26.03.11 Hyde Park, London
Photos by Chérie City.
ELLE have gone one step further in their appreciation of all things digital by launching their first app for the iPad with a new preview version of the amazing bi-annual ELLE Collections.
I’ll admit to being totally dismissive of the iPad when it first came out, but after being given one to use in the comfort of a Paris hotel room (a swish new trend), I became hooked.
With bloggers and editors tapping away from the front row on iPads at London Fashion Week, the slim and ultra-light iPad looks set to be the new fashion reporting device (and I’m still in need of one).
The app will features an interactive, insightful guide to the top 10 shows of Spring/Summer 2011, a round-up of the best accessories and exclusive footage from backstage.
You can also see the ever-stylish Team ELLE talking through the shows and sharing all the juicy details, from who was on the front row to the key looks to invest in.
Editor Lorraine Candy said: “For the first time we talk readers through the top shows, take them backstage and into the world of the catwalk, giving them access in a way no other magazine could.”
A particularly useful feature is an interactive front row, where users can click to find out who’s who and then choose to follow them on Twitter or read their blogs.
The gallery tool also offers a closer, detailed view of the individual looks as well as the name of the model.
The app is free to download now and is available from the Apple app store and from ELLEuk.com.
Read more about ELLE Collections 10th issue here…
Hotels, Hotels - Design, Newcastle
Warehouse Luxury at Hotel du Vin Newcastle
March 21, 2011 by cheriecityFar from an identi-kit, faceless chain of hotels, Hotel du Vin residences always occupy buildings with an interesting history.
With its ship-building legacy, Newcastle Quayside has a maze of intriguing warehouse buildings, and Hotel du Vin occupies one the most enviable spots in the former Tyne Tees Steam Shipping Company, overlooking the river at Newcastle’s artistic quarter, Ouseburn.
A boutique bolthole just ten minutes from the centre of Newcastle, Hotel du Vin Newcastle offers just 42 individually-designed bedrooms, all paying homage to different fine wines.
I took my mum to stay for one night when I came up to Newcastle for a visit. There’s something rather decadent about a hotel stay in your hometown.
Our room was huge and designed in a contemporary country style with a colour palette of slate grey, beige and chartreuse with touches of dark wood.
The sleigh beds were firm but comfortable and were covered with sumptuous Egyptian linen and fluffy pillows.
I loved the free-standing bath in the room, which was perfectly placed for watching the flat screen TV…well, why not?!
As if the room wasn’t spacious enough already, we had a delightful balcony to enjoy a bit of sun. In the summer months, I imagine this to be one of the best places in Newcastle to sit and soak up the sun in peace with a glass of wine.
It’s all about the small touches with Hotel du Vin and sister hotel group Malmaison. The mini-bars are always stocked with ridiculously tempting gourmet treats and our hot drinks tray came with a selection of refined Taylors of Harrogate teas and half bags of fresh cafetiere coffee.
The bathroom was beautifully-designed and filled with full-size Arran Aromatics products made specially for Hotel du Vin, which you’re encouraged to take home.
By this point, I was starting to see more than a few similarities between Hotel du Vin Newcastle and The Fox & Anchor trad-luxe B&B in Clerkenwell. It was rather puzzling until I found out that Fox & Anchor is an individual, more intimate project by Hotel du Vin, which they don’t publicise.
After an afternoon of shopping and a quick rest, we went down to the Bistro du Vin for a long, relaxed dinner.
We both started with the French Onion Soup, which was full of flavoursome caramelised onions and topped with a large bread crouton and loaded with melted Gruyère cheese. It came piping hot in a quaint ceramic oven bowl and there was plenty to get through.
Mum then went for the Fish and Chips, which came with a chunky tartare sauce, mushy peas and golden hand-made chips served in a brass cone.
The batter was crisp and well-season and the chips brought back childhood memories of the chips that my grandmother used to make (yes, I pinched a few from the cone).
I ordered Toulouse Sausages with Mash, Caramelised Onions and a Red Wine Jus. They looked delicious but they were just a bit too pink inside, so our waitress happily sent them back for some more charring.
Perhaps it was my fault for choosing Toulouse sausages, but the whole dish just felt overly salty. Next time, I would definitely go for the Fish and Chips or the famous Hotel du Vin Burger.
