The Monkey Shoulder Burns Night

Burns Night is a celebration of the life and poetry of the Scottish poet Robert Burns.

The celebration usually includes a Burns Supper. Burns night is held on or near the poet's birthday, 25 January. The first suppers were held in Ayrshire at the end of the 18th century by Robert Burns' friends on the anniversary of his death, 21 July, In Memoriam and they have been a regular occurrence ever since.

This year we cracked an invite to the much buzzed about Monkey Shoulder Burns Night Celebration at the Paramount Club. The invite promised "a Burns Night with a difference. Think beat poetry, rock and roll bagpipes and salubrious Monkey Shoulder Whiskey drinks to match the bonnie surroundings of Paramount Club in Soho".

The evening's entertainment includes:

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers
Rock 'n Roll Bagpipes - Guaranteed to blow your mind

Mr. Monkey our Master Mixologist
Jamie Forbes will be shaking his stuff at the bar & unveiling his original Burns night cocktails

Edinburg DJ Group Tokyo Blu
Scotland's hottest DJs will keep the night swinging

AND... introducing Monkey Mars Bar Tempura
Haggis Hors D'oeuvres, Whiskey Trifle and other lip smacking simian snacks

After navigating the waiting hoards at the entrance we were whisked 31 floors up to the roof of London - The Paramount Club. Where we were greeted by our hosts for the evening and a panoramic view of London. Being a fan of London (and seeing things from a different perspective) I had been looking forward to seeing London from The Paramount Club and was not disappointed.

The bar team kept the night well oiled with a range of Monkey Shoulder Whiskey Cocktails specially made by mater mixolosgist Jamie Forbes including; The John Barleycorn, Pink Scotch Drink, Bobby Burns and the sublime Ginger Monkey.

How to make a Ginger Monkey
50ml Monkey Shoulder
American Dry Ginger Ale

Fill a tumbler with ice, pour the Ginger ale until 2/3rds full, float the Monkey on top, Garnish with an Orange Wedge.

Edinburgh DJs Tokyoblu kept the dance floor fill of kilts. But rolling out the Legendary Red Hot Chilli Pipers with their unique brand of Jock and Roll was a classy move. In between the thumping beats we were treated to traditional Burns poetry with a real beatnik style to it.

The menu we were treated to included treats such as; Haggis Hors D'oeuvres, Monkey Shoulder Whisky Trifle and Monkey Mars (Bar) Tempura.

Thanks for the great evening Monkey Shoulder.

Sushi Masterclass at The Ship in Wandsworth

In another of their ongoing Masterclasses at The Ship in Wandsworth. Ed Holmes, the Exec Chef and Managing Director of Chop'd, will demonstrate how to make perfect sushi.



Sushi Masterclass at The Ship in Wandsworth
Where
The Ship
41 Jew's Row, Wandsworth, London SW181TB

When
6:10, Tues 26 Jan, 2010

For more info head over to The Ship

World's most expensive ham is being sold by Selfridges this Monday

The world's most expensive ham is being sold by Selfridges on Monday

The leg of Iberico ham, which weighs seven kilos, is on sale at the food hall in Selfridges in London's Oxford Street.

The cost - a juicy £1,800! But comes with it's own with its own DNA certificate of authenticity.

The whole process began with 50 animals being specially selected by pig farmer and ham expert Manuel Maldonado.

The pigs are allowed to roam over fields in Extramadura in western Spain feeding on a diet of acorns and roots that help give the ham its distinctive flavour. After the pigs are slaughtered the ham is salted and cured for three years before going on sale in a hand-made wooden box wrapped in an apron made by one of Spain's most exclusive tailors.

Exclusive Premiere Screenings: Julie & Julia

This latest film from American director Nora Ephron (‘When Harry Met Sally…’, ‘Sleepless in Seatle’) is an adaptation of the autobiographical book 'Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen' by author Julia Powell. It sees Amy Adams as an amateur chef who adopts chef Julia Child (played by Meryl Streep) as her cookery guru and duly keeps a blog of the results.

And you can’t have a movie about Julia Child without food - and not just any food, but the savoury French cuisine that turned American palates away from tuna casseroles in the 1960s. Here are rich, bubbling crocks of winey beef bourguignon, mountainous heaps of chopped onions, trussed ducks and, most magnificently, a browned sole meunière that practically swims off the screen on a buttery tide.

Screenings start at 6:30pm on Tuesday September 8
Cineworld Fulham
142 Fulham Road, London,
SW10 9QR

Scrambled Eggs James Bond

Scrambled Eggs James Bond

The recipe for Scrambled Eggs James Bond appears in 007 in New York, a short story that was published in the US edition of Ian Fleming's Thrilling Cities.


For four individualists:
12 fresh eggs
Salt and pepper
5-6 oz. of fresh butter.

