Tuesday, October 31, 2017

TEST 2

TEST 2

from Fine Dining Lovers

18 Fine Dining Job Roles Explained

18 Fine Dining Job Roles Explained Chef de cuisine, executive chef, sous chef, line and prep cook: this infographic explains all the job roles on offer in a fine dining restaurant.

from Fine Dining Lovers

5 great reasons to visit Dublin

It may be a small, but there’s a reason why Dublin has such a big reputation. From cobbled streets to traditional pubs and more literary greats than you can shake a stick at, history and culture simply pervade this city. Dublin offers visitors the best of both worlds; a famously compact capital, you can be out […]

The post 5 great reasons to visit Dublin appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.



from A Luxury Travel Blog

Special feature: Amansara, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap in Cambodia draws in more than four million tourists a year, which is four times more than a decade ago. And tourists and travelers alike are all there to see one thing: Angkor Wat. The ancient temples and complex of Angkor, set on the outskirts of Siem Reap, are by far the country’s […]

The post Special feature: Amansara, Siem Reap, Cambodia appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.



from A Luxury Travel Blog

7 secret ways to visit St. Mark’s Square, Venice (while avoiding the crowds and staying cool)

Everyone that visits Venice will go to St. Mark’s Square, period. And you must as well. But how can you do it differently than the millions of selfie-taking tourists while garnering food for your brain and staying cool to boot? Most consider St. Mark’s Square to consist of the Basilica, the Doges’ Palace, and the […]

The post 7 secret ways to visit St. Mark’s Square, Venice (while avoiding the crowds and staying cool) appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.



from A Luxury Travel Blog

TEST

TEST

from Fine Dining Lovers

Cooks at This Three Michelin Star Restaurant Work a Three Day Week

Cooks at This Three Michelin Star Restaurant Work a Three Day Week Watch Esben Holmboe Bang describe how slashing the working week at Maaemo is the best thing he's ever done, during a speech at Food on the Edge 2017.

from Fine Dining Lovers

Top 10 Ways To Add Sparkle To Everyday Life

The-Style-Traveller-at-The-Clift

Top 10 Ways To Add A Little Bit of Sparkle To Everyday Life

Sponsored post in association with American Express®

I’m not sure if you are agree, but I feel like we are “rewarding” ourselves with little things far more. I wouldn’t call these “guilty pleasures”, they are more like everyday perks that add a little bit of sparkle to our lives.

It’s not just milestone moments like booking a trip of a lifetime or putting a deposit down on a house that are making us happy, sometimes spending on something as small as a lipstick on our lunch hour or a coffee on route to work can truly add a little sparkle to our lives. The current trend for “everyday treats” is on the rise.

coffee and flowers in a cafe

A recent survey by American Express** revealed that Brits treat themselves to a little treat, on average 3 times a week, with one in six (17%) doing so at least once a day. I expect I fall into that bracket!

Brit’s official Top 10 treats are:
1 Ordering a takeaway (30%)
2 Reading a book (27%)
3 Going out for dinner (26%)
4 Watching a favourite film or TV show (23%)
5 Having a lie in (22%)
6 Going to the pub or bar (19%)
7 Eating ice cream (18%)
8 Having a bath (16%)
9 Buying a new item of clothing or pair of shoes (16%)
10 Going to the cinema (14%)

It’s so true, because a lot of the things I do fitted in nicely with the findings. That’s why I’ve teamed up with American Express to share some of my top every day perks. I’d love to hear what yours are too?? Please leave me a comment below!

The-style-traveller-bonnie-rakhit-shop-nicholas-kirskwood

Being a lover of fashion and style, I love giving myself a little mid week treat, be it shoes or a gorgeous new perfume to boost my mood.

The Style Traveller bonnie buying perfume at Creed
The Style traveller at a spa getting a massage

Pampering

Being kind to yourself is such an important thing to do and something I think we often forget. It’s so good for our bodies and minds to occasionally be pampered and looked after. Book in for a relaxing massage or simply enjoy an indulgent bath at home for free. Bliss!