Feeling a bit full after two course, wine and artisan breads, we went for a refreshing sorbet. I chose one scoop of blackcurrant and another of peach and mum went for two scoops of mango sorbet.
I’d never usually give up a gooey chocolate dessert for anything iced, but the Hotel du Vin sorbets are so fresh and home-made that they were a real treat.
Close to our table was the Laroche tasting room, where you can sample Hotel du Vin’s extensive collection of wines. We went for a bottle of house red wine, but there is an excellent choice of wines for experts.
After our meal, we relaxed in the bar, although if you’re still up for more wine adventures, the Bubble Bar serves Champagne into the early hours.
A cool feature at Hotel du Vin is the outdoor Cigar Shack in the courtyard. It’s an intimate walk-in humidor where you can try fine cigars or sit and smoke in style with a glass of wine in front of the fire. Although Newcastle folk have no problems with the cold (the sterotypes really are true), smokers get their own special den and I was tempted to come and join them!
After a peaceful night’s sleep, much helped by the wine, we came downstair to breakfast at the Bistro.
The Continental Buffet offered a good range of cereal, pastries, fruits, yogurt, flapjack, cakes, bread and juices.
We ordered a pot of coffee and Eggs Benedict from the hot menu, which came piled high on a sliced muffin – delicious!
We then reluctantly tore ourselves from the room and went back home feeling refreshed and cared for during our Newcastle staycation.
My only criticism would be that there weren’t any plugs close to a mirror, which made it impossible to style my hair properly (anyone with curly hair will understand). Internet charges at hotels are also a constant gripe for me, however Hotel du Vin does offer 30 minutes for free for quick email check-ups.
Hotel du Vin Newcastle feels like a relaxing retreat in the city and is perfect for a weekend get-away. The infamous nightlife of the Quayside is just a short walk away, but with the in-room bathtub, private balcony and bottles of wine, you might not want to leave your room at all!
Double rooms start from £120. Stay Sunday from only £10 when you spend £75 in the bistro or bar. For more info and booking, visit: www.hotelduvin.com
Chérie City was a guest of Hotel du Vin Newcastle.
London, Restaurants
A Great Dinner at Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecôte London
March 20, 2011 by cheriecityWhen you’re in the mood for steak frites, Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecôte is the place to come for a reliable meat fix, served up with a touch of nostalgia. In fact, its singular approach to dining feels somewhat comforting in a world full of choice.
Le Relais de Venise in London offers diners a set menu of a green salad with French dressing and crushed walnuts followed by steak frites covered in their ‘secret sauce’ (£21 each). Steak is served just three ways – rare, medium or well-done – but strangely enough, there is an overwhelming amount of desserts to choose from.
A Paris institution, Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecôte opened in 1959 near Porte Maillot and quickly became so popular that it has been replicated, down to the last interior detail, in New York and at two London locations – Marylebone and The City.
Le Relais de Venise has been on my wish list since I moved to London, so I was excited to review the restaurant and try to guess what was in the ‘secret sauce’.
The Restaurant
We arrived just before 8pm and there was already a queue inside the entrance, however it moved quickly we got a table within five minutes. Le Relais de Venise has a strict ‘no bookings’ policy, even for its owners, so be prepared to wait if you go during peak times.
Much larger than expected, the restaurant was already buzzing with an international City crowd and clued-up tourists all packed together on small tables with leather banquettes.
We were served immediately by one of the lovely waitresses dressed rather primly in a black dress and white apron who gave us a menu, for what it’s worth, and took our order of how we’d like our steak cooked.
The Wine
We ordered a bottle of Le Relais de Venise Côtes de Bordeaux red wine (£15.95) and a large bottle of Evian still water. The reason for the set menu concept was that Paul Gineste de Saurs, founder of Le Relais de Venise, wanted to keep the focus on the wines produced by his family’s Château de Saurs winery based in Toulouse.
The wine was dense with lots of tannin – a typical Bordeaux. It complimented the steak and was a nice enough house wine on its own.
Starting with Salad
The salad arrived piled high on a small plate and was meticulously dressed with a creamy mustard vinaigrette and a sprinkling of crushed walnuts. The dressing was a bit heavy on the mustard but it still worked and a few tiny splinters of shell testified to freshly cracked walnuts.
