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Designers, Events, Fashion, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, London

Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2013 Final

November 4, 2013 by cheriecity

The final of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize is always an exciting moment and this year, the competition was so strong that it was difficult to predict a winner. Having followed the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize since its birth three years ago, I was delighted to be invited to the final as a guest of The Dorchester in London.

The evening began with Champagne and delectable canapés – including amaretto pumpkin ravioli, crab and avocado on toast, truffle cheese gougères, wagyu beef and creamy lobster – in the beautifully-designed Crush Hall. We then moved into the elegant Ballroom for a catwalk presentation from the four shortlisted designers – Barbara Casasola, Fyodor Golan, Emilia Wickstead and Huishan Zhang.

Kinvara Balfour hosted the show, wearing a divine, shimmering dress by Mary Katrantzou (shortlisted for the prize in 2010), while each designer was introduced by The Dorchester’s doorman, looking dapper in the hotel’s signature green uniform and top hat. Observing the designs closely were the esteemed judges including Frederic Aranda, Lorenz Baumer, Derek Blasberg, Fabia Di Drusco, Jean-Pierre Greff, Daniella Helayel, Stephen Jones, Margherita Perico, Rupert Sanderson and Stephen Webster.

The show started with vibrant fuchsia and deep orange organza dresses by Barbara Casasola, while Fydor Golan brought a street style edge with a slouchy FG logo luxe-sweatshirt and colourful feather skirt.

I couldn’t help gasping ‘wow’ when Emilia Wickstead showed her sophisticated candy stripe dresses and trapeze-line jackets. Huishan Zhang closed with a covetable collection of feminine lace and blush sheer fabric pieces and embellished cocktail dresses, keeping the look fresh and understated with low-heel silver sandals.

The judges retired for around 10 minutes to agree on the winner and we were treated to some exquisite Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize macarons – a perfect way to pass the time. Their task was to choose the designer that most evokes the Dorchester Collection’s spirit of individuality, luxury, style, innovation and craftsmanship.

Chinese designer Huishan Zhang was named with winner and received an endowment of £25,000 from Dorchester Collection’s chief executive officer Christopher Cowdray, plus a Baccarat crystal trophy and a stay at a Dorchester Collection property. A new element to the prize this year is invaluable one-to-one mentoring from a selection of the judges, which will no doubt strengthen Zhang’s position in the industry.

Christopher Cowdray said: “We are delighted to help a burgeoning young brand at this critical time of its growth whilst strengthening Dorchester Collection’s ties to the fashion world. Huishan Zhang will undoubtedly have a thriving career, as have the previous winners,” said Christopher Cowdray, Dorchester Collection’s chief executive officer.”

Next year, the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize will be hosted by another property in the luxury hotel group’s collection and I’m looking forward to seeing which promising designer will be next to receive their support.

Watch the highlights of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2013 here:

Chérie City was a guest of The Dorchester

Photos by The Dorchester and Chérie City

Beauty, London, Salon

Nails at Cheeky Parlour in Shoreditch

October 30, 2013 by cheriecity

Cheeky Parlour is the coolest new salon in Shoreditch, offering quick beauty fixes at super-affordable prices in a fun environment.

The naughtier younger sister of Cowshed, Cheeky Parlour is located on hip Redchurch Street, in the same building as Jack Wills and the Aubin Cinema. The expansive loft space has been described as resembling Monica Geller’s apartment in Friends, which is absolutely spot on (what could be better than that).

Cheeky keeps it simple with two main beauty services – a Cheeky Blow (£15) and Cheeky Paint Job (£10). A Cheeky Blow comes in four different styles, creating either volume, smoothness, care-free beachy tresses, or a bespoke look.

Cheeky can also tease your hair into a pony, knot or plait with a Cheeky Updo. A file and paint includes a choice of Cheeky’s 21 shades and a complimentary 10ml Chat Me Up Nail Paint in any colour to take home – major bargain!

Cheeky Parlour is purely for walk-ins, so simply take a ticket for a Cheeky Blow or Cheeky Paint Job and relax on the sofas before your treatment.

If you’re feeling peckish, the Cheeky cafe offers a tempting selection of home-made food and drinks. When I visited, the table was laden with muffins, pastries, freshly-baked bread and the most delicious granola with yogurt, honey and berries (it’s worth visiting for the food alone). Wash them down with proper tea and coffee, soft drinks in glass bottles or a cheeky Babycham.

