Showing posts with label Asian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asian. Show all posts

Kids Week Theatre Eats

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There is still time to take advantage of Kids Week promotion that runs until September 6th where kids 17 and under go free with a full price paid adult ticket (plus half-price tickets for two additional children).

Family-friendly places to eat close by:

Guys & Dolls (Ages 12+) — The auditorium with wraparound seating is transformed to the streets of Manhattan and bars of Havana. In addition to traditional seating, 'standing' immersive tickets where audience members can be part of the action are available for purchase as well.
Adult + Child from £39.50

Ivy Tower Bridge — Just a minute walk away, Ivy Tower
Bridge is the perfect place to get a bite to eat before the show.  They are currently featuring a special two course menu for £19.17 (Monday - Wednesday 11:30 am - 3 pm and Thursday - Friday 11:30 am - 6:30 pm).  Request the corner table on the patio for the best view of Tower Bridge.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Ages 8+) — While North American productions have been reduced to a single play, London will maintain the original two-part format of the most awarded play in history.
 From £30 / part
www.uk.harrypottertheplay.com ✆ +44 3303 334410
Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 5AY
Tip : Friday Forty — Every Friday 40 tickets are released for every performance the following week for £40 (£20 per part).  The TodayTix lottery closes at 1 pm on Friday and winners are notified by 5 pm. www.todaytix.com

Inamo - Soho — To create a bit of your own magic, book a 5 pm afternoon tea at Inamo - Soho (a 7 min walk from the theatre) between the two parts. Considered London's only interactive restaurant guests control their dining experience, the digital projections on your table surface can be changed with a swipe of a finger, including selecting a tablecloth, ordering, watching the chefs and playing retro games.
 From £19.95 / person
www.inamo-restaurant.com/promos/afternoontea ✆ +44 2078 517051
134-136 Wardour St, London W1F 8ZP

Les Miserables (Ages 13+) — It is the longest running London musical and has been translated into 22 languages and shown in 53 countries. Initially, there were plans for it to be a full-scale opera — luckily this didn't happen.
From £40.50
www.tigerstealive.com ✆ +44 2079 308800
18 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HT
Balthazar — Located in Covent Garden, Balthazar is nearly identical to its original New York location. Their taste of Paris lunch and pre-theatre set menu Join us for a taste of Paris with our delectable Prix Fixe menu, available from £24.50 from Monday to Friday – 11am – 7pm.
www.balthazarlondon.com ✆ +44 2033 011155
4-6 Russell Street, London WC2B 5HZ 

The Tiger Who Came to Tea (Ages 3+) — In its 15th year, this show is an adaptation of the classic picture book by Judith Kerr.  With a running time of only 55 minutes, this Olivier Award nominated production is a perfect introduction to the theatre.
Adult + Child from £19.50
www.tigerstealive.com ✆ +44 2079 308800
18 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HT
Cafe in the Crypt — Across the street from Trafalgar Square is St. Martin’s in the Fields Café located 7 minute walk from the Theatre Royal Haymarket. This 18th century building with its brick-vaulted ceilings is a great place to escape the stream of tourists. They offer a basic afternoon tea minus the fancy cake stand. They also have a good and inexpensive ‘cafeteria’ style lunch.
 www.cafe-in-the-crypt ✆ +44 2077 661158
Duecannon Street, London WC2N 4JF

These combinations are worth trying beyond Kids Week!

Bright Spaces London

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6 top places in London

This time of year is always hard in the UK as the days get shorter and shorter and the sun sets earlier and earlier — leaving less than 8 hours of daylight towards the end of December.

Here are six of my favorite bright spaces in London (all of which just happen to have good food):

The British Museum (London) —
www.britishmuseum.org

Duck & Waffle (London) —


Hutong (London) —
www.hutong.co.uk


Searcy’s at The Gherkin (London) —
Sky Garden (London) —
The Wallace Restaurant (London) —



Next up Bright Spaces Surrey . . .

Wimbledon in full swing

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Snag a seat at this bucket list event

This week marks the official second week of Wimbledon, the oldest and considered one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world.

If you have never been, it is worth a visit and can be done without pre-booking. I have not participated in the ballot, purchased tickets in advance or camped overnight, but instead have always done the Queue. Over the years we have seen some of the top players, including Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, Serena and Venus Williams play on the show courts (Centre Court, Court 1 and Court 2).

