Launched last week and throughout the month of February, Clinique is partnering with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity for the KISS IT BETTER appeal - raising money to fund research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer.

The excluisve NEW Limited Edition Kissable Lip Set RRP £25.00, is now available at www.clinique.co.uk and in House of Fraser stores nationwide (exc Ireland). With every purchase of this special set 50% of the RRP going to the appeal. *

A £2.00 donation will also apply to all Clinique lipstick or lipgloss sold at House of Fraser stores nationwide, throughout February 2012. (£1.00 will be donated by Clinique and £1.00 will be donated by House of Fraser).

For further information on the KISS IT BETTER appeal and how to pick up your Kiss it Better pin badge, visit www.gosh.org/kissitbetter

* (£6.50 from Clinique and £6 from House of Fraser)

For stockist details, telephone 0870 034 2566 or visit www.clinique.co.uk

Allergy Tested. 100% Fragrance-Free

RACING WITH ALTITUDE AT BETFAIR SUPER SATURDAY

Newbury Racecourse support Walking With the Wounded and 2012 Everest Challenge Betfair Super Saturday – Saturday 11 February

Newbury Racecourse has nominated Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) as the charity for its New Year showpiece, Betfair Super Saturday on Saturday 11 February 2012. We are delighted to announce that Prince Harry, Patron of the Walking with the Wounded Everest 2012 Expedition, will present the trophy for the ‘Betfair Supports Walking With The Wounded Handicap Hurdle'.

To celebrate the event Newbury Racecourse and Walking With The Wounded have put together a fantastic offer to support the charity:

Half price ticket offer for Newbury Betfair:

Friends of Walking With the Wounded can enjoy PREMIER ENCLOSURE TICKETS at £15 instead of the usual £30
On top of this offer Newbury Racecourse is also generously donating £10 from every Premier Enclosure Ticket purchased to the charity.

To reserve your ticket now simply quote

“WWTW” when booking online http://www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk/betfairsupersaturday

OR

"Walking With The Wounded Ticket Offer" when booking over the phone on 01635 40015

About Walking With The Wounded

WWTW raise funds to assist with the re-training and re-education of servicemen and women, both veterans and those leaving the Armed Forces. Following their successful 2011 expedition by becoming the first team of unsupported war-wounded amputees to reach the Geographical North Pole, this year the charity have set their sights even higher and will attempt to successfully summit Mount Everest in May and put a team of five wounded servicemen on top of the world.

http://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/blog/2012/01/13/discounted-tickets-for-a-day-at-the-races/

SPECIAL NOTE: ACCORDING TO LATEST NEWS FROM NEWBURY THIS RACE IS CURRENTLY ABANDONED. PLEASE CHECK WITH NEWBURY RACECOURSE FOR MORE DETAILS

CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S AT……

The Langham, London – Head Barman Alex Kratena has created a seductive champagne tipple, aptly named ‘The Love Potion’. A few dashes of a secret ingredient - the ‘love potion essence’ - adds sultry notes of spice and hints of rose and white tea to complement the berry-fruit taste and salmon pink hue of Laurent-Perrier’s Cuvée Rosé champagne.
Artesian at The Langham, London - http://www.artesian-bar.co.uk/artesian.html (Fun note: Artesian is the winner of the World’s Best Cocktail Menu!)

Aqua spirit, London – has lovingly created the ‘Mon Amour’ cocktail – a blend of Zacapa rum, fresh chilli strawberries and orange marmalade. The cocktail will be offered to couples for £21 for two and all females will also receive a Cammelia Japonica Rose called Tsubaki which translates as ‘In Love’
aqua spirit http://www.aqua-london.com/#/eng/global/london/aquaSpirit/promotions

Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester – is home to the most romantic table in London. The stunning Table Lumière is the perfect, intimate table to pop the question, cocooned from the main restaurant by a luminescent oval curtain of 4,500 shimmering fibre optics and the exclusive use of a stunning collection of Hermes china, Puiforcat silverware and Saint Louis crystal to accompany a specially designed menu by Head Chef Jocelyn Herland.

