cheriecity | cheriecity.co.uk

A Super Stylish Diamond Jubilee

May 27, 2012 by cheriecity

It’s all about London 2012 this summer. With the Diamond Jubilee closely followed by the Olympics, you can get some extra mileage out of your Union Jack.

Here are Chérie City’s favourite patriotic products…

Mulberry Lily pays tribute to its British heritage with the limited edition engraved Union Jack postman’s lock and a playful ‘Mulberry Loves Britain’ icon plaque inside, on three of its classic designs. The one to take to an English garden party this summer is the Lily in oak, £595, Mulberry.

Keep cool during the summer with Firefly’s limited editition Britannia Bramley Apple & Ginger, £1.52, Ocado. The refreshing natural drink contains also contains blackberries, guarana and botanical extracts to give you a natural energy boost Juice. It even has an adorable golden corgi on the cap.

Nothing makes you remember a time and place like fragrance, so mark the special occasion with this limited edition Diamond Jubilee Bouquet Eau de Parfum, £175 (50ml), Grossmith. This luxurious oriental floral scent from one of England’s oldest perfume houses includes notes of citrus, lily of the valley, narcissus, rose, iris, jasmine, violet, carnation, vetiver, vanilla, tonka bean, hawthorn, amber and musk. It’s a bold, warm and timeless fragrance that I imagine The Queen might wear to her evening galas.

The Queen loves wearing silk scarves while walking her beloved royal corgis on weekends at Balmoral, so why not combine the two with this English eccentric Silken Favourites Royal Corgi Silk Scarf, £150, Liberty.

No excuses are needed to indulge in this Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash & Body Cream, £17 & £26, REN. However, the most gorgeous limited edition union jack packaging makes it even more of a ‘must have’.

If you’re hosting a street party for the Diamond Jubilee, make sure your bathroom amenities impress with a limited edition set of Garden Mint & Bergamot Handwash and Hand Lotion, £11.65 & £12, Neal’s Yard.

Add a touch of Parisian chic to your celebrations with the Jubilee Macaron, £1.85, Pierre Hermé. The delicate almond meringue biscuit is filled with a delicious milk chocolate and Earl Grey tea cream.

My grandparents have a spectacular collection of royal commemorative plates and china cups. London apartment living doesn’t lend well to amassing a decorative china collection, but a more practical memento is this Jubilee Tea Caddy, £9.50, Liberty.

Bars

The Best Bars In Singapore

May 24, 2012 by cheriecity

When the sun goes down in Singapore, the city’s bars are the place to be, from seductive rooftop bars with spectacular views over the skyline to low-key hipster bars hidden in the forest.

Here are some cool bars to add to your Singapore travel list…

Lantern

Lantern is the stylish rooftop bar on the seventh floor of The Fullerton Bay Hotel, one of Singpore’s most luxurious hotels. The name is derived from Clifford Pier’s historical Chinese name, ‘red lantern’ and this is reflected in the lantern-themed circular bar.

After dark, the pool and deck are lit up with twinkling lights and guests sip cocktails in the elegant marquee with billowing drapes or lounging at the cabanas. Lantern has a cool Latin American feel with expertly-mixed Latin cocktails and Cuban music from a live band or a subtle loungey DJ set.

I tried the delicious Merlion, a cocktail made with tequila, young ginger, honey, lime and soda. Accompany a cocktail with a selection of bar plates – the truffle and garlic fries are particularly good.

With spectacular views over Marina Bay and a buzzing atmosphere, Lantern is one of the most chic rooftop bars and a ‘must see’ in Singapore.

1-Altitude

For a unique bar experience with cocktails above the skyline, try the world’s highest al fresco bar, 1-Altitude. 282 metres up on the top of One Raffles Place, 1-Altitude includes two other concepts – City Golf and Stellar restaurant, but the most impressive is the rooftop bar. The triangular-shaped glass gallery offers a 360 degree view of the city, with spectacular views of Marina Bay.

It attracts a young, affluent, well-heeled set who like to party. There is a lower dance floor area and DJs play loud Latin American and house while guests laze on the cabana beds and watch the hourly light show.

The cocktails are decent, but it’s the views and the experience that brings the crowds to 1-Altitude.

Tippling Club

Tippling Club could easily be one of the coolest bars in the world. Hidden among the lush forest in Singapore’s stylish Dempsey Hill, Tippling Club combines molecular cuisine and superior cocktails with an unpretentious neighbourhood atmosphere.

British chef and owner Ryan Clift offers a tasting menu of experimental dishes, prepared in the Testing Kitchen, a culinary laboratory where you can watch the chefs at work.

I tried Don The Beachcomber Zombie ($27) – tiki rum potion, apricot brandy, pineapple, bitters, passionfruit and flaming volcano, served in a tiki cup. Another unique cocktail is the Juniper Sling, created to celebrate the launch of Penhaligon’s fragrance of the same name. It’s served in the original perfume bottle and box, finished with a fragrant spritz.

Members of the Tippling Society can buy alcohol at a special rate and their bottles are kept overhead at the bar, ready for when they come back for a drink. The open-air Tippling Terrace is perfect for spending a balmy evening with cocktails and tempting bar snacks, under a canopy of trees and stars.

Wild Oats

Wild Oats is a real hidden gem, tucked away in a colonial mansion atop Mount Emily in Dempsey Hill.

