OLD IS GOLD

A step back in time to dine in the world’s oldest restaurants is a fascinating experience. 

BOTIN, MADRID

The setting is quaint, along a medieval row of restaurants that line the Plaza Mayor. Botin is crowded with tourists and locals, it’s just crowded! Established in 1725, there is a reason this place is still in business, the food is fantastic and their service is world class and so is the wine! It is the oldest restaurant in the world and they have a Guinness book of world records certificate in the restaurants front window to prove it! The Botin experience takes one behind closed doors on a guided visit of the restaurant’s history and its anecdotes. The kitchen with clay ovens, date back to 1725, where they cook suckling pigs even now. Do peek in at Bodega and the room where Ernest Hemmingway sat to write.

ZUR LETZTEN INSTANZ, BERLIN

City centre banqueting with the dreamy echo of a clan abode, ‘Zur Letzten Instanz’, Berlin’s oldest restaurant precisely reads into the last resort and has done a prosperous business since 1621 with such genuine indigenous fare as roast pork knuckle and Bouletten (Berlin-style meatballs) that go best with a mug of frothy beer.

On the menu is genuine and native German cuisine showcasing Berlin specialties, and interestingly each dish is baptized after a lawful process, for example‘Beweismittel’ which translates into Evidence and actually is a cabbage roll with mashed potatoes and salad. Another enjoyable creation is the ‘Zeugen-Aussage aka witness testimony’ the pork knuckle set flawlessly together with the farmhouse bread, sauerkraut, pureed split peas and smoked bacon.

CASA PASTEIS DE BELEM, LISBON

Do make a stop at the No 1 rated egg tart place in town. History has it that a little before the 18th century, Catholic Monks at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos of Belem, created this creamy dessert. As you stand in the serpentine queue outside you will discover that the service is swift, and you will move along the line very quickly. Order at least 2 tarts each and make yourselves comfortable on the table. They are decadent to the core with a warm (just out of the oven), light crispy pastry shell enclosing vanilla scented mouthful of custard which is luscious and one can choose to sprinkle it with cinnamon and powdered sugar. Definitely worth the wait…!

BIN ATEEK, MUSCAT

The restaurant has a few floors, divided into private rooms, named after various places in Oman. One is made to seat on the carpeted floor and the meal is brought on large traditional round trays to be eaten community style, just like at the home of any Arab. The highlight being the shuwa which is lamb cooked for up to two days wrapped in banana leaves in an underground clay oven while marinated in herbs and spices such as red pepper, garlic, cumin and coriander. The Mashuai aka spit roasted fish served on a bed of lemon rice is another great choice. Not to be missed is also Maqbous, a saffron flavoured rice dish cooked over white or red meat, their version of our Biryani. The other native curry dishes, based on various meats such as beef with green beans and potatoes or spicy fish in lime and coconut milk do not disappoint either.

my story first published in ET Panache Travel 

threesixtyone° GOES MICHELIN

The Oberoi, Gurgaon plays host to Michelin Star Chef Mario Paecke - Chef de Cuisine at the restaurant Luce D’Oro, this season at threesixtyone°.

Michelin Star chef Mario Paecke who is at the helm of award winning restaurant Luce D’Oro is an amazing cook with an amazing palate who does remarkable things with minimal ingredients … seasonal and distinctive! The Oberoi Hotels are famous for their exceptional service which basically means they create a warm air for the diner and allow them to relish the good things in life with good people.  For me, threesixtyone° at The Oberoi, Gurgaon seemed to deliver just that.  I was in the company of my dear husband, appreciating an extraordinary meal, fenced by smiles.

You begin with a choice of wine pairing or not, my recommendation is to go for it, the wines do complete justice to the food! And to answer this question (people have been asking ever since they have seen my posts) – does the menu deserve the hype? Yes, it does! This is not just food; it is skill experienced on manifold dimensions. It’s decadent, filling, and gorgeously presented. Each course is exclusive and unforgettable. Everything on the plate was amazing.

Dishes come in perfect speed, so one can savour each bite, and just when you have taken it in, comes the next course. One minute, it’s an intense pairing of bicolored chestnut pearl goat cheese with lemon; next, it’s a velvety and superlative Beetroot soup which is interesting as it has different textures, crunchy and good, married with savoury creamy liquid full of flavour.

