cheriecity | cheriecity.co.uk

Dinner at Les Niçois in the Marais, Paris

April 8, 2015 by cheriecity

On the first night of our recent trip to Paris, we caught up with our Parisian friends Coralie and Sunny for a bite to eat.

Since we were staying just a short walk from their apartment at Hotel du Petit Moulin, we decided to go local for the evening so we could walk to dinner and back.

For something light and a bit different, I suggested we try Les Niçois, a casual tapas bar inspired by the French Riviera. Located on the edge of a quiet, leafy square, the bar is far from the busy part of the Marais and feels like a cool neighbourhood find.

Owners Vincent Traoré and Luc Sananes bring a taste of the Med to Paris with Les Niçois. It’s low-key and atmospheric with simple wooden seating and emblems of the south of France such as a retro Ricard dispenser, vintage-style publicity posters and old maps.

There’s even a Pétanque sand pitch downstairs if you really want to get into the spirit of the Côte d’Azur. As if that’s not enough to lure you in, it gets the Colette seal of approval – you can buy Les Niçois home-made tapenades, pesto, olive oil and Rosé de Pétanque at the hip lifestyle store.

The menu at Les Niçois features a selection of dishes typical to Nice as well as a daily chalkboard of specials. I also thought the drinks menu was rather fun with what Coralie calls ‘holiday drinks’ like Monaco, Panaché and all kinds of aniseed aperitifs such as Pastis and Ricard.

Steven and I both couldn’t resist a Monaco (€3.60) while Coralie and Sunny had a glass of really good white wine from the south of France (I forget the name but it had lovely notes of juicy apricot).

We both ordered the Assiette Nissarde (€12) to share and it was the perfect size for two people. The Pizza Nissarde was petite yet rich with sunkissed tomato confit atop and a sliver of anchovy atop a fluffy, moist base. The Pissaladière was also delicious with sweet, slightly tangy slow-roasted onions and fresh herbs.

We all loved the crispy, pillowy Panisses – chunky chickpea fries that were surprisingly light and not at all greasy. They were the ideal accompaniment for dipping into the home-made Tapenade Vert, Tapenade Noire and Anchoïade.

The olive tapenades are full of punchy flavours and are so very moreish – luckily we were also offered a basket of top notch rustic bread to make them go even further. The Anchoïade is more of an acquired taste and it split opinion on our table.

Steven and I shared a plate of Chipolata Croquettes (€6), which were plump and substantial with a rich, creamy filling and a crispy, golden breadcrumb coating. Coralie and Sunny also tried a few vegetable dishes that went down well.

Of course we didn’t pass on dessert and these ones are particularly tempting. The Speculoos Creme (€6)was velvety and decadent with a crumbled biscuit topping, while the Brownie du Chef (€6) was rather special. Far from a regular brownie, this one was filled with white chocolate chips, hazelnut praline and a touch of salted caramel.

As usual we were one of the last tables to leave, but we were never once rushed by the friendly, charming staff. It’s definitely the kind of place you can come to with friends and chat the night away over drinks and regional French bites.

Not only does it have a great atmosphere but it’s also refreshingly affordable, so you can eat well for a little or really indulge and sample an array of dishes.

Les Niçois has made it onto my list of favourite spots in Paris and I can’t wait to go back and try the lunchtime formule or the weekend brunch for a bargainous €25 per person.

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

Photos by Les Niçois and Chérie City

Beauty, London, Salon

A Great Hair Cut at Jones & Payne, London

April 7, 2015 by cheriecity

Jones & Payne is an award-winning independent hair salon with a Shoreditch flagship and boutique salon in Covent Garden.

The two salons were founded by Ricky Lee Jones and Stuart Payne, who met when working at Taylor Taylor London in Spitalfields, east London. When creating their own salon, their vision was to combine West End service with a fun, creative east London vibe.

I visited the St. Martins Lane salon for a much needed hair cut last week. It’s in the same building as the Philippe Starck-designed St. Martin’s Lane Hotel but has a very different atmosphere.

Jones & Payne St. Martins Lane is petite and cosy with vintage-style furnishings, gold-trimmed mirrors, traditional rugs and a curtained-off washing station.

It has a calm, unpretentious feel and is quite unlike the sleek, feminine salons that I’ve visited in London. Neither is there any pounding house music (thankfully), just the quiet buzz of hairdryers, so I could chat to my stylist freely. It’s almost like having your hair styled in the comfort of a cool east London apartment.

On arrival, I was immediately offered a complimentary drink and my tea came served in a stunning blue and white china tea set with a shortbread cookie. It was later refreshed with the addition of a chocolate rice crispy bite – a small touch that makes the salon experience feel like even more of a treat.

My appointment was with lovely Senior Stylist Claire Bennett, who recently joined Jones & Payne from another high end Covent Garden salon. Not only does she have years of experience but also the most fabulous, perfectly-groomed curly hair, so I knew I was in good hands.

My hair was in desperate need of a cut after being a bit neglected. It was feeling dry and a little frazzled on the ends (the last traces of ombre highlights), so I was keen to have a good cut of around two inches.

Claire agreed it was time for a substantial cut and showed me exactly what two inches from the lengths would look like. She also suggested refreshing the layers to frame my face and add some long layers at the back to give the curls some bounce and avoid that dreaded triangle look.