Just a few steps from Chef Willin Low’s Wild Rocket restaurant, Wild Oats is a hip, low-key bar, sharing a building with artist studios. The terrace is the place to chill out over drinks and gourmet bar plates. If you’re going for cocktails, try the refreshing Emily Royale – Champagne, strawberry purée and crème de cassis.

Dempsey Hill is a cab ride away from the city centre, so I’d recommend making an evening of it and dine at Wild Rocket or Long Beach Seafood, followed by cocktails at Wild Oats and Tippling Club.

Zouk

Zouk is the multi-concept super-club that attracts big name DJs and crowds from all over the world. Velvet Underground bar however, is a much more slick, high end affair. Tables and drinks here are expensive and access is exclusive, so be prepared to make an effort.

Renovated last year, Zouk has an impressive multi-million pound art collection, including pieces by Andy Warhol, Takashi Murakami and Keith Haring.

Other notable cool bars that are on my list for future visits are the KU DÉ TA rooftop bar and restaurant on the top of Marina Bay Sands, New Asia bar at Swissôtel The Stamford and Bob’s Bar at Capella on Sentosa island.

For more cool bar recommendations, visit: www.yoursingapore.com

Beauty, Competitions

WIN Over £200 Worth Of Philosophy Beauty Products

May 21, 2012 by cheriecity

Win a luxury set of philosophy skin and body care products worth over £200.

Founded in 1996 by Cristina Carlino, philosophy uses medically-approved ingredients to achieve results, from anti-ageing to brighter, revitalised skin. The bodycare collection is uplifting and comforting with delicious scents inspired by childhood cakes, cookies and sweets.

One lucky winner will receive a selection of philosophy skin and body hero products worth over £200.

The prize consists of:

– amazing grace spray fragrance
– purity made simple one step facial cleanser
– the microdelivery peel in-home vitamin c/peptide peel
– eye hope eye cream
– the present skin perfector, make-up primer & oil-free mattifier
– turbo booster c vitamin c powder
– hope in a jar moisturiser
– vanilla birthday cake shower gel

THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED

HOW TO ENTER:

Follow Chérie City on Facebook and leave a comment on this page below, sharing your personal beauty philosophy…

The winner will be selected at random and the competition will close at midnight on 22 June 2012.

Terms & Conditions:

– Closing date: 22 June 2012 at midnight.
– Entrants must become (or already be) a follower of Chérie City on Facebook, otherwise entry will be void.
– Entry is limited to one per household.
– Product substitutions to an equal value may be made, subject to availability.
– Cherie City and philosophy will not be accountable for any skin reactions or allergies as a result of using the products.
– The prize is non-transferable and non-redeemable.
– No cash alternatives will be offered.
– The winner must claim the prize within 48 hours of contact, or a new winner will be selected.

Cafes, Singapore

The Best Street Food in Singapore

May 15, 2012 by cheriecity

Singapore is known for its food courts, also known as hawker centres. Popular with locals and budget-savvy travellers, these open-air complexes offer quick, traditional Singaporean and Asian dishes at very affordable prices.

During my visit to Singapore, we tried street food from a variety of food courts, markets and cafes in different parts of town. Here are some of the wonderful places we visited…

Lau Pa Sat

The first stop was Lau Pa Sat (translated as ‘old market’), housed in a historic Victorian building in Singapore’s downtown business district.

The market is full of food stalls offering different dishes and combos including noodles, roast duck, seafood, laksa, bento boxes and the Singaporean national dish, Chicken Rice.

Singaporeans tend to eat smaller dishes more frequently during the day, so you can expect reasonable portions at a lower price. Given the hot, humid weather, and lack of air-conditioning in the market (apart from a few ceiling fans) this is a pleasant, manageable way of eating.

I went for the Chicken Katsu Gyoza Bento Box with pickled ginger, fresh watermelon and a bowl of miso soup, washed down with a Calamansi lime juice. It was a tasty, satisfying lunch and at most of the stall, you can eat well for under 10 Singaporean dollars (around £4.95).

Singapore Food Trail

After taking the Singapore Flyer, we had lunch at the 1960s-themed Singapore Food Trail. The quality of the food was good, but this food court caters for tourists who flock here for the Flyer, so it doesn’t feel quite as authentic as Lau Pa Sat.

I ordered Vegetable Satay with noodles, which were drowned in spicy peanut satay sauce, and a Calamansi Lime Juice (which became my staple Singapore drink). More adventurous foodies might be tempted to try a can of Kim Genuine Bird’s Nest drink, made from the saliva of cave-dwelling birds that solidifies to form a nest.

Tiong Bahru Food Centre

A Singapore breakfast can range from sweet Chinese pastries to a fiery bowl of laksa, or even pig organ soup. We fuelled up for our second jam-packed day at Tiong Bahru food centre. We bought a selection of char sui buns, egg custard tarts, sweet barbeque pork pastries and steamed prawn and pork dumplings for the table.

The idea of having chicken noodles for breakfast appealed, so I picked up a bowl for just 3 Singaporean dollars and got my caffeine fix from a cup of hot, potent milk tea infused with ginger.

Ya Kun Kaya Toast

Kaya Toast is another popular choice for a light breakfast on the go. Kaya is a sweet and creamy spread made from eggs, sugar and coconut milk flavoured with pandan. We visited Ya Kun Kaya Toast, a small chain of cafes that began in 1944 as a tiny coffee stall.

Two slices of toasted brown bread are packed together with a generous spread of kaya and lashings of butter. Other dishes include French toast, peanut butter toast and soft-boiled eggs, to be served very runny and mixed with soy sauce. We tried a selection of toast and a milk tea, so strong that it made builder’s tea appear bland – my perfect cuppa!

The staff are rather spirited and hurl the dishes on your table without any ceremony – in a friendly, unpretentious way.

The food markets around the city are a good source of new food discoveries. At the Albert Centre Market and Food Centre, there are plenty of colourful fruit stalls where you can try Singaporean fruits such as mangosteen, jackfruit, longan and the pungent ‘king of fruits’, durian.

One of my favourite foodie finds was Bakkwa, a thin sheet of roasted pork marinated in honey and soy sauce, then dried.

The trick with finding great street food in Singapore is being adventurous, stepping away from the tourist trail and asking locals. Singapore is a very clean city (tap water is drinkable) and food establishments are regulated by the government to meet hygiene standards. There is a lot of transparency with signs clearly displayed outside, so you can easily find outlets marked A or B.

A familiar saying is that Singaporeans have immaculately clean kitchens, because they always dine out! So eat like a local and work your way through Singapore’s street food dishes.

London, Restaurants

Dinner At The Angel & Crown, Covent Garden

May 14, 2012 by cheriecity

Covent Garden is one of central London’s most up-and-coming areas, with new dozens of hot new openings, so of course, it needs its own gastropub. The Angel & Crown opened earlier this year and is owned by Tom and Ed Martin – those clever chaps behind The Gun, The Botanist, The Cadogan Arms and latest opening, The Jugged Hare.

St Martin’s Lane is not exactly lacking when it comes to traditional English pubs, but they can be somewhat dreary and over-run with the after-work crowd. The Angel & Crown is different – it’s a real hidden gem in a busy, ‘touristy’ part of Covent Garden.

Downstair feels like a friendly London boozer with a mix of office workers, hipsters, foodies and locals. The design is ‘urban rustic’ with stags heads, taxidermy squirrels, silver tankards and pictures of animals. I liked the typical bar features such as the leather bar stools, lacquered plaster ceiling and chandeliers.

Upstairs was much more tranquil and we were instantly transported to a cosy pub dining room that felt like it should be in the countryside, not in the middle of Theatreland!

The Angel & Crown serves a strictly seasonal British menu, with ingredients sourced from artisan producers, regional farmers and London’s own Billingsgate Market. It offers a mix of classic pub dishes with a gourmet twist and more innovative contemporary dishes, with a nod to the current nose to tail trend.

We were shown to our table overlooking St Martin’s Lane by the warm, friendly staff and were quickly brought a basket of fresh, roughly sliced bread and chilled still water.

Knowing that my next course would be a bit of an Everest to work through, I went light and started with the White onion and cider soup (£6). The soup was thick yet finely puréed, with a bold flavour of sharp onion and a hint of strong cheese. It came with thinly-sliced, cider-infused onions at the bottom and topped with a drizzle of truffle oil and fresh parsley.

The only onion soup I’d previously tried was the rich, dark, slow-cooked French Onion Soup, but this white onion soup was refreshingly light and spring-like.

Steven started with the Dorset brown crab meat on toast (£8). The crab meat was served as a pâté, thinly spread on sliced of toasted sourdough. It had a full-bodied seafood taste and was smooth and simple – a delicious, light starter.

A gastropub burger is hard to beat, so I tried the 100% Dexter Beef Burger with smoked Cheddar, bacon and hand cut chips (£13). What a glorious beast it was to get through! The large beef patty was juicy, chargrilled and smothered in rich smoked cheddar and cubes of flavoursome lardons. I’m not a fan of too much burger garnish, as it can go limp quickly, so I was pleased to see that the Angel & Crown’s burger was finished with two slim slices of gherkin and a delicious tomato relish.

The hand-cut chips were particularly tasty – golden, well-seasoned and crispy yet soft and fluffy on the inside. The portion size and the richness of the toppings made it a struggle to get through, but it was so good that it was hard to show restraint.

Steven went for another pub classic – Adnams battered haddock and chips with mushy peas and tartare sauce (£13.50). The large fish was fresh and meaty, covered in crispy golden beer batter. The extras were also of a high standard, particularly the chunky mushy peas and tarragon-filled tartare sauce.

We accompanied our meal with a bottle of Chateau Musar Jeune Musar (£31), my favourite Lebanese wine. The wine list is extensive and interesting, with a carefully selected range of bottles.

For dessert, I was tempted by the Devonshire custard tart, tea steeped prunes (£5.50). On first glance the slice appeared rather petite, but this was no ordinary custard tart! It was the most decadent, dense, creamy and heavenly custard tart I’ve ever tasted. Packed full of vanilla pod seeds, the tart was almost like set double cream with a fragrant and not overly sweet taste. The tea-steeped prunes came in liquid form and were malty with a cream consistency. Perhaps a fruit coulis or compote would have been a better accompaniment to the custard tart to balance the richness.

Steven went for another pub staple – Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream and fudge sauce (£5.50). The pudding was dense and nicely gooey, with tiny pieces of oats and dates mixed in. The home-made vanilla ice cream sat on a pile of golden, crumbly biscuit and the toffee sauce was molten and sweet.

