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Planning summer holidays can be somewhat frustrating, especially if you are planning to visit a new place and are not sure if it will become a memorable experience or a huge disappointment. While planning our summer break driving through France my husband came across a place called Lameloise, which is a Relais and Chateaux property and a Michelin restaurant under one roof. It looked really promising….

We arrived in Bourgogne around 7 pm, tired and frazzled from a long drive from London but driving through this picturesque part of France our tiredness seemed to disappear a little, mixed with sunshine, giggles and familiar names of vineyards that we were passing by.  Chagny en Bourgogne is small but very cute village?/town and we parked the car just in front of the hotel, right next to the little town’s square and bistro.

Staff came out, taking our luggage and guiding us in, where everyone was smiling, the decor was dignifyingly cute and we were very swiftly shown to our room, which overlooked the already mentioned square and had the most gigantic bed I have seen in my life .)

We refreshed ourselves, got dressed and descended downstairs, were we were the only people with a toddler-or child-in the beautiful Michelin starred restaurant. From then on a truly memorable experience took place.    

Every amuse bouche, every morcel  and every dish-and I do mean EVERY-was truly memorable. My son had the most delicious Bresse chicken breast together with souffle potatoes-both my husband and myself tried it, in the name of research, of course-every bite was delicious and my son polished the whole, adult sized portion with such relish, we weren’t the only people in the room smiling at him. His chicken was cut for him by the attentive waiter and my husband was laughing, telling him not to get used to such treatment at home.

I had a beautiful Tarte de pommes (apple pie) for dessert while my husband indulged in one of his favourites, which doesn’t appear on the menu of most very good restaurants often-Crepes Suzettes. When we walked back to our room my husband all but managed to say that it was the best dinner he had in the last 5 years or so-a high but truly deserved accolade indeed !!!!

We slept comfortably and in the morning had a really nicely laid out breakfast, which my son managed to combine with the flirting with an elderly lady whop was having breakfast with her husband, sitting next to us-it amused us and charmed the lovely lady.

I really didn’t want to leave but we did, armed with cool water bottles, kindly provided by the hotel’s staff for our outward journey-truly, that stay couldn’t have been any better and we definitely will return there again, for the sheer pleasure that we got on all fronts.   

 http://www.lameloise.fr/

I have to admit that I have been somewhat lazy lately, because it’s the family’s summer break and I want to unclutter and refresh my brain and my body.

This year the price for car rentals has been so stupidly steep-twice as much as last year for the same vehicle that I said a firm ‘no’ and we decided to drive via France and Spain in our own car and so far, it has been a good choice. I didn’t like Eurotunnel-too hot and claustrophobic but the rest of the drive was pleasant and we were very, very lucky with traffic.

One of the places we decided to stay overnight is a well-known bolt hole and is called Bastide de Marie in Luberon. Luberon has been put firmly on the map a few years ago by Peter Mayle, much to the locals annoyance and his own….-later.

Our close friends really like Bastide de Marie and thought it would be a good idea to have dinner with the kids there. I had a really romantic notion of the place, based on the stories of my girlfriend and the cover story of Marion Cotillard of the recent edition of American Vogue was shot there too. So, we arrived and were met by closed gates and our surname was demanded in order for us to drive in. So far, so James Bond.

The staff wasn’t particularly welcoming-they were more like annoyed hosts, who didn’t expect you to come. The room that we had was cute, but the windows were tiny and there wasn’t much natural light-and who likes artificial lightning during the day? The bath has seen better days and the bed creaked, even if you simply touched it’, let alone got frisky with you other half.

We walked around the grounds-pretty, but I have seen better in other French hotels, and explored the ‘inside’ of the hotel, which is very quaint and charming, rustic French with beautiful furniture, antiquities, paintings and cute objects d’arts.

There were lots of people with kids-French kids are so orderly it’s almost like they are the old souls, reflective and well-behaved. Dinner time arrived and we settled around a little table on the outside and had drinks and plates of local charcuterie, breads and olives. The menu was limited to two choices each for starter, main course and desert and it took ages before we were sat down at the table-and we did make a booking in advance, as ours was a big party. It took another hour for the food to start materialising, by which time we were all seriously hungry-thankfully kids had the bread and salty butter ‘on board’, so weren’t too grumpy, unlike their tired parents.

