An evening fit for a foodie! L’atelier des Chefs launch Mobile Kitchen

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Kesh

One of the best things you’ll find about being a writer is the occasions when you get to review a restaurant or get invited to an event which involved food and drink but unlike the usual, L’atelier des Chefs wanted us to cook our own dinners and what a treat it was!

L’atelier des Chefs are the guys that want you eat well but learn while you’re doing all the eating. Their service have two static Kitchens located in the West End of London where they offer events a public cooking classes. ‘Mobile Kitchen’ is now L’atelier des Chef’s latest offer with a chance for you to bring your kitchen to a venue of your choice be it a hotel, outdoor space or your workplace making it an ideal team building or party opportunity. With no limit to how many guests you can have, this is also perfect for a super special date too. The highly trained chefs well then teach you to make a variety of dishes and cocktails too! All abilities welcome, you can get as interactive as you want and with the chefs providing everything you need, this takes the stress out of possibly having to cater your own dinner party! Your guests will be blown away and very very jealous.

We checked out the launch which was hosted at the iconic Oxo building. With St Pauls in the background as the sun was setting, It was such a perfect and unique ocation for a cooking event and not so daunting for those who would feel a cold sweat at the thought of being in a professional kitchen. On the menu was something with everything from Sushi to Seabass Ceviche, there was even a mixologist who taught you to make your own cocktails which was followed by a desert menu which featured, Crêpes, Chocolate Truffles and Mille Feuille to name a few. A personal highlight was actually getting to make the Sushi and finding out all the tricks from the pros something I will definitely be trying out at home and that’s exactly what made the experience so versatile and great value, you get to utilise those skills back in your own kitchen and you might surprise yourself and find that you could be the next Gordon Ramsay… well not quite but by the end of the night, you will definitely feel like a pro.

What was all the more special and brilliant about this event like was that it was such a social and interactive experience giving us a chance to fully revel in our good efforts! I found myself quite the Sushi making master but equally having a laugh at a failed Mille Feiulle after a few cocktails was definitely a good talking point. So swap the sadly catered food at the Christmas Party for a Mobile Kitchen event and who knows who you’ll bond over a burger with… one that you’ve made yourself!

All of the recipes we made can be found at http://www.atelierdeschefs.co.uk/en/recipes.php as well as details on their other cooking classes at the cookery school with prices starting from £15

And if you’re running to your phone to book a Mobile Kitchen event contact Veronica Suess on 020 7659 9961

Happy Cooking!

Wellness afternoon at London City Island with Personal Trainer Scott Ashley

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Kesh

With fitness craze after craze, it’s hard to know what class is right for you nowadays. Do you prefer a spinning class? Yoga? or are you brave enough for some Insanity?? Well this week, Frost tried out Scott Ashley’s revolutionary fitness class HOLIXIR right on the exclusive, still to be finished London City Island by Ballymore.

I must admit i’m an absolute fiend for trying out new classes and anything to do with working out but straight away this was going to be a workout like no other as we were not working in a simple gym studio in a soul-less gym but the setting was on the site of the new London City Island development. We were driven to the site which is currently being dubbed, ‘mini manhattan’ and after passing through the dust and the builders, were greeted by the gorgeous Scott Ashley in a stunning showroom.

Scott Ashley the Celebrity Personal Trainer has worked with everyone from Duncan James to Valentino and coming from such an athletic, hardworking background it’s no surprise that he has such a host of loyal clients. As well as working with celebs, Scott explained he had lots of experience working with people with eating disorders to Type A personalities creating a bespoke approach to each individual. As well as having his own pool of clientele, Scott is also resident trainer at Café Royal on Regent Street.

Living in fast-paced and constantly evolving times, what I was most intrigued to know about was the question of how to keep motivated and stay on form when you’re on the road. Scott explains that staying diligent as to what your consuming is the most important thing. With a lot of his clients on tour all the time he explained that the hardest thing is to stay away from the allure of a fast-food restaurant or rest station goodies. If you can’t find any healthy options then it is worth carrying healthy snacks with you. In terms of diet, I wanted to know what Scott absolutely stayed away from, refined sugar and wheat were at the top of the list. With wheat increasing bloating and triggering huge spikes in insulin it’s no wonder someone who’s looking to improve tone and fitness would curb the wheat intake. Before we took Holixir for a spin, we were also interested to know what it was all about, described as a holistic body weight workout Scott went on to explain that this is a multi disciplined workout which will stretch you and go on to improve posture, strength, flexibility and give you a better metabolism. With that, we were lead to an open roofed terrace on a lovely sunny day to try it out.

So the class begins with a Yoga flow sequence designed to stretch out and warm up your muscles followed by core strength group exercises, Tabata training, Pilates and double stretching. Let’s not be deceived by the name which suggests it to be a gentle, holistic class, this class will really get you working up a sweat and setting your core on fire within 5 minutes. Some of the moves I found were similar to Insanity especially during the Tabata section, which is basically a High Intensity interval workout, but it didn’t make you shudder with dread at the thought of there being four more rounds of the same to go! The Pilates roll down exercises and double stretching to finish will save your sanity and this is a great way to end a workout if you’re working with a partner. The whole class was very social and also allowed you to motivate each other and everyone was left with a great sense of achievement after!

If you’re interested in giving the class a go, details on Scott Ashley and HOLIXIR can be found here;

http://www.scottashley.com/holixir/

London City Island by Ballymore, will be a new neighbourhood in London located a stone’s throw from Canary Wharf, the development will have 1700 homes as well as a host of restaurants, bars and private members club. More details can be found here;

http://www.londoncityisland.com

Chuffing brilliant! The Railway Children Theatre Producer Tristan Baker Talks

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Vicky Edwards

The Railway Children on stage at Kings Cross, London

Theatre producer Tristan Baker talks about the show where the West End’s heaviest leading lady is not only delighting audiences of all ages, but is also inspiring marriage proposals …

Take one of the best loved books and films of all time. Add a vintage steam engine, a superb cast and mix well. While the ingredients are blending, crack on and build a theatre from scratch, including a railway track, against the clock. Add a dash of blind panic and garnish with lashings of Edwardian style. Serve to critical acclaim and enchanted audiences of all ages.

That’s the simplified version of how The Railway Children came to life at its new home in London’s Kings Cross. The unabridged version involves so many technical challenges that you could travel from London to York on old rolling stock in the time it would take to tell. Certainly one of the show’s producers reckons that the team who made it happen deserve their share of the five- star reviews.

“I am very proud of the team,” says Tristan Baker, with feeling. “In five weeks they built a one-thousand seat, purpose-built, theatre from the ground up, including laying a train track. It meant working around the clock to get the show on – they were sometimes laying track in the rain at 2am – but they did it.”

And when he says it’s a purpose-built theatre Tristan isn’t exaggerating. Walking around the venue on King’s Boulevard with him, the detail is extraordinary; from the state of the art heating system (to ensure maximum audience comfort), to the unique railway platform stage. Located behind King’s Cross Station, the site has been loaned by Google and will one day be Google HQ. But for now it is home to The Railway Children – “a steam engine rather than a search engine,” laughs Tristan, explaining that the objective was to create not just a show, but an experience.

“It is very site specific. From the moment you arrive and pick up your tickets you are in Edwardian England.” Bang on cue a group of costumed front of house staff surge forwards to greet members of tonight’s audience, directing them to the foyer, which is a perfect replica of an Edwardian station waiting room.

“Our front of house team are all carefully selected and trained to give the audience a really wonderful and authentic experience,” says Tristan, navigating a path through an excited party of teenagers and a group of middle-aged ladies who have come up from Cambridge for a day of shopping, lunch and theatre.

