Coffee is not the miracle drug it’s often made out to be July 13, 2009 LAST week scientists from the University of Florida released a study claiming that coffee can prevent the development of dementia, and even reverse it. When they gave caffeine to mice that had been bred to have the rodent version of Alzheimer’s, they found that the animals’ ability to perform memory tests increased and was soon [...]
The food was lovely, it was just a shame about everything else July 13, 2009 MURANO20 QUEEN STREET,LONDON, W1J 5PRT: 020 7592 1222murano@gordonramsay.comFOOD SERVICE ATMOSPHERE Cost per person without wine: £25 (set menu) WHEN Murano opened in 2008 it was greeted with trumpets and fanfare. It was the latest in Gordon Ramsay’s empire, and the food was by Angela Hartnett, one of the few women at the top of the [...]
THREE OTHER HIGH-END ITALIANS July 13, 2009 L’ANIMAClassy, chic, and with excellent food, this is one of the best new openings in the City in the past year, and one of the few Square Mile restaurants that you might want to visit with friends, as well as contacts. 1 Snowden Street EC2A 2DQ, tel: 020 7422 7000, www.lanima.co.uk. LOCANDA LOCATELLIAn oldie, but [...]
Beyond Tokyo Japan offers tranquility, history and cute monkeys July 12, 2009 KYOTOWhen America was at war with Japan, it left Kyoto off of its list of air raid targets. Even as an enemy, the US realised that it would be inhuman to destroy the city, with its countless temples and winding streets that drip with history, some of it dating back to the Eighth century. Having [...]
Google is not the only challenger to Microsoft July 9, 2009 GOOGLE opened yet another front in its war on Microsoft earlier this week by announcing the launch of its new PC operating system. Chrome will compete directly with Microsoft’s sacred cash cow, Windows, which accounted for around 45 per cent of the software giant’s $22.5bn operating profit last year. Google’s decision to take on Microsoft [...]
Falling Mayfair prices attracting students and the fashionable set July 9, 2009 LONDON’S playground of the super-rich has always been a place that ordinary mortals – even high-earning ones – would rarely consider within their reach. But times have changed, and with them, Mayfair’s rental prices, which have dropped 15-20 per cent since their peak in 2007. Charity Delves, lettings manager at Mayfair estate agent Wetherell, says: [...]
FOCUS ON: ST ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE July 9, 2009 87,LANCASTER ROAD, ST ALBANS, AL1 4ERPrice: £685,000This smart four-bedroom property is just a mile from the city centre and the railway station, which is 20 minutes away from St Pancras. The master bedroom has an en suite while the downstairs includes a large reception room, separate dining room and kitchen/breakfast room. A driveway at the [...]
It’s big, but it’s just not funny or a bit clever July 9, 2009 FilmBRUNOCert: 18I LIKED Borat, I did. I laughed out loud, enthusiastically, throughout. I like Ali G too. I get Sacha Baron Cohen’s shtick and I see his genius. At least I did until I sat through Bruno. It was the slowest 80 minutes of my life (rivalled only by the removal of my top left [...]
NOW SHOWING FOUR OF THE BEST July 9, 2009 JEFF KOONS AT THE SERPENTINE – One of the most influential American artists of recent times is on great form at this absorbing show. A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC AT THE GARRICK – A spectacular revival of Stephen Sondheim’s 1973 musical. THE FOURTH PLINTH – Don’t miss the human volunteers that make up Antony Gormley’s installation [...]
OUT THIS WEEKEND PREVIEWS July 9, 2009 FILM FIRED UP – Two high school guys decide to ditch football camp for cheerleader camp. SOUL POWER – A documentary on the legendary soul music concert staged in Kinshasa, Zaire in 1974. 25 SHOTS OF RUM – French film about the complex relationship between a father and daughter. DVD BRONSON – Grisly tale about [...]