It was a good, light start to the meal and the accompanying sliced baguette was fresh and crisp.
Steak Frites
Soon after followed the steak frites, piping hot and covered with the famous sauce and we weren’t disappointed!
Pommes frites were golden, slim and nicely salted – just what you’d expect from a good Paris bistro. The fries are made using Bintje potatoes specially brought in from France and hand-chipped daily in the restaurant.
The entrecôte steak was completely free from fat and was cooked to perfection – medium, just how I had asked.
The Secret Sauce
The base of the delicious pea green-coloured secret sauce is hard to identify, leading to much speculation in the press, but I definitely noted tarragon, meat juices, butter and perhaps some shallots.
Some food critics have bemoaned the thickness and overwhelming presence of the sauce, but I found it to be light and buttery in texture and but with a pleasantly intense flavour. It was still possible to tell the excellent quality of the steak, which is provided by Donald Russell, the Scottish supplier to HM The Queen.
After working our way through the first plate, we were quickly served the rest of our steak with another mountain of frites.
It’s hard to tell just how big the steaks are when they come sliced in two portions, but it seemed to be a modest size and very well trimmed.
Dessert
The only decision-making required was for dessert and there were so many lovely traditional French treats to choose from. In the end, Steven went for the crème brûlée and I chose the Gâteau du Relais from the dessert trolley.
The crème brûlée was creamy and velvety with a thick layer of crunchy burnt sugar. The Gâteau du Relais was a nutty and dense slice of flourless chocolate cake – soft in the middle with a delicate, crumbly crust. What I thought was an extra rogue slice on the side was in fact a piece of the most divine chocolate fondant. As if that wasn’t enough, it was served with a big swirl of Chantilly cream – how decadent!
We finished off with strong, rich roasted cappuccinos that came with chocolate-covered espresso beans.
Impressions
We found it refreshing that Le Relais de Venise is uncompromising when it comes to tradition and playing by their own rules. It’s all part of the fun and we noticed that many of the tables were returning guests, who were already familiar with this very particular style of hospitality.
The only thing that may put off some diners is the rapid turnover. I had barely put down my fork and already my plate was whipped away by the hawk-eyed waitresses and the next course swiftly served. Even though the food is so tasty that you’re inclined to wolf it down, linger a little over each course, otherwise you may find the experience over rather quickly.
With buckets of charm and a reassuring sense of the ‘good life’, Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecôte is a place that you have to try at least once, however like our dining neighbours, you might find yourself coming back again and again.
For more information and opening times, visit: www.relaisdevenise.com
Chérie City was a guest of Le Relais de Venise.
12.02.11 – 17.02.11 Laax & Flims, Switzerland
Click here to read about Chérie City’s week of stylish skiing and the freestyle movement at LAAX.
Hotels, Hotels - Design, Ski, Switzerland
Freestyle Skiing in LAAX, Switzerland
March 18, 2011 by cheriecityFar from a quaint Swiss village with the obligatory red gingham and rustic wood chalets, LAAX is a stylish, urban winter sports resort, leading the way in the growing freestyle movement.
LAAX is known as a snowboarders haven, boasting Europe’s largest half pipe and four snow parks, but it’s also a perfect destination for skiers.
Made up of the villages of Flims, Laax and Falera, LAAX is a concept resort designed by Weisse Arena Gruppe, centred around rocksresort – a cluster of minimalist sugar cube-shaped apartments with restaurants, cafes, bars and boutiques.
Despite its sleek image, LAAX is a well-balanced, inclusive resort that welcomes both families and groups of friends looking for the coolest après-ski.
Breaking the ritual of spending our annual ski holiday in the French Alps, I brought my dad to experience this modern, forward-thinking resort.
We flew to Zurich and then it was a double train and bus journey to LAAX, planned with military precision. Of course you can book a transfer directly from the airport, but in this case, using public transport is more affordable.
The journey was easy enough, once we worked out where to buy the tickets, and was so simple on the return that we overcompensated with time and got to spend an hour exploring and grabbing a bite to eat in Zurich (albeit with suitcases in tow).
rocksresort apartments cater for families and larger groups, but as there were only two of us, we stayed at the chic four star Signina Hotel.