But what truly stood out for me were the Black Cod with carrot, freeze dried Pomello, gen mai chai, in which every bite tasted different. I will never forget the taste of the Cod and its texture. The beetroot soup, the celery with Peruvian Asparagus with the mustard saying hello were also big hits on my palate.  The dessert was unique, with flavours that have no comparison in my dining experience. A very light and delicate marshmallow cloud drizzled with the caramelized toffee; the ginger crumbs over the apple sorbet, the parfait combination added a fantastic dimension and tied it all together. The way the Apple, Ginger and toffee was treated, truly couldn’t have been a better way to end the meal and of course paired beautifully with the N.V Cockburn’s Special Reserve Port from Porto.

VERDICT

An insanely inimitable experience in a gorgeous setting with flawless service; I was asked, is it worth trying? Should I not miss this? The answer is, YES, go check it out and experience savours you never thought existed with understated use of ingredients, thus permitting each ingredient to stand-out for its sole flavour. 

FASTFACTS

Chef Mario Paecke presents his signature seasonal cosmopolitan culinary style in a seven course degustation menu exclusively at threesixtyone˚ between 22nd and 27th March 2017 for dinner only.

The Oberoi, Gurgaon’s resident Sommelier Rakesh Awaghade has paired the entire seven course menu with hand-picked wines from the restaurant’s extensive cellar of rare and specialty vintages from around the world.

The seven course wine paired menu is priced at Rs. 6200 plus taxes and Rs. 3900 for food only.

For Reservations : 0124 2451234

THE CULTURAL EMIRATE, SHARJAH

Tourism in Sharjah is family oriented, and the many museums created are all child-friendly; Sharjah city is absolutely worth a visit: all excursions start at the amazingly and appropriately named Ethnic Roundabout, where Renaissance look alike buildings casing numerous museums ring the roundabout….

CULTURE GALORE

The Emirate of Sharjah is a distant call from the allure and flashiness next door and it takes only a little bus ride to get from one to the other, and is borderless but the dissimilarity is amazingly beautiful. The folks of Sharjah have oil wealth too, they drive their share of Ferraris, have their grand buildings and 5 star hotels, but you only need to casually scuff the external to learn that they are profoundly entrenched in their traditions. The finest museum to visit is certainly the Sharjah Art Museum, the leading art gallery in the Gulf, with an inspiring assortment of Arabic and Orientalist art. It’s a great idea to take a tea break on the third floor, with its stunning domed ceiling decorated with patterns and the night sky. A gathering of old buildings house yet more museums; and there’s also a striking fort. One old house, conserved as it would have been when the family lived there, gives a thought-provoking vision into how wealthy Arabs lived before the onset of the high-rise apartment. Sharjah’s heritage centre lies on the north side of the corniche, and opposite it, old-style dhows from Iran still nod on the harbour, as they have done for years.

The souks especially the Central Souk is beautiful in the heart of town, is the perfect place to shop for souvenirs, and rates are lesser than in Dubai. Sharjah is also the place to come if you want to get a hint of genuine Arab life. Head for the beach, serene and beautiful; In Arabic culture, the beach is a place to meet and hang out, to picnic with family and friends.

FRIDAY MARKET

With a swarm of stalls vending fruits, vegetables, clothes, accessories, domestic items, portable prerequisites and handcrafted goods, the market is a must visit and an interesting insight to the local culture.

 Most of the people include families visiting food stalls complete with an assortment of dishes and snacks including samosas, Vadas as well as Kadak Chai.

DESERT SAFARI IN MELIHA

The desert safari is an experience unique to the social and cultural fabric of Sharjah. Visiting Sharjah and going back without boarding on a desert safari is quite impossible indeed! This safari gives a real chance to experience the many flavours of Sharjah courtesy a complete range of activities. The inexplicably alluring desert sands make for a beautiful landscape while the dune bashing sessions signify pure adventure and adrenaline pumping vehicle dexterity. Also denoted to as Dune bashing, this activity can securely be measured the biggest attraction on desert safari trips where automobiles are seen immaculately balanced above sand dunes. Arabia’s superb deserts come thriving with a multitude of fascinating experiences for tourists at these safaris. The Meliha desert safari is a brew of adventure, excitement, warmth and amorousness diversified into one extremely pleasant experience that will create memories to be prized for a lifetime indeed! Meliha, Sharjah has its own exclusive excursion desk where you can book a desert safari adventure for your entire family without any hassles. Not only are the tour packages really affordable, they also throw in numerous supplementary lures that you will not get elsewhere! Do not miss taking pictures of the Camel Rock and fossil exploring!