After the consultation, my hair was washed with Pureology shampoo that has a delicious sherbet scent, followed by a deep conditioning mask, which is included complimentary with the cut. I also had the most delightful, relaxing shiatsu hair massage (my favourite part of a salon visit) – in fact it was so soothing that I almost fell asleep.

Back in the salon chair, my hair was cut precisely and swiftly, which suited me just fine as I was heading straight out for cocktails in Hackney afterwards. The new length felt much healthier and less wispy on the ends, like my hair was breathing a sigh of relief.

To get the most volume and movement out of my new hair, Claire gave me a pin blow-dry. She added a touch of UNITE mousse and blow-dried sections of my hair straight, then lightly wound the hair in a curl and fixed it with a pin. As the hair around the pins cools down, it sets in shape, ready to be released and combed out a little.

I was thrilled with the finished look and will definitely have a go at trying a pin blow-dry at home. With a spritz of UNITE hair spray, I was ready to go with fuller, bouncier hair. As always when I visit a salon the heavens opened on my way back east, but luckily my pin blow-dry battled the drizzle rather well.

Jones & Payne St. Martins Lane is a fantastic salon where you can be sure of getting exactly what your hair needs. I love my new cut and am glad to know where I can find a great pin blow-dry in central London.

Hair cuts at Jones & Payne with Senior Stylist Claire Bennett are priced at £67.

Chérie City was a guest of Jones & Payne

Photos by Jones & Payne and Chérie City

Hotels, Hotels - Design, Paris

A Wonderful Stay at Hotel du Petit Moulin Paris

April 6, 2015 by cheriecity

A stay in Paris doesn’t get much more romantic or magical than at Hotel du Petit Moulin in the stylish Haut-Marais.

Housed in what was once one of the oldest boulangeries in Paris, Hotel du Petit Moulin is the very definition of a hidden gem. Only a few clues give away its hotel status, so it has the intimate feel of a private residence.

Design

The hotel’s charming, 17th-century Parisian architecture is brought to life with creative, otherworldly interiors by renowned couturier Christian Lacroix. It has a petite, maze-like appearance with just 16 rooms and one junior suite all designed uniquely with bold digital prints, catwalk sketches and sumptuous fabrics.

Hotel du Petit Moulin may seem like an independent hotel, however it has two stunning sister hotels that I’ve also had the pleasure of staying at – Pavillon de la Reine on the nearby Place des Vosges and Pavillon des Lettres. A perk of this union is that guests are welcome to use the fantastic Spa de la Reine facilities – it’s definitely worth stopping by for a spot of pampering.

Hotel du Petit Moulin has a beautifully-designed lounge with a cosy reading nook as well as an Honesty Bar where breakfast is served in the morning. Even the corridors have cool design features such as a dress illustration next to our door and monochrome polka-dot carpet that made me think of Yayoi Kusama.

The Room

Our Deluxe Room on the third floor was truly atmospheric with an exquisite moon and stars digital print above the bed and soft gold walls. The popular Moon and Stars Room is often requested by returning guests and I can see why they’ve fallen in love with it.

Room features include a comfy queen-size bed covered in sumptuous linen, large Samsung LCD TV, writing desk, Lacroix illustrated notepad, minibar, air-conditioning, a complimentary bottle of mineral water and free wifi.

The room is unexpectedly spacious with a living area covered entirely with black and white toile de Jouy fabric, offset with pop-style orange felt swivel chairs. The open wardrobe with plenty of hanging and storage space can also be sectioned off with a curtain and even the light switches have the toile de Jouy pattern for that total immersion effect.

I also loved that some wall edges are covered in mirrors (I never imagined how handy they would be) and that the bedside lights have a sensor, so you simply give them a regal wave to dim or switch off the light, rather than scrambling for the switch.

Most Paris hotel rooms that I’ve stayed in usually feel very contemporary, so it was a real pleasure to look up at the ornate cornice above the bed and fling open the traditional windows to the sounds of the street below in the morning.

The Bathroom

The large bathroom has an urban-country feel with cream painted wood-panelled walls, black slate tiles, a deep claw-foot bathtub with shower, extra-wide towels and face cloths, thick bathrobes, slippers and a set of Hermès Eau d’Orange Verte bathroom products.

Breakfast

After a blissful night’s sleep (and a glorious lie-in), we headed down the bar for a typically Parisian breakfast. The colourful bar has a vintage French feel with a trompe l’oeil statement wall and a traditional zinc bar.

We were served a generous morning feast of fruit salad, French set yoghurt, artisan baguette with President butter and cheese and a basket full of exquisite pastries, with Mariage Frères Earl Grey tea and freshly-squeezed orange juice.

As if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a table with cereal, nuts and fresh fruits that you can help yourself to. Breakfast is 16 Euros per person and is definitely worth ordering to start the day feeling happy and well-fed – it can also be taken in the comfort of your room.

As Hotel du Petit Moulin is a small hotel, there’s no restaurant, however you can indulge in room service with a menu of French classics such as onion soup and confit duck from a good neighbourhood bistro.

The Marais

The Marais is a haven for foodies, so you don’t need to stray too far for a memorable meal. Nearby, you can find American neo-diner Rachel’s, Grazie by merci, Le Mary-Celeste cocktail bar, historic foodie spot Le Marché des Enfants Rouge and my two new favourites Profiterole Chérie and Riviera-inspired tapas bar Les Nicois.