A Valentine’s Day menu is available and Pastry Chef Angelo Ercolano has created a beautiful ‘heart for two’ cake for couples to lovingly share. The dessert features a heart shaped chocolate sable biscuit topped with one half dark chocolate mousse and the other half a combination of raspberry sorbet, white chocolate and raspberry confit
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester - http://www.alainducasse-dorchester.com/

Rocco Forte’s Augustine Hotel, Prague – The 101-bedroom truly romantic property has been created from seven different buildings, many of which have historical significance, including the 13th Century Augustinian St. Thomas Monastery, after which the hotel is named. The Ultimate Romance Experience includes accommodation in the Tower Suite which is located in the monastery’s astronomical tower, offering spectacular 360 views of the Golden City. The package includes a blessing by the monks of the St Thomas Monastery in the St Thomas Church, a private boat tour along the city’s Vlatava River, Couples spa treatment, a three course dinner and a Czech champagne bath. www.roccofortehotels.com

HIX AT THE ALBEMARLE AT ROCCO FORTE’S BROWN’S HOTEL AND THE LONDON LIBRARY INTRODUCE A UNIQUE LITERARY LOVERS DINNER PACKAGE FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

Rocco Forte’s Brown’s Hotel has partnered with The London Library and is offering lovers of literature and fine food the chance to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a unique experience in the heart of Mayfair.

Take this opportunity to enjoy a tour of The London Library followed by a romantic dinner for two in HIX at The Albemarle at Brown’s Hotel. The evening will begin at The London Library at 6.30pm on 14 February 2012, with a tour that will take you through the Library’s literary labyrinth via the romantic words of some of its famous members, with readings from such poets and authors as Tennyson, George Eliot, T. S. Eliot.

Following the tour of the Library, guests will be guided the short distance to Rocco Forte’s Brown’s Hotel, a London Hotel with great literary heritage. Guests will be greeted with a glass of Champagne, followed by a delicious 3 course a la carte dinner for two created by Executive Chef, Lee Streeton.

The Package costs £160 for two people. The evening begins at 6.30pm on 14th February 2012 at the London Library and includes:

· A secret lovers tour of The London Library

· A hardback copy of Penguin’s ‘Poems for Love’

· Two glasses of Ruinart Champagne

· Special A la carte three course dinner for two (including coffee)

To make a reservation, please contact HIX at The Albemarle on +44 (0) 207 518 4060.

Brown’s Hotel, Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 4BP

Tel: +44 (0)20 7493 6020 Fax: +44 (0)20 7518 4064

Website: www.roccofortehotels.com

HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT WITH FORTNUM & MASON’S NEW BESPOKE WEDDING AND CELEBRATION CAKES

Fortnum & Mason, synonymous with classic elegance, style and beautifully created artisanal products is launching a range of exquisite bespoke wedding and celebration cakes from Monday 20 February 2012.

The range of six wedding cakes are inspired by Fortnum & Mason’s foundations in the 1700s, each cake uses elements of this era to create an elegant centrepiece for any wedding or celebration.

The wedding cakes:
· Georgian Lace Cake – Inspired by Georgian style lace, a structured and sleek design that is deliciously modern. Brides to be can use the lace from their dress as the motif.

· Blossom Cake – Inspired by delicate wedding blooms with petals falling like confetti.

· Cameo Cake – Inspired by Queen Charlotte’s love of cameos and silhouettes. The central motif can feature an image of the bride and groom or be replaced with monograms.

· Ruffle Cake – Inspired by garters and petticoats and topped with sugar flowers.

· Tea Rose Cake – Inspired by Fortnum’s tea range and romantic roses. Flowers are hand painted directly onto the mid-tier of the cake.