FAST FACTS

Best Way To Reach: Fly Air Arabia, it’s a great budget airline; For Reservations: http://www.airarabia.com/en

Best Place to Stay: Oceania Khorfakkan Resort & Spa, Corniche Road - Al Mudifi – Sharjah offers breath taking views at affordable rates.

My story first published in Statesman

IN A MOOD FOR AUTHENTIC ARABIC CUISINE THIS WEEKEND? HEAD TO THREESIXTYONE AT THE OBEROI GURGAON

More often than not, people call me and ask where to go for a meal? I truly don’t know what to say as everyone has a different preference and my first question back to them is obviously, ‘so which cuisine are you looking at’?

Well if you are looking at Arabic this weekend, then definitely head to threesixtyone at The Oberoi, Gurgaon.

Chef Hatem's professional highlights include
being recognised with a honorary badge by
the ' World Association of Chef's Societies'
& the 'Egyptian Chef's Association'

Chef Hatem Ezzat Sabra, the culinary expert, who is at the helm of the Arabic cuisine section at The Oberoi, Dubai is right here in ‘Mahro Gurgaon’ these days and brings with him culinary delights from the heart of Egypt, Palestine along with traditional local cuisine of Dubai.

There’s nothing that can impulsively snatch conversations giving way to a thrill of exhilaration when a whole assortment of Arabic Mezze is placed right in the center of the table. Well that’s exactly what happened on my table amid conversations with the talented Chef Hatem and Executive Chef Manish Sharma.. Of course, the chatter resumed but only to be in awe and appreciation for the food that had arrived.‘Tabbouleh is the first thing many women eat and begin their day, it keeps them healthy and fit’, shares Chef Hatem, and of course the women on the table look at him in glee and want to know all about it! ‘Parsley is rich in many vitamins and keeps your immune system strong and Bulgur is a good source of fiber, protein, iron and also vitamin B-6, he further adds. By this time I am totally convinced to ask Chef Hatem for his recipe and add it to my daily diet. The quality and balance of the Tabbouleh as well as the other dishes on offer are very different from what you may be used to in Saadi Dilli and extremely authentic and I say that because I have travelled extensively to the Middle East. Although most individuals are acquainted with a few staples of the region, Middle Eastern food has endured a mystery for the most part. Hummus, Shawarma and Moutabel are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Arabic food out here at the food festival. You may want to order quite a few dishes off the A La Carte menu, which means that you should pretty much order the whole menu. Go for it, because it’s all fantastic !

FAST FACTS

The ‘Arabic Cuisine’ showcase is on until the 19th February, 2017. The Lunch buffet is priced at Rs. 2650 plus taxes per guest.  Dinner has an A La Carte offering  

WHERE? Amaranta, Level 3 @ the Oberoi Gurgaon, 443, Udyog Vihar, Phase V, Gurgaon

RESERVATIONS 0124 245 1234

LIP SMACKING

HOT MEZZE: Cheese Sambousek, Arabic Spinach Fatayer, Shrimp Harrah and Falafel - Served with mixed pickles, tahini sauce and warm pita bread

COLD MEZZE- Hummus, Babaganoush, Muhammara

ARABIC SALADS – Fattoush & Tabbouleh 

SOUPS - Arabic Lentil Soup, Moroccan Lamb Harira Soup and Egyptian Chicken Rizo Soup 

TRADITIONAL ARABIC MAIN COURSES - Sea food Sayadieh, Lamb Machboos, Arabic grill platter, Arabic chicken shawarma, Chicken Mandy, Vegetable couscous, Vegetable Moussaka and Egyptian Potato Tagine

DESSERTS – Basbousa, Baklava with clotted vanilla cream, Kunafa bil kishta, Balah al sham and Um Ali

WHERE INDIAN FOOD REIGNS SUPREME

If you are a traveller who craves for Indian food abroad, these cities will definitely make you feel at home

Talli Joe, London

LONDON

Nalli Nehari at Talli Joe London

Coming from a land of avid tea drinkers, we Indians love our ‘cutting chai’ from roadside stalls too, it is astounding to see that a product such as tea could be considered special and is treated with such reverence in London. Indian High tea could range from samosa, kachori, dhokla to Bengali sweets on the various plates of the Afternoon stand. Brick Lane, which is basically just a lane, a long lane of curry houses, and a lengthy permanent evidence of how multi-ethnic and distinctive London can get from one boulevard to the next.  

Also prominent is the Sunday market, at the end of Bacon Street, which attractions mass from all over London and then there is always Soho for the Dosas and Chaats. Then there are the ever popular restaurants such as Benares, the much loved Talli Joe and certainly Cinnamon club.

