CORE blimey! London's hottest new venue has raised the bar

The calm before the storm - dancefloor beware!

To find a chic, relaxing, stylish joint in the throngs of the City scene in London, contrary to popular opinion, is not so easy.

Sure, there are numerous bars and pubs that profess to provide a funky, after-work vibe that can extend into the late evening, but how many can provide a relaxing and attentive feel while at the same time feeling like party central?.

Well, London's hottest new venue, Core (Aldermary House 10-15 Queen Street, City of London, EC4N 1TX) is the place to head to. Open Monday-Friday to the general public (Saturdays and Sundays can be hired out), Core offers an extensive drinks menu, as well as a cultured and classy lunch and evening dining menu.

The bar was formerly called Apt, but for past regulars, the new establishment will open your eyes to a more modern and relaxed way of socialising.

Our first impressions on approaching the venue was 'thank goodness the outside area had been maintained.' This can provide a perfect al fresco dining experience which is perfectly suited to the approaching summer.

A warm welcome will greet you at the entrance, provided you are dressed smart/casual and of the legal drinking age! The first level consists of bright, modern decor, an easily accessible bar and a buzz as much provided by the customers as those working too.

Downstairs is more geared towards mood lighting, and then the offshoot from the bar and dining area is where the party gets started in the evening with a dancefloor and bar.

We visited on an evening after being recommended the quality of the food on offer. And now we are in a position to recommend! My dining partner and I both opted for the aged rib-eye steak, that comes with fluffy seasoned chips and a side salad.

The bright atmosphere will be matched by your mood at Core

But there are always those places for a more intimate evening

If you are demanding to eat off the finest china and a big emphasis on presentation then you may be disappointed. If you are expecting to taste one of the juiciest, tenderest (is that even a word) practically rind-free cuts of prime steak, you are in the right place.

And surely that's what it should be about anyway, right?!

Coupled with a large class of crisp and refreshing Argentinean Malbec-Merlot Paso, it was the perfect start to the evening. However, as well as the delectable foods, the service and attentiveness of staff is somewhat surprising for the birth of a new venue. It's clear the training began a long time before the bar opened, which is pleasing for the customer.

The drinks menu is classy, yet concise

After a couple of glasses of Moet and a cheeky cocktail (there is an extensive range), we decided to join in and see how the night takes off. Core has already grasped how to provide a relaxed, easy-going party atmosphere. The staff are fully focused on not only providing speedy and efficient service, but also how to engage with their customer and not act as aloof as other venues perhaps do.

For the record, I recommend a Fizzazzle cocktail. Finlandia vodka, passion fruit puree, peach puree, mixed with champagne and topped with a peach slice will give you that extra buzz to take to the dancefloor!

It really does tick the boxes - whether you are wanting to wind down the hours after a long day at work, or whether your night has been planned for this trendy and lively nightspot. If you're looking for an amiable venue where the customer is the central focus, where the food menu is exciting yet concise, and where the drinks are varied and detailed, get yourself down to Core for a truly warm and memorable experience.

To view the Core food menu, click here

To view the Core drinks menu, click here

To make a booking at the venue, for dining or a party, click here

The outside area is perfect for the summer months

 

All hail the ale! Nicholson's pubs launch their Spring Beer Festival

Spring is finally here and to celebrate Nicholson’s Pubs will showcase a beer extravaganza of 50 delicious cask ales and ciders during its Spring Beer festival (March 24 - April 19).

Proudly serving the finest choices from across the UK tantalise your taste buds with fruity and zesty flavours across a range of blonde, IPAs, speciality, traditional and dark brews available nationwide across the 77 pub estate during the four week period.

We were greeted at Ye Olde Watling, on Watling Street, London (map here) by manager Toby Shelley who enthusiastically guided us through what his pub is doing for the festival.

Ye Olde Watling was the perfect setting to indulge in some spring ales

The pub itself is a real artistic gem - said to be built from old ships' timbers by Sir Christopher Wren, Ye Olde Watling has a remarkable heritage dating to 1668. The building encapsulates what Nicholson's is all about - traditionalist, taste and authenticity.

One claim to fame is that the upstairs rooms were used as a drawing office during the building of St Paul's Cathedral. The pub also catered for Wren's workmen after the Great Fire.

After being seated, we were told how we were going to be guided through nine of their ales on sale. Toby's selection was supreme - from citrus red ale to bitter stout, it mirrored the fabulous selection of products the company has for not only the experienced but for those who are new to ale-drinking.

It did start at halves....promise!

My favourite, which surprised me somewhat, was the 3.5% St Austell Dartmoor. The slightly bitter, malty finish is just what I look for in an ale, and one that can be a perfect accompaniment to a meal. My colleague's top tipple was the World Top, Marmelade Porter, 5%. Again a nice, warm dark finish, he commented on how the subtle orange tones compliment the coffee essence perfectly. We again, both agreed, it could be perfect as a stand-alone drink or with a meal.

It was a real pleasure meeting Toby - his knowledge and passion for the brand as well as his ales is entirely refreshing, while at the same time knowing what the customer expects. If you want a warm welcome as well as a knowledgeable and likeable host, Ye Old Watling is the place to be.

In addition to promoting brewers who push the boundaries in taste and creativity, exclusive highlights during the festival will include a beer launch by British writer, author and presenter Danny Wallace, four beer writer collaborations with Brains Brewery and the launch of a new beer created by the brand’s very own senior cask masters.