 I could hardly believe my eyes when my main course-the fish arrived-it was so tiny it probably took one bite to finish it and obviously, I was hungry. My husband’s pork chop was huge and meaty and he devoured it with gusto and by the time we were done and ordered deserts, it was getting late and even older kids were getting tired. By the time desert was presented it started raining, so staff, very orderly and fast on this occasion-for a change, transferred us all inside-my verveine tea never found me again, so even though desert was good, I went to bed greatly disappointed.

Shall I even bother to tell you that breakfast was highly disappointing too-you had to cater for yourself, as the staff was mostly absent than present. And so were most of the mums, mostly likely taking advantage of the swimming pool and spa, while slightly dissheveled dads ran after their orderly and lovely kids.

All in all, I couldn’t wait to leave and drive to Spain as for me, on this occasion, the so-called reputation didn’t transfer into quality and enjoyment. However, in a later post, I will tell you about the most wonderful place we visited before we came to Luberon, so vive la France, full of gastronomic surprises .)

Women are known to have a sweet tooth-some men have it too-but all too many of us are aware that sweet staff tends to go on our waist lines, so what does a girl have to do? One of the things that works for me is high quality chocolate, eaten in moderation-well, if the chocolate is really good, you wouldn’t eat too much of it anyway, I promise you .) 

My recent favourite chocolatier is called William Curley and I popped into his shop a few months ago, after having had a sinful lunch at the Poule Au Pot, which is almost opposite it.

Mr Curley has worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants, including Le Manoire aux Quatre Saisons and La Tante Claire and lately he has been ‘championed’ by none other than Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, who I am sure knows quite a bit about good food and good wine!

The shop in Ebury street is light and airy and has light wood cupboards full of goodies, plus a nicely set out area to have coffee, hot chocolate, truffles or various pastries on offer. But the true gem in this shop is the chocolate and boy, will you be spoilt for choice.

You can try various truffles, my favourite so far are Framboise, Japanese sake or Jasmine or Couture Chocolates-Sea Salt caramel is to die for, but give Blackcurrent & Juniper berry, Apricot & Wasabi, Rosemary & Olive oil or Thyme & Scottish Honey a try.

Last week I went to the shop & bought a box of Spiced Hot Chocolate-I was told that they do 40g of hot chocolate to 130 mls of milk in the shop but if you and milk don’t get on, try making it with water and the beauty of the chocolate will give you immense pleasure on a dull and grey afternoon.

P.s If you like Chocolate & Perfume, the Ebury street shop will be hosting a ‘chocolate & perfume pairing’ eventon Monday, 26th of July together with Robert Gorman from Miller Harris perfume. You will be able to experience chocolate & fragrance pairings while drinking champagne and eating homemade canapes. Who said you can’t combine business and pleasure?

www.williamcurley.co.uk

I have always travelled widely with my parents while living in the UK but has been a little bit lazy since I got married. Not in terms of travel, but in terms of venturing our of London and looking for interesting places to stay or eat and it’s a great shame, because there are lots of precious jewels that are just waiting to be discovered. The Marquis in Kent in just one of those.

 The Marquis is hidden in the rolling hills of the valley (beware, the mobile reception can be bad at times!) and you feel like you are truly in rural England or even rural France (almost!). The hotel has five rooms (each individually decorated) and two cottages that overlook the vineyard (which are a further 5 minutes drive or a short walk) that can be rented. The staff is young and charming and the whole place just breaths ease and charm, so you do want to linger or stay instantly.

We had dinner with the kids on Sunday there and the food was delicious and the staff helpful with suggestions. Children chose to have Sunday roast and even though their portions were supposed to be ‘child’ size they were quite large- not that the kids had any complaints. Dare I mention that the size of Yorkshire pudding equalled the sun?

