Spotty Otter

'Good', 'Nice', 'Warm', my three-year-old proclaimed when I asked him what he thought of his new suit from Spotty Otter. I would add 'Stylish', 'Practical', 'Cool'.

When I was my son's age I lived in Minnesota with winters so cold I had to have an all in one suit complete with hat and face guard to stop my little body icing up on the way to school.

Our winters in the UK may not be quite so harsh, but the weather can get pretty chilly – and wet – and these things are fully waterproof: I have tested them. So I can see him wearing his all in one Patrol Splashsuit all the way until next April and possibly beyond.

My boy has one in fire engine red, but they also come in warm pink and bright blue and he now has his eye on the gloves, boots and trapper hat to match. Spotty Otter (www.spottyotter.co.uk) make them for six month olds up to 13 plus. Sadly, they don't make them big enough for me...

A Classic Character and A Hotel for All Ages

Jane Egginton and her son are on the trail of Peter Rabbit in the Lake District

It’s a 110 years ago since Beatrix Potter penned her tales, including the one about the most famous naughty rabbit in the world, and the stories are still as popular as ever with all generations. I took my not so naughty little boy on a very special pilgrimage to the Lake District to mark this important anniversary, introduce him to one of my favourite characters from my childhood and discover a very special hotel.

Emma Thompson’s new book, The Further Tales of Peter Rabbit, based on the famous character created by Beatrix Potter, has just been published.  And to mark it, the Lakeside Hotel and Spa has launched a special Beatrix Potter themed package.

The package offers families the opportunity to visit some of the places that inspired Beatrix Potter to write her books, including Hill Top House – the former home of the famous author, Beatrix Potter Gallery –  a local gallery in the town of Hawkshead and Wray Castle – opened this summer to the public for the first time in years.

The Lakeside Hotel & Spa has this year been awarded ‘Large Hotel of the Year’ in Cumbria Tourism’s annual awards ceremony.  The award recognises excellence in service, quality and facilities within the Lake District’s top hotels. My two year old and me began our trip to the Lake District on the superb Virgin service, which whisked us from Euston to Oxenholme in just three hours.

The charming Tom from the Lakeside Hotel picked us up from the station and was so welcoming that my son spent the rest of the two days asking where he was. In fact, all the staff at the Lakeside were delightful – from heavily pregnant Beverley who greeted us with a huge smile at breakfast and talked so gently with my son, to the smiling pianist who entertained all the children every evening before supper and the wonderful, unflappable manager Jonathan who oversees it all.

It all made for a very relaxed atmosphere, which is perhaps why the Lakeside attracts guests of all ages, from babies to octogenarians. On the terrace overlooking the lovely calm waters of the lake, teenagers fiddled with their phones, while their parents read their kindles and elder visitors perused their paperbacks. All generations sat and had tea together and gathered for the 11am feeding of the ducks – a lovely tradition that had all the younger visitors entranced.

We welcomed too the relaxed – and very unusual – attitude to children in the pool (none of those annoying restrictions as to when they were allowed to use it). I and other parents I spoke to would have preferred the evening meal starting earlier, perhaps at 5.30pm, rather than 6.15pm, but that is a small quibble. Everyone went out of their way to make my small boy feel at home and when he announced ‘it’s disgusting’ as I tried to fob him off with some long life milk for his bedtime drink, one of the waiters happily delivered a cup of warm fresh milk to our room.

The spa at the Lakeside is one that I can highly recommend – this is the only one in the country that uses the sublime Aveda products and people understandably travel for miles to visit it. I have to say that I really challenged Louise in the spa, although not deliberately. She was understandably surprised when I announced that my two year old would be coming into the treatment room while I had my facial. Louise handled it beautifully, chatting to him and treating him with utter respect.

The fact that Lakeside Hotel is on the quieter side of popular Lake Windermere is a real advantage, yet it is only a short trip to Bowness by boat (with the Beatrix Potter attraction, World of Beatrix Potter), and a steam train ride starting nearby. Of course, it does often rain in Lake Windermere, which makes the nearby aquarium and onsite spa and pool very useful if you are looking for entertainment for almost any age group.

I would recommend a ground floor lake room for easy access to the grounds and also that you book ahead – the Lakeside is deservedly popular and is often full to capacity. The free water, tea and coffee in the rooms are a lovely touch and all bathrooms come complete with a Lakeside Hotel rubber duck with a label round its neck reminding you of the daily feeding of the ducks on the lake, which is a very sweet addition.