8.limewood-hotel-hampshire-ben-pentreath-architecture-sBalance

 breakfast in bed paris the style traveller

Food and drink

Two of life’s greatest pleasures are food and drink. From little everyday treats like a coffee from the local deli on route to work, to enjoying breakfast in bed on the weekend to going for dinner and drinks with friends and family, I love spending time over food and really enjoying it.

The-style-traveller-bonnie-rakhit-mayfair-lunch
eating ice cream in Italy

And my top 2 treats, being a travel blogger are indulging in an ice cream and hitting the beach, even better if it’s both at the same time!

Which is exactly what I’m off to do now. See you next time guys.

Bon Voyage xx

going for a surf BaliEveryday Perks with American Express


 From pampering yourself to treating yourself to an ice cream, American Express makes every day more rewarding by giving you feel-good perks for your purchases*.
Its range of Cards are packed with ways to get more from your everyday spending; from Membership Rewards® points that can be used to treat yourself to virtually anything (and that never expire) to discounts at top restaurants and hotels, money back on everyday purchases, or collecting frequent flyer miles to help you get on your next getaway sooner. To find out more about how American Express can help you get more out of every day, visit amex.co.uk/whyamex
To spread the fun even further, if you share your favourite treats on Instagram with the hashtag #EverydayPerks, you could be in with a chance to win two Cineworld Unlimited passes. Valid for twelve months, you and a film-loving partner can indulge your love of the big screen for a whole year – what a treat. For more information and to enter, visit bit.ly/EverydayPerks by 5pm on 3rd November 2017. Terms and conditions apply.
* Selected Cards only. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.
** Research conducted by Opinium for American Express from a representative sample of 2,000 adults (22nd – 26th September 2017).
Promoter: American Express Services Europe Limited has its registered office at Belgrave House, 76 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9AX, United Kingdom. It is registered in England and Wales with Company Number 1833139 and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

 

The post Top 10 Ways To Add Sparkle To Everyday Life appeared first on The Style Traveller.



from The Style Traveller

Invermark House

Overlooking the city of Cape Town, the award-winning Invermark House is backlit by the emblematic Table Mountain.

from Men's Gear

BMW X2 SUV

A mix between a classic coupe and an SUV, the new bimmer is an all-rounder with off-road capabilities.

from Men's Gear

29 Pics from New York's New Michelin Starred Restaurant's

29 Pics from New York's New Michelin Starred Restaurant's New York has six new Michelin starred restaurants, here's a collection of serious food porn showcasing each of them.

from Fine Dining Lovers

The CHAPTER x SALOMON Orange + Titanium Knife

A winter-ready, tough EDC blade designed to help snowboarders be prepared.

from Men's Gear

101 Best Pizzas in America 2017

101 Best Pizzas in America 2017The Daily Meal has released its annual list of the 101 best pizzas in America – find out who's topping the list this year.

from Fine Dining Lovers

EarthRoamer XV-HD

For the ultimate comfort in off-road, off-grid living, EarthRoamer's new and massive camper is nigh unbeatable.

from Men's Gear

Daily Dream Home: Terrell Hills

Today’s home in the Terrell Hills area near San Antonio, Texas is a classic English Tudor built in 1900 and envisioned by architect Atlee B. Ayres. His exquisite taste for English style is evident in the richly detailed elegance of the home`s facade of striking dark red brick, asymmetrical gables, slated roofs and gabled dormer windows.

The elegantly crafted home is comprised of approximately 11,000 square feet, and subtly brings together rich Elizabethan and Jacobean detailing. The grand formal living room is distinguished by plaster ceilings with delicate fleur-de-lis detailing. The focal point of the room is the oversized herringbone fireplace with columned marble mantel.

The adjoining family room with dark oak floors is accentuated by a ceiling modeled after Skibo Castle in Scotland. The dining room exhibits one-of-a-kind, hand-painted Gracie wallpaper and notable leaded-glass windows with crests, while the grand study showcases original Moravian tile. The chef`s kitchen features white marble counters, stainless steel appliances and island with seating.

The outdoor space includes multiple patios and a reflecting pool, harmoniously blending to create a rare convergence of incomparable grandeur with unique elements of a bygone area. These idyllic accents create an unparalleled private compound in the heart of Terrell Hills.

