ATUL KOCHHAR TEACHES US HOW TO USE HIS LATEST INGREDIENT
PlantforLife encourages Britons to plant Roses for a culinary twist!

People like to experiment when cooking and almost everyone has a secret ingredient but how many of you would consider using roses? Plantforlife has teamed up with top celebrity Michelin starred chef Atul Kochhar, to demonstrate how to cook with this classic bloom and give a selection of culinary dishes petal power! PlantforLife’s Chris Collins is also on hand to teach us how to grow your own roses and which ones to choose.

Roses from your garden, can be used to add flavour, colour and variety to your menu; they can also be used as a wonderful decoration to the table. Michelin Starred Chef Atul Kochhar comments “Herbs are one of the first things that spring to mind when cooking, but have you ever thought about the role flowers play in cooking? Roses were used centuries ago by the Romans who started the trend in desserts and wine. Thanks to their delicate scent, flavour and taste, this iconic flower is the latest ingredient in my kitchen. Add roses to many recipes, from chicken to cakes to jelly and even sorbet - not only will this impress your guests serving something innovative, the rose twist will add vibrancy to the taste and presentation of your dishes”.

But before you get your aprons on and start cooking you need to plant! Take into consideration how you want your garden to look and plant the right species for your needs. With roses coming in many varieties, there are lots to choose from so we have selected the best ones to use in your garden and in your recipes.

Research from HTA shows 30% of people want to spend more time relaxing and entertaining in their gardens this year*, so there is no better time to plant Britain’s favourite flower** and add to your recipes too.

Celebrity plantsman Chris Collins comments:
“Roses are the royalty of the garden plants, giving incredible value for money as well as immense pleasure. No self respecting British garden would be complete without their presence . With care and attention you can create a beautiful rose garden, once the roses are bloomed. Planting roses is simple and rewarding, they are readily available in garden centres and are so versatile – you can create fabulous focal points in your garden by framing garden beds and designing borders. Make a wall in your garden the focal point with climbers when the cold weather sets in, plant in containers to avoid the frost and heavy rain. By watering often and preventing weed growth around your roses watch your radiant rose garden grow and grow”.

Visit www.plantforlife.info/roses and download Chris’s top tips on how to plant roses with a recipe twist and Atuls’ rose inspired recipes.

*.HTA Insight June 2009. Social groups AB and C1

 

**Gardeners World Awards 2009
Royal William and Climbing Summer Wine imagery provided by Garden World Images
Climbing Danse de Feu and Arthur Bell imagery provided by Chessum Plants

LET LISA SNOWDON GIVE YOU A WORKOUT IN BED!

Get fit this National Love Your Bed Week without having to leave your bed To celebrate National Love Your Bed Week (3rd-9th August 2009) Silentnight Beds has teamed up with gorgeous TV presenter Lisa Snowdon to bring a new, free fitness regime to you. Bedercise is a range of exercises that bed lovers everywhere will be able to use to tone up and stay in shape – from the comfort of their own bed! This special exercise programme created by Lisa Snowdon and sports scientist Sue Jepson (Sue Jepson is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Exercise and Sport Science, MMU Cheshire, Manchester Metropolitan University) on behalf of Silentnight, aims to encourage people of all ages to make the most of their time in bed by getting fit with a range of fun exercises.

The simple yet effective routine consists of just eight movements ranging from the Bed Bum Toner to the Pillow Thigh Curler – all of which can be done using just the bed as a prop. Lisa Snowdon comments, “I absolutely love the Silentnight Bedercise regime we have developed because it’s a range of simple, fun exercises that can be done from the comfort of your own bed. We all know how hard it can be to achieve a beautiful body and not all of us have the motivation or money, to get to a gym or hire a personal trainer. With Bedercise, there’s no need for expensive equipment, they can be done alone without people watching and it gives us another reason to stay in bed!” Sue Jepson, Sports Scientist at Manchester Metropolitan University comments: “Bedercise offers a simple workout for everyone – whether you’re a fitness fanatic or an exercise novice. Each of the exercises work different parts of the body and will help tone your muscles and increase your general fitness and flexibility - setting you up for a great day!” Amanda Jones, Marketing Director at Silentnight comments: “We know that people do a lot more in their beds than sleep! Following the successful launch of the Lisa Snowdon ‘Body Beautiful Miracoil Bed’ earlier this year, Bedercise is the next step in achieving a beautiful We hope that Britain will use National Love Your Bed Week to kickstart their fitness plan.”