The Delaunay and Meat Market may be drawing the foodies to Covent Garden, but The Angel & Crown is the kind of low-key place that you’re likely to go back to again and again. The food is exceptionally good, service is friendly and efficient and finding that country atmosphere in the centre of London is priceless.

Chérie City was a guest of The Angel & Crown

All food images by Chérie City.

Accessories, Designers, Fashion, Websites

Jimmy Choo 24:7 Stylemakers Street Style Website

May 13, 2012 by cheriecity

Jimmy Choo launched Choo 24:7 Stylemakers, its brand new global street style microsite with a press preview breakfast at The Arts Club on Dover Street.

Now live, 24:7 Stylemakers features an edited selection of personal style photos reflecting the Jimmy Choo personality, from user-uploaded images to street style shoots snapped by photographer Eddie Newton, of mrnewton.net

Brand ambassadors for the major fashion cities have been chosen to kick start the site, including the ever-so-stylish publisher Caroline Issa, representing London.

Jimmy Choo fans from around the world can upload a photo of themselves onto the Choo 24:7 Stylemaker Gallery and if your look inspires, you could be up there too.

The street style site works as a brand extension of Choo 24:7 – a collection (launched in 2010) of glam essential shoes and bags that can take you from day to night, in any city.

24:7 Stylemakers follows Burberry’s Art of the Trench and the Hermès J’aime mon carré social media campaigns with a view to engage with customers in a more interactive way.

Pre-web, luxury brands relied on a sense of elitism, closely guarding their company image to keep their goods aspirational, however, nowadays customers like to see how the shoes or bags can fit into their own lifestyles. Trying to sell an unachievable lifestyle in a glossy advert with an airbrushed model just doesn’t cut it any more – the luxury leaders are evolving past this.

I found the Choo 24:7 Stylemakers website accessible and well-designed, conveying that sense of city cool – perfectly ‘on brand’. I’m not that keen on the involvement of celebrities, as these images can be found anywhere, most rely on a stylist for their look and it dilutes the organic message of 24:7 Stylemakers. However, as the website grows, with more photo shoots and more countries represented, hopefully it will focus more on authentic street style.

Post your photo by 6 June to enter to win a Choo 24:7 wardrobe, up to the value of £4000. You can also share your Choo 24:7 style on Instagram #choo247

For more info, visit: www.choo247.com

Singapore

The Best Things To Do In Singapore

May 13, 2012 by cheriecity

Singapore is a great city of contrasts, embracing both East and West, tradition and the future. Singapore’s downtown Marina Bay boasts spectacular modern architecture and luxury yet a slower pace of life can be found in the food centres and Chinatown, where elders play checkers in the afternoon heat.

Officially founded by Sir Stamford Raffles back in 1819, Singapore is now its own fully independent state, yet traces of its former British sovereignty make it accessible for Western travellers.

The Journey

I travelled to Singapore with a group of bloggers for a whirlwind trip, squeezing the city’s best sights into three days.

We flew there directly from Heathrow with the wonderful Singapore Airlines. Regarded as one of the best airlines in the world, its reputation is well-deserved as our 13.5 hour flight was made as enjoyable as possible. There was a large selection of new movies to get through and the food was excellent, offering a choice of western or Asian food – I loved the Beef Rendang, chicken noodles and lemongrass panna cotta dessert.

We were in awe of the charming ‘Singapore Girls’ (the affectionate name for the air stewardesses), who gracefully glides around the aircraft in their exquisite Balmain-designed traditional dresses. The male air stewards were also very distinguished and were chatty and helpful. Even Singapore airport had a tranquil, zen feeling and offered a stress-free arrival.

The Hotel

Our base in Singapore was the new high end budget hotel Innotel, located in a central part of town on Penang Lane. The staff were very friendly and hospitable and highlights included complimentary wifi, tea and coffee making facilities and bottles of mineral water replaced twice a day. The bed was exceptionally comfy and the quiet location of my room (overlooking a garden) helped with getting a good night’s sleep.

Henderson Waves

The first stop after a long-haul flight (after a few hours sleep, of course) should be Henderson Waves. This spectacular wave-like 274 metre-long pedestrian bridge overlooks Henderson Road and connects Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park, offering a panoramic view of the city. Start at the top and walk down through the lush greenery along metal walkways, taking in the unique flora and fauna.

At the bottom of the hill is a modern visitor’s centre, where you can relax with a cold drink and enjoy the manicured gardens. We found this to be an exhilarating way to get over the fatigue of flying and ease into the hot and humid Singapore climate.

Singapore Flyer

Another great way to see the city up on high is a flight on the Singapore Flyer, standing at an impressive 165m. The 28 glass air-conditioned capsules rotate slowly and offer an unrivalled 360 degree view over Singapore.

Night Safari

Tigers and elephants may be an unexpected sight in Singapore, but the city’s popular Night Safari offers a nocturnal view of some of the world’s endangered species. Take a tram ride around the park with an experienced tour guide and hop off to get closer and experience one of the special trails. It’s a strange experience being so close to predatory animals, but there are in fact deep moats between the public and the animals, creating an optical illusion. Singapore Night Safari is committed to conservation and animal welfare and flash photography is forbidden.

Before beginning the night safari, visitors can watch a show by Malay fire-eaters, dine at the food court or try the fish foot spa. It might be a bit too tourist-orientated for some, but it’s a rare chance to see the world’s most beautiful animals.