This classic estate is listed for $5 million with Phyllis Browning Company and is showcased by Luxury Portfolio.

The post Daily Dream Home: Terrell Hills appeared first on Pursuitist.



from Pursuitist

This Guy Hilariously Ruins People's Instagram Food Shots

This Guy Hilariously Ruins People's Instagram Food ShotsWatch a guy hilariously ruin his friends' perfect Instagram food shots just as they're about to take their snaps.

from Fine Dining Lovers

Kitchen Renovation to Remember


I came across this kitchen on Instagram and it’s definitely one for the future home file. It impressed me even more after I saw the before photos on ArchitecturalDigest.com. Designer Katie Hackworth took the family’s dated kitchen from the 1960’s and brought it into the 21st-century in a beautiful and functional way. The lack of upper cabinets opens up the space and allows for more light. Because I know you’ll ask, the walls are Benjamin Moore Crisp Linen pale green and the upper cabinets in the back are Plantation. For some reason, they don’t give the paint color for the bottom cabinets. I was just having a conversation about brass fixtures with a friend. In this kitchen, they mixed brass cabinet pulls and light fixtures with darker hardware on the windows and pendant fixture, and what looks like a chrome faucet and stainless stove. Somehow it all works together to create a harmonious kitchen that makes me want to renovate mine and will probably make you want to renovate too.



from Habitually Chic®

One of Asia's Best Italian Chefs to Cook in Bangkok

One of Asia's Best Italian Chefs to Cook in BangkokAntimo Merone from Macau’s one Michelin star 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana restaurant will be cooking in Bangkok this November – reserve your place now!

from Fine Dining Lovers

The Bvlgari Resort and Hotel Dubai

Developed by Meraas, a leading Dubai-based holding company and designed by renowned Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, the new Bulgari Hotels & Resorts Dubai will be officially opened to public on December 2017.

from LUXUO

Staying in a Charming Amsterdam Townhouse at the Pulitzer Hotel

Amsterdam is a city of many charms, from its iconic canals to the bicycles that pass over them. It seems appropriate when visiting the Venice of the North to stay in a hotel that’s equally charming. The Pulitzer Hotel Amsterdam definitely fits the bill, being a collection of twenty five 17th and 18th century townhouses located around a lovely courtyard garden. The hotel takes its name from Peter Pulitzer, the grandson of Pulitzer Prize founder Joseph Pulitzer, who purchased 12 houses and created the first five star hotel in Amsterdam. In keeping with the literary connection, books are dotted around the communal areas and guest rooms. Many of the bedrooms and suites have canal views and they all have oodles of style thanks to a recent refurbishment.

First Impressions of The Pulitzer Hotel Amsterdam

Walking into the lobby, you’re immediately struck by the sense of space and quirky decor. The entrance is in a new building designed to blend perfectly with the Pulitzer’s existing historic townhouses. There’s a grand piano suspended from the ceiling and colourful seating dotted around.
I had been invited to Amsterdam to speak at eTravel Europe about working with influencers and a calm haven like The Pulitzer was the perfect place in which to prepare.

The lobby of Hotel Pulitzer, AmsterdamAccommodation

Our spacious canal-side room had very colorful decor and every amenity you could wish for. No wonder it’s considered to be one of the best luxury hotels in Amsterdam.

One of the lovely canal side bedrooms in The Pulitzer Hotel Amsterdam, Netherlands
From high speed WiFi to complimentary fresh berries and mint water as well as a welcome card, it felt like a real home from home. The vintage style phone and other decorative touches like the multi-coloured pencils give the place a lot of character. Despite being in the heart of Amsterdam, it was incredibly quiet and we got a great night’s sleep.

Review of Hotel Pulitzer, one of the best Amsterdam luxury hotels
We loved the quirky keyhole window giving natural daylight to the bathroom. The toiletries were by upscale New York brand, Le Labo.