DURBAN

Predictably the Indian influence has added spicy curries and much more to the cuisine here. Interestingly nearly twenty percent of Durban’s residents are of Indian descent, and that is visible in the cuisine. On offer are exciting chutneys, buttermilk, curries and even Rotis.

Bunny Chow

The preferred local dish is ‘Bunny chow’ essentially partial loaf of bread scooped out and packed with curry which can be chicken or mutton and beans for the vegetarians. Indian stalls also govern the Victoria Street Market in Central Durban with shop owners selling a vast collection of curry powders; the utmost fascinating names being ‘razor blade’, ‘mother-in-law’ and ‘hellfire’ powder which are surely not for the faint-hearted.

DUBLIN

This city has several Indian speciality restaurants.

Interestingly at a restaurant called ‘Pickle’, celebrity chef Sunil Ghai does Indian dishes with carefully sourced Irish ingredients; Fancy an Irish lobster or a wild boar curry anyone? Then there are several offering Just Indian curries and grills and some specialising in Vegetarian. Indian cab drivers swear by the curries on Mary Street and believe it or not Dublin has over twenty curry houses in the city. Rasam is another favourite restaurant for Dubliners.

KUALA LUMPUR

A feel of nostalgia comes over your my senses as you stroll along the jam-packed street, stopping at stalls in little India. Getting Indian food in this town should be the least of our worries. A range of Dosa and chapattis, homemade Vadais or idlis are available, everything from sweat inducing, spicy dishes to sweet condiments will tempt one’s taste buds. Quell that Indian rumbling tummy by opting for specialty Biryani, banana leaf rice, fried Mamak noodles and even vegetarian rice. Leave a bit of room before you finish for some colourful sweets too. You can even buy churan or eat a meal during your stay at the glitzy Kuala Lumpur.

my story first published in ET Panache Travel

SHARJAH LIGHT FESTIVAL BRIGHTENS YOUR REVERIES

The Sharjah Light Festival is a distinctive experience intended to arrest the imagination of all, as well as focus Sharjah’s illustrious landmarks and significant buildings, has been enormously prosperous and popular, enticing over 560,000 spectators.

This magnificent and captivating ten-day-February event deluges Sharjah with light and colour, and rejoices the art of illustration with light and syndicates images with charismatic music to create an exciting experience. Sharjah’s architecture shines in a new breath-taking light. When the sun goes down, streets are lit up and architecture is mystically transformed.

A selection of artists and professionals have created numerous new shows this year, using the fascia of eminent landmarks and monuments to bring out the appealing beauty of Sharjah’s architectural marvels, tourist lures and art and culture. The colourful light works transformed landmark buildings into monumental pieces of art using patterns and calligraphy highlighting Emirati, Arabic and Islamic culture. A highlight is also the collaborating technology show at Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies, which has amalgamated with the festivities for the first time this year.

The edge of art, technology, history and culture across the fourteen locations generate a masterpiece of civilisation, bringing life with astounding light exhibitions and melodic performances. This year’s festival also stands out from previous editions for its use of 3D video techniques at all 14 locations.

The locations selected for the festival comprise the University City Hall, Cultural Palace, Al Noor Mosque, Al Taqwa Mosque and Al Qasba in addition to the interactive light shows in the Palm Garden and the parade on the Khalid Lagoon Corniche. Other sites through the emirate are Kalba University, Khor Fakkan University, Dibba Mosque, Al Dhaid Mosque and Masjid Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi in Dibba.

MUST WATCH VIDEO 

FAST FACTS

The seventh annual Sharjah Light Festival, SLF, started on 2nd Feb night at the University City Hall in Sharjah City.

The 10-day event will conclude on 11th February.

The festival has been structured by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, SCTDA, under the support of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

BEST WAY TO REACH: Fly Air Arabia, it’s a great budget airline

FOR RESERVATIONS: http://www.airarabia.com/en

CHILLING OUT WAYS ACROSS THE GLOBE

Experiencing the local way of hanging out anywhere in the world is not only the best way to enjoy but it’s also a cultural glimpse into the drinking and social scene of any culture.

LIMING IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

‘Lime’ is not just a garnish to your rum and cola here, but refers to an spur-of-the-moment ‘chilling out’ session. The country’s kinship for ‘liming’, is basically hanging with friends, food, music and rum or beer. The expression comes from the notion of having nothing to do except squeeze limes.

