Dinner by Heston Blumenthal @ The Mandarin Oriental, London

Heston Blumenthals second brainchild (the first being The Fat Duck in Bray), has come into its own since opening in 2011. Alongside his right hand man, Ashley Palmer-Watts, they have conceived a menu from years of researching gastronomical history, going as far back as the 1300’s and given it a modern day twist.

Menu with dates of dish origin

This Two Michelin starred restaurant is located in the beautiful Mandarin Oriental hotel in Knightsbridge, with front row seats looking on to Hyde Park. Contrary to other establishments with a similar calibre, the ambience is a little less casual and not stuffy at all. It is evident that a more relaxed environment has been fabricated and re-enforced by the A La Carte menu, with no Tasting Menu or tablecloth in sight- an oddity in my experience.

The Mandarin Oriental Lobby

Such praise has been given to the originality of some signature dishes, we had to try them for ourselves. These included the Meat Fruit and Tipsy Cake (preorder at the beginning of the meal to accommodate for the 40 minute cooking time). Some other delicious choices included, the Marrowbone, Rice and Flesh and Bone in Ribeye.  All was exceptional and the waiter knew his history on the dishes to the last detail- the dedication for gastronomy obvious.

Meat Fruit (c.1500)- Mandarin, chicken liver & foie gras parfait, grilled bread

Bone in Rib of Hereford Prime for 2 (c.1830)Mushroom ketchup & triple cooked chips

Tipsy Cake (c.1810) Spit roast pineapple

There is a passion for food here and it is evident both in the service and the taste. If you are after a posh setting with all the trimmings and grandeur that Michelin restaurants traditionally provides, this may not be the best place to go. But if you are searching for a delectable dinner inspired by history and passion, then it is an experience not to be missed.

-till the next experience

Vogue’s Fashion Night Out, London

Calling London’s fashionistas to celebrate the joy of shopping with style for one night only!

This annual event, taking place for the last 6 years is held on Oxford Street and Regent Street, the busiest retail intersection in the capital. Initiated by Anna Wintour to revive consumers confidence in spending during the economic crisis, it has now grown as a fashion event in multiple cities globally.

Oxford Street

Consulting my FNO map

I first attended FNO in NYC a couple of years ago and it was an amazing experience. Women decked out to the nines and street parties in Soho (blog coming soon). The vibe in London was a bit more casual and refined, true to British nature. Sure, the DJ’s were spinning decks in windows, discounts were abundant (i got some bargain boots), classes in stores and champagne flowing, but it lacked the glamour it promised.

Guess

Anthropologie

Jewellery making class

Dj at House of Frasier

Unfortunately it felt like a special edition of Christmas late night shopping compared to that in New York, but a fun evening nonetheless for the commoners in the civilians of the fashion tribe.

-till the next experience

Museum Lates @The Natural History Museum, London

The last Friday of every month The Natural History Museum hosts its ‘Museum Lates’ event. I have to give credit where credit is due to my Husband who actually found this gem of an idea for a date night.

Turns out most museums in London participate in this initiative to attract the grown ups and night owls of the city (see link below for details). There was a bar and tapas selection but I would recommend eating beforehand as the choices were limited and pricey. Most rooms were open including the popular Dinosaur exhibit and a sketching station.

There was a gratyfing sense of mellow and calm whilst wandering around the halls, which is normally drowned with throngs of school trips and parents running around after their children. This made room for us to stroll as if we were the kids once more, with mischief, intrigue and lots of Pimms!

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For more information on Museum Lates visit: http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/whats-on/art-and-exhibitions/late-museum-and-gallery-openings-in-london

Circus Restaurant, London

Roll up roll up all those looking for the most outlandish dining experience in London!

Ever fancied having dinner with the circus performing around you? Well this is the place to do it, although I never did think a sexy circus existed. A fun and bizarre mix of acts to keep you entertained throughout the evening from gymnasts to cross dressers and the Ring Master himself. Although the set menu was no Michelin affair it was less touristy than I expected and requesting front row seats is a must!

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For more details go to the restaurant website on http://www.circus-london.co.uk

Hill Valley @SecretCinema, London

Wait a minute, Doc. Ah… Are you telling me that you built Hill Valley… in London? Insert confused expressions here.

Calling all Back to the Future fans willing to immerse themselves in the coolest form of cinematic experience! I had never heard of Secret Cinema and when a friend called me a couple of months ago to buy tickets I was a bit apprehensive. They were £56 pp (enough to raise eyebrows on blindly buying tickets from my Husband) but so very worth it.