This hip part of the Marais is also home to some of the city’s best art galleries, independent boutiques and discount stores for French designer brands such as Alaïa, Zadig & Voltaire and Sandro. It’s quickly become my favourite part of Paris to stay in for a romantic, relaxing break.

Hotel du Petit Moulin is the perfect urban bolthole that makes you feel immersed in Parisian life. If you love the Marais, fashion and plenty of privacy, this is the place you should call home when in Paris.

Stays at Hotel du Petit Moulin from €195 per room per night, based on two sharing on a B&B basis. www.hotelpetitmoulinparis.com: +33 1 42 74 10 10.

Chérie City was a guest of Hotel du Petit Moulin

All photos by Chérie City

Afternoon tea, Paris, Patisserie

Amazing Choux at Profiterole Chérie Paris

April 2, 2015 by cheriecity

On my recent trip to Paris, I caught up with my friend Coralie for an afternoon of shopping and a bite to eat in the Marais. Steven headed over to the Palais de Tokyo to check out the latest exhibition, allowing us a few hours of girl time.

We met up at our hotel Bourg Tibourg and headed out into the Marais for a bit of an adventure. We shopped at Maje, American Vintage, Comptoir des Cotonniers and Repetto and Coralie showed me her favourite jewellery boutique, Marine de Diesbach. It has the feel of an artist’s studio with handmade pieces that you can’t find anywhere else.

Another stop was at the wonderful Palais des Thés, where we sampled green tea and jasmine tea paired with financiers. Continuing the tea and cake theme, we headed up to rue Debelleyme in time for the ‘quatre-heures’ (tea time).

Coralie took me to a new profiterole place that had recently opened, but she left the name as a surprise until we arrived (needless to say I was thrilled). Profiterole Chérie is a bijou little patisserie and tea salon that simply offers traditionally French choux with a twist.

Profiterole Chérie is the first Parisian patisserie by acclaimed pastry chef Philippe Urraca (awarded Best Craftsman of France in 1993). It’s pretty and oh so Parisian with dreamy pastel pink walls, marble tables and highlights of dove grey.

Profiteroles are freshly-baked at the store and prepared to order at the open counter. The menu features choux filled with ice cream or pasty cream in a variety of flavours, as well as a special profiterole of the moment.

Knowing that I would be eating dessert later on, I went for the light and fruity Ma Chérie citron meringué (€6). The crisp, freshly-baked chou was filled with smooth, cool lemon curd cream and topped with meringue sticks and lime zest. It was accompanied by a pot of zingy, sharp citrus coulis to pour over the top.

Coralie’s Ma Chérie Paris-Brest (€6) was a delicious blend of velvety praline cream, roasted hazelnuts and rich chocolate sauce (if you love Nutella, this is the one to order).

We washed down our profiteroles with cups of Earl Grey tea (€3), although I would be tempted next time to try the chocolat chaud.

Profiterole Chérie is a delightful spot for an afternoon pastry fix and a good gossip. It’s surprisingly affordable for the area and feels friendly, intimate and unpretentious. I can definitely see it becoming our new Paris tradition.

All photos by Chérie City

Dublin, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, Restaurants

A Luxury Weekend at The Westbury Dublin

April 1, 2015 by cheriecity

My weekend trip to Dublin with my mum was made especially memorable with our stay at The Westbury Dublin.

Part of The Doyle Collection, The Westbury is a luxury, five star hotel in the heart of the city, just off Grafton Street. It’s also a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, so you can expect that extra attention to detail and top class service.

Arrival

The hotel’s grand marble lobby is impressive and always buzzing with guests checking in or relaxing in the lounge. It really comes to life with fine artwork, exquisite floral arrangements and twinkling crystal chandeliers.

Afternoon tea in the lobby lounge is quite an institution in Dublin and we loved spending time there on the comfy sofas in front of the roaring open fire. There’s even a Champagne trolley to add that extra touch of decadence.

Check-In

Our check-in was swift and very welcoming – we were offered a bottle of mineral water each and a map to get our bearings. On the way to our Deluxe Twin Room on the second floor, I was impressed that the lift has a leather bench to rest your weary feet between floors, just like Claridges in London.

The Room

Even before entering our room, I fell in love with the long corridors covered with pastel-hue striped walls and a Beverly Hills vibe. Our spacious room was just as pretty, designed in a soft neutral palette with highlights of crimson, chocolate and beige.

Happily we both had a queen-size Sealy bed covered with 300 thread count Lissadell linen, a velvet throw and floral cushions to ourselves. The room also features a fantastic walk-in wardrobe, 32″ flatscreen TV, executive writing desk, minibar, Nespresso machine and a kettle with tea and coffee.

A Welcome Treat

We were kept well hydrated during our stay with a number of complimentary bottles of mineral water, as well as a welcome gift of large bottles of San Pelegrino sparkling and still water and a generous fruit bowl.

The Bathroom

The luxurious marble bathroom has a deep-soaking tub and a shower with good pressure, plenty of extra-wide towels as well as a two full sets of gorgeous Aromatherapy Associates bathroom products. Plush bathrobes and slippers give that extra touch of comfort.

Dinner at Balfes

On our first evening, we enjoyed dinner in the hotel’s newest restaurant Balfes. Named after the street, Balfes has a modern European bistro feel and it was buzzing on Saturday night.