Locals love to invite friends to chill out with where each person brings their preferred rum and just chill or lime. For locals, the after-work, Friday-night lime is one of the most standard aims to visit a rum shop. Whether you and your friends ease on one of Tobago’s white sandy beaches or enjoy with food and drinks in Port of Spain in Trinidad you are liming true local style.

COFFEE CULTURE IN MELBOURNE

Melbourne is tantamount with coffee. Every district is inevitably oozing with cafes. Behind uncluttered décor and beneath industrial lighting that looks like it’s been enlightened straight from the good old 1950’s apron-clad baristas tier their trade and serve up magic, pour-overs and cold brews.For every cafe or hole-in-the-wall coffee shop hidden down an alley there is a que of eager customers waiting for their single-origin, Ethiopian, fittingly obtained caffeine fix. The roots are as humble as anywhere else, and the demand for well-made coffee from small, free cafes is growing day by day and is a world of delight, as cafes source new beans from glamorous locations and experiment with fresh and unusual coffee-based beverages.

THE ALL AMERICAN BACKYARD BBQ PARTIES

A typical American backyard barbecue goes something like this: grill meat, eat meat, and repeat and get into a food coma. The menu is usually classic and unfussy including Hamburgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob. There are usually two tables one for dining and one for food and drinks and everyone serve themselves and the food is placed where the action is. The home bar is replete with glasses, bottle openers, napkins and of course the drinks.

CHILLING AT AN IZAKAYA IN TOKYO

Traditional Izakaya is a Japanese tavern that offers food that savours good with Japanese beer ‘Asahi’ being most popular. Sample this; delicious petite plates of food, relaxing from a sombre day at work, and fun mingling with friends!  Finding an Izakaya is easy in Tokyo and can be everything from a small little dive that’s dim and smoky with a limited bar seats, to an enormous bar with plenty of seating. They open their doors early evening, outfitting mainly to office goers who head straight to an Izakaya post work for a few drinks, pre-dinner snacks, and a casual relaxing time with friends. Hence you would find most guests still wearing business suits. They love their yakitori and gyoza.  Best Izakaya bars are underneath the railroad tracks, near Shinjuku, and within Ameya-Yokocho market.

TAPAS IN BARCELONA

Hanging out with celebrity chef Ferran Adria at a tapas bar in Barcelona

Neither quite an appetizer not a full meal, the tapa is all about socializing whether that encompasses ordering a procession of little dishes to share over refreshing chilled wine or cider and an extended conversation or maybe just on a pub crawl. The whole idea of tapas is envisioned to lubricate the helms for an evening of chatter, sparkle and amity with friends. The best tapas are often served standing in a crowded and smoky bar. The server helps find a small table or a space on the bar top where one places the food. One is likely to be standing in a teeming space all night, but this is chunk of the fun. Interestingly the bar staff work out the bill by counting the toothpicks on the plate!

my story first published in HT City

A NOT SO CULTURED GULLY

It’s not every day that you have your worst eating out experience ever. Mine happened yesterday.

In It's better Days

In the mood for some basic Dosas we zeroed in on Sagar Ratna, so off I set with my mom and a friend in tow; Now when I picked up this friend of mine from her office, she looked rather elegant and too well dressed in a gorgeous saree and high heels that I at once decided to change the Venue….she looked quite exotic…so I thought Culture Gully at Kingdom of Dreams would probably make the perfect and befitting venue.

So often when you have dined out a place, you anticipate the meal experience and get excited just thinking about it. So we entered Culture Gully the kind of food Space I NOW DREAD a tourist might stumble into, so offensive is its representation of India’s dining scene. For starters it was a bit too dark and I could see many lovelorn couples who probably mistook this for a hideaway for romance. Then I noticed that most of the places that did service had actually shut shop, Kerela and Chennai ( I am only talking of South India here) and it was more like a food court where you could order in expensive food. Anyways, now that we were here and in the mood for Dosas, settled in at ‘Karnataka’ where after a special request to keep the oil slightly less; My Utthapam looked as if it had spent time in the fryer rather than the griddle but stopped short of becoming fried Malabar Parantha. It lived in a greasy no-man’s land — and no man I know would love it. So of Course, I politely told the Chef to do it again….He blatantly refused, giving me a look that, ‘Why do customers even come here, when it’s my rest time’!! On my insistence he finally made it again but refused to give me fresh hot sambar which had gone rather cold by then. After finally making him understand my point of view, I sat down to eat. Trust me I can do a good job of eating because I know what it takes to make food. I can even clear the plate of food I find distinctly lacking. But this was uneatable. It was like the Rohypnol of the basic Dosa/Utthapam/Idli a dish with the latent to smack you into a coma!