· Georgian Porcelain Cake – Inspired by the Wedgwood and Jasper ware porcelain and china that was so popular with Queen Charlotte.

The bespoke nature of the cakes, enables customers to not only choose their design and the colours of the cake, but also to choose cake flavours - from the traditional fruitcake (preserved for the first anniversary and christenings) to other delicious delights:

At Fortnum & Mason, the selection of the wedding cake is a special experience. The tasting and consultation takes the form of a ‘wedding afternoon tea’ including cake samples served with champagne and tea in a private room in the newly refurbished St James’s Restaurant. This experience is redeemable on purchase of the cake as well as a beautifully designed sketch of the final design, a perfect memento. Customers who purchase wedding and celebration cakes in store will also have exclusive access to offers on champagne, cake knives and servers, as well as tips on how to preserve the top tier of the cake and wedding etiquette.

All cakes are made fresh to order, are created using only the finest Fortnum & Mason ingredients and each wedding cake has matching wedding favour cookies for guests to take home. All cakes are exclusive to Fortnum & Mason and are made by hand with meticulous care and attention to detail.

As well as delightful wedding cakes, the new range of celebration cakes, from £95, is perfect for anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions. Available to order from the bakery counter in store, these cakes come in three designs: a plain classic cake, an English Rose cake with sugar flowers and a two tiered cake reminiscent of a ribbon tied present. All the cakes are made using Fortnum & Mason ingredients, flavours are the same as the wedding cakes and all designs can feature a bespoke message. www.fortnumandmason.com

For enquiries please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0207 292 4631

A WHOLE BUNCH OF VALENTINE’S DAY WISHES IN 2012

The Flower Council of Holland has put together the definitive list of the nation’s top five cut bulb flowers along with their ideal recipient and hidden meanings to provide the perfect alternative Valentine’s Day bouquet.

Be sure to pick the correct bouquet of cut bulb flowers this year and send the perfect message to your Valentine….whoever they may be….

Red Tulip: Synonymous with love, this beautiful red cut bulb flower symbolises passion, romance and is the ultimate bouquet for a loved one. Try varieties such as ‘Amor’ or ‘Passionale’ for a truly meaningful gift.

Purple Iris: For an ethereal, earth mother, try purple iris. A brave and unusual choice for Valentine’s Day, the strong colour is a good match for independent women who are at one with Mother Nature.

Yellow Narcissi: Valentine’s Day is for all so treat mothers, aunts or grandmothers to a fresh bouquet of yellow narcissi. Loved ones will be delighted with the novel idea of narcissi, and in a glass vase will look beautiful next to a handmade card.

Calla Lily: The ultimate wedding cut bulb flower, the calla lily is also perfect for Valentine’s Day in a bouquet or as a single stem. It symbolises purity, longevity and devotion and sends the ultimate message of love.

Actions speak louder than words, so say it with cut bulb flowers this Valentine’s Day 2012.

OPERA ON THE MENU AT QUAGLINO’S RESTAURANT
St James restaurant Quaglino’s has teamed up with chamber opera company Opera A La Carte to launch a series of opera gala and dinner evenings, the first two of which will take place on Monday 5th March and Monday 23rd April. These dinners with a difference will see guests welcomed with a glass of champagne and then treated to a selection of opera arias performed by singers from Opera A La Carte and accompanied by Music Director Susanna Stranders, a former Royal Opera House Young Artist.

Guests will then sit down to a three course dinner including tempting dishes such as traditional gravadlax with sweet mustard and dill potatoes and breast of chicken with wild mushroom, sweet corn and potato gnocchi ragout. The dinner will be interspersed with more operatic interludes between courses, and Opera A La Carte director Nicholas Heath will also talk guests through the upcoming highlights of their 2012 season.

Opera A La Carte’s General Director Nicholas Heath comments: “I am thrilled to be able to present what I hope will be the first of many opera evenings at this world-class London restaurant. Both Opera A La Carte and Quaglino’s are companies that believe in style and substance and the marriage of great food and music should suffice to feed both the stomach and the soul!”

