A Fancy Pants Double Trip to Hakkasan, London

My now London lovelies were the instigators for my first trip to Hakkasan this weekend as I headed on down to Landan Town for a girly catch up and festive time with friends I used to work with.

I read a bit about it prior to our trip at the weekend and knew it was a bit of a celebrity haunt too, so I was intrigued as to what was in store.

We booked the "modern Chinese" Mayfair restaurant as a pre Christmas treat  for five of us and met in the bar. Three of our friends had already arrived and were sampling the cocktail menu. I had the Kumquatcha, a Kumquat based drink with rum and fizz, whilst my friends had various lovely drinks, a Strawberry and Ginger Bellini and Black Forest Martini to name a few.

Kumquatcha - Hakkasan

Wild at Heart at Bestival...

Sooo as Bestival announce their theme for 2013 as HMS Bestival to mark their 10 year celebrations, let me tell you a little about my experience at the festival on the Isle of Wight...

With Glastonbury taking a break this year to sort the farm out, I was looking for a festival equally as exciting to take my fancy this summer and Bestival happened to crop up. It was on the Isle of Wight, bonus! And the fancy dress theme was Wildlife, even better.

I hate to waste cake

As a frequent visitor to London for work I often try and find new cafes out and about for an email and list catch up before heading to the next meeting.

Today was no exception as I was wandering down brick lane and found this little gem...

Kahaila

A little quirky coffee shop on Brick Lane. It was the beautiful selection of cakes in the window that drew me in. Having not got over my love (ahem addiction) of chai latte's I popped in for one here and ended up staying for lunch! They had a variety of homemade sandwiches and cakes of course in generous portions. I opted for the salami brie and tomato ciabatta and a small slice of raspberry and white chocolate home made cake. She said they didn't do small but I hate to waste cake!

 The atmosphere wasn't intimidating, light and quiet with creative types having meetings or typing away on their apple macs but the staff were really friendly!

The yummy cake selection

Buenos Aires, where even the dogs are attractive!

Well I have nicked the name of this post from the title of my Facebook album as it's so true!

Buenos Aires is a very very cool city. After visiting in July to meet my Aussie friends for two weeks, it's quickly become one of my favourite cities. Its very creative, with a massive cafe culture, restaurants a plenty, busy bars and clubs that you don't leave until 8am!

With two of my best friends headed off in that direction I decided to pull together some recommendations in a primarily picture based post of the crazy city of BA, Argentina.


The winter view from our apartment in Palermo, Soho

Gunpowder, Treason & Plot

Remember, remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot!

Bonfire Night is one of my favourite nights, I love getting wrapped up all toasty in a big coat, hat and gloves and playing with sparklers and eating yummy food!

Added Sugar at Sugar Junction

With my day off I decided to take the opportunity to have a potter around Manchester and visit one of my secret (maybe not so now) hidden vintage gems and take a peak in Retro Rehab. I absolutely love it there, I feel like they carefully select their vintage dresses, bags, shirts, skirts you name it and re-work items that may not be worth selling. As I'm being good I resisted the urge to buy something, maybe next time..

Carrot Cake, Chandelier, Chai Latte, Decor - Sugar Junction, Manchester

Bat for Eyelashes

This week I've been across the pennines in the thick mist and fog (pretty sh*t scarey I might add) to Manchester fo a Bat for Lashes gig at Manchester Cathedral.

Natasha Khan - Bat for Lashes - Manchester Cathedral

Having been to see them a couple of years ago in Sheffield, I didnt know how fussed I would be to see them again, but the fact they were playing in Manchester Cathedral sold it for me. I don't know many of their songs, but absolutely love their most recent release "Laura" and ever since watching Elbow live in the cathedral I've really wanted to see something there.

Marrakech Madness

This post is especially for my friend who is off to Marrakech in Morocco in just over a month. Myself and two friends also headed out there for a bit of a winter girly break in November/December 2010.

One of the main things I love about Marrakech is that they speak "en francais" which means I automatically got carried away with way too many "oui oui's" but I think the locals appreciated we had a go.



The Pool at Villa Amira

We stayed in a Riad called Villa Amira, which was adorned with beautiful mosaic and water features, a small outdoor pool, which we sat next to for their traditional Morroccan breakfast - hard boiled eggs, sweet bread, fruit, yoghurt, tea and freshly squeezed orange juice. The riad also boasted a pretty roof terrace, which will be great in warmer climates.

Well Bloo88 Me!

Bloo 88, in the heart of Sheffield, has sat under several different names including Rise and other alter egos, however it's main feature has always been that of its stonebaked pizzas and toasty atmosphere.

After recently being renovated (it's over 100 years old) we've started heading here for their delicious 2-4-1 pizza offer, available every single night of the week.

Stonebake Oven

I heart food & drink

Few things about this blog....

I love food
I love drink
I love taking photographs of food & drink
I love recommending places for my friends to go based on my visits there
I like to think of myself a little oracle of where to go socially

AND I have been mocked for all of the above!

So here it is, all my recommendations from across the globe, featuring my views plus, I get by with a little help from my friends! Enjoy... xxx