As guests of Singapore Tourism Board, we zipping around the city in our own Your Singapore private bus, however, the MRT (mass rapid transit metro system) is famously efficient and taxis are very affordable and frequent.

Trishaw Uncle Ride

But one of the most enjoyable ways of touring the city is to take a Trishaw Uncle ride. Trishaws were used as the main transport method in Singapore before cars, buses and trains and Trishaw Uncle pays tribute to this tradition with a fleet of contemporary motorised bike-carriages, each operated by an ‘uncle’ (an affectionate name for elders in Singapore).

We rode through the city, accompanied by audio commentary, taking in the sights, including a spin through Little India. Uncle kindly provided some bottled water and rice cracker treats to keep us going throughout the ride.

Chinatown

Another must-see is Chinatown, where you can visit the breath-taking Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple (Singapore’s oldest Hindu Temple). In Chinatown you can find wet markets and stalls selling everything from brightly coloured chopsticks and Chinese remedies to traditional horse hair brushes and pickled snakes in a jar.

My favourite area of Singapore is the nearby Ann Siang Hill, lined with hip designer boutiques, concept stores, a quirky patisserie, great restaurants and design hotels.

Sentosa Island

The island of Sentosa is just a short distance from Singapore, so visitors can combine a city break and beach holiday. Sentosa is family-orientated with a number of attractions including the MegaZip Adventure Park, Fort Siloso and a Dolphin Lagoon. However tranquility can be found on the more secluded Tanjong beach and at the chic, refined hotel and spa, Capella Singapore.

Sentosa also hosts the annual music festival Zouk Out, attracting big name DJs who have played at Singapore superclub, Zouk.

Singapore is a vibrant, developing city with so much to see that you could easily spend a week there and not tire of it. It’s an immaculately clean, well-mannered city with vast areas of greenery. However, with Malaysia nearby, a tour of south-east Asia a tempting prospect.

Look out for more on Singapore’s street food, fine dining, shopping and arts & culture…

For more information on Singapore, visit: www.yoursingapore.com

Chérie City was a guest of Singapore Tourism Board.

All photos by Chérie City (except Innotel).

Hotels, Hotels - Budget, London, Restaurants

The Victoria Gastropub in Richmond

May 12, 2012 by cheriecity

The Victoria public house, dining room and hotel is a real hidden gem, tucked away in West Temple Sheen, a leafy residential area of Richmond.

Owned and managed by restauranteur Greg Bellamy and chef Paul Merrett, The Victoria has the cosy atmosphere of a country pub, but being in well-heeled Richmond, it’s finished with a touch of gloss.

The hotel has seven spacious rooms in an adjoining building, accessed through a bright and airy Scandinavian style staircase with an attractive striped carpet and illustrated tree on the wall.

The Room

The rooms are simple and contemporary, tastefully designed in soft mauve and cream tones with a striking feature wall.

There aren’t any fussy extras, just everything you need for a comfortable stay – a well-placed flat screen TV, iPod docking station, ample wardrobe hanging space and a full-length mirror.

Complimentary home comforts include high speed wifi, tea and coffee making facilities, two bottles of mineral water and a selection of glossy magazines.

The queen size double bed was comfy, with luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets and plump pillows. Outside was so quiet and tranquil that we had a great night’s sleep.

The Bathroom

Our bathroom was petite and functional with a powerful shower and bathroom amenities by Pecksniff’s. I particularly liked the monogrammed Victoria towels.

Dinner in the Restaurant

A privilege of staying at the hotel is that guests have priority restaurant reservation at the very popular restaurant. Dinner is served in the large, bright conservatory and on a brighter day, outside on the large garden terrace. The dining room staff are so welcoming and friendly and service was efficient, even when it became busy later in the evening.

Amuse-Bouches

We were offered a basket of thick, crusty bread and a home-made vegetable samosa as an amuse-bouche. This suited me perfectly, as I’m not a fan of fussy amuse-bouches and this samosa was exceptionally good – crispy, punchy and not at all greasy.

Starters

I started with the Seared Cornish diver caught scallops on cauliflower purée with caramelised chorizo and argan oil (£10.50). The plump scallops were nicely grilled on one side and were perfectly complimented by the spicy chorizo and the rich cauliflower purée. Argan oil was a new culinary discovery (more often found in skincare) and the deep purple colour of the leaves made it an attractive dish.

Steven tried the Warm salad of confit duck, Morris Gold black pudding, fried potato and a soft boiled hens egg (£7). The duck was slow-cooked to perfection and the leaves had a light, tasty dressing.

Mains

The test of a good gastropub is their burger, so I ordered the Victoria handmade Angus burger with trimmings 10oz (£10.50). There is also the option of a 5oz burger, but learning from experience, it’s better to be defeated by a burger than be left wanting.

Saying that, the Victoria burger was a real monster, especially when there was a big bowl of thrice cooked chips to work through too. The patties were cooked medium on a charcoal grill and made from excellent quality beef. They were nicely charred and smoky on the outside and oozing with juiciness.

The salad trimmings were fresh and the burger came with two fat slices of mature cheddar cheese. It was decadent, satisfying and a real treat.

Another good testing dish is steak, so Steven tried the 28 day aged 7oz South Devon rib eye steak with thrice cooked chips and bearnaise sauce (£18). The meat was tender and charred with just enough fat to give it flavour. I couldn’t help pinching some of the delicious bearnaise sauce to dip my chips into, as it was so tasty and fresh, with small pieces of shallot and tarragon.