Key pages from the 2023 Queue Guide, include:

Page 9
TICKET RESALE
Subject to availability, you can purchase returned Show Court tickets (after 3pm), for £15 for Centre Court and £10 for No.1 Court and No.2 Court tickets, from the Ticket Resale Kiosk north of Court 18 near the top of St Mary’s Walk. The proceeds (net of VAT) from Ticket Resale are donated to the Wimbledon Foundation.
Page 11
TICKET PRICES
There are 500 tickets sold each day for the Show Courts, which people camp overnight for.  Instead of doing this, we have purchased grounds passes and then purchased returned Show Court tickets – we have been able to do this up through quarter finals play.  Basically if people have camped overnight or have been at Wimbledon for the better half of a day, they are ready to go home.  My daughter and I sat at what could be considered '50 yard line seats' less than 10 rows from the net on Centre Court and even got a wave from Serena Williams.

For hints and tips on how to pick which days to go and queue and what time, click here. Not only is it a well-organized and civilized process, they have activities once you get to the main grounds of the queue, such as mini tennis matches for prizes, photo ops, champagne and coffee bars, which makes it eaiser and more pleasant to pass the time.

If you have time, Wimbledon Museum is very well-done and just re-opened after refurbishment last year honor of its 100th anniversary and is limited to Championship ticket holders during the tournament.

Lastly, Wimbledon Village is charming and a lot of the stores will do creative displays during Wimbledon. You can also book a place to eat before or after Wimbledon. Our favorites include Fox and Grapes (pub), The Ivy Wimbledon (reasonably priced-afternoon tea / cream tea and themed cocktails), Megan's Restaurant (breakfast / brunch or drinks) and Sticks & Sushi.

The 136th Wimbledon Championships runs until July 16th.  If you don’t make it this year – there is always next year!
www.wimbledon.com

Pancake Day Specials & More

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Tuesday, February 21st and beyond

Pancake Day is back Tuesday, Febuary 21st. Where to find some of the best specials and most unusual pancakes:

Pancake Day Specials
  • Bill's (Multiple) — All you can eat pancakes for just £7.50. Add unlimited hot drinks from £3.50 or bottomless prosecco from £18.50. They are also giving away a chance to win a year’s supply of pancakes to the customer who eats the most pancakes within 90 minutes.
    www.bills-website.co.uk

  • The Breakfast Club (Multiple) — Finish 12 Pancakes In 12 Minutes and it’s on them. Their special Cherry Chocolate and Violet Cheesecake pancake stack are avaialble for £16 until February 28th.
    www.thebreakfastclubcafes.com

  • Christopher's (London) — Their specials include Cinnamon Roll & Choc Chip Pancake with vanilla ice cream (£20) and chocolate sauce, Lotus Biscoff Pancake Stack with lotus biscoff cream, honeycomb ice cream and cookie crumble (£16.50) or custom build-your-own-pancakes. www.christophersgrill.com ✆ +44 2072 404222
    18 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7DD

  • Riding Horse Cafe (Multiple) — Three different varieties of all-you-can-eat pancakes for £18.
    www.ridinghouse.cafe
Pancakes from Around the World Pancake Race
While some of these stacks won't last, you'll still be able to try many of these year-round!

Celebrate Harry Potter’s Birthday

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July 31st

July 31st marks the birthday of the fictional character Harry Potter. Along with events that take place in the movie on this date, it also happens to be the birthday of author J. K. Rowling.

Four ways to party in Potter style:

The Making of Harry Potter — Opened in 2012, Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden located 20 miles outside of London is a behind the scenes permanent exhibit complete with authentic costumes, sets and props.  A shuttle bus runs between Watford Junction station and the Studio Tour.
From £49.95
www.wbstudiotour.co.uk ✆ +44 2034 277777
Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden WD25 7LR


Platform 9-3/4 — Located at Kings Cross Station as featured in the movie, the site also features the first Harry Potter Shop in the world.  Take a photo with Hogwarts scarf or purchase a professional one they take.
Free
www.kingscross.co.uk/harry-potters-platform-9-34 ✆ +44 2078 331137
Kings Cross Station, London N1 9AP



Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — While North American productions have been reduced to a single play, London will maintain the original two-part format of the most awarded play in history.
 From £15 / part
www.uk.harrypottertheplay.com ✆ +44 3303 334410
Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 5AY
Tip : Friday Forty — Every Friday 40 tickets are released for every performance the following week for £40 (£20 per part).  The TodayTix lottery closes at 1 pm on Friday and winners are notified by 5 pm. www.todaytix.com