Signina Hotel is a design-led boutique hotel and has a warm, friendly and informal atmosphere. Because of its extensive facilities and connection to rocksresort, the reception at Signina is usually a hub of activity.
Our rooms were stunning – modern, spacious and beautifully-designed with accents of polished wood, chrome and rough, textured walls.
There was a desk to work at, generous wardrobe space, a comfy seating area and a large balcony overlooking the resort with beautiful mountain views.
Most importantly, the beds were very luxurious with a flat screen TV right in view – perfect for crashing out and resting weary limbs at the end of the day.
The bathroom was well-appointed and modern, with a charming mountain scene printed on the tiles, and was stocked with spa products and plenty towels.
In the wardrobe was a bathrobe for using in the spa – and what a spa it was!
On the lower ground floor, the wellness area features a large and deep swimming pool with a range of different hydrotherapy jets, jacuzzi areas and waterfalls. Aching legs can be soothed in the twin whirlpool tub and you can kick back on the lounging beds with a spectacular mountain view.
Downstairs is where the serious muscle therapy happens with a steamroom, foot baths and two huge saunas – a 90 degree Finnish sauna and a 50 degree bio-sauna. Following a faux pas of wearing my swimsuit in the sauna, it became apparent that the Swiss just get naked and get on with it! For the less liberally-minded, there are large cotton sauna sheets to get wrapped up in.
On the first night, we ate at the hotel restaurant, Camino. We ordered a monstrously big speck and rocket pizza with buffalo mozzarella ball and a calzone – both excellent and authentically Italian.
The next morning we went down to breakfast, again in the Camino Ristorante, and found everything you could possibly want to start the day. There was a small hot buffet section, cooked meats and cheeses, cereal, pastries, breads, cake, yogurts and even individual panettones.
Fuelled and ready to go, the first stop was the ski rental shop F*** (pronounced free), to pick up our skis and lift pass. Usually the most irritating part of the first day, the experience at LAAX was a breeze, due to their online check-in system. Just type in all your contact info and vital stats, take the receipt and the assistant technicians sort out the rest.
The Laax base station is literally a few steps away and the lifts takes you up to the main station where you can pick a route from over 220 kilometres of slopes. There are plenty of blue and easy red slopes to get started if you’re a bit rusty and our favourite run was blue 12 – a long, wide-open slope around Nagens.
There are plenty of challenging slopes for advanced skiers/boarders and the blue slopes at Flims are well-suited to beginners. We didn’t see many nursery slopes however, so if it’s your first time skiing, make sure you join the ski school and the instructor will know where to take you.
Every village in the LAAX area has a valley run, so you can ski right back to the apartment at the end of the day, as long as there is enough snow.
An attractive feature for families is the Snow Wonderland, where children can learn to ski and encounter mythical creatures of the mountains through storytelling.
The jewel in the crown of LAAX is the Freestyle Academy, Europe’s first indoor freestyle hall, with facilities for skiers, snowboarders and bikers. Before hitting the slopes, you can train and build up jumping skills in a safe, padded environment (like falling into a sea of foam ‘bricks’).
The après-ski scene in LAAX was low-key when we were there, but during The Brits snowboarding festival in April, there is supposed to be some major partying. The Crap Bar (‘crap’ actually means ‘rock’ Swiss, not just ironic snowboarding terminology) is great for having a drink straight from the slopes, Il Pup has a cosy pub atmosphere and then there’s Indy and Riders Palace Club for big name DJs, bands and club nights.
One of my favourite LAAX hangouts was Piazza, an Italian-style coffee bar with a cosy snug where you can read ski and fashion magazines and a sun-filled terrace.
Most nights we would come back to the bar and relax over a drink or a pot of Sirocco Moroccan Mint Tea – a Swiss tea brand that I became slightly addicted to!
My only small criticism of Signina Hotel would be that wifi wasn’t great and I couldn’t access work emails for most of the stay. However, the staff kindly allowed us to use their laptop at reception so I wouldn’t get blogger withdrawal symptoms!
rocksresort apartments offer excellent self-catering option and food in LAAX is mostly of a very high standard. Pizza at Camino Ristorante are a good bet, Pasternaria Bakery is the place for delicious cakes and baguettes and Pan-Asian restaurant Nooba is seriously addictive, so much so that we ate there three times! The only eaterie that I found disappointing was posh take-out joint, Burgers – sorry LAAX, we just didn’t get on!
