Wednesday 29 January 2014

Have You Heard?: 'LOKUM ISTANBUL' brings the taste and delights of Istanbul to London


I have always dreamt of visiting Istanbul. There is something about the city that makes it so very alluring. Perhaps, it is the rich history that runs through its very foundations, it might be the infusion of Asian and European influence or it could be the treasures that can be found within its streets from tantalising Turkish delight to deep sensual scents from a candle burning. It is from these steams that Chelsie and I would like to introduce to you a brand that we have recently discovered and hold in high esteem: Lokum Istanbul.

Lokum Istanbul specializes in the highest quality products that draw intimate inspiration from Turkish culture. Lokum Istanbul strives with flawless execution to bring back the delights, flavours, knowledge and beauty of the bygone Ottomoan-Turkish culture through gifts and treats that also incorporate the present day influence through their own uniquely blended interpretation.

Chelsie and I were excited to discover that Lokum Istanbul has recently opened their first London based store, on Walton Street. This store was designed by Anouska Hempel and is modeled on their popular Istanbul store with moody lighting, sparkling chandeliers and wallpaper decorated in stunning Ottoman toile de Joury. Which ensures that guests in London are able to experience an authentic experience of Turkey from the moment they step through the doors. Lokum Instanbul's range includes handmade Turkish delight (that we simply could not resist trying!), fragrances, candles, books, cigarillo boxes and beautiful gift boxes to complete the look for that perfect find.



Kate and Chelsie's Experience.

The allurement and curiosity behind Lokum Istanbul's products understandably left us eager to to try some for ourselves. On this occasion we were lucky enough to try some of Lokum Istanbul's tantalizing handmade Turkish delight.

To buy a product from Lokum Istanbul, is undeniably an experience within itself. Our Turkish delight was presented to us in a large, beautifully decorated round box with fezzes's dangling down it's sides. Chelsie and I were immediately impressed with the care and effort that had gone into ensuring the aesthetics of our product were embodying the spirit of Istanbul from the onset. Once we had removed the lid, we discovered our Turkish delight was elegantly wrapped in light tissue with good quality wooden sticks ready for our consumption. In our experience inside our box we were provided with a detailed overview around the history of Turkish delight, whilst helped to ensure we would also be soaking up some of the treats extensive history with each piece. An example of this history included that during the Ottoman era Turkish delight was considered an integral part of the palace cuisine.

Our box of Turkish delights contained a generous selection of truly stunning treats. The Turkish delights tasted sensational, they were rich, flavorsome and left us quite literally fighting for the last one! From each bite it was evident to us, the level of care, carefully sourced components and passion behind each treat. We would highly recommend a box of Turkish delight from Lokum Istanbul for a variety of occasions ranging from birthday presents, housewarming presents, for loved ones and of course following our example for pure indulgence at its finest. We will certainly be returning back to Lokum Istanbul for another box, or two!


95 Walton Street, London SW3 

Saturday 25 January 2014

Dali Afternoon Tea at Le Meurice, Paris


Restaurant Le Dali serves Afternoon tea every day from 3.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Discover its “Tea Time” in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Le Dali has imagined a tea stand served at the table where you will savour delicious scones with their amazing clotted cream and jams. You will appreciate the delicate finger sandwichs and the imaginative creations of their Pastry Chef, and taste an incredible variety of flavours that will delight your sight and taste buds. Food lovers will appreciate the delicious and appealing cakes, pleasantly positioned on a buffet, near the astonishing Pastry display. To accompany those delicious treats, you will discover our wide selection of the best teas, coffees, and infusions, or a smooth Guanaja and Caribbean cocoa hot chocolate. Give in to temptation and experience the “Tea Time au Champagne” offer or succumb to the “Tea Time Fleur de Thé” formula that will give you the chance to observe, through a transparent teapot, a flower blooming while your tea infuses.