We were seated at a cosy corner booth on a long Chesterfield sofa with views of the street outside and the open kitchen. The menu is a tempting mix of crowd-pleasers and creative dishes, all cooked using the finest Irish seasonal produce.

To start, I ordered the most delicious Pan-fried scallops with carrot & ginger and a sesame crumb (€14). The four plump scallops were perfectly golden on the outside and I loved the subtle Asian flavours.

My mum went for a lovely and simple Celeriac soup topped with fresh herbs and drizzled with olive oil and served with wedges of sundried tomato and soda bread.

Balfes’s secret weapon is a josper grill, so I couldn’t resist following the scallops with some good Irish grilled meat. I really enjoyed my enormous, smoky Loin of milk-fed veal, roast artichoke, confit potato and baby spinach.

I thought my main course couldn’t be beaten, but my mum’s Fish and chips with crushed peas and tartare sauce was out of this world. The fresh, flaky cod was covered in the most delicious beer batter and was served with a cone of tasty skin-on chips.

The only thing that didn’t hit the spot was my Banoffi with hot chocolate mousse (€7.50). It was swimming in a rich dark chocolate sauce that overpowered the sliced banana, vanilla ice cream and chocolate cookie base.

My mum’s Rice Pudding with coconut and mango was excellent with a pleasant texture and fragrant, Thai flavours. We finished the meal with fresh mint tea and rolled up to bed feeling full and content.

Breakfast

After a good night’s sleep in our heavenly beds, we headed down to the hotel’s main restaurant Wilde for a delicious, leisurely breakfast. The restaurant is of course named after Dublin’s own Oscar Wilde and the hotel is just short walk away from the Oscar Wilde Monument at nearby Merrion Square.

We were seated at a table with plush velvet seating and were swiftly served pots of freshly-brewed coffee and tea, plus our choice of white or brown toast with salted butter.

I loved the pancakes with berry compote, mascarpone and maple syrup and my mum enjoyed fantastic scrambled eggs served with bubble and squeak and a grilled tomato.

On the second morning, we decided to keep it light and go for a few bites from the generous continental buffet. Everything is high quality and we particularly liked the chocolate cake with cocoa nibs, pain au chocolat and home-made granola yoghurt pots.

Is there anything that could make it even better? Well, perhaps a spa to complete the five star experience, however guests can indulge in some pampering with the Take 30 with The Westbury and Crème de la Mer package just around the corner at luxury department store Brown Thomas.

The Westbury is a stunning, perfectly-located hotel with exquisite hospitality, where you can feel truly at home. For a luxury weekend in Dublin, it should be top of your list.

Rooms at The Westbury start from €230 per night on a bed and breakfast basis. For reservations visit: www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-westbury-hotel.

Chérie City was a guest of The Westbury

Photos by Chérie City and The Westbury (Balfes interior by Paul Winch-Furness)

For more Ireland travel ideas, read about Things to Do on a Weekend in Dublin.

Beauty, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, London, Spa

A Luxury Sodashi Facial at Rosewood London

March 30, 2015 by cheriecity

The colder months in London can be tough on the skin, so what better to way to get the glow back than with a revitalising facial?

For a few hours of uninterrupted ‘me time’, I visited Sense Spa at Rosewood London – an urban sanctuary within the five star luxury Holborn hotel.

Sense Spa works exclusively with Australian high end natural skincare brand Sodashi and it’s currently the only spa in London where you can experience a treatment using its products. I’ve had the pleasure of using Sodashi face and body products before, but this was my first time trying a Sodashi treatment and it was just as heavenly as I expected.

Sense Spa has sleek, Asian-inspired interiors and a seductive atmosphere with dimmed lighting, glowing lanterns and aromatic aromas filling the air.

I arrived 30 minutes before my treatment to begin my spa journey with a relaxing detox in the sauna and steam room. The spa facilities have a private feel and are located in the separate changing rooms with bamboo and slate walls and underfloor heating.

You’re always aware of being in a luxury hotel with attention to small details such as large glass bottles of still and sparkling water with an ice bucket, fine glassware and plush robes. I also loved the quirky locker door handles in the shape of regal-looking animals – an easy way of remembering which one is yours.

The spa facilities are available to both spa and hotel guests and I was pleasantly surprised to find I had them all to myself during my visit. The sauna and steam room were powerful and immaculately maintained and the sensory showers were fun with different rainfall experiences and a tropical vibe.

My therapist Lara met me in the stunning gold leaf and teak relaxation lounge and led me to a cosy treatment room. I was offered a delicious red berry juice to sip on while she examined the current state of my skin and identified what I wanted to achieve from my Pure Radiance Facial (60 mins/£110).

My main goals were clearing some blemishes, adding moisture to dehydrated areas and bringing some radiance back to my skin. Happily the consultation was thorough but didn’t take too long, without the extensive lifestyle analysis that I’ve experienced at some spas.

The heated spa bed was raised on both sides to make it super comfortable and a wide cushion was placed behind my knees to balance the pressure. Once the music was chosen and I was neatly tucked in, Lara encouraged me to take slow, deep breaths, inhaling the aromas of calming essential oils that invigorate the senses.

My covered legs, feet and arms were lightly pressed to get the energy flowing. My skin was double-cleansed with a light camomile cleansing lotion and hydrated with a calming rose face mist. Lara used lymphatic drainage massage to reduce any puffiness and concentrated on congested areas.

A gentle, non-abrasive face polish exfoliated my skin and then a plant essence replenish mask was applied. While the mask was working, I enjoyed the most divine head massage, as well as having the knots in my shoulders kneaded away.

My skin was then finished with a spritz of face mist, eye-lifting gel, balancing serum and a balancing face and neck moisturiser.

After my treatment, I was led to the relaxation lounge to stay in this blissful state a little longer. I reclined on the comfy spa bed with copies of Vogue and Tatler and was served warming jasmine tea in a decorative Chinese porcelain cup designed exclusively for Rosewood London.

The central table also offers large carafes of citrus-infused water and fresh fruit to keep you feeling refreshed. While I was revelling in some peaceful magazine-reading, Lara prepared a tailored list of Sodashi products that would benefit my skin at home.

Leaving Sense Spa through the hotel’s attractive courtyard, my skin felt plump, smooth and thoroughly hydrated. I avoided wearing make-up for the rest of the day, so I really felt the benefit of the products and those precious few hours of tranquility.

The Sodashi Pure Radiance Facial is ideal for those looking for a holistic, natural treatment with effective results. With excellent spa facilities, friendly staff and elegant surroundings, Sense Spa at Rosewood London is the place to be for a spot of indulgence in the city.

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

Cherie City was a guest of Sense Spa at Rosewood London

All photos by Rosewood London

London, Restaurants

Persian New Year at Dindin Kitchen, London

March 23, 2015 by cheriecity

Persian New Year in London is rarely a big occasion for me, as I usually spend it cooking delicious Persian dishes at home for just me and Steven.

The Persian side of my family is spread across Iran, Germany and the UK (not London, though) and growing up in Newcastle, I would often spend it at parties or restaurants. If any Persian mamas are reading this and want to take me under their wing, do get in touch.

This year however, I was invited out for supper to celebrate Norouz at my favourite Persian cafe, dindin kitchen. I first tried dindin kitchen last summer and was wowed by its authentic, mouthwatering food and the concept of offering home-cooked dishes in a quick dining environment (it’s been dubbed the ‘Persian Itsu’).

The event was hosted by entrepreneurial owner Vida Tayebi and we were welcomed with wine and mini herb soufflés topped with sour barberries.

I’ve been back to dindin kitchen a few times and always order the chicken soufflé as a side, but the fresh herb soufflés are equally tasty and have that real Persian flavour of spinach and dill, topped with a few sour barberries.

Before starting our feast, we took some time to learn a bit more about Norouz, which marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the new year in the Persian calendar (it’s now the year of 1394 in Iran).

Norouz is a secular holiday that dates back thousands of years and celebrates the renewal of the earth that comes with spring. It’s a time to gather with friends and family to enjoy good food and look forward to the year ahead.

Central to Norouz traditions is the Haft-Seen Table (The Table of Seven Ss). ‘Haft’ is the Persian word for the number seven and ‘seen’ means the letter S, so the table is covered with seven things beginning with the letter S to represent sunrise, love, health, rebirth and other positive benefits of spring.

Among the symbolic objects are sumac (crushed berry spice), seeb (apples), sir (garlic) and sabzeh (sprouted wheat grass). The table also features coloured eggs to represent fertility, coins for prosperity and candles for light and happiness.

We started our feast with some lovely, warming noodle soup (ash-e reshteh) before the main dishes were presented family-style on the table.

The generous spread included poached salmon with a herb crust and beef stew with split pea and Persian lime (khoresht gheimeh), served with dill and broadbean rice (baghali polow) and flatbread.

The stew was out of this world, with tender meat and fragrant lime flavours, and the rice was perfect as ever. I couldn’t resist loading my plate with seconds – how nice it was to be able to do that in a restaurant.

Persian cuisine may not be famed for its desserts, but we were given an extra special treat in celebration of Norouz. Vida presented a fabulous array of sweets from a specialist Persian patisserie that included by childhood favourite, nokhodchi.

These bite-size chickpea cookies are most often pistachio-scented and have a unique sandy texture – they crumble easily, so eat them in one go.

We enjoyed Persian cookies and biscuits in all sorts of flavours such as vanilla, chocolate, sesame and pistachio, and washed them down with tea or coffee.

Since my last visit to dindin kitchen, the menu has expanded and now offers a range of hearty stews, including my all-time favourite chicken, walnut and pomegrante (khoresht fesenjan).

dindin kitchen is the perfect spot for a quick Persian food fix at very affordable prices. If you haven’t yet dabbled in Persian cuisine, New Year is the time to give it a try.

All photos by Chérie City

Art, Exhibitions, London

Goya at The Courtauld Gallery, London

March 18, 2015 by cheriecity

Goya: The Witches and Old Women Album at The Courtauld Gallery is a fascinating new exhibition that explores the artist’s later works.

The ground-breaking exhibition reunites all of the known drawings from one of Francisco Goya’s private albums, produced between 1819 and 1823.

The eight albums (named A-H) were broken up after the artists death and scattered around museums and private collections, but the Courtauld’s curatorial team has brought together all of Album H and has presented it in its original chronological order.

The album features a number of ink drawings depicting haggard old women, demonic witches and ugly scenes. Critics have called them some of the most terrifying artworks ever created, since they reflect a cruel, diabolical side of humanity rather than pure fantasy.