Undoubtedly it is a show with universal appeal. An average audience comprises dating couples, families (from toddlers to great grandparents and all the generations in between), tourists, students, WI ladies, book clubs, Guides and Scouts – people of all ages.

“They are all transfixed,” says Tristan, adding: “I think adults experience it on a different level. Maybe they remember the film from when they were children, or perhaps reading the book, but as adults they realise the political and emotional aspects of the story.” Leaping nimbly up the steps of the bridge that separates the two platforms (the audience sit either side of the track) he stops and looks fondly up at the hefty leading lady, her paintwork gleaming under the lights. “And who can fail to be excited by a three-hundred ton steam train arriving on stage?”

He’s got a point. The magnificent engine is breath-taking. Dating back to 1896, complete with a vintage carriage, this grand old lady is, quite literally, the West End’s biggest diva. Transported from the National Railway Museum in York on a low loader, even her arrival was the kind reserved for superstars as, like the most illustrious celebrities, she arrived with a police escort.

Adapted by Mike Kenny, The Railway Children was first produced by York Theatre Royal at the National Railway Museum, York in 2008. Two sell-out seasons were followed by a transfer to Waterloo Station, where it opened in the former Eurostar terminal and again enjoyed smash-hit success, bagging the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Entertainment along the way. And steaming into Toronto in 2011, Canadian audiences also fell in love with this stage version of Edith Nesbit’s classic story.

Telling of three children whose lives change dramatically when their father is mysteriously taken away and they are forced to relocate from London to a cottage in rural Yorkshire with their mother, the book was first published in 1906. Exciting, with plenty of adventure and drama at its heart (“what happens to the children is quite awful but they are resilient and make the best of their situation”), heading the current cast is Caroline Harker as Mother and comedian and actor Sean Hughes as Mr Perks.

“Sean has just joined us and he brings a joyous warmth to the role,” says Tristan, agreeing that ‘joyous warmth’ pretty well sums up the feeling that audiences go away with.

And it seems that The Railway Children also inspires romance. “We do get a lot of couples coming to the show on date nights and we have recently received a request for permission to make a marriage proposal from the train,” smiles Tristan, as we take our seats.

Long before we reach the end of the last act, with the heart-rending ‘Daddy, oh my daddy!’ line, the reasons for the production’s success are abundantly clear. With ‘wow!’ factors at every turn, this much-loved classic story has been transformed into chuffing brilliant theatrical experience. Whether you’re eight or eighty, it’s one that should not be missed.

Come on now! All aboard!

Vicky Edwards

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN

King’s Cross Theatre, Goods Way, King’s Cross, London N1C 4UR

Currently booking until 6 September 2015

Box Office 0844 871 7604

Website www.railwaychildrenlondon.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/railwaychildrenlondon

Twitter @TRCKingsCross

Google+ plus.google.com/+RailwayChildrenLondon

5cc Singer Tavern launch new Old Street location.

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Kesh

At a loss for what to do this weekend? Well 5cc the uber secret cocktail club have bars tucked away in a host of hip venues in London and they’re just about to add a new location to the mix. Singer Tavern: 1 City Road is a Grade II listed pub bang in the heart of Old Street, but behind the traditional façade and down in the basement, lies the newest venue kitted out with the best of East London’s design inspirations.

If you’ve serious about your cocktails make sure you hot tail it down here to try a smashing selection of traditional cocktails and also innovative twists on classics which pack a serious punch. Perfect for after work drinks or a hot date with large booths and hidden little nooks. Watching the skilled barman mix up the drinks is a spectacle itself. All of the cocktails are served in different glasses with their own panache and edge.

I tried the Old Fashioned, Margarita and Montgomery Gin Martini, a few times, which was by far the freshest Martini i’ve tasted in a while. Other than whats on the menu, the highly skilled barman aim to please by making whatever you like however you like. Thumbs up all round. This is a hidden gem in the heart of the city. If you’re looking to escape the corporate bar vibe this joint has some serious soul.