Danny Wallace is known to champion the good, old British pub

Working with Danny Wallace – a champion of the traditional British pub - to celebrate the forthcoming launch of his book Who Is Tom Ditto? by Ebury publishing on April 24, Nicholson’s and Truman’s brewery has created Tom Ditto IPA (5% ABV) which will be available exclusively throughout the Nicholson’s Pubs estate, where coincidently two of the pubs – The Bear and Staff and the Dog and Duck – are featured within the book.

The American IPA combines the best of British and US hops including Challenger, Centennial and an experimental hop called ‘Wallex’ to mirror the dual settings of London and New York in the book.  The secondary character in the book - Pia (an anagram of IPA) resulted in a classic pale gold IPA brew, offering hoppy aromas of citrus zest and fresh red fruits.  Full of juicy hoppy flavours it has a refreshing seam of bitterness to balance the malt sweetness.

A nice bit of history

Dedicated to serving great quality ales, Nicholson’s very own team of Senior Cask Masters were challenged to brew their own beer to showcase during the festival. In collaboration with Acorn Brewery in Barnsley they created the flavoursome Dead Good (4.5% ABV) - a Spring blonde ale with a zesty tropical taste, created with a touch of Caramalt for a creamy malt base and well hopped with American Cascade and Crystal hops for a fruity marmalade aroma and a citrusy taste.  Definitely one to try.

As well as proudly serving brewing greats such as St. Austell, Liberation and Ikley, Nicholson’s has pulled together a special showcase of four beer writer collaborations with Brains brewery.  These four beers best highlight the creativity and enthusiasm to deliver interesting and diverse flavours in beer – plus they’re lip-smackingly good. These include:

Boilermaker (6.5% ABV) -  Crowned the ‘Ultimate IPA’ in Brains’ inaugural annual collaboration brew challenge, ‘Thinking Drinkers’ Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham worked with the brewery to produce a Welsh whisky IPA, matured with Penderyn whisky infused oak chips in casks from the distillery, resulting in a complex and fruity beer, with a warming whisky buzz.

Rye Catcher (5.0% ABV) - Winner of the annual Continental Beer Challenge this American rye beer was brewed in collaboration with Glenn Payne.  Using Rye and Rye Crystal malts to provide a spicy malt base and a vibrant copper colour to this beer, it is powerfully hopped with Apollo, Columbus, Amarillo and Citra hops from the USA, producing an assertive bitterness with robust flavours of citrus and grapefruit.

The Solution (6.0% ABV) - Award-winning beer writer Pete Brown collaborated with Brains to produce The Solution – an abbey-style Belgian dubbel traditionally brewed by the Trappist monks of Belgium. Using Munich and Dark Crystal malts, Saaz and Styrian Golding hops and a traditional Trappist Ale Yeast, this dark, full bodied and complex beer is full of rich, fruity plum flavours with a sweet raisin aroma and spicy, warming finish.
 
Three C’son (5.0% ABV) - Beer writer Adrian Tierney-Jones collaborated with Brains for the Continental Beer Challenge to produce Three-C’Son – a traditional farmhouse Saison with an added twist of three American hops – Centennial, Columbus, Citra – giving the name Three-C’Son.  The sweet nose of ripe peach and citrus, a green apple snappiness on the palate and a hint of white pepper combines with an earthy spice from the use of a traditional Saison yeast that is followed by a firm, refreshingly dry finish.

So get yourself down to a Nicholson's where you will find 50 ales and ciders to choose from. And remember to share your thoughts and love for the ale. Tag on Instagram NICHOLSONSPUBS which pubs and ales deserve a thumbs up. #HailTheAle

Tweet @NICHOLSONSPUBS and let the company know which of the Spring Beer Festival ales are delighting your taste buds #NichsBeerFest

Find them on Facebook if you just want to talk beer. Nicholson's would love to hear what you've got to say.

Nicholson's Pubs have the answer to the perils of autumn

It's one of my favourite times of the year.

The time where the cold snap is just starting, and I have to think of ways to keep warm. Which leads me for my annual jaunt to sample the delights of the Nicholson's Autumn Ale Festival.

What better way to warm the cockles than sampling some fine and varied ales.

You are sure to be welcomed at the Nicholson's Autumn Ale Festival

Showcasing some of the best British ales available from October 21 until November 17, as well as exclusive brews available to Nicholson’s across its 77 venues nationwide, it's time to discover why our national drink is becoming more and more popular.

Our love of ale pre-dates all other alcoholic drinks produced in England and ten brewing giants with over a 100 years’ experience including Thwaites, Liberation and Camerons breweries will join a selection of 50 cask ales supplied on rotation. 

You can sample a variety of flavours through a carefully selected range of IPAs, Pales, Traditional, Dark and Speciality brews, in addition to the seasonal ales currently being sold and a choice range of ciders.

The Nicholson’s brothers opened their first pub in 1873. Today the Cask Marque accredited pubs offer iconic and historic settings, providing a real ale pub experience with its unrivalled range of cask conditioned ales. 

As well as pulling pints, Nicholson’s Pubs drive innovation by working with equally impassioned breweries to create new flavours and great tasting exclusive, seasonal ales.

