cheriecity | cheriecity.co.uk

Rotisserie Chicken at Clockjack Oven Soho

August 14, 2013 by cheriecity

Rotisserie chicken, along with burgers, lobster and sourdough pizza, is a food trend that shows no sign of slowing down. A traditional staple of European food markets (and, well, supermarkets), rotisserie chicken has taken a long time to be embraced by UK restaurants.

Clockjack Oven opened earlier this year, bringing rotisserie chicken to Soho and soon potentially beyond (there are talks of it becoming a chain).

The design of the restaurant has a slick, industrial-luxe feel with exposed ceramic brickwork, unfinished concrete walls and simple, low lighting. It features a mix of wooden communal and smaller tables with chickens slowly roasting in the rotisserie oven behind the bar.

When we arrived, the restaurant was already very busy, yet we managed to get a great table by the open windows, which let in the balmy evening breeze. Our friendly waiter from Seville offered to explain the menu and answered our questions about portion sizes.

The menu is well-edited and features a few variations of rotisserie and buttermilk fried chicken, sharers and sides. We were keen to try the two different kinds of chicken, so we shared 4 Pieces of Rotisserie Roasted Chicken (£8.95) and Chicken Bites (£5.95). Each comes with a complimentary dipping sauce – we chose a sweet, smoky BBQ sauce and a fresh, creamy Ranch sauce made with fresh chives.

The pieces of rotisserie chicken were tender and juicy, with crispy, well-seasoned golden skin. The piping hot buttermilk Chicken Bites were succulent pieces of chicken thigh, coated in a crunchy gram flour coating and lightly fried. The portion size was generous and they were just right for dipping into the tasty sauces.

There is a selection of wines, beers and spirits but we washed down the chicken with glasses of zesty, sweet Fresh Summertime Lemonade (£2.25).

A perfect accompaniment to the rotisserie chicken is the Herb Bites (£3.95) from the sharers section. The crispy stuffing balls filled with fresh sage and onion were strongly flavoured, fluffy on the inside and golden on the outside. The sharing pot was piled high with the herb bites and we struggled to finish them.

Double Cooked Chips (£3.25) were well-seasoned and freshly-cooked, but not particularly memorable (perhaps one step up from Nando’s).

Much tastier is a side of Caesar salad (£3.95). Torn romaine lettuce leaves were doused in a light Caesar dressing and topped with chunky croutons and thick shavings of fresh Parmesan. Because the dressing had such a light consistency, the salad became a little wet towards the end of our meal, however it was a great summer choice and very satisfying.

One of the great things about Clockjack Oven is that you can go low on carbs with three pieces of chicken and a healthy House Salad, or really indulge with the 10 pieces of chicken for sharing with plenty of sides.

The dessert menu is limited to just one tart and chocolate truffles, alongside a selection of Purbeck Dorset ice creams and sorbets.

My enormous slice of Lemon Tart with crème fraiche (£4.95) was cool, thick and gooey with a thin, dense pastry base and a top layer of apricot pastry glaze. It was refreshing, zesty and sweet rather than sharp like some lemon tarts can be.

Steven tried the Chocolate Baileys Truffles with Purbeck Dorset vanilla ice cream (£4.95). We weren’t sure what to expect, but the hand-made dark chocolate truffles had a rich, buttery, melt-in-the-mouth texture and a very subtle hint of Baileys. They went perfectly with the high quality ice cream dotted with tiny vanilla seeds.

I was pleased to discover that Clockjack Oven offers a selection of superior Luponde Estate Fairtrade teas from Tanzania. My Peppermint Tea (£1.95) was so delicious and comforting that I plan to pay a visit to the Luponde tea shop in Burlington Arcade to pick up a few boxes.

As lovely and apologetic as our waiter was, unfortunately service was slow and disorganised. None of our dishes were written down, so our waiter had to come back twice to double-check our order and my tea with dessert had been forgotten until I asked. In busier periods, recording the orders by the table would really help.

Clockjack Oven is a great place to indulge your chicken cravings, with excellent quality food served in pleasant surroundings. With such reasonable prices and tempting dishes, Clockjack Oven is sure to remain a popular spot.

Chérie City was a guest of Clockjack Oven.

Photos by Chérie City and Clockjack Oven.

Beauty, Salon

Paul Edmonds Salon Knightsbridge, London

August 13, 2013 by cheriecity

Paul Edmonds is one of London’s most stylish salons, boasting luxurious design and a chic Knightsbridge address.

World renowned hairdresser Paul Edmonds opened his first hair and beauty emporium in 1984 and has been leading the way in hair styling ever since. Throughout his career, Paul has created runway looks for Galliano, Gaultier and Rocha and notably mentored Errol Douglas MBE and Richard Ward.

Not only is he a fashion industry favourite, but he has a dedicated following among celebrities and beauty editors, due to his charming nature and fuss-free attitude to hair. Christina Hendricks, Dame Helen Miren, Hilary Alexander, Louise Roe, Mary Charteris and Bip Ling are all fans.

I recently visited the salon for a cut and colour and was thrilled to meet Paul as he was styling his regular clients. Even on a Tuesday afternoon, the salon was busy yet still had a calm, pleasant atmosphere.