Kids at dinner get given a dedicated menu from which they can create their own dishes – an inspired concept that I have not seen elsewhere. My little one came up with a rather unusual combination of cheese, prawns and pasta, but thoroughly enjoyed it. I had a stand out pea veloute and crab salad but in general our food was not the finest aspect of the hotel, a little on the pricey side at £22 for fish and chips (grey peas) and £2.95 for an apple juice, with the atmosphere in the restaurant a little formal for me.

The breakfast was extraordinary: endless fresh orange juice, an excellent choice of cereals and yoghurts, delicate pastries, fresh fish (my son had kippers every morning) and a superb English breakfast. The décor, table linen and service in the room where it was served was faultless and the expansive view of the lake the icing on the cake.

It was only at the end of my stay that I discovered there was a no laptop rule in the public areas – a rule that I welcome (unlike those that restrict children using the facilities). And I must give a special mention to the man on reception who dealt so patiently with me when I became stressed about the baby monitor not working (because I couldn’t hear my child breathing) and speedily replaced my room phone when I drenched it in juice.

The unique hotel has a rich history – it began life as a 17th century coaching inn – yet has all modern comforts so it is no surprise that the Lakeside won the Lake District hotel of the year award this year. It is now certainly my favourite hotel in the beautiful lakes area ¬and perfectly located; right on the shores of the spectacular Lake Windermere yet just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of its popular attractions.

The Lakeside Hotel manages to be both luxurious and homely – no mean feat and something that is particularly valued when you are travelling with a toddler. Although we only stayed for two days, we felt as if we had been gone for at least a week, and returned to London more relaxed, rested and altogether happier, with fond memories of this very special place.

I travelled courtesy of Virgin Trains – an amazing service that gets you from London to the Lake District in three hours. First class is highly recommended, providing just about all you can eat (hot food as well as cold) and drink (including alcoholic drinks) and served seemingly throughout the journey. It was with huge disappointment that while I was in the Lake District it was announced that Virgin had lost the franchise for this service. I do hope the government makes the right decision and reverses this.

If you think, as I used to, that you need a car to visit the Lake District, think again. On arrival, we travelled by boat and train, both accessible within metres of the hotel, and the highly recommended Mountain Goat company (www.mountain-goat.com) offer guided tours and exclusive private hire throughout the lakes area.

Lakeside Hotel and Spa
Newby Bridge
Cumbria
LA12 8AT
015395 30001

www.lakesidehotel.co.uk

This article appeared in aboutmygeneration.com

A New Way to Travel

Camping and Caravanning needn't be about cups of tea and staying in staid caravan parks (particularly if you have a van from Wicked Campers wickedcampers.co.uk). My neighbour's father – in his '60s – who regularly travels by camper van revealed a valuable app. No, not from the Camping and Caravanning Club, but the Good Pub Guide. He tells me that he just checks out the nearest decent boozer, gives them a ring and gets permission to park overnight in their car park. That way he can have a good drink and doesn't have to worry about driving. Apparently he hasn't been refused – or charged – yet. I love the idea, but with a small child in tow, it wasn't for me, but this way of travelling is certainly on my to do list.

Wicked Camping

Our van from Wicked Campers (www.wickedcampers.co.uk) would be a good choice for an extended family as it includes a two-man tent and sleeps three inside. For 730 pounds for ten days, it is pretty good value, especially when you consider it includes your accommodation (although do factor in the cost of a campsite if you decide to use one - typically 20 pounds or so for the night) and bear in mind these vehicles are pretty heavy on petrol.


The truth is almost anywhere in the UK is easily reachable and while the tradition may be to travel in such a way in the big open spaces of Australia and Canada, our little island is perfectly suited to this kind of trip. We are loving pulling into a layby and brewing our own cup of tea, but you could even pull into a pub car park (many will let you park overnight for free) and tucking into some pub grub and even a real ale before bedding down for the night. (The Good Pub Guide app is invaluable for this).

Fill Her Up

Tank Girl from Wicked Campers (wickedcampers.co.uk) is a cool machine - everyone seems to think so. She is not light on petrol use, that's for sure, but then she's a five seater with a kitchen and sink and bed thrown in too. I was a bit weary about driving her, especially in central London, but she was a dream and much easier to manouvere than any white van I have driven. 

'Are You on the Run?'

