cheriecity | cheriecity.co.uk

Accessories, Designers, Fashion, Shopping

Summer in the South of France Wish Lyst

June 10, 2015 by cheriecity

My first big trip of the summer season is to Aix-en-Provence via Eurostar in July, so I’ve been looking at street style in the South of France for inspiration. It’s the perfect excuse to update my summer wardrobe and add a little je ne sais quoi.

Summer fashion in Aix is chic and breezy with a touch of bobo cool since it’s a popular university town. To look the part in the South of France, I compiled a wish Lyst inspired by French brands and Riviera style.

Lyst is a fantastic online shopping tool that I use to plan outfits, create bespoke wish Lysts and discover new brands. It’s particularly helpful before travelling so you can get organised and buy any last-minute pieces to enhance your capsule wardrobe without trawling around the shops in a panic.

If you’re stuck for ideas on what to wear for a country wedding, a week of sun in Ibiza or skiing in Chamonix, Lyst regularly features edits by the likes of Moda Operandi, Mary Katrantzou and Rebecca Minkoff to get you inspired.

One of my favourite features is the handy email alert to notify you when an item in your Lyst has gone on sale. It means never missing out on a must-have piece and scoring a good bargain.

Do you plan your outfits on Lyst? What would you add to your wish Lyst for this summer?

Sponsored post

Events, Hotels, London, Restaurants

A Mark Hix Masterclass at Brown’s Hotel London

June 8, 2015 by cheriecity

One of my all-time favourite meals is a good roast, so I was thrilled to be invited to an exclusive Carving Master Class with Mark Hix at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair.

HIX restaurants are known for their top notch British meat and seafood, so where better to learn how to wield a carving knife than at HIX Mayfair?

The Clarendon Room

The master class was hosted in the elegant Clarendon Room with wall murals painted with verses from Rudyard Kipling’s The Way Through the Woods and views over Dover Street.

I’d imagined the event would simply be a demonstration and Q&A but it was in fact a private dinner for a small group hosted entirely by Mark Hix for over two hours. It was a rare treat to spend an evening with a renowned chef in this intimate setting and be able to chat freely.

We started the evening with a welcome drink before sitting down to get carving. Mark spoke about the quintessentially British art of carving and introduced the cuts of meat that we’d be sampling during the dinner.

Carving smoked salmon

He then invited us to each come up and try carving a whole fillet of smoked salmon into thin slices for our sharing starters. It made for a good ice-breaker and luckily there wasn’t too much pressure to be an instant carving pro.

The Albemarle smoked salmon ‘Hix cure’ was a million miles away from your regular supermarket smoked salmon with deep, oaky flavours and a melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Starters

It was accompanied by some very moreish Whipped broad beans with Herefordshire goat’s curd and grilled flatbreads and a fresh, tangy Isle of Wight tomato and lovage salad with Sarson’s malt vinegar.

The chicken

Our first main course meat was Roast Swainson House Farm barn-reared Indian Rock chicken served with Charlotte potato and green onion salad.

This is the signature Hix chicken – full of theatre and spectacle impaled on a spike with outstretched claws. It is of course more natural than the usual trussed up chickens, but I can’t help thinking it has a rather comical Tim Burton-esque appearance.

I was the first in our group to carve the bird and I hesitantly got hold of the claw and sliced downwards to remove the leg, revealing the breast meat. Once it was carved down to the bones, we all chose our cuts and helped ourselves to the side dishes served family-style.

This was one delicious chicken with flavoursome meat, golden, crispy skin and a tasty stuffing made with fresh sage, fried onions and chicken livers. The potato salad was a nice summer alternative to the usual trimmings, but we still kept with tradition and enjoyed it with gravy.

The best gravy

I asked Mark the best way to make gravy and he told us that it’s difficult to get really good gravy if you prepare it at the same time as the meat from the roasting juices. He advised simmering chicken wings and necks with some roasted vegetables in a pressure cooker and making large quantities in advance, storing in the freezer until the next roast.

Wine pairing

The meat was paired with Mark Hix’s own wine (in collaboration with fellow restaurateur Mitch Tonks) – 2013 Tonnix White, Quinta de la Rosa, Douro Portugal. Being part of the YBA scene, he asked his mate Tracey Emin to etch a drawing for the label – it’s definitely the coolest bottle of wine I’ve ever seen.

I could have easily wolfed down more of the chicken, but it’s worth pacing yourself as there are still two other meats to indulge is and the portion sizes just seem to increase.

Hay-cooked lamb

Next up was the Herb-baked leg of Launceston lamb with Minted cucumber, samphire and shallot salad. The magnificent joint of lamb was cooked in hay to lock in moisture and keep the meat soft. The lamb was incredibly succulent and juicy with a layer of browned, melted fat. I’m not a fan of cucumber, but the salad looked colourful and fresh.

Rib of veal

To round off the meat feast, we enjoyed Roast Boccadon Farm rib of veal with Broad bean and Wye Valley asparagus salad. This was my favourite, as the veal was so lean and tender with a very clean taste. By this point I think we let Chef handle the carving and were treated to chunky, substantial halved ribs each.

The veal was paired with another excellent HIX wine – 2013 Tonnix Red, Quinta de la Rosa, Douro Portugal (there’s also a rosé wine in the collection).

Trifle for dessert

Of course there’s always room for dessert and this one was a very boozy Oakchurch Farm strawberry and Tonnix white port trifle. It was light and fruity with vanilla-scented cream, velvety custard, sponge soaked in copious amounts of white port and jelly studded with fresh strawberries.

Usually a big roast might end with an afternoon snooze, of which lucky Brown’s Hotel guests will have the privilege, but we finished with a round of espresso (Jasmine tea for me) and exquisite Cider brandy truffles.

Before leaving, we had the chance to select a Mark Hix cookbook, which he kindly signed and personalised. I chose the HIX Oyster and Chop House book and look forward to trying some of the recipes.

As if that wasn’t enough, we were kindly given a goody bag packed with Cornish sea salt, hillfarm rapeseed oil, some insanely decadent Hix Fix morello cherries in Somerset cider brandy, a copy of the first HIX Magazine and a Brown’s Hotel apron.

The Mark Hix Carving Master Class was such a fun, friendly private dining experience and I highly recommend it for carnivorous foodies looking for something a bit special.

Two-hours classes are hosted by Mark Hix every month (priced at £185 per person) and include a feast of sharing starters, all of the featured cuts of meats with wines to match, dessert and a goody bag including a signed cookbook and Brown’s apron.

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

Chérie City was a guest of Browns Hotel

Photos by Chérie City and Browns Hotel

Beauty, Shopping

Travelling with the ghd IV Styler

June 5, 2015 by cheriecity

When travelling, my itinerary is usually jam-packed, so my grooming routine needs to be efficient and fuss-free.

Having naturally curly hair, I would usually simply wash and go for a busy day out in Singapore, Valencia or at a festival – it’s not worth even trying to fight the humidity.

Here are some of my care-free curl moments on my travels – as you can see, I’m at my happiest when keeping it low-maintenance and breezy.

However, for a night of dinner and cocktails in New York, Paris or right here in London, a more polished look is required.

I’ve always simply blow-dried my hair and made the ends wavy with ceramic curling tongs, but I’ve recently been introduced to the power of ghd with the original multi-award winning ghd IV Styler. Since hotel hairdryers can rarely be relied on and luggage space can be limited, ghd hair straighteners can be a beauty life-saver.

Even if an inferior hotel hairdryer does little to tame my tresses, I’ve found that the ghd IV Styler can add the smoothness needed for a straight-hair look. Most importantly, the straighteners can shave vital time off hair styling and I can often go from curly to straight in less than 20 minutes if I’m in a rush.

So far, I’ve used my ghd IV Styler on trips to Paris, Dublin and two cruises – now I can’t quite imagine travelling without it.

So, what makes ghd straighteners so special? Firstly, it’s suitable for all hair types and can create not only poker-straight locks but also loose curls and waves.

The aluminium plates are covered with a thin layer of ceramic coating and are fully heated in less than 30 seconds. Also, the round barrel and swivel cord make it easy to really work on the hair and style it with ease.

Another bonus is that they’re very slim, light-weight and very sturdy, so they don’t take up much suitcase room and travel well.

Here are the results of my express ghd hair straightening. I could go further with a more sleek, smooth look but I like it when the natural curl adds a soft wave and a touch of volume.

I’m really impressed with my ghd hair straighteners and now know why my friends have always stayed loyal to the brand. I’m tempted to start a mini ghd collection and invest in a ghd professional hairdryer (to improve my blow-dry skills) and perhaps a creative curl wand to refresh my curls when going natural.

Have you tried ghd hair straighteners? What are your tips for a quick and chic style on the go?

The ghd IV Styler is priced at £99 and is available to buy online here: www.ghdhair.com

Sample

Hotels, Paris

A Great Stay at Hotel Saint-Dominique Paris

June 3, 2015 by cheriecity

It’s been a few years since I stayed on Paris’ Left Bank, so what better way to rediscover the area with a stay at the stylish Hotel Saint-Dominique?

I always keep a close eye on the Paris hotel scene, but it was a pleasant surprise to stumble across this beautiful gem on rue Saint-Dominique in the seventh arrondissement.

Hotel Saint-Dominique is a four star independent boutique hotel with a focus on contemporary design. It’s a small, cosy hotel with friendly staff and a number of thoughtful features to really make you feel at home.

Location

As the name may suggest, Hotel Saint-Dominique is housed in a former 17th century convent built during the same period as Les Invalides for a religious order. It also boasts a picturesque view of the Eiffel Tower from the street and is just a short walk away from the Champs de Mars, Les Invalides and Pont Alexandre III.

The Suite

Our Junior Suite on the top floor overlooking rue Saint-Dominique was enormous and I loved the minimalist interiors with quirky design touches.

The super-comfy king-size bed with reading lamps is covered with high quality linen and a grey felt throw and cushions with a purple trim.

Other features include a long corner sofa, executive writing desk, air-conditioning, free wifi, loan of a mini iPad, Nespresso machine with plenty of espresso capsules and a separate kettle for making tea. A highlight is the complimentary minibar stocked with Evian and Badoit, Granini orange juice and a can of Coke Zero.

I couldn’t help thinking that a room this size should have a slightly larger wardrobe than the multi-functional mirror one, but it did the trick for a short stay.

The suite is sophisticated and furnished to a high standard, but it also has a playful side with colourful bedside tables, cool rope-mounted photos of the Sacré-Coeur and a plush carpet trimmed with yellow crosses (or ‘bisous’, if you’re a romantic).

A Welcome Treat

We were kindly welcomed with some delicious macarons and a delightful book – The Best Places to Kiss in Paris. It was a lovely touch and totally in tune with our rose-tinted view of Paris – even after countless trips it still feels like the most magical city for us.

The Bathroom

The white tiled bathroom has a cool urban feel and is an adequate size with a powerful walk-in shower, rectangular marble sink, fluffy towels, bathrobes and a full set of Azzaro bathroom products.

We weren’t so lucky with the weather during our trip, but happily the hotel has plenty of posh umbrellas, which kept us a bit drier on the walk over to the Jeanne Lanvin exhibition at the Palais Galliera.

Eating Out

On the way back to the hotel, we warmed up with a delicious bowl of soupe à l’oignon gratinée at neighbouring Bar du Central – a casual, stylish bistro just a few steps away.

That evening, we enjoyed a fabulous dinner at L’Oiseau Blanc at The Peninsula Paris. Hotel Saint-Dominique doesn’t have a restaurant, however it has a reasonably-priced, tempting room service menu if you fancy a cosy night in.

Of course, the 7th arrondissement is filled with foodie delights that you won’t want to miss out on. For a memorable dinner on the doorstep, visit Brasserie Thoumieux by Jean François Piège just a few doors down, or Stephane Jego’s much loved L’Ami Jean, known for its outrageously decadent salted caramel rice pudding.

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, rue Saint-Dominique has a number of excellent Parisian boulangeries and patisseries, including one of my favourites, Aux Merveilleux.

Breakfast

After a lovely, peaceful night’s sleep, we went down to the breakfast room for a leisurely Parisian breakfast. I loved this bright, Scandi-style breakfast room with comfy seats and flowers on the tables.

The buffet was filled with a generous morning offering of fresh baguette, mini pastries, crepes, pancakes, granola, cured meats, cheeses and yoghurts.

Hot items are also included and are made to order. I was in the mood for croissants and jam but the friendly French-speaking lady who was looking after us for breakfast cooked up a fresh plate of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon for Steven.

Everything was nicely done and in the warmer months, it would be a delight to have breakfast in the pretty Parisian courtyard.

Hotel Saint-Dominique is the perfect base for a stylish city break with great design, an inspiring location and affordable rates. It feels like a secret address in Paris where you can live like a Parisian on the elegant Rive Gauche.

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

Chérie City was a guest of Hotel Saint-Dominique

Photos by Chérie City and Hotel Saint-Dominique

Brunch, Hotels, London, Restaurants

Le Brunch at The Balcon, Sofitel London St James

June 1, 2015 by cheriecity

Weekends don’t get much better than when brunch is involved. Especially when it’s a lazy, late and luxurious brunch, so you can catch a few extra hours of beauty sleep (or recover from the excesses of Saturday night).

If you like your Sunday brunch with an air of sophistication, The Balcon at Sofitel London St. James has just launched its fabulous new Le Brunch menu. Classic French dishes are given a creative twist and feature alongside brunch favourites, American-inspired dishes and lighter, healthy options.

We visited the elegant Russell Sage-designed restaurant for a long, mid-afternoon brunch and were seated at a lovely corner booth with views over elegant Waterloo Place. We were warmly greeted by the delightful staff, who explained the menu and chatted to us about our weekend.

The special brunch drinks are just as exciting as the food, including a Kir selection from the Champagne Bar, potent coffee and rum-based cocktails, alcoholic milkshakes and frappé coffees.

I chose a Kir with Pear Liqueur and Bulgare tea (£10), which was sweet, fragrant and refreshing, served chilled in a large wine glass with fresh raspberries. I really enjoyed the white wine in the Kir, but you could ask for a Kir Royale if you prefer to start the brunch with Champagne.

Steven tried the Black Russian milkshake (£8) made with dark rum, Mozart chocolate liqueur, chocolate ice cream and milk. It was decadent yet light and milky and just boozy enough.

To start, we were brought two slices of savoury cake – a bold Mediterranean-style black olive tapenade flavour and a richer, more French ham and cheese. We were fans of both and thought they were an interesting alternative to the usual bread basket, however a mountain of freshly-baked bread rolls with French butter soon followed too!

While we were waiting for our first dishes, we had a long chat with our lovely waitress Neslihan about her native Turkey and she recommended a contemporary Persian singer that she had recently seen live at Barbican. She kept us entertained until our food arrived and it was so nice to build a rapport with the staff – everyone in the restaurant was treated like regulars.

I couldn’t resist trying the Duck Eggs Benedict with Bayonne ham and green asparagus. This was one of the best Eggs Benedict I’ve ever had. The duck eggs were poached to perfection with runny, vibrant orange yolks and were perched atop fluffy toasted English muffins, steamed chunky asparagus spears and a generous amount of flavoursome, freshly-carved Bayonne ham.

Steven went for the more indulgent Grilled jerk marinated steak and fried egg with cornmeal waffle and home-made barbecue sauce (£4 supplement). The juicy, succulent medium-cooked steak was well-seasoned and had a delicious flame-grilled taste. It went well with the crispy, grainy and slightly sweet cornmeal waffles and the fried egg and tangy, smoky barbecue sauce finished it nicely.

To follow, I ordered a quintessentially British dessert with a French flourish – Raspberry macaron Eton Mess. It was a heavenly, whimsical dessert with lightly whipped, vanilla-scented Chantilly cream, fresh raspberries and soft, chewy raspberry-flavoured macaron pieces. I couldn’t help thinking of Marie-Antoinette with each mouthful – she certainly would’ve approved of this dessert.

Warm chocolate and ginger tart with milk ice cream was another high point of the meal. The luxurious chocolate fondant had a soft cake texture and oozed molten dark chocolate infused with aromatic ginger. As it that wasn’t mind-blowing enough, it was set on a fine, buttery pastry base and topped with cool, light milk ice cream.

We finished our brunch with pots of Earl Grey and Jasmine Pearl tea, which were served in my favourite Sofitel Asian-style cast iron teapots (one day I will have one of my own, as well as a Sofitel SoBed).

Le Brunch at The Balcon is a fabulous way to make the most of your weekend. The menu is full of tempting dishes and the top notch food leaves you feeling full and satisfied without being too much. With such chic surroundings, notable service and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect choice for a memorable brunch.

Le Brunch at The Balcon is priced at £20 per person for two courses and is available from 12pm to 4pm every Sunday.

Chérie City was invited by The Balcon

Photos by Chérie City (interiors by The Balcon)

Hotels, Paris, Restaurants

L’Oiseau Blanc at The Peninsula Paris

May 31, 2015 by cheriecity

When the much-anticipated luxury hotel The Peninsula Paris opened last summer, I couldn’t wait to get back to Paris to take a peek inside.

On my recent trip to Paris, I happily had the chance to visit the five star hotel for dinner at its stunning rooftop restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc.

This first Peninsula Hotel in Europe is housed in a grand 19th century Haussmannian former palace (also once the Hotel Majestic) on the prestigious Avenue Kléber, close to the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe.

The historic building has been beautifully-restored and is perfectly complemented by contemporary luxury interiors and Far Eastern design details referencing the origins of the exclusive hotel group (its iconic flagship hotel is The Peninsula Hong Kong).

On arrival, we were greeted by two stone lions guarding the entrance to the hotel, which leads on to the opulent white and gold Lobby.

Inside The Peninsula Paris is truly breathtaking with an elegant white marble promenade, sweeping black and gold-trimmed staircase and exquisite artworks. At the heart of the hotel is the Lobby’s ethereal Dancing Leaves installation, made with over 800 hand-blown glass leaves by Lasvit.

The Peninsula Paris is a delight for foodies with authentic Chinese fine dining at LiLi, the gilded Lobby serving The Peninsula’s famed afternoon tea and The Kléber Terrace offering international dishes including the all-important Club Sandwich and typical Parisian steak.

L’Oiseau Blanc restaurant, bar and terrace on the sixth floor is the jewel in the hotel’s crown with spectacular 360 degree views over the city.

The restaurant has an aviation theme and even boasts a custom-made biplane hovering above the courtyard as though en route towards the Eiffel Tower. It is in fact a replica of the ill-fated biplane flown by flying aces Charles Nungesser and Francois Coli who attempted to cross the Atlantic in 1927 from Le Bourget.

Peninsula Hotels are known for their love of motor vehicles, such as the fleet of Rolls Royces at The Peninsula Hong Kong, and L’Oiseau Blanc extends its tribute to aviation with flying objects and artefacts in glass cases and biplane motifs on the menu and tableware.

At the helm of L’Oiseau Blanc is acclaimed Alsatian Chef Sidney Redel, who previously worked for Pierre Gagnaire in Paris and Courchevel.

He brings Paris’ hip ‘bistronomy’ concept to L’Oiseau Blanc, celebrating France’s finest produce and seasonal ingredients with a daily-changing set menu. This offering is a refreshing change from Michelin-style fine dining that you might expect from a restaurant in a five star luxury hotel.

The chic restaurant feels spacious yet intimate with leather banquettes, crisp white table cloths and red roses adorning the tables. It also has a retractable roof, so you can enjoy dinner in the open air during the warmer months.

We started with a glass of crisp, refreshing Peninsula Paris Champagne and were swiftly treated to the dazzling light show from the Eiffel Tower. It was a very memorable moment – what could be more romantic than sipping Champagne against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic monuments twinkling away?

We ordered from the three-course Sierra Menu (€99 per person), which offers two choices for each course, however the chefs are happy to present other options if there’s something else that takes your fancy.

To start, I ordered Carabineros – tandoori, bitter citrus marmalade. This was a very satisfying Asian-inspired starter with complex, malty flavours from the mellow tandoori spices and intense citrus bitterness cut through with a flash of freshness from the cucumber.

Carabineros prawns are known for their bright red colour and robust flavours and these ones were tender, plump and utterly moreish.

Steven went for the Duck foie gras – terrine, smoked breast, beetroots and raspberries. The high quality foie gras had a smooth texture and its rich flavour was lightened with the acidity and sweetness of the raspberries. It was an interesting, modern way to serve a classic French dish.

I followed this with a typically French Matured beef chuck from Limousin, bone marrow, anchovies and spring onions. The flavoursome beef was cooked medium as requested with a tender pink centre and was nicely browned on the outside.

It was served atop a smooth potato purée with paper-thin golden potato crisps, small pieces of soft bonemarrow, a wilted whole spring onion and a rich, meaty jus. I didn’t actually detect the anchovies, but perhaps they were subtly blended with the potato.

Steven tried the John Dory seasoned with Iberian chorizo, carrots and turnips with curcuma. The succulent, substantial fillet of John Dory had a clean, fresh taste and was complemented by the bold, slightly spicy chorizo. The beautifully-presented vegetables added some colour and tasted lovely and market fresh.

Desserts at The Peninsula Paris are by Executive Pastry Chef Julien Alvarez – winner of the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie in 2011 – and we were excited to see what he had designed for that evening.

Since we were so close to the Charle de Gaulle Étoile and gazing at the little stars adorning the Eiffel Tower, it seemed only right to try the Chocolate star, crunchy praline, macae ice cream.

This gorgeous dessert was everything that I’d hoped for. The glossy dark chocolate dome was filled with a velvety chocolate mousse and ganache with a crunchy praline biscuit base. The delicious macae ice cream was served atop a chocolate cookie and the delicate gold-painted star biscuit made it even more special.

Fruity freshness, almond biscuit, mango yuzu cream, strawberry sorbet was bursting with juiciness and exotic fruit flavours. The soft almond sponge and fine biscuit was topped with fragrant, smooth mango and yuzu cream and fresh raspberries with flecks of gold leaf.

The strawberry sorbet was a real highlight and the mango and lime compote finished the dessert perfectly.

To round off our meal, we were served pots of Earl Grey tea and some decadent white chocolate nut clusters with a slightly iridescent sheen. The rain started beating against the glass, but it did nothing to dampen our spirits as we couldn’t be more content sipping tea in front of the Eiffel Tower.

L’Oiseau Blanc at The Peninsula Paris is the perfect place to experience the magic of Paris from above with stylish surroundings, exceptional service and a creative yet unpretentious menu. I’d love to visit again in the summer to make the most of the city views over a cocktail, however dinner in the evening with the Eiffel Tower light show is unmissable.

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

Chérie City was a guest of The Peninsula Paris

For more Paris restaurant ideas, read my review of:

London, Restaurants

A Sicilian Dinner at IDDU – South Kensington, London

May 25, 2015 by cheriecity

Discovering complex flavours and new fusion dishes can be a joy of living in a city with so many exciting restaurants, however, sometimes simple, rustic cooking can just really hit the spot.

I reaffirmed this last week over a fabulous dinner at IDDU, a new Sicilian cafe-restaurant-winebar in South Kensington. Open all day, IDDU serves healthy breakfast dishes such as Oatmeal with Millefiori honey and mixed nuts, panini and market salads for lunch and authentic pasta, grilled meat and fish dishes for dinner.

The name IDDU is used by Sicilians to describe the active volcano of Stromboli on the Aeolian Islands – a far cry from calm and leafy SW7, but the spirit of Sicily is there.

IDDU has the warm feel of a neighbourhood restaurant with welcoming staff that treat you like a regular from your very first visit. The cosy restaurant’s interiors are contemporary yet homely and the shelves are filled with gourmet products imported from Sicily. There’s also a counter filled with tempting cakes and pastries and a stylish terrace to dine al fresco.

Owned by Sicilian hospitality entrepreneur Luca Del Bono, IDDU attracts a smart local crowd and is in fact part of next door’s private members’ club, South Kensington Club. Presiding over the stove is Sicilian chef Francesca D’Amico, who was born in the Sicilian capital Palermo and grew up by the sea close to Taormina.

On the Thursday evening that we visited it was already busy and we were given a lovely, intimate table for two right next to the window.

We perused the menu, which is typically Sicilian with a focus on Mediterranean vegetables, particularly aubergines, and just a few meat and fish dishes. I’ve experienced Sicilian food made by proper mamas at an idyllic olive farm in the countryside close to Trapani, so my expectations for IDDU were high.

Our friendly, chatty waiter recommended we try a classic Aperol Spritz as an aperitivo, which came served in an enormous wine glass and was expertly mixed.

I usually try not to fill up on bread, but we arrived hungry and the Basket of Bread (£3.50) looked too good to resist. It was a yummy trio of thin and crispy carta musica bread, rustic sliced sourdough and seasoned bread sticks, served with some very high quality Sicilian olive oil (the kind that slightly tickles the back of your throat) and sweet, tangy balsamic vinegar (£3.50).

I started with the Caponata alla Siciliana (£8), which came highly recommended. The slow-cooked, slightly warm caponata was a traditional melange of olives, chunky celery, aubergine, tomato and capers. It had a rich, agrodolce (Italian for sweet and sour) flavour and the vegetables were so tender and juicy.

Steven went for the colourful Mozzarella Salad with Avocados and Tomatoes (£12). The Mozzarella di Bufala was cool and light with a distinctive flavour and went perfectly with the fresh, sweet tomatoes and ripe, creamy avocados.

We were also quite tempted by the Involtini of Aubergine Parmigiana and Prosciutto Crudo 24 months aged and would try these on another visit.

I followed with Veal Cotoletta alla Palermitana, which was baked as traditionally done in Palermo, rather than fried Milanese style. The slim veal fillet was succulent and lean, coated in golden, crispy breadcrumbs with plenty of seasoning.

It was accompanied simply with some mixed salad leaves and a wedge of lemon, which is the authentic way of serving it. It was very tasty, but I think it could be made a little more satisfying with some rustic rosemary potatoes or a more interesting salad.

Of course we had to try the real Sicilian pasta, so Steven ordered the Spaghetti, Aglio Olio e Pepperoncino (£10.50). The mouthwatering aromas arrived at the table before the pasta and it tasted just as good. The silky pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and was lightly dressed in olive oil, crushed garlic, tiny pieces of piquant red chilli pepper, squeezed lemon and torn fresh herbs.

For dessert, I was tempted by the Cannoli Siciliani (£5.50). The crunchy fried dough shell was filled with dense, velvety mascarpone cream and dusted with icing sugar. I loved the little pots of cocoa nibs, crushed pistachios and hazelnuts to decorate the cannoli by hand.

Another hit was the Almond and Orange Cake (£5.50), made with finely ground almonds and polenta. The cake was moist and just sweet enough, topped with zesty candied orange slices and a bittersweet marmalade glaze.

To round off our meal, we were brought shots of Frangelico on ice, just as it’s done in Sicily. As we were leaving at around closing time, more guests were arriving for a nightcap, so there’s no fear of being rushed through dinner, it’s all very relaxed.

IDDU is a real gem and has that friendly neighbourhood feel that makes you want to go back again and again. Not only is the food delicious and comforting, but it’s full of fresh, sunkissed ingredients and healthy natural oils. I can’t wait to go back for breakfast and lunch or make the most of the summer people-watching with a Bellini and Sicilian olives on the terrace.

Chérie City was invited by IDDU London

Food images by Chérie City (interiors by IDDU London)

Cruises

Celebrity Eclipse: A Taste of Modern Luxury

May 21, 2015 by cheriecity

Last week, I joined Celebrity Cruises in Southampton for a two-night Taste of Modern Luxury sailing to Paris onboard the recently refurbished Celebrity Eclipse.

I first experienced Celebrity Cruises with a 7-night Eastern Caribbean Getaway onboard the Celebrity Reflection late last year and was excited to see how the two ships would compare. As well as a fresh new look, the Eclipse has a number of new features and partnerships.

The Room

My mum accompanied me as my cruise companion and we were assigned to a lovely Ocean View Balcony Room on deck seven. The spacious, brand new room was designed in a similar style to the Reflection and was the perfect base for our two-night onboard adventure.

Sail Away Drinks

We watched the ship sail away from Southampton over drinks in the Sky Observation Lounge with panoramic, floor to ceiling views of the port. Late afternoon was spent exploring the ship’s new features such as the Slush poolside bar and the new Gastrobar, offering over 40 craft beers.

World Class Bar

Our evening began with an exclusive media cocktail party at the world’s first permanent World Class Bar. Launched in partnership with leading drinks group Diageo, the bar is an extension of the prestigious competition that annually names a bartender the best in the world.

Mixologists from around the world are rigorously put through their paces with a number of challenges, including creating new cocktails that are set to impress.

Spike Marchant, pioneer of the World Class competition, demonstrated some cool cocktail tricks such as how to make a smoking drink. Diageo ambassadors introduced some of the premium spirit brands that are used at the bar and best of all, we had the chance to sample some of the cocktails on the menu, served in cute mini martini glasses.

Our favourite cocktail was the refreshing Celebrity No. Ten made with Tanqueray No. TEN, raspberries and crème de violette. World Class Bar is currently debuting on the Celebrity Eclipse but will soon be followed by bars onboard the remaining four Solstice Class ships.

Dinner in the Moonlight Sonata Restaurant

The boozy event was followed by dinner in the Moonlight Sonata Restaurant – the ship’s elegant main dining room. We enjoyed an international four-course menu of Thai Beef Spring Roll with Ginger Glass Noodle Salad, Baked Onion Soup, Grilled Pork Chop with Marshmallow Sweet Potatoes and String Beans and Apple Pie à la Mode.

Menu Tasting in Luminae

The next morning, our foodie adventure started with a delicious breakfast of banana and blueberry pancakes and Eggs Benedict in the Ocean View Cafe. This was followed by a late-morning menu tasting in new Suite Class restaurant Luminae.

The bright, shimmering restaurant is the epitome of modern luxury with stylish interiors and a bespoke menu.

The chefs source market-fresh ingredients for the daily-changing menu, so they can cook with the best that the destination has to offer.

We started with a glass of Champagne and were served a tasting plate of beautifully-cooked Poached Lobster with pineapple and radish, Iberico Ham Croquette, Steak Tartare and Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Iberico ham, sourdough croutons, black trompette mushrooms and mascarpone.

We were also treated to petite handcrafted desserts including a Layered Chocolate Mousse, Blackcurrant Marshmallow, Nougat and Chocolate Truffle. Lucky Suite guests can then round off their meal with a few sweet bites from the exquisite sweet trolley.

Wine Tasting with Oz Clarke

As if that wasn’t indulgent enough for midday, we continued with a special wine tasting with wine expert Oz Clarke in the Moonlight Sonata Restaurant. I thought I knew which wines I like and the ones to avoid, but Oz completely changed my perceptions.

Oz took us through the fascinating history of wine, from New Zealand to the rugged coasts of California, ending in Shiraz in ancient Persia, where wine-producing dates back almost 7000 years.

We sampled two delicious, top notch white wines including Wairau River Sauvignon from New Zealand and St. Francis Chardonnay from the US – all paired with suitable cheeses. Then it was on to the reds – Montgras Carménère Reserva from Chile and Ross Estate Lights Out Shiraz from Australia.

Oz also dispelled a few wine myths – apparently cheese isn’t really a heavenly match for wine, as the cheese takes away the tanin and makes it harder to detect flaws in a wine.

He really made us laugh when musing on why Chardonnay has been hijacked by Bridget Jones and the Footballers’ Wives character who managed to set fire to her own breasts. While Chardonnay has fallen out of fashion, Oz told us that in fact, the seemingly more refined Chablis is in fact made from Chardonnay grapes.

Cookery Demonstration with Chef Robert Thompson

After my favourite cruising lunch of Chicken Caesar Salad followed by a selection of cakes, we headed to the Eclipse Theatre for a Great British Chefs event – a cookery demonstration by Robert Thompson, one of the youngest chefs in the UK to receive a Michelin star. He whipped up a tempting pasta dish and talked about the imminent opening of his first Isle of Wight restaurant, Thompson’s.

A Travel Talk with Ben Fogle

One of the highlights of the sailing for me was hearing Ben Fogle talk about adventure travel. His stories were simply captivating and had everyone on the edge of their seats as he talked about competing in the Atlantic Rowing Race with James Cracknell, the perils of swimming with crocodiles and running the six-day Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert.

Dinner at Tuscan Grille

That evening, I joined the other Celebrity Cruises Destination Bloggers – Suzanne of The Travelbunny and Lucy of On The Luce – in Tuscan Grille for a four-course dinner prepared by Adam Simmonds, winner of Great British Chef Menu 2014.

I’d already sampled Adam Simmonds’ cooking at the opening of his Kensington restaurant Pavilion, so I knew we were in for a real treat.

Tuscan Grille is the perfect sailing away restaurant with its location at the back of the ship and panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows. We started with a light and tasty Pan-Fried Breast of Quail with confit leg, broad beans, asparagus, Spring truffle and crispy sourdough.

This was followed by a flavoursome Flame Grilled Mackerel with English wasabi, compressed cucumber, avocado and ponzu. The main course of succulent Roasted Loin of Lamb with belly, goats curd and onion ash was a real crowd-pleaser on our table, so much so that we fell into momentary silence to really enjoy it.

Dessert was a refreshing Dark Chocolate Delice with peppermint granita and peppermint gel. The dark chocolate mousse was velvety and not overly sweet and I loved the intense yet natural flavour of the peppermint.

With our newly-acquired wine knowledge, we appreciated the wines paired with each course – Pouilly Fussie, Riesling, Côtes du Rhône and Douro Port (Oz Clarke would certainly approve).

Ovations at the Eclipse Theatre

After dinner, we headed over to the Eclipse Theatre to see the Ovations show with live performances of musical numbers by Andrew Lloyd-Webber. The night ended with drinks at the lively Martini Bar and we took a couple of mini pastel iced eclairs and choux from the pretty Marie-Antoinette-inspired dessert counter in the Ocean View Cafe to graze on in bed.

With some much happening onboard, we didn’t quite have time to get off the ship and explore Le Havre. However, if you want a full day of sightseeing in the City of Lights, there are a number of shore excursions to Paris.

We managed to pack a lot into our short time onboard the Celebrity Eclipse and were really impressed with the ship’s new features, particularly the World Class Bar and Luminae.

If you’re sailing on the Eclipse this summer, look out for eco-awareness centre Team Earth on deck seven, where you can view shortlisted and winning entries to the World Photography Organisation’s Global Encounters Stories, in partnership with Celebrity Cruises.

Chérie City was a guest of Celebrity Cruises

Photos by Chérie City (Luminae and Tuscan Grille by Celebrity Cruises)

For more Celebrity Cruises travel inspiration, read my reviews of:

Hotels, Paris

A Great Stay at Hôtel Bourg Tibourg Paris

May 18, 2015 by cheriecity

Hôtel Bourg Tibourg is a real hidden gem in the heart of the Marais with the feel of an exquisite private residence.

