Author Archives: Milly

Sir Nikolai Hotel, Hamburg

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Hamburg certainly has its fair share of hipster hotels and Sir Nikolai is the most luxurious and stylish of the lot. Sir Nikolai is part of the Sir Hotels group which also have properties in Amsterdam, Berlin and Ibiza, each has it’s own identity, but design and style are very much at the heart of the brand throughout the collection.

Sir Nikolai

Sir Nikolai is located between Altstadt and HafenCity on Nikolaifleet, one of Hamburg’s oldest canals. It is a beautiful and quiet historic area, but is also nearby to many of the city’s most popular attractions. We were thrilled with our lovely suite on the first floor. Big windows let in plenty of light and every detail was thoughtful and indulgent.

The furniture and lighting in the bedrooms is custom-made, and has a beautiful retro charm. The art work is made locally or inspired by the city and the book selections are curated by emerging local writers.

Sir NikolaiSir Nikolai

The ‘little touches’ were evident throughout the suite: a Bluetooth Marshall speaker, a fully-equipped cocktail trolley and high quality DEAD CLEAN spa toiletries, which worked wonders on my skin and hair, and smelt divine!

The bathroom was very spacious with two sinks and a powerful rain shower. An amazing bathtub dominated the living room space, but there was also room for a smart writing desk and grand TV.

Sir Nikolai

When it was time to emerge from the heavenly king-sized bed, a delicious breakfast was waiting in the room to be devoured! Pancakes and passionfruit, fresh pastries and milky coffee set us up perfectly for a full day of exploring Hamburg.

Full of character and creativity, I fell in love with the Sir Nikolai Hotel after just one night here, and I can’t wait to see more hotels from this brilliant group soon.

More information and book a stay at Sir Nikolai here.

Gul and Sepoy, Spitalfields

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Gunpowder Restaurant is one of my favourite Indian restaurants in London, so I was excited to hear about Gul and Sepoy, the newest Spitalfields eatery from this fiery and ambitious team.

Gul and Sepoy

Gul and Sepoy is the third restaurant from Harneet and Devina Baweja, and aims to showcase rustic and royal Indian dishes. The warm and welcoming venue on Commercial Street is decorated in muted dusty pink with a long destination bar in the centre of the restaurant. Upstairs, a cosy dining room is available for private hire, and is perfect for celebrations or special occasions.

Gul and Sepoy

The menu is split into two categories: the Gul part is focussed on the lavish dishes you might expect from the Royal palaces in the northwestern part of India; Sepoy is the more casual food from the south of the country which would be eaten on-the-go by soldiers of the old Indian army.

Gul and SepoyGul and Sepoy

In my opinion all the dishes seemed fit for a king, irrespective of which side of the menu they were ordered from. It was immediately clear that Gul and Sepoy’s offering is more upmarket than the other restaurants in their group, the cuts of meat and types of fish used are more decadent and unique and so, of course, the prices reflect this.

The dishes are relatively small, I’d recommend ordering four or five between two, if you are hungry. Wild prawn Kalimirch were are tasty as they were beautiful, Potted Pig Head with Blood Masala Onions was an unusual but addictively delicious dish, and for vegetarians Yam and Paneer Kofta Chaat is wondrously aromatic and comforting plate of food. Next time I want to try the Whole Leg of Kid Goat which I hear is also amazing.

Gul and Sepoy

Desserts are less elaborate, but many will be grateful for this after an indulgent and rich Indian feast. Wild Berries and Lavender Kheer is a simple rice pudding with a floral hit, Rum Soaked Dough Pillow with Spiced Cream & Raspberries is version of a French dessert, and Dark Chocolate Ganache Rasmalai with Cardamom Poached Kumquat was a surprisingly light dessert for chocolate lovers.

Apparently Harneet and Devina have plans to open another two restaurants soon, growing their empire to a grand total of five… After my delicious Gul & Sepoy meal I can’t wait to see what’s next!

More information and book a table at Gul and Sepoy here.

Eating Out in Ibiza

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Ibiza is so well known for the party scene, but I got to know a completely different aspect of this beautiful island when I visited last month for a few days.

Thanks to the warm climate, fertile countryside and sea air, the land here is perfect for growing a variety of crops and consequently the restaurant scene is beginning to flourish with talented chefs flocking here from all over the globe to use the produce and enjoy the idyllic way of life.

I was lucky enough to try a few of the island’s best eateries during my stay… below I’ve listed a few of my favourites and why they are worth trying.

Ibiza food

Though most people stay out in remote villas, the old town of Ibiza is a lovely place to wander round and enjoy a meal. For quick and delicious tapas head to La Cava. We sat outside on the terrace and enjoyed the midday rays whilst feasting on a range of vibrant small plates. The menu here represents the different elements of Ibiza: the land, sea, and gardens. Order a glass of Spanish wine to accompany your food, our favourites from the menu included the Roasted vegetables with black garlic Romanesco sauce, Creamy leek croquettes and Roasted and glazed Black pig rib.

Also in town is El Portalon, the brilliant restaurant from chef, organic farmer and author Anne Sijmonsbergen. This stylish eatery is leading the culinary scene in Ibiza serving organic and sustainable food, with plenty of heart and passion. In the high season El Portalon opens for both lunch and dinner, but is only open in the evening in the quieter months. We loved our dinner here, every plate of food was inventive and delicious. A blackboard displays the ever-changing seasonal menu, offering a range of exceptional meat, fish and vegetarian options (they usually manage to cater for vegans too). Ibizan burrata with sautéed fava beans, asparagus & toasted cumin was a stand-out dish for me, the most delicate creamy soft cheese was paired with intense spices and lovely vegetables. I also fondly remember the homemade pasta and fresh seafood.

Ibiza food

For destination dining I urge you to visit the Ibiza Food Studio by ex-Noma chef Boris Buono. This amazing foodie retreat is found amongst the countryside at Boris’ home. At Ibiza Food Studio he hosts private groups or individual bookings, and whatever the occasion he ensures his visitors always have an unforgettable meal. At lunchtimes Boris often uses the pizza oven to prepare light and casual meals, at dinner a spontaneous tasting menu is on offer. Boris uses the freshest produce and indigenous ingredients to create innovative and magical plates of food. Highlights from our meal included an intense tomato gazpacho, roasted fish and fruity fresh desserts. There are also rooms if you fancy rolling into bed after a Boris feast!

For beachside culinary charm I recommend Cala Gracioneta El Chiringuito, nearby to Hostal La Torre. This sprawling restaurant offers idyllic views out over the quaint cove. The menu is quite pricey but the portion sizes are huge, so I recommend two starters and one main course between two. This rustic restaurant offers the ultimate island comfort food… we gorged on juicy calamari and high quality steak cooked to perfection on the grill.

I travelled around the island with Avant Car Ibiza.