New for the festival will be guest ales from Northern Ireland, plus Portobello Brewery will be creating a brand new and exclusive 7% IPA, just for the festival. 

We met cask master Ben Lockwood in The White Horse on Carnaby Street London to sample some of the delights on offer.And here are our observations:

Broughton, Hopopotamus

ABV: 3.8%

Style: Pale

Colour: Blonde

Taste: Golden, tropical fruits, Grapefruit

Hops: Amarillo, Cascade, Chinook Willamette (US)

Sparkler: Yes

Location: Scottish Borders

Thoughts: A very light and very tasty ale. Could comfortably be a drink for the night, as well as suited for a complement to a meal.

Whale, Pale Whale

ABV: 3.6%

Style: Pale

Colour: Blonde

Taste: Lemon grass, honey, hoppy

Hops: Challenger (UK), Goldings (UK), Cascade (UK)

Sparkler: Yes

Location: Warwickshire

Thoughts: A new addition for Nicholson's, the lemon taste is both refreshing, yet subtle. Again, would complement a meal as an alternative to wine. However, perhaps lack the kick to be one to remember.

There is sure to be plenty to tempt customers

Thwaites, 13 Guns

ABV: 5.5%

Style: IPA

Colour: Pale

Taste: Hoppy, drinkable, distinctive IPA

Hops: Amarillo, Centennial, Citra, Chinook, Kohatu

Sparkler: Yes

Location: Blackburn

Thoughts: Those from Blackburn have got it spot on with this delight. Full bodied and bursting with flavour, this Autumn the 13 Guns is one not to miss out on.

Cameron's Gold Bullion

ABV: 4.3%

Style: Pale

Colour: Golden

Taste: Citrus, Hoppy

Hops: Fuggles, Cascade, Chinook

Sparkler: Yes

Location: Hartlepool

Thoughts: A pure gold coloured, full bodied ale with good hop flavour from a late copper addition of the outstanding North American Chinook hop to give a powerful citrus character. The ale underpins a more robust flavour and mouth feel for greater satisfaction.

Orchard Pig, Explorer BIB

ABV: 4.5%

Thoughts: A hint of farmyard always appeals to me when drinking a cider, that you are drinking the 'real deal.' Then comes the sweet smell of apple bloosom, and the flavours result in a balanced effort that will make you want number two, three, four.....

Want to know more about ale? Feel free to ask the fully-trained Nicholson’s Cask Masters, the company’s specially chosen, enthusiastic experts who can talk through the range in more detail and offer recommendations.

Nicholson’s Pubs will keep its Cask Ale club members up to date with initiatives and exclusive promotions available to them throughout the festival. The club provides news on the new ales available in the market and the initiatives taking place across pubs nationwide. To join visit www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/caskaleclub

The staff will be well trained to match your liking to a perfect pint

To find your nearest pub visit www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk or follow @Nicholsonspubs on Twitter and on Facebook for news updates, events and offers during the festival.

Celebrate everything Spanish - in London!

The market is sure to be a continental affair

As ever with English weather, there's no guarantee of a warm and sunny Bank Holiday weekend.

However there is a promise of one Mediterranean delight that is scheduled to hit London over the long weekend of May 3-6.

The UK’s favourite Spanish wine brand, Campo Viejo is bringing the vibrancy, life and colours of Spain to London’s Southbank Centre with its ‘Streets of Spain’ festival – a four day celebration of modern Spanish food, wine, art and culture unlike anything London has experienced before. 

Running from May 3-6, 10.30am to 7:00pm, the festival promises to bring the bustling energy and tastes of Spain to London by welcoming market stall owners from Barcelona’s world-famous La Boqueria food market to the UK for the first time ever.

Bringing fresh produce and tapas direct from Spain, the event will be the first time people will be able to buy the famous offerings here in London. The festival also impresses with a myriad of authentic Spanish experiences, such as wine tastings straight from the Campo Viejo cellar door hosted by winemakers; art demonstrations by famed street artists Okuda and Remed; films as showcased at the Spanish Film Festival; and authentic Spanish tapas prepared by La Boqueria chefs.

There is bound to be a high-class selection of Spanish meats on offer

Following the daily bustle of the market, the Streets of Spain will transform each evening into an exclusive pop-up restaurant hosted by Michelin-starred Spanish chef, Angel Pascual. The Campo Viejo pop-up experience will offer food and wine-lovers a world-class Spanish menu designed by Pascual, matched with wines from the UK’s favourite Spanish wine brand, Campo Viejo.

The Campo Viejo Streets of Spain festival offers the following colourful Spanish experiences:

Masterclasses:

• Blend your Own Wine: Attendees will have the chance to become a winemaker for an hour.  Our winemakers will explain the fundamentals of a great tasting Rioja, demonstrate what this could look like and then our fledgling winemakers will be able to try it for themselves. The ingredients will include young and aged samples, the key grape varieties and regions of Rioja. Their final blend will then be blended by the winemakers and bottled for them to collect and take home at the end of the day with their own personalised label. Places are very limited.

• Introduction of Spanish Wine: Winemakers will offer information on the Rioja region, Spanish grape varieties and styles, as well as wine busting a few myths and answering all those questions you have always wanted to ask. Attendees will have an opportunity to taste the full Campo Viejo range of red wines including Tempranillo, Reserva, Gran Reserva and its super-premium Dominio de Campo Viejo, together with two Campo Viejo Cavas.