Nestled on the chic rue Bourg-Tibourg, close to high end tea emporium Mariage Frères, the hotel is so discreet that it can only be recognised by its signature clover motif. I’ve strolled up and down this street countless times and this was the first time I’ve ever been able to locate the hotel.

Design

Hôtel Bourg Tibourg is an independent Marais boutique hotel with a serious style pedigree, designed by the renowned Jacques Garcia in 2001.

The hotel has just 30 rooms and is small but perfectly formed, with exquisite interiors and a cool, sophisticated ambiance. The style is neo-gothic with opulent Byzantine and Oriental touches.

Check-In

Entering the hotel, it felt like we had arrived at a bijou Parisian townhouse with lots of character and a touch of mystery. We were warmly welcomed by the staff dressed stylishly in black and were offered a drink in the lounge while our room was checked over.

It’s a delightfully homely space with comfy sofas, a vintage record player, coffee table books, a Costes brown candle burning an intoxicating wood and bitter orange scent and the sultry sounds of Hôtel Bourg Tibourg’s exclusive vinyl album, ‘Nice Girls Don’t Stay For Breakfast’, playing in the background.

Next door is a library and honesty bar with a plush chaise-longue, inviting armchairs and bowls of fresh red apples. The double doors lead out on to the atmospheric, red-hued inner courtyard with a statement water fountain, creeping ivy and heady jasmine flowers blending with the aromas of burning candles.

The Room

After relaxing in the lounge momentarily, we were swiftly shown to our Double Deluxe Room via the super-tiny lift that can only really fit two people sans luggage. The smart, royal blue corridors led on to our room, which we accessed with an ornate blue and gold tassle key.

We were pleasantly surprised with the size of our room, proving Jacques Garcia’s design philosophy that ‘small can become grand’. It must be one of the sexiest bedrooms in Paris, designed with a mix of stripes and filigree in a palette of rich vermillion, ochre and navy blue.

There are some stunning design touches such as Jacques Garcia’s signature silk tassel lamps, side tables with studded legs and a luxurious striped carpet.

Room features include a super-comfy double bed covered in fine, crisp linen, a B&O flat screen TV, CD and DVD player, wardrobe with shelves and hanging space, minibar, free wifi and a cute upholstered table with little red velvet stools.

If you feel like having a cosy night in or escaping bad weather, you can watch a DVD from the extensive library with room service and borrow an iPad.

Waiting for us in the room was the most perfect plate of fresh strawberries and raspberries, a set of beautifully-shot postcards (the beautifully-shot images can be admired on the hotel website), an English edition of Palace Costes magazine and a hand-written welcome note.

We grazed on the delicious berries while exploring the room and they were made even sweeter when enjoyed on the romantic balcony, where we could people-watch from high above the Marais.

The Bathroom

Behind the double wood doors carved with the hotel’s clover motif was the spacious, wood-panelled bathroom. It includes a large sink, deep-soaking bathtub and mosaic-tiled shower with good water pressure and plenty of fluffy towels.

Best of all is the full set of Costes red line bathroom products with a spicy floral aroma of juniper berries, coriander seeds, rosewood, incense, musk, laurel, white pepper and lavender. As a discerning hotel bathroom product lover, I was thrilled to try out these exclusive products during our stay and the intense scents filled our room with a seductive aroma.

That afternoon, Steven headed over to the Palais de Tokyo while I caught up with my Parisian friend Coralie for some shopping and afternoon tea in the Marais. With so many French designer stores, cute independent boutiques and pavement cafes and boulangeries on the doorstep, the hotel’s prime location really is unbeatable.

Breakfast

After a glorious night’s sleep in that heavenly bed, we headed down to the basement breakfast room for a morning feast. We had the cavernous, arched room all to ourselves and loved its atmospheric mix of Medieval-style tapestries, ornate chandeliers, cheetah print chairs and tassels aplenty.

We were served pots of Mariage Frères Earl Grey tea and large glasses of freshly-squeezed orange juice, along with another beautifully-manicured fruit plate and fat-free yoghurts.

Breakfast also includes two organic eggs with the option of adding bacon or smoked salmon, but we simply enjoyed the exquisite pastries and ficelle baguette accompanied by jams and French butter. I highly recommend taking a leisurely breakfast at Hôtel Bourg Tibourg, as it really enhances the hotel experience and is a luxurious start to the day.

Hôtel Bourg Tibourg is a stylish bolthole that will set your heart aflutter with its sumptuous design, cool ambiance and attention to detail. It’s an irresistible hotel for couples spending a romantic break in Paris and is sure to make for a memorable stay.

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

Chérie City was a guest of Hôtel Bourg Tibourg Paris

All photos by Chérie City

Hotels, Paris, Restaurants

STAY Paris Le Faubourg by Yannick Alléno

May 17, 2015 by cheriecity

On my recent trip to Paris, I had the pleasure of enjoying dinner at STAY Paris Le Faubourg, the new restaurant by three Michelin star chef Yannick Alléno at Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg.

The renowned French chef brings his exciting Simple Table Yannick Alléno concept directly from Asia, where he has already opened STAY restaurants in Dubai, Taipei and Beijing.

In Paris, STAY sits comfortably between Yannick Alléno’s two casual Terroir Parisien restaurants and the ultra-exclusive Alléno Paris at Pavillon Ledoyen. The menu is inspired by his worldwide travel, offering dishes with Southeast Asian and Japanese influences, as well as exploring French gastronomy.

When I stayed at Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg last year with my mum, we enjoyed breakfast each morning in the bright, airy and ever so chic restaurant that was previously named Les Collections.

The breezy character of the restaurant remains with just a few design tweaks and a new highlight colour of zesty yellow. There’s also a private dining Communal Table for six to eight people and a chic courtyard terrace where you can dine among the fragrant flowers, palms and fountains.

At the helm of STAY Paris Le Faubourg is Executive Chef William Girard, who started working for Yannick Alléno at Hotel Scribe in Paris and has since overseen top restaurants across Asia, including STAY and Sweet Tea in Taipei. Not only is he passionate about introducing Paris to the STAY concept, but he’s also a colourful character with a playful sense of humour.

We began our evening in style with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne while navigating the menu. To start, I ordered the Dublin Bay Prawns à la Polonaise (€32), as I’ve always had good langoustines in Paris. This dish was an absolute delight with incredibly tender, plump chilled langoustines in a typical Polonaise style with a twist.

They sat atop a tangy, lightly creamy sauce and were topped with separated, finely-shaved egg whites and yolks, tiny breadcrumbs, burst-in-the-mouth vinaigrette pearls and fresh chives. It’s a deliciously light and flavoursome starter that really invigorates the tastebuds.

Steven went for the beautifully-presented Tuna Tartare with Niçoise-style salad (€22). The lean, ultra-fresh tuna had a clean and natural taste and was perfectly complemented by blanched asparagus spears, halved quail eggs, red peppers, thinly-sliced radishes and a light herb sauce.

It’s hard to resist a proper Parisian steak and it’s even more tempting when you know that Yannick Alléno sources his meat from one of the best butchers in Paris.