For more information please log onto www.silentnight.co.uk or contact Silentnight Beds on 01282 813051
http://www.silentnight.co.uk/bedercise09

JOIN IN A GIGANTIC RECORD BREAK AT WESTFIELD LONDON AS ENGLISH HERITAGE COLOURS IN HISTORY SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST
A supersized record attempt is set to get the people of West London quite literally colouring in history as the World’s biggest colouring book arrives at Westfield London on Saturday 8th August. To celebrate an astonishing technicolour make over at one of the country’s most famous castles, English Heritage has produced the gigantic 6ft x 5ft book, featuring images from the newly transformed Great Tower at Dover Castle. It is hoped that hundreds of people will help colour in the pages as it journeys around the South East en route to Dover – and a place in the record books.

“We wanted to make a BIG statement about the bold and vibrant colour of the medieval world that people will become immersed in at the new Great Tower; and what better way than to get them physically colouring in a little bit of that world?” said Louise Dando, Sales and Marketing Manager for English Heritage. “It’s a real shame that many people incorrectly think that the Middle Ages were grey and drab. They were anything but and the psychedelic colours and equally colourful characters guests will encounter in the Great Tower will really challenge those ideas. We want as many people as possible to get involved and help us create a truly colourful and fun World record.”

The book will be at the Shimmer ’09 event in The Atrium at Westfield London, from 10am-10pm on Saturday 8th August and anyone is welcome to come and join the record break. With two hours free car parking at Westfield London, there’s no time pressure on your creative input.

The current Guinness World Record set in 2008 stands at 1.8m x 1.5m (5ft 10in x 4ft 11in). A normal sized colouring book measures 30cm by 23cm.

PENGUIN HAVE REDESIGNED AND REPACKAGED EIGHT OF THE BEST ACTION PACKED BOOKS OF THE TIME

To mark the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II Penguin have redesigned and repackaged eight of the best action packed books of the time. Repackaged as the thrillers they are, these books tell the first hand experiences and astonishing stories of the men who fought and survived WWII.

'I grew up reading paperbacks like these. I remember them having thrilling looking covers that left no doubt about the excitement and drama contained within. In publishing new editions of these classic WWII titles, we wanted to try to inspire the same sort of reaction in today's readers. Rather than looking too worthy, we wanted the WWII collection to reflect contemporary thriller design; to look like books that might be gripping'
Rowland White, Michael Joseph Non-Fiction Publishing Director

The titles include:
First Light - Geoffrey Wellum
Most Secret War – R. V. Jones
Eastern Approaches - Fitzroy MacLean
Tumult in the Clouds – James Goodson
The Cruel Sea – Nicholas Monsarrat
The Next Moon – André Hue
Panzer Leader – Heinz Guderian
The Cretan Runner – George Psychoundakis

www.penguin.co.uk/

CELEBRATE THE ANNIVERSARY OF LONDON BRIDGE @ MUSEUM OF LONDON
The bridge I live on
This story and role-play session will take you back to one of the houses on old London Bridge in 16th century London. What was life like for the rich and how did the less well-off make their way in the Tudor world?
Duration: 30 mins.
No fee
Dates & times
Saturday 15 August: 1.0pm & 2.0pm & 3.0pm
Sunday 16 August: 1.0pm & 2.0pm & 3.0pm
Tuesday 18 August: 1.0pm & 2.0pm & 3.0pm
Thursday 20 August: 1.0pm & 2.0pm & 3.0pm

www.museumoflondon.org.uk

GET FIT AND LOSE WEIGHT ARMY STYLE WITH BRITISH MILITARY FITNESS!
‘Get fit outside ¬– feel good inside’

Set up in 1999, and now in its 10th year, BMF operates venues throughout the UK. BMF was launched in London by Major Robin Cope, who knows only too well the benefits of a fun, but no nonsense, training programme that guarantees results. Away from the confines of mirrors, dance studios, lengthy gym contracts and lycra-clad bodies, BMF classes take place outside in city parks all year round, whatever the weather.

