An Afternoon at The Pipe and Glass Inn in Beverley

One of my favorite things about living in the UK is the plethora of country villages all within easy reach of London, each seemingly with a plethora of country pubs to choose from!  My sweetie recently surprised me with an afternoon drive and lunch at The Pipe and Glass Inn. The Pipe and Glass, in the market village Beverley, is the winner of the Michelin Pub of the Year 2012. I will admit I'm still unsure exactly where Beverley is other than to say "somewhere in East Yorkshire". However, I would highly recommend stopping by, or better yet, booking a night in one of their two boutique suites and making a romantic weekend of it. The pub was lovely and as rustic as you can imagine with comfy leather sofas and cozy snugs near big fireplaces. The perfect setting to imagine yourself a gentry land owner stopping by for a pint, or someone from EastEnders.

The backyard





The herb garden



Yes, apparently cows in East Yorkshire too!

If you'd like to be a pub explorer, check out http://www.pubs.com/

Sipsmith & Salmon at Mount Street Deli

Luckily, I work in Mayfair. By luck I mean I have convenient access to some of the best restaurants, hotels, galleries and boutiques London has to offer. If I had been blessed with even more luck, I would actually be able to afford to live in Mayfair. However, the gods have yet to bless me that much. So as the present, I am quite content to have Mayfair's Mount Street Deli right around the corner. A gem for it's 'British style' coffees, gourmet cheeses and rustic sandwiches often enabling my own improvised lunch time picnic in Hyde Park.

World's 50 Best Restaurants

The World's 50 Best Restaurants were announced yesterday - Heston Blumenthal's Dinner and The Fat Duck making the list, along with The Ledbury. 3 outta 50 ain't bad for the UK! I'm still pining to try The Fat Duck......

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....because the food looks like this!

Cocktails & Cabaret at Cafe de Paris

Ever since I bought a limited edition Liza Minelli inspired MAC makeup palette (circa 2003), I have adored cabaret. Perhaps it's the idea of wearing fishnets and false lashes in the debauched nightclubs of 1930's Berlin with my face made up like Liza (young Liza that is!)

Problem is, not everyone can cabaret. Myself included, in despite of the burlesque and dance classes taken. Some things are better observed than mimicked! However, I was pleased as punch to have finally found a decent cabaret show in London at Cafe De Paris. (La Soiree is another fab show...I'll be writing about that one later...)

Since 1924, Cafe de Paris has been the home of a few clubs, patronised by the who's who of London. Many a celeb and royal have been photographed blindly stumbling from the building in the wee hours. And now it was my turn! I joined a few friends for a cocktails and a three-course meal served up center front stage. Although like much of London, the meal isn't necessarily worth it's accompanying price tag, but it's well worth it as it secures you and your friends a prime table for the show.  If you're only there for cocktails, then you're squired away to the cheap seats in the balcony. 

if only I could do this!

and this! now that's a party trick

Overall, a highly enjoyable evening with talented and handsome entertainers. The tables are moved after the show as it becomes a dance club with your average Gaga remixes. Make your way to the tiny speakeasy-esque bar right of the stage where they will continue to play more retro inspired music. Speaking of, I just discovered The Correspondents. Check them out.

What I am missing right about now (....from the states)

1. Margaritas! I mean really good ones, made with fresh fruit and quality tequila. Admittedly, I also miss the really cheap, extremely alcoholic, pint sized ones that I used to share with friends after work in Portland where you only needed one to provide devilish inspiration or an excuse to make out with a stranger. And of course, really good Mexican food.

2. Halloween. October has always been my favorite time of year, ever since I was a child. Planning my costume and trick or treating was way more exciting to me than anything received at Christmas, especially when you figured out which neighbor had the good candy and didn't give you apples! It's slowly catching on here, but the only one who comes knocking on your door is the guy checking whether or not you have a tv license.

3. 30 Rock, and other tv shows that I get to see about a year later.

4. Sushi. Really good, cheap sushi. Specifically, Mio Sushi.

5. Nordstrom Rack (or the ability to find good, quality shoes for less than £90).

6. Proximity to NewYork and New Orleans.

 7. Buttermilk cornbread. I have yet to easily find cornmeal here. Or buttermilk.

 8. My friends! I have been fortunate enough to see quite a number of my dearest friends here. I have realized that the world is a much smaller place than I ever imagined it to be, and those that mean the most to you will find you no matter where you end up.

9. Pumpkin spiced lattes.

Can I really....

....pair Heston's Salted Caramel Popcorn Ice cream with a 2010 Oldenburg Stellenbosch Chardonnay? Well beggars can't be choosers on a rainy Saturday afternoon when any inclination to leave the flat is elusive!

Now I wonder what to pair his Mustard Ice Cream with....?

Paris Top 5

As I have written before, truly one of the best perks about living in London is the abilty to leave it every so often with relative ease. Paris is a little over 2 hours away via Eurostar. 

Here are my top 5 picks for a perfect weekend in Paris.

1. Stay at Hotel le Bellechasse. Located in St. Germain, and with rooms designed by Christian LaCroix, it's a perfectly fashionable respite for a weekend with the girls. For a weekend with your sweetie, book an Original Room which has a clawfoot tub near the bed.

 

2. Eat at Fish La Boissonnerie Bistro. Also located in St. Germain, La Boissonnerie serves amazing, sumptious three course set menus for about 35 euro. Fresh seafood, excellent wine list and exceptionally charming, handsome and friendly waitstaff. I will always remember this place for when I first discovered you can actually find good food in Paris!

3. Shop at John Agee Paris. We discovered this gem and not sure what we loved most - the jewelry or John himself! Stunning one of a kind pieces made all the more gorgeous by John's warm and down to earth southern-American hospitality. Please stop by and support this independent boutique.

4. Shop some more at Annick Goutal Parfums. A trip to Paris isn't complete until you decide that perfume is indeed more important than food, and splurge on one of Annick Goutal's signature scents. Songes, with it's sultry ylang-ylang, frangipani, and vanilla notes encased in a limited edition, sparkly lunar bottle, sits on my dresser reminding me that everyday, whether I'm sitting around in stretchy pants, or dressing to the nines for a date with Mr. Handsome, I can chose to be Parisian in my own way.

5. Pick up macaroons for the train back at Laduree. I know these are now available in London, but to buy a beautiful box in Paris, well, just feels different. Plus nibbling on a rose macaroon whilst sipping French champagne you smuggled aboard the eurostar, simply prepares you for a stylish return to London.

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Shoreditch Top 5 (i.e. hipsterhood in East London)

1. The Boundary. With a comprehensive and reasonably priced wine list in the basement bar (about 80 wines for under £35 offered from a list of 500) and even more friendly and knowledgeable sommeliers, it's divine! Along with a lovely rooftop view for a romantic drink, to brunch at the Albion cafe - it's one of my favorite places in London.