Inamo - Soho — To create a bit of your own magic, book a 5 pm afternoon tea at Inamo - Soho (a 7 min walk from the theatre) between the two parts.  Considered London's only interactive restaurant guests control their dining experience, the digital projections on your table surface can be changed with a swipe of a finger, including selecting a tablecloth, ordering, watching the chefs and playing retro games.
 From £22.95 / person
www.inamo-restaurant.com/promos/afternoontea ✆ +44 2078 517051
134-136 Wardour St, London W1F 8ZP

Celebrate Chinese New Year

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Beginning January 31st

For the second consecutive year, London's Chinese New Year celebrations have been scaled back. As the largest one outside of China and considered a kickoff to the tourist season, it is a sign that the pandemic is still holding on. Despite this, there are still creative ways to ring in the Year of the Tiger:

London's Chinatown (January 31st 5 pm - 10 pm) — Small lion dance and night market in Newport Place, Soho with screens showing pre-recorded performances.

BAO (Until February 13) — Order one of their lucky classic or daikon buns to automatically receive a red envelope with a prize inside. Prizes range from £5 vouchers to spend at a digital supermarket, crates of beer and even a chance for a bao a day for 2022. There are also featuring a limited edition tiger-striped bun filled with chocolate.
www.baolondon.com

Hakkasan (Until February 15) — The only Michelin-rated Chinese restaurant in London, Hakkasan, will feature a special Chinese New Year meal complete with Tiger-themed decor. £118 / person www.hakkasan.com

Light Festival (Until February 27th) — Six installations will be on display at Battersea Power Station, including Digital Origami Tigers by LAVA (Laboratory for Visionary Architecture). The larger than life tigers are based on traditional lantern-making techniques combined with today's technology.
www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk

While Chinese New Year officially ends February 15th, you can enjoy the the restaurants and shops in London's Chinatown year-round — Happy New Year 新年快乐 (Xīn Nián Kuài Lè)!

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Best of 2020 — Part II

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Top 10 posts — Part II

The best of the best from 2020

5. Eat Out to Help Out— Discounts at 73,000+ restaurants in London and Surrey
www.londonviasurrey.com/2020/08/eat-out-to-help-out.html

4. Pompeii of the North — You don’t have to leave England to get a taste of Pompeii
www.londonviasurrey.com/2020/02/pompeii-of-north.html

3. Open for business — Surrey restaurants and shops
www.londonviasurrey.com/2020/04/open-for-business.html

2. Chelsea Flower Show Virtual Views — World’s most famous flower show opens online
www.londonviasurrey.com/2020/05/chelsea-flower-show-virtual-views.html

1. Now showing on Netflix — Run down of British-inspired shows worth watching
www.londonviasurrey.com/2020/10/now-showing-on-netflix.html

As we bid 2020 a fond farewell — cheers to the New Year ahead!

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Eat Out to Help Out more

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Scheme extends into September

While the UK government's restaurant industry initiative Eat Out to Help Out officially concludes August 31st, some restaurants are extending the 50% discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks for up to £10 in September, including:

Aqua Kyoto, Aqua Shard, Hutong (London) — £10 off per person (minimum spend £30 / person) Monday through Wednesday

Bill’s (Multiple) — One course for £10 or two courses for £14.50 from their set menu after 11:30 am Monday through Wednesday

Darwin Brasserie & Fenchurch (London) — 50% off (up to £10 off per person) food and soft drinks in lunch and dinner in Darwin (Tuesday, Wednesday) and in Fenchurch (Friday, Saturday)

The Gilbert Scott (London) — Set menu with a cocktail for £25 or 50% off anything from their a la carte menu and soft drinks Monday through Wednesday

Peggy Porschen (London) — 50% off all food and non-alcoholic drinks breakfast, brunch or tea-time Monday through Wednesday

These are just a few of the 84,000 restaurants that participated in the original inititiave where 64 million meals were consumed in the first three weeks alone.

Hope the extended offers will tempt people to keep eating out!

For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

Eat Out to Help Out

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Discounts at 73,000+ restaurants

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in August, the UK government is supporting the restaurant industry with its initiative Eat Out to Help Out. Over 73,000 cafés, pubs and restaurants from major chains to Michelin-starred* eateries are participating. The offer is good for 50% discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks for up to £10. Some special offers include:

Aqua Kyoto, Aqua Shard, Hutong (London) — These restaurants will also offer £10 off any bottle of wine priced at more than £40.