Dessert

I somehow found room to indulge in the Warm chocolate pudding with peanut butter ice cream (£5.50). The chocolate fondant dessert was perfect, with a delicate cake texture on the outside and filled with thick molten liquid chocolate.

The peanut butter ice cream was creamy and home-made, but the blobs of peanut butter could have been a little bit finer and less salty. Still, they went extremely well together.

I accompanied this with a lovely red dessert wine from California, which was sticky and sweet with dark berry flavours.

Steven’s trio of Yorkshire rhubarb (£6.50) came with petite portions of oat and apple crumble, ginger and vanilla yoghurt, jelly and ice cream. It was refreshing, sweet and sharp – a real visual treat.

We finished with a pot of fresh mint tea and a walk around the neighbourhood, where we spotted a fox!

Breakfast

In the morning we came downstairs to a spectacular breakfast. The Continental Breakfast table is laden with fresh bread, mini pasties, cereal and juices, all of which is included in the room price for hotel guests.

There is also a cooked breakfast menu and we tempted by The Victoria (very) full English breakfast (£10). They weren’t kidding when they said it was big – it includes two eggs, bacon, sausage, black pudding, flat grilled mushrooms, baked beans and fried bread. The quality was exceptional and the sweetcure bacon and thick, meaty sausages were the best I’ve tasted in a breakfast dish.

Throughout the morning, the pub becomes a hub of mothers and babies, ladies who breakfast and ex-City freelancers tapping away on their Macs. It has a friendly, buzzing atmosphere and would definitely be my morning breakfast haunt if I lived anywhere near Richmond!

The Victoria is perfect for a short break away from city life for Londoners, or a clever choice for travellers looking for a high standard bed & breakfast without paying over-inflated city prices. It’s clearly run with pride and soul and it’s easy to see why locals have adopted it as their own.

Rooms at The Victoria are priced from £120 per night, including continental breakfast.

For more info and booking, visit: www.thevictoria.net

Chérie City was a guest of The Victoria

Photos by Chérie City

Art, Designers, Exhibitions, Fashion, London

Hermès Leather Forever Exhibition At Royal Academy Of Arts

May 7, 2012 by cheriecity

This week, Hermès unveils new exhibition Leather Forever at Royal Academy of Arts, revealing the secrets behind the brand, from the design process to the exquisite finished pieces. Marvel at the fine leather and rare archived pieces and watch the artisans at work with live leather-working demonstrations.

The exhibition will take a historical look at the leather house’s 175 years, from a small producer of harnesses and saddles to a world renowned, highly coveted fashion brand.

A highlight of Leather Forever will be the extensive collection of accessories commissioned by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Edward and Wallis Simpson.

In celebration of Leather Forever, Hermès has designed four one-off designs of its Passe-Guide bag – inspired by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – to be auctioned for charity. Each has its own charm to represent the country and the Scottish bag includes tartan specially made for Hermès by Johnstons of Elgin.

Leather Forever is free admission and is open 8-27 May at 6 Burlington Gardens, London.

Cafes, London, Restaurants

Dinner At Workshop Coffee Co. Clerkenwell

May 6, 2012 by cheriecity

Workshop Coffee Co. in Clerkenwell may look familiar – in fact, it has already been open since 2011 as ST. ALi, before relaunching under a new name earlier this year.

The story goes that the owners opened their own artisan coffee bar and restaurant under the umbrella of their Aussie friend at ST. ALi, however, such a long-distance relationship is hard to endure. So now, along with a sister branch in Marylebone (formerly Sensory Lab), Workshop Coffee Co. goes forward in its own right, with just a few changes since the name change.

Workshop Coffee Co. not only looks cool, with its exposed brick work, rustic communal tables and living plant wall, but it also boasts its own in-house roastery.

Coffee beans from around the world are roasted and ground daily, moving seamlessly from roaster to machine to the cup. Coffee used in the Marylebone branch of Workshop Coffee Co. also comes from the Clerkenwell roaster.

Last time I was here, I ate a gourmet toasted sourdough sandwich from the lunch menu, but this time, we tried the newly-launched evening menu.

It was hard to resist trying the Corn Frittettes (£4.50) with spiced yoghurt as a little aperitif before dinner. They were crispy, fluffy and subtly seasoned and the yoghurt was a good accompaniment.

The menu is divided into small and large plates, so you can either order a few small plates to share, or do the conventional three-courses. To start, we both ordered the Quail, poached and grilled with sumac and lemon & herb cous-cous (£8).

The quail was richly roasted and had a sharp, fruity taste with a sticky, cripsy skin. The cous-cous was light and fresh, packed full of fresh herbs and a dusting of sumac.

For my main course, I tried the Dexter hamburger in a brioche bun with Comté, chipotle mayonnaise and fried ratte potatoes (£11.50). This is without a doubt one of the best burgers in London! The medium-cooked meat was juicy and high quality and the grilled brioche bun was fluffy, shiny and just on the right side of sweet. I found the Comté cheese a perfect burger topping – flavoursome, slightly gooey and not overly rich.

The fried ratte potatoes were roughly chipped and covered in paprika with a crisp skin. They were a refreshing change from fries and were extremely delicious when dipped in the smoky chipotle mayonnaise.