As well as Old Street, 5CC have locations in Hoxton, Exmouth Market, Bethnal Green and Farringdon all with different menus.

For more info check out, 5cc-London.com

Gillray’s Steakhouse and Bar Review

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

Gillray’s Steakhouse and Bar is one of London’s gems. Not only is it the perfect place to have one of their amazing cocktails, it also has a stunning location. Right near the London Eye, the view while you eat is something to behold. Which brings us to the food.

When you sit down you will be treated to one of Gillray’s famous Yorkshire Puddings. They are huge, delicious and come with perfect horseradish sauce. They also have cheese in them. My mouth is watering just writing this.

To start I have the Pan fried scallops with brussel tops, crispy ham and cauliflower purée. My colleague has the soup of the day: Cauliflower and truffle. The scallops are perfectly cooked, the crispy ham is just that and the purée gives a very different touch. I am unsure at first but it works. My colleagues soup is also delicious. I have a great mocktail, proving that Gillray’s can still deliver without alcohol and my colleague has a glass of wine that she really enjoys.

For our mains I have the Gillray’s Steak Burger. It comes with chips and a wonderful marmalade. The tomato sauce and brown sauce is made especially for Gillray’s, it tasted great and comes in very cute jars. My colleague has the South Coast Lemon Sole with Parsley Butter. On the side she has the Cauliflower Cheese. All is superb.

For dessert my colleague has the Gillray’s classic Traditional Sherry Trifle: layered sponge fingers and red fruit soaked in sherry, covered with custard and topped with whipped cream. It is different, fun, mouth wateringly tasty and you even get the recipe to take away with you. I have the Chef’s Ice Cream. You get three scoops and I choose mint chocolate chip, valrbona dark chocolate and raspberry ripple. The ice cream is yummy. Just as I expected.

We finish with an English Breakfast tea for me and an Espresso for my colleague. They go down perfectly after our superb meal. I will definitely be returning to Gillray’s again. I think I will try their afternoon tea next.

Gillray’s Steakhouse and Bar

Gillrays’ Steakhouse & Bar,
London Marriott Hotel County Hall,
Westminster Bridge Road,
SE1 7PB

020 7902 8000, email enquiry@gillrays.com

Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar Review

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

Few building in London are as iconic as Somerset House. Staggering in its beauty, it really is the perfect setting to eat, drink and be merry. We headed to the Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar. It has only been open since November in the New Wing.

The Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar is as beautiful and classy as the rest of the building. It is the perfect setting for dining and catching up with friends.

We take our seats and decide on the pre-theatre dining menu. This consists of a sharing board of Mushroom on toast, Beefeater salmon with pink radish, Egg and ham on toast and Fudge. It costs £25.50 per couple and comes with a glass of Prosecco per person. It is available Mon-Fri 5pm-7pm and Saturday all day.

The beefeater salmon with pink radish is glorious, just very superior salmon. It goes well with the radishes, the egg and ham on toast is delicious and the parma ham is perfectly seasoned. The mushroom on toast is also good and has cheese on top. The bread itself is good and everything works well together. The fudge is also yummy. It is in a bag for the pre-theatre crowd, making it handy to take away with you.

I had some curiosity cola and my colleague had a glass of prosecco. We loved the food, the ingredients were very high quality and everything was perfectly seasoned. Everything worked well together and this was definitely a first-class meal. Our only complaint is that there was not enough of it and we were still hungry after the meal.

The Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar also have an a la carte menu. The service is good, the food is superb and the setting is wonderful. I can highly recommend it.

Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar
New Wing
Somerset House
Strand
London
WC2R 1LA

Tel: Pennethorne’s +44 (0)20 3751 0570

Email:

Michela.Mastella@pennethornes.co.uk

Grill Market Lomax Review

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

For those healthy bunnies in West London, there is a new place in Chelsea to fill your body up with the best British produce. This is the second Grill Market site and it is situated on the ground floor of the Lomax’s flagship location. All the meat is free range, British and bred to the strictest welfare standards. Fish carries the MSC certificate and all the veg is supplied by Covent Garden. This is a unique collaboration with Lomax Chelsea and I would definitely pop in as the food is not just healthy, but also delicious. There is strictly no membership policy so anyone can drop in. Everything is free from gluten, dairy and refined sugar whenever possible. I had the free range spiced chicken with pomegranate glaze and a mix of all of the salads. It was yummy and I will definitely be going back.

We will also be reviewing an exercise class soon, so watch out for that.

Lomax Chelsea
293 Fulham Road
SW10 9PZ
@grill_market
@Thelomaxway

Parts & Labour Whitechapel Restaurant Review

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

Parts and Labour is the new restaurant that has just opened in Whitechapel within the Qbic London City Hotel. Parts & Labour serves modern British food and offers all day dining within a cool and vibrant space. The decor is fresh and funky, featuring Scandinavian design influences. Channelling the Jewish heritage of the Whitechapel area, Parts & Labour also serves an array of traditional Jewish dishes such as Toasted Rueben (a hot salt beef sandwich, with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese), Chicken soup with dumplings and Sabich (flat bread topped with egg, aubergine and salad).

My colleague, Paloma, and I take our seats and I order a coke. Paloma goes for a Spanish Rioja which smells amazing. She likes it. The menu looks great and it takes us a while to decide. In the end I go for something traditional: Ham & Cheddar Croquettes with Herb Mayonnaise and Paloma has the Chicken Liver Pate, Apple Chutney and Brioche. The chicken liver is creamy and soft with a delicate hint of metallic flavours. It has little chunks of onion and spread over the sweet, sticky and toasted brioche, with a lick of chutney combined gives all the right textures and tastes. My croquettes are delicious, the filling is perfect and they are just the right size. The herb mayonnaise is gorgeous and goes perfectly with the croquettes.

For our mains I have the 6oz Cheeseburger, Onion Marmalade and Chips and Paloma has the Salmon Fishcake, Buttered Spinach and Brown Shrimp Butter Sauce. My burger is AMAZING. Really good. The onion marmalade goes perfectly and you can’t go wrong with chips. The tomato ketchup comes in a cool, retro tomato. The salmon fishcake was beautifully browned and fluffy inside. The sauce was delicious, salty butter fused with spinach.

For dessert we have the Apple & Rhubarb Crumble with Custard and Chocolate Marquise with Prunes, Pistachio and Meringue. The crumble is crispy and sweet which complimented the sour taste of the rhubarb. It is tasty indeed. The Chocolate Marquise is something to behold: I don’t normally order anything with prunes or pistachio but this dish is amazing. The Chocolate Marquise is divine, the pistachio mousse is mouth-watering, the meringue is perfect and the prune sauce is good. It works well together and is a really wonderful desert. I want to eat it again.

The food is great, the hotel is quirky and cool, and the service is excellent. We loved Parts & Labour. I might even go again despite living on the opposite side of London.

https://london.qbichotels.com/en/enjoy-our-bar-and-restaurant.html

For reservations 0203 021 3300 or email: reservations@partsandlabour.london

Qbic London City Hotel
42 Adler Street,
London,
E1 1EE

Frost Magazine

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Tag Archives: London.

An evening fit for a foodie! L’atelier des Chefs launch Mobile Kitchen

Wellness afternoon at London City Island with Personal Trainer Scott Ashley

Chuffing brilliant! The Railway Children Theatre Producer Tristan Baker Talks

5cc Singer Tavern launch new Old Street location.

Gillray’s Steakhouse and Bar Review

Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar Review

Grill Market Lomax Review

Parts & Labour Whitechapel Restaurant Review

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