Secret Cinema managed to recreate Hill Valley in London with such panache and flair I forgot I was on the wrong side of the Atlantic for this to be real! Before the event there were emails giving individual identities and occupations to all attendees. I worked as a Town Clerk at City Hall and my outfit was to reflect this. In my party there was a Student that was requested to attend the Enchantment Under the Sea dance, a Comic Store Worker required to report for duty at the shop and an Egg Gatherer who worked at Twin Pine Ranch, quite an assortment! The location is kept a secret (hence the name) until the day of your ticket.

Immersion began in the que upon arrival, where the simulation was already in full effect. Actors (there were over 100 milling around) dressed as police men telling us to put our ‘calculators’ away, meaning of course our phones, as they did not exist in the 1950’s. My Husband the Farmer was quickly baptised by the Peabody’s upon entrance into the ranch and we rode on the school bus to the High School and attended the dance. Hill Valley was in full splendour with everything there from Lou’s Cafe, a Texaco Gas Station, the fair and of course Town Hall itself. An impressive site full of activities before the film screening at 9:00pm that there was no time to get bored before laying down your blanket to enjoy the show. I particularly enjoyed the Future Bar which was set in the 80’s where hundreds of people danced a routine en mas. There must have been about 3,000 people in attendance all dressed in 50’s splendour.

The film screening itself was a real treat where most was acted out in front of us and the star DeLorean was ever present! The pyrotechnics didn’t disappoint and we witnessed Doc ziplining accross the square and flaming tyre tracks at the end!

Oh what a delight this evening was, well worth the money and effort to dress up! You should be willing to participate as an active audience member and ‘play along’ with the actors to get the most out of the experience! Don’t be shy and put that American accent on, it could mean winning prom King or Queen!

I sincerely cannot wait for the next screening, whatever it may be. Besides, who doesn’t like being in on a secret?!

Dr Emmett Brown: “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.”

-till the next experience

For more information on Secret CInema and upcoming productions, visit them on www.secretcinema.org (tell no one).

Notting Hill Carnival, London

When discussing if I should attend the Notting Hill Carnival amongst friends it was a mixed bag of reviews. One was adamant “it should be at the top of your bucket list” and the other “I have heard it is a bit stabby”-not a real word but wouldn’t want to mess up the quote! The point is it was a very wet Bank Holiday Monday in August and would it be worth it?

This was a moment when my YOLO instinct kicked in and down we went to experience the World’s second largest carnival (biggest being Rio). MISTAKE! By the time we walked from Notting Hill Gate station to the southern perimeter of the parade we were like drowned rats! Needless to say it was difficult to enjoy much after that point and unless you have a fondness for this type of affair I really wouldn’t bother going. The atmosphere was loaded, houses were boarded up along the way and there was a heavy police presence which didnt inspire much confidence. Perhaps my spirits were dampened by the rain but I don’t think I will be front row next year even if the sun is shining.

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The Tate Modern, London

Although I am not an art expert in the slightest I love going to galleries and museums. I think this is because I am so creatively handicapped that artists talents for me, in any form is so impressive! I am one of those people that will stand in front of a piece and try desperately to search within my mind for an ounce of knowledge as to what style, era, genre (or any other airish word) to describe what I am looking at. Often I draw a blank in particular with Modern Art, is a cup with a pencil through it art or a can of soup on a shelf? But the experience is not lost on me and I always leave having a bit more appreciation than what I came with. Artists are so ballsy, they are willing to be completely vulnerable and exposed to the world and everyones opinions for their passion. This I admire greatly and as Matisse once said “creativity takes courage”.

The Tate Modern is such a wonderful space and very thoughtfully choreographed. It flowed very smoothly and even though this was a weekend visit, it never felt cramped or restricted. Perhaps this is due to the Power Station’s enormous scale where you can get lost in the vastness of the entry hall or that they are accustomed to dealing with millions of visitors (the most visited modern museum in the world). Either way it was full of eclectic and famous works (see pictures below) which is worth a visit for any art lover or pretender like me! It is free to enter unless you wish to visit a special exhibit which I did not feel the need to do. Stop by the cafe on the 2nd floor to get a great view of the Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral across the water whilst grabbing a nice cup of tea to break up the visit!

And if you find yourself stuck in front of something you can’t decipher then remember what Mr Picasso said “The world doesn’t make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?”, you can’t always understand it….but I’m ok with that!

-till the next experience

For more details go to the museum website on http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern