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 [...]
Food & booze news March 15, 2010 ST PATRICK’S DAY FEASTS Celebrate Ireland’s Saint’s day with a feast inspired by food from the Emerald Isle (such menus don’t appear every day). At the Ebury in Pimlico there’s Cashel Blue with Boxty potato pancakes; and corned beef with bacon, cabbage, Guinness sauce and prunes. Across town at Maida Vale’s The Waterway you’ll find [...]
Make the most of your World Cup holiday March 14, 2010 SO, we know now where England will be based for this summer’s World Cup in June and July. Fabio Capello’s guys will set up their training camp in the small town of Rustenburg, 70 miles from Johannesburg and 60 miles from Pretoria. Aside from being a football haven come June with four World Cup stadiums [...]
TRAVEL NOTES March 14, 2010 Plane Food’s healthy picnics Now the health-conscious jet-set can make sure they stay well fuelled on board. Stuart Gillies at Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food in Heathrow’s Terminal Five has created a picnic menu called Plane Beautiful that uses nutrient-loaded ingredients thought to “bring out beauty from within while airborne” – think lots of Omega-3 and [...]