Tapas is always a good idea, especially when it’s as good as this! BiBo Dani García opened last summer at the new Mondrian Shoreditch on Curtain Road and it’s already become known for its authentic Spanish dishes and cool atmosphere.
BiBo is a vibrant, casual-luxe concept from three Michelin-starred Andalusian chef Dani García, with outposts in Madrid, Ibiza, Marbella, Tarifa and Doha. It pays homage to time-honoured Andalusian recipes and cooking techniques with a few touches of aromatic Japanese flavours.
Walking down the stairs of the bright, contemporary Mondrian, you immediately feel the warmth of BiBo with its gorgeous terracotta walls, dimmed lighting and breezy Med vibes. The Spanish influences run through the stylish interiors with sculptures of shoals of fish, rustic decorative wall plates and plush brown leather banquettes.
The spacious open-plan restaurant features an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work, as well as a central island bar and high tables for a quick bite. There’s also a leafy, deep red-hued courtyard and private dining room, where you can imagine having the most fabulous flamenco party or romantic wedding reception.
BiBo can get lively on the weekend with DJ sets and flowing sangria (it is Shoreditch, after all), but our Monday lunchtime visit was chilled out and thoroughly relaxing. I was particularly drawn to the express lunch set menu, as every dish was something I definitely would have chosen – when does that ever happen?
We were seated at a comfy booth and ordered drinks while waiting for the plates to arrive without any effort or decisions required. It was then that I noticed the attention to details like embroidered linen napkins, ice cold frosty glasses, stunning tableware and a buzzing soundtrack at just the right level. BiBo is already an established brand and its confidence shows.
Everything is made to share and our table quickly filled up with five fantastic dishes. Croquetas de jamón ibérico were gooey, dense and generously filled with the finest coating of crispy breadcrumbs, topped with a slice of top quality Jabugo jamón ibérico (from the Huelva region of Andalusia).
Gambas fritas with spicy mayo were plump and juicy, served piping hot with fresh coriander in the lightest, crunchy filo pastry, almost like delicate wontons.
Patatas bravas are a staple of any good tapas lunch, but their success depends on the quality and abundance of the sauce and the crispiness of the potatoes. Dani García’s were the most interesting I’ve tried, as they were fried with an extra-crunchy coating, almost like breadcrumbs, and topped with a luscious, piquant tomato sauce, velvety aioli and finely chopped chives.
Oxtail brioche with salsa bull and pulled oxtail stew was an absolute treat. The steamed brioche buns were ever so fluffy and moreish, packed with rich, tender slow-cooked meat and a generous dollop of smooth, glossy salsa bull emulsion.
It’s hard to believe that our star dish would be a big plate of greens, but there was something truly magical about the Broccolini and kale salad with black sesame mayo and peanuts. It was just so tangy, refreshing and umami-rich with a smokiness from the charred broccolini, crunchy textures from the nuts and a slight chilli kick.
Lunch ended on a high with the most decadent Caramelised rice pudding for dessert. The sauce was so luxurious and creamy, scented with vanilla and orange blossom, and the bomba rice had a refined, pearl-like texture. It was finished with a golden brûlée crust that cracked rather satisfyingly.
BiBo has to be one of the best new hotel restaurants in London and the express lunch menu is certainly generous and well-composed. If you’re already a fan of the city’s well-established tapas bars like Barrafina, Brindisa and José Pizarro, you won’t be disappointed here. I’m already really tempted to return for the lobster paella, more tapas and a slice of Basque cheesecake.
The BiBo Shoreditch express lunch menu is priced at £25 per person and is available between 12pm and 2.30pm everyday. For more information and booking, visit:www.grupodanigarcia.com
There’s nowhere quite like Mallorca and I can’t help being drawn back to the island year after year. It might be something to do with Palma’s incredible food scene where there’s always a cool new restaurant by a renowned chef or a cosy coffee shop with the best pastries in town. That’s before we even talk about the new wave of Neapolitan pizzerias, Scandinavian bakeries and healthy vegan spots.
Here are some of my top recent discoveries to add to your Palma dining list…
Xalest at Concepció by Nobis
Concepció by Nobis opened just last year in a 16th century former soap factory in the heart of Palma’s Old Town. It’s the first boutique design hotel outside of Scandinavia for the renowned hospitality group, juxtaposing a minimalist Nordic aesthetic with Mallorcan architecture. Having already stayed at Nobis hotels Miss Clara and Hotel J in Stockholm, I couldn’t wait to visit for dinner and also have a good look around.
Ground floor restaurant Xalest, headed up by award-winning chef Xema Álvarez, offers creative tapas, pintxos and sharable signature dishes. It’s cosier than you might expect from a hotel restaurant with a sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance – perfect for a chilled out lunch or dinner.
We ordered the most indulgent oxtail sandwich, traditional tortilla, spicy patatas bravas with fresh herbs and luxurious croquettes with Iberian ham and red prawn. We were also wowed by the rich, slow-cooked veal cheeks with truffled mashed potato and crispy leek – so decadent and satisfying.
The menu is surprisingly varied and many of the dishes also come in half-size portions, so you can try a bit of everything. Also, don’t hesitate to explore the open-plan lounge and adjoining wine bar, as well as the stunning outdoor pool, where you can dine in the evenings.
Naan Street Food
There’s always a new restaurant opening in Santa Catalina, but Naan Street Food remains one of my all-time favourites. It’s a cosy spot with a cute surf shack vibe, offering tasty street food bites from around the world. They like to put their own spin on typical dishes, but everything is always done well with a home-made feel.
It’s essential to start with the fluffy, shareable naan topped with crushed almonds and fresh coriander, cooling yoghurt sauce and moreish corn hummus. We also loved the sticky, umami-rich crispy chicken yakitori with kimchee and truffle mayo.
I can never resist ordering the indulgent lobster roll with sauteed half lobster on brioche, avocado, kimchee, tahini and crunchy sweet potato fries.
The crispy seabass sandwich with pickles and fries was another hit, although I’d be tempted to try the fish tacos or the signature butter chicken next time.
Santa Chiara Pizzeria
Palma’s pizza game keeps getting stronger with the recently-opened Santa Chiara Pizzeria. Located in the northern Bon Aires quarter, just around the corner from the brilliant Pizzeria 500 Grados, this contemporary Neapolitan pizzeria is the real deal and already a local favourite. It also stands out from the rest with slick white metro tiles, rustic wooden tables and splashes of neon, plus a stylish outdoor terrace.
Santa Chiara offers a mix of classic and more creative pizzas, as well as a few pasta dishes, all made with authentic Italian ingredients.
We visited for lunch and ordered a simple Santa Marinara pizza with San Marzano tomato, garlic, oregano and olive oil and the signature Santa Chiara with San Marzano tomato, burrata stracciatella, walnut and basil pesto. They were both absolutely heavenly with bubbly, blistered dough, juicy tomato sauce and creamy stracciatella.
Prices are very reasonable, starting at just 7.50 Euros, and it’s also open every day for lunch and dinner, so it’s a good one to add to your list.
Fika Farina
Fika Farina is officially the first Swedish sourdough bakery in Palma, founded by Mattias Mårtensson and Jimmy Groth. This little gem on Calle Sindicato fires up traditional Scandi treats all day long and is open for your pastry fixes from morning to night, every single day.
Fika Farina takes authenticity to the next level, sourcing its butter and flour from small Swedish producers, including Lilla Harrie Valskvarn (Sweden’s oldest flour mill).
The counter is filled with glorious kanelbullar, cream-filled semla, mazarin, montaña de coco, dark rye bread and gourmet sandwiches. We visited for breakfast and loved the sticky, aromatic cinnamon and cardamom buns – it’s hard to pick a favourite!
Rosevelvet Bakery
Rosevelvet Bakery is a cosy all-day bakery and cafe, tucked away on Carrer de la Missió. Owner Rosa was inspired by the brunch scene on a trip to New York and became one of the first to bring pastrami sandwiches, American cookies and frosted layer cakes to the island.
It’s the perfect spot to refuel over a hearty breakfast burrito, kimchee grilled cheese, Turkish eggs or avo toast. There’s also a counter filled with tempting cheesecake, red velvet layer cake, banoffee and banana bread – impossible to resist!
