London: Tea Time in Wonderland » book

A week-end in London: Dec 22-24, 2011

Chocoralie — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:06:55 +0000

Hunt down the last few gifts on the list, write the last few cards, hug your favourite colleagues at work, have a nice time, see you next year, comparison of festive plans, who will travel the largest number of km in the shortest time, at least there is no snow this year, no chaos, what a relief, a last card on the way out, forgot to do some for the neighbours, must do that before I go, fill a suitcase, not enough space, empty the suitcase, grumble, get a bigger one, sit on it, chuckle, in a nutshell: speed up to be able in a few hours to slow down and relax. A merry Christmas to you all!

: We wish you a merry Christmas:
* Quick, a few days left to have a look at this life-size Advent calendar.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, there is shopping left to do:
* Cup of tea, anyone?
* A few places for late/last minute shopping, inclusing on the 24th.

Yummy time ahead:
* Add a little exotism to your last minute preparations and have a Turquish coffee. And maybe a cake. Or two.
* Eat smart. For lobster, click this way, we promise it will not break the bank.
* Fed up with the cooking spirit? Have a break. and a champagne brunch.
* Quick – note in your 2012 agenda your Monday appointments: delicious ramen.

That’s art, baby:
* Apocalypse at the Tate Britain.

A little touch of magic:
* Look out for leaves on the pavement. Between autumn and spring.
* Marvel at one of the most beautiful synagogues in London.
* Royal Mail will launch Roald Dahl stamps in January - preorder them, they will be gone in no time!

I ♥ London:
* Fall in love again with the city.
* Well done! Fans of the inspiring blog Tired of London, tired of life will be delighted it will soon be followed by a book beginning of January. Well done to the gentle author!

Win: Time Out Eating and Drinking Guide 2012

Chocoralie — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:48:16 +0000

I had wondered, before opening this guide, whether it could really be of any use to me - I certainly have quite a collection of tasty addresses in town. Time Out certainly is the best reference is London but all reviews are subjective – everyone have their own standard.

And so I leafed through it. Nothing stops a foodie more in their tracks than a beautiful picture of a dish. I constantly looked for restaurant descriptions, noting them down and ended up, after 20 mn with more than a page of places I had never heard of yet was dying to go to. Preferably right now, even if it was not lunch time yet.

I also loved the accent on world cuisine and so from the very first chapter. We are all so focused on trying the trendiest places that we tend to forget the intriguing Brazilian, Jewish, Portuguese… dishes. London is a cultural melting pot and you can find your way through it in that book… Good idea to have added menu key words per language too.

Your wallet is in a crisis and restaurants are kept for celebrations? Not to worry - you’ll get to know the best bânh mì cafés (serving these succulent Vietnamese baguettes), fish & chips, burgers in town or can choose from the many selections of budget bites.

And if you have a sweet tooth, have a look at that ice-cream parlour section – you will melt way before the summer’s back.

A mum of 2, I can only applaude that each entry mentions whether it is baby/kid friendly (with a distinction between admitted and welcome, as well as the vital notion of baby changing facility), offers high chairs, a play area and outside tables.

There also is a theme section: breakfast, brunch, enjoy the view, by the waterside, dishes to share. pretty handy and you will soon have the ideal meeting place with friends, no matter what you were looking for.

A very practical (with even detailed maps at the back), well illustrated, colourful, fabulous for any family outing or just to rediscover your favourite neighbourhoods. I will definitely offer it for Xmas or to any newcomer to London - a must to start your life here.

Pssst: thanks to Time Out, we have 5 for you to win! How? nothing more simple. First, follow us on Facebook or/and Twitter. Then share in the comments below your favourite yummy place in London and why. You have until Friday November 11, midnight, to jooin in. The winner will be selected at random and the name announced Saturday Nov 12. Ready, steady, type!

Can’t wait? Buy it from the website. don’t forget to have a look at their Eating and Drinking Awards!

Meet Pierre Hermé, the macaron magician

Chocoralie — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:12:08 +0000

Just a bite of one of his macarons and all the others look like very pale copies.

Divine. A little bite of heaven. Light as a cloud. Daring alliances of flavours.

His chocolates and his pastries alike are work of arts - poetry in a spoonful. His newsletters are mouthwatering, the descriptions alone will make you dream.

To meet this amazing magician, come to the Belgravia boutique (13 Lowndes Street) this Friday November 04, from 16.30 to 18.00. Pierre Hermé will be signing the English version (finally!) of his book Macaron – a wonderful opportunity to learm more about him, his inspirations and his latest creations.

Tea and cake

Chocoralie — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:32:02 +0000

Cake lovers, your attention please. You may have thought you were an expert, knew the sweetest places in town, delicate pastries and fragrant cups of teas. You may even have had a sugary walk per neighbourhood.

This book will get you hunting again. How could you have missed this irresistible cheesecake? And here, a lavender cake? Ooooh, what about those adorable vintage teapots…

A clever guide divided in everyday pleasures, extraodinary afternoon teas with a twist, take away temptations, and well done a section with vegan/allergies places.

Warning: never, ever open without a homemade dessert on the side. The pictures will make your mouth water in no time.

Tea & cake -London, £9.99

Traditional shops and restaurants of London

Chocoralie — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 22:29:24 +0000

One of those books you buy almost like you would buy a beautiful box of chocolate – as much for its beautiful pictures than for its content.

It will tell you of this timeless London, of quaint shops where the clocks have stopped counting time long ago: buttons boutiques, barbers, charming cafés and diners, hatters… and of more recent ones that carry on the very best of the British skills and refinement, in which you feel like buying entire shelves of adorable creations or just stay there the rest of the day.

Along the pages, you will meet old friends: James Smith and sons‘ sublime umbrellas, Edes and Rovencroft‘s legal wigs… and also preciously note the addresses of atmospheric pubs, of the best places for fish and chips or jellied eels. A book to dream away on a rainy day and a perfect complement to Still Open.

Traditional shops and restaurants of London, £9.99

The illustrated Royal Weddings

Chocoralie — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 22:26:16 +0000

Sunny days are - finally! – back. How glorious!
And what a pleasure to… well, not do anything at all. Possibly with a jug of Pimm’s on a roof terrace. Or find a deck chair and dream away. I escaped to the quiet Red Cross Garden (a few minutes from the Borough Market), kick off my shoes, walk barefoot in the grass and leaf through magazines.

In the constant Royal Wedding merchandising, commemorative editions abound. Most of them are pretty bland, same information everywhere, sameofficial pictures, why make an effort, people will still buy them.

If you are after historical anecdotes, try The Illustrated Royal Weddings. Yes, plural as it focuses on quite a few ceremonies inclueding the Queen’s, Princess Margaret and Anthony’s armstrong Jones’, Albert and Elisabeth’s…

114 pages covering fashion, its evolution towards a more fluid style, the extraodinary trains (Diana’s was 7.6m long), the carriages, the so-looked-forward balcony scene, the world view of the event through newspapers covers, pictures and drawings of the newlywed, commemoration postcards… The articles are elegant, very detailed, full of funny details. Did you know that Queen Elisabeth also took her favourite dog on her honeymoon trip?

The pages on cakes also is fascinating. Queen Victoria’s was almost 3 metres wide and weighed more than 135kg. Ever since, the wedding desert rival of complexity, creativity and height. There is a fab picture of Queen Elisabeth. Four tiers, intricate sugar lace reminding of the Parliament, countless angels and bells, the families’ armories. Impressive! A layer was kept for Prince Charles’ christening - no worry, fruit cake is goes pretty well through age.

Were you thinking of camping on Trafalgar Square to get a glimpse of the procession? Turn to page 77, look at the human sea in 1947… The square, the streets around, the blaconies the roofs were completely invaded. Only Nelson had a clear view…

A well designed edition to look at again, and again, describing perfectly the atmosphere of each celebration and making you even more curious about the next one…

The illustrated Royal Weddings
In most press points, even in supermarkets
£5.99

Post-it for the week-end: March 25-27, 2011

Chocoralie — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 15:06:52 +0000

Impossible to take two steps in London without being face to face with a picture of the royal couple… Of course, most of the merchandising is pretty kitsch and will leave you smiling. I saw cardboard masks of Kate, William and the Queen at Waterloo. Even the kiddies book range is invaded: Angelina Ballerina has been invited to the big event, the Mr & Mrs has launched a princess edition, little girls learn they can be Princess Catherine’s bridesmaid, let alone cut paper figurines of the love doves (I’m amazed Mattel hadn’t worked on proper Barbie and Ken versions? Or is that yet to come?). Bored ? You can doodle the wedding away or why not, knit your own (not kidding). And if really, you don’t understand what’s happening, just grab the Royal wedding for dummies. Not a single object will escape that label! Let us know what you come across (chocoralie@ttiw.co.uk)…

Meanwhile, it’s almost week-end time and we should be able to enjoy London under the sun. Now, where did I put that picnic set…?

- Add a surprise to you mail…

- Join the Time Out Film Club to go through the best classics…

- Mother’s day getting near… Cath Kidston is proposing free workshops for the kids!

- Fancy some Chinese noodles?

- I think it is the first time I have seen sunshine for the Oxford / Cambridge boat race. Who are you supporting?

- Get green fingers at the Gardening festival…

- (Re) Discover Terry O’Neill’s pictures – 50 years photographying stars, including James Bond and the Rolling Stones…

- Get your loved ones something else than chocolate for Easter. This way for spring-themed shopping!

- A new bar dedicated to gin for tonic evenings!

- Royal atmosphere? This way for a new pop-up shop…

- A theatre play at the Tower of London? Nice change of scenery – book your tickets for Richard III quickly!

Pocket London – souvenir idea

Chocoralie — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 07:51:58 +0000

Always on the lookout for cute yet easily postable presents to my London-nostalgic friends, I recently came accross those, hidden at the back of a Foyles shelf…

3D effect, aquarelle-style illustrations, a nice memory for a first trip or even to familiarise a child with the discovery of the city.

£5 in store, £3.65 at the moment on Amazon.

Post-it for the week-end: March 04-06, 2011

Chocoralie — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:48:32 +0000

Each day brings a few more minute of light – don’t you love it, makes you feel so alive! Camelia are blooming like little fireworks, cherry trees will soon be covered in sweet cascades of white and pink. And if we arlucky to have a little sun this week-end, I might go and enjoy spring with a Jasmine tea and a good book in the Phoenix Garden. Want alternative ideas?

- Wold book day soon with a give-away on Friday evening on Trafalgar Square!

- Hey girls, fancy a free makover?

- Have a musical time in a pub…

- Explore the Barbican center - two days of creative workshops - great ones for kids too. Symphomic music and even a free nail bar for grown upsor why not the strangest Barbican tour ever?

- Discover secret galleries…

- …or a theatre play in the most unusual place…

- Marvel at a new version of Alice in wonderland - all in elegant danced steps…

- Sail away!

- Letter posting just turned musical…

- Yes, royal weddings can be ever so fun!

- Remember Slinkachu’s small but ironic world? The artist’s back…

- Enjoy your Sunday Russian style!

- Or have a perfect family Sunday…

Pssst:
- March the 08th is pancake day: race it!

- Why not try to win a Royal Wedding street party, hey?

70 years of Puffin books

Chocoralie — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 23:45:10 +0000

For once, a British more than just a London based post…

Already 70 years of making children into readers - there’s nuffin’ like a puffin as they say! Those beautiful editions, colourful covers are just set in our mind, little pieces of childhood…

What an adventure for this marine bird, edited by Penguin (did you know they also had a Pelican brand?). Redisover them through this lovely collection of 100 postcards: the illustrations are just splendid and don’t forget to look at how the logo evolved!

A few examples:

Postcards from Puffin, £14.99 (£7.22 only on Amazon.co.uk at the moment)