Barrafina (London) — Spanish tapas for £4.50 instead of £9.

Bill’s (Multiple) — Set menus two courses £15.50/£19.95 or three courses for £19.95/£24.95 will come with a free glass a wine.

Carluccio’s (Multiple) — 50% off all food and non-alcoholic drinks plus £10 off all bottles of wine with no £10 cap applied.

Dishoom (London) — 50% off all Indian dishes (starting at £3.45, usually £6.90) with no £10 cap applied.

Great Fosters* (London) — Afternoon tea £25 (usually £35) or Champagne afternoon tea for £37.50 (usually £47.50)

Hawksmoor (Multiple) — 300 g rump steak with chips and sauce for £10 instead of £20

Ivy Collection (Multiple) — Two courses for £8.75 or three courses for £11 between 11:30 am – 6 pm (usually £17.50 and £21).

Padella (London) — Italian pasta dishes £2 – £5.75 (usually £4 – £11.50).

Pollen Street Social* & Social Eating House* (London) — Two-course prix fixe menu Tuesdays and Wednesdays at lunch and between 6 – 6:30 pm for £12.

A website has been setup so you can easily search for your favorites by post code. There is no better time to eat out – if you are ready to venture out!

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London Restaurant Festival

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World Class Dining October 1 - 31

Since 2008, the capital city has hosted the London Restaurant Festival (October 1-31). This year's month-long festival will feature 60 events and exclusive menus at 250 restaurants.

Highlights include Chef-hosted Lunches, Restaurant-Hopping Tours and Champagne Gourmet Odysseys. While many of these are already sold out, there are still reservations available at some of the best restaurants in the city. In partnership with OpenTable, the restaurants have been cleverly grouped by themes, including London Legends, Amazing Spaces, Avant Garde, Flights & Pairings, London with a View and Talk of the Town.

Some my favorites with specially-priced menus include:


  • Coq d’Argent Restaurant - Game Tasting Menu 5 courses £60
  • Floral by Lima - 8 dishes to share & a pisco sour £40
  • Galvins at Windows - 3 course Menu Prestige & a glass of Bellini £82
  • Hakkasan - 2 courses & glass of wine £30
  • Hawksmoor - 2 courses & a choice from 3 cocktails £30
  • Hotel Café Royal - Champagne Afternoon Tea £55
  • Inamo - 4 dishes & 2 drinks £29
  • Launceston Place - 8 course tasting menu & wines for 2 £298
  • Leicester Square Kitchen - Lunch & Pre-theatre menu 3/4 dishes £22/£27
  • Sanderson - Tipsy Evening Tea: £58
  • Skylon - Pre-or Post-theatre 2 courses £25, 3 courses £30
  • Ting Restaurant - 4 course menu & a glass of champagne £40
Even if you managed to eat out three times a day - it would take you over 2-1/2 months to get to all the restaurants on the list. Regardless of how many you get to, at least you'll have fun trying!
www.www.londonrestaurantfestival.com


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Beaverbrook

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Quintessential English luxury country house hotel

Located less than 20 miles outside of London and set on 400 acres between Leatherhead and Dorking, Beaverbrook is the quintessential English luxury country house hotel complete with golf club. Prior home of Lord Beaverbrook, legendary newspaper publisher (Daily Express and Sunday Express)and one of Britain’s most influential 20th century leaders.

The Garden House features 11 bedrooms and a British-Italian inspired restaurant, while the Main House has 18 bedrooms and a Japanese restaurant headed up by Maruyama Taiji, former Nobu chef – not surprisingly some of the best sushi we have had. Fresh ingredients for dishes are sourced from the Kitchen Garden.
Enjoy pre-dinner drinks in the 1920s inspired Parrot Bar or on the terrace of the late-Victorian mansion that boasts stunning views of the Surrey Hills. Rooms are named after famous guests including Winston Churchill, Joe and Rose Kennedy, Rudyard Kipling, Wallis Simpson and Elizabeth Taylor and are creatively and tastefully decorated by Susie Atkinson, designer behind Soho House.

Amenities aside, the staff could not be friendlier and customer-service focused – a treat in and of itself. With onsite cinema, cookery school, private dining options and tennis courts – along with health club, pools and spa to come, you may find the most difficult choice you have to make is whether to go home or not!

www.beaverbrook.co.uk ✆ +44 1372 571300
Beaverbrook, Reigate Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8QX

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