I go to the Mumbai counter next and try to order myself some ‘Dahi Puri’….trust me it was a Herculean task as the order taker Jerry could not understand Hindi at all, nor English very properly

ME: How long will it take to get the Dahi puri? (In Hindi)

HE: Yes Dahi Puri and?

ME: How long will it take to get the Dahi puri? (In English?)

HE: Yes Dahi Puri and?

ME: Forget it, how big is the water bottle? (In Hindi and English)

HE: 40 Rs

I finally give up and order Dahi Puri and water (after conveying it through one of the cooks in the background) as they have no other drink available except water and Coca Cola.

If you are thinking of venturing into Culture Gully anyway and ordering something relatively simple and straightforward, like a Dahi Puri; It was the most unpalatable thing I have tasted in some years, provoking from my dining companions a string of diatribe that cannot be printed in a people newspaper.

The ‘Bhapa Dahi’ has a slight chemical taste that I was grateful for because it inclined to keep my own sweet intake to near-mormon levels! And trust me when we got out of this so called ‘Culture Gully’…it felt more like getting out of hiding in bunkers as if a World War was taking place outside!

In fact, when thinking ‘where should we eat tonight’, the reminiscence of your last meal is perhaps the first thing that comes to mind, and has you quickly moving on to the next suggestion! This place just lost a great customer and will never know why!!  But I do have a question for them, When you hung that sign by the entrance that says, ‘KINGDOM OF DREAMS’, were you just messing with our MINDS?

P.S I did not take any pictures…and am sure you will thank me for that!!

72 HOURS IN LONDON’S LOVEABLE DISTRICTS

You can never get enough of London, the buzzing atmosphere and non-stop entertainment put it squarely in any traveller’s itinerary. But sometimes London gives me too much choice. Do I eat or shop? Drink or watch a musical? And above all, where? So here I’m distilling London into a manageable set of places to love.

DELHI TO LONDON BY VS 301: 12:55 PM

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/in/en.html

Luckily for me I occurred to fly from Delhi with Virgin Atlantic at a time when it is rejoicing 25 years of entertainment and for those who do not know Virgin Atlantic is the Virgin airline to familiarize inflight entertainment, hence this year they are revelling it with a period of film themed activity! In the shape up to being the authorized airline of the new Harry Potter movie Fantastic Beasts and where to find them clearly there were a few Harry potter film options on the entertainment system and I definitely made the most of it in my premium economy seat. I was equally charged up and excited to be attending a red carpet premiere at the London Film Festival of ‘Queen of Katwe’, a new Disney movie and attending the Festival’s Gala ball. All in all, Fly Virgin Atlantic premium economy which can give any Business class a run for its money with world class amenities and service at affordable rates and terrific timings and yes a great baggage allowance to stuff in all your shopping.

CHECK IN

Athenaeum Hotel, 116 Piccadilly, London W1J 7BJ

https://www.athenaeumhotel.com/

Nestled in the heart of Mayfair lies this luxurious hotel where design meets elegance, the staff welcome you so warmly as if you are a family member and the cocktails are delightful. A few weeks ago I had the absolute pleasure of staying here while attending the BFI London Film festival and what a treat. On arrival the legendary doorman, made me feel at home and led me to the desk where I checked in. Locate in a good spot as it’s near all the galleries, museums and opposite Buckingham palace. Which means you are close to all these tourist attractions and don’t need to travel far. The hotel has a welcoming bar and restaurant also all the rooms include WIFI which entices many people just like me now a days!

DAY 1

IN HARRY POTTER LAND: 10:00 AM

Warner Brothers Studio Tour, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7LR

http://www.wbsl.com/

I contemplate one of the things that mark the world of Harry Potter quite so dreamlike is the facet that the whole thing in together the books and the films contain. Every minute thing has been understood out to replicate this unbelievable world! My favourite bit was the Platform 9 3/4, where I posed for the mandatory ‘pushing the trolley through the wall’ photo, and I even stepped inside the Hogwarts Express and saw the tiny compartments where Harry, Ron and Hermione were often filmed in. Needless to add, I browsed the Railway shop. I certainly feel it’s an unquestionably incredible place – since it’s very infrequent you’re able to get up close and individual with movie magic – bringing to life the books and films so many loves. You won’t regret a trip there and whether you’re a diehard fan of Harry Potter or not, a great day is guaranteed.