The stunning Georgian townhouse style salon is set across two floors with expansive colouring and cutting areas, plush treatment rooms, a product boutique and high-tech nail bar. The boutique stocks high end hair and beauty products and a covetable collection of Paul Edmonds scented candles.

Particularly impressive is the fabulous nail bar with LCD TVs at each station, comfortable velvet armchairs and a wall of nail colours. There is also free wifi throughout the salon, so you can stay connected and work (if you must).

I started with an in-depth hair consultation with Senior Stylist Polly Miteva and Creative Colour Director Vernon Deysel. My naturally curly hair had become too long to manage and a little dry on the ends, so it was in need of a good cut. For colour, I was after a natural look that would make my roots slightly darker than my natural light brown hair colour and refresh my ombre highlights.

Vernon steered me away from adding more highlights as the lengths were already quite light and suggested that I continue with semi-permanent dye to avoid harsh regrowth. L’Oreal colour was applied swiftly to my roots, followed later by a lighter colour worked through the lengths of my hair. The reddish tones towards the ends of my hair were neutralised with the cool ash colour, which was one of my main priorities.

Shortly after getting started, Beauty Therapist Saynab Omar came over to give me a surprise file and polish while my colour was being applied. She filed my nails, trimmed my cuticles and added the glossy, matte nude colour that I chose. It felt very indulgent being so thoroughly pampered, with a pot of Earl Grey on a silver tray and fashion magazines close at hand. Even though Vernon and Saynab were both so speedy, time really flew by as we chatted.

Megan washed my hair using gorgeous Shu Uemura products and gave me a shiatsu head massage, while I almost drifted off on the reclining massage chair. I then took a seat in the downstairs cutting room and talked through my cut with Polly. She cut around one and a half inches from the lengths and lightly reshaped my layers, keeping them long and choppy. My hair had become wispy on the ends, so a slightly blunter cut worked well on my fine hair.

Polly then applied the new Kérastase Forme Fatale blow-dry gel to my hair and smoothed out my hair with a long-lasting blow-dry. I liked that it was dried sleek and straight with a bouncy curl on the ends, giving a natural yet polished look.

I left the salon delighted with my new hair and feeling relaxed after a fun afternoon of ‘me time’. Vernon and Polly understood my hair well and their expert advice made it easy to achieve the look I wanted.

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

Chérie City was a guest of Paul Edmonds

Photos by Paul Edmonds and Chérie City

Drinks, Events, London

Baileys Chocolat Luxe with Bompas & Parr

August 12, 2013 by cheriecity

Baileys today launches Baileys Chocolat Luxe, a new liqueur that fuses real Belgian chocolate with alcohol for the very first time. It’s a molten chocolate experience, made with rich Irish cream, fine whisky, Madagascan vanilla and over 30g of Belgian milk chocolate per bottle.

For a special preview, Baileys teamed up with culinary alchemists Bompas & Parr to create a multi-sensory tasting event at Dennis Severs House in Spitalfields. The historic Grade II listed Georgian terraced house dates from approximately 1724 and was lovingly restored as a ‘still life drama’ of centuries past by American in London, Dennis Severs.

As we wandered through the dark, atmospheric rooms, we were introduced to the concept of this world first in liqueurs by Harry Parr, while Anthony J Wilson, Diageo’s Principle Liquid Developer at Diageo, talked us through the scientific process behind it.

During the three years that it took to create Chocolat Luxe, Anthony tasted over 200 varieties of chocolate, travelled across three continents and experimented with no less than 840 recipes. Interestingly, Anthony’s father Steve Wilson led the team behind Baileys Original Irish Cream back in the 1970s, making Bailey’s a real family success story.

At the end of our tour, it was time to reveal the mystery liqueur, accompanied by a sumptuous afternoon tea.

Sam Bompas suggested that we taste the Baileys Chocolat Luxe with a specially-designed ritual. Inspired by Marie-Antoinette, The Rococo Serve involves Baileys Chocolat Luxe poured over ice in a long-stem glass and garnished with a raspberry threaded onto a pearl-topped attelet. Adding gold leaf to the lips before drinking is optional.

East London baker Lily Vanilli created a stunning afternoon tea of marbled food including pastel finger sandwiches on marbled breads, rose and coconut friands, pistachio cakes, luxe marble cake and rococo jelly. The decadent, mouth-watering cakes were served with Baileys Chocolat Luxe and berry iced tea in teacups.

As a special treat, Lily has shared the recipe for her amazing Marbled Vanilla & Chocolate Flourless Cake, perfectly paired with a glass of Baileys Chocolat Luxe….

Marbled Vanilla & Chocolate Flourless Cake

Ingredients:

For the vanilla swirl:
225g soft (room temperature) cream cheese
130g granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the flourless chocolate cake:
280g best quality dark chocolate
140g soft unsalted butter
3 medium eggs
70g granulated sugar
1 tbsp brewed and cooled espresso
1 tsp vanilla extract
Good pinch of Malden/sea salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 150 DC
Grease a 9″ round cake pan with butter and line the bottom with parchment.

Vanilla batter:
Beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and continue beating until well blended and smooth again. Add the egg and vanilla and beat just until blended. Set this aside for now.