We visited for breakfast and enjoyed a flaky, iced cinnamon bun and a buttery Swedish morning roll covered in fine spiced sugar with an excellent flat white coffee and loose-leaf English breakfast tea. I can’t wait to return and check out their new Santa Catalina bakery and cafe.
Arabay Coffee
Arabay Coffee may look like your typical third-wave coffee shop, but it has been roasting coffee since 1952 and now has stores across Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Madrid. At its impressive, three-floor flagship store in Palma’s Placa Major, you can relax over an expertly-made coffee, shop for professional barista equipment and take a masterclass in espresso or latte art at its training academy.
Arabay only uses 100% Arabica beans and its coffee is organic, environmentally-friendly and Fairtrade. You can find all sorts of speciality coffee from chemex to cold brew, as well as tempted iced summer drinks.
Go for a potent, rich-roasted iced latte, or if you’re in the mood for some barista theatre, try the iced chai latte which is finished with blow-torched cinnamon.
Have you been to any of these restaurants and cafes in Palma? Where are your favourite places to eat out on the island?
One Hundred Shoreditch opened its doors earlier this year, replacing the landmark Ace Hotel that sadly didn’t make it through the pandemic. Luckily, the game-changing Lore Group was quick to snap it up and within a speedy five months, a second London hotel joined its portfolio, which includes Sea Containers London, Pulitzer Amsterdam and Riggs Washington DC.
The Shoreditch High Street hotel certainly feels more grown-up than its predecessor with an elevated look and a brand new concept for its six restaurants and bars. I’ve stayed in this property a few times over the years (anyone remember when it was the Saint Gregory?), so I was excited to see how it had changed.
Arrival
We visited during the first heatwave of the summer and were blasted with delightfully glacial air-conditioning on arrival (well, it was 35 degrees, after all). The friendly, efficient staff made check-in a breeze and kindly gave us a welcome postcard offering three complimentary food and drink options for each guest. We could choose from a glass of wine in the restaurant, coffee and cake at the coffee shop or a pizza in the lobby.
Since it was already midday, we took the time to explore the open-plan lobby and enjoy some cooling drinks with two hearty stone-baked pizzas served straight to our sofa – what could be better than that? By the time we had finished lunch, our room was ready and we took the rather atmospheric blood red lifts up to the sixth floor.
The Studio
Our Studio on the sixth floor was huge and designed in soft shades with a luxurious wool carpet, large paper pendant light and an exposed concrete ceiling. This natural palette was punctuated by a floor-to-ceiling woven tapestry and bespoke artwork in the most striking blue shades by Jacu Strauss, creative director of Lore Group.
I also loved the plush white linen sofa spanning the entire width of the room and the decorative vases filled with eucalyptus and dried flowers.
Room features include a dining table, large TV, tea and coffee facilites, free wifi and plenty of plugs and USB ports. There’s also a luxury minibar stocked with east London treats and stylish glassware, including carafes that you can fill with unlimited still and sparkling water from the station next to the lift on each floor. We really appreciated being able to grab our own filtered water, especially in the scorching heat – hopefully more London hotels will follow this green initiative.
The king-size bed was absolutely heavenly with a white linen headboard, top quality cotton sheets and lots of plump pillows.
The Bathroom
The white tiled bathroom was simple and modern with a large bath and shower, wooden stool, fluffy towels, bathrobes and a full set of products by New York-based perfumers D.S & DURGA in the signature Debaser scent.
They are my holy grail of luxury hotel toiletries (just beating Byredo at Miss Clara Stockholm), as I have a few of their candles at home and the body range is actually quite hard to find in the UK. It was a real treat to try out these products and they were even more fabulous than I’d imagined.
Dinner at Goddard & Gibbs
That evening, we enjoyed dinner downstairs at Goddard & Gibbs, the hotel’s buzzing seafood restaurant inspired by fishing villages and coastal towns around the country. The wood-panelled walls from its days as Hoi Polloi remain and the space has been given an upgrade with a new adjoining wine bar, terrazzo tables and bold artwork in maritime yellow. Not much has really changed though, as it’s still an east London fashion spot, having hosted a number of parties and events already this year.
Head chef Tom Moore’s varied menu features dishes such as Maldon oysters, Soused red mullet, Hake Kyiv, Fish and Chips and a signature Angus beef burger. While the fish options were tempting, we were swayed by the steak on the very well-priced set menu (two courses £23/three courses £27).
Beef onglet (cooked medium rare) was so tender and juicy, served with punchy salsa verde and a silver cone of hot, crispy French fries. We also loved the freshly-baked Sourdough milk buns with cultured butter – perfect for mopping up the sauce.
G&G’s dessert game is strong, so be sure to leave plenty of room. The Insta-worthy Fried doughnut with malt ice cream, miso caramel and peanut dust was truly decadent with rich umami flavour from the miso. Surprisingly though, my favourite was the velvety Honey and sesame tart with zesty grapefruit and luscious salted milk ice sorbet.
The Rooftop Terrace
After dinner, we checked out the dreamy, Palm Springs-inspired rooftop bar, decorated with touches of pink marble, rose gold lamps, succulents and hanging plants. It was absolutely packed with Londoners making the most of the balmy weather and panoramic views of the city over plates of tacos, fried chicken and crab burgers, washed down with margaritas.
For a more intimate nightcap, there’s also the downstairs Seed Library by London cocktail guru Mr Lyan. The hotel has a lot of eating and drinking spaces to try, so you could easily stay local for a relaxing weekend stay.
Breakfast
In the morning, we headed back down to Goddard & Gibbs for a hearty breakfast. We’d expected to order dishes like pancakes and Eggs Royale from the menu, but were told the breakfast offering had recently changed to a self-service buffet on weekends.
It all worked out fine though, as we made up our own superb Full English breakfasts with extra sausages and enjoyed the array of home-made pastries, yoghurt, muesli and cured meats and cheeses, washed down with excellent coffee, a pot of strong Good and Proper Tea and orange juice freshly-squeezed to order.
Everything was exceptionally high quality and tasty, but there could have been a few more items available like waffles, muffins or chia pudding to make it more interesting.
Location
One Hundred Shoreditch has an unbeatable location for exploring East London, within walking distance of Brick Lane, Spitalfields and Columbia Road Flower Market. Just around the corner is design-led Redchurch Street with hotspots such as Earl of East, Reformation, A.P.C, BAO Noodle Shop, Jolene bakery and Allpress Coffee. It’s also worth walking down to Liverpool Street for quick links to the city centre via the Elizabeth Line and of course gourmet Italian treats at EATALY London
One Hundred Shoreditch is a stunning hotel with equal measures of style and comfort, but it’s the welcoming, experienced staff that take it to the next level. It marks a new chapter for Shoreditch and is set to be the place to be this summer – I can’t wait to go back!
When the sun is shining, there’s nothing better than going for a leisurely weekend brunch and finding a new favourite. Kiln in Newcastle has been high on my list for a while, so I was excited to visit and try the new brunch menu.
Kiln is a fabulous all-day cafe, bar and restaurant set in a former car garage in the heart of Ouseburn. This picturesque valley by the Quayside was named one of the “coolest neighbourhoods in the world right now” by TimeOut. It’s characterised by its post-industrial, repurposed buildings containing artisan bakeries, craft breweries, independent shops and art galleries. The area is lively and creative but still feels peaceful by the waterside.
Kiln has a cool yet welcoming feel with cosy booths, Scandi-style wooden tables and ink blue walls adorned with colourful risograph art prints. It’s also dog-friendly and has a lovely outdoor terrace for summer dining.
What really makes Kiln stand out from the rest is the pottery studio, where you can watch South Korean potter Jun Rhee at work. Jun’s exquisite ceramics are in high demand locally and he has also created tableware for Michelin-starred chefs and TV shows such as BBC Master Chef and BBC Great British Menu. You can enjoy these fantastic plates, bowls and cups during your meal and buy some new ones to take home.
At Kiln, everything from the bread to the sauces is prepared in-house daily using the finest local ingredients. The brunch and dinner menus have Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences and there’s plenty of choice for vegetarians and vegans.
