jordan: unknown

jordan

After a long dusty day in the back of our guide Eid’s Land Rover, I have to admit that the thought of bedding down on a scorpion riddled desert floor did not immediately appeal. However, Eid was persuasive. And soon enough we succumbed to his kind insistence that we stay with his nomadic mother and sample real Bedouin hospitality.

As we approached the family’s goat hair tent, the setting sun was already bathing the vast plains of Wadi Rum in an iridescent glow. Standing atop the rocky outcrop, home to Laurence of Arabia’s infamous spring, I began to see wisps of smoke gently rising from a solitary shelter in the desert far below as, unbeknownst to me, the matriarch of our adopted family in her infinite generosity began preparations to slaughter a lamb in honour of her first visitors in over two years.

As darkness fell our feast was presented; succulent lamb cooked with aromatic rice, yogurt and fragrant ‘ras el hanout.’ The whole family gathered as they always did at dinner time and together we sat in a tight circle, eating with our hands. Here on my plate, in delicious form, was the assurance that we hadn’t just passed through Jordan as tourists and that felt priceless.

Start your own adventure in Jordan here.

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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beyond the guinness

Ireland is pretty well known for its beer we’d say… But even in beer country like this, it’s good to get away from the Guinnesses and Murphys once in awhile…

franciscan well beer festival

The Franciscan Well in Cork is one of the first microbrewery pubs in Ireland and it does a great job with the copper coloured tanks sat right behind the taps and cheery staff pouring away. On a brief five day jaunt over to Cork recently, I found some proper local brews here. The Easter beer festival was in full swing – a festival that has brought hundreds from all over the world to these Irish shores to taste tipples from several different microbreweries. Ales, stouts, lagers, whatever takes your fancy. Including chocolate flavoured beer…(it was pretty delicious, but no real surprise there).

Outside in the beer garden during the festival, the walls are lined with one after another of the guest breweries with a break in the bars for the giant BBQ. Exactly what a spring beer festival should be

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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world’s finest cinemas

certainly no cine-plex…

As much as we advocate going out to explore the world, we understand that sometimes you need a night off. Which got us pondering our favourite cinemas around the world where we’ve slipped unoticed under the skin of local life to catch a classic film in more unusual surrounds than then nearest multiplex…

• First up has the quintessential American movie night experience at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas. It’s all about great food and cold beers at this cinema-come-eatery that creates bespoke gourmet menus based on any particular film. It opened in the mid 90s and whilst it may have expanded out a bit, we still think the original playhouse is well worth a visit.

• Next on our list is Govinda’s in Sydney, an Indian holistic centre that combines a scrumptious restaurant with a super comfy screening room replete with fully reclining loungers. Try one of the delicious thalis or pakoras from the buffet before heading upstairs to the screening room.

• Staying down under we’d hop over to Brisbane to the roof top of the Limes Hotel. The sophisticated chic space had us cooing at the prospect of mojitos and movies whilst admiring the stunning city views. It’s a smart casual affair and is the perfect place to begin a night out.

• We were pleasantly surprised when we found our next choice at the Evason hotel in the Ma’in Springs in Jordan. The ‘Cinema Paradiso’ outdoor screen is set in front of four hot waterfalls that cascade dramatically from the edge of the desert valley. The eighty foot falls may temporarily distract but the warm popcorn and homemade snacks are sure to induce that big screen feeling.

• Our final choice, for its futuristic, star wars appeal is the Multikino Zlote Tarasy in Warsaw, Poland.  Brainchild of designer Robert Majkut, the main screen has a majestic 6 foot LED powered chandelier overlooking a titanic 777 seats. The Velvet bar in the foyer with its dark padded walls and wing chairs is the perfect hideout for villains and heroes to converge after the showing.

Fin.

(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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just the tip of copenhagen’s gastronomic iceberg…

copenhagen

copenhagen hues

As the sun slow-baked the industrial courtyards of the Copenhagen’s burgeoning Meatpacking district last weekend, impromptu terraces unpacked in front of the modestly glamorous restaurants that have credited this city with a world heavy-weight title in ageless culinary excellence.