Steven tried the Smoked haddock fish cake with ginger and lemongrass, spinach and a poached egg (£11). The large, thick fishcake was lightly smoked with a crispy breadcrumb coating and the rich tomato sauce added sweetness to the dish.

We managed to find room for dessert and it just had to be the Ginger pudding with raspberry mascarpone and toffee sauce (£5). It included two slices of home-made ginger cake with small chunks of ginger and a baked crust.

The mascarpone was infused with raspberry and the fresh raspberries lifted the sweet, creamy flavours. I loved the buttery home-made toffee sauce with tiny crunchy bits of melted sugar. The dessert was so indulgent that it could easily be shared.

Interestingly, Workshop Coffee Co. suggests a choice of two slow-drip black coffees to finish a meal, rather than espresso. To avoid being awake all night, we ordered two fresh mint teas, which came on a cute wooden tray in a teapot that resembled a Chemistry lab conical flask. The coffee really is excellent here, so perhaps it’s worth losing a few hours sleep for!

Workshop Coffee Co. is one of those cool all-day dining spots that you can rely on for great food, expertly-made coffee, friendly service and a great atmosphere. The exceptional evening menu proves that Workshop Coffee Co. can do much more than just a good brew!

Chérie City was a guest of Workshop Coffee Co.

All photos by Chérie City

Designers, Fashion, France, Paris, Shopping, Stores

Hermès Rive Gauche & Lunch at Le Plongeoir

May 5, 2012 by cheriecity

My trip to Paris with Hermès started with an indulgent breakfast at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, followed by a private tour of the atelier to see the maison’s handbags, leather goods and accessories in production, so of course the next step was to see the shiny finished pieces in their natural surroundings.

Location

We visited the spectacular Hermès flagship store on the rue de Sèvres, just a few steps from the iconic Hotel Lutetia, in the heart of Saint Germain.

Located in the what was once the Hotel Lutetia’s art deco swimming pool, this is the very first Hermès store on the Left Bank.

Designed by architecture agency RDAI, the three-floor concept store contrasts original 1930s features with Denis Montel’s intricate wooden cocoons and wave furnishings, reflecting the building’s original purpose.

Baptiste Pitou Flowers

The front of the store features an adorable flower shop with stunning arrangements and bouquets by renowned Parisian florist Baptiste Pitou.

After a fragrant entrance to the store, there is the silk scarf counter, a book store with a well-edited collection of art, fashion and coffee table books and Le Plongeoir tea salon and restaurant.

Home collection

Downstairs is the recently launched interiors collection featuring re-issued numbered furniture designs by Jean-Michel Frank. I loved the monogrammed ‘H’ cushions and cashmere throws and the zesty lime green candle holders complete with leather tags.

The wooden cocoon structures showcase home furnishings, tableware, ceramics and beachwear.

There is also ready to wear for men and women, a tie counter, childrenswear, fragrances, jewellery, accessories and shoes.

Perfume counter

The perfume counter features the full range of fragrances from the luxurious Collection Hermessence. The sales assistant kindly offered me a beautiful Hermès orange paper pouch with two large complimentary samples of my two favourite fragrances. I chose the light and fresh Rose Ikebana and the sweet, smoky Ambre Narguilé. Both come in sleek glass bottles with a stitched leather top with the option of adding a leather bottle sleeve. They are also offered as mini fragrances in a bespoke gift set.

Le Plongeoir

Le Plongeoir, translated as the ‘diving board’ is the cool, 30-seat in-store tea salon and restaurant. Minimally decorated, Le Plongeoir is all about the small details, showcasing the exquisite Hermès tableware that can be found in the store.

The menu focuses on light bistro dishes, club sandwiches and salads with an extensive collection of rare and exotic teas by Le Palais des Thés.

The Food

We started with a few sharing platters of Bellota-Bellota Ibérico dry-cured ham with crisp focaccia slices. The strong flavours complimented each other perfectly and it’s easy to see why this is regarded as the best cured ham in the world.

For my main dish, I ordered the roast duck with a carrot and citrus purée – a French classic with a twist. The meat was juicy and expertly cooked and the carrot purée was a something different to the usual potato gratin usually served with duck. The dish was delicious and comforting, but not too heavy.

Dessert

The pâtisserie table was too tempting to resist, so we tried a selection of cakes and macarons to share. The dense chocolate cake was a highlight and other treats included a sticky almond cake, pistachio and honey brioche, chocolate macaron and a vanilla and mint macaron.

Of course, with cake must come tea. I ordered a pot of Montagne Bleue – a fragrant black tea blended with honey, lavender, blueberry, strawberry and rhubarb. It was fruity and lightly perfumed and came served in a cast-iron teapot.

The Hermès Left Bank flagship store is the perfect place to see the the extensive Hermès collection in an inspiring, creative environment. Le Plongeoir is delightfully peaceful and a discreet alternative to Saint Germain’s ‘people watching’ terrace cafes such as Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. So if you’re on the Left Bank, looking for a luxurious afternoon treat with room for your shopping bags, step inside…

Hermès, 17 Rue de Sèvres 75006 Paris

Chérie City was a guest of Hermès

All photos by Chérie City

Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, Paris, Restaurants

An Amazing Dinner at Alain Ducasse Au Plaza Athénée

April 30, 2012 by cheriecity

Alain Ducasse is considered one of the best chefs in the world and where better to experience his ‘haute couture’ cuisine than the stylish Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris?