We started with some cooling drinks – a zesty and refreshing Homemade lemonade and an aromatic Hibiscus and pomegranate spritz with torn fresh mint and lots of ice.
Everything on the brunch menu sounded tempting, but I couldn’t resist trying the Flat iron steak with fried egg, salsa verde and sourdough. The perfectly seared steak (from local hero Charlotte’s Butchery) was exceptionally tender, well-seasoned and generously sized. It was well complemented by the runny fried egg and vibrant, punchy salsa verde. I also liked how the sourdough had been lightly toasted and rubbed with sea salt and olive oil – a small detail that makes all the difference.
Just as satisfying was the Sea bass fillet open sandwich with cherry tomatoes and garlic aioli. The fish looked magnificent and was ever so fresh with a bold, smokey flavour and crispy skin. Oozing roasted tomatoes brightened the flavours and there was a touch of richness from the oily garlic aioli. The fired Egyptian sourdough pita was also deliciously fluffy and lightly charred on the edges.
We saw some beautifully-presented dishes coming out of the kitchen and will definitely return to try the Shakshuka with Greek feta and focaccia, Scrambled eggs with asparagus, Kale with chilli oil and fried eggs and Home-made Kiln granola.
Of course, we couldn’t resist ending with something sweet, so we chose a dessert from the menu and an enormous slice of cake from the counter. Chocolate mousse had a velvety, whipped texture and I was amazed to find it was both vegan and gluten free. It was served with some tangy orange segments and crushed toasted hazelnuts.
We were somewhat defeated by the mountainous vegan Chocolate cake, which had the most indulgent buttercream frosting and a light texture. The desserts were washed down with a strong, rich-roasted Flat white using beans from St. Martin’s Coffee Roasters and a fragrant Jasmine loose-leaf tea.
Kiln is a real local gem with incredible food, a soulful vibe, reasonable prices and of course, fantastic pottery. The team behind Kiln is soon to open Patina, a sister restaurant in Edinburgh, and I can’t wait to see what exciting things they’ve come up with.
On my recent trip to Edinburgh with my mum, I wanted to find somewhere fabulous for us to have a relaxed, memorable lunch. I remembered spotting Noto last year and discovered it had been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand and was Marina O’Loughlin-approved, so we just had to try it.
Noto is a stunning restaurant in Edinburgh’s New Town, nestled among some of the city’s foodie hotspots on cobbled Thistle Street. It’s the more casual offering from acclaimed Scottish chef Stuart Ralston – chef-owner of Aizle, a six-course tasting menu restaurant at the stylish Kimpton Charlotte Square.
Noto takes inspiration from Stuart’s time spent living and working in New York and is named after his friend, the late food photographer Ben Noto. An enigmatic line drawing of Noto welcomes you inside and sets the mood for a convivial, enjoyable meal.
Inside, the restaurant feels both urban and rustic, decorated in natural, earthy tones with simple walnut seating, twisted twig sculptures, dried wild flowers, exposed bulbs and tall windows letting the daylight stream in. It’s been named one of Scotland’s most beautiful restaurants by Condé Nast Traveller and it’s easy to see why.
Noto offers a tempting menu of small plates and larger sharing dishes with Mediterranean and Asian influences, using the finest local Scottish produce. While some neo-bistros can feel restrictive, there is a plenty of choice here and the freedom to order exactly what you fancy. It’s also worth noting that the full menu is served in both the dining room and the adjoining bar.
Shortly after ordering, our drinks arrived with frosty glasses and we started grazing on some freshly-baked Company sourdough, served with an enormous mound of velvety local butter topped with delicate wisps of roasted chicken skin.
This was soon followed by the most decadent Anster croquette and truffle. These little flavour bombs were ever so crunchy and potent with a generous covering of finely-shaved Anster, a tangy artisan cow’s milk cheese made in Fife.
Because one cheese dish just isn’t enough, we also ordered Burrata, romesco, chilli, toasted sourdough. The creamy, top quality burrata was perfectly complemented by the rich, nutty and slightly piquant romesco and the sourdough tasted even better when toasted and rubbed in olive oil and sea salt.
We were keen to explore the menu’s Japanese influences and couldn’t resist the Chicken yakitori, umeboshi, egg yolk. The skewers of marinated chicken thigh were succulent and nicely charred, topped with spring onion, sesame seeds and sticky Japanese plum. The egg yolk cured in soy sauce made them even more satisfying.
The most complex dish we tried was Aubergine tonkatsu, kimchi and pickled ginger. The aubergine managed to retain its flavour through the crunchy panko coating and was elevated by the tangy, fragrant flavours of chunky kimchi, refreshing pickled ginger, sesame and Japanese mayo with a dusting of togarashi.
It’s essential to leave room for dessert, as you won’t want to miss the heavenly Chocolate, miso, hazelnut. Smooth Michel Cluizel dark chocolate ganache sat atop a malty, gooey miso caramel and toasted whole hazelnuts, finished with a scorched whirl of light-as-air Italian meringue. It was quite spectacular and a real treat for chocolate lovers.
Equally delicious but much lighter was the delicate, spring-like Wye valley rhubarb, diplomat and pink peppercorn. The buttery shortbread pastry case was filled with an airy diplomat cream studded with vanilla seeds, a refreshing rhubarb sorbet and pretty meringue candy sticks.
Lunch at Noto was an absolute delight and everything from the food to the style of the restaurant felt soulful, modern and well-considered. If you’re visiting Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival or a weekend break (be sure to stay at nearby Eden Locke), Noto should be at the top of your list.
Last year, I took two trips to Amsterdam before and after the first UK lockdown. The second visit was remarkably different to the first, however we still had a lot of fun and loved our three-night stay at Sir Adam Hotel.
This cool, contemporary hotel, designed by New York studio Icrave, is steeped in rock ‘n’ roll splendour and is set across eight floors of the impressive A’DAM Tower with fabulous views over the IJ River.
The striking building in arty Amsterdam-Noord is a hub for music and entertainment with industry residents like Sony, Semifest and A’DAM Music School, so music really does run through its solid, concrete walls.
It may be on the other side of all the action, however Centraal Station is just five minutes away via the free ferry over the water and the city centre is around 20-minutes walk.
Arrival
Arriving at Sir Adam, you can immediately feel its fun, relaxed vibe at The Hub, the hotel’s open-plan lobby and lounge. It’s a bright space with floor-to-ceiling windows where you can kick back with a cocktail or beer on the slouchy sofas and play on the retro arcade games, ping pong and table football.
It’s also home to The Butcher Social Club, where you can grab one of Amsterdam’s tastiest burgers until after mightnight and refuel with a full breakfast the next morning seven days a week.
The Room
Check-in was super friendly and we shimmied our way up the room in the amazing disco lift (and later took the karaeoke lift back down). We were kindly upgraded to a spacious Sir Deluxe City View with views over the IJ – perfect for those glorious summer sunsets.
The room’s stark concrete structure is given warmth with plush leather and fur textiles, padded window seats, mood lighting and the kind of Persian carpets you find in recording studios.
A Gibson guitar and photo prints of rock royalty adorn the walls and there’s a Crosley Cruiser record player with a selection of classic vinyl. We had a great time working through the records we chose from the lobby’s music library and DJing to the crowds below.
There’s also a SmartTV, open wardrobe, vintage-style telephone, minibar, complimentary bottled water and an Illy espresso machine and tea set.
The king-size bed, covered in 300-thread-count cotton linen, was unbelievably comfortable and difficult to leave. Happily, the hotel gave us an extra-late check-out on the last day, so we could enjoy a reviving shower and an afternoon nap before heading to the airport.
The Bathroom
The semi open-plan bathroom features a separate walk-in rain shower and toilet, a basin in the room with full-size Dead Clean products and plenty of thick, fluffy towels.
The Butcher Social Club
Dinner on the first evening was a no-brainer – we simply headed downstair to The Butcher Social Club for a gourmet burger. We both ordered The Butcher Burger with Dutch Edam cheese, signature sauce and all the fixings, plus crunchy fries, a side of onion rings and the most delicious baba ganoush dip.
