Archive for the ‘Opinion’ Category

We know how well organised men are (sic)…which is why Father’s Day, Sunday June 19, feels a bit like a test. So be prepared and get your gift ready, already.
Many of the dad’s we know like a good gadget, so here are our top two recommendations for his special day:

Cherry/olive pitter

Ahh, ingenious little tool how we love you! There are so many varieties of pitters available that you can have your pick…but we would suggest the Oxo Good Grips as a decent kitchen staple as it’s good quality, and good looking. It’s also reasonably priced at £7.96 on Amazon and has the following features:
• Splatter shield protects work area from juices and removes for cleaning
• Sturdy, die-cast zinc construction removes pits with ease
• Soft, comfortable non-slip handles absorb pressure
• Generous cherry holder accommodates large cherries or olives
• Locks closed for convenient storage, dishwasher safe

For added entertainment, make Dad guess what it is.

Stainless Steel Soap

Say what? This hunk of soap couldn’t be more manly if it tried. It looks good, it feels good, and its purpose is to remove odours from your hands when you ‘wash’ with it – goodbye garlic/fish/onions/cumin/etc/etc. There are so many types of soap available – different sizes and shapes – that we suggest you google ‘stainless steel soap’ and start your search from there. The one featured in the image on this blog is available for £7.95 from Amazon, however.

Oh – and make him guess what it is…

P.S.: If you figure out how this metallic marvel achieves such a feat of science, please do get in touch with us.

The last week of this month is National Vegetarian Week (Monday 23 – Sunday 29 May). If you’re nuts about food this should get your pulse racing (pardon the obvious puns…) as real foodies – even hardcore carnivores – should relish the challenge of creating inspired, tasty meat-free dishes, or at least dedicating the week to sampling something new and possibly unusual.

The National Vegetarian Society has a website full of ideas and recipes for adventurous cooks. But if you’d prefer to have your sprouts served by a pro, we wholeheartedly recommend Terre à Terre in Brighton. We have personally taste-tested their inspiring fayre and suggest the Terre à Tapas for fine-dining veggie virgins: it’s a taste (and visual) sensation.

We’re pleased to share that our favourite Michelin-starred chef has published a new book of delicious, easy, mouth-watering recipes. Galton Blackiston’s ‘Summertime’ dishes are designed with warmer months in mind but you can cook these in any season to evoke that sunny feeling. From warm crumpets with blueberry butter to pork pie with homemade piccallili (perfect for your picnic table) don’t delay, get your copy today.

Just £20, you can order direct from Galton’s online Morston Hall book shop.

If you only make one trip abroad this year, make sure you go here: the aptly named Hotel Bellevue San Lorenzo in Melcesine, Lake Garda in Northern Italy.  This exceptional venue in the breathtaking Garda region is the perfect getaway to spring-clean your state of mind. Breathtaking views, exquisite grounds and gardens, and a steeping of architectural history make this hotel our only choice for an unforgettable experience of Italian elegance and sophistication.

Beyond the hotel itself (which boasts five-star quality food and accommodation including a pool, terrace, gym and fragrant gardens) lay beaches, mountains and countryside; shops, houses, churches and ancient mansions; hotels, residences, private villas; summer water sports and winter skiing. We recently returned from just a week in this beautiful locale and can only describe it as being on the edge of heaven.

For information and reservations, contact

+39 045 7401598,

email info@bellevue-sanlorenzo.it

or visit online at www.bellevue-sanlorenzo.it.

We unreservedly recommend it.

Despite commercial efforts to convert us over to chocolate egg varieties, we believe the quintessential Easter gift is the noble egg cup (chocolate eggs aren’t quite the same for dipping soldiers!) So, break the mould and surprise a loved one with the gift of an egg cup this Easter. Here are our top two picks this holiday; one for adults and one for kids…and to prove we’re not totally old-fashioned, we’ve included an edible solution to the chocolate egg/soldier dilemma, too…:

For the sophisticate:
Silver plated egg cup, £22.50, www.culinaryconcepts.co.uk

For the chocolate lover: 
Classic Milk Chocolate Eggs and Soldiers, £7.00, www.hotelchocolat.co.uk

For the kids (or the kid in you): 
My Egg & Soldiers Cup gift set, £28, www.notonthehighstreet.com

For un-beat-ably the best range of egg cups on the market, go to notonthehighstreet.com: type ‘egg cups’ into their site search engine for dozens of egg cup varieties. 

1. Plan ahead…; and