LAAX is ideal for groups of friends and families who want a unique skiing/snowboarding experience with top quality facilities and everything right on the doorstep. It is a resort centred around subtle luxury, but there are budget-friendly options such as Riders Palace, with all the design features that you’d expect.
Be adventurous and experience the freestyle movement at LAAX while it’s still Switzerland’s best kept secret.
Details on LAAX, including lift passes, equipment hire and guides can be booked online at www.laax.com/en. The winter season runs from mid November to end April. Rooms at the signinahotel (www.signinahotel.com, +41 81 927 99 99) are from €100 per night/night with breakfast. Two bedroom apartments (sleep up to 5 people) at rocksresort start from €684 for a week stay (www.rocksresort.com)
Chérie City received complimentary nights, lift pass and ski hire and press rates for Papa Chéri.
Beauty, Berlin
Shan Rahimkhan Haircare Collection Launch At The Soho Hotel
March 17, 2011 by cheriecityLast night, Handpicked Media bloggers got together for a very stylish evening with cult Berlin hair expert Shan Rahimkhan at The Soho Hotel.
Shan Rahimkhan’s eponymous hair collection has just launched at Harvey Nichols, so we were given a rare opportunity to meet with Shan Rahimkhan and his right-hand man, stylist Fabio F.D’Acri, for personal hair consultations, a prescribed product regime and hair styling.
Based in Berlin’s central Gendarmenmarkt district, Shan Rahimkhan Casa is a chic lifestyle concept store that includes a hair salon, a boutique stocking designer products sourced from all over Europe and a cafe that turns into a sleek cocktail bar at night.
Shan told us that he created the hair collection to bring volume and moisture to fine hair. With many volumising product, you often have to sacrifice nourishment and hydration for extra body.
Shan Rahimkhan products are completely natural and free from all the paraben and sulphate nasties that leave residue on the hair. The collection includes active natural ingredients such as Bamboo, Aloe Vera juice, Tamanou Oil, Quinoa and Argan Oil.
Shan Rahimkhan styles the hair of A-listers such as Jennifer Aniston and Charlize Theron when they’re in Berlin, so of course I jumped at the chance to have a bespoke up-do by the master.
I did have a professional blow dry at Taylor Made salon the night before, so I wasn’t too embarrassed about my locks, but after a harsh winter, they’re not in the best condition.
I sat in the styling chair and after a quick surveying of my hair, Shan immediately knew how to style my hair. After just five minutes of back-combing, pinning and a finishing spritz, I had softly tousled red carpet hair.
My hair was full of volume and the few loose strands of hair perfectly framed my face. Of course, A-list hair needs an occasion, so Katie Chutzpah and I headed out into Soho for drinks at The QV Bar at Quo Vadis.
The products I was given to try out were True Colour Shampoo, True Colour Shiny Gold Treatment and Supreme Volumizing Double Phase Leave-In Treatment.
The shampoo lathered well and I only had to use a tiny amount to get my hair super clean. My hair was ready for some indulgence, so I used the Shiny Gold treatment, which brings out natural gold tones, and found it to be light and moisturising.
I was sceptical about replacing my usual conditioner for a leave-in conditioner spray, but it instantly softened my hair and made it manageable. Best of all, it reduces my time in the shower and smells incredible.
I’m already sold on the Shan Rahimkhan collection, but I’ll road test the products properly and post an update soon.
Now I just wish that Shan Rahimkhan would open a sister salon in London, as I’m already tempted by a weekend trip to Berlin!
Shan Rahimkhan products are now available at Harvey Nichols. For more information on Shan Rahimkhan Casa, visit: www.shanrahimkhan.de
Melvita, France’s leading natural skincare brand, has been a Chérie City favourite for quite some time and now it’s time to share the beauty love…
One lucky reader will WIN two luxurious products from the new Melvita Naturalift range, worth £52.
Melvita Naturalift takes a natural approach to anti-aging while using potent active ingredients to provide results. The range is based on Phyto-Embryogenesis and uses plant stem cells to encourage cell renewal.