It’s a real crowd-pleaser with a wide selection of inventive burgers, boozy milkshakes and vegan options. Breakfast is flexible too with the choice of a full buffet or a la carte morning dishes like Eggs Benedict, pancakes, waffles, granola, pastries and smoothies. We kept it light with tea and croissants, as we wanted to check out some Amsterdam brunch spots.
Location
We spent most of our time out exploring Amsterdam in the sun, however the hotel also features a gym and recording studio and the team can arrange curated cultural experiences with local guides.
A’DAM Tower is a destination in itself with a lookout observation deck on the 20th floor and rooftop swings over the water below, the revolving Madam restaurant with 360 degree views over the city and the adjacent EYE Film Museum.
Sir Adam is an absolute gem with plenty of home comforts, dynamic and helpful staff and a convenient location. It’s also great value for money, if you book at the right time and take advantage of the regular special offers. I definitely want to check out more Sir Hotels in Berlin, Hamburg, Ibiza and Barcelona.
When I last visited Copenhagen five years ago, there were very few luxury hotels, but now the Danish capital is full of interesting places to stay.
On my recent trip, I was excited to stay for one night at Villa Copenhagen, a stylish eco-friendly five star hotel. Opening to much anticipation in 2020, Villa is well-located for exploring the city, close to the famous Tivoli Gardens and Central Station and within walking distance of the vibrant Meatpacking District.
The hotel is housed in a listed Neo-Baroque building that was once the Central Post & Telegraph HQ and boasts an impressive 390 rooms and suites. The hotel’s size is key to understanding what Villa is about – it’s a grand railway hotel with designer touches and certainly not a boutique hotel.
The Lobby
Walking through the arched entrance, the first impression of the hotel is a vast, modern atrium with plenty of daylight from the striking glass roof. The open-plan public area comprises the reception, self-service check-in desks and the Courtyard Bar (designed by Shamballa Jewels), where you can relax and enjoy light meals, coffee and drinks. DJs also play there on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Another cool feature is Passagen, the hotel’s design and lifestyle store offering a curated selection of homewares by raawii, Maria Black jewellery and fragrances for the body and home by Skandinavisk.
Check-In
We arrived around midday, so it was a little busy and it took some time to check in. Since we booked through Preferred Hotels & Resorts, we were kindly upgraded to a Superior Plus King Room and happily, it was ready on arrival.
It’s also worth noting that Villa is part of Nordic Choice Hotel Group, which operates Scandi design hotels such as Hotel at Six, Sankt. Petri and The Thief Oslo, so members can actually bypass the queue and check in via the app.
The Room
Our Superior Plus King Room on the first floor was an absolute dream with contemporary interiors by London’s Universal Design Studio and carefully-chosen pieces by Danish designers. It felt spacious and airy with high ceilings and tall windows that you can fling wide open.
The room is designed in natural, cool shades and soft textures with highlights of marble, brass, oak and opal glass. I was particularly taken with the sleek marble-topped console table and the heavenly king-size bed with a large linen bedhead and charcoal drawing by Berlin-based Norwegian artist Bente Stokke.
Room features include a large LCD TV, speaker, wifi, large fitted wardrobe, table and chairs, an upholstered wool bench and a coffee machine with Illy coffee pods and a separate kettle. There’s also a premium minibar and elegant glass tumblers on a brass tray for a decadent night cap.
Sadly, the Chromecast wasn’t working and the front desk wasn’t able to offer a solution, so we were left with basic access to seven or eight Danish channels. Nigella’s Christmas Special with subtitles kept us amused while we got ready for dinner, but it appears to be a regular problem for guests here and is surprising for a five star hotel of this calibre.
The Bathroom
The bathroom is stylish and calm with hand-crafted tiles, grey marble sink and black chrome fittings. There is a powerful walk-in rain forest shower, wooden stool, large fluffy towels, bathrobes and full-size natural products by Skandinavisk.
Unfortunately there was a water drainage issue and my relaxing shower led to the bathroom filling with water alarmingly quickly.
The Swimming Pool
The jewel in the crown of the hotel is the spectacular, eco-friendly 25m outdoor swimming pool, naturally heated with surplus energy from the hotel’s cooling systems. The freezing Copenhagen weather didn’t entice me to peel off the layers and go for a dip, but in the warmer months, this is definitely the place to be.
The only drawback is that you need to pre-book your free 30-minute swim and sauna slot and any extra time is charged. It makes sense, given the large number of guests and recent restrictions, but swimming against the clock could feel a bit rushed.
Dinner in the Meatpacking District
That evening, we walked over to the Meatpacking District for a five-course dinner at Fleisch. It’s a fantastic restaurant with a cosy atmosphere and stunning food – well-worth visiting.
If you don’t want to venture too far out (especially in the cold), book a table at KONTRAST, Villa’s modern brasserie with a short menu of fresh, creative dishes using organic, seasonal ingredients. There’s also the seductive, dimly-lit T37 cocktail bar for inventive mixed drinks over a game of chess.
Breakfast
After a blissful night’s sleep, we headed down for breakfast to the lower ground dining room, housed in the former sorting room of the Post & Telegraph Office. It’s one of the biggest breakfast rooms I’ve ever seen, with two tea and coffee stations on both sides and a central open kitchen.
We were encouraged to pre-book a table and this did seem to help with the flow of guests and hygiene control during Covid restrictions, as it all ran smoothly with plenty of space between tables.
The breakfast buffet is plentiful with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, sausages, pancakes, an elaborate display of cured meats, smoked salmon and Danish cheeses, chocolate chia seed pudding, granola and yoghurt. There’s also a chef on hand to make omelettes and fried eggs cooked to order.
The real highlight, however, is the in-house RUG Bakery. You can taste a selection of fabulous pastries and cream-filled buns that easily compete with Copenhagen’s top bakeries. There seems to be a global trend of opening bakeries in luxury hotels, but rarely are these baked treats included with breakfast.
Villa Copenhagen is a stunning hotel with a great concept and I would definitely visit again for the beautiful design and RUG Bakery breakfast. There were a few issues that would be frustrating during a longer stay, but if you can add a reasonably priced Sunday night at Villa to your trip (like we did), I would thoroughly recommend it.
Throughout lockdown, I longed for the familiar pleasures of walking the streets of Paris. Stopping at a boulangerie for freshly-baked pastries, an indulgent bistro dinner of steak frites and spending hours exploring a museum.
At the end of last year (pre-Omicron travel madness), my wish was granted and I spent a magical few days in the French capital with my mum. The streets were noticably quieter than usual, apart from the crowded Champs-Élysées, but it still felt like the same, charming Paris.
Here are some of the fantastic places we visited on this whirlwind trip…
La Samaritaine
Our first stop was La Samaritaine, the iconic Pont-Neuf department store that reopened last summer after being closed for over 16 years. LVMH has transformed the historic 19th century building from a bazaar selling everything under the sun to a shimmering temple of luxury. It really is spectacular!
All of the top tier designer brands are there, as you would expect, but what makes the store stand out is its modern, playful approach, with the quirky Boutique de Loulou lifestyle shop, the incredible beauty hall filled with cult products and cute patisserie counters by Bogato and Dalloyau.
We met my friend Coralie for a long-overdue coffee at Parisienne, a casual cafe by Petit Plisson with classic French pastries and light salads. It’s a great spot to know about for a quick refuel.
We stayed until the early evening and then walked along the Seine, over to the Left Bank for dinner.
La Laiterie Sainte Clotilde
La Laiterie Sainte Clotilde on Rue de Bellechasse is a gorgeous little bistro by Jean-Baptiste Varenne, housed in a former dairy. It’s a real neighbourhood gem with a mostly Parisian crowd and lovely staff who really look after you well.
To start, we had a creamy, velvety Pumpkin soup and a punchy Roasted cauliflower with harissa – both were full of flavour and well-seasoned.
We couldn’t resist the tender, juicy Steak with peppercorn sauce and sautéed baby potatoes. It was a classic done exceedingly well with very high quality meat, a moreish sauce and more crispy potatoes than you could ever ask for.
Dessert was an indulgent Gateau ‘Chardon’ au chocolat, which had a rich yet light fondant texture inside. I would definitely visit again, as it’s an interesting yet dependable place for a good dinner, however I’d be keen to try the weekday lunch set menu at 30 Euros for 3 courses.
Thierry Mugler: Couturissime
Fashion exhibitons at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs are always spectacular and I’m so pleased we had the opportunity to see the most recent opening, Thierry Mugler: Couturissime. This major exhibition explores the couturier’s stellar career with works dating from 1973 to 2014. It feels especially poignant and vital since his passing in January this year.
The world of Mugler is truly glamorous and exotic, which the curator has expertly captured across both floors. Be prepared to be wowed by rows of mannequins in cutting-edge ready-to-wear, sculptural haute couture and iconic stage costumes worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Linda Evangelista and Jerry Hall.
The exhibition has an immersive feel with scene-setting light and soundscapes and a subtle trail of the famous fragrance ANGEL, complete with an enormous, diamond-encrusted bottle to admire.
You can also delve deeper with rare photographs signed by Guy Bourdin, Helmut Newton and Ellen von Unwerth, as well as unpublished archives and mesmerising films of pivotal catwalk shows.
I could have easily spent hours there, but we were also keen to see the Cartier Islamic Arts exhibition just across the hall. It featured the most dazzling fine jewellery with enormous diamonds and gems, ancient sculptures and miniature paintings.
Café de Flore
For a moment of Paris nostalgia, we headed over to the Left Bank for a light lunch at the historic Café de Flore on Boulevard Saint-Germain. After a bit of queuing we were seated at one of the coveted terrace tables – perfect for indulging in the time-honoured sport of people watching.
While the location is undeniably fabulous, the excruciatingly long wait to be served and the unexpectedly bland Soupe a l’oignon gratinée made it my least favourite meal of the trip. Next time I’ll play it safe and stick to the excellent chocolat chaud and tarte tatin.
La Grande Épicerie
The afternoon still ended on a sweet note with a sweep around La Grande Épicerie, the magnificent food hall at Le Bon Marché department store on Rue de Sèvres. We refuelled over an exquisite Tarte framboise and Praline cake and pots of Earl Grey tea from the patisserie.
Paris food halls are an absolute joy and this one is widely regarded as the best in town. Every time I visit, I promise myself to book an apartment for a week and cook with these exquisite ingredients.
Aux Crus de Bourgogne
After some more shopping and strolling around the Left Bank, we headed to the lively Montorgueil quarter for dinner at Aux Crus de Bourgogne on Rue Bachaumont. This historic bistro was revived by new owners Jérôme and Stéphane Dumant in 2019 and is known for its regional French gastronomy cooking and Burgundy wines.
It was once a haunt of writer and cultural minister André Malraux, although today you could imagine Wes Anderson perched at a table, scouting his next filming location.
The return of the great French brasserie (a trend bubbling away in Paris over the last few years) really satisfies the craving for familiarity and rollicking good times, especially in this age of uncertainty. This is definitely something you can find here, feasting on hearty Lyonnaise dishes and having a laugh with the most charming waiters in Paris.
We had the most fantastic Poulet au vin jaune & morilles, which was served in a rustic copper pot with spongey morels to soak up the rich, creamy sauce. Coq au vin was equally indulgent and boozy with the finest farm-style chicken that you can only seem to find in France and ribbons of fresh tagliatelle.
For dessert, we did the unthinkable and ordered Mousse au chocolat & Madeleine twice, just in case it wasn’t so sharable. Little did we know that it would be a monster-sized mousse filling an entire Le Creuset pot with two giant madeleines. However, I don’t regret a thing, as it was so thick and velvety and the madeleines were crispy and golden, straight from the oven – a moment of absolute heaven!
Montmartre
We made the most of a bright and sunny morning and climbed up the millions of stairs to the Sacré-Cœur. It was lovely to explore Montmartre and follow the winding, cobbled paths and spotting pretty landmarks like Le Lapin Agile, Place du Tertre, Le Consulat, Place Dalida and La Maison Rose.
A new discovery was Vignes du Clos, an urban winery on a sunny hillside in Montmartre. Paris’ oldest vineyard was created as a green space by the City of Paris in 1933 to protect the plot of land from being developed.
It’s generally closed to the public, but in October, the vineyard opens the gates for guided tours as part of the city’s Fête des Vendanges (a five-day grape harvest festival).
Hotel Amour
After such arduous hill climbing, we were ready for lunch at Hotel Amour, one of my old favourites in Pigalle. It always has a good vibe and sitting at a table overlooking the garden is just delightful.
We both managed to squeeze in one last Steak frites and it was a winner (although I would have liked it to come with a sauce).
Galeries Lafayette Gourmet
Our last stop of the trip was the wonderful Galeries Lafayette Gourmet, which has changed a lot since I last visited. The most exciting part for me is the deli, bakery and patisserie section that takes up almost the entire ground floor.
It was a chance to load up on baked goods from Babka Zana, a cute bakery in the 9th arrondissement that has a counter here. We tried the sticky, delicious Babka rolls in rich Chocolate hazelnut and fragrant Pistachio and orange blossom flavours.
It was also a good call to bring home a large Babka cake, packaged majestically in a pastel pink and gold box, to keep the Paris memories going.
Hotel Keppler
Our home for the weekend was the elegant Hotel Keppler, designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, located in a Haussmanian building on a quiet street just off the Champs-Élysées.
The hotel features 48 guest rooms and suites (some with balconies and Eiffel Tower views), plus two cosy library lounges and a fitness room and sauna.
Our Executive Room was bright and comfortable with timeless black, white and vibrant yellow accents. The large marble bathroom had a TV in the mirror, a powerful shower and bathtub, fluffy bathrobes and slippers and a full set of Hermès Eau D’Orange Verte bathroom products.
Breakfast was served downstairs overlooking the leafy private courtyard and everything was excellent. The buffet was petite but full of high quality items like scrambled eggs and crispy bacon, pancakes and crepes, cured meats and salmon, French cheese, luxury yoghurt and fruit juice. You can also order fresh eggs and omelettes cooked to order.
The lovely staff took good care of us, serving freshly-made coffee and tea and a basket of pastries and baguette to our table. It was the highlight of our stay and definitely worth booking.
We didn’t spend much time in the hotel on this trip, as we were out exploring from morning to night, but it was still a very enjoyable stay.
Have you been to Paris recently? Where are your favourite places to visit?
Last week, I spent a magical morning at Scent Street, a fabulous immersive showcase of luxury niche fragrances, taking over three floors of a west London Victorian townhouse.
It was a wonderful opportunity to discover some award-winning fragrances and catch the latest Spring/Summer 22 launches from artisan perfume houses in the Orange Square family. It was my first beauty press event since the beginning of the pandemic and it felt good to talk about scent with like-minded people again, after years of all keeping as far away from each other as possible.
The Townhouse
It was easy to find the townhouse, just a short walk from Shepherd’s Bush Market, as the entrance was covered in pretty cherry blossom trees, with a cute floral taxi and a hot drinks van at the door. Inside, the house had the perfect balance of good taste and personality, decorated in muted shades with exquisite artwork and cool objects like a marble surfboard – clearly the owners have a discerning eye.
It was beautifully styled with flowers tumbling from a shiny grand piano, perfumes nestled among greenery and exotic fruit, a spring bouquet workshop by Grace & Thorn and an array of canapés, macarons and cupcakes in the light-filled marble kitchen. I couldn’t help but daydream of living here.
Perfume-Inspired Cocktails
My journey started with a delicious hibiscus spice cocktail, freshly-shaken by a mixologist at the bar, to match the stunning Hibiscus Mahajad by Maison Crivelli (a contemporary haute parfumerie created by Thibaud Crivelli in 2018).
This exotic floral oriental fruity fragrance, created in partnership with Quentin Bisch, is inspired by the experience of tasting hibiscus tea in a gemstone market, evoking the luxury of travel and discovery.
It’s heady yet bright with an irresistable floral duo of rose and hibiscus, sparkling notes of blackcurrant, crushed pomegranate and spearmint and the enveloping warmth of vanilla beans, amber, spicy cinnamon and seductive carved leather.
I also loved trying the verdant Osmanthe Kodoshan, the icy cool Absinthe Boréale inspired by the Northern Lights and the modern Rose SaltifOlia with a touch of salty air from a walk on the seaside.
