We recently got invited to go and trial the delights of the Brouge restaurant in Richmond, a modern Belgian bistro with a slight British influence. It’s the second restaurant in the chain, its sister being in Twickenham (just down the road).
Having never been to a Belgian restaurant before we arrived at the restaurant with no pre-conceptions to what we’d find. Obviously we’d checked out the web site which portrayed the place well.
If you’ve never been to Richmond, we definitely advise you do. It’s absolutely stunning in the summer and sitting next to the River Thames with a cold pint in your hand simply can’t be beaten.
Anyway… I digress. The restaurant is situated right near the river in the basement of Waterstones book shop. This means it offers many of the architectural characteristics of what you’d imagine a classic wine cellar would – high ceilings, archways, cubby holes and good acoustics!
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You may have heard a wild rumour floating around London that there are in fact Pink Flamingos in Kensington. I joke you not, I can confirm this is true. In fact, let’s not stop at Flamingos… I’m talking ancient fine English Oak trees along with tens of other tree varieties, 3 different and wildly varied gardens, views of the London skyline that can’t be beaten… all at the very top of No. 99 Kensington High Street.
This place is a secluded oasis in a bustling city that never sleeps and we had the chance to go and review the Kensington Roof Garden’s latest Terrace BBQ.
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Imagine, if you will, a fine English Vineyard, a country lane, and a back drop to some of the finest countryside our great British Isles has to offer. Now imagine a petite restaurant offering a fine dining experience to rival the very best in the business. There is no need to imagine, because in the form of Vatika situated in Shedfield, Southampton, this becomes reality.
Vatika is only a relatively young venture but it shows none of the insecurities or uncertainties of a fledgling business. Sister restaurant to the highly acclaimed Benares Restaurant in London, Vatika manages to transport you to a world of flavours in a truly accomplished manner, all under the watchful eye of Head Chef Jitin Joshi who can be seen, in rare moments of respite, chasing pheasants and playing Frisbee in the adjoining Vineyard!!
Seated within the smart, but suitably relaxed surroundings, enjoying views of the wind-ruffled vineyard, we embarked on a veritable feast of engaging dishes from the Tasting Menu.
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Castle Combe is often referred to as the prettiest village in England… so as you turn off the main street, as the wrought iron gates glide open, as you cruise up the drive taking in the sweeping views across the croquet lawn to this imposing 14th century manor house you just know you’re in for a treat!
This is luxury done to the sort of standard we’ve come to expect from a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property and they make it all look and feel so easy.
Getting a feel for the place…
Castle Combe Manor is a tucked away in the bottom of a valley, on the edge of the Cotswolds, in amongst some three or four hundred acres of woodland, parks and gardens. The main house, a warren of little drawing rooms and fireplaces, looks and feels almost untouched in it’s 500 years of history.
A little snug…
Our junior suite, upstairs in what I guess must have once been servant’s cottages, seemed equally authentic.
It’s not, you understand, that it’s not all plush and polished and clean and new; because it is. There’s a plasma screen in the bath, a walk-in monsoon shower, the lighting needs a manual and the tea caddy is better stocked than my house but it’s been done with enough care and attention that it feels as old as the bricks and mortar around you.
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Having skied from the age of 5 (including a couple of seasons in the late 90s when working for a living temporarily lost its appeal) I’m always amazed that I find choosing a ski resort and chalet so difficult! I blame the Internet (perhaps slightly ironic for a blogger).
The trouble is, there’s so much choice!
But I think I’ve found the answer. I recently returned from a trip to St Michael, in Austria’s southern region of Lungau – slightly off the tourist route but still only an hour’s transfer from Salzburg. It was, quite simply, exceptional.
There are several reasons why.
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