Category Archives: Food

‘tails of Discovery, The Booking Office

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I use the Eurostar often, to visit family in France or visit one of the many easy-to-reach cities for a short European minibreak. Whenever I travel I can’t help but admire the magnificent St Pancras Renaissance Hotel which towers over the station, one of London’s most regal and glorious architectural feats. In my opinion the best Eurostar trips begin with a stay at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel and end with drinks at the elegant hotel bar, The Booking Office… So you can imagine my delight when the hotel team asked me to join them for a day trip to Lille in search of ingredients for the new‘tails of Discovery cocktail menu.

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After a blissful night’s sleep in one of the hotel’s luxurious Chambers Junior Suites I awoke to the station tannoys, announcing exciting departures for the day ahead. I put on my most suitable French market-day outfit and hurried downstairs to meet the rest of the team. A few minutes later we were sitting in the Eurostar lounge awaiting our train to Lille, breakfast picnic baskets in hand. I was travelling with a few of the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel team and Terence Sestili the cocktail mastermind behind the menu at The Booking Office. On the short train ride (just 90 minutes from London to Lille) we learnt how to make Terence’s special Bloody Mary’s, complete with homemade tomato juice and fragrant citrus essences.

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Once in Lille we were on a mission to collect everything on Terence’s shopping list for a trio of unique new cocktails: perfectly ripe white peaches for the Peach Bellini, porcini mushrooms for the Mushroom Martini and rare purple potatoes for the Lavender Vesper. We wandered round several local markets, chatting to the stall owners in broken french and examining the beautiful fresh produce. Terence was filled with passion as he smelt and felt all the fruit and vegetables, obsessively finding the best possible produce for his drinks.

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After a few hours we proudly settled for lunch, satisfied that we had ticked off every ingredient on the list. Lille has a rich culinary heritage, and we enjoyed several speciality dishes (mostly involving maroilles cheese) at Estaminet Au Vieux de la Vieille in the older historic part of town. It’s amazing that you can be in London for breakfast and Lille for lunch!

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After lunch it was time to head back home. But before catching the train we had just enough time to visit the famous second-hand book and antique market in Lille, where Terence and I chose three stunning vintage glasses to serve his cocktails in.

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Back at The Booking Office it was time to use our lovely Lille ingredients… inspired by our brief visit to France Terence gave me an enthusiastic and expert cocktail classic, treating each ingredient with care and attention. He showed me techniques to get the right texture of peach, and how to ensure the purple potatoes keep their vibrant lilac colour. Terence is a true performer and it was great fun to watch him make each of the drinks with dexterous skill and love.

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We tried the cocktails with an array of accompanying snacks from the new bar menu. Each drink has a plate of food, designed to match and complement the qualities of that cocktail. I loved all three cocktails and was amazed by the intense but distinct flavours of each. For a light summer aperitif the Peach Bellini is the ultimate classic, mixed with the freshest sweet fruit and a touch of sparkle. After dinner try the Mushroom Martini, earthy in taste with a velvety smooth texture. And for something a little exotic order the Lavender Vesper, which tastes as beautiful and serene as it looks.

'tails of Discovery

The Booking Office’s new cocktail menu is filled with thoughtful touches and genius creativity. Next time you hop on the Eurostar arrive a little early and treat yourself to a tipple before the train ride, it is the best way to start any journey!

More information about the ‘tails of Discovery cocktail menu here.

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.

Harry’s Dolce Vita, Knightsbridge

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Harry’s Dolce Vita is the new IT restaurant in Knightsbridge, and it felt like I was the last foodie in London to try it. Tucked away behind Harrods, the street is chock-a-block with expensive cars and smartly dressed shoppers. I felt terribly unglamorous in my Mango dress but the friendly and attentive waiters quickly made me feel at home. We sat on the breezy al fresco terrace. Inside, the long dining room is chic and cosy.

Harry's Dolce Vita

The relaxed Italian menu has been created by Executive chef Diego Cardoso. There are plenty of classics to choose from, including Insalata Calprese and Tiramisu, but you can also experience dishes which truly showcase the kitchen’s creativity.