Georgina Ayres, Marketing Executive for Quaglino’s, adds: “Quaglino’s is always looking for new and exciting collaborations to bring that extra touch to our diners’ experience, something special that makes them want to come back. A special venue where you cannot help but make an entrance as you sweep down our iconic staircase, we felt that this was the perfect dramatic setting for an evening of sophisticated and emotive opera and look forward to welcoming the cast from Opera A La Carte to the stage of Quaglino’s on Monday 5 March and Monday 23 April.”

Tickets cost £39.50 per person and include a glass of Champagne on arrival and a three course meal. To book for either of these opera gala evenings at Quaglino’s please contact Georgia Ayres, Marketing Executive, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 020 7484 2005. The Champagne reception begins at 6.30pm and dinner will be served at 7.15pm, with the event finishing up at 10pm.

Quaglino’s
16 Bury Street
London
SW1Y 6AJ
020 7930 6767

http://www.quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk
Twitter: @quaglinos
Facebook: Quaglino’s

WIN A FREE DIAMOND ON VALENTINE’S DAY AT GILGAMESH
This Valentine’s Day at Gilgamesh, one lucky diner will win an authentic diamond worth over £1,000, which they will discover at the bottom of the beautiful pink martini named Diamonds Are Forever. Guests can purchase the exclusive cocktail for £10.50 for the chance to win.

The winner of the round cut diamond, provided by renowned Hatton Garden jeweller Abiba, will then have a one to one consultation with the diamond specialist where they can buy the setting of their choice. This is a Valentine's Day cocktail guaranteed to impress.

Head Chef Ian Pengelley has designed a three-course menu to partner with the cocktail, showcasing the best of Gilgamesh’s Pan-Asian cuisine. For just £50 per head, start with the ultimate aphrodisiac – Tempura of Oyster, Ikura and Orange Ponzu and Marinated Foie Gras, Pink Champagne, Pistachio and Chilli. Choose between Loin of Venison, Wasabi Celeriac Puree and Asian Jus or Salt Crusted Sea Bream, Roasted Cherry Tomato Salsa and Soy Onion Dressing for main course. Served with Purple Sprout Asian Broccoli with XO Sauce and Jasmine Rice, this is certainly a menu to celebrate. For the perfect end to Valentine’s Day enjoy Hot Chocolate Fondant with Vanilla Ice Cream.

So, this Valentine’s Day surprise your loved one and book a table at Gilgamesh. For all booking enquiries please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 020 74284922

GILGAMESH
Camden View
Camden Stables Market
Chalk Farm Road
London NW1 8AH
020 7482 5757
http://www.gilgameshbar.com/
Open seven days a week from 11am until late.

ABIBA
19 Hatton Garden
London EC1N 8BA
020 7242 1670
http://www.abiba-jewellers.com

SPICE UP YOUR VALENTINE’S DAY AT AWANA

Make this Valentine’s Day one to remember at fine-dining Malaysian restaurant Awana. The restaurant has devised a spectacular three-course menu where guests can enjoy exotic flavours that are guaranteed to spice up the night, the mouth watering Malaysian cuisine is sure to tantalise your tastebuds.
Lovers can kick off the evening with a glass of rosé champagne to get the celebration started followed a selection of indulgent starters including Kerabu Itik, aromatic duck with lychee and watermelon salad, Awana’s renowned Roti Canai Planta, Malaysian bread served with curry sauce and the aphrodisiac of Tempura Tiram, fresh oysters tempura served with garlic mayonnaise. Between courses guests can enjoy an extra surprise of pink champagne sorbet palette cleanser.

For main courses Awana, is offering Ayam Baka, grilled corn fed chicken breast, as well as Ikan Goring, a fish fillet stir fry with sambal sauce. Another tempting option is the luxurious Udang Galah Bakar, grilled lobster served with spicy tamarind sauce.