Break the eggs into a bowl. Beat thoroughly with a fork and season well. In a small copper (or heavy bottomed saucepan) melt four oz. of the butter. When melted, pour in the eggs and cook over a very low heat, whisking continuously with a small egg whisk.

While the eggs are slightly more moist than you would wish for eating, remove the pan from heat, add rest of butter and continue whisking for half a minute, adding the while finely chopped chives or fines herbs.

Serve on hot buttered toast in individual copper dishes (for appearance only) with pink champagne (Taittinger) and low music.

Churros y chocolate (Mexican doughnuts & Chocolate) Wahaca, Covent Garden, London

Churros y chocolate Mexican doughnuts with a
rich chocolate sauce.

Churros y chocolate (Mexican doughnuts & Chocolate) Wahaca, Covent Garden, London, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Possibly the best Hot Dog I have had in london

Possibly the best Hot Dog I have had in london, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

SECRET CINEMA is a groundbreaking concept that offers an exciting and unique cinematic experience to film fans in the UK. The locations of the screenings are only revealed the morning of the event to those who have signed up at www.secretcinema.org.

1980's... Somewhere in America.

Secret Cinema Folk, groovers, book lovers and seaside residents.

Something is in the air....Don't be afraid.

Secret Cinema in association with NOKIA returns this Friday, 28th November in London And Brighton.

Churros y chocolate (Mexican doughnuts & Chocolate) Wahaca, Covent Garden, London

Churros y chocolate (Mexican doughnuts & Chocolate) Wahaca, Covent Garden, London

Churros y chocolate (Mexican doughnuts & Chocolate) Wahaca, Covent Garden, London, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Churros y chocolate. Mexican doughnuts with a rich chocolate sauce.

Mighty Meaty Grill at Chiquitos, Leicester square, London

Mighty Meaty Grill at Chiquitos Leicester square, London , originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

4oz Sirloin steak, half a rack of barbecue, pork ribs, sausage, and two barbecue chicken skewers. Served with spicy onion rings, corn on the cob, fries and freshly made Pico de Gallo.

On Leicester square Chiquitos is a Mexican eatery mainly for young tourists.

Setting up the Farmers Market , St. George Wharf, London

Setting up a Farmers Market , St. George Wharf, London, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

This morning on my way to work I pased by the Farmers market they have in the apartment block once a month.

A monthly farmers market makes a regular appearance on the third Thursday of every month and has proven popular with residents, office workers and the local community alike. The award winning market, already a firm favourite of Hammersmith Town Centre, Dulwich College and West Norwood is set to continue in to 2008 bringing a wide selection of fresh, organic and seasonal produce to SW8.

Expresso at the Riverside Cafe, Vauxhall, London

Expresso at the Riverside Cafe, Vauxhall, London, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

A new restaurant/cafe has opened downstairs. The Riverside Bar & Restaurant is an oasis hidden away on the bank of the Thames. Relax on our cosy sofas, enjoy cocktails and continental beers at the bar or a delicious dinner in our restaurant.

Whether keeping out the chill of the oncoming winter months with a fine wine or brandy, or remembering the sultry summer nights with a super-chilled, thirst-quenching pint, you can still enjoy the great outdoors and outstanding vistas through floor-to-ceiling windows in the comfort of the ever-inviting Riverside

Asian Spiced Rack of Lamb, Gilgamesh, Camden, London

Gilgamesh
was the son of a mortal King and a goddess; the king of Uruk (known in the Bible as Erech), the greatest king on Earth and the strongest super human to ever exist. Gilgamesh oppressed the people of Uruk and insisted on sleeping with every virgin. The unhappy people of Uruk prayed for freedom. Finally the gods responded to the prayers of the citizens of Uruk and sent a wild, brutish man, Enkidu, to challenge Gilgamesh. The pair were set to wrestle, however when there was no clear victor, Gilgamesh and Enkidu become close friends...

Gilgamesh Restaurant and Babylon Lounge, set in the heart of Stables Market, Camden is over seen by the pioneer of Pan Asian Cuisine Head Chef Ian Pengelley, serving his leading contemporary style of Pan-Asian cuisine, developed from years of living in Asia and brought to the UK to much acclaim via E&O, The Hempel and the eponymous Pengelley’s of Sloane Street.

Asian Spiced Rack of Lamb, Gilgamesh, Camden, London, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Discretely positioned in the Stables area of Camden market, this testament to cool, contemporary style, perfectly fused with the exotic imagery and mystique of the Babylonian era Gilgamesh will leave diners and visitors in awe of the venue, entertainment and most importantly the dining experience.

Stepping in from the hubbub of Camden’s riotous markets and immediately be drawn in by the sheer magnitude and vision of Gilgamesh. Diners ascend the escalator or if preferred may take the stairs passing the hand carved 'Tree of Life', inspired by friezes held at The British Museum, to your preferred dining and drinking area.