At the age of 50, Goya suffered a near-fatal illness that left him deaf and profoundly changed his life and work. A sharp contrast to his work as court painter to the Spanish crown, these series of private albums reveal the visions of his nightmares and anxieties about life and death.

The drawings were produced at the same time as his acclaimed Black Paintings, when he acquired a property outside of Madrid. Not only were his drawings rooted in human nature, but they were influenced by the horrific war between Spain and Napoleon Bonaparte. A year after completing the album, he left Spain for exile in Bordeaux.

Some of the images are macabre, disturbing and unreservedly crude, such as the Wicked Woman which sees a bald, cloaked, monstrous woman about to devour a new-born baby.

Nightmare is equally harrowing with a deranged woman riding a bull with crazed eyes and flailing limbs.

Mirth, however, is rather tender and moving, showing an elderly couple gaze at each other fondly, with years of life experience and companionship in their eyes.

There’s also a touch of black humour in Showing off? Remember your age, chiding an elderly man for forgetting his frailty and mortality. Death looms throughout the album and Goya confronts the fear, melancholy and exhaustion of later life.

The exhibition is well-curated and understated, allowing the horror of the scenes to speak to the viewer. It’s a rare glimpse into Goya’s personal life and imagination, as dark and troubled as it may have been.

Goya: The Witches and Old Women Album runs until 25th May at The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House. For more information, visit: www.courtauld.ac.uk

Photos of Goya: The Witches and Old Women Album by Chérie City

Cafes, Dublin, Shopping, Stores

How to Spend a Great Weekend in Dublin

March 16, 2015 by cheriecity

Last weekend, I took my mum on a girls trip to Dublin, filled with sightseeing, shopping and plenty of eating.

It was our first time in the Irish capital and we were both absolutely charmed by the city’s culture, elegant architecture, friendliness and of course, the craic!

Our stylish base at luxury five star hotel, The Westbury, was well-located to see lots of the city, but there are still plenty of things on our list to bring us back. Here are a few fun things to do on a weekend in Dublin…

Trinity College

Taking a stroll around Dublin’s impressive Trinity College is an absolute must. Founded in 1592, Trinity College is one of the seven ancient universities of Britain and Ireland (in good company with my alma mater, University of Glasgow).

It’s home to the Book of Kells in the beautiful, wood panelled Library of Trinity College and notable alumni include literary greats such as Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, Bram Stoker and more recently actor Dominic West.

Ideally, visit on a Sunday afternoon when the students are away studying (or nursing hangovers) and absorb the history and atmosphere of the classical buildings in the open quadrangles, Parliament Square and Fellows’ Square.

Drinks at The Temple Bar Pub

Temple Bar is a lively, historic part of town close to the River Liffey, known for its traditional Irish pubs. On the weekend, it’s cobbled streets are filled with revellers and buskers, and the sounds of live folk music can be heard from the pubs.

Before visiting Dublin, my mum told me that she rather enjoys Guinness. I wanted to put this to the test, so we popped into the famous Temple Bar Pub for an aperitif before heading back to Balfes for dinner. True to her word, my mum ordered half a pint of Guinness and I played it safe with a suitably Irish Baileys on ice.

The Temple Bar was established in 1840 and named after Sir William Temple, the provost of Trinity College, whose house and gardens were built there in the early 17th century. The pub has an extensive selection of rare and interesting whiskeys – you can even order a whiskey flight to taste three different kinds.

Shopping at Avoca

Avoca is a glorious lifestyle store with 11 outlets across Ireland only, so it’s a real hotspot for shopping. Avoca is Ireland’s oldest handweaving mill, established in Avoca, Country Wicklow, back in 1723. When the three Wynne sisters inherited the mill, they revolutionised weaving in Ireland by adding colour to their designs.

Today, the family-run business produces the most beautiful, striking throws and blankets alongside clothing, perfume, ceramics, glassware and gourmet food. I discovered Avoca in Belfast and was delighted to find that the 7-floor Suffolk Street Avoca store was just a short walk from our hotel.

At the top of the store is the Avoca Cafe with an all-day menu and vintage-chic interiors (it feels more like a restaurant than cafe) and there’s also the more informal food hall on the lower ground level where we had lunch.

The food hall has a deli, salad bar and counter full of baked goods as well as a separate rotisserie. I enjoyed a tasty chicken Caesar wrap and my mum went for a spicy chickpea and quinoa cake with carrot salad and antipasti from the salad bar. For dessert, we couldn’t resist sharing a slice of scrumptious lemon curd cake – one slice was more than enough for two.

To bring a bit of Avoca back home (along with as many scones as we could carry), we picked out a stunning wool throw each – so pretty and so cosy.

South Georgian Area

The Georgian area at the bottom of Grafton Street on the South bank was my favourite part of Dublin. This elegant, affluent part of the city is characterised by its rows of townhouses with handsome doors and tall windows.

It’s home to Merrion Square, where artists sell their works on the railings on a Sunday and also the fantastic National Gallery of Ireland. I fell in love with the ivy-covered Boston College on St. Stephen’s Square and enjoyed strolling around the tranquil St. Stephen’s Green with its duck pond and pretty gazebo.

Lunch at Fallon & Byrne

Dublin is a real foodie city and Fallon & Byrne is a great place to find the best Irish produce, delicious meals and fine wines. The top floor features a popular restaurant while the food hall has a small cafe for lighter bites.

After a long walk in the cold, we were ready for a bowl of delicious carrot and coriander soup, served with thick slices of freshly-baked brown soda bread and butter.