A bathroom at Hotel Pulitzer, one of the best luxury hotels in Amsterdam
Fans of art or any lovers of beautiful decor will be impressed with the Art Collector’s Suite. It has its own separate entrance on the canal, as well as the jewel in the Pulitzer’s art collection: Hals Brunch, by Thierry Bruet. Measuring 6 foot in length, it was created for the Pulitzer and is styled upon The Last Supper by Frans Hals, however if you get close you’ll spot a laptop, hamburgers and beer cans!

The Art Collector's Suite at Hotel Pulitzer, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amenities

One of the best features of The Pulitzer Amsterdam is their huge courtyard garden with swing chairs and ample seating.

The swing chairs in the lovely Amsterdam garden at Hotel Pulitzer

It was originally a collection of several gardens and when the town houses were purchased it was made into one interconnecting space.

The huge courtyard garden at Hotel Pulitzer, Amsterdam, Netherlands - read our full review at Luxurycolumnist.com
There’s a flower seller in the lobby and a library with every winning novel of the Pulitzer prize.

The flower stall at the Hotel Pulitzer, Amsterdam, Netherlands - the first ever five star hotel in Amsterdam
Hotel Pulitzer has a lovely collection of paintings and sculptures. From a distance this looks like an Old Master still life painting of flowers but look closer and you’ll see that it’s actually a photograph of flowers made from plastic spoons! Created by Richard Kuiper, it’s a contemporary take on a classic and sums up the hotel’s philosophy well. Guests also have access to a handy business area where you can print boarding passes.

An unusual artwork by Richard Kuiper in the lobby of Hotel Pulitzer, Amsterdam, Netherlands - read more at luxurycolumnist.com - a luxury lifestyle blogSurrounding Area

The Pulitzer has one of the best locations in Amsterdam, on Prinsengracht in De Negen Straatjes. The 9 Streets, as they’re known in English, is a very hip Amsterdam area with lots of cool shops and restaurants. They’re actually three streets that cross the Herengracht and Keizersgracht canals.

Dining

There are several good dining options in the Pulitzer Hotel Amsterdam. Jansz restaurant has a relaxed vibe but don’t let this fool you…the food is among the best in Amsterdam. Sipping a glass of sparkling wine from our table overlooking the canal, we tucked into an array of delicacies. Duck terrine and hand-dived scallops were both beautifully presented starters with a delicate flavour. Our main dishes of a miso-glazed cod with dashi broth and Vadouvan chicken had a pleasing umami taste. We hadn’t tried vadouvan before, but it’s a blend of Indian spices such as cumin seeds, mustard seeds, onion and garlic which are dried before being rubbed into meat dishes.

Jansz restaurant - one of the best places to eat in Amsterdam - read our review at luxury travel blog Luxurycolumnist.com
We had saved a little bit of room for this mouthwatering chocolate cake dessert with yoghurt ice cream. The acidity of the kumquat fruit balanced the sweetness of the chocolate perfectly.

Dessert at Jansz Restaurant in the 7 Streets, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Pause Café has great views of the courtyard garden with floor to ceiling windows. Its open to non residents and is beautifully decorated with green velvet chairs and gold accents. They serve bar snacks and light meals and hotel guests can take breakfast here or in Jansz.

Pause Cafe in Hotel Pulitzer, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Pulitzer’s Bar is considered one of the best in Amsterdam for cocktails and has a selection of drinks inspired by The Great Gatsby, such as the Dashing Daisy. With canal views and low lighting, it’s an intimate place to meet friends and family.

Pulitzer's bar, one of the best bars in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Experiences

One of the highlights of our stay at Hotel Pulitzer was a canal tour on their own boat. It dates from 1909 and Winston Churchill took a tour in it in 1946. There’s a bar if you wish to buy drinks, and a cosy indoor area although we braved the October weather to get photos from the outdoor deck. The boat departs daily from 5 pm and from Thursday to Sunday there’s also an 11 am cruise. The tour costs €39 per person and lasts for 75 minutes. If you wish to push the boat our (pardon the pun 😉 why not book a private tour. Our captain pointed out all the sights, including the 7 bridges which you can only really see from the water’s edge. We sailed past the Hermitage Museum and close to NEMO Science Museum with its distinctive boat-shaped architecture. It was a great way to end our stay at The Pulitzer, one of the most unique hotels in Amsterdam and a delight from start to finish.