Chocolate batter:
Chop chocolate and butter into small pieces and melt in a bain-marie. Use a whisk to combine into a smooth batter and set aside to cool. Using an electric mixer to beat the eggs, sugar, espresso, vanilla and salt on a medium high speed for approx 4 mins (until pale and thick). Turn the mixer onto a low speed and gradually pour in the chocolate mixture and continue beating until well blended.

Make the Marble Cake:
Spread about half of the chocolate batter (judge it by eye) in the bottom of the pan. Then add a scoop of the vanilla to the centre of the pan, then more of the chocolate and keep alternating, each time adding it to the centre.
Use a knife or a toothpick to gently swirl the two batters together so they’re mixed but not completely blended. Rap the pan against the countertop several times to settle the batters.
Bake for around 40 mins or until a pick inserted about 2 inches from the edge comes out gooey but not liquid. Be sure not to over-bake. Let it cool in the pan – it will sink as it cools.
Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Serve chilled or at room temperature with a glass of Baileys Chocolat Luxe.

Baileys Chocolate Luxe is available exclusively at Harvey Nichols now, before general release in October, with an RRP of £16.99 for 50cl.

For more information, visit: www.baileys.com

Bars, Hotels, Hotels - Design, London

Megaro Bar – Kings Cross, London

August 8, 2013 by cheriecity

Megaro Bar is a real hidden gem in Kings Cross, with artisan cocktails in a cool, vintage setting.

The atmospheric bar is tucked away below Karpo restaurant in the colourful, design-led Megaro Hotel. It’s conveniently just opposite Kings Cross and St Pancras stations and a short walk away from hip Kings Cross restaurants Grain Store and Shrimpy’s.

Megaro Bar was relaunched just last month with a brand new look and bar concept by the team behind the fabulous Zetter Townhouse, overseen by Bar Manager Ben Clark. Their creative approach to heritage cocktails and inventive small plates is evident at Megaro Bar and equally as exciting.

The design and ambiance of the bar evokes a bygone era of glamorous movie stars, decadent London nights and moody speakeasies. The dimly-lit, subterranean room is split into two separate spaces, bridged by the spectacular bar.

The Picture Room is inspired by a classic film set with vintage tripod stands, a wall of framed photographs and leather director chairs. The Dark Room is a more sultry affair with black and white photographs hung with pegs, low tables, heavy red velvet drapes referencing photo booths the red hues of a photography dark room.

It was a sweltering hot summer’s day when we visited and happily Megaro Bar has some powerful air-conditioning. It was a refreshing change from trying to work through the stifling heat and humidity on an outdoor terrace.

The menu is a well-edited selection of ten tempting cocktails and six chefs plates, matched to compliment a specific drink. The cocktails are made with premium, lesser-known spirits from around the world (I admit to not knowing a few of them) and home-made cordials and syrups.

I started with a Machaska Daisy – Pisco 1615, Merlet Creme de Poire, lime, sugar and Amargo Chuncho. The drink had a sweet and sour taste and was very easy to drink. Steven ordered a Whisky Row – Four Roses Single Barrel, Amaro Averna and chamomile syrup. Served in a vintage-style Champagne coupe, the Whisky Row was very strong and dry with a slightly herbal taste from the chamomile syrup.

Our charming, attentive waitress also brough us some little glasses of iced water and a bowl of edamame beans covered in smoked salt to graze on.

Scallop ceviche with green strawberry and almonds served in a pretty shell was a truly inventive dish and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The chopped scallops were fresh, plump and well-cured in a light, tangy sauce. The pickled green strawberries added a fruity sharpness and went perfectly with the generous portion of scallops. The bright green juice looked a little questionable, until I was assured it was natural chive oil rather than food colouring.

I’m not exactly sure which cocktails and chefs plates were supposed to be paired together, but the scallop ceviche went perfectly with the sweet and sour Machaska Daisy.

Crispy veal cheek and tartare sauce was a delicious, comforting dish. Five bite-size pieces of slow-roasted, flaky veal cheek were covered in the crispiest golden breadcrumbs and surrounded by a creamy, bold tartare sauce.

Another highlight was the Rump carpaccio with black sesame and soy. The slices of flavoursome, juicy beef carpaccio were cured in a light Asian-style soy and ginger sauce with a slight vinegar tang and topped with crunchy black sesame seeds.

We finished with another round of cocktails and some heavenly Dark chocolate honeycomb. The three large chunks of crunchy, chewy, home-made honeycomb were smothered in high quality dark chocolate – we had to devour them quickly before they melted.

I tried the Land of Grace – Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, 10 year white Port and clover honey. It was a rich, full-bodied, sweet drink that was a perfect match for the dark chocolate honeycomb. Steven enjoyed a Hokkaido Collins – Nikka Pure Malt Black, lemon, yuzu, barley water syrup and soda. This long drink was subtle and refreshing, with a delicate citrus zing from the yuzu.

Megaro Bar is a great spot for an intimate, expertly-mixed drink and mouth-watering bar plates. Everything feels effortless chic yet carefully-considered, from the dedicated table service and bar accessories to the cool soundtrack of jazz and loungey electronic music. For those who like the ‘secret’ feel of Lounge Bohemia, Callooh Callay and Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town, Megaro Bar is an absolute must.

