Keep your eyes on the pies December 2, 2009 CHRISTMAS without mince pies would be like a British summer without rain – simply not possible. We love our mince pies – at least before a month of over-eating them makes us a stone heavier and permanently nausceous. But they can vary in quality. At their best, they are a combination of sweet, sour, gooey [...]
…AND WINES TO MATCH December 2, 2009 CROFT’S PARTICULAR A rich Amontillado-style cream sherry like this one works well for your more traditional pie – and traditional pie eater. It’s an unusually pale sherry, which uses fino instead of oloroso as the base wine, lightening up the style overall, and adding the interesting nuances. £10.06 at Waitrose. H&H VERDELHO MADEIRASometimes, nothing beats [...]
A gripping drive December 1, 2009 THE LAST time I drove a Civic Type R, I found the ride quite brutal. So I have to admit to being slightly wary of having this one to test on UK roads, but it had to be done, because just 20 of them are destined for the whole of Europe. First things first, this [...]
Warning: anger is bad for your heart November 30, 2009 NEXT time you feel you’re going to burst a blood vessel from rage because a colleague undermined you or stitched you up or just generally made you feel crap, think carefully about how you deal with your feelings. Repression could be deadly – a study from Stockholm University’s Stress Research Institute found that men who [...]
OUT OF OFFICE November 30, 2009 CALEDONIART SCOTS ART SHOWThere are some beautiful pieces of art on show at Caledoniart in honour of St Andrew’s Day which should delight Scots and non-Scots alike. It’s a colourful, sensual collection of 25 of Scotland’s finest contemporary artists, including work from Gregory Rankin, Robert Kelsey, Roseanne Barr and Tim Cokburn, whose enchanting Bride and [...]
Italian food like mama used to do November 30, 2009 Babbo39 Albemarle Street, W1S 4JQCost per person without wine: £50 THERE’S something pleasingly old-fashioned about the latest addition to Mayfair’s culinary family. With its sparkling chandeliers, framed black and white photos of rustic Italian scenes, smartly-attired waiters and cosy ambience, Babbo is clearly not a restaurant where rulebooks are being rewritten. In fact, it feels [...]
THREE OTHER ITALIAN FAVOURITES November 30, 2009 RISTORANTE SEMPLICEJust round the corner from Bond Street, Semplice has quickly established itself as a real Italian stunner, gaining a Michelin star this year. It’s a sleek and luxurious place to dine, with a menu that mixes traditional Italian with modern sophistication, and offers excellent value with its set lunches too. 9-10 Blenheim St, S1S [...]
FOOD & BOOZE NEWS November 30, 2009 FOOD AND MUSIC IN CAMDENA taste of Sicily is coming to Camden Town, in the shape of new restaurant Caponata, which opens tomorrow night. And Camden being the centre of London’s live music scene, it’s got its own music and arts space, called The Forge. Signature dishes in the main restaurant will include the, um, [...]
Hit a different piste this winter November 29, 2009 FOR many of us there’s nothing to beat the feeling of whizzing down a slope at full pelt – skiing can provide a rush unlike any other. Having said that, queuing for ages to get near a lift, having to improvise slalom skills to avoid other skiers on overcrowded slopes and paying small fortunes for [...]
LEBANON November 29, 2009 Lebanon’s beautiful snowy valleys were first tapped for their skiing potential in 1913, when intrepid sportspeople headed to the hills near the Aley region of Mount Lebanon. In 1923, occupying French officers couldn’t resist the pristine slopes of the Baidar, Knaisseh and Mzaar mountains. Twelve years later, French entrepreneurs set up Lebanon’s ski school at [...]