Naturalift Youthful Skin Cream (50ml) is an organic ‘wondercream’ that lifts, firms and re-energises skin, using a powerful blend of Hibiscus Seeds, Argan Nuts, Virgin Camelia Oil and anti-oxidant Mamaku Gum.
Naturalift Youthful Skin Complex For Eyes And Lips (15ml) targets fine lines and wrinkles with gentle plant oils including Borage and Rosehip Seed and active extracts of Daisy and Immortelle. It smoothes and tones the surface of the skin while boosting the integrity of collagen and elastin structures.
Click here to read more about Melvita’s Spring/Summer 2011 beauty collections.
HOW TO ENTER:
Follow Chérie City on Google Friend Connect or Facebook and leave a quick beauty tip in the comments box below…
Winner will be selected at random and the competition will close at midnight on 14 April.
Terms & Conditions:
– Entrants must become (or already be) a follower of Chérie City on Google Friend Connect or Facebook, otherwise entry will be void.
– Prize consists of one Melvita Naturalift Youth Skin Cream (50ml) and one Melvita Naturalift Youthful Skin Complex For Eyes And Lips (15ml).
– No cash alternative will be offered.
– Closing date: 14th April 2011 at midnight.
– The winner must claim the prize within 48 hours of contact, or a new winner will be selected.
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED
Cafes, Manchester, Restaurants
Virgin Trains Bloggers Challenge Trip to Manchester
March 10, 2011 by cheriecityVirgin Trains must have heard that Chérie City knows all the thrifty tricks in the book, as they set a special assignment, to plan a jam-packed city break to any of their UK route destinations with a budget of £250.
My first thought was Manchester and I was instantly sold. It’s a friendly, Northern, tremendously cool city that has so much to offer in the way of shopping, culture and as I was about to find out…food!
I booked two Advance Return tickets and used our Young Persons Railcards, so we got an excellent deal of just £53.40 for two. A walk-in return ticket can cost up to £279 each, so it pays to plan with military precision.
Taking the train was quick and easy and took only two hours from London Euston station to Manchester Picadilly. We took the tram (a ridiculously cheap £1.10 return) to our 5* luxury residence, Blue Rainbow Apartments, located in an up-and-coming quarter full of loft spaces and digital agencies – an ideal location for a blogger!
Our apartment was modern, spacious, spotlessly clean and well-appointed with brand new kitchen appliances and accessories. It felt homely but luxurious and was a perfect base for exploring the city.
We booked in for one night at a special internet rate and as a subscriber the Hotels.com newsletter, I received an extra 10% off, making the cost of the stay a mere £57.60.
At reception, you can get a freshly-made Illy coffee to take out, which saved us at least £2 each on both days – a special perk of staying at Blue Rainbow Apartments!
After a quick rest, we headed into the centre of Manchester for lunch at Michael Caines at ABode. We pre-booked the special offer Amazing Grazing Lunch Menu, at just £9.95 for 3 courses instead of £13.50.
I started with a Cauliflower Risotto, followed by Fillet of Beef in red wine with a mini pot of garlic pomme purée and finished with a Peanut Parfait with almond milk icecream (like a luxurious frozen Snickers bar). The atmosphere was mellow but cosmopolitan and I imagine it would be buzzing in the evening.
The portions were dainty, exquisitely presented and just right for lunch and if you were still hungry you can order up to five courses or wolf down the basket of artisan breads!
We walked off lunch with a shopping trip around Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and the most enormous Urban Outfitters, close to the Arndale Centre. The department stores are petite versions of the London flagships but the designer selection is impressive and the stores are much quieter and easy to navigate.
Then it was a quick dash back to the apartment on the free city shuttle for a cuppa and a rest before heading to Manchester’s arty Northern Quarter at Sweet Mandarin.
What looks like an unassuming Chinese restaurant actually boasts Gordon Ramsey’s Best Local Chinese Restaurant in the UK award and its founding sisters Lisa and Helen triumphed on The F Word with a specially prepared menu.
We went for the Great Wall Banquet for £20 per person and we were impressed by the high quality and very generous portion sizes. It was quite simply the best Chinese meal we’ve ever had!
By the end of the night, we’d chatted to owner Lisa, the next table along and participated in two birthday sing-alongs…Manchester is just friendly like that.