With my son in the driving seat, we set off on our adventure. But when we arrived at our campsite I realised how unprepared we were. Darkness had fallen and I hadn't a cable to connect to the electricity. A woman I met outside the bar who was sipping on sweet wine and smoking a cigarette, looked at me in disbelief. 'You do have a torch?' 'No, but I have a light on my phone', I ventured hopefully, at which point she looked me right in the eye, and asked me point blank 'Are you on the run?' before breaking into a deep throaty laugh.

www.wickedcampers.co.uk
@wickedcamperseu

My Bed's Not Bouncy!

My three year old is well used to boutique hotels and the first thing he does on arrival is check out the bed for bounce, invariably asking, 'where are you going to sleep mummy'? But despite his high living, I think his favourite place to sleep has been our oh so cool camper van.

There is something so exciting about having the freedom of the open road while knowing you have your bed with you - whatever your age. We packed his kids oven so he could 'cook' while I brewed a cup of tea roadside and his little bike was safely stored under the big back seat. And he and his little friends spent hours playing inside with 'Tank Girl' parked on our street.

Camping and Caravanning for the New Generation

'Wicked' pronounced one teenage bystander, appropriately enough about my camper van from Wicked Campers. 'Is that you?' a middle age woman asked, rather flatteringly, pointing at the life-size version of Tank Girl on the side of the van. My toddler loves her and the vehicle, begging me daily to get in 'Tank Girl' simply to go to a car park.

In the UK we tend to think of campervanning either as a dull pursuit of retirees or as something that only dirty backpackers do as a way of getting around big countries such as Australia. Wicked Campers (www.wickedcampers.co.uk) is unusual for a rental company in that it lets you take its vans anywhere in Europe, but I was happy to stay in this country, pottering around within a couple hour radius of London with my little one.

Oh I do Like to be Beside the Seaside...

We jumped in our camper van in east London and were in Whitstable within the hour. Young JJ dined on oysters and haddock and an ice cream as big as he was - nearly. We left on a whim - the weather was beautiful and when we arrived discovered all the hotels were full. No worries, though, as we discovered the wonderful Homing Park, a caravan park complete with restaurant and bar. I managed to get a flat battery (lights left on from the Blackwall Tunnel) but the lovely accommodating Julie let us in after hours. 

The family-owned campsite provides electricity (although I was not organised to have a cable) and boasts award-winning showers it seems. Their family room (shower and toilet) certainly boasted a shower that managed to soak me, JJ and all our clothes, which was a shame as I had only brought a tea towel to dry ourselves with. 

Homing Park,

Church Lane,

Seasalter,

Whitstable,

Kent, CT5 4BU

+44 (0)1227 771777

http://www.homingpark.co.uk

‘Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans’

It's been a long time since I travelled with no plans, just seeing where I ended up. I used to do it all the time as a backpacker but now I am a mother in my 40s, it doesn't seem possible – or is it?
I picked up my camper van with no fixed plan - other than to take to the road, and play it my ear, and perhaps follow the weather.

The fruit and veg stallholder at my local market cheerfully offered to write me an itinerary, rushing off, only to come back with a tattered bit of cardboard with a series of place names written on it (see pic).
I put it on the dashboard alongside a sticker on the windscreen of my van from Wicked Campers (www.wickedcampers.co.uk) that said: ‘life is what happens to you when you are making other plans’ and took off for the open road.

A Very British Road Trip

I have been on road trips in Australia (three months, much of it in the desert) and the States (Route 66 and all that), but never in the UK. Something about the size of our little island doesn't seem to justify it. And anyway, camper vans are for 20 somethings, right?
Well, now I have a three year old and am currently (for complicated reasons) unable to travel outside the UK, I decided to road test this theory. I jumped in a camper van with my  toddler in tow and decided to find out for myself.

Wicked Campers www.wickedcampers.co.uk

London lets it hair down

Jane Egginton discovers that high dining needn’t mean stuffed shirts, picking out a fistful of new London restaurants that raise the bar while raising a smile

In London, it’s never been much of a struggle to find good, even excellent  food, but let’s face it – there are a few too many of those stiff, stuffy restaurants pandering to the big spenders who like things just so: you may get haute cuisine, but the atmosphere can be a low. This month, London welcomes five newcomers who pepper their fine food with humour, humility and invention… and surprisingly, four of them are in the square mile – that beating heart of straitlaced London.