A boat ride on the historic Hotel Pulitzer boat in Amsterdam, Netherlands

The post Staying in a Charming Amsterdam Townhouse at the Pulitzer Hotel appeared first on Luxury Columnist.



from Luxury Columnist

Flying in Style with Turkish Airlines

Business class seating on Turkish Airlines. Courtesy Turkish Airlines

As a frequent flyer, I appreciate airlines with quality service and comfort. I have heard amazing things about Turkish Airlines for awhile now and as the airline who flies to more countries than any other in the world, I felt confident I would be in good hands. Thankfully, I was right!

I had the pleasure of flying Business Class with Turkish Airlines this month both internationally and domestic. I was immediately welcomed on board with five-star service. As soon as I stepped onto the aircraft, I was greeted by the chef who was smartly dressed in his all-white chef’s uniform. This was surely a sign of good things to come.

Prior to take off, they offer you a selections of cocktails to choice from and my favorite was the mint lemonade. Throughout the flight, we were treated to a variation of different culinary dishes.   For my main course, I ordered the grilled lamb chops which were beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. The quality and detail of the food made me forget for a moment that I was actually dining on an airplane. It is no surprise then that their dishes won the Skytrax Award for Europe’s Best Airline Catering Services.

My seat on the Boeing 777-300ER from JFK to Istanbul had all the great amenities I would want for an enjoyable airplane ride. Of course, my business class seat was comfortable and spacious, but I especially enjoyed the in-chair massage capabilities. After a long day of traveling, this is something I definitely took advantage of! There’s also plenty of leg room, as well as a handy reading lamp and power socket for charging my electronics. As someone who works while traveling, a power socket is definitely an essential on a flight!

They provide Business Class passengers with cabin slippers which are convenient for walking around the plane without having to put your shoes back on. The seats on the Boeing 777-300ER also come with an ottoman that serves as storage space for your personal items and as an extension of your seat in bed mode. It fit my purse and jacket perfectly.

The in-flight entertainment was fairly easy to use. The entertainment system included a good selection of recent movies, TV shows, live news and sports channels, video games, and audio entertainment.  You certainly won’t run out of things to watch to pass the time!

If you have the chance to fly business class, I highly recommend arriving early to enjoy the benefits of their luxurious airport lounges. Hands down, the Turkish Airlines lounge in Istanbul is the most incredible airport lounge I have ever experienced! I guarantee you can find just about everything you will need before or after a flight or during a long layover.

They serve more exceptional food at this lounge so you won’t go hungry.  If you’ve had a very long day and need a place to unwind, I’d suggest taking advantage of their suites to rest in. You’ll even be able to take a shower or enjoy a massage! What really sets this lounge apart from the others are their entertainment options for both children and adults. In Lounge Istanbul, you will discover plenty of video games, snooker tables, a golf simulator, cinema room, and even a Scalextric track that can virtually take you through Istanbul’s prettiest areas! Kids can also enjoy their own play area which is overseen by a supervisor if parents need a moment to relax or get some work done. What more could you possibly want?!

Turkish Airlines represents the best of Turkish hospitality! Flying business class with them certainly made my travel experience much easier, enjoyable, and memorable.

Disclaimer: I was a guest of Turkish Airlines but all opinions are my own.

Save

Save

The post Flying in Style with Turkish Airlines appeared first on Carmen's Luxury Travel.



from Carmen's Luxury Travel

Why Eyebrows Are the Best Kept Beauty Secret

While I certainly have an affinity for beautiful things, I’ve never been a big beauty girl. I appreciate makeup that takes 5-minutes or less. I was in my late 20’s before I finally got control of my out-of-control skin. My hair remains a constant battle (what is a cool mom haircut these days? If someone knows please tell me cuz I need some fresh ideas). But I digress. As low maintenance as my beauty routine has always been, I’ve come to learn that attention to key details reaps great reward. Case in point, your eyebrows. I am probably one of many brow victims in the world who succumbed to the pressure to pluck and pluck and pluck sometime in high school or college. Then there were the years of waxing, trying to manufacture the perfect line. Then two things happened simultaneously. I had a baby and suddenly had no time for any salon appointment and happened upon Michele Holmes when Goop graced San Francisco with its presence. In a simple 15 minute consultation, I swear she changed my face. So along with her beautiful new studio, I thought I’d share a few tips I’ve learned from Michele along the way.

the secrets to great brows on apartment 34the secrets to great brows on apartment 34

Hello, welcome to an up close and personal look at my face. But I wanted to give you a real sense of what attention to your brows can do. But let me be clear; this is about a very specific type of attention. At Michele Holmes Studio they believe that eyebrows should look soft, natural and be low-maintenance (I can agree with all that!). Michele and her team doesn’t use stencils, gimmicks or tricks. Her natural brow shape is achieved with a tweezer only approach. NO WAX. What you see in my before photo above is about eight weeks of me doing absolutely nothing to my brows. As you can tell from my roots, I tent to stretch my time between beauty appointments as long as humanly possible.

But Michele takes great care to make your brows work for you, not give you “the brow” regardless of your face. Every session is personalized according to your eye shape, bone structure and hair-growth pattern. She discusses brow history, goals and current brow situation before touching a single hair. You might feel a bit like she’s staring into your soul as she intently studies your face. I always wonder what she’s noticing.

And as I mentioned, Michele only uses tweezers. Why, pray tell? This is the #1 question asked. Tweezers = control so she can carefully remove 1 hair at a time. Michele creates soft borders around your brow making the look natural but also polished from any angle. Naturally soft, fluffy (but tidy) brows make everyone look fresh and youthful. Overly shaped brows feel forced, look harsh and are difficult to maintain. Waxing and threading can give the appearance of straight lines and sharp angles. Bonus – I think tweezing hurts a lot less.

the secret to great brows on apartment 34the secrets to great brows on apartment 34

After my first consultation with Michele she convinced me to do two things. Not touch my brows for six months (SIX!) and to tint. Why tint? There are baby hairs under the dominant hair in your brows. Those little hairs love to absorb tint which can instantly make your brows look fuller. A customized brow tint can also make your skin look less dull and your eyes appear bright! Even if you don’t think you “need” tint, it is great for those looking for a boost of color or a shorter makeup routine. Tint is like a 4-5 week brow makeup application. Sold me there. We also to loose pigment in our brows as we age (wah!). Grey and white hair can cause the appearance of holes or gaps in the brows. Michele explained that she’s had clients come in and say “my brows have fallen out”, when really they had just lost color.

So I decided to jump onto the tint bandwagon and couldn’t be happier I did.

the secrets to great brows on apartment 34the secrets to great brows on apartment 34

When tweezing and tinting isn’t enough, Michele also teaches you how to fill in your brows. Brow makeup should look as natural as possible. More of a “fill where you need” to enhance what you have. She was kind of enough to share her top brow makeup tips with me, to share with you!

Here is how to fill your brows:

1. Brush brows up with a spoolie brush to expose sparse areas.

2. Use a super skinny pencil to fill the brows with hair-like strokes. Don’t press too hard and don’t over fill. We like the Surratt Expressioniste pencil. They are retractable, refillable, have an attached brush and are great for all skin types.

3. Brush the pencil strokes to soften the makeup. The lines from the brush create a hair like pattern in the makeup.

4. Groom and set your brows with a clear or tinted brow gel. Our current favorite is the Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper which comes in multiple shades and makes your brows look twice as thick!

the secrets to great brows on apartment 34

Et voila. There’s the after! Three things I love about Michele’s magic. I look more awake. I look less tired. My eyes really pop. Most days I know do a little brow fill in, a touch of mascara and lipgloss and call it good.

Not all are blessed with full brows. If you are having a hard time growing your brows on your own, there are some alternative options. Michele recommends trying a growth serum if you are having a hard time with re-growth. She offers hormone based or all-natural growth serums depending on your preference. If all else fails, Michele will offer customized microblading (launching January 2018). Not everyone is a good candidate. She requires a consultation along with a series of regular brow appointments to be considered for microblading.

But whether you’ve been addicted to tweezing what you think are unruly brows or you think you have no brows with which to do anything I swear Michele Holmes Studio can fix your situation. If you don’t live in the Bay Area – I do apologize that she’s not at your disposal. Even if you do, I believe her wait list is a tad long. But learning about brows was an eye-opening (ha!) experience for me. I hope this post might have offered some new insight for you too!

For my entire beauty archive (yes, there is one) CLICK HERE.

original photography for apartment 34 by andrea posadas

The post Why Eyebrows Are the Best Kept Beauty Secret appeared first on Apartment34.



from Apartment34

Incredibly Fun On-The-Road: The Ferrari Special and Limited Edition Race Car

The Ferrari special and limited edition race car has been launched with 23 per cent more downforce and has even more aerodynamics elements.

from LUXUO

American Express Desert Island Dishes at Theo Randall at The Intercontinental

Sponsored post in association with American Express®

The London Restaurant Festival has returned for its 7th year in partnership with American Express, once again giving people the opportunity to explore restaurants in the city. This year I was excited to attend Desert Island Dishes, a brand new series of ten dinners available exclusively to American Express Cardmembers.

Being a huge fan of Theo Randall at The Intercontinental (both the chef himself and his food), we were excited to experience his favourite dishes. British-born Theo specialises in Italian food – of course if he could only eat one cuisine whilst stranded on a desert island, it would be Italian. His ingredient of choice would be olive oil and if he only had one cookbook it would be Italian food by Elizabeth David. His one luxury would be his wife! I think my luxury would have to be Mr S too. 
Having eaten at Theo Randall at The Intercontinental before, I already knew I was a big fan of the homemade bread and now Mr S is too! Perfectly salty focaccia and fresh tomato topped bread went perfectly with our welcome drink of prosecco.   
Like Theo, I think I’d take burrata to a desert island too, it’s one of my favourite dishes and it was served as part of an antipasto dish with grilled marinated peppers, farinata, swiss chard and Taggische olives.

Theo Randall is known for his pasta and the ravioli with roasted squash, ricotta and majoram with butter and sage is one of his signature dishes made freshly everyday. The authentic dish is just one of many inspired by his frequent trips to the country and love of traditional trattorias. All the dishes were chosen for the set menu as a true reflection of Theo’s food style, sourcing of the finest ingredients and classic combinations. 
On that note, the pork main course is another example of the hearty rustic fare served at the restaurant – Chef Randall will not let his guests leave hungry! The generous helping of pork loin was wrapped in parma ham and served with sweet celeriac and cavolo nero. A beautifully balanced dish, cooked and seasoned to perfection. 
You simply can’t leave Theo Randall without trying his famous Amalfi lemon tart – trust me, it’s a true taste of the La Dolce Vita and once described by Jay Rayner as being ‘the best [I] have ever eaten’. The combination of the citrus and sweet for me makes the ideal dessert. 
After our dinner, the man himself, Theo Randall came out to greet his guests. I’d met Theo before but it was well over a year ago so I was really flattered that he remembered me and even let us have a glimpse inside the kitchen. What a wonderful night!

Everyday Perks with American Express

With American Express Invites®, Cardmembers can get exclusive access and pre-sale tickets to some of the hottest venues, events and gigs around, such as London Restaurant Festival, the BFI London Film Festival and the National Theatre.

But American Express doesn’t just make special experiences more memorable, its range of Cards is packed with ways to get more from your everyday spending*; from Membership Rewards® points that can be used to treat yourself to virtually anything, to discounts at top restaurants and hotels, money back on everyday purchases, or collecting frequent flyer miles to help you get on your next getaway sooner. To find out more about how American Express can help you get more out of every day, visit amex.co.uk/whyamex

* Selected Cards only. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

PromoterAmerican Express Services Europe Limited has its registered office at Belgrave House, 76 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9AX, United Kingdom. It is registered in England and Wales with Company Number: 1833139 and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The post American Express Desert Island Dishes at Theo Randall at The Intercontinental appeared first on SilverSpoon London.



from SilverSpoon London