 Adults had starters and the main course and my girlfriend and I cleared our plate that had guinea fowl and truffled sausage with gusto-just this alone is worthy of the Marquis visit! Dessert was also a scrumptious affair and kids loved the cocktail of cranberry juice and elderflower cordial. The atmosphere is very laid back but the service is efficient so we are already planning our next visit and our friends have already ‘repeated’ the experience since our Sunday lunch together.   

http://www.themarquisatalkham.co.uk/

Last week was supposed to be easy, doing the errands, writing, amusing my son and visiting family and then on Thursday I was supposed to go to Paris! The visit was planned in advance, I had a ‘maybe’ coffee date with someone who I wanted to meet for a while, a romantic dinner booked, a ‘date’ with friends whom I haven’t seen for ages and a ballet evening with Baryshnikov (who I adore and the post on which I will write separately)….But as always, life had other ideas…..

The trip had to be cancelled and a trip to the hospital had to be made instead. Tiredness kicked in when things improved and then sadness creeped in, when I realised that the weekend isn’t going to turn out how I really wanted… But then I paused and thought to myself that whatever happens in life, happens for the better-this is very, very Russian philosophy by the way!- and things will get better. And you know what? Things did turn around.

I did go to Paris, if only overnight. I saw friends with whom we haven’t kept in touch for a while and now are building a new dialogue. We had a relaxed drinks in the bar and later I saw their kids, who I remember when they were babies. They are bigger now, beautiful and smart and funny and such a joy to be with.

A quick dinner at L’Avenue was very Parisian, with too laid back service which wasn’t annoying, a citron presse and a delicious pasta with morels in a creamy sauce was eaten with flourish while observing pretty waitresses and Jacques Chirac lounging in the corner of the restaurant with his small entourage-business or friends I don’t know but no one in the restaurant batted an eyelid or took pictures-Parisians are just beyond cool in their approach to politicians and celebrities alike, unlike gawking Brits.

 A consierge at the hotel told me to go to Chez Angelina, but as I was leaving the apartment of my friends they told me that another patisserie, called Carette was just a few steps away and I absolutely had to buy macaroons and eclairs there. I happily went and the relaxed atmosphere of an early afternoon that is so Parisian just enveloped me in a big hug.The place was busy with couples with babies, young women drinking hot chocolate, a gentlemen popping in to buy a few treats for themselves, or maybe someone special….I bought a big box of macaroons in flavours like caramel sale, pistachio, mandarin, rose, coffee and chocolate eclairs (a big thank you goes to my friends, as the chocolate in particular was divine-and tasted like a beautiful chocolate eclair should!-my eldest niece can confirm that), and various pasties that were all devoured when the family had a late dessert on Sunday evening.

So you see, the beginning can be bleak, but then the sun comes out, things turn around and life returns to happiness. You just have to appreciate it and know that a sad event is followed by a happy one. All you have to do is to believe and it will happen.

It is wonderful to have good friends for many reasons but mine never cease to surprise and inspire me.

A few days ago a dear friend of mine, who is also a neighbour, came over to bring me a jar of pesto sauce and some hummus (the love of which we have in common) that she bought when she visited a food fair.

The next day I could relax, as sunday lunch was ridiculously easy, thanks to the delicious pesto that my family devoured with gusto. The sauce came with a card outlining the home made range of pastas and sauces that Seriously Italian produce.

I, being the ever curious person, went on their site and found out that they regularly take part in farmer’s markets around London, including one not far away from me. So, I ventured and came back home laden with pesto sauces-basil (beyond delicious and certainly the best pesto I have tried so far), rocket, tomato and my boys loved the wild boar ragu sauce-the range is so addictive I have to re-stock every week and sometimes, if I am not early enough, the sell out. Giovanni, a smiley Italian with a passion for cooking and wonderful ingredients and his partner Natasha, a Russian pesto whizz, also make lasagnas and pastas and can cater for you too. Life is always better when you have a well stocked fridge and you see the genuine pleasure on the faces of your loved ones, isn’t it?

www.seriouslyitalian.com

It’s a proven fact that chocolate makes most of us happy and there is so much of it, be it on the supermarket shelves or in chocolate selling shops, scattered around London. But there is one jewel of a place that I am really keen to tell you about.