To finish off, enjoy a delicious chocolate fondant cup served with white chocolate ice cream – if you can’t treat yourself on Valentine’s Day then when can you?

Vegetarian couples need not be left out as Awana has also designed a delectable vegetarian menu, priced at £55 per person. Serving dishes such as Kerabu Buahan, pomelo and green mango salad, Popiah Sayuran, mixed Asian vegetable spring rolls served with sweet chili sauce and Kari Sayuran Hijau, okra, aubergine, potato and tomato in green curry, there is plenty of dishes for every taste.

The Valentine’s Day set menu is just £60 per person. For an additional £35 guests can order a celebratory bottle of Moutard Rose. Available from 11th February to 19th February guests have plenty of time to spoil their loved one.

Awana
85 Sloane Avenue
Chelsea SW3 3DX
020 7584 8880
http://www.awana.co.uk/

ENJOY A THAI STYLE VALENTINE’S DAY AT MANGO TREE
This year, why not treat your loved one to a tempting three-course meal at award winning Thai restaurant Mango Tree. The restaurant is offering a special “Romantic Tales” menu, devised by their head chef, which guests are guaranteed to fall in love with.

Guests will kick off their mouth watering Thai feast with a golden pastry cup filled with sweetcorn, vegetables and curry powder with sweet turnip and crushed peanuts mixed with plum sugar, served with pineapple. Starters include romantically themed dishes, Always with you, Thai rolled with soft shell crab, Thai rice, cucumber and seaweed, Hug me more, pomegranate avocado sweet corn and kidney bean topped with lemon cream as well as You and Me, succulent Grilled marinated chicken with lemongrass, coriander root, garlic and honey sauce.

Made with only the freshest ingredients from both locally and abroad, mains include Touch Me, pan fried sirloin beef topped with black pepper and brandy sauce, the tempting Swimming with Honey, Grilled chicken green curry, with spinach and aubergine and the delectable On the Beach, Grilled lobster tail with garlic butter sauce. If diners still have room then they can enjoy a Happy Ending, a Thai pancake with pandan custard and strawberry ice cream.

The Valentine’s menu is available for just £45 per person. To make the most of the meal diners can pay an extra £19 each to receive a glass of pink champagne on arrival and a glass of sauvignon blanc with their starter followed by a glass of cabernet sauvignon with the main course. The menu is available from the 6th – 19th February so book now to start your love story.

Mango Tree
46 Grosvenor Place
London SW1X 7EQ
020 7823 1888
http://www.mangotree.org.uk/

A DELIGHTFULLY DIFFERENT VALENTINES CARD - AN ENGRAVED WOODEN POSTCARD!
Share the love this Valentines Day with an engraved wooden postcard - just £3.85 including postage. The Timbergram is our first product on the plinth and is a delightfully different and stylish Valentines card. It's the perfect way to tell someone you love them, or just a bit of fun to send your friends. Stand apart from the plethora of cheesy cards and make someone's Valentines day one to remember.

The Timbergram is a carved wooden postcard and has been designed and produced in the UK on Birch wood (150mm x 100m). It's just £3.85 including UK Postage. What's more, for every 10 cards we sell, we plant a tree in Africa through the charity Tree Aid.
Simply choose your design, personalise the card, and we'll do the rest. Design your card now at www.theplinth.co.uk.

FEBRUARY HALF-TERM SOUTH DEVON FAMILY COTTAGE DEALS
South Devon cottage for four reduced by 20% for half-term week now £455
A stylishly converted barn near Aveton Gifford in Devon’s South Hams sleeping four is now priced at £455 (reduced by 20%) for a week’s stay during half-term from Friday, 10th February. The Barn has been designed upside down with the big vaulted and beamed living/dining/kitchen area on the first floor. Furnished with flair it has comfy white sofas, polished wooded floors with rugs and a bright woodburner. Six grassy acres and gardens to explore, shared with the owners, and choice of sandy beaches within six miles as well as a range of family attractions. For details call Helpful Holidays on 01647 434063 or look and book online at www.helpfulholidays.com searching for ref L248.

300 yr old South Devon cottage for seven reduced 20% for half-term to £412pw
A cosy 300 year old cottage for seven on the edge of the South Devon village of Kingston is now £412 for a week’s stay during half-term from Friday, 10th February reduced by 20% from the full price of £516. Inside the living room at 3 Gabberwell Cottages has a pretty woodburner, comfy sofas and a fine Welsh dresser while the friendly village pub is just 600yds and it’s a mile from a sandy beach. For details call Helpful Holidays on 01647 434063 or look and book on www.helpfulholidays.com searching for ref L211.

GREAT TASTE AT THE CADOGAN, KNIGHTSBRIDGE-PRODUCERS TAKE CENTRE STAGE-
For nearly two decades, Great Taste gold stars have been the ultimate accolade for speciality and artisan food producers.
From 7th February 2012, The Cadogan will host a Great Taste Showcase restaurant. Under the direction of Head Chef, Oliver Lesnik, award-winning ingredients will feature in set lunch and dinner menus, as well as the à la carte options.

Supervised by the Great Taste Chair, Nigel Barden, guest curators, including Xanthe Clay, Lucas Hollweg, Bill Knott and Fay Maschler will devise dishes that champion the best of the nation’s independent producers. A new menu will be introduced every 6-8 weeks.

The menus will feature award winning food from passionate artisan producers such as: Welsh Wagu beef fat, Daylesford eggs, Kentish cobnut oil and Cartmel sticky toffee pudding. Diners will feast on the best of British ingredients with dishes such as Coddled Daylesford blue hen eggs or Lidgate’s traditional beef pie. Signature dishes will include ‘Three ages of sheep’ using prize winning lamb, hogget and mutton. Great Taste at The Cadogan is a superb platform for small food producers to showcase their ingredients to a consumer audience in the capital, as much of the Great Taste Award winning produce is only sold locally.

The Cadogan restaurant, situated in the heart of Knightsbridge, exudes quintessentially British charm with high sculptured ceilings, a magnificent marble fireplace, oversize mirrors and chandeliers.

Great Taste at The Cadogan will be taking lunch and dinner reservations from Tuesday 7th February 2012. The three-course menu is priced at under £35 per person. The restaurant will open for lunch Tuesday to Sunday 12pm – 2.30pm and dinner Tuesday to Saturday 6pm – 10pm.
Great Taste at The Cadogan, 21 Pont Street, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 9SG
Reservations on 0800 023 5445 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CHICAGO RESTAURANT WEEK RETURNS WITH DISHES FROM CHICAGO’S MOST NOTABLE AND FRESHEST FACES

Several of Chicago’s prestigious cultural organisations to feature tasty-themed events during Chicago’s February dining celebration

Chicago Restaurant Week, produced by the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau (CCTB), returns for its 5th annual culinary celebration featuring value pricing at more than 230 restaurants throughout the Chicago area, including nearly 80 new participating restaurants and tasty special events.

Supported by the CCTB’s restaurant members, the 10-day dining festival runs from 17th to 26th February and will feature prix fixe menus starting at US$22 (approx. £14) for lunch and US$33/US$44 (approx. £21/£28) for dinner, excluding beverages, tax and gratuity.

The annual Restaurant Week is an opportunity to pay tribute to Chicago’s masterful chefs and give diners an opportunity to experience the multitude of flavours in the city whilst bringing business to establishments during a typically slower time of year.

New to the Chicago Restaurant Week scene are the acclaimed Bar Toma, GT Fish & Oyster, Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse, NoMI Kitchen, Paris Club, and Table Fifty-Two along with dozens of other fresh faces. The growing list of participating restaurants has already exceeded last year’s achievement. For a complete list of participating member restaurants visit www.eatitupchicago.com.

Prix fixe menus aren’t the only way to celebrate the city’s extraordinary dining scene during Chicago Restaurant Week. Chef Stephanie Izard will host the First Bites Bash, the official kick-off event for Chicago Restaurant Week presented by United Airlines and benefitting The Greater Food Depository, on Thursday 2nd February from 6-9 PM at Chicago Union Station. The kick-off event will feature 50 of Chicago’s best chefs and restaurants. Visit www.FirstBitesBash.com for ticket information.

Additionally, eight unique Chicago attractions will feature food-themed events during Chicago Restaurant Week and the weeks to follow.

There’s much to celebrate when it comes to Chicago’s culinary craft. As one of the world’s leading restaurant cities, Chicago continues to rack up accolades, including five prestigious Five-Diamond awards from the AAA for 2012, and 22 Michelin awards and 56 Bib Gourmand nods for “Inspectors’ Favorites for Good Value” for 2012.

For more information on Chicago Restaurant Week and the special Taste Adventures, visit www.eatitupchicago.com. Also, stay up to date by following @ChooseChicago on Twitter and selecting “LIKE” on ChooseChicago’s Facebook page.

Chicago Restaurant Week is sponsored by 101.9fm THE MIX, American Express, Belvedere Vodka, Blue Moon, Chicago magazine, Chicago Tribune, Groupon, KEY – This Week in Chicago magazine, Metromix, Moet & Chandon, RedEye, United Airlines, and Yelp.

For further information on Chicago, please visit www.choosechicago.com

EVENT PREVIEW -THE OXFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL
Saturday 24 March – Sunday 1 April 2012

The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival returns for its 16th year with another exceptional line-up of writers, authors and scholars at prestigious University of Oxford venues.

Highlights of the Festival, sponsored by HSBC Premier, include events with Michael Morpurgo, Dr Rowan Williams, Anthony Horowitz, Philip Pullman, Alistair Darling, double-Booker winner Peter Carey on the eve of the publication of his latest novel and Vikram Seth, who will be delivering the annual Chancellor’s Lecture.

Tickets are on sale now online at www.oxfordliteraryfestival.org or via the Box Office - tel 0870 343 1001.

THE VARSITY HOTEL AND SPA HOSTS AN EVENING OF CULINARY DELIGHTS WITH THE ITS STEAK AND WINE MASTER-CLASS

On the last Wednesday of every month, The Varsity Hotel & Spa hosts a delicious Steak and Wine master-class. Located in the hub of Cambridge’s buzzing quayside area, these evenings give guests and locals the opportunity to learn how to best enjoy this classic culinary partnership.

The Master-class will be held in the hotel’s restaurant, The River Bar Steakhouse, and will give guests a gastronomic crash course from the establishment’s expert suppliers before they enjoy a sumptuous three course meal using the hotel’s best produce.

Andrews of Cambridge, is a local family butchers that has been trading in Cambridge for decades. Established in 1972, its team has a wealth of knowledge of British meat and provide only the most delicious and tender cuts, sourcing the majority of their produce from Norfolk and Suffolk. Bancroft Wines will pair these with a selection of vintages from their superb French and Italian ranges as well as choices from their growing New World offering. As a dedicated London wine merchants, Bancroft Wines knows best which wines to choose when enjoying this classic dish.

Before dining, guests will learn all there is to know about this irresistible pairing – where different cuts of steak come from on the cow, how the meat is sourced, how the land on which a cow grazes affects the taste and how different cuts of meat work with different types of wine.

After the talks, guests will enjoy a delicious three course meal prepared by the head chef at The Varsity’s restaurant, The River Bar Steakhouse. Each guest will choose their favourite cut – whether it be a delicate and tender fillet, a succulent sirloin, rich rib-eye or juicy rump - enjoying them perfectly cooked and with Bancroft Wines’ select recommendations.