LUNCH AT THE HARRY POTTER STUDIO CAFÉ: 1: 30 PM

Food wise, there is a cafe in the main reception offering a variety of hot and cold food, though the core port of call is the atelier cafe which is located in the mid of the tour – providing a picture-perfect place to invigorate for the forthcoming photo opportunities. I enjoyed my sandwich and coffee. Clearly in a place like this, you can’t fine dining, because the emphasis is on the incredible things on display. I also sampled the Wizarding world’s favourite butter beer, which I have to say – be nice but a bit overpoweringly sweet. The liquid part is dairy-free, but the shortbread flavour foam on top isn’t! I did attempt at a butter beer moustache though which could definitely rivals Hermione’s!

RED CARPET GALA AT ODEON: 7:00 PM

24-26 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7JY, United Kingdom

http://www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/london/

You never know what to presume from a Red Carpet, and I was so apprehensive to see what it would be like this time as Disney premiered the Queen of Katwe in London. Of course I knew would be stars and cameras and all of the attraction and glitziness one would expect from a gala. However, the Queen of Katwe red carpet premiere brought about so much more than can ever be dressed and photographed. Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo were the only recognized actors in the movie, with the vast mainstream of the cast containing of native Ugandans, many from slighter villages, who could never have imagined being in a film of this magnitude, much less walking a red carpet celebratory their successes.

Queen Of Katwe is the real story of a young girl, Phiona Mutesi vending corn on the roads of rustic Uganda whose realm speedily changes when she is familiarized to the game of chess by Robert Katende a soccer player turned missionary. As a consequence of the backing she obtains from her mother, played by Nyong’o, her domestic and community, Phiona chases her dream of becoming a universal chess champion. All in all, an inspiring story, engaged with revelation and heart by Mira Nair and including performances of great profundity and integrity. After the film there was an after party where of course I ate and drank and made merry with my friends.

DAY 2

HERITAGE AT BLENHEIM PALACE: 10:00 AM

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1PP

http://www.blenheimpalace.com/pages/media-and-filming/

The advent to the Palace is truly stunning; it’s such a gorgeous building and looks so extraordinary from the outside. The interior is likewise as spectacular! We were taken into the Palace bedrooms where Winston Churchill resided and learnt a lot about the history of the rooms. We then joined The Untold Story which outlined the heritage of the Churchill family and took us back in time to the 1700s. The tour was a walk round event but each room had interactive features including touch screen monitors, audio speakers and screen projectors. The Pleasure Gardens are a few minutes’ walk from the Palace and is home to the exotic butterfly house, model village, family maze and children’s play area. Blenheim Palace has also hosted some of Hollywood’s most famous A-list superstars over the years. Daniel Craig, Jack Black, Sean Connery, Tom Cruise, Kate Winslet, Emily Blunt, and Madonna, are just a few of the stars performing in key motion pictures counting 007 Spectre, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, Cinderella, A Little Chaos, Gulliver’s Travels and many more.

LUNCH AT THE ORANGERY AT BLENHEIM PALACE: 1 2:30 PM

The location is charming in itself, sitting comfortably right outside the palace; it gorgeously stands among greenery, a chic café and patio. It certainly doesn’t fail with its intriguing mix of traditional traveller’s fare and new age cooking. The food is hearty, and is served with the most imaginative skill without negotiating on the palate with emphasis being seasonal produce. My ‘Fennel crusted ocean trout’ served with Jerusalem artichoke mash, balsamic tomatoes, samphire and caper butter sauce on the side was finger looking good!! Desserts such as Warm sticky toffee pudding, toffee sauce and Duke’s ice cream, ‘Rhubarb plus vanilla’ semifreddo with a rhubarb meringue, ‘elderflower sorbet’ and candied lemon Verbena are all so gratifying that they should be shared. Simplicity and balance are the buzzwords of this wonderful space, enriched by honest to goodness flavours and fresh picked produce.

DRINKS AND DINNER AT TALLI JOE: 8 PM

Talli Joe, 152-156 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8HL; Tel: 020-78365400

The culinary essence is traditional and authentic regional Indian cuisine with a strong creative element in cooking and presentations as well as in the cocktails hand crafted by using seasonal Indian flavours and fresh ingredients crafted by the in house mixologist. The buzzy bar spreads its charm to the restaurant creating the perfect setting to relax and indulge in anything from a hearty lunch to a romantic dinner. I started with a ‘Kerry Collins’ (a heady concoction of vodka, raw mango puree, soda and lime) before heading for my food!! A good attempt at proposing Indian food for the twenty first century as it is indeed a unique marriage of beautiful ingredients and techniques with the flavours and traditions of India.