I visited for a Cheeky Paint Job and was seated immediately at the long nail bar. My brilliant nail technician Heidi was speedy yet took the time to make sure the nail colour was perfectly applied. She asked what shape I wanted my nails and then filed, added two coats of the highly-pigmented Purpl-exed (a glossy, vibrant magenta colour) and a top coat.

The Cheeky Paint Job is all about express treatments, so it doesn’t include cuticle work, but you could easily do this before visiting.

There’s no excuse for smudged nails, as you can camp out on the sofas while reading glossy magazines until they’ve dried. Or, you can show off your new look at the Selfie Studio, with the help of professional lighting. Also, music is done the authentic way with a record player and vinyl, so you can listen to decent tunes while being pampered.

Cheeky Parlour is set to lead the way in beauty treatments and I much prefer the idea of hanging out there than sitting in the harsh glare of a department store or spending too much time in a salon.

It’s ideal for a spot of affordable pampering with friends or family and the amazing food makes it even more of a destination. If there’s any chance that eyebrow threading might be added, I might never leave!

Chérie City was a guest of Cheeky

All photos by Chérie City

Hong Kong, Tours

Great Reasons to Book a Hong Kong Food Tour

October 28, 2013 by cheriecity

When travelling, it can be difficult to find really good, reputable spots to enjoy tasty, authentic local food. Hong Kong Foodie Tasting Tours are a great way to find these hidden gems and sample signature dishes, without the research, hassle or getting lost along the way.

We took a foodie tour of Central and Sheung Wan on our first full day in Hong Kong, immersing ourselves in the sights, sounds and smells of the districts.

Our excellent tour guide Silvana showed us how to eat like locals, introducing small independent, family-run eateries that aren’t on the tourist trail.

We arrived to meet the tour group at The L Place at 2.15pm, having just enjoyed a Dim Sum lunch at Duddell’s in Central. With already full stomachs, we were daunted by the prospect of more food, but luckily the taster dishes were spread over 3 hours 45 minutes with plenty of walking in between. The amount of food offered at each stop is generous, so you can make the tour a late lunch or have a light snack before.

Tsim Chai Kee Noodle

Our first stop was the nearby Tsim Chai Kee Noodle for a hearty bowl of King Prawn Wonton Noodle. This informal, subterranean canteen is known for its excellent, budget wonton noodles and it attracts a queue everyday for lunch. It was recommended in the 2010 Michelin Guide and focuses on just six house dishes, including Fish Ball Noodle and Fresh Sliced Beef Noodle.

We were served a large bowl of steamed, silky king prawn wontons and slim noodles in a perfectly seasoned, comforting broth. It was one of the best wonton noodles I’ve ever tasted and an unbelievable bargain at just HK $20 (around £1.60). I recommend making Tsim Chai Kee Noodle part of your itinerary for a light and affordable lunch that will leave you with enough spending money for evening cocktails.

Lung Kee Restaurant

After a short walk uphill, we visited Lung Kee Restaurant for their house speciality, Barbecued Pork Rice. The tiny, no-frills restaurant is attached to a speciality meat shop, where barbecued duck, goose and pork are sold. Lung Kee also produces barbecued meat for a number of restaurants in Hong Kong, who favour its slow-cooked, fatty meats.

Lung Kee’s barbecue pork is succulent and juicy, with a honeyed sweetness on the edges and the plain steamed rice lets the flavours of the pork stand out. It’s a great place for a quick barbecued meat fix when in Central.

Gage Street Market

On the way to our next stop, Silvana talked us through the fresh produce at the open market on Gage Street, introducing us to Asian vegetables such as winter melon and locally-popular fish. We also stopped outside a shop with a rather pungent aroma, selling dried seafood such as scallops, oysters, abalone and even shark fin.

Kung Lee Sugar Cane Juice

By now, we were ready to cool down at Kung Lee Sugar Cane Juice. Opened in 1948, the old-fashioned, family-run shop serves sugar cane juice fresh from the press and is also known for its turtle herbal jelly. Sugar cane juice is refreshing, light and very sweet, plus it has an impressive number of health benefits, from aiding digestion to warding off flu.

Tea Studio

Feeling revived from the sugar cane juice, we headed to Sheung Wan and walked past Man Mo Temple and the many independent boutiques and cafes. We visited Tea Studio, a haven for tea-lovers that could easily be missed from the busy street.

Tea master Ivan Chiu offered us a welcome drink of green tea before we had a tasting of different kinds of tea. He explained the origins and character of different teas and how Chinese people select a tea depending on their body’s needs. He told us that green tea cools the body, while Oolong is good for digestion and white tea benefits the skin.