Take home some tips from Spain's famous chefs

• Taste Experience – Looking at how taste influences wine perception: This will be a guide to discovering the effects of basic tastes – acid, sweet, salty, bitter and umami – on tasting different wines using two popular Campo Viejo products; Tempranillo and Gran Reserva. Lucky attendees will be treated to some unusual, controversial but sensational food and wine combinations: red wine and desserts or fish anybody? This session will make you think completely differently about food and wine matching and open your eyes up to the wealth of possibilities.

• Advanced Spanish Wine Masterclass: Campo Viejo Winemakers will host a Tempranillo masterclass, which as the name suggests will immerse attendees into the delights of the noble grape variety of Rioja. Tutored by our experts, attendees will compare wines from different sub-regions of Rioja – including Rioja Baja, Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa – showcasing the diversity and richness of both Rioja and Tempranillo. There will also be an opportunity to try our new vintage; Campo Viejo Tempranillo 2011. Additionally attendees will be able to taste the other Riojan varieties (Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano) and understand the differences between wines aged in French and American oak.

• Spanish breakfasts served daily from 10.45am

Live art experiences:

•  Campo Viejo will partner with two famous artists, Okuda and Remed, at the Streets of Spain event

• They will be creating a live piece of art outside the Southbank Centre inspired by the Campo Viejo brand, and will bring Spanish colour and vibrancy to the Festival Village with a number of 3D installations that will be on display throughout the weekend

Michelin star pop-up restaurant each evening from 7pm to 10:30pm.  To reserve a table, visit the Campo Viejo Facebook page.

•  Five course food and wine match menu for £65 per person

Cinema viewings of celebrated films previewed at the Spanish Film Festival

For more information and to book masterclasses and a table at the pop-up restaurant, visit www.streetsofspain.com where you will find the Streets of Spain tab on the Campo Viejo Facebook page. Also see Twitter at #streetsofspain for more information.

So I shall be keeping my fingers crossed for some decent weather come the Bank Holiday weekend, in the hope that I can experience my own little Spanish summer in the capital. 

Theatre review: Knock Yourself Out

Writer Tom Holloway takes on the role of Roger

Tom Holloway captures the mood of a generation with his spot on portrayal of three graduates as they struggle to find their way in life, in new play Knock Yourself Out, now on at The Courtyard Theatre, Shoreditch.

In this funny, poignant and, at times, dark play, the audience is welcomed into the front room of Roger, Jono and Billy’s student digs as the lads continue to drink, party, take drugs, and generally continue with their hedonistic student lifestyle, with its associated highs and lows, before being forced to face up to reality.   

You witness the nuances of their complicated friendships and love lives, as well as the many and varied consequences of a Jagermeister and fine wine-fuelled game of ring of fire.  It will warm your heart as it takes you back to your own student days, as you sympathise with the plight of these three young men, struggling to work out what to do next.  It may make you yearn for your student days, but a part of you will surely be glad you don’t have to return to those uncertain times.

The cast is superb, with familiar faces from This is England, Spooks, and Hollyoaks.  You can’t help but feel a soft spot for lovable Jono (Joe Sowerbutts) as his heart is played with by Carrie (Jenni Herzberg).  Roger (Tom Holloway) is central to the play, and you will find yourself simulatenously delighting and despairing at his many errors in judgement, and sympathising with his long-suffering flatmates as a result.   

The play will no doubt remind many of their university days

The graduates' love lives are laid bare in Holloway's play

Billy (Paul Tinto) is the much-needed voice of reason in this otherwise somewhat dysfunctional threesome, and the only one attempting to further his education by undertaking a master’s degree.  His brutal Scottish honesty often brings his less realistic friends back to earth with a bump, and you may well cringe as he describes in detail what happened in Amsterdam…!  Ginny (Danielle Watson) and Nicola (Lucy Telleck) enter later into the play, and a burgeoning romance between Nicola and Roger makes you wonder if he’ll be ok after all.

The intimacy of the theatre makes you feel so involved in the characters’ lives, and you can see every expression on every actor’s face as you are so close to the action.  This is an absolute must see but, top tip:  don’t take Granny, unless you are confident that she is comfortable with talk of deviant sexual behaviour and flagrant use of the c-word.

We were treated with excellent hospitality James Warren / Photoshot

Knock Yourself Out is on 7^th – 24^th March at The Courtyard Theatre, Shoreditch.  Tickets £16.50, £12.50 for concessions.

Click here for more information and to book tickets.

Written and produced by Tom Holloway, directed by Becky Catlin.

Feel grand on The Strand

It's not easy to escape the hustle and bustle of The Strand in London, but when you manage to find a nice little gem to relax in, it should be treasured.

And that's exactly what The Coal Hole public house is.

Right on the main through-fare, The Coal Hole is inconspicuous from the outside, but majestic and traditional on the inside. While there is no promise of speedy service at the bar on entering due to its location and popularity with workers as well as tourists, the waiting time lends a chance to admire the surroundings.

The peri peri chicken wings were certainly a sizzling treat

We were met by the welcoming Vitas, who advised us that our table downstairs was ready when we were. I decided to sample a pint of Nutty Black, from the Thwaites Brewery. I was met by a smooth, chocolatey delight, with a slight hint of toffee apple!