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

Chérie City was a guest of Megaro Bar

Photos by Chérie City and Megaro Bar

Beijing, Restaurants

An Excellent Lunch at Lost Heaven Beijing

August 7, 2013 by cheriecity

Lost Heaven is one of Beijing’s most talked about restaurants with an eclectic menu to match the stylish design.

Opened in May last year, Lost Heaven occupies a prestgious location in Ch’ien Men 23, a refined lifestyle complex housing high end stores such as Patek Philippe and Johnnie Walker House, the renowned Maison Boulud, an art gallery and theatre.

The quadrangle of neo-classical buildings was home to the US embassy in the Qing dynasty (between 1903 and 1949) and is close to the Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. By contrast, Lost Heaven is in a slick, contemporary building with an expansive dining room, bar and second floor outdoor terrace.

Lost Heaven is inspired by James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon and there are already two outlets in Shanghai. The Beijing restaurant’s stunning design features hand-carved wooden chairs with jewel tone cushions, decorative orange lanterns, embroidered bar seats, colourful tiles and photographs of Yunnan Province. The surroundings are so striking that Lost Heaven won Best Interior Design 2013 in Time Out Beijing Food & Drink Awards.

Chef Li Zhire’s menu references the ethnic cultures along the Ancient Tea Horse Trail through Yunnan, Burma and Tibet. Some of the tribal-style dishes from Yunnan Province are folk classics, while others are innovative interpretations exclusive to Lost Heaven.

We visited for a late lunch and enjoyed the chef’s selection of signature dishes and chilled glasses of lemongrass lemonade.

We started with a delicious string beans salad with a peanut, dried shrimp and red chilli topping. This was swiftly followed by Ji-zong mushrooms, stir-fried kale, stir-fried broccoli with garlic and some tasty vegetable spring rolls. All of the dishes were beautifully presented in terracotta or hand-painted dishes and were decorated with pretty purple and white flowers atop a bed of fresh kale.

For the meat dishes, we tried braised bamboo shoots with chicken, Da Li-style stir-fried chicken with Jiao Tou and Huayao Dai-style sauteed beef tenderloin. The chicken and beef were both served in long minced strands and had a springy, light texture.

Other delicious dishes that we tried included Yunnan scrambled eggs with white mushrooms, spicy cod steamed in banana leaves, Yunnan-style hot and spicy tofu, and fried rice with vegetables. My favourite dish was the Miao Tribe hot and sour prawns in a rich, spicy tomato and chilli sauce.

Most of the dishes we tried were very spicy and hot, with a delicately fragrant taste. If you prefer milder tastes, ask the attentive staff to make some menu recommendations.

We finished with a luscious fresh fruit platter of watermelon, strawberry, orange, apple and dragon fruit.

Lost Heaven is perfect for a delicious lunch after sightseeing in Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, or for an elegant evening meal in grand surroundings. Sampling authentic dishes from Yunnan Province is a rare opportunity that is not to be missed when visiting Beijing.

For more Beijing travel ideas, read my reviews of

Chérie City was a guest of Shangri-La Hotels

All photos by Chérie City

London, Restaurants

Dinner at Monikers Hoxton Square, London

August 6, 2013 by cheriecity

‘Canteen chic’ can describe a number of east London restaurants, but Monikers Hoxton Square goes one step further with its homage to school classroom design. Surely there’s no other restaurants in the city where you can dine on the top deck of a vintage bus.

The playfully-named Monikers opened this year on the site of the former Hoxton Apprentice and is housed in an old school gym. The restaurant is bright and airy, with an outdoor terrace and intimate corners to play hooky from the office.

There’s something very nostalgic about Monikers, with its retro bus seats, menus printed in exercise books and chalk boards noting the daily specials. However, be rest assured that the food at Monikers bears little resemblance to stodgy school dinners (apart from a few luxe versions of childhood dishes).

On arrival, we were given a choice of tables and were swiftly brought a conical flask of chilled water. We didn’t realise at the time, but you can actually dine at the top of the bus. It would definitely make an amazing private party venue.

Monikers offers a menu of snacks, small plates and large plates, which can be ordered to share or following the usual three courses. The charming staff were attentive and friendly, offering personal recommendations and pointing out drinks that we might like to try.

Cocktails are a must at Monikers and the menu is full of tempting concoctions. I started with Jack’s Uncle is an Earl (£7.50) – Laird Applejack, lemon, Earl Grey tea, sugar, Angostura Bitters. It’s a tall, refreshing, sweet and sour drink with a hint of fragrant Earl Grey tea.

Steven tried the Pitfield Slippers (£8.50) – Diplomatico Rum, cinnamon syrup, maple syrup, Agnostura Bitters. Served short over ice, Pitfield Slippers is strong and smooth with a rich syrupy taste.

We accompanied the cocktails with Mini chorizo with honey (£3.50) from the snack menu. The four plump mini chorizo were meaty, well-seasoned and spicy with with a subtle honey glaze.

I started with the Sweetcorn fritters with creme fraiche (£6.50). The two large fritters were golden brown and soft on the inside, filled with fresh sweetcorn and fine herbs. The texture was excellent, however they were extremely salty, as though they had been seasoned twice. Luckily, the generous side of creme fraiche helped neutralise the salt slightly.

