Category: Food & Drink

Healthy & Sixty?

My grandfather advocated doing no more than one thing a day. When there was nothing on the agenda he declared it a dies non (a day on which no legal business can be done, or which does not count for legal purposes). Robert calls it “having a quiet day at home”.

The Truth about Trump

A reader in the West Country has trumped me in the Bitters department. He sent this picture of two specimens that have eluded my collection. This reminds me that he alerted me to a lovely conspiracy theory that was doing the rounds among the in-crowd in the United States late last year.

Heritage

Heritage used to mean something; 1. property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance 2. a special or individual possession; an allotted portion. Now it’s a tomato or a beetroot. Well, maybe language does evolve, so I’ve been drinking an heritage gin and tonic.

Chocs Away

Although I was on the electoral register in the Irish Republic for a few years I don’t think I ever voted. But I did go into the polling booth with my grandmother a few times to watch her vote and see what it was all about. It was a bit like, I suppose, watching the… Continue reading Chocs Away

Breathing Colour

Joining the swimming pool at Charing Cross Sports Club seems a bargain; £31 a month for off-peak, over 60 membership. Only £1 a day.

Manzanilla

When I was in Madrid in the 1980s I ordered Manzanilla. A pot of chamomile tea arrived. I was reminded of this reading an article by Jancis Robinson in the FT Weekend Magazine.

White Vin Man

  One of the pleasures of being in France is getting to know the region; its flora, fauna and vineyards. No sign of a hoopoe yet but plenty of vineyards.

Daylight Robbery

Walking to the Royal College of Music for a lunchtime concert the last stop for fuel is the Baglioni Hotel on Hyde Park Gate. I had a few minutes to spare and sat at the bar.

Counter Fodder

My favourite City restaurant in the 1970s was Turner’s Brasserie in Broad Street Station Arcade. If there were more than two of us we sat at a table with a red and white checked tablecloth attended by matronly waitresses.