He answered all of our tea-related questions and then performed a traditional tea ceremony, which we were all invited to try ourselves. It was a fun, educational part of the tour and all foodie tour guests are offered 20% off all purchases. I bought some exquisite Iron Buddha Oolong tea to take home and it came presented in a red box and little canvas tote bag – perfect as a souvenir or gift.

Dim Sum Square

It was then time to indulge again at nearby Dim Sum Square. We tried a selection of Dim Sum including Har Gao (shrimp dumplings), Siu Mai (pork dumplings), Jaa Chun Guen (spring rolls) and Char Siu Bao (crispy BBQ pork bun). The Dim Sim was pretty good for a cheap lunch on the go, but I found the sugar-dusted Char Siu Bao a little too sweet.

Hei Lee Cake Shop

For a light dessert, we headed on to Hei Lee Cake Shop for a delicious Daan Taat (egg tart), warm and fresh from the oven. This petite Chinese pastry shop also offers savoury and sweet buns, biscuits and filled pastries that are baked daily on the premises.

The Hong Kong Foodie Tasting Tour is a fun, active way to discover Hong Kong’s foodie spots. The tour leaflet also includes a list of recommended restaurants serving authentic Chinese food to visit at leisure.

The Hong Kong Foodie Tasting Tour: Central & Sheung Wan is priced at HK $690 for Grown-up Foodies (age 15 and above) and HK$490 for Young Foodies (age 5-14). For more information and booking, visit: www.hongkongfoodietours.com

Chérie City was a guest of Hong Kong Tourism Board

All photos by Chérie City

London, Restaurants

Dinner at Whyte & Brown, London

October 25, 2013 by cheriecity

Whyte & Brown brings a unique concept to central London, focusing only on free-range chicken and eggs (not even a sliver of red meat to be found). The two-floor restaurant is nestled in the increasingly food-orientated Kingly Court, just a few steps from Soho, Carnaby Street and Liberty.

It could easily be an overly twee concept, however Whyte and Brown keeps it grown up with slick design and an interesting menu of comfort dishes with a twist. In fact, with so many different ways of serving chicken and eggs, it doesn’t feel as though choice is limited.

When we arrived on an early Friday evening, the bar was already busy and we were seated in a cosy spot in the upstairs restaurant. The atmosphere is more lively than romantic and there were notably a few large groups, who were perhaps attracted because of the central location, informal vibe and menu of universal crowd-pleasers.

Our friendly waiter made some good recommendations and quickly brought us a Fentiman’s Rose Lemonade while we decided what to order.

We started with some delicious Polenta-crumb chicken strips (£5.25) to share. The long, succulent strips of high quality chicken breast were coated in a crunchy, subtly seasoned polenta-crumb, mixed with plenty of fresh rosemary. The garlic mayonnaise dip was smooth and potent, adding a punchy flavour to the chicken.

As the chicken starters were so tempting, we also tried the Half a dozen croquette balls (£5.45). The generous amount of golden, crispy balls were served piping hot and were filled with shredded chicken and pancetta, chives, lemon and gooey bechamel. The croquette balls were rich, flavoursome and satisfying, with a delicious smoky tomato sauce for dipping.

I couldn’t resist following with more chicken and ordered the Pulled chicken bap (£9.75). The tender, juicy pulled chicken was piled into a soft, fluffy, toasted bun with tossed confit white onions and served with a tasty Asian-style house slaw with a light sesame dressing (happily no mayonnaise).

The chicken itself was perfect, however the smoky barbecue sauce was a little sweet and overpowering – perhaps serving it on the side or using less sauce might be better.

Steven’s Brick chicken (£12.95) was the star dish and something we would go back again and again for. The half chicken was covered in W&B signature seasoning and steeped in fresh lemon, thyme, garlic and olive oil, then served three ways. The marinated breast was roast-grilled under a brick and accompanied by a 24-hour slow-cooked thigh confit and 12-hour slow-cooked wing.

The moist, juicy chicken had a delicious smoky and charred taste and the skin was perfectly crispy and moreish. It was served simply with a jug of natural home-made gravy, fresh thyme and half a lemon.

We accompanied our chicken dishes with a couple of sides. Rustic chips (£3.25) were twice-cooked, thin and crispy, if a little dry. Mini Mac Cheese (£3.95) was oven-baked and topped with crunchy breadcrumbs with plenty of cream but no distinguishable cheese flavour.