Classes are designed to get the heart pumping, but are no boot camp. They offer a real change from the mindless monotony of the gym treadmill, including; fresh air, and a group of like-minded people all working together, both in competition and as teams with a real sense of fun. Meeting new people is all part of the attraction. The hour long sessions include a combination of circuit type exercises, running, sprinting and a few energetic team games.

Men and women of all fitness levels and ages are divided into groups according to their current fitness and are seriously worked out for one hour. The classes are taken by fully qualified army physical training instructors, who constantly motivate and encourage participants, while ensuring exercises are done properly. No two classes are the same, ensuring regular participants don’t know what to expect next and are constantly pushing themselves.

Robin says of British Military Fitness: “Our aim is to provide a range of physically challenging activities, which will dramatically improve participants’ levels of fitness, self-confidence and give a sense of personal achievement. You need two sets of motivation to go to the gym – one to get there and another to work out. Here you have the group and the instructor to get you going and motivate you. BMF is a fitness company - no gadgets or gizmos, just pure fitness and fun. If you regularly come along to BMF classes, you WILL get fitter.” After a FREE introductory lesson, you can sign up to British Military Fitness classes on the website, prices start at £29 a month, depending on location.

Why Join BMF?
o To have a challenging workout with a motivational instructor - every time!
o To exercise outside in the fresh air with other people
o For a cost & time effective way of training
o Because getting fit should be fun!
o For an environmentally friendly, safe and socially interactive way of training

o British Military Fitness classes run in parks in the following cities: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Chester, Coventry, Derby, Dundee, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Perth, Guildford, Leeds, London (16 venues), Manchester (5 venues), Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford, Portsmouth, Poole, Plymouth, Reading and Tunbridge Wells. Total 79 venues and counting.

o For further information visit: www.britmilfit.com

COVENT GARDEN HOSTS POP-UP SPEAKERS’ CORNER
In the latest activity to engage and entice London’s foodie community, The Covent Garden Real Food Market is to host its very own Speakers’ Corner, a series of free weekly talks and demonstrations from the UK’s foremost food and nature experts.

Each Thursday, from 6th- 20th August, visitors to the market will be able to learn valuable skills from top chefs and food specialists ranging from innovative urban farming demonstrations and the importance of honey and bee-keeping to chocolate beer tasting and chilli tea-sampling.

The sessions will run every Thursday, with sittings at 1.00pm and 6.00pm on 6th, 13th and 20th August, with the earlier slot including activities for children. Visitors to The Covent Garden Real Food Market will also be able to enjoy the usual mouth-watering delights from some of the UK’s finest food producers, which shoppers can buy fresh to prepare at home or enjoy immediately on the Piazza.

The Covent Garden Real Food Market runs every Thursday from 12.00pm until 9.00pm throughout August.

Covent Garden Speakers’ Corner Schedule:

6th August: 1pm – Tea tastings and a talk on the health benefits of tea with Tea Pigs

6pm – Beer and ale tastings with Meantime Brewery

13th August: 1pm – Bee-keeping advice, honey & beeswax workshops with Hive & Honey

6pm – Urban Farming talks and demonstrations with Capital Growth

20th August: 1pm – Cupcake decorating for children with Ella’s Bakehouse

6pm – The raw chocolate movement experience with Chocolution

Please visit the website for more details: www.coventgardenlondonuk.com or call 020 3047 2555

KIDS WEEK KICKS OFF ON FRIDAY 14 AUGUST 2009 – AND IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO BOOK TICKETS
Kids go FREE to top London shows from 14 - 28 August 2009
Kids Week in the West End is back! Running from 14 to 28 August 2009, Kids Week is the much-loved family initiative offering children aged 5 – 16 the opportunity to see top London shows for free when accompanied by a full paying adult. Children also have the chance to take part in exciting show-linked activities and unique workshops. It’s not too late to book tickets for this fortnight of theatrical fun, log on now to www.kidsweek.co.uk or call the Kids Week ticket hotline on 0844 248 5151.

The ticket deal is simple - one child (aged between 5 and 16) can go absolutely free to any participating show when accompanied by a full paying adult, and another two children can go for half price. Kids Week 2009 is proud to be supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, Theatres for Theatres Appeal. See www.kidsweek.co.uk for more information.

