Fantastic restaurant and bar, very popular and full of locals so get there early. Lovely atmosphere, good food, reasonable prices, limited but satisfying menu including vegitarian option. Proper Venetian feel with uncomplicated service - not fleecing tourists.
Calle del Pistor 3912, Near Ca' d'Oro, Cannaregio
The perfect place for a late afternoon or evening drink is from one of the terrace cafes by the castle overlooking Zante town. Great view and you can see the lights of the town twinkling and the whole bay stretching before you.
There's a beautiful little church there which isn't always open, but if it is take a look inside at the gilding and chandeliers - it's a favourite for weddings and christenings.
You can also climb the cobbled lane up to visit the stone Venetian fortress perched on the hill. There's a rather trendy nightclub on the way up if you want to mix with the beautiful people.
Take a taxi or drive up the hill at the back of Zante town and follow the signs - there's a big car-park nearby.
This is a lovely vegan restaurant in a red double decker bus. Food is brilliant and the staff are very friendly!
Elys Yard, just off Brick Lane
www.root-master.co.uk
La Mariposa is a bodegas and tapas bar serveing very good wines, beers and soft drinks at very very good prices. You are also given a tapas with every drink ordered. It is run by a young friendly couple from Cadiz and the food they serve is from that area of Spain. It gets very busy as it is used by the local population, so there is aways a very friendly family atmosphere.
Calle Almirante Ferrandiz (Cristo),124
29780 Nerja, Malaga.
Tel,:627 504 840
647 982 916
Another outstanding find in one of our inner city suburbs is Olives. Situated in the busy strip of Martin St (highway end) Olives was a great place for us to have a family dinner for Mothers Day last Sunday.
Olives' menu gave us a large number of choices for dinner, with most of the menu seafood/mediterranean based. Us meat eaters (and vegetarians) are also well catered for with special menu offerings.
A reasonably priced wine and drinks list is also offered for diners. Service was efficient and friendly with wait staff able to offer menu recommendations when asked. All in all, a nice evening out was had by all.
162 Martin Street
Brighton 3186
Ph: 9530 8884
100m from Gardenvale Station
www.olivesrestaurant.com.au/
Google map: tinyurl.com/ps6xf5
This is a totally preserved preVictorian stone and slate village around the shores of Kames Bay with a lifestyle of 50 years ago. Langoustines are caught here. Kames Castle at one end has period holiday cottages in the Estate. There is a small marina, highly eccentric ancient golfcourse, old tramtrack to Ettrick Bay - a great bit of sand with 200 seals, two pubs, fish and chips, Post Office/shop, a Petanque piste and a Russian Tavern run by Russians serving Russian specialities and Russian beers, wines and vodkas. They have four guestrooms too.
The scenery of seascapes, mountains, forest and islands is simply spectacular. Curlews, oyster-catchers and seals share the beach while wild deer graze the golfcourse. This is a very peculiar place to find in the UK!
Ferry to the Isle of Bute from Wemyss Bay (pronounced "weems") on the A78 between Greenock and Largs at the mouth of the River Clyde. Trains direct to Wemyss Bay from Glasgow and either Glasgow Airport. Ferry every 45 minutes, ferry time 35 minutes.
delicious.com/RogerMortimer
www.butehotel.com
www.portbannatynepetanque.org.uk
www.kamescastlecottages.co.uk
Surrounded by wooded hills and vine covered slopes, this rural agri is perfect for foodies and families alike. Breakfast on home-made preserves, tarts and local cheeses while taking in the views across to the wonderful medieval town of Sassetto.
The evening meal was our daily highlight, the friendly owner and his family served up delicious and unusual regional dishes always with an equally tasty veggie option. We chatted over plentiful supplies of the local wine at communal tables under the stars while the kids hunted in the grounds for wild boar and fireflies.
www.agriturismo.it/SantaLorica
65 euros per night per person half board
40 mins drive from the etruscan coast and nearest station and 1 hour from pisa airport
Situated just an hour or so drive from San Francisco, the Napa Valley is a wine and food lovers heaven. Incredible eateries and divine vineyards abound in this Californian idyll.
Napa has a vast range of wineries to choose from whether it be small and personal or the large vineyard that does escorted tours.
No trip would be complete without a visit to Yountville where Thomas Keller’s restaurant The French Laundry reigns supreme. But be warned you have to book two calendar months in advance to get in. We tried and failed miserably, so if anyone reading this can let us know about their dining experience it would be jealously appreciated.
We did, however, get a table at Keller’s Bistro also in Yountville - Bouchon and that made up in some way for our disappointment as it was superb! It is a more casual dining experience with a fun and flirty atmosphere. The menu is very much French bistro inspired with moules frites and huîtres featuring prominently. The poulet aux petit pois à la Français was simple and delicious and the braised pork cheek was declared a masterpiece. As we were celebrating birthdays, complementary signature desserts of tarte au citron and chocolate brownie ‘Bouchons’ were a welcome ending to the evening.
There are so many dining venues in Napa that you can be spoilt for choice. Local deli's with first class cheese, wine and cured meats. Fantastic breads baked on the properties with everything to go! So why not grab a picnic and take a seat in the Yountville market area. It is beautiful, with sparkling fountains and tucked away benches perfect.
If something a little more daring is your thing, then Napa Valley Aloft offer dawn balloon rides over the valley - weather permitting of course. It is incredibly serene to be floating two thousand feet over the vineyards one minute and then barely skimming the vines the next with the only noise coming from the burners used to keep us aloft. It was testament to our pilot Laura’s skill that she managed to put us down safely in a handkerchief sized field in the middle of acres of vines. A memorable experience followed by a champagne breakfast with your new found friends and fellow passengers.
There are plenty of top quality B&B's, Inn's and resort hotels to choose from for your stay. The River Terrace Inn is one of these, do choose the balcony rooms overlooking the river and take your morning coffee whilst enjoying the peace and quiet as the river gurgles by.
No trip to Napa would be complete without experiencing the Wine Train. A three hour lunch or dinner trip taking in the breathtaking vistas of the local countryside. Or, how about kayaking on the river or a trip to the Jelly Belly Gourmet bean factory? It’s not just about wine!
Napa old town has a number of mentionables too. The Oxbow Public Market has a wonderful cheese and wine tasting emporium. Run by Peter Granoff you can sit at the large bar area take a carafe of your favourite tipple and pair it with a platter of cheeses, salamis, fresh made pickles and fresh baked bread – sheer heaven. They also have Kara's Cupcakes, an Oyster bar and much more.
Pay the Bounty Hunter a visit too; it’s where the locals eat so it must be good. Speciality wines by the glass or bottle and incredible barbecued meats served at trestle tables, perfect for getting to know your neighbour.
Coles Chop House is an award winning American Steakhouse that serves some of the best Dry Aged Beef you will ever eat coupled with delicious cocktails.
There is an awful lot more to Napa then you can possibly fit in, in just a day or two. With breathtaking scenery, friendly locals and visitors alike and a diverse range of activities to suit all tastes and budgets. It is a wrench to leave this gorgeous area. They say you leave your heart in San Francisco, I left mine in Napa. I hope to return soon and claim it back.
Glastonbury festival has something for everyone. Particular favourites of mine are the tiny tea tent because you can relax in a yurt or on wooden hand crafted furniture while drinking any kind of tea or chai under the sun. Also Henry's Beard cafe in the Green fields has yummy vegetarian curry which is hearty and warm making it a great choice when cold and wet.
Despite being brand new, it's a very well run place. Fabulous decor and excellent food. Reasonably priced given the quality. Filet of beef with foie gras mousse 13 Ls. Offered Champagne by glass (5.5 Ls). Lots of seafood and fish in the menu.
The array of seafood ranges from Mediterranean octopus carpaccio or seafood and sesame seaweed salad to steamed turbot with cauliflower puree, basil sauce and tomato tartar ‘to die for’. The results are simply executed, gently sauced and super-fresh.
There are meat and vegetarian alternatives alongside the seafood and a more informal menu is available in the bar.
24, Jauniela
www.lecrabe.lv
+371 67212416
After a fantastic walk through a limestone gorge, the restaurant El Ventorro is situated next to a lake with a great terrace and delicious food cooked on open fires.
Next to the restaurant is their new, Moroccan style spa with swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room and plunge pool. You can take the day to walk there, relax in the spa then have a fabulous lunch before heading back to Alhama.
El Ventorro Restaurant
Alhama de Granada
Don't be put off by the formica tables and cheesy prints, for Chinese food in Glasgow this is the real deal. One of the few places in UK where you can discuss your meal with the waitress. Forget sweet and sour chicken - it's not that kind of place. Be prepared to wait in a queue on Friday and Saturday nights.
185 St Georges Road G3 6JD
0141 332 8828
Superb four star hotel just opened last month. It's located at the end of Princes Street which is a great city centre spot. Facilities include pool, gym, bar and restaurant, rooms are brand new with all modern gadgets, wi-fi throughout. The bar is a trendy hangout to see and be seen in. For some of the best shopping in Scotland turn right onto Princes Street when you exit.