Upon finishing my pint, we were showed downstairs to our corner booth table by Vitas, and told that waitress Egle would be looking after us. As she handed our menus over with a cheery smile, I was looking forward to some good old British fare!

The salmon starter was sufficient and fresh-tasting

I decided on the peri peri chicken wings for starter, while my partner went for the smoked salmon with dill. The chicken was suitably seasoned which is often taken for granted, and the meat was tender and juicy. I was left wishing I had gone for the larger portion (£7.95) as for £4.95, could have been more.

My partner commented that the salmon had a lovely flavour, and unlike in some restaurants, it was more melt-in-your mouth than chewy, and the portion of fish was suitable for a starter.

The rich and 'special treat' of venison sausages and mash

After consuming my spicy selection, for main course I plumped, by popular opinion, for the premium line cod fillet. I say popular opinion as the research I carried out prior to this review saw me stumble upon endless recommendations to try this house favourite.

I also decided on a pint of Jaipur ale, from the Thornbridge Brewery, apparently a house special, on the recommendation of Egle. The ale was crisp and refreshing, and seemed like a perfect accompaniment to my fish dish.

Sourced using sustainable fishing methods, the fillet is hand- battered in the company's own Nicholson’s Pale Ale and served with skin on chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce. As a northerner, I like to think I know a thing or two about decent fish and chips (The Wetherby Whaler being a local favourite)

And I had the only complaint I had here was that there wasn't enough chips on my plate! The fish was juicy and the batter cooked to a perfect crisp with no doughy bits in sight. The chips were hot, and the side of mushy peas was must for such a delightful dish.

My partner selected the venison sausages and mash. Three venison and red wine sausages served on
creamy mashed potato, topped off with homemade onion rings and redcurrant jelly. Again, there were no complaints on this one either. The gravy was flavoursome, which added to the rich texture of the fine sausages.

The fish and chips is now recommended by me as well as many other previous diners!

Unfortunately we were too full for dessert, which may have come as a pleasant surprise to Egle as the restaurant was certainly filling up and she appeared to be very busy.

All in all we had no complaints about the food, service or venue, and thoroughly enjoyed our visit to The Coal Hole. However we would like to make some observations.

While not being unique to The Coal Hole, there is a lack of lighter options on the main menu. While this rarely, if ever, affects me, it could be an issue to some. Eating at The Coal Hole, we found, was a bit of a treat. It was a time to ignore 'calorie-content', to kick back with a nice pint of house ale, and rest our weary feet. I would advise when making a booking or eating at this venue to take a similar stance, so as to fully appreciate the fine British food on offer.

Saturday night diners tuck in to some good quality British food

Also, prospective diners/drinkers should be aware that the venue is likely to be busy at most times during the week and at weekends, due to its central location, close to Charing Cross, Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden. So no clicking your fingers here please!

Scores on the doors (out of 10)

Setting -8
Service -9
Quality of food -9
Cleanliness and decor -8

Total score  - 34/40

To make a booking for The Coal Hole, click here

Sleep under the stars

In a UK first, Travelodge has launched a hotel room which will allow customers to sleep under the stars in the comfort of their bed. 

So naturally, being a thrifty northerner and always being a fan of Travelodge due to their competitive place in the hospitality market, I decided I would test out this unusual art.

A secret technique has been used to create a ‘night sky’ at a dozen Travelodge hotels across the country. Each bespoke cosmic panorama has been created by artist Carl Marshall.

Scroll down for video

This isn't me - unfortunately professional camera equipment would be needed to capture the quality of the night sky

Carl and a colleague have artistically transformed a standard white ceiling into a cosmic sky by hand painting individual shooting stars, milky ways and constellations of twinkling stars.  On average it took them three hours to complete one ceiling.     

During the day, the ceilings look plain white but in darkness the stars appear to twinkle and the dust clouds seem to move mysteriously. Whilst the three dimensional effect of the ceiling also appears to fall towards the bed by around three feet, creating a sense of immersion.

Carl Marshall created the ceiling by working in the dark wearing a UV headlight. He covered the ceiling with a base layer of special light-activated paint then used glow-in-the-dark paint that glows blue, green and aqua to add dust clouds, stars and their tails. The paintworks soaks up light during the daylight hours and glows in darkness.

Marshall from Euxton, Lancashire said: "The exact technique I use is a closely guarded trade secret because it is so effective. It is a painstaking process as you have to position the colours perfectly to achieve a three-dimensional effect but the results are definitely worth it.

"The stars twinkle and the dust clouds appear to move as you lie in bed looking at it."

Our visit to the London Central City Road hotel was in February, and unfortunately the gloomy daytime hours affected the quality of the cosmic panorama. The ceiling did come to life at night-time, but unfortunately there were no colours - that is to say it was simply a splattering of 'white stars' above our heads.

On the second day, we ensured that the blind on the window was up early doors until the sun set, hoping that this could affect and bring out the colours, but unfortunately the results were the same as night one.

Our subsequent comments have been received gratefully by Travelodge HQ, with an agreement that the level of light entering the room obviously affects the standard of the night sky. A room containing more than one window would obviously help enhance the artwork.

How a dreary white ceiling can be transformed

        
Travelodge has created the UK’s first night sky panorama hotel rooms in response to findings from its latest sleep study. The hotel chain surveyed 2,000 adults in order to investigate the nation’s most desirable sleeping locations.

