Archive For June 2019
What a wonderful island! Funchal in Madeira offers a great climate, history, creditable wines and superb food. There is a wealth of eating opportunities to cater for every taste, pocket and time of day. There are cosy bakeries, shelves groaning with both sweet and savoury treats for breakfast and late morning snacking. Bars and cafés…
Dear tourist, please take a step away from London on your next vacation. Eton awaits and it’s a gem of a destination. Don’t worry about where to stay. I have a suggestion which will delight with its charm and comfort. You will likely not want to leave, so do your sight-seeing first. Well, why would…
My favourite chocolatier, Lily O’Brien’s, has come up with a convivial treat for the summer …or any time. It’s a delicious new range of Share Bags which would be just perfect to take on a picnic or with coffee after an al fresco meal. The new collection includes Crispy Butterscotch, Mega Milk Chocolate, Dark Belgian…
It seems an unlikely marriage between a popular chain supermarket and Eden Mill. They are producers of Scottish small-batch craft gins. Those who frequent the beverage aisles of ALDI will expect a bargain and those who are familiar with Eden Mill will expect quality. One gets both in this unique stoneware bottle which seems to be the distillery’s trademark…
OK, I had not heard of Lambic and that’s mainly because I am not a big beer drinker, but this was something of a revelation …and a delicious one. Lambic is a style of beer brewed mainly in the Pajottenland region of Belgium. These beers include gueuze and kriek lambic, which are both striking and…
For the last five years, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts has set out to save the coral reefs and create a tidal wave of global change as part of its OZONE conservation initiative. Pollution and mass bleaching impact the world’s oceans, putting coral at risk. Outrigger’s ZONE (OZONE) goes into action each day by educating guests…
I didn’t know what to expect. It was my first visit to Mauritius and my second to an Outrigger resort. The bar had been set very high! The welcome by immigration officials at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport was warm and friendly. This seasoned traveller braces herself for such encounters. There were smiles, jokes and…
Pickering’s Gin & British Airways create world’s first sky-high gin Botanically engineered to enjoy at 30,000ft In a world first, Edinburgh based Pickering’s Gin, have created a gin that has been specifically developed to be enjoyed at altitude. The gin is available to drink onboard on all short haul flights and through the High Life…
One glance at the Fortunella Golden Orange Liqueur bottle will lead the prospective sipper to expect something a little different, a refined taste, a well-crafted spirit, a nod to London and its history …and that’s before one even pulls the traditional cork stopper. The name Fortunella refers to the lucky discovery of the fragrant and…
Well, perhaps this is lucky timing for a review of a restaurant called POTUS! President Trump has been visiting London and POTUS Bar and Restaurant at Crowne Plaza London – Albert Embankment is just a stone’s throw from the new American Embassy. Perhaps Mr Trump will pop in to sample some solid American fare before…
Strawberry Daiquiri From BBC Food The sweetness of fruit and the kick of lime make this classic Strawberry Daiquiri a real crowd pleaser of a cocktail. Ingredients 4 fresh strawberries, plus ½ strawberry to garnish 2 tsp white sugar 35ml/1½fl oz white rum 1 tbsp strawberry liqueur 25ml/1fl oz lime juice Method Place the…
It’s soon going to be Father’s Day and there is that dilemma. Men are often difficult when trying to find the perfect gift. Socks are handy but not exactly original. Chocolate is always appreciated but perhaps you used that idea for Mother’s Day. But I bet some quality fudge will hit the spot. Fudge Kitchen…
A guided tour of Blandy’s 17th century Wine Lodge and its associated Wine Museum, in the centre of Funchal, will reveal some of the art and science that generations of producers have developed, to make a range of delicious, rich and long-lasting wines out of the grapes grown here. There are several excellent table wines,…