I accompanied my meal with a Peachelada (£6.95), which was refreshing but a little too malty and lacking in sweetness, while Steven’s Four Saints (£7.45) was strong and fragrant but very sour. Next time, I would go for one of the interesting craft beers, a Devon Red cider or an elderflower soda.

For dessert, I was drawn to the Proper ice cream with jug of chocolate sauce (£4.95 for 3 scoops). I was particularly excited by the chocolate orange flavour and also added a scoop of vanilla bean and my favourite flavour, hazelnut. The ice cream is pure perfection – creamy and smooth with natural, luxurious flavours.

The chocolate sauce resembles the high quality, bittersweet hot chocolate that you’d find in France rather than the thick, fudgy sauces that are usually served. Ice cream is rarely the highlight of a dessert menu, but Whyte & Brown’s ice cream is sophisticated and ever so decadent. I really think in the summer months they should park up a mini ice cream van by the outdoor seating – it would be a big hit.

Steven went for another dessert classic, Tipsy trifle (£5.75). Served in a glass pot, the scrumptious trifle was packed with layers of rich chocolate sponge and silky Catalan custard. It was given a zesty, juicy sweetness with orange served four ways: Cointreau, jelly, crispettes and fresh fruit.

Whyte & Brown is a great place to indulge in some delicious comfort food, particularly when you’re in the mood for some tasty chicken. I can’t help thinking Whyte & Brown would make a great high end chain of restaurants and wouldn’t be surprised if more London outlets open in the next few years. The spot on branding, quirky concept and excellent food all make for a very promising restaurant.

For more information and booking, visit: ww.whyteandbrown.com

Chérie City was a guest of Whyte & Brown

Photos by Chérie City and Whyte & Brown

Afternoon tea, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, London

Afternoon Tea at The Halkin Hotel, London

October 22, 2013 by cheriecity

To celebrate The Halkin’s new afternoon tea, in association with JING Tea, I enjoyed a leisurely afternoon of tea tasting, cakes and poetry.

Located on Belgravia’s chic West Halkin Street, the petite boutique hotel by COMO has a calm atmosphere, with its unique blend of minimalist Asian and Milanese design. While the hotel’s one Michelin star restaurant Ametsa with Arzak Instruction attracts a dedicated foodie crowd in the evenings, The Halkin Bar is a great spot for a refined afternoon tea.

Britain’s Tea Poet Elizabeth Darcy Jones began the tasting event with a new poem inspired by afternoon tea at The Halkin, dedicated to Executive Chef Sergi Sanz. Her descriptions of the joys of taking afternoon tea in The Halkin’s stylish surroundings and her animated, soothing voice set the tone for a relaxing afternoon tea.

We started by tasting a selection of exquisite JING teas, served in delicate glass orbs. JING Tea Creative Manager David Hepburn talked us through the character and origins of the teas as we tasted cups of White Peony, Oolong and Jasmine Pearl tea.

The Halkin’s new afternoon tea is timeless and classic, with tempting, beautifully-presented cakes. We were served a pot of fine, strong English Breakfast Tea, however a selection of JING loose leaf teas are available to accompany the afternoon tea.

We started with a selection of sandwiches including Scottish smoked salmon with salmon caviar and Basque spicy peppers, King prawns with watercress and cocktail dressing, Baby cucumber with cream cheese and chives and Confit corn-fed chicken breast with turmeric and spring onion.

The sandwiches were larger than the usual tiny finger sandwiches served in afternoon teas and filled with high quality ingredients. I particularly enjoyed the chicken and king prawn sandwiches, however, I usually prefer a few less sandwiches and the addition of a savoury item such as a mini quiche, wrap or tart.

The freshly-made scones were fluffy and warm, served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. My favourite cakes were the decadent, creamy Pistachio brownie with white chocolate and vanilla cream and the heavenly Raspberry and passionfruit macaroon, bursting with fresh raspberries and silky crème pâtissière.

The zesty Lemon meringue tartlet was perfectly bite-size and while I didn’t try the Opera cake due to my coffee allergy, it looked exemplary, finished with a pretty piece of chocolate ‘honeycomb’. The Mango, strawberry and mascarpone brew was fresh and light – great as a palate cleanser or a refreshing end to the tea.

Afternoon tea at The Halkin is ideal for a post-shopping refuel and the tranquil bar, with its cosy booths, gives it an intimate feel. Every part of the tea is light and flavoursome and the delectable cakes avoid being too sweet – a perfect afternoon treat.

The Halkin afternoon tea starts from £28 and is served in The Halkin Bar from 3pm to 5pm daily.