Steven’s Rare grilled skirt steak salad with radish, pea shoots and crispy shallots (£8) was a deliciously light and summery starter. The thin slices of rare steak were juicy, lean and very lightly charred on the edges. The crispy shallots complimented the steak well and the French dressing was tangy yet not overpowering.

For the main course, I ordered the Goosnargh crispy duck leg with white radish and ginger salad (£12.50). The duck leg was tender and flaky with the most perfect crispy skin. I loved the fresh, aromatic salad of julienne white radish, carrot, fresh ginger and torn coriander, marinated in a light sesame soy dressing. The Asian style salad was a refreshing change from lentil and potato accompaniments that duck is usually served with – perfect for the warmer weather.

Steven went for Pollack fish fingers, pea puree, tartare sauce and chips (£14.50). The pollack goujons were very fresh and succulent with a fine golden breadcrumb coating, served on a bed of flavoursome pea puree with creamy caper-filled tartare sauce and a wedge of lemon. The generously sized portion of home-made chips were crispy, well-seasoned and full of flavour.

For dessert, I was tempted by the Dark chocolate mousse and honeycomb (£5). Served in a glass beaker, the heavenly chocolate mousse was luxuriously rich, thick and smooth, topped with crumbled honeycomb.

Steven went for the classic Oakchurch farm raspberry Eton Mess (£5). Juicy raspberries were mixed up with crushed meringue and sweet vanilla-infused cream – simple yet delicious.

Monikers is in a great position for people-watching in Hoxton and its tasty, seasonal dishes are surprisingly light and thoughtfully prepared. Be sure to try a cocktail or two and look out for the monthly ‘Sunday Drunch’.

Chérie City was a guest of Monikers

All photos by Chérie City

Airlines

Travel To Vietnam With Malaysia Airlines

August 5, 2013 by cheriecity

After having a taste of South East Asia just recently, I would love to explore this vibrant region further and Vietnam is at the top of my travel wish list.

Vietnam is located on the east side of the Indochina Peninsula and is bordered by China, Laos and Cambodia. The beautiful coastline stretches over 3400km with unspoilt fine white sand beaches with crystal clear waters, lagoons, exotic flowers and plants and rare wildlife.

Vietnam is a large, expansive country, so the best way to experience it is to choose a province that appeals and if possible, visit the areas around it. I am particularly drawn to the beautiful island of Phu Quoc and Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi.

One of Vietnam’s most up-and-coming holiday destinations, Phu Quoc is known for its tranquil beach, exotic flowers and sprawling jungle with rare wildlife. The most picturesque, romantic and peaceful beaches can be found at Long Beach, Ong Lan Beach and Bai Sao.

My dream day in Phu Quoc would be visiting the local market for authentic souvenirs, relaxing with a cocktail on the beach and heading back to the stunning Chen Sea Resort & Spa for a Vietnamese Body Massage, followed by a dinner of clay pot curries and blackened fish at The Spice House at Cassia Cottage.

Phu Quoc’s calm waters are perfect for diving, however I am most drawn to the boat tours where you can spot dolphins and sea turtles.

Hanoi is a modern city that hasn’t lost its old world charm. It’s packed full of culture with the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the pretty One-Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the National Museum of Vietnamese History and the Fine Arts Museum. The idyllic parks and temples offer a slower pace in the city and a chance to absorb the everyday culture and traditions of Vietnam.

The Old Quarter bears the original architecture of Hanoi and is filled with artisans and silk shops, as well as a bustling night market. I would also plan to see the nearby scenic Hoan Kiem Lake with the striking Turtle Tower at the centre of the lake.

After a day spent in the downtown Hoan Kiem district, a few cocktails at the city’s coolest rooftop bars would be in order. The retro-chic Rooftop Hanoi boasts incredible views from the 19th floor of the Pacific Tower while Summit Lounge is the place for an expertly-mixed cocktail and 360-degree panoramas of the city.

I regularly eat at the excellent Vietnamese restaurants in east London, but I would love to try Vietnam’s authentic regional cuisine. Vietnamese cooking is based on the five taste elements and dishes are typically spicy, aromatic and healthy. I’m particularly tempted by the mouth-watering Bún bò Hu (spicy beef noodle soup), Gà Xào Gung (chicken in a ginger and fish sauce), Bánh bèo (rice flour pancakes topped with minced shrimp) and Xôi (sticky rice with coconut milk).

For my dream trip to Vietnam, I would choose Malaysia Airlines, as it conveniently offers Airbus A380 double daily flights and great connections to South East Asia. Friends and travel writers have recommended Malaysia Airlines for its superior hospitality, with the best Cabin Crew, 5 star service and generous baggage allowance. In fact, it has now been increased to 30kg for economy class, 40kg for business class and 50kg for first class.

Malaysia Airlines is offering the chance to win two tickets to Vietnam via the Malaysia Airlines Facebook page. Simply vote for this stunning destination to enter and you could discover the delights of Vietnam.

For more information and to enter the competition, visit: https://www.facebook.com/malaysiaairlines

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Beijing, Restaurants

Dining at China World Summit Wing Beijing

August 1, 2013 by cheriecity

China World Summit Wing Beijing, A Shangri-La Hotel has an impressive number of dining options, from Chinese fine dining to innovative international cuisine and informal classic Asian dishes.

Part of the China World complex, the restaurants at China World Summit Wing attract not only hotel guests but Beijingers enjoying a stylish night out with friends or a light bite after shopping in the China World Mall.

During my trip to Beijing, I found Chinese cuisine much healthier and lighter than I’m used to, particularly as rice is served towards the end of the meal, if at all. We tried typical Chinese dishes and old favourites, alongside plenty of new discoveries and experiences.

Grill 79

Grill 79 is China World Summit Wing’s contemporary international restaurant, offering spectacular views over the city from the 79th floor. At night, the restaurant really comes alive, with seductive red interiors, mood lighting and the cool glow from the city below.

Chef Ryan Sablan Dadufalza creates beautifully-presented dishes that are made to impress. I started with duck pastrami with rocket, truffle cream and balsamic dressing, followed by sauteed mushroom is red wine with spinach and quails eggs.

The main course was a deliciously juicy stockyard Australian beef striploin and mushroom with rosemary oil and tomato. Dessert was a picture perfect dish of seasonal fresh berries on a jelly base, topped with a berry sugar crisp.

After dinner in Grill 79, we finished the evening with an expertly-mixed cocktail in Atmosphere on the 80th floor.

Nadaman

China World Summit Wing boasts the only Beijing outlet of Nadaman, a Japanese chain of high end restaurants that originated in 1830. Chef Karasawa Hiroaki prepares traditional dishes based on ‘kaiseki’ cuisine, translated as ‘the art of transforming the blessings of nature into food’.

We were presented a number of tasting dishes for lunch, all of which were very healthy and fresh. We tried poached spinach with light dashi soup, sashimi platter, eel with rice, roasted lobster with sea urchin and a seasonal fruit platter. My favourite dish was the roasted lobster, served majestically inside the shell.

If you want to try something really different, try the fish okoze with sea cucumber, pumpkin and green vegetables. None of my group were particularly enamoured with the squishy texture and somewhat bland flavour of the sea cucumber, but it’s certainly a foodie experience to tick off your list.

Nadaman Beijing also serves more well-known dish such as tempura, noodle box sets, teppan grilled meats kara-age and sushi.

The Red Chamber

The Red Chamber is the newest restaurant at China World Summit Wing, offering specialities from Guangdong, Huaiyang, Sichuan and Beijing.

We tried a selection of dishes to share, including Chinese cabbage in mustard seed, crispy pork belly, barbecued pork in honey sauce, braised beef ribs with garden greens, Kung Pao chicken with chilli, fried bean curd, steamed turbot with soy sauce, sautéed guang dong choy sum and a seasonal fruit platter.

Of course there wasn’t quite enough time to try all of the restaurants at China World Summit Wing – there is also Chinese fine dining restaurant Fook Lam Moon, private dining in the Chairman Rooms and the more casual Noodle Bar.

For more information and booking, visit: www.shangri-la.com

For more Beijing travel ideas, read my reviews of

Cherie City was a guest of China World Summit Wing

London, Restaurants

Supper at Bouchon Fourchette – Hackney, London

July 31, 2013 by cheriecity

Bouchon Fourchette is a delightful Hackney restaurant that brings traditional French food to Mare Street.

There are plenty of restaurants and street food stalls in the area that have French influences, but Bouchon Fourchette is one of the only places to come for classic French comfort dishes such as raclette, hachis Parmentier, Croque Madame, Coq au Vin and chocolat liégeois.

Bouchon Fourchette is owned by Nantes-born Hackney local Dorothee Gaschignard, whose experience in the hospitality industry includes managerial positions at Côte Restaurants and Gaucho Grill. Presiding over the stove is Chef Jeremy Huguet who trained and worked in the kitchens of Alain Ducasse and Pierre Gagnaire restaurants, including Spoon in St Tropez and Les Airelles in Courchevel.

Bouchon Fourchette really stands out on this stretch of Mare Street with its black and orange exterior and scattering of terrace tables. Inside, the restaurant has a cavernous feel with concrete floor and exposed brick walls, furnished simply with retro wood and metal chairs and tables and a the daily specials written on chalk boards.

The friendly, mostly French staff all greeted us as we arrived (sans reservations) and seated us at a nice table across from the semi-open kitchen. As we were visiting for a light evening bite, we skipped starters and desserts and went for just a main dish.

Steven and I both couldn’t resist the Duck confit with puy lentils (£11). The plump leg of duck was exceptionally tasty, with tender, flaky meat infused with the flavours of fresh thyme and perfectly crispy skin.

The lentils were rather under-seasoned, even with thinly sliced lardons, but the bold richness of the duck balanced the dish and prevented it from becoming too salty. It was a deliciously hearty, comforting and generously sized dish that I would definitely order again.

My mum went for the Potato and Gruyère omelette (£8) with a side of frites (£3) served in a brown paper bag. The large omelette was rich, buttery and filled with halved new potatoes and oozing Gruyère, garnished with fresh herbs.

The omelette was well-seasoned and full of flavour, while the side salad was drizzled with a tangy, peppery French dressing. The frites were a little bland, so next time we would try a side of potato purée instead.

We didn’t stay for dessert on this occasion, as a tray of my mum’s home-baked chocolate brownies with cherries and hazelnuts awaited. However, the poached pear in red wine, crème caramel and chocolat liégeois décadence to share sounded tempting.