Fish food

Ceviche

Messages thanking his customers for their visit, light up the Twitter page of Martin Morales – owner ofCeviche. With enthusiasm, a warm heart and a substantial dose of Peruvian hospitality, he must be the perfect restaurant host. At Ceviche’s pisco bar, diners dig into the fresh, marinated fish of the same name, prepared with just the right amount of Peruvian lime. Accompaniments include a super salad of quinoa (which of course originates with the Incas) and a very large slice of chica. Chica means cheeky or fun and it is perhaps this ingredient that really makes Ceviche stand out from the crowd. Unlike so many high end restaurants it doesn’t take itself too seriously. My first taste of ceviche was twenty something years ago in a small town on the dusty coast of Peru. I still maintain it’s the only hangover cure that really works, so if you have a particularly heavy night on the pisco sours in Martin’s restaurant (and these delicious drinks are oh-so-moreish), you have the best excuse to return the next day.

Small plates from Spain
Like Ceviche, Tramontana Brindisa, opening in early September, specialises in ‘small plates’, or tapas. We’ve become familiar with the paella and rice dishes that have made their way here from Eastern Spain, but Tramontana innovates with a lighter touch, offering speciality salads and fresh fruits from the region. This part of the world is also famed for its wine – look out for the 18-metre wine wall – and cava, together with high quality cured meats and seafood. The restaurant is the latest offering from the Tapas Brindisa group, the brains behind some of the most successful Spanish restaurants in the city.

Japanese-Scottish Fusion
While there are other restaurants in London showcasing Japan’s kaiseki (the closest western equivalent being haute cuisine), Chrysan brings a fresh – and more sustainable – approach to the tradition. Famed Kyoto chef Yoshihiro Murata eschews the notion of importing everything from his homeland, and has high praise for our nation’s produce. His creations showcase fresh Scottish lobster, crab and salmon, all of the highest quality, and often surpassing what Japan has to offer. As well as British ingredients, Murata makes use of British chefs, who toil side by side with the Japanese masters, learning from each other and making use of local, seasonal ingredients. It’s a refreshing break from the often restrictive world of high style Japanese dining. Chrysan opens in Broadgate this month, with city workers benefiting from a set lunch menu and a bento box option, and kaiseki cuisine in an informal setting.

The Factory House

British industry
It’s good to see some home grown talent getting in on the act, and classic British cuisine gets a makeover at a new subterranean restaurant opening in Leadenhall Market. If Danny Boyle’s Olympic ceremony were a restaurant it would be The Factory House, which vows to celebrate this island’s traditional fare, paying homage to the age of the modern industrialists, the great experimenters. Sean Davies (formerly of the Tate restaurants) has created a menu that includes foraged cob nuts, medlar plums and damsons, and wild food such as good old British partridge and guinea fowl. Smoked eel cakes, mackerel mousse and inventive bar snacks such as bacon and thyme popcorn also feature on the menu of this all-day restaurant. Theatricality is evident throughout: diners enter via a helical staircase encircling a free-standing glass shaft lift to reach a spectacular copper-faced bar, antique train station clocks and a spit roast. Davies says: “The Factory House is heavily inspired by the excitement of the Victorian industrial age, when people were intrigued to experiment, innovate and try new things. The menu uses classic British ingredients and dishes, served up in an inventive and contemporary manner for our city guests.”

The Old Bengal Warehouse

The Old Bengal WarehouseThis month the oldest surviving warehouses built by the East India Company will be reinvented as a modern 10,000 square feet dining and drinking space. It was to here that the British mariners returned, having scoured the known world for spices, cigars, tea and other wonders. Come 17 September, the Warehouse will re-open as the New Street Grill, Fish Market, cocktail bar and wine shop. The poet John Masefield once paid homage to the building, declaring it “the wealth of the world and London’s power.” With all these new restaurant openings in the Square Mile, the area might be again.

Need to know:
Ceviche17 Frith Street, London W1
www.cevicheuk.com

Tramontana Brindisa152 Curtain Road, London EC2
www.brindisa.com

Chrysan1 Snowden Street, London EC2
www.chrysan.co.uk

The Factory HouseLime Street, London EC3
www.thefactoryhouse.co.uk

The Old Bengal WarehouseNew Street, London, EC2
www.danddlondon.com

This article appeared in CD Traveller 

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

As my excited two year old and I entered the Lyric Theatre, I discovered The Tiger Who Came to Tea was not just one of our favourite books. The enchanting book by Judith Kerr may have been published way back in 1968 when even I was small, but the teenage usher looked as full of anticipation as us as he directed us to our seats. When I purchased a (rather overpriced) tiger on a stick from him, he was smiling as if he himself were the tiger who got the tea.