The next morning, it was back to the Northern Quarter to check out the independent boutiques, florists and street art. As part of our ‘Executive Room’ package at the apartment, we were given a welcome basket full of cereal, butterscotch biscuits, bread to make toast, jams, butter, orange juice and milk, so we saved at least £10 on buying breakfast outside.
After last night’s indulgence, lunch was a more modest affair at Soup Kitchen – a cool, informal cafe that dishes out home-made soups, casseroles, salads and cakes in what looks unsurprisingly like a church hall soup kitchen!
Our Chicken Barley Broth and Spiced Sweet Potato soups were comforting and good value for money (although slightly lacking in seasoning) and we shared a slice of deliciously gooey chocolate and beetroot cake.
Soup Kitchen has a friendly neighbourhood atmosphere and they have a huge selection of zines and self-published mags at the in-store shop run by Good Grief.
Our afternoon was dedicated to Manchester’s more quirky shops – the first stop was Oldham Street for POP Boutique, Afflecks Palace, Oxfam Originals, Magma Books and Flannels Clearance Store. Manchester girls just love their vintage and indie fashion mags!
After a good trek around town, we headed to Teacup on Thomas Street – a neighbourhood tea emporium owned by Mr Scruff (DJ and tea conoisseur).
The selection of delightful home-made cakes is overwhelming and it took us a good while to make a choice. In the end, we went for giant monster scones with clotted cream and jam served with pots of rosebud tea and peppermint tea.
Teacup are dedicated to the perfect brew, presenting us with two teapots each, a brightly coloured hourglass and instructions of how long to leave them. It’s clearly a cafe made with love and is an absolute must for anyone who loves tea and cake!
Refuelled and happy, we had a whirlwind tour of the Grayson Perry exhibition at the Manchester Gallery, as it was just about to close for the day.
To fill in a couple of hours, we did a spot of shopping and then it was back to the Northern Quarter for pizza at Dough Pizza Kitchen. The pizza wasn’t really up to scratch, but our shared starter of Baked Half Camembert with a Dough Stick was delicious.
So, after a delightful foodie and shopping mini break it was time to head back to London and dream about our next trip back to Manchester.
City breaks can often be expensive, but there are so many ways of saving money and booking in advance is the key.
Look out online for restaurant deals and vouchers, check those hotel booking site emails that always flood your inbox for loyalty promo codes and read up on free arts and cultural events that you’d be interested in.
But the biggest savings came from booking through Virgin Trains online in advance. There are certain tricks you can use such as using a Young Person’s or Family Rail Card or travelling through the week and during off-peak hours. To find the best fare online, use Virgin Trains’ handy fare finder tool.
From being uber thrifty and planning ahead, we made a huge saving of over £535!
For more information on how to get cheaper rail fares and UK routes, visit: www.virgintrains.co.uk
Chérie City was given a budget of £250 by Virgin Trains to go and have a jolly old time in Manchester.
As a Northerner, I can’t help feeling a bit smug when my hometown has something that London doesn’t, but that’s all about to change with Bistro du Vin Clerkenwell arriving in London’s ‘gastro quarter’ St John Street.
The first offering from Hotel du Vin in London, the bistro will focus on classic dishes made using homegrown and local ingredients, with meat sourced from the nearby Smithfield meat market.
I was invited to an intimate dinner at The Brasserie at The London Mal (Hotel du Vin’s sister hotel group) just around the corner on Charterhouse Square, to sample some of the delights that will feature on the Bistro du Vin menu.
I started with Ibérico Ham (obviously Spanish but locally sold) with mixed leaves and a balsamic reduction. It was delicious and a light start to the meal and the chef gladly made it for me without beetroot.
For the main course, I was tempted by the selection of massive steaks (it was the end of London Fashion Week after all), but I just had to try the famous Mal Burger.
A topic we discussed over dinner was “what is it with bloggers and their burgers?” You can imagine which camp I belong to and the Mal Burger didn’t disappoint – in fact, I’d go so far as to say that it’s one of the best in London.
Firstly, it’s so huge that it needs to be stuck together with a wooden stick and attacked with a steak knife. The well-seasoned burger came with top quality bacon, local cheese, tomato relish and salad garnish.