Bouchon Fourchette is a charming, relaxed neighbourhood restaurant that is a little corner of Lyon in Hackney. Prices are very reasonable and it has a lovely, unpretentious atmosphere. We will definitely return soon to try a Croque Madame, an evening charcuterie board or the Eggs Benedict at brunch.

Beach, Cherie Soleil, Cyprus, Hotels

A Stay at Grecian Park Hotel, Cyprus

July 25, 2013 by cheriecity

Grecian Park Hotel is a stunning five star hotel perched on a cliff above Konnos Bay in the Cypriot town of Protaras.

Adjacent to the picturesque Cape Grecco National Park, Grecian Park Hotel is secluded enough for a relaxing stay yet close to the beach and just a five-minute drive from buzzing Ayia Napa.

Location

The 239 room hotel is part of The Grecian Collection, a boutique group of three high end hotels (all four and five star) in Ayia Napa and Protaras. Like the nearby Grecian Bay Hotel and Grecian Sands Hotel, Grecian Park Hotel has everything you need on the doorstep and boasts an impressive number of amenities.

The Swimming Pool

The highlight of the hotel is the gorgeous outdoor lagoon-style swimming pool and children’s pool surrounded by sunbeds and chic poolside lounge. Another perk is the Olympus Health Club, offering a gym, indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, treatment rooms, two floodlit tennis courts, table tennis and a pool table.

Konnos Beach, with its white sand and azure waters, lies in a small bay and is the perfect place to sunbathe or enjoy water sports. The walk down to the beach from the hotel may be steep for some, but the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle bus to the beach and Ayia Napa in the high season.

Arrival

The hotel’s expansive marble lobby is airy and elegant, with a large chandelier, over-sized Asian style plants and a grand piano. We were checked in swiftly and spent a lazy afternoon making use of the hotel’s facilities.

The Room

My second floor Executive Sea View Room was like a ‘princess room’ with highlights of pastel pink and magenta. I loved the dark pink beaded lamp, comfy striped velvet seats and the pretty mirrored drawers. The spacious private terrace lets in lots of natural daylight and has great views over the pool and trees framing the sea view.

Room features include a wall-mounted flat screen satellite TV, tea and coffee making facilities, powerful air-conditioning and free wifi. The large bed was very comfortable and the amount of good quality linen was ideal for the warm weather.

For a particularly decadent stay, Presidential Suites and the King’s Suite with a jacuzzi built into the bath and separate bedroom are available.

The Bathroom

The light, marble-style bathroom is a reasonable size and features a bath and shower, plenty of large towels and an average set of hotel brand bathroom amenities (L’Occitane would have worked well here and matched with the pink in the room).

Grecian Park Hotel has a number of dining and drinks options including Antaeus Restaurant with an international menu, the stylish Umi Japanese and Sushi Bar Restaurant, all-day dining Cafe Charisma, Le Grand Foyer, the rooftop Cliff Bar, Breezes Pool Bar and Plin-2 nightclub (open in high season).

Breakfast

Breakfast at Cafe Charisma was excellent, with everything you could want laid out in a buffet style, including hot dishes, eggs made to order, pastries, muffins, pancakes, yoghurt, cereal and fruit. Fresh fruit juice would have been preferable, rather than the machine juice drinks, but I liked that a good selection of teas in a china pot were available.

Grecian Park Hotel is an ideal retreat with a private feel and so many facilities that you won’t need to move far from the sunbed. It’s far enough away from Ayia Napa to enjoy a noise-free sleep, yet still close enough to dip into the party scene and traditional tavernas.

Grecian Park Hotel has twin side sea views from €106 per person, per night (until 31 October 2013). Half board €25, full board €40.

Cyprus Airways has flights from London Heathrow to Larnaka twice daily from £221 return.

Cherie City was a guest of Grecian Park Hotel and Visit Cyprus

Photos by Cherie City and Grecian Park Hotel

Designers, Fashion, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury

Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2013 Designer Shortlist

July 23, 2013 by cheriecity

The Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize has quickly become the competition to watch for the next big thing in fashion, and this year’s designer shortlist is stronger than ever.

The international judging panel, including UK judges Stephen Jones, Rupert Sanderson, Caroline Issa, Stephen Webster and Daniella Helayel, selected the very best entrants from across ready-to-wear, couture and accessories. The designers to reach the final of the prestigious fashion prize are Barbara Casasola, Fydor Golan, Emilia Wickstead and Huishan Zhang.

The Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize nurtures designers whose brands have been established for at least two years but need support to take it to the next level. All shortlisted designers have already received industry and public acclaim and have been stocked at luxury designer stores such as Browns, Harvey Nichols, Moda Operandi and Joyce.

Like previous winners Thomas Tait, Anndra Neen and Augustin Teboul, the winning designer will receive £25,000 to invest in their brand, a two-night stay at a Dorchester Collection Hotel and for the first time, the prospect of one-to-one mentoring from a selection of the judges.

The grand final will be on 29th October at The Dorchester in London, where the shortlisted designers will stage a catwalk presentation.