I tried the Beef Fillet ‘fleur de sel’ (€48), which came with a choice of sauces and one side dish. My steak was ever so lean and succulent, cooked perfectly medium à la plancha with nicely browned edges and a coating of fleur de sel.

The succulent meat just melted in the mouth and was served simply with a baby gem lettuce leaf brushed with the meat juices. The smooth Béarnaise sauce came in a petite jug on the side and was punctuated with tiny pieces of shallot and torn fresh tarragon.

My side dish of Gratin Dauphinoise Louis Grondard (€10) was just heavenly and so indulgent. Slow-cooked in its own crock pot, the exemplary gratin was creamy with slightly sweet potatoes, plenty of garlic, butter and herbs and topped with bubbling, golden rustic cheese – French comfort food at its very best.

But where does Louis Grondard come in with this divine potato dish? The celebrated Michelin star chef was Yannick Alleno’s mentor at Paris institution Drouant and his secret recipe is certainly worthy of this thoughtful tribute.

Steven tried the classic Beef Tenderloin Cafe Faubourg with fine French Fries (€48). The steak was very tender and full of flavour, served with a creamy, meaty sauce studded with aromatic Asian peppercorns. The French Fries were just as they should be – crispy, golden and hand-made with high quality potatoes. This is undoubtedly one of the finest steak frites in Paris and believe me, I’ve tasted many.

A real highlight of dining at STAY is the magnificent Pastry Library, which guests are invited to visit to choose their dessert. This is a chance to have a dessert ‘consultation’ and a bit of banter with the chefs, who present the desserts while plying you with hand-made chocolates, marshmallows lollipops, nougat, caramels and hazelnut brittle.

You can then watch them assembling your dessert and customising it to your preferences. It’s a leisurely, unhurried experience that makes you feel just like a kid in a sweet shop (albeit with the city’s best chefs at the counter). Seeing the desserts through the glass window and the fun inside the restaurant was too much for non-dining guests – they couldn’t stop themselves from popping in to ask for a lollipop or two.

For dessert, I went for Gavottes with hazelnut ice cream garnished with smooth caramel, candied hazelnuts and flecks of gold leaf. Gavottes are traditional French crispy lace crepes and STAY’s hand-made versions were lovely and crunchy and went nicely with the velvety hazelnut ice cream.

Steven tried a Chocolate Cone filled with a lightly whipped milk chocolate cream. We loved the artistic presentation with a chocolate disc spiked through with a chocolate stick, finished with gold leaf and tiny chocolate cookies.

As if dessert wasn’t enough, our sugar high reached its climax with a selection of petit fours to accompany our Earl Grey tea, served in a signature Sofitel Asian-style cast iron teapot. We grazed on bite-size chocolate éclairs topped with a glossy ganache and gold leaf, mini pistachio macarons and some inventive lemon meringue tarts.

STAY Paris Le Faubourg is the perfect spot for a relaxing meal in stylish surroundings, whether you’re in the mood to go all-out French or enjoy an international dish. Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg is one of my favourite central Paris hotels and I’m always wowed by Yannick Alléno’s cooking, so for me, it’s a match made in foodie heaven.

Chérie City was a guest of YUZU Yannick Alléno

Photos by Chérie City and STAY Paris Le Faubourg

Cookery

Cooking at Home with Gousto

May 13, 2015 by cheriecity

Cooking at home is one of my pleasures in life, however it can quickly feel like a chore without the right preparation. Coming home to a fridge filled with only alcohol, condiments and nail varnish or lacking meal ideas can easily give me the cooking blues.

So, when Gousto offered to send me a fresh food box that would see me fed like a queen for three consecutive days, I jumped at the chance.

Gousto is a handy recipe kit delivery service offering a choice of tantalising new dishes every week with the ingredients and instructions for how to make them. It’s ideal for time-poor folk who want a delicious home-cooked meal without the hassle of trawling the supermarket or planning days ahead.

Gousto was founded in 2011 by two foodie friends – Timo and James – who loved cooking but constantly found their hectic London lives getting in the way of a good meal. Today, Gousto is based online and offers nationwide delivery, so everyone in the UK (with just a few postcode restrictions) can experience the service.

My three recipe box for two people arrived on a Friday lunchtime ready for a weekend of cooking. I wasn’t actually at home when the box was delivered to my apartment building, but I was pleased to see that the large box was packed full of biodegradable thermal wool and thick ice packs to keep it nicely chilled until around midnight.

It was exciting unpacking the box and seeing the lovely, fresh ingredients that I’d be using that weekend. A great feature is that all ingredients are pre-measured, so you don’t need to spend time weighing on scales or deal with wastage.

The first dish I tried my hand at was Baked Chicken Tikka served with brown rice and cucumber raita. Being Persian, cooking rice never fazes me, but I hit the first and only hurdle when I didn’t own a pestle and mortar to grind the South Asian spices for the tikka paste. My #middleclassfail didn’t cause too much bother though, and within minutes the chicken thighs were well-marinated and ready to bake in the oven and finish under the grill.

The nicely charred chicken was so tasty and we found the brown rice filling, making it a satisfying, healthy dinner. I would definitely try making my own curry paste from scratch again, as the spices are pretty straightforward and it helps avoid preservatives or colourings that you might find in a jar of pre-made paste.

Next up for Saturday night was a hearty northern Italian meal of Sausage Gnocchi. The plump sausages were very high quality and sourced from a farm in Lincolnshire, like much of Gousto’s produce is.

This recipe was ridiculously easy, as the sausages and gnocchi are simply oven-baked on the same tray. We fried up some onion and garlic and added it to simmering organic tinned tomatoes to make the sauce. A few minutes before serving, we added some Balsamic vinegar and torn fresh spinach to the sauce to jazz it up a little.

The results were spectacular – herby, flavoursome sausages, crispy, golden gnocchi and a tangy, rich tomato sauce. Bellissima!

Our final meal was a rather posh one – Pear & Stilton Pork. I thought this recipe would be out of my comfort zone and had reservations about the 50 minute cooking and preparation time, but it was actually just as easy as the other recipes.

We parboiled potatoes cut into wedges, ready to be oven-baked with thick slices of red onion. The pears were then fried in a little butter and added to the tray while the pork steaks were pan-seared for a few minutes. The pork was then also added to the tray with a generous topping of crumbled blue Stilton.

This dish was superb and really tasted like restaurant quality, if I do say so myself. It’s the kind of dish that you could prepare for a dinner party and really please your guests.

I was very impressed with Gousto, from the well-designed recipe cards and professional service to the excellent quality of the ingredients. A three recipe box for two people is priced at £34.99 with free delivery and there are a few different packages available for both meat and vegetarian boxes.

The price may sound substantial at first, but when I consider how much I spend on three days’ groceries (that’s if I don’t cave in and eat out one night) and the joy of not having to battle my local supermarket (because there are often mini battles there), it’s actually a rather appealing deal. Then there’s the fact that the ingredients are all premium/organic/farm-sourced and not your regular supermarket fare, so they would cost more if bought individually.

Following an ill-fated gym membership that I ended up tied to a few years ago, I’m often hesitant to sign up to anything with regularity, but I am certainly tempted by Gousto. Boxes are delivered weekly as standard, however you can pause or cancel your membership at any time with no strings attached. It’s a good balance of commitment and flexibility, so you can fully enjoy the service but cut back occasionally if needed.