This town is indisputably a design-aficionados dream and the food served amidst this blue-and-white gallery district certainly doesn’t disappoint the eye.  At Pate Pate (Slagterboderne 1) we broke the yolk of a perfectly poached egg over a savoury polenta cake cushion and lingered over a main of snails and beef. Yep, it’s not a combination you find too often, but trust me, it works. The desert I managed to shield from the eager spoons of my fellow diners, a molten blueberry soufflé with perfect posture, lives on in my memory of finest non-celebratory suppers…

copenhagen

Copenhagen’s cocktail culture doesn’t lag too far behind its culinary counterparts. At the (deservedly) frequently cited canal-side Ruby (Nybrogade 10) a team of hand-son experts seamlessly blend the offerings from an exceptionally large spirit cabinet amidst ultra laid-back drawing-room surrounds.  Across the other side of town, the lesser-known neighbourhood bar Salon39 (Vodroffsvej 39, 1900 Frederiksberg) – partner property to the distinctly un-Danish and therefore locally-esteemed tiki bar Brass Monkey (Enghavevej 31) – takes mixology to a new (spirit) level with an elegant dimly-lit intimate space reached via a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it doorway. No. 39 that is.

Un-surprisingly, the Danish do nourishing brunches exceptionally well too. Ricco’s on Studiestræde 24 was our favourite for a late Saturday morning. The hand-made bolle that came stuffed-to-the-brim with local produce were just as the owner himself had assured us from behind the counter; not savoury nor sweet. On the food journey between my clasped hands and my mouth I pondered yet another sensual balancing act, and then I stopped pondering and took another big bite…

(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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ibiza re-opens…

Ibiza coastline

ibiza’s rugged and seductive coast

The new season is beckoning and Ibiza is yawning and stretching to warm itself up for another summer. Cue a chain of excited whispers about the office. Whilst everyone loves a night or ahem…three on the dance floors of DC10 et al or a day recovering on the beach at Cala Jondal, we thought it was a good time to share a couple of out hottest alternative Ibiza tips for 2011.

Firstly, getting to the white isle just became a whole lot easier – we were thrilled to discover that BA have upped the ante, offering up to 8 flights a week from City Airport meaning more flexibility and super convenience.

dreamy balearic sunsets

On arrival, the good news continues – the trendy Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel reopens in May with an amazing opening party hosted by Luciano (Black Tomato’s Sophie’s favourite.) This is a great place to escape the surrounding mayhem when necessary. Alternatively, to keep the party going 24/7 we’d recommend gathering up a whole load of your close friends and heading to Villa Vella up in the hills close to the chi-chi rural village of Santa Gertrudis. This palatial residence has 13 bedrooms, a tennis court and infinity edge pool. Perfect for an early morning swim to clear the head.

The village of Santa Gertrudis itself takes Bohemian chic to a new level; populated by artists and sculptors, this unique little spot offers a rare opportunity to experience a snippet of truly traditional Ibizan life. Try Bacchus, C/ Venda de Parada for a cooling afternoon drink.

For some sophisticated beach action, our Balearic’s guru Alex’s pick of the bunch is Ses Salinas. A classic, but a goodie, these crystal clear waters and laid back vibe offer so pretty unmissable people watching ops. Plus possibly the best restorative pizzas emerge from the ovens at the Jockey Club.

For a dining experience away from the crowds, we’d have to recommend El Bigote near Cala Boix for a tinto de verano and a slice of Serrano with the wildly moustachioed owner.

Adrenaline junkies fear not, there’s more to Ibiza than pounding the dancefloor don’t you know… The island has been officially recognized by PADI as the best spot in Europe for scuba diving, so grab your flippers and take the plunge to see a side of the island that few of us have even considered. Land lubbers fear not, as Kate will tell you, there is some incredible horse riding trails across Ibiza’s untouched northern beaches.

Want to get there? No problem, just drop us a line.

(8 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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the hamptons land in W9 .

summer loving

the summerhouse dining room

After a scorcher of a weekend we (along with most of the country) are hooked on dining al-fresco. Queue a countless number of pop-up eateries bursting onto the London restaurant scene granting us endless balmy days quaffing jugs of Pimms and gourmet delights in the sunshine.

summer days

Bouncing back by popular demand is the Summerhouse perched a la canal in Little Venice. The fresh and airy vibe is reminiscent of a Long Island Beach House with a nautical palette of off creams and crisp blues, swapping the well-heeled New Yorkers for well-heeled Londoners.  Feast on seafood treats such as popcorn shrimp and nostalgic desserts like knickerbocker glory, washed down with a signature strawberry and basil mojito.

Just close your eyes and imagine you’re at the seaside, mmmm…..

(5 votes, average: 4.20 out of 5)

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paris when it sizzles

paris

Julia goes to Paris…

Breakfast in Paris should, I believe, ideally begin the night before. Which is why I was delighted to discover not croissants but a plethora of cupcakes upon our homecoming to the quiet sunlit lobby of the Hotel Amour at 7am last Friday morning. It got me thinking how it’s just the kind of highly portable breakfast you need to set yourself up with enough energy to move by foot from Pigalle to the 6^th arrondissement, get lost in the process, and crucially have the energy to enjoy getting lost.