Tel: 0871 288 1208
www.apexhotels.co.uk/hotels/edinburgh-waterloo-place/
It's 34 years old, in the middle of no where, it's a festival of bagpipe makers and it's blooming fantastic! Cheap as chips, where the euro-hippies hang out for some folky fun. Sleep all day in the shade of the chateau, hang out at the evening gig or catch all the wannabes busking. However it's after dark this festival comes alive - stay up all night to watch belly dancing, Balkan street bands and who knows what while drinking cheap wine and eating merguez sausage. I've yet to find a British festival which is as much fun for relatively little outlay, even including the journey. So good I took two minibuses of friends (32 people) a couple of years ago!
www.saintchartier.org Comité George Sand
7 avenue George Sand
36400 La Châtre - France
TEL +33 (0)2 54 48 60 60
FAX +33 (0)2 54 48 21 29
info@saintchartier.org
Sublime, supreme, superb... are just a few things I can think of to describe this latest addition to the worldwide neo-Japanese restaurant chain.
Located in the lobby of the Waikiki Parc Hotel, Nobu provided us with one of our best all time dining experiences anywhere in the world.
I recommend the Yellowtail sashimi to start with Black Pepper Cod with Balsamic Teriyaki to follow... sumptious. Not cheap but an unreal dining experience. The service is also unbelievably good.
ground floor
Waikiki Parc Hotel
2233 Helumoa Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
phone: (808) 237 6999
www.waikikiparc.com/dining
/nobu/
www.noburestaurants.com/waikiki/index.html
Littlehampton is a pretty little town just a two-hour drive away from London. This is the perfect destination for a family outing. It’s got tradition, entertainment and beautiful scenery for the loveliest getaway break. It has been a port since Roman times portraying the historic side of this resort. It doesn’t just have this traditional side because it holds a very modern nightlife. Although it may not be the liveliest it’s definitely worth checking out. The gorgeous beach spreads out to be a wondrous aspect of the town and during popular holidays it can be hard to find a spot. There are always beach chalets to rent which are lined across some of the beach. The harbour is another must see part of Littlehampton and its limits stretch to six miles. I love to walk down this harbour because of the amazing scenery and the interesting sites along the way down. For more fun you can go to the oyster pond. It acquired its name because the fishermen used to store large amounts of oysters in the pond. It was converted into a boating pond in the late 1870s which will entertain the kids. If your feeling peckish there is no need to look elsewhere as it holds many popular fish and chip shops reaching up to five stars. In my opinion is the best way to end a summer’s afternoon in the happy town of Littlehampton.
Address:
Littlehampton Town Council,
Manor House,
Church Street,
Littlehampton,
West Sussex,
BN17 5EW
Telephone: 01903 732063
Email: ltc@littlehampton-tc.gov.uk
It's a lovely place to just chill out with your friends and family. It's big, relaxing and beautiful. As you step onto the deep, warm sand you feel as though you are in heaven because of the elegant sinkable sand. I have been to lots of local shops, amusement stores and some amazing restaurants. There's something for everyone. It's the no.1 place to be during the holidays so why not give it a try!
Address: Camber Sands Holiday Park
Address 2: New Lydd Road
Town: Camber, Near Rye
County: East Sussex
Postcode: TN31 7RT
Country: United Kingdom
Website: www.gocaravanning.com/parkresorts
GP is a new place on the Waikiki Beackwalk which reminds me of the sports bar/deli setups shown in some of the USA TV series. Plenty to eat, drink and lots of large plasma TV screens to watch baseball, basketball, soccer or whatever ESPN is showing. A good place for a quick snack (the pizza is very good). GP serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from early 'til late. Service is good and the waiters chatty.
227 Lewers ST
Waikiki Honolulu
ph 808 923 2100
www.giovannipastrami.com/index2.html
Superb food and service at this grand old dame of Waikiki are what you get when you enter here. The location of the beachouse just adds to the occasion. This is dining out in Hawaii at its finest. Cheap it is not but it is worth it!
Beachside of the lobby of the Moana Surfrider Hotel -
2365 KALAKAUA AVE • (808)923-2861
www.beachhousewaikiki.com/
Big Burgers? yes
Big Cheeseburgers? yes
Big bowls of chips? yes
Onion rings? yes
Salads? yes
Never ending glasses of Coke? yes
If you are hungry when you go upstairs to the latest Cheeseburger restaurant in the Hawaiian Islands, you won't be when you leave!
Upstairs in the new Beachwalk area in Lewers St, Waikiki a few steps beachside of the Kalakaua/Lewers Intersection (entry via the escalators)
Phone: 808-924-5034
cheeseburgerland.com/Users/Cheeseburgerland/Home.html