Key findings from the study revealed the most desired kipping location for Britons is under a blanket of twinkling stars. Forty two per cent of adults choose a starry night sky backdrop as their most desired sleeping location in contrast to a tropical beach, rainforest and jungle.  

Sleeping by the sea was the second most popular desired kipping spot for Britons followed by a sandy beach in third place.

Delving a little deeper into the nation’s fascination with stars the study also found that that over a half of Britons (52 per cent) think there is something very magical about a starry night.

A third of Britons reported they regularly enjoy looking up to a night sky at bedtime and find counting stars very tranquil and a good sleep aid.

Whilst four out of 10 adults reported gazing up at a starry sky puts them in a romantic mood.           

Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge spokesperson said: "As part of our commitment in helping to ensure our customers attain a good night’s sleep, we are constantly looking at innovative sleep aids. Therefore in response to our latest sleep study, which highlighted Britons most desirable place to nod off is under a blanket of stars, we took the challenge and created the ultimate outdoor sleeping experience indoors.

"Now our customers can gaze into a cosmic night sky of shooting stars, milky ways and constellations of twinkling stars from the comfort of their warm cosy bed.”

Further findings from the sleep study revealed that 28 per cent of British adults would love to sleep under the stars every night because it would help them to nod off easily.

One in 10 Britons would love to transform their bedroom ceiling to a starry night sky so that they can achieve a good night’s sleep. 

The Travelodge cosmic night sky panorama hotel room is available at the following hotels:

• Birmingham Bull Ring Travelodge
• Blackpool South Shore Travelodge
• Bournemouth Seafront Travelodge
• Bristol Central Mitchell Lane Travelodge
• Cardiff Atlantic Wharf Travelodge
• Edinburgh Central Waterloo Travelodge
• Liverpool Strand Travelodge
• London City Road Travelodge
• Manchester Central Arena Travelodge
• Newcastle Central Travelodge
• Newquay Travelodge
• Torquay Travelodge

On summing up, I would say the addition of a cosmic panorama to the standard room are a nice little extra, and when you book your room, it is definitely worth asking if it would be available. However, with teething problems concerning how to maximise its potential, I don't believe it is something you should look to pay extra for, at this stage.

Give the gift of ‘appiness’ this Christmas with CoPilot Live

This Christmas, the ideal gift for those who love their iPhone, iPad or Android device is the award-winning CoPilot Live sat nav app.

A truly useful app which is always to hand, it is perfect for drivers and those who need pointing in the right direction. Being an app, it is a great last-minute purchase and is the perfect accompaniment for any smart devices being given this Christmas.

With CoPilot Live, your loved one can:

• Avoid traffic jams on the way to visit relatives over the festive period, using 12 months free ActiveTrafficTM
• Save on their precious data allowance, as the app downloads the maps onto the device to avoid data charges. No need to worry if there is no network signal, as the app works offline
• Fine-tune routes to avoid or go via certain locations through dragging and dropping on screen
• Never miss a turning again with ClearTurnTM to guide them through complex junctions
• Stay safe on unfamiliar routes as distracting data is hidden from view
• Find their way around on foot or bicycle as easily as by car

So of course, it was only natural to test this app out.

The first positive to note is that once the app has downloaded you get a large choice of 'maps' to download. The wider the geographical region, the larger the download size, so bearing this in mind (and the fact that I have driven abroad once in my lifetime) I selected the GB & I.

It is entirely user-friendly, from the options not to sign in with a specific ID to how specific you want to be with your address. If you only know a postcode, just put that in, and skip the 'street' and 'house number'.

This I like.

There are also options to store your 'favourite' places as home or work, to search for various points of interest, browse map, and also a clever little option called 'PhotoNav'. This is a cracking addition. Basically, such is the capability of the iPhone, when a picture is taken, provided there is some level of internet coverage, it is geotagged. CoPilot can then read this geotagging information and tell you exactly where the picture was taken, and more importantly how to get there. Clever!

On to the journey, which if you're bothered was from High Street Kensington, London, to Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire. I chose to use the 3D map, which while isn't street view, it is certainly clear enough.

As with many sat nav programs, the voice  is rather robotic, but this is obviously less to do with the product and more to do with taste. While it may be robotic, the pronunciation of various roads and streets was spot-on.

A major plus for this product was the advance notice it gives you of directions. A lot of other SatNav programs on Apple devices have a habit of telling you which exit to take on a roundabout when you have already arrived - not good enough when you have Mr angry lorry driver up your backside! I put this down to the satellite co-ordinates received by the app being spot on,. so top marks.

There are plenty of other features you might like to switch to for your journey, such as switching to the speed you're going at or the time remaining, although you will have to choose only two parameters, which is a shame.

Safe and sound at my destination, it was a case of job done, and job done very well. Clear and well-timed directions, warnings for speed cameras (hey, we all do it, don't judge me) and I was a happy traveller!  

Pricing & Availability:

The CoPilot Live apps are available from £24.99 for the UK & Ireland version and from £34.99 for the European version. It is available on all iPhone and Android devices.

What technology reviewers have said:

MSN, Adam Hartley – “CoPilot GPS… beats Google Maps on your phone hands down.”

The Guardian, Stuart Dredge – “CoPilot Live is one of the more established navigation apps.”