For the tenth anniversary of the three Michelin starred Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, he has decided to go back to basics, finding the beauty in simplicity. This may be an unexpected concept from a world renowned chef, but Alain’s new vision focuses on bringing out the flavours in natural produce and combining them to create something fresh and unique.

When I visited Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée with a group of bloggers, we were told there would be a special surprise. We walked into the spectacular Louis XV-style dining room and were led back out the other side into the kitchen. That evening, we were to dine at the Chef’s Table – an experience only offered for very special occasions and one that cannot be bought.

We started with an exclusive tour of the kitchen and an introduction to the menu by head chef Christophe Saintagne (a protégé of Alain Ducasse who cut his teeth at the Élysée Palace, Aux Lyonnais and Hôtel de Crillon). The most striking thing is the large number of staff gliding around the kitchen, preparing the dishes with expert speed and precision. One particular chef was adding the finishing touches to a dish with tweezers!

With Christophe’s assistance, we chose four dishes to create a tasting menu. The Chef’s Table is located on the edge of the kitchen with rustic jars and photography on the shelves and a large round table. There are also three flat screen TVs mounted on the wall, so diners with their backs to the kitchen can still watch all of the action.

Previously, Alain Ducasse designed his table centrepieces with elaborate porcelain gourdons (ornamental vegetables), but moving forward with his natural philosophy, these have been replaced with fresh vegetables and uniformly placed, slender mini baguettes. Perhaps the baguettes merely represent the French people’s reverence to daily bread, as we were shortly offered slices of rustic rye and sourdough bread, served with two different types of butter and a trio of seasonings.

First to arrive was an amuse-bouche of smoked seabass and dry cured ham on rye toast, wrapped up in a parcel held together with a wooden peg, swiftly unpinned by our waiter. They were deliciously light and smoky and it was a refreshing change to nibble on something simple but tasty.

For starters, we tried the Steamed langoustines served cold, caviar. The petite mounds of langoustines topped with crème fraiche and dotted with a generous portion of caviar were extremely fresh, meaty and pleasantly sweet. They were served with a scrumptious Asian-style lobster broth infused with lemongrass and ginger, which I could have drunk in abundance.

Each course was matched with a wine chosen to compliment the flavours, ending with a tasting of potent fine rums. My personal favourite was the Corsican dessert wine.

One of the most interesting dishes on the menu was Vegetables and Fruits (the name really gives very little away). Lightly poached pears and apples were placed alongside partly-cooked avocado, fennel, radicchio and avocado purée topped with tiny pearls of lemon caviar that burst with an intensely sharp citrus flavour – now that’s a kind of caviar I can get on board with! The presentation was stunning and the flavours were so fresh and unlike anything I’ve ever tasted.

Between each course, a different style of cutlery, crockery and napkins are presented, including a rather regal-looking gold set. This is attention to detail is a vital part of Alain Ducasse’s Art of Fine Dining approach.

John Dory with artichokes and bitter herbs was a highlight of the meal, as the fish was so meaty and succulent. Many high profile chefs tend to eschew fried onions, perhaps due to their association with provincial home cooking, but Alain Ducasse has made a feature on them in this dish. They really complimented the robust texture of the John Dory.

Roasted poultry with morels was a simple dish done extremely well. The chicken was juicy and succulent and came with spongy morels, soft wilted vegetables and a confit of giblets on a disc of fried bread. The giblets had a strong taste, but that flavour softened when eaten with the roast chicken and the rich jus.

I was interested to try some top quality French cheese, so luckily everyone agreed on adding a cheese course. The cheese trolley was impressive and pungent and the waiter asked which kind of cheese we prefer – mild, medium or strong. I went for a trio of medium cows milk cheeses – one was a sweet and nutty gruyere and the other two were soft, creamy and Camembert-esque.

For dessert, we were served the minimally named Citrus. On first impressions, I couldn’t help thinking that a citrus fruit salad was quite simple, but how wrong I was! The glass was filled with candied orange and lemon slices, kumquats, a light citrus jelly and shredded fresh mint, topped with Campari granita and some more of that delicious lemon caviar.

The Citrus dessert was so intense, interesting and refreshing and the sweetness of the candied fruit was balanced with the bitterness of the Campari and the sharp, bursting lemon caviar.

We were also offered a Rum baba as in Monte-Carlo to share as a little extra dessert. The light, spongy cake was soaked in rum at the table and topped with bourbon vanilla cream. It was decadent, sweet and delicious but I was glad that we’d tried something unique with Citrus.

Dessert was followed by enough after-dinner treats to count as another full course! Our table was laden with milk and dark chocolate florentines, Chartreuse and Campari marshmallows, nut brittle wafer-thin crisps, toffees, chocolate truffles, pralines, and pâtes de fruits.

We found room to try one of each, but the dark chocolate florentines infused with orange were particularly addictive. We were kindly given a bag full of soft toffees to take away, which somehow made it back on the Eurostar with me.

Dining at Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée was an evening full of culinary discoveries and it’s clear that his reputation is well-deserved. Every dish perfectly reflected the Spring season and a dedication to simplicity.

The Spring Collection Menu (four dishes, cheeses and dessert) is priced at 380 Euros. For more info and booking, visit: www.plaza-athenee-paris.com

Chérie City was a guest of Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée

All photos by Chérie City (except dining room)