Reviving food was, on reflection, something of a trend during my most recent visit… Myself and my Girl Friday made yummy noises in dark shades over restorative au natural superfoods at Super Nature (12 rue Trevise, 9eme), fearlessly swallowed down steak tartar and pillows of restorative squidgy ravioli at dining spot du jour Le Dauphin (131 avenue Parmentier) – the latest tapas offering from the folks behind Le Chateaubriand – and soaked up the Sancere with perfectly dishevelled frites served by the perfectly dishevelled waiter in the garden terrace at the Amour. Can’t complain really can you; Paris definitely pulls out all the stops when it comes to those rehumanizing bites to eat. Although there was barely enough room for an Easter egg. Barely, but still some mind.  Jacques Genin’s chocolate shop (133 rue de Turenne, 3eme) came to the rescue for one final gap-filling soft caramel before it was time to catch the train mumbling my new mantra ‘one must learn to say when, must learn to say when’.

Inspired? Have a look at some of our favourite Parisian jaunts here.

(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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not a bad egg

sunny side up

Ah Sunday brunch how we love thou. This Easter weekend we say ditch the endless hoards of chocolate eggs which will remain un-eaten in the depths of our kitchen cupboards till next year, and enjoy the real deal. So for all you budding brunch-istas out there take a look at our favourite eateries for enjoying the best eggs no matter where in the world you may be.

bluedoor at the delano

The Delano, Miami

The spot to brunch with the in-crowd in the heart of candy coloured Miami Beach. Take a pew and order yourself a mid-morning champagne cocktail, don your saucer-sized sunnies and watch the beautiful people saunter by.

Coquelicot boulangerie, Paris

For country charm and the sweetest treats in Paris snag yourself an outdoors table for a dose of comfort food en France. Go for the Frenchies version of eggs benedict, a homely treat of rustic bread, a hint of succulent Béchamel sauce and a covering of earthy gruyere cheese. Oh la la.

for those that brunch

Cafe Cluny, NYC

The birth place of the decadent brunch, New Yorkers certainly don’t beat around the bush when it comes to mid-morning munches. Settle down  in the corner of the West Village for the best French Toast this side of the Atlantic.

(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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figgy figgy pudding (and starter and main)

Now, Scandinavian Sinister may have cast a bit of a shadow over Northern Europe. And we’re sorry for that. We love the current red wave of crime thrillers spilling from Sweden and Denmark, but there’s more to Danish knifework than a murderous stab in the back. Following in the foodsteps of René Redzepi (chef-patron of Noma in Copenhagen – widely acknowledged to be the best restaurant IN THE WORLD), another delectable Dane, Head Chef Christoffer Hruskova, is tantalizing our tastebuds at Fig Bistro in Barnsbury, North London.

fig bistro

The former grocers has undergone a Nordic facial and now boasts understated fine dining in a sleek, intimate environment. The 60 bin wine list offers great variety for a small establishment and the bistro’s menu marries the simple mantra of New Nordic Cuisine (fresh, seasonal flavours and local ingredients) with gorgeous produce from across the British Isles – pan-fried Dorset cod, grilled Hereford rump, Galloway onglet beef and poached Cornish halibut. Proof again of a secret northern renaissance in subtle flow. Enslaving TV Drama and gourmet nosh are flooding south at a rate of knots and it’s high time we all started taking note, switching on and booking a table.

James Snowdon is Editorial Intern at Black Tomato

(9 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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in for the short haul

With spring in full swing it seems fitting that London’s restaurant scene is in full bloom as this year’s wave of Pop Up gourmet institutions are springing up all over our fair capital. Cue the temptation of a myriad of foodie delights in some of London’s most stylish settings, for a limited time only.

Our response (naturally)… was to hop to it and see what all the fuss is about.

the pop up pantry

This week we headed down to the newly opened Pop Up Pantry at Meza which has pitched tent in Soho for one month only. Chef Anna Hansen of the well-established Clerkenwell Modern Pantry has transported her unique trans – global gem of a menu across the capital to ravenous SoHo-ites.

The interior is sleek and effortlessly chic, with grey and white walls softened by billowing terracotta drapes that create a luxurious and intimate vibe. With a mouth-watering menu featuring old favourites like the famed Sugar-cured New Caledonian prawn omelette, and the twist on the Spanish classic Roast Cod, Chorizo and Clams with squid ink mash and samphire, it’s definitely got our taste-buds in a frenzy.

Better catch it quickly before it pops off again.

(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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