Whatever you’re into, whether it’s smash hit musicals, comedies, dance, or captivating plays, Kids Week guarantees a great theatre experience for all the family. Participating shows include popular musicals Billy Elliot The Musical, Hairspray, Les Misérables, Sister Act and Wicked as well as plays such as The 39 Steps, The Woman in Black, War Horse, plus many more.

The Kids Week fun doesn’t stop there, children can take part in a range of free show linked activities and workshops designed to engage and inspire the next generation of theatre lovers. For a full list of participating shows, show linked activities and workshops, visit www.kidsweek.co.uk.

Get more from Kids Week this year by taking advantage of some fantastic special deals, making a trip to London’s West End an affordable treat for the whole family. These include offers on selected accommodation and travel courtesy of Superbreak and 10% off when you purchase a Family & Friends Railcard. Plus, Kids Eat Free at family restaurants including Bella Italia, Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, Bill Wyman’s Sticky Fingers, Maxwell’s and Spaghetti House.

So don’t miss out, get ready to book now at www.kidsweek.co.uk or by calling the Kids Week ticket hotline on 0844 248 5151. Let the theatrical extravaganza begin!

1. Kids Week in the West End is organised by The Society of London Theatre and provides a free ticket for one child aged between 5 and 16 when accompanied by a full paying adult. Up to two additional children’s tickets can be purchased at half price. Most West End shows which are suitable for children, are participating. Offer subject to limited availability and not applicable to tickets previously purchased.
2. Full information on performances, free activities, travel and accommodation, and restaurants will be available at www.kidsweek.co.uk.
3. Children should seek parental permission before logging on to the internet.

A NOVEL WAY TO ENTERTAIN THE KIDS THIS SUMMER
-Two FREE interactive storybooks from learndirect-
With the summer holidays in full swing and pressure mounting on mums and dads to keep the kids entertained, learndirect has launched two FREE online storybooks to help families make the most of their time together and have fun while learning.

learndirect research has revealed that almost one in three (32%) parents* admit to wanting to brush up on their basic English and maths to support their children’s learning and development. With just a few weeks to go before children move up a year at school and face trickier homework, the online books will keep kids reading over the summer and help families improve their reading skills.

Backed by celebrity mum and Waterloo Road actress, Angela Griffin, the new storybooks “The Journey to Darkest Somewhere” and “The House of Scary Words” ** let kids become the lead characters and change details within the stories. The books also encourage readers to use basic English language while they play, so kids and parents can learn together.

Angela says: “As a parent myself, I know it’s important to have good reading skills to be able to keep up with, and be a part of, your child’s learning. The new online storybooks are brilliant – it’s such a fantastic way for families to read and play together.

“My daughter, Tallulah, is five and loves going on the computer, so it’s a magical thing for her to have a storybook that’s about her, where she can change pictures, match words and do puzzles. It helps to bring reading to life for her, and for me.”

The new storybooks are available at www.learndirect.co.uk/readtogether. Kids also have the chance to win a professionally printed version of their book. Entrants simply need to register their personal storybook on the website before 31 December 2009.***

learndirect spokesperson Kirstie Donnelly, says:

“For parents who feel held back by their basic skills, learndirect can help. Taking an English course could help you gain the confidence to help with your child’s learning, to get on at work or even find a job. And with a range of flexible online courses available, you can learn at your own pace, whenever and wherever it suits you.”

If the online books leave you wanting more, don’t forget about learndirect’s FREE interactive game, ‘The Legula Adventure’. In this problem solving game, you get to play with other family members and navigate the fictional island of Legula in a quest to defeat and out-smart the evil Dantor and restore power and happiness to the island.
To access the books, play the game and find out more about learndirect courses, log onto: www.learndirect.co.uk/readtogether or call 0800 111 4216.

* Statistics sourced from consumer research commissioned by learndirect and carried out by ICM Research. ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 522 parents and carers with children aged between 5 and 14 by telephone between 14th – 21st November 2008.

** Written by award winning children’s author, Peter Corey, and illustrated by Charlotte Firmin the two new online books follow the 2007 launch of ‘Where Did the River Go?’ – a printed interactive storybook featuring the adventures of Dab and Plip.

‘The Journey to Darkest Somewhere’ invites families to come online to enjoy an action packed adventure with Dab and Plip as they search for their good friend Finias T. Waggletog. ‘The House of Scary Words’ is a spooky story where you are asked to solve an eerie mystery in the scary house on the hill.

***For competition terms and conditions, visit: www.wheredidtherivergo.co.uk/terms

LATE DEALS FROM WWW.HOLIDAYLETTINGS.CO.UK

Jacaranda, Bath, Somerset
www.holidaylettings.co.uk/24761
Sleeps up to 7 (2 bedrooms)
Late Deal: Available until 28 August for £1,050 per week (usually £1,300)

A 65ft canal boat for up to six people, Jacaranda will appeal to families looking for something different for their summer holiday. There are two bedrooms and the dining area converts into a third sleeping area. Jacaranda is moored at Hanham Lock, just outside of Keynsham, Bath. From there you can explore the Kennet & Avon Canal, which stretches 86 miles. The boat is spacious and well equipped– a flat screen TV, DVD player, gas central heating and a full size shower mean you won’t miss out on your home comforts. A selection of DVDs and board games are included for nights in.

Bury Tower House, Gosport, Hampshire
www.holidaylettings.co.uk/65027
Sleeps up to 16 (6 bedrooms)
Late Deal: Available until 15 August for £1,500 per week (usually £1,950)

A Grade II listed building in a protected conservation area, Bury Tower House can accommodate groups of up to 16. This makes it ideal for big families or those looking to club together with friends to keep costs down. The restored Georgian house has two gardens, six bedrooms and four bathrooms, so there’s no danger of guests tripping over each other. Located in The Solent, the property is a short walk from the beach or head to Portsmouth, where you can visit Nelson’s ship, The Victory. Sailing and fishing trips can be arranged.

The Bonaly House, Colinton, Edinburgh
www.holidaylettings.co.uk/90706
Sleeps up to 6 (3 bedrooms)
Late deal: Available until 29 August for £700 per week (usually £960)

Perfect accommodation for August’s Edinburgh Festival, The Bonaly House is set in the attractive area of Colinton, which oozes village charm. Three bedrooms accommodate up to six guests and there is an enclosed rear garden with trampoline if you’re travelling with children. There are great bus links into the city centre, or you can enjoy long walks/vigorous cycle rides in the Pentland Hills National Park, which is a stone’s throw from the property.

Quebec Quay, Liverpool Docklands
www.holidaylettings.co.uk/64764
Sleeps up to 4 (2 bedrooms)
Late deal: Available until 22 Aug for £475 per week (usually £600)

Located in the tranquil waterside haven, Quebec Quay, the apartment is within walking distance of the vibrant city centre. The property has views over Liverpool marina from its balcony and the interior has been stylishly furnished to suit the modern traveller. Art lovers shouldn’t miss Tate Liverpool, while the Beatles’ Story, two cathedrals, the nearby Wirral peninsula and Knowsley Safari Park are all worth a visit too.

Europe and beyond

Riad Blue Moon, Marrakech, Morocco
www.holidaylettings.co.uk/85657
Sleeps up to 8 (4 bedrooms)
Late deal: 26 Jul 2009 to 23 Aug 2009 for £420 per week

Riad Blue Moon is a traditional riad centrally located within the hustle and bustle of Marrakech city. The riad offers very comfortable living space with two large double bedrooms both boasting en suites with tadelakt baths that are big enough for two! Downstairs you will find further single bedrooms. The riad has stunning architecture, original art painted by the owners complemented with antique rugs and furniture -making it a beautiful retreat from the busy Medina. If you don’t feel like eating within the Medina then the onsite chef can prepare delicious international cuisine at your desire.

Lorenzino Villa, Tuscany, Italy
www.holidaylettings.co.uk/88429
Sleeps up to 6 (2 bedrooms)
Late deal: available until 22 Aug 2009 for £846 per week
Lorenzino villa is a beautiful detached villa converted from a lovely old hay store with a natural stone work exterior. It boasts a quiet location surrounded by farms and countryside only three kilometers from Colle Val d’Elsa. The property is enclosed by half an acre of garden with an inviting swimming pool, perfect for relaxing and unwinding making this the ideal countryside retreat. The front side of the house still keeps an old farmyard with garden furniture, whilst at the back guests can enjoy the covered terrace with table and chairs for eating in the open air. The interiors are very cosy, furnished with a love for detail in the typical Tuscan style.