It is called Cocomaya and when you will get there, you will understand instantly why this place is very special indeed. Cocomaya consists of two shops-one is where you can buy chocolates-and there is so much choice, you will be hard pressed to decide which ones you want!  The lovely gentleman serving me last time told me that they keep on coming up with new flavours ALL the time. You can host a birthday party there or just get together with your girlfriends for a nice catch-up and lots of divine chocolates.

If you go around the corner, you will find another Cocomaya, which is an artisan cafe, serving delicious teas, coffees and hot chocolate in indulgently colourful porcelain cups plus you can have salads, cakes, muffins, sandwiches etc. The stuff working there is very smiley and sweet and just being there you will feel a rush of happiness and I promise you, you will smile back at people later in the day too!

http://www.cocomaya.co.uk/

If you are like me and like pizza as an occasional treat, then Pizza Express’s new collaboration will offer your taste buds something new.

Their menu is full of choices but their guest chef, Francesco Mazzei, takes it even further with 3 new pizzas (my favourite, Mia Sofia that is made with truffle oil and mushrooms galore, a hot Calabrese with spicy italian sausage & peppers (tried it, did not like it at all!) and Rustichella  (haven’t tried it yet, but sounds promising) that don’t have tomato as a base ingredient, so are better eaten straight from the oven!

http://www.pizzaexpress.com/our-food/mains.aspx

There is a new Russian guest in London but I think this one will be very welcome to stay….

Last week, without much fanfare, a small Russian delicatessen with a european decor was open in Knightsbridge. It stocks sweets, that I, for one, remember from my childhood, pickled vegetables, cured meats, cheeses (like Russian cottage cheese called tvorog) and my favourites, Georgian wines (once you try them, you will be hooked, I promise! ) that until recently were extremely difficult to find in London.

You can buy take-away cakes and bread or have a coffee or tea sitting at a small table outside, observing the busyness of Beauchamp place and its beautiful people.

What I particularly liked is the sweet and knowledgeable Russian staff who answer questions and make good suggestions with a genuine smile that you don’t stand a chance of getting if you were shopping in a typical Russian delicatessen. My son was lucky enough to walk off with a rooster lollipop that he was given, while I reminisced of eating one like that when I was not much older than he is now.

The Merchant’s Yard, 41 Beauchamp place, SW3 tel. 0203 1440072

If you wanted to have a cup of coffee in London 15 years ago you wouldn’t have had much choice, as no one has heard of Starbucks or Costa coffee back then. Today there is a cafe or coffee house on every street corner but most of them make horrible coffee. For example, I only dive into Starbucks around Christmas time, when they serve Eggnog latte that I am addicted too, but before my waist line starts expanding, it disappears from the menu and so do I from Starbucks premises for another year. Mostly I can only drink Carluccio’s dark brews without regretting the money spent. But as always there is hope, especially if you like exploring the town.

Today, while walking from Liberty department store I ended up on Newburgh Street and that’s where one such ‘coffee jewel’ is situated. It’s called Canela café and it’s quite small, so you could easily walk by, as it’s not a great beauty. Pause though, pop in and before your eyes you will have Portuguese and Brazilian cake specialities, a silver coffee machine, that looks like a robot straight out of Star Wars and friendly staff (if you are lucky you might even be winked at by the chef). I bought some pao de queijo (cheese bread) and chorizo bread (really good!), a carrot & orange cake that is awaiting its turn in my fridge and one of the best pudim de leite (that’s brazilian creme  caramel) that I have ever tasted-trust me on this one, I tried quite a few! And my macchiato, served with a cinnamon stick and plenty of milk froth was so strong I ‘ran’ on it for three hours, I kid you not. And it tasted like great coffee should, bitter with a strong aftertaste in your mouth. They also serve sandwiches, salads, soups, and tasty sounding lunch dishes  and at the time I was there it was full of people, ranging with a couple who was having lunch with their two daughters (and with whom my son decided to shamelessly flirt while I was waiting for my order) to a couple of girlfriends catching up, to two gentlemen and a young boy who all looked relaxed and in no rush to leave.

I will definitely go back there and I urge you to try it when you are in the area (there is another Canela cafe in Covent Garden)-you wouldn’t be disappointed .)

www.canelacafe.com

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