Our resident chef Mark Hix on how British farmers are extending asparagus season to incredible new lengths September 21, 2016 Traditionally, the asparagus season is a brief one, running from late April until late June depending on how our British weather behaves. But thanks to milder winters and clever growers, that season is getting longer. One producer who’s really put some thought into fighting the overseas competition is the Chinn Family, who grow asparagus in [...]
The six best hot dogs in London: From huge poles to dirty dogs, it’s our pick of the best sausages-in-a-bun September 20, 2016 1. The Polish Dog The Diner, Strand Proving it’s possible to give a hot dog a name you’re not embarrassed to say in front of your grandmother, The Polish Dog is a beef and pork wiener with caramelised onions and French’s mustard. Good job, The Diner, for not submitting to the childish temptation to call [...]
Destiny: Rise of Iron news – Gjallarhorn returns in an update that gives the fans what they’ve been waiting for September 20, 2016 Destiny's previous expansion, The Taken King, was a bit of a relief. It helped to simplify the more frustrating progression elements, meaning, for example, that when you finally obtained a much-sought after piece of gear (one that you had killed countless sentient beings for) you could start using it right away, rather than having to collect [...]
Skyscanner acquired by Chinese travel giant Ctrip in a £1.4 billion deal September 19, 2016 | City Talk Edinburgh-based travel search company Skyscanner has been acquired by Chinese travel giant Ctrip in a £1.4 billion deal. Ctrip, a Chinese online travel agent, claims two thirds share of the market in China. Headquartered in Shanghai, it was founded in 1999 and began life as a review site, then branched to hotel business and across [...]
Explore the hidden trails of Bali, where luxury retreats hide among verdant rainforests and spectacular valleys September 16, 2016 A monsoon deluge broke as we approached the emerald rainforests of Ubud, sending a family of chattering monkeys, some holding each other’s tails, scampering for the sanctuary of the sandalwood trees. It was that bewitching hour in the tropics when day turns rapidly into bible-black night, as if a curtain has dropped, and driving through plantations [...]
Open House 2016: Book up or start queuing early – here’s our pick of the landmarks to see at this year’s festival September 16, 2016 It’s that time of year again when ordinary folks like you and me are given free rein to snoop around other people’s houses. That’s right, Open House is back, a whole weekend dedicated to exploring London’s architectural gems, including famous landmarks and buildings usually closed off to the public. Explore national icons – like The [...]
Opinion: The Night Tube won’t have any effect on house prices until it runs during the working week September 16, 2016 If the Night Tube was introduced during the working week, then it would be a game changer. It would mean people who work shifts – such as ambulance workers, fire fighters, nurses, junior doctors and other professionals who provide around the clock support to the community – wouldn’t need to pay high central London rents [...]
Focus On Barking: Will Khan’s approval for ‘Barcelona-on-Thames’ change the landscape of east London? September 16, 2016 It’s not often Barking – an industrial suburb of east London – finds itself in the spotlight. But that’s exactly what happened this month when Mayor of London Sadiq Khan approved “one of the largest and most ambitious regeneration schemes in Europe” on the north bank of the Thames. Barking Riverside, as it’ll be known, [...]
Property of the Week: How one design-focused couple turned their house in Mile End into a million pounds September 16, 2016 Over 20 years ago, Antonius and Claire Wubben, a couple with a strong background in design, started looking for a property to buy in the East End of London as they were fascinated with the area’s typical Victorian architecture, the tight-knit community living there and its residential streets. They finally landed on an 1880s three [...]
New homes on sale in Stanton William’s Riverwalk, the curviest towers on the River Thames September 16, 2016 Riverwalk, Westminster From £1.25m A scheme at Millbank on the north bank of the Thames is throwing open its doors this weekend to prospective buyers. Over 75 per cent of the homes have been sold off-plan at the Ronson Capital Partners development, which has 119 one to four bedroom apartments spread across two buildings. The [...]