Good examples of recipes with interesting combinations enhanced by spices from Chef Sameer Taneja’s aesthetic creations are the ‘Gol Baari Kosha Mangsho’ and ‘Kochi beef fry’. The crowning glory for me was the ‘Nihari Nalli’; the marrow was cooked fairly melted in waves on the tongue topped on a Kadak roti. Amongst the vegetarian the ‘Kale chaat’ is a highlight. All in all behind every component is an honest process that is used to top dresser the ingredients. There is nothing accidental on any of Taneja’s plates, nothing there that serves to merely look glamorous; everything is on the plate for a reason. The concept with its quarter plates is an inspirational treat for all those who crave for good food with a difference. Chic, elegant and contemporary, this is one of the few bars I feel will hold its own for a long time…and as for me, I will go here each time I happen to be in London.

DAY 3

EXPLORING CENTRAL LONDON BY FOOT: 10: 00 AM
http://britmovietours.com/

Our little group was met at the hotel by Mr Dewi Evans, Brit Movie Tour guide, who took us on a two hour tour discovering central London locations that featured in  Bond, Harry Potter, Paddington, Sherlock Holmes and more. Every movie buff knows how important the city of London is in the film industry, being commonly used as both a film setting and location. From bygone versions to starry-eyed amusements to law-breaking thrillers, London has been vital for film directors, frequently being an uppermost terminus for their movie sets. It was simply remarkable to set foot on the London’s iconic streets to check out all of Bond’s assembly points in Skyfall, and to witness landmarks such as Trafalgar Square that sent chills down my spine as it reminded me of all the thrillers filmed there. The flexibility of London as a film location is astounding. The ethnic history of the city reckons it a seamless location for period movies dated amid pre-Victorian times and the post-war era, but the avant-gardism of London also makes it perfect for intersecting plots, such as the narratives of Love Actually. The types of film and TV that use London as the setting is limitless, drawing in anybody and everybody that relishes feature presentations on the silver screen!

HOP ON HOP OFF WITH GOLDEN TOURS: 12 NOON

https://www.goldentours.com/hop-on-hop-off-bus-tour-24-hour-ticket

Best way to see London is booking a HOHO with Golden tours, 24 hours which comes with an offer including additional 24hrs, walking tour and river cruise. Ascertain all the majestic things, and all the imperative edifices that one would see on a precise touristy trail. Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, various museums, Harrods, Westminster Abbey, the Thames River, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus (which, by the way, is not a circus), St. James, Chinatown, various theatres, Bloomsbury, the Tower or London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, etc. Later just taka a cruise on the River Thames…delightful! Also go to the lovely Covent Garden market. It will be a great shopping experience. A ride on the London eye would give you a bird’s view of the city. I used my ticket on Day 4 morning as well since it had additional 24 hours for free and my flight back home was in the evening!

AFTERNOON TEA AT DAWAAT: 4: 30 PM

Dawaat, 372 Strand, London, WC2R 0JJ, Tel: +44 207 379 4737

https://www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk/

Head Chef Asharaf Valappil does an alternative take on the teatime classic, with the full flavoured Daawat Indian Afternoon Tea, which is one of London’s most unique partaking experiences. Chef’s assortment of lightly enlivened canapés includes Bombay Burgers, Lamb Samosas and sweet Indian pastries and the Chocolate samosa. The traditional English scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam are also inclusive…Wash it down with a hot cup of yummy Masala chai and you are sorted! You could come back for a lunch or dinner too; the chef does some of the best South Indian preparations in the city!!

KINKY BOOTS THE MUSICAL: 7:30 PM

Adelphi Theatre, Strand, London WC2R 0NS

http://www.kinkybootsthemusical.co.uk/your-visit.php

This show is tremendously entertaining, some of the maximum enjoyable time that I have ever had seeing a show. Kinky Boots is stunningly designed. The Picturesque designer forays a significant equilibrium between the elegant gala that is Lola’s nightclub and the dreary shoe factory. The set is extremely mobile and deceivingly simple. If you blink, you could miss a set change. I have never seen a show changeover from scene to scene so swiftly and effortlessly. While wearing a diversity of glamorous costumes, they do splits, cartwheels and even turn up in the Northampton factory to pageant on the conveyor belt as a prologue to their climactic catwalk display. It won me over through the excellence of the principal performances, the vitality of its dramatization and its conviction, in its fetishist worship of thigh-high boots, that there’s no business like SHOE business!!

My story first published in TLF