Food and drink
For whom The Bell tolls
If only “local roast pheasant as tough as a shoe” and “vanilla set cream as tense as the latex of a Spitting Image puppet” were the worst things about Douglas Blyde’s overnight stay at The Bell in Ticehurst. His tribulations recall those of Hemingway’s Robert Jordan. It’s a harrowing tale indeed.
By Douglas Blyde, published on 14 December 2011
Wine and cigars: Part I
While most people will list Scotch, Cognac, rum and port among the ideal cigar accompaniments, we suspect the truth is that a large percentage of cigar smokers drink wine with their smokes. Which is why we sent Monty Cristo, our man ‘on’ Havanas, to seek out the best cigar / wine pairings. Happy Friday!
By Monty Cristo, published on 9 December 2011
Seamless Mr Wing is hard not to like
A lovely setting, fantastic staff and excellent food – what’s not to like?
By Alex Larman, published on 5 December 2011
On food and relationships
Food and relationships, it seems, is a subject so fertile that a bare few hundred words would not do it justice. So while the seed of this idea is sown here, new contributor Qin Xie will ruminate over what grows from it in the columns which will faithfully follow.
By Qin Xie, published on 28 November 2011
A masterclass with Vivek Singh
Executive chef at the Cinnamon Club and Cinnamon Kitchen, Vivek Singh, recently demonstrated his own alternative take on the great British dish of fish and chips as part of a series of events for London Restaurant Festival. Watch as Vivek puts his own inimitable spin on a delicious dish of Amritsar spiced halibut, tandoori wedges and mustard mushy peas.
By Alex Larman, published on 24 October 2011
JW Steakhouse gives Hawksmoor, Goodman, Cut et al a run for their money
JW Steakhouse is a worldwide group that prides itself on offering the best steaks in any given city, and the ones in London are certainly magnificent – not bad, given that the nearby competition includes Goodman, Hawksmoor and now Wolfgang Puck’s establishment, Cut.
By Alex Larman, published on 5 October 2011
Names Can’t Be Bulldozed: The Capability at Waldorf Astoria Syon Park
The multi-coloured Waldorf Astoria at Syon Park is an example of what our man Douglas Blyde refers to as “identity theft.” Here, butterfly motifs trespass slate signs to the business centre where a Phillip Morris convention occurs whiIe all’s immobile in a token butterfly cage in the lobby. But we’ve not come to stare at an empty butterfly sarcophagus; we’ve driven over to pick at a grouse at main restaurant, The Capability.
By Douglas Blyde, published on 28 September 2011
Water drinking wit: The Charles Lamb
Despite its ironic name, The Charles Lamb dispenses intriguing alcohol treats alongside plucky, flavoursome generous portions says Douglas Blyde.
By Douglas Blyde, published on 13 September 2011
Casa Batavia is easy to recommend
Casa Batavia is a really welcome addition to the pantheon of local West London restaurants, and, judging by the Italian-heavy nature of many of the visitors when we went there, about as authentic as you’re likely to get. A visit there is easy to recommend.
By Alex Larman, published on 12 September 2011
Blueprint: An icon
Marking the 21st anniversary and imminent 80th of designer, Sir Terence Conran, Douglas Blyde visists London’s Blueprint Café.
By Douglas Blyde, published on 22 August 2011
