpet, a shiny black mirrored wall and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Room features include a large LCD TV with premium cable and in-room movie library, iPod dock, a minibar filled with Dean & Deluca snacks and plenty of storage space.  The plush lounge area is separated by a beaded metal curtain and has a sectional sofa and a coffee table with a stack of fashion magazines.

The king-size bed was incredibly comfortable and luxurious, covered in soft Sferra linen, which is a signature at all Thompson hotels.  Above is a stunning illuminated light box headboard by American photographer and artist Lee Friedlander that brings character to the room.

During the day, the room benefits from lots of natural light streaming in and at night it becomes more seductive, with mood lighting and the sultry glow from the city outside.  A few nice touch were the bonsai tree by the entrance of the room and the Belgian chocolates on the desk at turndown.

The slate grey open-plan bathroom includes a separate walk-in rainfall shower and toilet behind frosted glass doors, a circular sink and a full set of REN bathroom amenities.  The water pressure in the shower was very powerful and the oversized terrycloth bathrobes were perfect for lounging in.

Wifi internet in guest rooms at Thompson LES comes with a charge, but we were told on arrival that there is free wifi in the bar on the first floor.  Many guests flock to this lounge section of the bar with laptops to check emails and do business, so it has a sociable feel.  The staff tend to leave guests to use the internet in peace, however, drinks and bites are closeby, should you wish to linger.

The hotel’s popular restaurant Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya on the same level serves its own take on Japanese dishes alongside fried chicken and grilled NY strip steak and the Grand Buffet Brunch on the weekend sounds particularly tempting.

If you’re in the mood for a different type of cuisine, Thompson LES is in a prime spot for sampling some of New York’s most exciting restaurants – we ate at the nearby La Esquina, The Meatball Shop and Pulino’s.

A special perk of staying at Thompson LES is access to Above Allen, the exclusive members terrace lounge with great views over the city.  Sadly Above Allen is usually closed on the day that we visited, otherwise we would have visited for a nightcap.

The hotel’s rooftop pool is surely the coolest in New York and it’s a real downtown hotspot when the sun comes out.  Guests can swim over an Andy Warhol filmstrip and soak up some rays with a cocktail and light bites on the striking orange loungers.

For further relaxation, there is also a guests-only fitness and renewal centre with a gym, sauna and treatments rooms

Thompson LES is an ideal base to explore downtown New York, matching cool design with a fun atmosphere and surprisingly reasonable prices.  The hotel feels cosy and comfortable in the colder months, however to get the most out of the facilities such as the fabulous pool and outdoor dining, summer is the time to visit.

Rooms at Thompson LES start from $200 (approx. £130), per room per night.  For more information and booking, visit: www.thompsonhotels.com

Cherie City was a guest of Thompson LES

Photos by Cherie City and Thompson LES

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Dinner at Sotto 13 – West Village, New York

Posted on June 5, 2013 by cheriecity

Sotto13 is a friendly neighbourhood restaurant that really wowed on my trip to New York this year.  The ‘social Italian’ restaurant has an unexpectedly residential location on the lower floor of a landmark brownstone on a quiet, leafy street in the West Village.

We visited on Friday evening and the restaurant was already buzzing with well-heeled, in-the-know New Yorkers clinking Prosecco glasses and sharing rustic Italian small plates and pizza slices.

The restaurant is expansive with a split-level dining room, designed in earthy olive, espresso and dark wood tones.  We sat at a comfy booth and were greeted warmly by the manager Giuseppe, who made some great recommendations that we were more than happy to try out.

We started with some delicious freshly-baked Focaccia served with a dish of high quality olive oil.  Cocktails at Sotto 13 are a must, so I ordered a refreshing Mango Margerita (all cocktails $12) and Steven went for a strong and classic Sazerac.

To start, we were tempted by the Chickpea Fries, sun-dried tomato pesto ($7).  The moreish fries had a golden, grainy coating and were smooth and creamy on the inside with a hint of aniseed.  The sun-dried tomato pesto dip was deliciously rich, zangy and sweet.

The Garlic Shrimp, rosemary-thyme infused olive oil ($11) came highly-recommended and rightly so.  The plump, succulent shrimps were perfectly cooked and came with a scrumptious garlicky jus that was so tasty we mopped it all up with the focaccia.

Having heard good things about Sotto 13′s wood-fire oven pizzas, we shared a Brussels Sprout Pizza ($16) that was cut into slices for easy sharing.  The thin and crispy base was covered with strongly-flavoured toppings that complemented each other well.  The halved sprouts were nicely charred and scattered among chunky pancetta, rich Fontina and thinly-sliced caramelised red onion.

Our favourite, however, was the wonderful Rigatoni Veal Ragu with Caciocavallo cheese ($16).  The large tubes of al dente pasta were smothered in a slow-cooked, rustic sauce with well-seasoned minced veal and tiny pieces of carrot.  The pasta was comforting and satisfying, plus the portion size was enormous.  This is a dish I’d order again and again if only Sotto 13 was a little closer to home.

For dessert, it had to be the Cannoli – a New York classic that I always try to indulge in when in town.  Each mini cannolo was filled with cool, creamy ricotta and chocolate chips and the dough was light and crisp.

Steven’s Pear Strudel with cinnamon ice cream was heavenly and also presented in small bites, so we could share.  The pear was stewed with raisins and the pastry was fluffy yet crunchy on the outside.

We finished with a round of New Old Fashioned cocktails that were, strong, expertly-mixed and infused with zesty orange.

Sotto 13 is a real hidden gem where you can eat out like a true New Yorker.  The ambiance is stylish yet informal and the staff are so brilliant that you’ll leave the restaurant with a smile.

Next time I visit New York, I can’t wait to spend a lazy Sunday over Sotto 13′s bargainous $25 All-You-Can-Drink Boozy Brunch, including tapas or pizza and unlimited brunch cocktails.  Another fun touch is the DIY Prosecco Bar where you can customise glasses of Prosecco with a tray of juice mixers, toss-ins and liqueurs ($15 per tray).

For more information and booking, visit: www.sotto13.com

Chérie City was a guest of Sotto 13

Photos by Chérie City (interiors by Sotto 13)

Sotto 13 on Urbanspoon

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