Maison Crivelli takes a slow approach to creating perfume and telling a story, in fact some can take up to two years to develop. Every fragrance feels full of soul and purpose – definitely my new favourite!
The Boudoir
I walked up the stairs into the stunning boudoir, complete with a plush green velvet chaise longue, a bathtub overflowing with white roses and a marble bathroom packed full of make-up, perfume and an LBD. It was like the start of a glamorous night out.
It was here that I discovered Parle Moi de Parfum, Benjamin Almairac’s family-run maison and lab space on Paris’ rue de Sévigné, where you can watch perfumes being developed by father Michel Almairac, a perfumer born and raised in Grasse. I was enchanted by Une Tonne de Roses, a light, refreshing celebration of roses with a slight edge from earthy patchouli – simply effortless French chic.
I also tried the more dusky, powdery Rose Ardoise by Atelier Materi that made me think of a Chanel suit and the unexpectedly subtle Perfect Oud from Mizensir by master perfumer Alberto Morillas (the nose behind CK One, Gucci Bloom, L’Eau d’Issey and Penhaligon’s Iris Prima) and his wife, Claudine.
The Bathroom
By this point, I had sampled a number of fragrances, so it was a change of pace to discover Not A Collection by Juliette Has a Gun. This ground-breaking home and body range, created by Romano Ricci, features Cetalox (usually used in perfumery as a base note) as its sole ingredient. It is the only perfume on the market without any allergens, making it perfect for those sensitive to fragrance.
It took me a while to detect anything other than a clean aroma, but later on at home with a rested nose, I tried a sample of the luxurious shower gel and immediately understood the appeal.
My final destination was the ‘holiday room’ with sultry fragrances fit for the summer. From Juliette Has a Gun, I tried Vanilla Vibes, a youthful boho perfume with breezy natural vanilla, tonka bean and fleur de sel and a cool ombre bottle representing the sand, sea and blue sky.
Another summer hit is the uplifting Sunny Side Up, a happy surfer girl scent that reminds me of suncream with sandalwood, coconut milk, musk mallow and jasmine.
For those jet set summer cocktail parties, there’s Mile High by Parle Moi de Parfum, a cheeky nod to outrageous plane behaviour and also the classic Pina Colada. It features notes of luscious pineapple from the Indian Ocean, Venezuelan tonka bean, Corsican immortelle and patchouli from Indonesia.
It was a real treat to discover all of these dazzling perfumes in such a creative setting and I left in the floral taxi with senses awoken and many new additions to my fragrance wish list.
Have you tried any of these perfumes? What is your signature scent?
Visiting London has never been easier with so many affordable, design-led hotels and serviced apartments popping up all across town. If you’re planning a trip to the capital and want to stay somewhere with the wow factor and a cool local vibe, the hottest brand to watch has to be Locke.
I first discovered this game-changing aparthotel concept with a fabulous stay at Leman Locke, the group’s debut opening housed in a modern Aldgate tower with plush pastel interiors, high-spec appliances and spectacular views of the city.
Since then, Locke has expanded to five sites in London, as well as Manchester, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Dublin and Munich. Each property has its own unique style and has been thoughtfully designed to reflect the neighbourhood.
I was excited to stay at Kingsland Locke for the weekend, having watched the construction of the building during our local lockdown walks. It opened in May last year and features 124 studio apartments and one-bedroom suites, plus social and eating spaces, designed by Red Deer Studio.
Location
As the name suggests, it’s right in the heart of Dalston and ideal for exploring the East End with Ridley Road Market, The Rio Cinema and Kingsland Road’s vibrant restaurants on the doorstep. You can also easily walk to Broadway Market, London Fields, Columbia Road Flower Market and Brick Lane.
Check-In
On arrival, we immediately felt the relaxed vibe of Kingsland Locke, as we walked through the entrance’s leafy plants to the green tiled reception desk decorated with toys and ornaments made by local artists. Check in was easy and low-key with a warm welcome from the friendly staff, all wearing stylish uniforms designed by Birdsong, an east London sustainable and ethical fashion brand.
Locals are able to use the open lounge and co-working space, so there’s always a lively atmosphere with lots of chatting and typing over drinks from Shaman coffee shop and the in-house microbrewery. For residents, there’s also a workout studio (yoga mats are provided in your room), laundry room and bookable manicures from a top local nail technician.
The Studio
Our City Studio (19 sqm) – accessed by an Instagrammable peach and pink hallway – was spacious, calming and efficiently-designed. Homely dark wood panelling and parquet flooring is contrasted with unfinished concrete walls and brightened with a gorgeous custom-made velvet sofa in sumptuous bottle green and chartreuse tones, that seamlessly flows to the headboard of the comfy king-size bed.
Room features include a snug dining area, large Smart HD TV, free wifi, storage cupboards, iron and a fully-equipped Smeg kitchen with a hob, fridge/freezer, microwave-grill, toaster and dishwasher, plus a full set of cooking utencils and crockery. Also, a fresh brew is always close at hand with a kettle and a selection of premium loose-leaf teas and ground coffee.
The small but perfectly formed bathroom is fabulously futuristic (and made for selfies), with matte black fixtures and white geometric tiles and a powerful walk-in shower, big fluffy towels and full-size products by Kinsey Apothecary.
Dinner at KRAFT Dalston
In the evening, we dined at Kraft Dalston, Locke’s collaborative restaurant from local indie brands German Kraft Brewery, Jim and Tonic Distillery and foodie favourite Le Bab. This subterranean space couldn’t be cuter with mint green and pastel pink chairs, hanging plants and quirky hot pink sharks circling the glass ceiling. At night it has a warm glow and the spacious bench seating makes it perfect for large groups and celebrating occasions.
Le Bab specialises in creative, charcoal-grilled kebabs using high quality British meats and many of the dishes are shareable. We started with the excellent Mezze Mix for 2 with velvety peanut curry pesto hummus, crisp pork belly bites and moreish garlic butter naan.
We followed with some tasty kebabs – Pork Shawarma with juicy Dingley Dell organic pork, sweet pickled cucumber and fresh chermoula mayo on fluffy pita flatbread and a Dirty Bab, which was similar but quite a bit bigger with the addition of fries and fondue sauce.
The food was fantastic and very reasonable priced for such high quality, plus it’s hard to beat a restaurant that’s just downstairs!
Breakfast is a simple affair at Kingsland Locke (you can pre-book a voucher at the health-conscious Shaman cafe), so we popped out to grab some delicious morning pastries at our favourite bakery The Dusty Knuckle.
Around Dalston
For more places to eat out in the immediate area, I also recommend tacos and margaritas at the slightly shambolic but fun Del74, hearty plant-based food at Mildred’s, drinks and experimental music at Cafe OTO and freshly-made baklava at Bebek Baklava.
Kingsland Locke is the perfect base for a memorable leisure stay in London with everything you need to be comfortable and no pricey extras. I can’t think of any real downsides, other than I’d love the option of starting the day with a full breakfast or brunch in that lovely, light-filled restaurant – this may not fit Locke’s vision for the property but it would be a nice feature.
There are plans for more Locke residences in Berlin, Lisbon and Copenhagen over the next few years, so keep an eye out and be sure to sign up as a community member for the best deals (it’s definitely worth it).
Studios at Kingsland Locke start from £85 per night.For more information and booking, visit: www.lockeliving.com
Copenhagen has so many great places to eat, from leading Michelin-starred restaurants to artisan bakeries with the flakiest pastries, and you’ll definitely want to plan your city break around them. The standard of food and hospitality is very high in the Danish capital and you can easily find expert cooking, superior produce and a hyggelig atmosphere all across town.
Eating out there can be expensive for visitors, but I’ve found the best way to enjoy Copenhagen is to order the set dinner menu at a good restaurant, as they are usually well-composed and offer excellent value (as well as fuelling up for the day with a big hotel breakfast).
I first visited Copenhagen a few years ago and had a memorable five-course dinner at Höst, delicious sourdough pizza at Mother, gourmet burgers at Cocks and Cows at Hotel SP34 and warming street food at the Torvehallerne food hall. This time, we discovered more gems and further explored the vibrant Kødbyen (Meatpacking District). Here are some top places to add to your list…
BÆST
BÆST by Michelin-starred chef Christian Puglisi appears on every ‘best pizza in the world’ list and it’s definitely an essential stop on any pizza pilgrimage.