It looks like the judges will have a tough evening, trying to choose between these brilliant and diverse designers. Perhaps a few of The Dorchester’s fashion cupcakes and macarons will help them reach a decision…

Which of the shortlisted designers is your favourite? Who do you think deserves to scoop the fashion prize?

For more information, visit: www.dorchestercollection.com

Brunch, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, New York, Restaurants

Asiate Brunch, Mandarin Oriental New York

July 23, 2013 by cheriecity

What could be better than spending a lazy Saturday in New York over an indulgent brunch looking out over Central Park?

Asiate at Mandarin Oriental New York has an enviable position, perched on the 35th floor of the Time Warner Center, by Columbus Circle. The spectacular floor to ceiling views are matched with exquisite food and a tantalising contemporary Asian and American brunch menu.

Arriving a little early, we took some time to wander around the 35th floor of Mandarin Oriental New York and stopped to admire the curved lobby’s stunning Dale Chihuly glass sculpture. The Lobby Lounge was also buzzing with weekenders enjoying afternoon tea and dim sum bento boxes.

Asiate is an elegant, expansive restaurant whose minimal-luxe design lets the views do the talking. The large tables feature comfortable seating and guests can dine overlooking the south-west corner of Central Park by the window, or nestled in an intimate booth to the sides of the room.

While Asiate is all about clean lines with dark wood highlights, the centrepiece of the restaurant is a beautiful silver tree branch sculpture, referencing the trees of Central Park in winter. Another interesting design point is the wall of wines, including over 1300 bottles.

Chef de Cuisine Angie Berry’s weekly-changing brunch menu features a well-edited selection of seasonal classics with an innovative twist.

We were warmly welcomed by the attentive, friendly staff and swiftly set up with a bottle of chilled still water, a choice of artisan breads and a glass of Champagne. Asiate’s semi-set menu brunch is a fun concept, serving three courses in smaller tasting portions. The starter and dessert plates are chosen weekly by Chef Berry and guests can choose two dishes for their main course.

We started with the beautifully-presented Gourmandise Tasting, made up of four bento dishes. The Cauliflower Veloute with smoked bacon foam and chives was thick, creamy and ever so smooth. Ahi Tuna Poke, avocado crème and wasabi-sesame tempura was plump and fresh while the Farmhouse Frittata with country sausage, goats cheese and roasted tomatoes was light, bubbly and full of strong flavours.

My favourite bite was the Miso Chilled Shrimp with green papaya and mango salad with ginger dressing, which was succulent, aromatic, well-marinated and so tasty.

Following the Gourmandise Tasting, we enjoyed a refreshing palate-cleanser of home-made Mango Sorbet.

As we ordered only savoury dishes for our main courses, Asiate’s pastry chef kindly sent us a scrumptious Belgian Waffle with berries, whipped vanilla cream and Vermont maple syrup that also features on the menu. It was a heavenly treat between courses and worth ordering as part of brunch.

For my main course, I went for a duo of Croque Madame with sunny-side-up egg, grilled country ham, red watercress, bechamel sauce and toasted sourdough and Cavatelli with pancetta, mushrooms, parmesan cheese, garden herbs and parmesan broth.

The Croque Madame was deliciously rich and decadent, smothered in thick bechamel. It was the perfect French classic but with an interesting addition of sun-dried tomato jam spread on the sourdough, giving it a tangy edge.

The Cavatelli was cooked perfectly al dente and was accompanied with chunky, meaty pancetta, silky mushrooms and torn garden herbs. The parmesan broth was well-seasoned and light and the roughly-cut parmesan finished the dish nicely.

Steven ordered the Grilled NY Steak with market vegetables and the Eggs Benedict BLT with soft-poached egg, pancetta, arugula, heirloom tomatoes and bacon hollandaise.

The sliced medium-cooked steak was tender and nicely charred, served with sauteed courgette and slow-roasted carrot. The Eggs Benedict BLT was another rich dish with thick pieces of pancetta, lashings of peppery bacon hollandaise and a perfectly-cooked poached egg.

Dessert was a delicious duo of Double Chocolate Crème brûlée and Strawberry Lemon Shortcake – ideal if you find it hard to decide between chocolate and fruit. The luxurious crème brûlée custard was velvety smooth and made using 64% semi-sweet chocolate and 70% dark chocolate. The caramelised natural sugar had a thick, crisp crust and was topped with two biscuit curls.

The Strawberry Lemon Shortcake was a lighter affair with infused sponge cake, lemon curd cream, strawberry glaze and wild strawberry sauce. It was delicate, zesty and light as air – the ideal dessert after an epic brunch.

We finished with a pot of fresh mint tea and lingered a little to soak up the last of the incredible Central Park views. Before leaving, we were invited to fill a little lime green take-away box with cookies, biscotti and candy, as a sweet souvenir of our visit. It was a lovely touch, putting the cherry on the top of a fabulous afternoon that ended with a marathon walk around Central Park.

Brunch at Asiate is a wonderful experience that tourists and New Yorkers can delight in equally. The food is outstanding, the menu is exciting and the small plate concept allows you to sample lots of different tastes and still leave feeling happily full. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather spend a lazy weekend afternoon in Manhattan.

Brunch is priced at $54 and speciality cocktails are $19. For more information and booking, visit: www.mandarinoriental.com

Chérie City was a guest of Mandarin Oriental New York

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