Got the cash? Well then it’s lobster ‘n’ caviar all round February 23, 2010 ASTAR Tokyo chef, Shoichi Fujimaki, has delighted wealthy locals by charging £70 for a single serving of his signature ramen noodles, a price commanded by his special blend of broth. A less gourmet version of the staple can be bought for £4 down the road. So if cash-stripped Japan can rustle up dishes so extravagant, [...]
OUT OF OFFICE February 23, 2010 RON ARAD: RESTLESS The first major exhibition of Arad’s work in the UK includes a new reworking of his classic 1989 Well Tempered Chair – re-done in transparent polycarbonate – his ping pong table with a highly-reflective surface that slopes in the middle to slow down the game for visitors to play on, and an [...]
How to get bidding for the first time February 23, 2010 I’m thinking of going to an auction to buy some antiques for my home, but haven’t been before. What should I expect? IT’S not surprising that many of us are a little intimidated by the idea of an auction. If TV depictions are to be believed, the slightest scratch of your nose could see you [...]
New cars to look out for in Geneva February 23, 2010 THIS time next week the Geneva International Motor Show will be underway, with the latest designs, concept cars, fresh innovations and new launches. After the travails the motoring world has suffered over the past year, including the near collapse of General Motors and the calamities recently befalling Toyota, the industry will be hoping that the [...]
Torode offers more sizzle than steak February 22, 2010 The Luxe On hearing the name of John Torode, those in the know are likely to grunt with satisfaction as the image of a large, juicy steak enters their head. Perhaps they’ve even read his book, called Beef. Others will murmer an approving “ah yes” as a great cocktail, smoothie, or debaucherous night out at [...]
THREE OTHER MEATY RESTAURANTS February 22, 2010 MAZE GRILL Jason Atherton’s more casual offshoot of Maze, the emphasis here is on steak, though everything else is good too. A waiter appears with a bundle of raw meat, from which you choose what appeals. There’s a range of British and American beef of different ages, and Wagyu. Not cheap, but certainly delicious. 10 [...]
FOOD & BOOZE NEWS February 22, 2010 CALLING ALL FRUIT BEER LOVERS Fruit beer lovers who shop at Waitrose rejoice: a delicious new one from Liefmans has been added to the range. Based on Liefmans Cuvee Brut, a famous brown beer brewed just once a year and left to mature for 18 months on fresh, whole cherries, this beer is then blended [...]
Find a new you with a new look February 22, 2010 LAUREN Luke’s life was not going anywhere when she decided to ditch her job as a taxi dispatcher in a town near Newcastle and begin selling makeup on eBay. To accompany the products, she took photos of herself wearing the makeup to show how it could be used. Her buyers started asking more about how [...]
OTHER LEADING CRUISES FOR ALL TASTES February 21, 2010 Silversea Seabourn’s only serious rival for luxury, it’s possible that Silversea even exceeds Seabourn when it comes to room design and service – the Silver Whisper ship, for example, has more space per passenger than any other ship in the world, while the staff to passenger ratio is an almost excessive 1.3 to 1. Its six [...]
New day, new port: a view of the world from a luxury cruise February 21, 2010 WHEN Oasis, the world’s biggest cruise ship, launched last year in Miami with all the fanfare of a royal spaceship, I recoiled. The idea of a floating carnival/town/funfair/shopping mall/beach resort holding 6,296 passengers, a good portion of whom may well end up sunburnt, drunk, disorderly and seasick, is about as far from my idea of [...]