The brief book had been cleverly spun out to create a show that was part musical and part panto. The hour-long performance kept all little ones firmly in their seat – no mean feat considering they were almost all under five. Although it is partly a modern interpretation of the classic book, I loved the fact that the perhaps non PC elements of the story hadn't been changed in any way.

Sophie's daddy goes out to work in his hat and suit as she and her mummy stay at home seemingly waiting for him to return to his supper that will be waiting on the table. Yet, rather than this grating, there is something rather soothing about this old fashioned tale, that had been livened up with some sing along sections and some classic panto bantering. 

I think, like me, some parents must have been a little concerned that their little one would be frightened of the on-stage tiger. Yet, the costume had been done so well that he couldn't have looked more friendly. Complete with smiling eyes and frilly stripes, my two year old announced on several occasions: 'I want to stroke his bottom,' which was surely the best kind of endorsement.

He and I sat spellbound throughout the performance, which beautifully managed to stay true to the original story while creating some very special on-stage magic.

Floripa: Eating, Drinking and Dancing Brazilian Style

Floripa is doing something exciting: creating a very new kind of Brazilian fusion cuisine and doing it very well. We Londoners may all now be very familiar with caipirinhas and even Brazilian bar snacks, but how many of us have had a Brazilian Sunday lunch? The restaurant has poached chef David Yorkston (he of Bacchus and Langham Hotel fame) – well known for his ability to create superb roasts – and for Floripa he has come up with something that I think is unique.

The roast beef was thick, juicy with a hefty layer of fat – its inspiration was a popular Brazilian cut of meat known as piranha yet it is served British style, with roast vegetables and rich gravy. Our yorkshire puddings were perfect - light yet with an unusually appealing texture, which I later learnt was thanks to the cassava flour – a particularly Brazilian ingredient. Inspired.

There are more classic Brazilian dishes on the menu too. Look for the national dish of feijoada, the exciting afro-brazil fusion, Muququita, Lebanese-Rio Kibbe or – one of my personal favourites – cheese balls (Pao De Queijo). No self respecting Brazilian joint would be complete without some hard-hitting cachaca based cocktails, which I thought were fine, although with rather too much ice. I do also suggest sampling Miolo, a surpassingly good Brazilian red wine.

Floripa may be on a rather dirty corner in Shoreditch but it boasts a spacious pavement that is surprisingly pleasant to sit out on, despite being next to a busy road. The lovely Brazilian staff played with our children while we sat out on the shabby chic – or should I say Brazilian chic furniture. Floripa is named after a lovely little island in Brazil that could be described as the country's very own Ibiza. This restaurant used to be Favela Chic, which was always very successful as a drinking and dancing venue but not so much for eating – until now. 'Comer, beber, dancer' is the restaurant's catchline – eating, drinking, dancing. Quite.


91-93 Gt Eastern Street
Shoreditch
London EC2A 3HZ
http://floripalondon.com/
+44 207 613 4228

Around the World with my Two Year Old

I have just returned from a once in a lifetime trip with my toddler. We went on safari, saw Machu Picchu, rode in a hot air balloon and even flew a helicopter. Tired but happy, we are both full of memories that will be with us for a long time. All this was accessible after just a two-hour drive from London: the trip we went on was to Legoland, Windsor.

Like all the best kids’ entertainment (Shrek, The Muppets and Winnie the Pooh all come to mind), Legoland appeals to adults just as much as to children. In fact, on our trip, we saw plenty of grown ups with not a little one in sight. As we checked into the newly opened and highly recommended resort hotel, I felt a tingle of excitement that I had not felt since arriving at the Treasure Island Hotel in Las Vegas.

While my son and his best friend jumped joyfully into the lego pit in reception, I was given our park tickets for the day as a member of staff stored our luggage (check in is not until 3pm but staff will helpfully allocate your room on arrival and look after your bags until then). We raced up the stairs only to land on a loud whoopee cushion embedded in the carpet, causing loud giggles.

This is one of the aspects that really strikes you about Legoland – the extraordinary attention to detail – so that there is almost never a dull moment, not even for adults. ‘Look at you, you are beautiful!’, a voice cooed as we walked into the toilets; in the Skylounge bar, mini lego figures were delicately embedded in the wall as if in an art gallery, and in the restaurant the chips are comically shaped as lego bricks.