You can also get meals, salads, cheese and cured meats from the deli to eat in at the cafe or do a spot of posh food shopping.

Have you visited Dublin? Where are your favourites spots and things to do in the city?

All photos by Chérie City

Afternoon tea, London, Patisserie, Stores

Pierre Hermé Fetish Infiniment Vanille

March 13, 2015 by cheriecity

Pierre Hermé’s creativity never fails to amaze me, but his innovation goes far beyond presenting unexpected new flavour combinations. Even classic tastes are elevated to divine new levels.

Last week, I visited the gorgeous new Pierre Hermé store on Covent Garden’s Monmouth Street for an exclusive preview of the new Fetish Infiniment Vanille collection.

Vanilla often undeservedly has the reputation for being safe and unadventurous, but Pierre Hermé sees vanilla as a ‘diva’. When done right, vanilla can be indulgent, sensuous and very luxurious. It is the second most expensive spice after saffron, of course.

Fetish Infiniment Vanille celebrates the fragrant spice with an extensive collection of gourmet vanilla treats. The tasting started with examining the appearance, textures and aromas of three different vanilla pods from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico. Vanilla from these three origins make up Pierre Hermé’s ideal vanilla flavour (his signature ‘house’ fragrance).

The most striking use of this specially composed vanilla is in the macarons. The delicate yet robust flavour is intoxicating and the macaron is punctuated with tiny, crunchy vanilla seeds. This is pure, velvety luxury and I’ve never tasted any vanilla macaron as exquisite as this.

I’m always a fan of Pierre Hermé’s delectable pound cake and the new Cake Infiniment Vanille is very satisfying with subtle flavours of almond and vanilla. I liked the sweet vanilla ganache studded with crunchy pieces of almond and the decorative vanilla pod on the top.

We also tried a rich and mellow Bonbon Chocolat Infiniment Vanille with a velvety vanilla-infused ganache and a buttery little Sablé biscuit left a pleasant sea salt taste in the mouth.

The star of the collection for me is the green tea fragranced with vanilla. I’ve tried black tea with vanilla before, but the green tea had a fresh, clean flavour and worked perfectly with the vanilla.

Also in the Fetish Infiniment Vanille collection is a glazed croissant filled with almond paste, Paris Brest, millefeuille, Rum Baba, tart and choux. Pierre Hermé’s signature vanilla flavour is a sensation that all pastry lovers should try at least once.

The Pierre Hermé Fetish Infiniment Vanille collection is available now in-store and online until 19th April. For more information, visit: www.pierreherme.com

London, Restaurants

A Dim Sum Lunch at Royal China London

March 12, 2015 by cheriecity

Royal China is quite an institution in London for traditional Chinese dishes and authentic dim sum. The first Royal China restaurant opened in 1996 and has since expanded to six branches across London (plus one in Singapore).

Royal China has been on my foodie ‘to do list’, so last week we popped along to the flagship Baker Street restaurant for a leisurely dim sum lunch. Also a few doors down on Baker Street is the more upscale Royal China Club, a favourite haunt of the likes of Beyonce, Sam Smith and Chef Ken Hom.

The spacious restaurant was busy when we arrived with most guests sharing baskets of dim sum. The two of us were seated at a large round table for six – not that this mattered, as it meant there was enough room to lay out our feast.

The menu features typical dim sum that we were already familiar with, but the specials include some more unusual dishes using Iberico ham, soft shell crab and lobster. We ordered a selection of dim sum from the main menu with notions of trying a few specials later, but we underestimated just how filling the dim sum would be.

We sipped on Oolong Tea (£1.50) served from a pot into small cups throughout our meal, but there are also fruity or milky bubble teas to try.

I was pleased to find my favourite Shanghai Pork Dumplings (£3.50) on the menu and wish I’d ordered a whole basket to myself. If you’re not familiar with Xiao Long Bao, they’re rather special dumplings with a delicious broth surrounding the minced pork filling.

Royal China’s Xiao Long Bao were just as tasty as the ones I’d tried in Shanghai with a rich broth, tender pork filling and a delicate wrapper – utterly moreish.

Roast Pork Buns (£3.50) were light and fluffy yet substantial, filled with a generous amount of lean pork in a rich, slightly sweet sauce. They also come with a chicken and mushroom filling and I regret not being able to find extra room to try these too.

Prawn Dumplings (£3.80) were exemplary with fresh, aromatic prawns mixed with vegetables and bamboo, encased in a delicate dumpling wrapper.

Pan-fried Gyoza (£3.30) were the largest I’ve ever had and they were packed full of well-seasoned pork filling and nicely browned on one side.

Honey Roast Pork Puffs (£3.50) were delightful little parcels of golden, flaky glazed pastry filled with piping hot succulent pork. If you like sausage rolls, you won’t be able to resist them.

I also really enjoyed the Sesame Prawn Rolls (£3.80) which had a similar topping to prawn toast but the steamed rolls were filled with pieces of succulent prawn, vegetables and herbs.

The only dish that didn’t win me over was Honey Roast Pork Cheung Fun (£4.20). The honey roast pork inside the rice rolls was perfectly cooked and I liked the accompanying sweet soy sauce, but I found the rice rolls themselves too thick and sticky.

