A gritty tale of love and intrigue in 1930s London March 17, 2010 AT THE CHIME OF A CITY CLOCK BY DJ TAYLOR Constable, £12.99 by Zoe Strimpel “If he had looked back, he would have seen her walk off not in the direction of the bus stop but away east towards Barnsbury. Only he didn’t look back. He hurried on, thinking of the office in Finsbury Pavement, [...]
How to pick a winner at Cheltenham March 17, 2010 I’m going to Cheltenham with my company, and I’ve never bet on the horses before. What advice do you have? Jasper, 24, trader EVEN if you’re a betting novice, you’ll hardly be starved of entertainment at Cheltenham. But a few lucky punts won’t just win you a wad of cash – it’ll turn your pals [...]
What to Drink with your Indian dinner March 17, 2010 LAURENT MIQUEL CAZAL VIEL ROSÉ VIELLES VIGNES 2008 £6.99 at Majestic This delicate rosé has red fruit flavours with a round, mellow structure and superb freshness on the finish, which makes it the perfect rosé for mild to medium heat and tomato-based curries such as a shrimp dopiaza. PLÈNITUDE, MADIRAN 2005, £16.99 at Adnams, City [...]
Currying flavour with fine wines March 17, 2010 FOR a nation that loves its booze as much as its Indian food, we have a strangely limited approach when it comes to alcoholic accompaniments for Asian cuisine. It’s not because we only like cheap wine and pints – new figures show that the UK is the biggest importer of Champagne in the world. But [...]
REVOLUTIONISING the runabout March 16, 2010 OFTEN it’s the least exciting cars that are the most surprising. Testing an eco model from the most traditionally conservative car segment – the Supermini or B segment – promises to be, if not dull, then certainly a pedestrian experience. Yet, in a difficult car market, the Supermini segment is where all of the action [...]
It’s a family affair when you’re looking for a scent March 15, 2010 THE modern male may be rather more comfortable with primping, preening and beautifying – so long as we can call it grooming – but deciding on a scent is still a problematic exercise. Even the most confident bloke can feel ill at ease in the heightened feminine atmosphere of a perfume department, and given the [...]
I don’t have time to get into a relationship March 15, 2010 DEAR VEXED: I am desperate for a relationship but my work is so demanding I have no time during the week and tend to be exhausted at weekends. Work is really important to me and I’m not willing to switch down a gear or change professions – does this mean I must make my peace [...]
OUT OF OFFICE March 15, 2010 Sweet nothings La Ronde author Arthur Schnitzler’s play, known originally as Flirtation, nailed 1890s Viennese society with its look at the tragic couplings between four foolish young people. David Harrower’s new version at the Young Vic is directed with stylish panache by Swiss-born Luc Bondy, and stars tom Hughes, Kate Burdette, Natalie Dormer and Andrew [...]
London rejoices as maestro returns March 15, 2010 There are two types of people that will thrill at Bistrot Bruno Loubet, the quietly trendy Zetter Hotel’s latest restaurant incarnation. Type one are the gastronomes – otherwise known as foodie geeks – who follow the movements of top French chefs. They will be excited – indeed they are excited – that this Gallic maestro [...]
THREE OTHER FINE FRENCH BISTROTS March 15, 2010 TERROIRS Charing Cross suddenly hit the foodie map with this proper French wine bar and restaurant full of charcuterie, terrines, cheeses, rich mains and clever little dishes such as Lincolnshire smoked eel and boudin noir with fried eggs. Wine is a magnificent selection of European winners with a French angle; much is biodynamic, too. 5 [...]