My journey to Dishoom, London’s first Bombay Café was a challenge. Through the manic streets of W1 on December 16th, I carefully wove my way through an avalanche of Christmas shoppers, all armed to the hilt with bulging carrier bags, yelling last minute party preparations down their phones. Inside Dishoom, I made my way across the manic café, carefully weaving past busy Santa-hatted waiting staff who were laden down not with carrier bags but with heavenly aromatic trays of lunches. The fragrance was overwhelming. There were no empty chairs either, always a good sign.
We were sat at a table where we could safely watch other diners and the bustle of the street from a safe distance. As it was so cold outside I requested the Desimulled Wine, with added cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and black pepper. A comfort drink for starters, presented in a plain and slightly aged glass. This instantly gave a welcoming authentic Bombay feel. A taste of what was to follow.
As my colleague and I were embracing the festive mood, we happily accepted the manager’s recommendation of the ‘Christmas Feast for 2’ (£27.50 per person), plus an extra chicken tikka dish. Fortunately this ‘feast’ was served with a Winter Pimms (with ‘Calvados and cloudy apple juice, gently spiced’). This seasonal winter warmer helped to thaw away the chills in time to enjoy the food.
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Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded 2011 & 2012, Charlotte’s Bistro in Chiswick have launched their Game Night. It is what it says on the tin, a night of the finest Game which starts at 7pm with drinks served on arrival followed by a sit down seven course menu celebrating this seasonal delicacy.
Game to me represents British cooking at its best, and you can expect some absolute delights at Charlotte’s Bistro.
Here’s the menu:
Game Consommé . Lemon Grass & Chilli . Smoked Oil
*****
Venison Tartare . Anchovy Sabayon . Pickles & Crudités . Bitter Chocolate
*****
Pheasant Sausage . Red Cabbage & Liquorice Purée . Puy Lentils
*****
Confit Wild Rabbit Tortelloni . Espelette Pepper “Café au Lait”
*****
Slow Cooked Lightly Smoked Venison Loin . Potato & Truffle Fondant . Ceps . Juniper
*****
Mandarin Sorbet . Rosemary & Sipsmith Gin . Bergamot . Toasted Oats
*****
Valrhona Chocolate . Bitter Endive . Dulce de Leche . Vanilla Milk
*****
Expect to pay a set menu price of £58 per person and a wine pairing option will be available on the evening at an additional £38 per person.
Your next Game night is on 23rd January 2012.
We spent the crisp winter morning working up an appetite for Sunday lunch at the highly acclaimed Alimentum restaurant; wandering the streets of Cambridge, crossing Jesus Green and Midsummer Common, and watching the punts appear from the mists of the River Cam. My partner and I were full of romance and history, and ready for the fine dining promised by Alimentum’s three AA rosettes.
On a noisy industrial road and with no parking provided, the start wasn’t promising. Don’t look for Alimentum in the picturesque streets of Cambridge city centre, or on the romantic banks of the River Cam. Head out of the city centre, down the Hills Road, and look for the multiplex and Travelodge. In the row of shops and takeaway chicken joints opposite lies the unassuming exterior of the Alimentum. Blink and you may miss it.
We arrived on a Sunday lunchtime to a near-empty restaurant, so excellent scope for attentive service. The barman assured us the restaurant would fill up later, so we took our opportunity to relax in the bar area with a pre-lunch cocktail before the well-heeled hordes arrived.
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If you’ve been searching for that exquisite 5-star rural escape, Combermere Abbey on the Cheshire/Shropshire border is one of those exceptional family and dog-friendly hideaways that will live up to even the most demanding expectation. So whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend away, a family retreat or a long-term business let, we think that Combermere Abbey will deliver the highest levels of quality throughout the duration of your stay.
Comprising of ten individually designed five star eco-friendly holiday cottages; there is a style to suit every taste, from understated contemporary to traditional elegance. The holiday cottages are the result of a conversion of the original stables and coach house, which are positioned around a beautiful cobblestone courtyard (dating back to Napoleonic times) that can sleep between 4 - 10 guests each. Every aspect has been carefully thought about to ensure your stay is the best it can be. As soon as you step into your cottage you will feel an extraordinary home from home comfort, which is immediately relaxing to the senses.
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Amanpuri Phuket is an iconic part of the history of 5 star resorts on this beautiful holiday island in the Andaman Sea. For 24 years it has set the standard of unbridled luxury to which other resorts have aspired. It is a beautifully sculptured masterpiece of Thai architecture that synthesises a wonderful location next to the pristine Pansea Beach, top class modern facilities and first class friendly service, making it a perfect holiday location.
Aman resorts throughout the world have a unique footprint and raison d’être based upon the desire to provide a peaceful environment for their guests whilst minimising any detrimental effects upon the local environment. Indeed the word ‘Amanpuri’ in the Sanskrit language means ‘place of peace’. In typical Aman fashion, the entrance to the resort is understated so nothing prepares you for the breathtaking beauty of Amanpuri that you experience as you drive in. The whole place is absolutely magnificent, based around traditional Thai buildings neatly sculptured into the hillside location. The mature flora and fauna and the way it complements the facility is a lesson in how nature and manmade construction can live in synchronised harmony creating a perfect synergy and a beautifully exciting backdrop.
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