More information is available at www.copilotlive.com, on Facebook and Twitter.

Your chance to win the CoPilot app

We’ve teamed up with CoPilot Live to give away two iPhone CoPilot Live Premium UK & Ireland apps. CoPilot Live is the best-selling app that turns your iPhone, iPad or Android into a full voice-guided sat nav.

Features include:

✔ Turn-by-turn voice directions to addresses, hotels and points of interest throughout Europe 

✔ Maps stored on your phone, not downloaded via 3G

✔Powerful route calculation and automatic re-calculation if you miss a turn

✔ Lane indicator arrows and ClearTurn™ display for clear directions at complex junctions ✔ Driver-friendly 3D and 2D driving views with speed-variable zoom and street names

✔ 12 months free Active Traffic service

✔ Navigate to a full UK post code or address book contact ✔ Speed camera warnings included as standard ✔ Speed limit warnings, and much more!

The CoPilot Live apps are available via iTunes and Google Play from £24.99 for the UK & Ireland version and from £34.99 for the European version.

To be in with your chance of winning the app just follow me @reviews_live as well as @copilotlive on Twitter and re-tweet: RT to win a CoPilot Live Premium UK&Ireland App from @reviews_live + @copilotlive http://tinyurl.com/czqq4yc 

Scrumptious food - Made in Mayfair

Mayfair.  Now, I can hardly claim to frequent the area.  It is by no means my stomping ground, and I can't pretend that I would ever be at home in The Ritz.  In fact, if I'm honest, I don't think they'd let me in.  But if you feel the same about this rather upmarket area of our dear capital city, but find yourself lost and in need of a beer and some bloody good pub grub, then fear not!  Take a left down Dover Street and step inside The Clarence.

The Clarence, Dover Street, London

On entering the pub, I was instantly hit by the warm atmosphere, the aroma of mulled wine in the air, and the bustle of people enjoying a few post-work beverages in the run-up to the festive season.  It seemed to be the perfect place for a cosy winter drink, and while you can dine in the bar area, I highly recommend taking the steps upstairs to the restaurant where you can choose from the same menu, but enjoy the benefits and comfort of quieter surroundings alongside impeccable table service.

After catching the sweet and spicy fragrance of the mulled wine in the bar area I'd already decided what my drink for the evening would be; sweetly flavoured and perfectly warm it was a fantastic start to the evening.  My partner took the excellent advice of our server for the evening, Anna, and tried a couple of ales throughout the meal, and all were thoroughly enjoyed.  There is a great selection and, if you are an ale drinker, you should definitely take advantage of the knowledge and expertise of the staff as they will be more than happy to find the right one for you.

We chose a pint of the Nicholson's home ale, and a festive mulled wine

For my starter I went for the smoked Scottish salmon, and what an absolutely great start to the meal.  The salmon was delicately flavoured, and was complemented perfectly by the yummy, salty cornichons (which might not be your bag but have a go, don't be pathetic).  I didn't finish all of the soda bread this was served with this as I found it a little heavy for a starter, but if you have a bigger appetite than me, get stuck in.  My partner went for the crispy squid with garlic mayonnaise; a generous portion and steaming hot with perfectly crispy batter.

The Scottish smoked salmon starter

Crispy squid starter

 My partner didn't hold back on the main and went for the ribeye steak, served with chips and a peppercorn sauce, plus two enormous king prawns to 'surf' it.  This was a proper man-feast and was beautifully cooked, and definitely enjoyed, but it's not a particularly cheap choice, and there are plenty of other delicious options on the menu if you find this one a little pricey. 

The fish basket main course was positively loaded!

I went for the basket of fish, which included cod goujons, scampi, king prawns and calamari, served with chips and tartare sauce.  The fish was really delicious, and beautifully presented in a basket with a stack of crispy chips on the side.  The portion was very generous, but I personally would have preferred a smaller amount, but served with some salad on the side - this came with no garnish at all which, for me, was the only thing I missed.  There is, however, a good selection of sides on the menu, including the house salad or vegetables, but whether you add these in or not, you won't be going hungry!

Dessert was out of the question, much as it pains me to say it, as we were way too full, so I chose to have a pot of tea whilst my partner went for an Amaretto latte (I nicked a bit when he was looking the other way and it was delicious, take it from me). 

Anna gave fantastic service, and was extremely attentive and helpful, and very keen to give assistance and advice.  She is a real credit to the company.

If you are ever in the area I thoroughly recommend a trip to The Clarence.  You will receive a warm welcome and friendly service, as well as some really good quality British pub food.  Then you can round off your evening with a stroll to see the Christmas lights, or perhaps down to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.  Or you can pop next door to Mahiki and pull a celebrity.

This wasn't your usual surf 'n' turf as you can see!

Guest blogger - AB

Click here to make a booking or for more information on The Clarence, Mayfair.

Christmas time, mistletoe and..... ALE!

As a follow-up to the fantastic afternoon sampling Nicholson's ale festival specialities, I was cordially invited to sample the company's Christmas ales one evening at the De Hems Dutch Cafe Bar in Soho London.

Accompanying me on this festive delight was long-time school friend Daniel.

Nicholson’s Pubs celebrates the festive season by producing a selection of seven exclusive Christmas Ales in collaboration with some of the UK’s key top brewers.