After a refreshing glass of rosemary lemonade I opted for the Fried courgette flowers with courgette, honey, mint and pinenut salad. It was delicate and light, the irresistable crunchy flowers paired with a fresh citrusy salad. Considering the price (£8.95) it was abundant.

Harry's Dolce Vita

For main courses we couldn’t resist sampling a few of the pasta recipes. The eatery’s speciality is Tagoliolini with truffle, parmesan and cream… but it felt too rich in the heat, so instead we chose lighter plates. The pea and mint tortellini was wonderful, little homemade parcels of pasta filled with mint and ricotta in a subtle lemon cream sauce. My only criticism is I felt some of the pasta was a little undercooked, but perhaps that is just my preference.

Harry's Dolce Vita

The 10th of August is the night of San Lorenzo in Italy, when people gather outside to watch the shooting stars. In honour of this special occasion, Harry’s Dolce Vita have created a starry ‘Milky Way’ cocktail and ‘The Comet’ dessert. Creamy, magical and golden this sweet duo is definitely worth ordering if you are visiting today.

Harry's Dolce Vita

The desserts are works of art, and the restaurant is lucky to have a pastry chef of this calibre. The Harry’s Toadstool has become a must on the sweet menu, thanks to its obvious instagrammability. The beautifully constructed toadstool is made from mascarpone mousse and iced vanilla parfait, and is encased in white chocolate. The colour and vibrancy is due to the raspberries and pistachio crumb and the alarmingly green warm pistachio sauce. It was a clever dessert with a balance of sweetness, sour fruit flavours and nutty pistachio texture.

I’m not surprised Harry’s Dolce Vita is packed every mealtime. This stylish eatery is a much-needed culinary asset to the Knightsbridge area, and with reasonable prices, generous portions and friendly service, it surpassed all my expectations… and I can assure you it is not at all style over substance, as first impressions may suggest.

More information and book a table at Harry’s Dolce Vita here.

Things to do in Oaxaca

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Oaxaca is the culinary capital of Mexico. This historical town (designated a UNESCO World Heritage site) is found in the heart of the country, 6 hours drive or a short flight from the country’s capital, Mexico City. Oaxaca is known for its charming colonial buildings and colourful murals, which depict scenes from the region’s history. We spent a few days discovering the food and culture of the area, tasting street food and local specialities and travelling out of the town to nearby sights and natural wonders.

Oaxaca

To Stay

Quinta Real Oaxaca – Quinta Real hotel is found in the centre of Oaxaca historic town. The atmospheric building has a long and intriguing history, built in 1576 as the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena. We were in a spacious ground floor room, a cool and calm place to rest after a busy day exploring.

Oaxaca

To Eat

Boulenc – The ultimate breakfast spot in Oaxaca. This stylishly rustic bakery has an array of fresh pastries every morning, or if you want something more substantial head to the cafe where they serve a menu of irresistable brunch dishes. We visited twice to get our morning coffee and croissant fix, I can highly recommend pain au chocolat and the hot-cakes (gluten-free pancakes with banana, citrus butter, whipped cream, berry sauce, basil and house granola) from the cafe.

Casa Oaxaca – There are two Casa Oaxaca restaurants in town, both are run by the same company, but I recommend heading to the larger ‘El Restaurante’, not the hotel eatery, as there is more choice and you have beautiful views over the town. Star chef Alejandro Ruiz serves up traditional dishes with a creative twist, we enjoyed the crispy duck tacos, rack of lamb with mole, and the vibrant salsa which the staff make for you at the table.

Pan:Am – This fun, neighbourhood bakery serves all-day brunch and bakes wonderful bread and pastries. We visited one morning for their hearty baked eggs and fresh juice.

Casa Taviche – For a reasonably-priced dinner, head to local restaurant Casa Taviche. The colourful eatery is homely and welcoming and the service is very friendly. At lunchtime it is especially cheap… you can get a three course set lunch for £3. For dinner we had comforting sweetcorn soup and pork ribs with red mole, washed down with homemade lemonade.