Chérie City was a guest of The Halkin

Photos by Chérie City and The Halkin

Films

BFI LFF 2013: The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas

October 21, 2013 by cheriecity

The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas (2013, dir. Elina Psikou)

The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas is the directorial debut for Greek writer-director Elina Psikou. It begins with a car drive towards an abandoned hotel with one man travelling inside the boot of the car. We soon discover that this man is the famous Greek morning TV presenter Antonis Paraskevas (Christos Stergioglou).

He has staged his own kidnapping in a bid to save himself from financial ruin and to spike the ratings of his own breakfast show.

Once Antonis is left alone in the hotel, the film starts to take on an almost survival horror feel, inside the bunker-like hotel. Antonis spends his days in isolation, waking up at 4am every morning – ironically, this is the time he must be awake for his breakfast show.

He learns about molecular gastronomy even though he eats the same spaghetti and tomato sauce meal every day, sings karaoke to an empty room and collects newspaper columns and celebrity magazine stories about his disappearance for his own narcissistic scrapbook.

However, as the interest in his kidnapping begins to wane, and even the TV channel he worked for replaces him with a younger presenter, Antonis begins to concoct a more elaborate plan for his big return. This is where the film splits from a deadpan comedy to reveal darker undertones as we descend into self–destructive depression and desperation with Antonis.

The second half of the film sees Antonis shave his beard and head and leave the hotel for the Greek countryside. He scrambles around the wilderness foraging food and avoiding detection from the public. This fictional crime becomes an actual emergency as he spirals further into madness and goes as far as cutting his finger off and writing a ransom note for the media to find.

The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas starts as a satire on the media, the idea of celebrity and the public’s appetite for fame, but it soon twists into a psychological thriller about one man’s obsession to remain in the public eye.

This obsession soon turns into madness as we see the once famous Antonis Paraskevas lose his identity.

Films

BFI London Film Festival 2013: Blue is the Warmest Colour

October 20, 2013 by cheriecity

Blue is the Warmest Colour, directed by Abdellatif Kechiche, is without a doubt the most divisive film shown at BFI London Film Festival 2013, with the controversy continuing after the final cut.

The 3-hour coming of age film sees 17-year-old Adèle (Adèle Exarchopoulos) navigate her way through high school in Lille and strike up a short-lived romance with the class ‘cool guy’ Thomas (Jérémie Laheurte), but the connection just isn’t there for her.

She spots the blue-haired Fine Art student Emma (Léa Seydoux) on the street and is instantly transfixed. Later, during a night out with her gay best friend Valentin (Sandor Funtek), Adèle breaks off from the group to sneak into a nearby lesbian bar, where she inevitably encounters Emma, who commands the bar and her own sexuality with ease.

Adèle’s naivety and inexperience are palpable, however Emma takes her under her wing. While being at different stages of their lives, there is a clear bond and unspoken attraction between them.

Although Emma is in a relationship and Adèle is still at school, the pair begin a close friendship, to the taunts of her bitchier school friends. Soon, things start to get serious and Adèle’s true sexual awakening begins with frequent, voracious sex with Emma, mostly after her conventional family’s evening dinners.

They then embark on a close relationship, however Emma’s creative aspirations become at odds with Adèle’s steady and safe life plan, as well as her hesitation over introducing Emma to her family and friends as her girlfriend (she masquerades as her Philosophy tutor).

While the plot is simple and linear, I found the film a beautifully-shot, engaging and tender account of an ordinary girl’s journey into adulthood. The first sex scene is intense and uncompromising, with gratuitous slurping noises, ass slapping and invasive camera angles – really challenging the audience’s cinematic comfort zone. The apparent authenticity and dedication is a credit to both actresses, despite Kechiche’s recently criticised filming methods.

By the end of the film, Adèle has become more self-aware and independent and you can see how far she has come since the beginning of the film. Léa Seydoux proves herself to be ever-versatile, making Emma much more than just a sexual educator, and rising star Adèle Exarchopoulos is truly captivating as the young, melancholy and slightly awkward Adèle.

Blue is the Warmest Colour is a touching, unflinching depiction of teenage sexuality and making that difficult transition to adulthood. Not only that, but it presents an honest, bittersweet view of first love and the decline of a relationship. The things that first attracted Adèle and Emma to each other ultimately became their downfall and Adèle’s confusion over her sexuality leads to disastrous consequences.

Art, Exhibitions, Istanbul

13th Istanbul Biennial 2013

October 19, 2013 by cheriecity

This week in Istanbul, we managed to get a last-chance look at the 13th Istanbul Biennial 2013 exhibition in Antrepo no.3, a cool warehouse space next to the Istanbul Modern in Tophane.