It also came with a mini copper saucepan of tomato relish and a cone stuffed with matchstick fries – the kind that you find in Paris bistros.
The Mal Burger was indeed a monster, but somehow I found room for the most indulgent, dense Valrhona Chocolate Pavé.
The portion size was once again huge, like a giant slab of velvety chocolate heaven, topped with a curl of mascarpone cream and crushed pistachios.
After such an outstanding meal at The London Mal, I have high expectations for Bistro du Vin.
At Bistro du Vin you can expect shop windows featuring live butchery and Hotel du Vin’s signature wine tasting table, a pewter-topped bar for a more casual evening and a summer dining terrace.
Bistro du Vin Clerkenwell opens on St John Street in April. For more info and booking, visit: www.hotelduvin.com and www.malmaison.com
Chérie City was a guest of Malmaison London.
There are rarely any compelling reasons to write about celebrity magazine covers, but when I got a sneak preview of Gwen Stefani being interview by none other than long-time best friend Shirley Manson for ELLE UK, I just had to share.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, it feels right to share the conversation between two singers who carved a path for women with their uncompromising, ‘no bullshit’ attitude and sheer talent in what was a very male-dominated music scene.
I won’t spoil the whole interview for you, but here are some of the best bits…
Gwen on her recent tour with No Doubt: “…every night I’d get teary-eyed because of those old songs. I’m up on stage and singing songs about relationships I’ve had and I’m looking over and my kids are watching me.”
Gwen on stripping off: “There are certain artists I think I like, but then all of a sudden the clothes come off and I’m like, ‘What are you talking about? You’ve gotta save that!’ I have this real masculine-feminine thing; I’m not really that sexy – I get all made up and then I like to be a tough girl.”
Gwen on her beauty secret: “There’s nothing that really works – come on, let’s face it. We’re all looking for the secret, and if you find it, let me know.”
No product endorsements or patronising ‘just drink lots of water’ answers, despite becoming the new face of L’Oreal! Gwen has got to where she is through hard work, determination and integrity – surely that’s something to celebrate.
ELLE UK April issue with the Gwen Stefani cover interview is out on 9 March. For more info, visit: www.elleuk.com
Muubaa is quickly becoming the ‘go to’ brand for innovative, butter-soft leather pieces and the Autumn 2011 collection could be the most desirable yet!
Muubaa are known for taking classic, masculine jacket styles and making them feminine and wearable with interesting design details that evoke catwalk trends.
Maple Quilted Biker, £299
The Autumn 2011 collection is made up of sleek biker jackets with quilted panels, elegantly slouchy jackets with cascading collars, long biker macs with waist-tie belts and Victorian-style jackets with delicate buttons.
Christiana Nicolaou, Design Director at Muubaa says of the Autumn ’11 collection:
“I’m really glad that we’ve moved the range even further edgy and with added design details such as removable sleeves (ie. The Charme Aviatress jacket) as I think it adds another dimension to the range. London is know as one of the most innovative capital cities in the world and I really want our range to add to the diversity and sophisticated street style that’s inherently London. The variety inspires me and it’s what is unique about our city.”
Yarrow Long Mac Biker, £389
Of course, now the leather look isn’t exclusive to jackets and Muubaa’s Autumn collection features modern investment pieces such as a long leather pencil skirt, skinny leather trousers, a full leather circle skirt and a minimal Hannah Marshall-style leather t-shirt dress.
The colour palette for Autumn 2011 is made up of earthy, distressed shades including black, bitter chocolate, pyrite grey, rust and coal.
The two best-sellers, I predict, would be the sheepskin gilet (a typical fashion editor’s choice) and the wonderful 3-in-1 Aviatress jacket with detachable sleeves and collar.
Bronson Sheepskin Gilet, £349 / Daler Leather Shirt, £299 / Lilas Stretch Trousers £389
Leather has been all over the international catwalks and Autumn/Winter is all about mixing textures – tough leather with chunky knits, shearling with fine wool and soft leather with cashmere tailoring…the list is endless.
In fact, Muubaa’s long belted leather macs are perfect for channelling Haider Ackermann’s stunning Autumn/Winter 2011-12 looks at Paris Fashion Week (at a fraction of the price).