Gilgamesh is a 680 cover restaurant, bar, lounge and a traditional tea room all under one fashionable roof. Exclusive hire would allow you to invite a 1000 guests to a reception. The restaurant itself has 180 covers; 14 can fit around one table. The Babylon Bar is Gilgamesh’s VIP area, with lounge seating, beautiful hanging chairs and its own separate circular bar area.

South African Braai BBQ Etiquette

Ha, ha, ha. Its funny because its true. Embarrassingly so. I heard about this over dinner last night.

Dinner at Veeresharmy

After a couple of false starts and long term bookings I finally got to go to go to what is deemed by many as the finest curry house in all of Britain. Veeraswamy est. 1926

Hi all,
You are invited to dinner at (Booming Indian accented voice)
VEERASWAMY the legendary Indian restaurant. It's an eat and meet affair.
Sat 11 Nov 8pm - 11pm (3 hrs) (London)Mezzanine Floor, Victory House 99 Regent Street, London W1B 4RS (entrance on Swallow Street)

Veeraswamy is the oldest surviving Indian restaurant in the U.K. It was established in 1926 at the same site by the great grandson of an English General, and an Indian princess. The restaurant has been the rendezvous of rich, famous, and fashionable lovers of Indian food. Customers included Edward - Prince of Wales, King Gustav of Sweden, Pandit Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Charlie Chaplin, King Hussein of Jordan and Marlon Brando.

As with all of these get togethers its about great company, good food & a comfortable atmosphere. This occasion did not disappoint. We had a great table under a giant chandelier decorated with rose petals. It was good to see old friends as well as meet new friends. One has to respect an establishment that has a no photos inside policy.

The crab kebab starter was subtly delicious. The Biryani Classic (Hyderabad lamb biryani) which has been on the menu since 1926. Was fragrant and delicate. It really made me regret all the overpowering quick fix-no time-dazzle me taste explosions I have been forcing onto my senses. It was from a more genteel time - when taste was not synonymous with "entertain me".

The Rose Lychee Martinis are great, although a little sweet as was the Espresso Martini.

Best Takeaway in London

Best Takeaway in London

Tonight I had a really good meal. Imagine all your favourite food items (in my case a Sushi palate cleanser, Peking Duck Spring Rolls, Gourmet Organic Hamburger w/ Somerset Cheddar with Thick Handcut Cut Chips followed by assorted Chocolate Truffles, Chololate Brownies and Double Chocolate Cheesecake)...

Now imagine eating that in the comfort of your own home. I discovered Deliverance tonight. A culinary delight. I called, but they have a website www.deliverance.co.uk.

Rovos Rail the most luxurious train in the world, South Africa

Since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world class travel experiences. Step aboard the wood panelled coaches - classics remodelled and refurbished to mint condition - and enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows.

View from the Observation car of The Pride of Africa, Flamingos on Kamfers Lake, Kimberley, The Big Hole Kimberley

Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a bygone era, when privileged travellers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion.The trains - which may be hauled by steam, diesel or electric locomotives at various stages of the journey - carry a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites. Pride of place in the Rovos stable goes to the historic and newly rebuilt Capital Park Station and locomotive yard, which is the heart and new headquarters of this private railway company.

The coaches have been painstakingly rebuilt and the use fine wood panelling, traditional furnishings and period décor has ensured an atmosphere of elegance and grandeur. Exquisite pillared dining cars are a signature of the Rovos Rail trains. Each one has a proud history and has been meticulously restored from a derelict state. For example Dining Car No 195 ‘ Shangani ‘, which was built in 1924, was found parked in a siding in Alberton near Johannesburg before its acquisition by Rohan Vos in 1986. Three of the magnificent teak pillars had been removed and these were faithfully crafted, restoring the Victorian atmosphere. Each of the trains has two 42-seater dining cars to accommodate the maximum complement of 72 passengers in total comfort at one sitting.
There's an accent on fresh local ingredients, and traditional dishes such as game are a specialty. Every morning there's a full breakfast with dishes cooked to order. A selection of cold meats, croissants, pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereals and preserves make up a tempting breakfast buffet.

Dining Car, Rovos Rail, Nyanza suite

For lunch and dinner there is a starter and a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian dishes, followed by a tempting dessert and are complemented by a selection of excellent South African wines. All meals are served in one sitting only in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the Dining Cars. Many of the passengers aboard the Pride of Africa enjoy the formality of fine china, crisp linen and silver, and dress accordingly.During the day dress is more casual, with cool, comfortable clothes and hats recommended for the excursions, especially in the game reserves where it can be very hot.

Green fields outside Cape Town, Observation Car Rovos Rail

On the Rovos Rail each train has a non-smoking Observation Car at the rear of the train, while the coach next to it contains a small smoking lounge. A unique feature of the Observation Cars is the enlarged windows and open-air balconies.