Al Ladino Cottage, Malaga, Spain
www.holidaylettings.co.uk/9623
Sleeps up to 4 (2 bedrooms)
Late deal: available until 22 Aug 2009 for £795 per week
Al Ladino is a typical rural-style small casa de campo cottage close to the coastline. Set in a botanical garden, one of the most charming in the area, this two bedroom villa boasts its own private pool, sun terrace and BBQ where you can soak up the breathtaking views over the Nerja coastline and mountains. Surrounded by open fields on two sides and the sea on another, it provides peace and tranquility in a romantic setting yet the convenience of restaurants bars shopping and the beach within a five minute drive.

FANTASTIC LAST MINUTE DEALS FOR AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY!
Fantastic deals for a last minute end of summer breaks are on offer at Warner Leisure Hotels, with up to £200 off per room for a week’s stay and up to £120 per room for a shorter break. Avoid Bank Holiday traffic by arriving early on Friday 28th for a delicious free brunch, and enjoy a special free lunch on your day of departure (if it’s Monday 31st) so that you can avoid the traffic jams on the way home as well!

Enjoy an extra long weekend with plenty of time to either totally relax, or experience Warner’s award winning fantastic facilities, exceptional hospitality, exquisite food, lots of activities on offer – and even live entertainment every night. Prices are from as little as £239pp at an historic hotel for a 3 night break to £159pp at a coastal resort.
Add glitz and glamour to your August Bank Holiday and soak up the atmosphere at Great Yarmouth Races. Stay at either Gunton Hall or Corton Coastal Resorts and combine a relaxing beach stay with an adrenalin interlude following the horses. A three night stay at Corton Coastal Resort starts from £159 per person, sharing double / twin accommodation, whilst the trip to Great Yarmouth Races carries a modest supplement of £30.
What could be more sparkly than Star Gazing? Spend your August Bank Holiday break at Cricket StThomasHotel in Somerset and join the Star Gazing for Beginners experience, led by astronomer Adrian Dening and culminating in a guided tour of Lockyer Observatory in Sidmouth. The bank holiday weekend at Cricket St Thomas is now on offer from £239 per person, plus the optional Star Gazing experience at £40.
Another quirky opportunity for the Bank Holiday weekend at Cricket St Thomas is taking a walk with a Llama! These beautiful animals are great characters and make ideal walking companions, so take time out for something a little different and lead your Llama along East Devon’s spectacular JurassicCoast.
However, if you’re not particularly fond of the open air, or are just cynical about the typical English weather (!), you could visit Nottinghamshire’s Thoresby Hall, a hotel and luxury spa which is sheer extravagance, inside and out. From its beautiful gardens to its unbelievably wide array of spa treatments, you’ll undoubtedly find something which will make you very glad you decided to break away from humdrum life, if only for a long weekend! Our August deal at Thoresby Hall starts at just £279 for a three night break staying at this magnificent VictorianMansion bordering Sherwood Forest.
All Warner Leisure Hotels breaks prices include accommodation, hearty breakfasts, numerous daytime activities, indoor and outdoor leisure facilities, delicious 3-course dinners and optional live entertainment every night. The individual ‘Experiences’ carry a modest extra cost.
So there’s no reason at all not to drop everything and take some time to mellow out, enjoy yourself and truly make the most of your August Bank Holiday.
For these and other great suggestions for August bank Holiday, visit the website www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk or call 0800 1 388 399 for more information. For free brunch and lunches, quote the code 22AA9.

AL FRESCO DINING AT LOWRY OUTLET MALL
It’s that time of year when the sun is out and there’s nothing more relaxing than enjoying a bite to eat and a glass of something chilled in the sunshine. Situated at the heart of The Quays, The Lowry Outlet Mall has five diverse restaurants offering Al Fresco dining on the plaza, with some fantastic summer offers too.