This game-changing Nørrebro restaurant takes a uniquely Danish approach to Italian cooking and has its own sustainable eco system. Fresh ingredients are sourced from Puglisi’s organic Farm of Ideas, while the artisan cheeses and charcuterie are made upstairs in the micro-dairy and salumeria and bread comes straight from the oven at Mirabelle bakery next door.
Pizza, however, is just one aspect of the kitchen’s offering, and you can feast on sharing plates such as BÆST speck and mozzarella, Burrata with Hokkaido pumpkin and grilled herb oil, Chicken thighs with miso glaze and Grilled rib-eye with kale, elderflower and capers. The full BÆST Experience and Sunday Brunch offers a selection of small plates, pizza and dessert, so you can try a bit of everything.
As we were short on time, we enjoyed a lighter lunch of two pizzas, which were served one at a time for sharing. The first pizza – Tomato passata, garlic, BÆST Stracciatella and oregano – was definitely our favourite. The dough was nicely blistered and ever so light and the combination of the extra-juicy tomatoes, creamy Stracciatella, slivers of punchy garlic and fresh micro-herbs was absolutely dreamy.
Pizza number 7 – Savoy Cabbage, smoked BÆST Mozzarella, Hindsholm sausage and Pecorino Romano – was indulgent and complex with high quality meat, a drizzle of oil and a surprising tartness from the cheese. I’d love to go back and try even more of the menu next time.
Fleisch
Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District is packed full of outstanding restaurants and bars and you could easily spend every night there working through them all. One of the best is Fleisch, a white tiled butcher shop, bar and restaurant with a surprisingly cosy atmosphere.
From the name of the restaurant, you might expect it to be a full nose-to-tail experience, but the style of cooking is actually on the classic side. We visited in the evening for the five-course butcher’s menu filled with tempting, varied dishes. To begin, we grazed on moreish Serrano ham and springy sourdough bread with salted butter, while waiting for our sharing starters.
Ceviche of pike perch with yellow chilli, lime, ginger, shallots, radish and black sesame was incredibly fresh and tangy and a real contrast to the hearty, satisfying Crispy croquette of game with stewed kale.
Sirloin beef tartare had a silky texture and mature flavour and it went perfectly with the flavourful pickled parsley roots, porcini mayo and root chips.
The main dish of Fried duck breast, duck sausage, stewed white cabbage, glazed beetroot, prunes and port wine sauce was an absolute delight with rich, seasonal flavours and exceptional, tender meat.
The meal ended on a decadent note with a luscious dessert – Cherry sorbet, cherry compote, creme anglaise and dark chocolate.
If you book one indulgent dinner in Copenhagen, make it Fleisch and you won’t be disappointed.
Warpigs
Just around the corner from Fleisch is Warpigs, a temple of smoked meats, craft beer and rock music. This well-established brewpub specialises in authentic Texan-style barbecue and has an on-site brewery with 22 American-Danish beers on tap.
Warpigs is one of the most popular spots in the Meatpacking District and it can be hard to grab a seat on busy evenings, but it’s definitely worth the wait, especially since there’s no waiting around for your food. It has a bit of a school canteen vibe where you sit at a communal table and queue at the counter for the pit master to fill your tray with different meats, freshly carved and weighed to order. Then, it’s over to the bar to collect the drinks and within moments you can ravenously dig in!
We shared the Trooper Tray packed with 1/4lb spare rib, 1/4 pulled pork, 1/4 link sausage and two side, plus an extra 1/2lb of brisket. The sausages had a touch of curry spice and the meats were so tender and smoky with a punchy dry rub and a thin melt-in-the-mouth layer of fat on the brisket.
The mac and cheese wasn’t very cheesy and the sauce tasted like more of a beer-infused bechamel, but it was still rather scrumptious and the burnt end baked beans were tangy with a real chilli kick. We washed it all down with a delicious Existential Crisis IPA, full of aromatic honey notes.
The soundtrack was more ‘Friday night rock classics’ than the ‘death metal’ that is often mentioned in reviews, but the atmosphere was great and we had a lot of fun. I’ll never forget the entire place singing along to Radiohead’s Creep, forks waving in the air.
Hija de Sanchez
Hija de Sanchez is the place in Copenhagen for authentic Mexican tacos. Chef and restaurateur Rosio Sanchez moved from Chicago to Copenhagen to work at noma and opened her first taqueria in the Torvehallerne food market in 2015. There are now four Hija de Sanchez taquerias and the high-end Sanchez restaurant with a five-course tasting menu in Vesterbro.
Hija de Sanchez uses high quality local meat and vegetables and everything is home-made, from the tortillas to the sauces. For that authentic flavour, the corn and organic quesillo are imported from Mexico.
To try a bit of everything, go for the combo of the day with salsa, including one barbacoa taco, one pastor taco and one vegetarian taco. The meat tacos are rich, generously filled and finished with fresh herbs, however they’re some of the most subtle, singular tacos I’ve tried (keeping with tradition). We also enjoyed sides of tortilla chips and guacamole and red rice with peas, corn, pinto beans and fresh cheese.
Studio x Kitchen
It’s hard to find cafes with a neighbourhood feel in the city centre, but Studio x Kitchen on Dronningens Tværgade has that cosy, friendly vibe. It’s perfect for a light lunch or coffee break and everything is home-made, using high quality ingredients from local farms, and presented on pottery plates.
Go for their signature folded eggs from Søagergård with either Gammel Knas cheese and nduja butter or Birkemosegaard kale, preserved citrus vinaigrette and hazelnuts with home-made sesame focaccia – both delicious. There are also excellent flat whites and artisanal Japanese teas, plus tempting baked treats at the counter.
YOBURGER
On one of our nights in Copenhagen there was a big storm, so a low-key take-out burger was on the cards. We headed for the famous Gasolene Grill, but when it closed early for the evening all was not lost, as YOBURGER (a favourite of Emili Sindlev) was just around the corner.
We went big and ordered a double Yobacon’ Avo Menu each, which came with crispy skin-on fries and a can of soda. The burger was huge and delicious with two patties of ground Danish beef grilled perfectly medium, smoky bacon, half an avocado sliced, gooey American cheese, signature burger sauce, fresh tomato and lettuce all packed inside a Belgian butter brioche bun.
At 159 DKK, it’s probably the most I’ve ever paid for a gourmet fast food burger meal, but the quality was great and it seems in line with similar burger joints in Copenhagen.
Kafeteria
SMK (National Gallery of Denmark) is one of the best art galleries I’ve ever been to, with stunning architecture, excellent curation and a bit of everything on display, from the Dutch Masters to contemporary Danish sculpture. It’s also home to Kafeteria by chef and restaurateur Frederik Bille Brahe, who also operates the stylish Atelier September and Apollo Bar & Kantine.
We enjoyed a light lunch of warming, velvety Pumpkin soup with coconut yoghurt and seeds with fantastic sourdough bread.
Just when we were trying to be healthy, the little girl sitting next to us tucked into the most enormous stack of pancakes with mascarpone and maple syrup and I couldn’t help feeling a touch of food envy, but there’s always next time!
Hooked
One thing I love about Copenhagen is the abundance of fresh seafood, especially when it’s served in a casual street food style. Hooked began as a food truck at the city’s food markets and festivals and it became so popular that its first restaurant opened in 2017.
Its sixth location recently opened at Christianshavn, with a wallet-friendly 20% intro offer, so we popped along for a tasty lunch after an early morning of travelling. It’s a casual, cave-like restaurant where you can drop by or book a table.
I couldn’t resist ordering the deliciously authentic American lobster roll with warm pieces of fresh lobster doused in brown butter and lemon in a toasted brioche bun, finished with chive, mayo and thin crispy onions. It was served with a huge portion of Hooked’s signature chunky vinegar fries (so good) and a moreish truffle mayo dip as part of a combo.
Fish and chips was also excellent with a succulent fillet of pollack fried in spiced breadcrumbs, vinegar fries, pea mint mash and tartar sauce.