With views across the River Cam and with chefs skilled in the preparation of the country’s finest steaks, The River Bar Steakhouse – as its name suggests – is the perfect place to learn about, and dine on, this most classic of dishes.

Places at the tasting master-class are available to book at £40 per person, which includes a three course meal and wine. Places can be booked at www.riverbarsteakhouse.com or by calling 01223 30 70 30.

Andrews of Cambridge can be found at Unit 1, The Brickyards, Coldhams Road, CB1 3EW

For more information on Brancroft Wines, visit www.bancroftwines.com

FLIPPING FABULOUS PANCAKES
Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras. Whatever you choose to call it and however you choose to celebrate, make it indulgent and tuck into a delicious pancake menu at two of London’s most stylish venues: The Botanist on Sloane Square and Chiswell Street Dining Rooms in the City.

On Tuesday 21st February, leading pastry chef, Boyne Kleynhans will showcase a unique selection of crêpe creations for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Start the day right and order some American style blueberry pancakes, served with cured crispy bacon and lashings of maple syrup (£8.25), much better for the soul than oats or muesli.

Add a touch of luxe to lunch or dinner with a refined crêpe made with poppy seeds and filled with foie gras, wild mushrooms and a cauliflower purée (£11.00). You’ll be in pancake heaven with a sweet array including a simply stunning blood orange crêpe Suzette; a caramelised apple crêpe with vanilla ice cream and Calvados syrup or the banana and chocolate crêpe with pistachio praline, all £6.50 each.

For pure decadence, spoil yourself with a Champagne and Crêpe Afternoon Tea. Start with delicious finger filled sandwiches, homemade scones served with Preston Hall jam and Devonshire clotted cream followed by your choice of any crêpe on the menu.

Pancake Day at London’s chicest addresses - so much more than sugar and lemon.

The Botanist, 7 Sloane Square, London,SW1W 8EE
www.thebotanistsloanesquare.com
T: 020 7730 0077

Chiswell Street Dining Rooms, 56 Chiwell Street, London, EC1Y 4SA
www.chiswellstreetdining.com
T: 020 7614 0177

THE FOUNDRY’S CANNOLI POP-UP COUNTER
-Traditional Sicilian Sweets Pop-Up in Camden-

The Foundry, Camden is hosting a Pop-Up Cannoli Counter from Saturday 11th to Tuesday 14th February, serving a range of the delicious traditional Sicilian pastries matched with local dessert wines.
Originating in Palermo as a classic Carnival treat, cannoli are made up of irresistibly crunchy pastry curls (or scorze) filled with a rich and airy ricotta cream filling. The history of this delicious dessert dates back as early as the 17th Century where an anonymous poet describes them as ‘the sceptres of all kings’, with ‘no tastier morsel in the world’. They have also been described as a fertility symbol, one legend assigning them to the harem of Caltanissetta.
The Pop-Up Cannoli Counter will serve the traditional Sweet Ricotta filled cannolo, as well as Toasted Pistachio and Orange Blossom. The Foundry’s kitchen will also be serving a more unusual variety of Chocolate Chilli cannolo, using fresh chilli peppers grown in the venue.

The Foundry & The Forge
3-7 Delancey Street,
London,
NW1 7N

The Foundry:
020 7387 5959
www.caponatacamden.co.uk
@caponatacamden

The Forge:
020 7 383 7808
www.forgevenue.org

@theforgecamden

 

 

Please Note: ?All information is supplied to us by the individual organizations, or agencies acting on their behalf. The views and opinions expressed by the individual companies, agencies and other contributors are theirs alone and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Hot Brands Cool Places. Inclusion in a news item does not imply endorsement by Hot Brands Cool Places. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, it may be subject to change. Please check with individual organizations for the latest information about all events, products, promotions, or news items. Recipes have not been tested by Hot Brands Cool Places. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site.