Lime’s new summer menu offers diners a choice of wraps & sandwiches, salads, ‘Little Dishes’ and ‘Big Dishes’. ‘Little Dishes’ include Teriyaki Salmon served with fried noodles, bean sprouts and sugar snap peas. Red Onion Tarte Tatin served with Balsamic red onion, confit tomatoes, flaky puff pastry and rocket and Parmesan salad is a lighter choice when dining on a warm summer’s evening. Dishes from the grill and sharing platters offer a delicious option for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Main courses start from £8.25.

Newly opened Bella Italia boasts classic favourites, with a huge choice of pasta, pizza, grill dishes and fish. With some great summer offers, diners can choose from the lunch set menu, from £5.95, and the 2-course evening set menu, from £8.95 per person.

Café Rouge’s Prix Fix summer menu is available from £7.95 for 2 courses. The menu changes each month so there is always a new French dish to choose from. Starters include dishes such as the Tarte au Fromage de Chevere, made up of warm goats cheese and red onion tartlet on a bed of balsamic dressed rocket. Main dishes include the Penne au Saumon, penne pasta tossed with a smoked salmon, courgette, cream and white wine sauce. If you are after something to satisfy your sweet tooth then opt for the Gauffre au Fraises, Belgium waffle topped with fresh strawberries and vanilla ice cream!

Family favourite, Pizza Express offers a classic taste of Italy with its array of mouthwatering pizzas. New to the menu are the Leggera pizzas, at around 500 calories, the pizza has a hole in the middle and the hole is filled with salad. Perfect for keeping a trim figure this summer (from £7.95).

Pond Quay offers the finest in Chinese cuisine, with buffet prices starting from £6.85 and a 2 course set menu for £8.90.

The Lowry Outlet mall is the perfect place to dine during lunch, after work, before the theatre or cinema, or simply for a treat with a friend or loved one. And there’s free parking for all customers.

For more information including latest news and events, opening times, directions and store offers or visit www.lowryoutletmall.com

MASALA ZONE LAUNCHED IN BAYSWATER
Award-winning, casual dining restaurant brings real Indian food to West London

Wednesday 8th July 2009 saw the launch of award-winning Indian casual dining restaurant Masala Zone’s new branch in Bayswater, bringing the taste of real Indian food to West London. The launch, hosted by Chairman, Mr. Ranjit Mathrani, was attended by a host of food industry aficionados, VIP’s and high profile dignitaries.

Guests were indulged with a bespoke menu at the launch, featuring Masala Zone’s signature offering of real Indian food. Dishes included: mini onion bhajias; tiranga dhokla, cocktail size chicken samosas with tomato chutney; Farsli patice; mini shami kebabs; and chicken tikka biryani.

Speaking of his delight at the launch of the new Bayswater branch, Chairman, Mr Ranjit Mathrani said, “We hope the public share the view about our brand in this time of uncertainty and recession. Serving real Indian food of quality at under £15 a head is a challenge. Our website name of ‘real Indian food’ explains it all –we do not compromise on the quality and integrity of our food. We bring delicious food from the homes and street stalls of India, which we combine with an environment that is totally a part of London life - casual, stylish, exotic, and contemporary.

We have had 600,000 customers a year at our Masala Zone restaurants, which is forecast to increase to 800,000 a year after our new openings; which means we must be doing something right"

The impressive site of the new Masala Zone Bayswater restaurant, originally a bank, will entertain diners against the vibrant backdrop of an exotic pop art collage of firecracker labels from the town of Sivakasi in Southern Tamil Nadu, home to the world’s second largest printing press. Linked to gigantic printing presses with in-house studios and artists, Sivakasi produces a kaleidoscopic range of colourful, kitsch posters and calendar art for the millions in India.

As with each restaurant of London’s most innovative and authentic casual Indian dining venue,
Masala Zone in Bayswater has its own distinct style, artistically themed around a particular tradition of Indian art and culture. Seating capacity for the restaurant is 110 (with no reservations), with a separate Party Room zone for 36 – the perfect setting for private functions against the backdrop of a crimson hued collage of Bollywood film stars and languid art.

Masala Zone serves delicious, authentic and wholesome Indian food, covering dishes from street food favourites, tandoori grills and curries from many regions of India, to traditional home-style balanced thali meals. The differentiation factor about Masala Zone restaurants is that each is headed by an experienced chef who decides every day what their daily changing offering of vegetables, lentils, raita, rice and thali canapé will be, so each restaurant offers a different thali meal every day.