If you want to try out Gousto for yourself, get £20 off your first box with the code: CHERIECITY20. For more information and to buy online, visit: www.gousto.co.uk

Chérie City received a complimentary Gousto box for review

All photos by Chérie City

Cruises

Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas Cruise

May 13, 2015 by cheriecity

Royal Caribbean has just launched its new game-changing Quantum Class ship Anthem of the Seas, sailing for just one season from the UK. The world’s third largest cruise ship is truly impressive with cutting-edge technology and a number of exciting new features.

A few weeks ago, I attended a two-night pre-inaugural sailing onboard Anthem of the Seas from Southampton, voyaging around the English Channel. It was a rare opportunity to be the first to experience the onboard accommodation, dining and entertainment and I was blown away by just how amazing this ship is.

Curb to Cruise in 10 Minutes

Anthem of the Seas boasts a ‘curb to cruise in 10 minute’ policy with its clever new online check-in system that allows you to upload your identity photo in advance. Happily it went as smoothly as promised for us – check-in and security were a breeze and before we knew it we were boarding the ship and scanning the corridors for our stateroom.

The Room

Our spacious Deluxe Ocean View Balcony Room on deck six was beautifully designed in a palette of royal blue and cream with light and dark wood highlights. There are some stylish design touches that give it the feel of a boutique hotel room, such as a matching geometric pattern on the lamps and curtains, bold cushions, a circular mirror and vibrant artwork.

Room features include a super-comfy double bed, long sofa, writing desk, flatscreen Smart TV, two wardrobes, drawer unit, minibar and a kettle with tea and coffee. The best part of the room is of course the balcony with a table and two chairs to relax and enjoy those sunset views.

The Bathroom

The bathroom is top notch with a walk-in shower with good water pressure, single sink, storage space, plenty of towels and face cloths, bathroom products produced by Gilchrist & Soames and a hairdryer. Before cruising, I didn’t have high hopes for stateroom bathrooms, but Royal Caribbean and its sister Celebrity Cruises have always impressed with the facilities and reasonable amount of space.

Dining Onboard Anthem of the Seas

Dining is a massive highlight of cruising, with most conversations focusing on what you’ve eaten, how much you’ve eaten and where you’re eating that evening. Anthem of the Seas features so many dining options that it’s impossible to get bored – in fact, you’d need a lengthy sailing to experience all of them.

American Grill

An exciting new initiate for the complimentary restaurants is Dynamic Dining, where guests can have dinner on rotation at three main restaurants – American Icon Grill, Chic and the Asian-inspired Silk. We dined in American Icon Grill on our second evening and enjoyed a special taster menu of dishes from all three restaurants, such as Baked Artichokes with Monterey Jack cheese, Surf and Turf Filet Mignon with Grilled Prawns, Tarte Tatin and Baked Cheesecake.

Coastal Kitchen

We also enjoyed a fabulous lunch in the rustic, California-inspired Coastal Kitchen, exclusively for Suite Class guests and Pinnacle members. Our menu included a selection of charcuterie and flatbread starters followed by Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast with roasted squash, Provencal tomatoes and lemon essence and a selection of desserts including Honey Baklava, Tiramisu and Cafe Con Leche.

Windjammer Marketplace

Windjammer Marketplace, the all-day restaurant described by Royal Caribbean as a ‘global culinary pavillion’ (it’s so much more than simply a buffet) is a foodie focal point. The numerous stations offer high quality international dishes, pasta and paninis made to order by the chefs, fresh salads and antipasti and delicious waffles and pancakes at breakfast.

There’s even an in-house bakery with bountiful viennoiserie station, a bespoke celebration cake ordering service and a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine.

The two-floor Promenade feels like a mini village, filled with complimentary and speciality restaurants such as traditional pizzeria Sorrento, Promenade Café, Michael’s Genuine Pub by Miami’s Michael Schwartz, Jamie’s Italian and the theatrical Wonderland.

Izumi

On our first night, we had dinner at the Japanese sushi bar Izumi. We shared plates of delicious chicken kara-age, pork gyoza, crispy shrimp and avocado maki and Champagne-poached lobster rolls – perfect for a light and interesting meal.

Other speciality restaurants include The Grande Restaurant, Chops Grille, Prime Table and the calorie-controlled Devinly Decadence by author and chef Devin Alexander.

The Pool Deck

Of course, there’s plenty more to do onboard other than eating your way around the ship (as fun as that is). The pool deck is ideal for soaking up the sun with outdoor and indoor pools, whirlpools, an adults-only solarium, jogging track and the very cool FlowRider 40-foot long surf simulator.

For the particularly daring, there’s the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, outdoor rock climbing and the North Star observation pod, offering 360-degree views from 300 feet above sea level.

Vitality Spa

To take it down a notch or two, pay a visit to the enormous, maze-like Vitality Spa, where you can have treatments ranging from a simple and effective massage to acupuncture and even fillers performed by qualified doctors. I kept it low-key with a refreshing Elemis Tri-Enzyme Facial to brighten and resurface my skin.

SeaPlex Centre

SeaPlex Centre is a real playground for both adults and kids and we loved spending time there. The main area is multi-purpose, so at different times of the day, you can have a whirl on the bumper cars, roller skate, play football or dance to DJs when it turns into a nightclub at night (Lauren Pope was spinning on our sailing).

The Xbox Lounge

The Xbox Lounge has great games and comfy sofas, plus you can battle it out at table tennis, air hockey and the retro arcade games. There’s also the SeaPlex Dog House within the centre for refueling with a gourmet hot dog between games.

Two70 Theatre

One of my favourite part of the ship was the Two70 Theatre with ground-breaking Vistarama technology that turns a two-floor sea view into any scene, real or imagined. There’s also the delightful adjoining Café Two 70 offering fresh salads and deli sandwiches made to order as well as cakes and pastries, so it really feels like a social hub.

Spectra’s Cabaret

Royal Caribbean has partnered with digital innovators Moment Factory to produce Spectra’s Cabaret exclusively for Anthem of the Seas, performed each night in Two70. This truly spectacular, edgy show will change your perceptions of cruise cabaret with it’s dazzling visuals, contemporary music and stunning choreography (you may also recognise Spectra as Raven O of The Box London).

We Will Rock You

On the second night, we watched the Olivier Award-winning We Will Rock You in the Anthem Theatre. I thought it would be an abridged version, but it was in fact the full-length musical straight from London’s West End.

To make the night last even longer, have a drink in the rock ‘n’ roll bar Music Hall, listen to live jazz in the intimate Schooner Bar or sip a cocktail created entirely by robots at the state-of-the-art Bionic Bar.

Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas is a triumph of technology, however the human touch is still there and all of the staff that we encountered were so welcoming and friendly. With such a focus on digital innovation and world dining, it is definitely my kinda ship and I hope to have the chance to sail on Anthem of the Seas again.

Anthem of the Seas is sailing from the UK until October. For more information and booking, visit: www.royalcaribbean.com

Chérie City was a guest of Royal Caribbean

All photos by Chérie City