by | January 21, 2014

love to CHEW?

Last Friday I christened my foodie Friday.  Having been an evangelical ‘I Quit Sugar’ bore, I found myself faced with food, drinks and snacks ALL day long.

The endless rain didn’t help either.  While dashing from Selfridges’ Festival of Imagination to Dean Street, Soho in time to see Chew throw open its doors for the first time, I managed to get completely soaked.

Chew, Dean St, Soho

Chew, Dean St, Soho

Anyway – more importantly – I was the first ever customer of what is the latest concept in tea and coffee drinking.  Because – ladies and gents – sipping is SO last year.  Now, we need to CHEW.

Husband and wife team behind CHEW

Husband and wife team behind CHEW

cutting the ribbon...

cutting the ribbon…

The husband and wife team (Karim and Sara) has busted a gut to open their first (of what will be a chain) of Chew cafés.  Offering more than 30 fruit and milk-based bubble teas as well as the first bubble coffee in the UK, I’d recommend you drop by, even if just to take a look.

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Coconut Bubble Milk Tea – £3.45 at Chew

The chewable balls are made of jelly-like tapioca balls are freshly prepared on site so that they can keep a close eye on the chewiness. (I was whisked into the kitchen to see).

tapioca balls in the kitchen

tapioca balls in the kitchen

As you sip your (iced or hot) coffee or tea, these curious balls slip up the fat straw.  And then you chew.

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Chew 58 Dean Street W1

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by | January 19, 2014

every princess loves a patty

the recently renovated Princess of Wales

the recently renovated Princess of Wales

They say you can tell a lot about someone by what they eat and HOW they eat it.  I’m not sure what that says about me though.  I LOVE to eat just about everything and I eat it all very quickly.  (oh how I’d love to be that little bit picky and play with the food on my plate.)

I read last year that the Queen was advertising (you’d think that they’d promote from within?) for a new cook at the Palace – which prompted one of her retired chefs to offer some advice to any keen applicants.  It turns out Ma’am loves her Special K and those down-to-earth princes adore their burgers.

In honesty, few of us are able to turn down a burger.  Which is why when I heard (at the school gates) that Tommi’s Burger Joint now has a monthly residency (the third Thursday of each month) at the recently renovated Princess of Wales pub in Primrose Hill…. I powdered my face, dug out my crown and  immediately called for my horse and carriage.

girls night at the princess pub

girls night at the princess pub

Tommi's burgers at the Princess of Wales pub in Primrose Hill

Tommi’s burgers at the Princess of Wales pub in Primrose Hill

all the condiments any princess could wish for

all the condiments any princess could wish for

and in we go

and in we go

We made it pretty much a girls night (which man wants to watch us cram those burgers in?) and all of us delighted in Tommi’s much celebrated steak burger – a mixture of rump, rib-eye and fillet – with perfectly skinny chips dipped in homemade Béarnaise sauce.

a princess with patty

a princess with patty

a chip with Béarnaise

a chip with Béarnaise

All washed down with a Hendricks G&T to the tunes of DJ Ben from Kort.

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A right royal treat!

The next Tommi’s Burger Joint night at the Princess is on Thursday 20th Feb.  See you there!

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by | January 19, 2014

Selfridges’ Festival of Imagination

I can hardly wait to greet my old friend Harry Gordon Selfridge tonight.  A thinker, dreamer and brilliant retailer – as well as some engaging Sunday night viewing.   And – in true timely style – the Oxford Street institution has launched its Festival of Imagination.

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So, on Friday morning, I nipped along to check out the iconic store’s windows (I love the reflections when I snap away) and the merchandise which always inspires me to spend…

I LOVE the Oxford Street reflection

I LOVE the Oxford Street reflection

the Selfridges' windows for Festival of Imagination are fantastic. literally.

the Selfridges’ windows for Festival of Imagination are fantastic. literally.

I met an old friend/colleague (and expert marketer) in the basement for a quick coffee/croissant and we imagined away.  Business, life, friends, love … oh and of course retail too.  He is busy launching a STUNNING global furniture brand. (I’m currently gagged but more of which to come in a future blog post!)

the superb Mr Eagleton

the superb Mr Eagleton

the Imaginarium at Selfridges

the Imaginarium at Selfridges

We sneaked a peak at the Imaginarium which will host some leftfield, thought-provoking workshops before heading back into the pouring rain.

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I’m sure Harry (Selfridge) would approve of what is yet another innovative shopping experience from my favourite department store.

Festival of Imagination is at Selfridges until 2nd March.

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by | January 16, 2014

school project by A. Another Adult

How long is it since you last worked on a school art project? You know, the type which requires air-dry clay, plasticine and a quantity of some properly sticky glue. Only a week ago, a few of you might cry. Well, you’re the ones I want to listen to this week’s rant…

…because I’m fascinated by the sheer intensity and single-mindedness of your efforts. Yes YOU. Not the 7-year-old in question who is standing by your side, mystified by your energy, ambition and fired-up competitivity. He had thought that his assembled pyramid had been perfect. Maybe even bonus-worthy. But no! You have bigger, grander, better plans.Art shops are raided, kitchens rearranged…. This Egyptian scene (due in at the end of the month) needs to be THE BEST. It must blow all others out of the River Nile’s muddy waters.

And so that promotion at work and the latest private equity deal pale into insignificance. This Cairo must be built in a day. Gold paint is sloshed around to reflect the Egyptian grandeur (as well as your ambition) and perhaps some glitter as a finishing touch? Mummies (real ones), Sphinx, perfectly formed camels, temples and pyramids…. no-one must touch.

The whole family looks on in relief. The job is done and your tension abates. Your house insurance doesn’t cover any potential damage to this (particular) work of art so you decide to hand it in early. Now all you have to do is pass it off as his.

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