Criollo – For a special meal in Oaxaca head to Criollo, by Pujol chef Enrique Olvera, who aims to return to his Mexican roots with this beautiful eatery.  There is no a la carte so you have to opt for the tasting menu, 7 courses for £27. The dining space is minimalist and stylish and the food is exciting and delicious, firmly rooted in the traditions of Oaxacan cuisine.

Oaxaca

To Drink

La Mezcaloteca – This unique bar offers in-depth Mezcal tastings and teachings. La Mezcaloteca is dark and intimate, and the staff’s expertise is immediately obvious. Book ahead and sit at the bar for an hour session trying three hand-picked craft mezcals.

Cafe El Volador – Cafe El Volador is a little speciality cafe that serves the best espresso in Oaxaca. Sit at one of the few tables and soak up the atmosphere while getting your caffeine kick.

Sabina Sabe – Head to Sabina Sabe for delicious cocktails, food and a fun evening. We tried a couple of great cocktails – the Trinidad and Pequeño Gigante – and a strong but alluring Mezcal Old Fashioned. Vegetarian Talyudas and Chicarrones were the ideal accompanying snack.

Oaxaca

To Do

Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca – Located in the centre of town, beside the church of Santo Domingo, this stunning and large garden features plants from Oaxaca state. My favourite was the dramatic alley of cacti. Guests can only visit these beautiful botanic gardens on a guided tour – costing £4 per person. There are English tours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11am, and they also run daily tours in Spanish.

Alvarez Bravo Photographic Centre – Born and raised in Mexico City, Manuel Alvarez Bravo (1902-2002) was one of Latin America’s most important 20th Century photographers. This small gallery space exhibits the work of promising current Mexican and international photographers. Entry is free.

Museo Textil de Oaxaca – Get an insight into Mexico’s tradition of textiles at this calm and colourful museum. Entry is free, but be sure to take some money to spend in the great shop.

Oaxaca

To Shop

Colectivo 1050 – This collective of artists and artisans produce handmade ceramics to celebrate Oaxacan pottery in a contemporary style. The pretty shop has a wide range of special and unique items.

Tienda Q – A high-end concept store selling Mexican clothes, accessories and homeware. The collection is carefully curated and beautifully presented. Look out for the amazing set of coloured wax candles.

Miku Meko Atelier – Get lost in this emporium of lovely things. The shop was opened by Alelí Hernández as a place for female artisans to work independently and sell in a group space. Pick up a one-off ceramic piece, exceptional textiles or a handmade gift to take home.

Lanii Gifts – Lanii concept shop is best known for its woven bags, but you can find so much more in this stunning tiled boutique. Set up by three friends – Sara, Michelle and Sophia – Lanii promotes Oaxacan crafts through a range of colours, textures, materials and dyes. I wanted everything in this chic store.

Oaxaca

To Escape

Hierve el Agua – These natural pools and waterfalls are a 90-minute drive from Oaxaca. Surrounded by stunning scenery, it is best experienced early in the morning before the crowds arrive. Swim in the natural pools, and don’t miss a hike up to the viewpoint.

Mitla Archaeological site – Mitla (meaning ‘underworld’ in Zapotec) is one of Mexico’s best known ruins. There are five groups of buildings to see, look out for the rare tiled structures and don’t miss the eerie underground tombs. Tickets cost £3 per person, and tours are available for those who want a more in depth understanding of the ruins.

Gracias a Dios Mezcal factory – Santiago Matatlan (an hour East of Oaxaca) is known as the world capital of Mezcal. There of hundreds of distilleries in the area, but I recommend a tour and tasting at Gracias a Dios. This charming artisan maker is one of the smaller factories and has been run by the same family for four generations. They produce a range of handmade, double-distilled mezcals, that you can see being made and then taste. Our favourite was the award-winning Espadin Reposado, which is aged for four months in American Oak and has woody taste not dissimilar to bourbon whiskey.

Atzompa – This tiny town is known for its green glazed pottery and tiles. Just a 20 minute drive from Oaxaca, we bought a collection of 12 miniature dishes for just £4.

Monte Alban – This famous archaeological site is the historic capital city of Oaxaca. Dating back to the 8th century, this important collection of ruins consists of pyramids, plazas, underground passageways and tombs. Wander round and take in the panoramic views.