TEA TIME AU DALI 
46 € 

Selection of Finger Sandwiches 

Homemade scones, clotted cream and jams 

Sweets created by Pastry Chef 

Choice of tea, coffee and hot chocolate 


TEA TIME AU CHAMPAGNE 
 60 € 

Your tea time with a glass of White Brut Champagne Deutz 

Your tea time with a glass of Champagne Cuvée Rosé Laurent-Perrier 
 64 € 


TEA TIME « Fleur de Thé » 
48 € 

Tea time served with a tea “Fleur d’Orient” 

Hand-crafted green tea flavoured with jasmine. Adorned with 

chrysanthemum flowers (the Chinese symbol of autumn), jasmine, and rose 

(representing love)

Net prices in Euros, tax and service included 

Friday 10 January 2014

Not Afternoon Tea returns for 2014! OXO Tower, London



Pastry Chef Penny Wabbit and her team have worked their culinary magic to create two brand new Not Afternoon Tea Plates perfect for the new year, and the popular Taywell Preserved Plate, with its spiced berry flavours, will also continue to feature on the menu. As always, each plate is paired perfectly with a bespoke cocktail created by the OXO Bar team.

1. DETOX
Alpaco chocolate mousse
Carrot and hazelnut sponge
Sweet potato and pumpkin seed cake
Cranberry foam, coconut crumble
Rosehip shot

Served with Mightly Blighty Mojito
Portobello Road Gin based Mojito with fresh beetroot juice

2. WHAT RESOLUTION?
Blonde delice
Milk chocolate peanut butter brownie
White & bitter chocolate praline tart
Dark chocolate mousse

Served with Naughty or Nice
Nice:
A winter twist on Sangria.
OXO rouge, Drambuie, Mozart dark chocolate and ginger ale

Naughty:
A rich, sumptuous drink with Baileys, Drambuie,Mozart dark chocolate, ginger bread syrup, a dash of ginger ale and almond milk

3. TAYWELL PRESERVED
Cranachan
Strawberry & yoghurt mousse
Spiced rum cherries, coconut cake
Blueberry & lemon curd choux bun

Served with Preservation society
Appleton VX rum with Amerana cherry syrup shaken with Laphroig 10 yo. Topped with apple foam.

Not Afternoon Tea Experiences

1. I BELIEVE IN PINK
Not Afternoon Tea plate
A glass of HN pink Champagne
Tea or coffee
Bag of homemade pink treats to take away
£32.50 per person

2. SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE
2 glasses of Laurent Perrier ‘04 – 125ml
Buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto bruschetta
Your choice of a Not Afternoon Tea sharing plate for two
Two cocktails of your choice from our Not Afternoon Tea selection
£99 for two

Not Afternoon Tea
£24.50 including one bespoke cocktail
£34.50 including two bespoke cocktails.

Available in the OXO Tower Brasserie Sunday to Friday from 3pm – 5pm and Saturdays from 2pm – 4.30pm.

For further information, to book a table or to purchase a Not Afternoon Tea voucher, please emailoxo.reservations@harveynichols.com or call 020 7803 3888.

AFTERNOON TEA AT GAUCHO PICCADILLY


SERVED FROM 1PM UNTIL 4PM SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS.

Tucked away in a little known side off Piccadilly, this Gaucho Restaurant provides a bit of the Pampas and Buenos Aires relocated to the heart of the West End.

Seated in the stunning dining room or on the beautiful heated outdoor terrace at Gaucho, guests can enjoy a scrumptious Afternoon Tea with traditional favourites such as fruit scones and clotted cream, as well as some extra special treats including choripán with chipotle chutney and sweet Romero pepper, as well as a delicious raspberry and custard éclair.

Gaucho Piccadilly is located in a thriving part of the capital, with close access to Oxford street and just a 5-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus Tube Station.



AFTERNOON TEA

Choripán with chipotle chutney and sweet Romero pepper
Brioche with lomito carpaccio topped with chimichurri
Smoked salmon, cucumber and cream cheese finger sandwich
Egg mayonnaise with avocado, rocket and quail egg sandwich

Fruit and plain scones with clotted cream, raspberry and apricot jam

Chocolate profiterole
Raspberry and custard éclair
Mini dark and white alfajores
Chocolate tartlet with Chantilly cream and berries
Argentine chocolate cake
Lime jelly, mango chutney with passion fruit meringue
Dulce de leche cheesecake

Pot of tea from the luxury tea selection
£30.00 per person

£36.00 with a glass of Bianchi sparkling wine
£45.00 per person with a glass of Veuve Clicquot
£46.00 per person with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Rose

www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk