The weird and wonderful world of Japanese model food December 2, 2024 Japan is famous for the way its cultural artefacts seem to evolve separately from the rest of the world. Travel to Tokyo and you can find fax machines that have continued to develop new bells and whistles long after their use in the west began its terminal decline in the 1990s. Shokuhin sanpuru (literally: food [...]
Will our Christmas dinner guests soon be AI chatbots? December 2, 2024 Glad tidings of comfort and joy! Christmas has traditionally been a time for congregating with your fellow homo sapiens – but play nice over the turkey and sprouts this year: it could be one of the last where unmediated human interaction is still the norm. We’re about to enter a world in which AI bots [...]
Bad Gastein: Skiing with a touch of belle époque glamour December 2, 2024 They say first impressions matter, and my goodness, Bad Gastein certainly makes a great first impression. When approaching the resort, visitors are met with what at first glance, looks like a Wes Anderson film set. A spectacular cliff amphitheatre is crowned by elegant and imposing turn of the century palaces and hotels. As our taxi [...]
Best gifts for 2024: Our bumper Christmas Gift Guide of 44 must-buy presents November 29, 2024 It’s time to get serious about your presents, whether you’re looking for the best gifts for mum, top presents for dad or filling up a stocking for the rest of the family, we have you covered, from fashion to technology, fashion, fragrance and spirits. Check out our incredible annual gift guide, complete with links to [...]
The Naked Truth November 27, 2024 Marica Bonomo followed in the family footsteps to create sensational wines in the romantic Italian hills surrounding Lake Garda. Naked’s Angels named her Winemaker of the Year 2023 and her wines feature in the Spectators ‘Top 100 Wines in the World’ How did you get Naked? Joining this lovely new family has been a huge [...]
Smithfield meat market to close: ‘Farringdon will be losing part of its history’ November 26, 2024 The fate of City institution Smithfield market was decided yesterday, with the City of London Corporation announcing the last chops will be sold after 2028. Local business owners reacted with dismay to the news. Graham Chatham, chef patron of Origin City and 56 West Smithfield said: “It’s terribly sad to see the market close after [...]
Supporting the Underdog this Christmas November 26, 2024 If anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I am NOT drinking any f****** merlot!”. It was the line, uttered by Paul Giamatti in the film ‘Sideways’, that triggered a two per cent drop in Merlot sales in the USA and relegated the grape to underdog status for years to come. It is still trying to claw [...]
Restaurant Sat Bains is the best reason to visit Nottingham November 20, 2024 When you think of the great culinary capitals of the world, your mind probably wanders to Tokyo, Paris or perhaps San Sebastian, cities where the great chefs of our time gather, their collective talent creating a surge of excellence and innovation. You probably do not think of Nottingham, or, more specifically, a nondescript little corner [...]
Libby takes a Bottle to Pilates November 20, 2024 You know, you could really benefit from regular Pilates Libby,” purrs my glamorous instructor as she guides my shaking leg to a previously unattainable angle. Probably true, as right now my hip flexes are screaming at me about my days spent sitting at a laptop. I have been persuaded to try my first Reformer Pilates [...]
High Low Pairings: Fried Chicken November 19, 2024 It was the revered Château d’Yquem that first introduced me to the beauty of the high-low pairing when they served their premier sweet wine with KFC-style fried chicken. It was the taste sensation I never knew I needed, and I set out to discover what other fine wines would enhance the humble (but rightfully beloved) [...]