Conditori La Glace
There’s something truly magical about Conditori La Glace, Denmark’s oldest patisserie and tea salon (dating back to 1870). In the winter, there is a constant queue in front of the extravagant window displays laden with cakes and sweets, however it’s well worth the wait to get a table.
La Glace specialises in traditional Danish pastries (many named after composers, actresses and royals), confectionery and towering layer cakes. The signature hot chocolate is served in a silver jug with pots of fresh whipped cream and you can visit the counter for a refill.
We paired our hot chocolate with a slice of Cherry Christmas – a decadent, bright red cake with cherries, Christmas spices, mascarpone and an almond base.
We enjoyed La Glace so much that we went back the next day for another warming hot chocolate – it’s hard to resist!
The American Pie Co.
Stumbling across an authentic American pie shop in the middle of Copenhagen was a joyful and unexpected discovery and the aromas of apples and spice lured us in. The American Pie Co. – a cosy cafe and bakery on the corner of Skindergade – has a 1920s diner-meets-apothecary vibe with a big American flag and vintage pie pans adorning the walls.
There is a tempting array of both savoury and sweet pies at the counter – in classic flavours like pumpkin, cranberry, chocolate peppermint and brandy butterscotch.
We ordered a slice of Bourbon pecan pie and Salted apple caramel pie with big glasses filled with hot apple cider. Both pies were absolutely delicious and a good contrast and the hot apple cider was spicy and tangy without being overly sweet.
Slices of pie are also available for take-out and you can order whole pies in advance – I did wonder if we could sneak one back on the plane!
Have you been on a foodie trip to Copenhagen? Where are your favourite places to eat?
Eating out in Copenhagen can get pricey, but look out for those set lunch menus and you can eat very well. Odette is a cosy restaurant in the heart of Copenhagen’s old town and its home-made pasta is fantastic. We had the most delicious pasta dishes and garlic bread to share… ?? Bucatini, eggplant ragout, salciccia, marjoram and Parmesan. ?? Ravioli, pumpkin, ricotta, sage and Pecorino. ?? Bread made from Oland wheat with garlic and thyme. #copenhagen#foodie#denmark#pasta#pastatiktok#restaurant
It’s hard to pick a favourite thing about a holiday in Spain, but for me it has to be the food – whether it’s sizzling gambas at a tiny tapas bar, an enormous pan of paella to share or an indulgent torrija.
On our recent Jet2 Alicante holiday, we tried so many typical Spanish dishes (particularly from the Valencia region) and reignited our passion for croquetas, somehow ordering them at almost every place we visited!
This vibrant city on the beautiful Costa Blanca is a real foodie destination, where you can immerse yourself in Spain’s gastronomic culture and enjoy the time-honoured tradition of leisurely evening drinks and tapas.
Here are some top places to eat out when visiting Alicante…
La Taberna del Gourmet
La Taberna del Gourmet, a contemporary gastrobar and delicatessen just behind the promenade, boasts a Michelin Plate, awarded for excellent food at a reasonable price.
It’s a more casual offering from María José San Román (the chef-owner of one Michelin-starred restaurant Monastrell) and her daughter Geni Perramón where you can find all of the classics with a bit of flair.
For lunch, we enjoyed the most delicious Cod fritters, Jamon croquetas, Fried cheese with tomato jam, Artichoke heart with romesco sauce, San Fernando fried eggs with potatoes and Iberian ham and the biggest plate of Padron peppers.
It’s also worth saving room for the most heavenly traditional Torrija with mantecado ice cream, served quite amusingly in a big ceramic dairy cow!
Alma de Barra
Alma de Barra is a stylish, modern restaurant in a good spot in the city centre to enjoy traditional Spanish dishes with a contemporary twist. We sat outside and grazed on some hot, molten Jamon croquetas and fresh Queen scallops in their shells with garlic, parsley and olive oil.
We also took the opportunity to try a typical Valencian fideuà – a close cousin of paella made with short pasta noodles instead of rice. It was hearty and moreish with caramelised foie fillets and chunks of calamari and the boletus gave it a rich, earthy flavour.
Jimmy Churri
Jimmy Churri is a popular take-out shop on Calle San Francisco, dedicated to authentic Argentinian empanadas. Flavours range from classic spicy beef, chorizo and cheese to Roquefort, Carbonara and Nutella and you can order just one or go for a pack of 3 or 6 with a choice of salsa.
The empanadas were light, crispy and generously filled – we loved the hot and spicy chicken, slow-cooked beef and pork cheek and bechamel.
Da Ciro Pizzeria
If you’re in the mood for a speedy yet memorable pizza, grab a table at the lively Da Ciro Pizzeria on Calle San Francisco. It’s a little corner of southern Italy in Alicante offering authentic Neapolitan pizza, calzone and antipasti.
The pizza is excellent with a chewy, slightly charred dough and high quality toppings – I recommend keeping it simple to let the ingredients shine through, as is done in Naples.
Bar Manero
If you’re looking for a high-end tapas bar with lots of charm for a special meal out, book a table at Bar Manero. Just a few doors down from its glitzy sister restaurant El Portal, Manero has a bit of a Wes Anderson vibe and feels like stepping into a different era.
We enjoyed a feast of epicurian delights including a decadent Lobster and king crab roll, Truffled Spanish tortilla, Oxtail croquetas, Meatballs and Patatas Bravas with spicy tomato sauce and aioli.
As a luxury delicatessen, Manero also produces it own provisions, so you can pick up a bottle of olive oil, beautifully-packaged turron or champagne to take home.
Enso Sushi
Enso Sushi, an upscale Japanese restaurant on Plaza Gabriel Miró, is one of the most highly rated in Alicante and we were fortunate to score a walk-in table for lunch when we had a sushi craving and wanted to break the croqueta cycle. We were welcomed with a Sake Sour aperitif and a mushroom and tobiko amuse-bouche and our dishes arrived one by one with ceremony.
We grazed on flavourful Gyoza, Fried prawn, salmon and avocado uramaki, Soft shell crab futomaki and Prawn hosomaki. Everything was so fresh and tasty with harmonious flavours – just what we wanted for a light lunch.
Enso can easily become pricey, especially if you’re really hungry, but the quality of the ingredients and the service are exceptional.
Fondillón
One of our most relaxed, enjoyable dinners in Alicante was at Fondillón, the restaurant and bar at the five star Hospes Amerigo. We dined in the Pasaje de Amérigo courtyard over 10 years ago when it used to be Monastrell restaurant, so it was lovely to return and sit at the same table.
The menu offers lots of options, as you can choose dishes from the fine dining restaurant as well as the tapas bar. We started with some fantastic little bites – Carrot and date croquetas, Crispy prawn with sweet chilli sauce and Crispy chicken with sesame and a moreish curry sauce.
For our main courses, we had a sumptuous, sizzling hot Paella with Iberian pork and vegetables and a rich, tender Lacquered lamb timbale with shallot confit and celeriac. Both dishes were exceptionally good and very generously sized – so much that we almost couldn’t find room for dessert.
Of course, it would have been a shame to miss out on a delicate Millefeuille with almond nougat and the most delicious Rum savarin with macadamia nut ice cream.
Heladería Borgonesse
Many of our nights in Alicante ended with picking up an ice cream at Heladeria Borgonesse for a stroll on the promenade and it’s now become one of my favourite ice cream shops ever.
The artisanal ice cream is velvety smooth and made with top quality ingredients and the variety of flavours makes it hard to choose. I recommend going for traditional dessert flavours like the heavenly flan with caramel, panettone, turrón or a luscious mango sorbet.
This stylish cafe overlooking the leafy Plaza Portal de Elche is part of a well-known Spanish coffee chain, established in 1963, and is a popular spot for breakfast on the terrace.
We ordered some cakes for a little afternoon tea on our balcony and they were just exquisite and so decadent.
Salt in Cake
Salt in Cake, a petite bakery on Calle San Francisco, is said to make the best cookies in Alicante and I definitely wouldn’t argue with that!
The iced cinnamon buns in the window will tempt you in – and they are absolutely delicious – but the star of the show was the dark chocolate and sea salt cookie with a molten centre. I really wish we’d brought a whole box home for later.
Have you visited Alicante on holiday? Where are your favourite places to eat?
Chérie City was a guest of Jet2holidays, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.