Before visiting, I had wild ideas of ordering an endless stream of dishes, but I was surprised at how quickly I became full. Dim sum may appear light and bite-size but in fact it can be quite rich and flavoursome. Next time, I would probably add a rice dish or some roast duck to vary the flavours.

As always, we found room for some dessert and were tempted by the Steamed Sweet Egg Custard Buns (£3.50). The fluffy, piping hot and perfectly round buns were filled with a dense, creamy egg custard with just the right amount of sweetness.

Chilled Mango Pudding (£3.50) is a lovely dessert to order if you want something light and can’t manage anything else that comes in a basket. It’s simply a smooth, creamy mango-flavoured jelly atop a sea of condensed milk.

Royal China Baker Street is a great spot for a dim sum fix and is very affordable for the portion size and quality.

There are a few things that would make the atmosphere more relaxed – the music was rather kitsch and service was reasonably quick but a little stiff at times. I’d definitely go back to try more of the menu and Royal China Club is now high up on my foodie list.

For more information and booking, visit: www.royalchinagroup.co.uk

Chérie City was a guest of Royal China Baker Street

Photos by Chérie City (interiors by Royal China Baker Street)

London, Restaurants, Shopping, Stores

Making Macarons at L’Orchidée in London

March 6, 2015 by cheriecity

Whenever I go to Westfield Stratford, I can’t resist grabbing a bite at one of its tempting eateries.

I’ve worked my way through many of the shopping centre’s cafes and restaurants, but am always lured to the Great Eastern Market that offers a tasty selection of artisan bread, authentic Italian arancini, sushi and Indian sweets.

L’Orchidée Patisserie

This is where you’ll find L’Orchidée, a petite patisserie and cafe with a colourful macaron counter. At the helm is Chef Daniel Garcia, who has trained at Le Cordon Bleu and worked at The Langham London and Firmdale Hotels.

As part of Westfield Stratford’s Engage the Senses foodie events, Chef Daniel Garcia demonstrated in the cooking theatre how to make L’Orchidée’s signature macarons in front on a sweet-toothed crowd. I’ve eaten plenty of macarons in my lifetime, but haven’t given much thought as to how they were made, so this was a learning experience for me.

Chef Daniel showed us how to lightly whip up meringue using a KitchenAid and fold it with finely ground almonds and sugar to create the delicate macaron shell. He then filled a piping bag with the mixture and carefully piped it out in small discs on a baking sheet, ready to bake on a low heat in the oven.

L’Orchidée macarons are filled with a generous layer of buttercream (or sometimes a fruit jelly) and Chef Daniel demonstrated how to get a perfectly smooth and velvety buttercream. He took a tray of macaron biscuits that were baked earlier and once again used a piping bag to add the filling and sandwich the two pieces together.

Of course, the moment everyone was waiting for was getting to sample some of Chef Daniel’s creations. Needless to say they were devoured rather swiftly but I managed to try a few flavours – Kir Royale, blackcurrant and violet and my favourite milk chocolate and orange.

Brunch at Balans

Before the macaron demonstration, I arrived early to start my day at Westfield Stratford with a delicious brunch at Balans. The modern brasserie is a London institution with restaurants in Soho, Kensington, Westfield Shepherds Bush and even Miami.

I was tempted by the Maryland Crab Cakes and Eggs Benedict but finally settled on Banana Pancakes with toasted broken pecans and warm maple butter. The giant pancakes were light and fluffy with a generous amount of sliced banana and the toasted pecans made them even more decadent.

I washed them down with a pot of loose-leaf Earl Grey tea and caught up on some reading – a perfect way to spend a lazy Saturday. The staff were ever so friendly and efficient and I liked the relaxed atmosphere. It’s definitely the kind of place to sit and collect your thoughts in peace before making a big purchase.

New Hair at Toni & Guy

On a sugar high from the macarons, I headed to Toni & Guy Westfield Stratford for a spot of hair pampering. My locks were in desperate need of a colour injection and I’d wanted to try the salon for quite some time.

Some of the stylists were over at Somerset House doing hair for the London Fashion Week shows, but luckily I was still able to squeeze in an appointment. I was booked in for a colour regrowth and refresh with the lovely Pavlos Rafail Kyriakidis, an experienced Technician at Toni & Guy.

We decided on a warm, natural colour that would blend in well with the lengths and complement my skin tone. While the dye was applied, we chatted about living in east London and Pavlos gave me tips on where to holiday in his native Greece (I can never turn off from thoughts of travel).

Assistant Philip Rothery (also a performing arts student) washed my hair and gave me a fantastic shiatsu head massage before finishing with a quick blow-dry.

I’m so pleased with the colour and enjoyed the laid-back, friendly salon experience. It’s worth noting that it’s one of the most affordable Toni & Guy salons in London for colour, so I can see myself returning regularly for a root touch-up.

Shopping Around Westfield

To finish off a splendid day, I did a spot of shopping in lifestyle store Tiger and had a look around Zara Home, The Kooples, Reiss and the new T.K Maxx store (hello Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs and Miu Miu handbags). I also couldn’t help but get excited that Shake Shack is on its way to Westfield Stratford, opening mid-2015 – as if I need an excuse to come back!

My day at Westfield Stratford was lots of fun and there are so many great foodie events to get involved in. Keep an eye out for what’s going on!

Chérie City received a gift voucher towards a day out at Westfield Stratford

Images by Chérie City, Balans, Toni & Guy and Westfield Stratford