The speakers line up to present their Christmas ales

The company’s experienced Cask Masters have specially crafted their own ales, brewed in collaboration with Moorhouse, Oxfordshire, Andwells, Broughton, Sambrooks, Vale and Brentwood breweries and available across over 80 pubs nationwide throughout December 2012. 

So our evening involved tasting the seven specialities on offer, and here they are, with a brief description, our thoughts and ratings!

Ding Dong - but did it make the bells ring?

Ding Dong

ABV: 4.5%
Taste: A warm chestnut beer with a rich marmalade aroma
Brewery: Andwell

This was our first Christmas ale of the evening, and was some start. It had a sweet, dessert flavour, and as oppose to some other ales that promises a flavour it can't really provide, the sweet aftertaste of marmelade was delightful.

Scores

Daniel - 7

John - 8

Meads Must

ABV: 4.7%
Taste: A superb dark ruby red ale with a hint of honey and quince.
Brewery: Oxfordshire

Although higher in ABV content than the first, this ale lacked any kind of bite, and had a rather weak aftertaste. We both deduced that unfortunately it's smell, which was rich and sweet, was better than its taste.

Scores

Daniel -6

John - 5

The representatives from those involved with The Only Way Is Santa  put on an enthusiastic presentation

Five Gold Rings

ABV: 4.8%
Taste: A dark mahogany coloured brew with an aroma of roasted malt, the taste of fruit and subtle spice flavours are followed by a long , warm and slightly bitter finish.
Brewery: Vale

A lovely, warm and spicy ale, a real winter special. This had a good, all-round solid taste which could be felt in between drinks. Although early in the evening, we knew this was going to be up there with the best.

Scores

Daniel -7

John -8

 
London Winter Ale

ABV: 4.6%
Taste: A deep red ale which takes its spicy aroma from a blend of English hops.  With a rich sweet and tangy taste this beer is an ideal accompaniment to steak, venison, game and Christmas Pudding.
Brewery: Sambrookes

Both of us had heard of the Sambrookes brewery, so were pleasantly surprised to hear that it had only been brewing from Battersea since 2008. And with this concoction, they are on to a winner. It had a real chocolatey taste, and we felt was one of the more powerful on the palate of the evening.

Scores

Daniel -8

John -7

Elves Bells

ABV: 4%
Taste: A deep chestnut brown coloured ale, brewed with Maris Otter malted barley and crystal malt to give hints of sweet malt, biscuit and caramel tones.  Balanced by the use of cascade hops to give floral and spice notes on the nose, there is a pleasant full bitterness in the aftertaste.
Brewery: Moorhouse

This was the 'most drinkable' ale of the evening - that is to say it was the one most suited to staying on all night. This may be to do with the alcohol content, but it was also to do with its succinct, dessert taaste, where each of the ingredients were discernable. Also, the fact that is was devoid of sugar added to its popularity!

Scores

Daniel -8

John -8

The Only Way Is Santa

ABV: 5.2%
Taste: A rich ruby beer with a smooth malt character, Willamette hops give this beer spicy, blackcurrant aromas and flavours. Plums and cinnamon have been added to compliment the beers character with a delectably rich flavour and a gentle spice. 
Brewery: Brentwood

The highest ABV of the evening, and also, the joint-highest overall score from our ratings! While Joey Essex and Chloe Simms from TOWIE may not choose this tipple on their night out in the Sugar Hut, Essex should be very proud of this particular concoction (could these characters also be labelled 'concoctions' though??). We were told this ale gives you 'one of your five-a-day' and if five glasses of this sorted that out, then we'll raise our glass to that!

Scores

Daniel -9

John -8

Santa's Oatmeal Stout SOS

ABV: 4.8%
Taste: Bursting with oatmeal and chocolate aromas, this dark brown ale uses a blend of five malts and oats, delivering a mouthful of smooth roasted flavours and a lingering rich taste.
Brewery: Broughton

Certainly one of the liveliest ales on the palate of the evening, and with a lingering taste in the mouth and throat, this finished joint-top in the ratings with The Only Way Is Santa. Again, the flavours mingled exceptionally well, and the aftertaste left us wanting more. It felt as strong as the previous ale, and felt, as we did here, it would be the perfect pint to round off an evening with (and probably start off with too!).

Scores

Daniel -9

John -8

The presentations all came across as genuine and knowledgable

After the presentations from representatives from the various breweries were finished, expertly hosted by British Craft Guild of Beer Writers member and author Melissa Cole, those present were invited to help themselves to the casks of Christmas ales. There was no desire to take advantage of the volume of alcohol on offer - it was the kind of night to enjoy the varied tastes of all the respective ales, chat to others present, and then be on our sober way home.

Well, most of that is true!

For more information on Nicholson's Christmas Ales, visit the website at www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

Nicholson’s offers an historic and distinctive collection of pubs across the UK, with warm and inviting hospitality through its authentic British pub atmosphere.  Delivering quality hearty British classics served with a modern twist, take a break from Christmas shopping and enjoy lunch or dinner at many of the hidden upstairs dining rooms.  Alternatively the festive menus provide a great solution for office get-togethers or groups of friends and family.

Guest ales are expertly matched with dishes from the food menu, or alternatively, experience Nicholson’s equalled passion for fine wine with its impressive cellars containing classics and vintages from the old and new world.