Curated by Fulya Erdemci, the biennial entitled ‘Mom, am I Barbarian?’ examines the concept of the public domain as a political forum.

The exhibition at Antrepo no.3 features documentary photography by LaToya Ruby Frazier, urban drawings by Christoph Schäfer and Tadashi Kawamata, video pieces by Mika Rottenberg and Halil Altindere and installations by Ayse Erkmen, Nathan Coley and HONF (The House of Natural Fiber).

The Istanbul Biennial brings the works of emerging and established artists directly to the public with exhibitions across the city’s art spaces such as ARTER, SALT Beyoglu, 5533 and Galata Greek Primary School.

Take an inside look at the works by exhibiting artists at Antrepo no.3…

13th Istanbul Biennial 2013 runs until 20th October at venues across Istanbul.

All photos by Chérie City

Films

BFI London Film Festival 2013: Hide Your Smiling Faces

October 15, 2013 by cheriecity

Hide Your Smiling Faces (2013, dir. Daniel Patrick Carbone) – Steven Marshall

The opening visual of ‘Hide Your Smiling Faces’ is of a close-up of a snake slowly devouring a fish. This strangely beautiful and haunting moment both disturbs and fascinates as the shot lingers with curiosity. This one scene sums up everything that Patrick Carbone’s debut feature is about – the mystery of death, the uncertainty of life and confronting mortality.

Set in an unnamed rural community, the story follows two brothers Tommy and Eric (Ryan Jones and Nathan Varson) as they explore the landscape of their town. The notion of death and dying is one that hovers over the brothers and their friends as they play in woodland and decaying buildings. As adolescents, the thought of death is incomprehensible as they play with a dead bird and pretend to shoot each other in the head with a BB gun.

The plot only really develops when Ian (Ivan Tomic), one of the brothers’ close friends shows them his dad’s gun. After being caught by Ian’s father and scolded for getting the gun, he tells his son to go and cry in the woods. This scene looms over the rest of the film, as Ian’s father’s demeanour appears to be that of a loner, disconnected from the world and his son for some unknown reason.

The film has a minimalist approach with its mostly silent scenes and sparse dialogue making this a story driven by emotion. When the discovery of Ian’s body near a bridge is made, it is never clear if he has fallen, committed suicide, or perhaps even been murdered by his father. The brothers never really discuss the accident, instead the impact is played out through the use of the landscape and the brothers’ relationship to it. The director consistently puts death into the hands of the boys as they go near ledges of buildings and almost drown in a lake, putting them face to face with the dangers of nature.

There are no grand statements or epiphanies about life or death in ‘Hide Your Smiling Faces’ – instead the director opts to confront the idea of mortality as the brothers do with confused emotions. This creates an unsettling aura and a tension between the brothers and their friends as they try to comprehend an event they cannot fully understand.

Hide Your Smiling Faces features at BFI London Film Festival 2013.

Cruises, italy

A Day in Sorrento, Anacapri & Capri

October 14, 2013 by cheriecity

The first stop on my recent Silversea Cruise was the beautiful town of Sorrento, a place that I’ve always dreamed of visiting. The picture-perfect Sorrentine Peninsula is dotted with grand hotels and elegant villas perched on the cliffs and pretty stalls selling line the buzzing port.

Our brilliant tour guide Anna shared some facts about Sorrento while we enjoyed the blissful morning sun.

However, our time in Sorrento was short, as we had planned a full day excursion to the nearby isle of Capri. We boarded a double-deck hydrofoil and zoomed across the sea with literally no choppiness, reaching our destination in around 20 minutes.

Of course, it makes perfect sense to start from the top of the isle and work down, so we boarded a coach to the hillside town of Anacapri. After the numerous twists and turns on the narrow road, the tranquility of old-world Anacapri was most welcome.

On the excursion, there is the choice between taking the chairlift to 589-metres Monte Solaro, or visiting the Villa San Michele. Discovering that the chairlift flight takes 30 minutes each way, I decided to visit the Villa San Michele and explore the shops and streets of Anacapri.

Anacapri’s cobbled, peaceful streets are lined with small shops selling gourmet Italian produce and Limoncello di Capri, hand-made ceramics, soap and bespoke sandals. I was told that l’iSola di Sapori is the place where Capri’s well-heeled locals and in-the-know tourists come to get sandals hand-made to the shape of their feet.

Limoncello liqueur is the most popular souvenier, however I recommend picking up some marmellat di limoni, a sweet and juicy marmalade packed full of delicious lemon zest.

A must for fragrance lovers is the delightful Carthusia Profumi di Capri boutique. Its famed perfumes are based on old formulations created by Carthusian monks at the Certosa si San Giacomo. The high quality fragrances are pure and classic yet intense, using ingredients sourced from the isle. The scent of fresh lemons, figs and bergamot just feels so right in Capri.

Villa San Michele is a petite but interesting museum featuring a number of Roman artifacts. The villa was built by Swedish physician Axel Muthe at the turn of the 20th century on the ruins of the Roman Emperor Tiberius’ villa.

The highlight of the Villa San Michele is the stunning garden and incredible view overlooking the bay.

While Anacapri is steeped in low-key charm, Capri is the place to see and be seen, with a buzzing atmosphere and a mix of international tourists and Italians on vacation.

The centre of Capri is filled with designer stores such as Gucci, Tods, Blumarine and Fendi, however, the shop with the most enviable view has to be Prada.

For lunch, we stopped for a tasty al fresco lunch of pizza and Caprese salad at da Alberto, a casual terrace cafe and pasticceria that also serves gelato. It’s a traditional, central and affordable place to sit and people-watch in the centre of Capri.

Luckily, the centre of town is connected to the harbour by a funicular. Within a few minutes we were by the port and bound for the busy, narrow pebble beach nearby. While it was lovely to take a dip in the sea to cool down, there are better beaches to be found elsewhere on the island. The glamour crowd tend to gather at the private beach clubs around the isle.

We couldn’t resist leaving Capri without a few scoops of luscious sorbetti from one of the seafront gelaterias. If you still have some energy at the end of the day, it’s possible to further explore Sorrento before taking the water taxi back to the Silverwind.

The excursion was expertly planned and offered enough free time to explore Anacapri and Capri at leisure. Organised transport was a big benefit and helped us see a lot in a short time – plus Anna is one of the most entertaining guides that you could hope for.

Silversea’s Silver Wind departs on 9th August 2014 for a 9-day cruise from Venice to Rome and prices start from $4,450 per person. Calling at Venice, Koper, Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Sorrento and Rome. For more information and booking, visit: www.silversea.com

Read more about my Silversea Cruise around the Mediterranean:

Chérie City was a guest of Silversea

All photos by Chérie City

Afternoon tea, Cafes, Hong Kong, Patisserie

A Great Afternoon Tea at C’est La B in Hong Kong

October 8, 2013 by cheriecity

A highlight of my recent trip to Hong Kong was afternoon tea at the newly-opened branch of C’est La B in Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Founded by lifestyle guru Bonnae Gokson, C’est La B is a stylish, whimsical cafe-bar where the cakes are just as colourful as the interiors.

Bonnae Gokson

A popular style icon in Asia, Bonnae Gokson began her career in luxury fashion retail working with her older sister Joyce Ma, founder of the pioneering designer boutique group Joyce. Bonnae can also be credited with bringing brands such as Armani, Prada and Chanel to Asia and putting her stamp on W and Ritz-Carlton hotel groups.

Moving seamlessly between fashion and cake, Bonnae’s sweet empire includes two other C’est la B outlets, Ms B’s Cakery on Sheung Wan’s Gough Street and the ultra-chic SEVVA rooftop bar.

Location

The newest C’est la B cafe is located in Hong Kong’s high end shopping mall Harbour City and counts designer brands such as Alexander Wang, Coach, Lanvin and Fendi as neighbours. It’s the perfect place for a chic afternoon indulgence after a spot of shopping.

The sleek black exterior and a wall of butterflies lead to a petite cafe designed in bold monochrome stripes and vibrant jewel tones. We were seated and ordered from a selection of teas while the friendly staff talked us through the full range of eye-catching cakes and desserts.

The Cakes

This season’s quirky cakes take inspiration from nature, with stunning checkerboard and layered chiffon cakes finished with exquisite sugar butterflies and flowers. While the cakes look impossibly vivid, they are in fact coloured using only natural ingredients such as beetroot and taro.

We ordered a selection to share and they came beautifully-presented on a special ‘B’ cakestand and patterned china plates.

I particularly enjoyed the Lady in Red (raspberry mirror with lychee cream and berry sponge), Madame Butterfly (beetroot, pistachio and chocolate layered chiffon with apricot compote and fresh cream) and the cheekily-named Better Than Sex (chocolate fudge cake with choc-coated caramel crunch and salted caramel toffee).

All of the cakes we tried were surprisingly light and not overly sweet, plus there are even gluten and sugar-free cakes, including the brilliant OMG! cake.

I accompanied the cakes with a pot of fine Earl Grey Tea, however wine and Champagne are also available, to make it even more luxurious.

While C’est La B is renowned for its creative cakes, it also offers savoury dishes such as rainbow club sandwiches, pot pies, pasta and salads. Just be sure to leave some room for dessert!

For more information, visit: www.msbscakery.hk

Chérie City was a guest of Hong Kong Tourism Board

Photos by Chérie City (Bonnae Gokson by Tatler)

London, Restaurants

Pizza and Salads at Rocket Bishopsgate

October 7, 2013 by cheriecity

Rocket is a boutique group of restaurants in London and Nottingham that specialises in gourmet pizza and salads.

Tempted by the idea of a fresh, tasty salad, I recently visited Rocket Bishopsgate, which is located just moments from bustling Shoreditch, Spitalfields and Liverpool Street.

Whenever I have passed on my way home, Rocket has always been filled with the City after-work crowd enjoying cocktails and bites, however when we dined on the Tuesday after a bank holiday, it was understandably very, very quiet. This didn’t bother us though, as it meant each course was perfectly timed and we could relax and hear ourselves speak (I’m not sure if it would be my scene on a boisterous Friday night).

The menu at Rocket is contemporary Mediterranean with Asian and American influences. We started with a few cocktails while deciding what to order. I chose a humorously-named Passionate Pigeon – Pink Pigeon rum, lychee juice, passion fruit syrup and fresh lime juice, shaken and topped up with ginger beer (£8.20). It was sweet, strong, juicy and nicely presented with a fresh half passion fruit.

Steven tried a classic Dark ‘n Stormy – Mount Gay rum, lime juice and Agnostura bitters, topped up with ginger beer – which was punchy, zesty and refreshing. Rocket runs a happy hour on classic cocktails during weekdays, making them a real steal for London.

I started with the Scallop and prawn brochette, flavoured with ginger and lime leaf, served with an apple and celeriac remoulade and drizzled with a chili syprup (£7.50).

The scallops and prawns were plump, fresh and nicely golden on the outside. I loved the aromatic flavours from the lime and ginger and the chili syrup was sweet, punchy and tasted home-made. I wasn’t so keen on the apple and celeriac remoulade, as it didn’t seem to go well and there was a lot of it on the plate.

Steven went for the Asian spiced chicken and lychee salad in a Thai spiced vinaigrette with crispy wontons (£6.50). The chilled chicken was juicy and tender and mixed with colourful ribbons of carrot, cabbage and red chili, garnished with torn mint and coriander. It was deliciously fresh and uplifting and the wontons, though a little oily, added an extra crunch.

For my main course, I opted for the Chicken Milanese served with a rocket, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and cherry tomato salad drizzled with a preserved lemon, capers and chili dressing (£13.75). The large fillet of high quality chicken breast was flattened and coated in light and crispy golden breadcrumbs and seasoned well.

It was topped with peppery rocket, halved cherry tomatoes and a generous amount of tasty shaved Parmigiano Reggiano. The highlight of the dish was the scrumptious preserved lemon, capers and chili dressing, which gave a rich, strong touch of zest. The portion size was very large, but I somehow managed to finish it, as every mouthful was just heavenly.

Steven tried the Calzone filled with chorizo sausage, prawns, roasted tomatoes, olives, red onion, jalapeños, parsley, tomatoes and mozzarella (£13.50). The calzone certainly looked the part when it arrived at the table – it was enormous and baked golden brown.

The fluffy, chewy dough was packed full of succulent chorizo sausage and prawns, a light tomato sauce and gooey mozzarella. It had a very spicy kick from the jalapeños and was served with fresh rocket covered in a balsamic glaze.

I somehow found room for dessert and went for the Chocolate Brownie served with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce (£5.50). The rich, moist brownie was incredibly luxurious and tasty, filled with chocolate chunks and topped with fine, creamy vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

Steven went for a classic Sticky toffee pudding with a salted caramel ice cream (£5.50). The dense, springy sponge was drenched in a sweet, buttery toffee sauce and finished with a biscuit crisp and high quality ice cream laced with liquid salted caramel.

Rocket is a great place for some tasty, well-executed comfort food and the salads are more indulgent than simply a diet option. The location is convenient and I would definitely return to try the pizzas and the interesting-sounding Fish and chip salad.

Chérie City was a guest of Rocket Bishopsgate

Photos by Chérie City