Desserts include popular Indian options such as gulab jamum, rasmalai, kulfi and falooda, the traditional Indian sundae. There is a special Children’s Thali and an Ayurvedic Thali with low GI dishes which is suitable for diabetics. Beverages will include fresh fruit juices and well chosen wines by the bottle, glass and carafe. A food to go and delivery service will be provided for the local area, commencing on 13th July 2009.

Masala Zone and its highly respected sister restaurants – Chutney Mary, Veeraswamy and Amaya – are part of the Masala World Group, popular with celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Jemina Khan, Fabio Capello , John McEnroe and Ryan Phillippe.

Masala Zone’s new Bayswater restaurant is now open to the public and is located at 75, Bishops Bridge Road, Bayswater, London W2 6BG. Tel: 020 7221 0055.

PERFECT FOR SUMMER COCKTAILS - PATRÓN SILVER TEQUILA
A Formula One racer of the luxury tequila market, Patrón Silver is a crystal clear white spirit made from 100 per cent blue agave, heralding from its atelier makers who have years of distillery expertise. The renowned ultra-premium tequila is perfect on the rocks with a squeeze of lime and delicious served in a long drink or mixed into luxurious cocktails.

The soft, classical light finish of the Patrón Silver has grown an internationally strong following – from Oscar winners and Patrón Silver’s characteristic smoothness and layers of flavour - the key to the tequila’s worldwide popularity, stems from using the finest ingredients and using meticulous traditional methods, unique to the Patrón Spirits Company heritage. These methods also make Patrón Silver an optimum white spirit in long drinks, such as serving with tonic or soda and equally complete a mojioto with a full flavoured kick.

Each bottle of Patrón Silver goes through a process of painstaking craftsmanship, with over 60 hands checking the standard of each of the individually numbered and crafted bottles.

Distilled and packaged entirely by hand, Patrón is produced from the finest 100 per cent weaber blue agave, grown in the highlands of Jalisco in Mexico. Each batch of the agave – a member of the lily family – is tasted and its whole process overseen by the watchful eye of Patrón’s master distiller, Francisco Alcaraz – the industries ‘godfather of tequila’. Once completed, each Patrón Silver bottle is then hand polished and completed with a green ribbon.

As per the tradition that true champagnes must have grapes derived from the same named region in France; the same high standard applies for a true tequila, which should also be made from 100 per cent agave –only a limited amount of tequilas are currently available at this standard.

“Our passion for excellence and perfection guides everything we do,” says Alcaraz. “Our process is unique and time-consuming, unlike any other tequila in Mexico. It’s what makes Patrón one of the highest-quality spirits in the world.”

The range Patrón Spirits Company tequilas include Patrón Silver, Patrón Reposado, Patrón Anejo, Gran Patrón Platinum, Patrón Burdeos, Patrón XO Café and Citronge. The Patrón Spirits Company’s portfolio also includes Pyrat Rum and Ultimat vodka.

Patrón is available in selected hotels, bars and clubs in major cities across the UK and from Selfridges (nationwide), Waitrose (nationwide), Harrods, Harvey Nichols (nationwide)

TEMPTATION AT MANDARIN BAR
NEW Limited Edition Magnum Temptini Cocktail
London August 04, 2009 – Magnum ice cream has teamed up with Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park to develop the ultimate cocktail experience – the Magnum Temptini. This limited edition summer cocktail will be available at Mandarin Bar for the month of August only.
Expertly created by Mandarin Oriental’s skilled mixologist, the Temptini is delectably different and takes ice cream indulgence to another dimension. It is prepared using a whole Temptation, Magnum’s most lavish ice cream which features smooth chocolate ice-cream, swirled with rich chocolate sauce, enriched with brownie pieces and delicious chunks of Belgian white chocolate, all encased in fine Belgian dark chocolate. With the help of Tia Maria, Havana Club and Baileys to compliment the delectable ingredients, this is a cocktail masterpiece that will take you on a sensory journey.
Magnum fans, if you’re tempted to try it don’t delay as the Magnum Temptini cocktail is available at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park for one month only.

Drink Aware
www.drinkaware.co.uk

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