I was as excited as a two year old to be here so my little boy and me raced off to experience the best the park had to offer. We headed first to Miniland, one of the most traditional attractions, which contains the greatest concentration of lego bricks in the whole resort. A staggering 40 million pieces have been fashioned into landscapes from around the world. I loved the London scenes although for me there was a little too much of Scandinavia and the USA and not enough of more developing countries.

Nonetheless, Legoland is an education – not only in geography but physical skills. As we arrived at the fire academy we were told with compelling urgency: ‘Lego city is on fire’ and instructed on how to jump in a fire engine, drive it towards a ‘burning building’ and put out the fire with a hose before returning the vehicles back to base. Similarly, at the driving school, little ones listened intently as they were briefed about the importance of wearing seatbelts in a car and how to steer and accelerate before being presented with their very own driving licence to mark their achievements.

Brimming with new-found confidence my two charges made their way to the helicopter rides where they each (accompanied by their mothers, admittedly) managed to fly their choppers with real skill, despite some rather abrupt moves that left the adults a little jarred. So we made our way to something altogether more gentle: The Fairy Tale Brook. Floating downstream in a giant lily pad, we passed all our favourite fairytale characters – all made of lego and some of which spoke out loud – accompanied by an enchanting and restful soundtrack.

If this all sounds idyllic – it is, but it is worth bearing some practical considerations in mind to make the most of your trip. If you have little ones with you, there will be some rides that they are not allowed on, so check before you queue. As one of the UK’s most popular attractions, Legoland inevitably gets crowded during school holidays and at weekends so do try to avoid these times. I would really recommend staying at the newly opened hotel to make the most of the resort as guests get to visit the park before the crowds arrive and once they have left and do plan your visit as there is a lot to do and you may find one day is not enough.

What W1 Really Needs

Let's fact it, there is a dearth of damn fine drinking places around Oxford Street. Where on earth do you go when you find yourself in the area - perhaps after a late night shopping spree at Selfridges?

Well, just around the corner Après, at 31 Duke Street, provides the answer. The idea is simple: good quality and fine service. Yet the decor and atmosphere is sophisticated; think après ski lodge with four distinct zones. And the bartenders have made a proud boast - ask them for any drink from anywhere in the world and they will make it for you.

I didn't challenge them too much admittedly but was more than delighted with my pretty vodka cocktail as was my drinking companion with their potent white chocolate watermelon martini. The evening was balmy and we were not about to sit indoors and we welcomed the breezy street terrace. I think this is what is billed as 'the garden' which might be pushing it a bit for a very urban stretch of pavement, but lets not forget this is an alfresco area (yes, smokers, you can light up here), deep in the heart of central London. And when the weather cools, the lovely people at Après will cover you with a blanket. If that doesn't do it for you, there is also a cocktail bar, lounge and a snug.


Après Lounge Mon–Sat 5.30pm–3am
31 Duke Street, London, W1U 1LG
www.apres-london.com

Cabana Brazilian Barbecue: Tudo Bem

Cabana was a real surprise. I must admit I was a bit suspicious – after all, it is a big Brazilian restaurant slap bang in the heart of London, just a few minutes from Tottenham Court Road – how authentic could it be? Yet, within minutes of settling myself in the lovingly designed restaurant, David, one of the founders, showed me how to make a caipirinha. After numerous research trips to Brazil (I have written more guide books to Brazil than any other country), which must have involved drinking hundreds of this national cocktail, I have to admit, I have never learned how to make one.

 It is just one example of the care that has gone into Cabana. All my favourite Brazilian street food (which I tend to call bus food as it has sustained me on many long journeys through the country) is on the menu and done really well. As I tucked into delicious chicken croquettes, cheese balls and cassava chips, David told me how he was born in Rio the day the tanks rolled into the city as part of the 1964 Brazilian coup d'état, declaring: 'My poor mother'.

There is a palpable love of Brazil in the place, from the decor inspired by Rio's favelas to the support the restaurant shows for the inspirational ABC Trust which works with street children and the most vulnerable young people in Brazil. As I dined on a foot long skewer of tender meat washed down with a very good Brazilian red wine from Miolo I felt a bit of real Brazil that I have rarely experienced in London.

I loved the 'Tudo Bem tales' on Cabana's website – feel good stories that demonstrate the Brazilian spirit. Here we are told a story about a bicycle customised into a mobile library which gives books to the poor and homeless in Brazil which they pass on. 'Tudo Bem' means 'everything is wonderful', and in Cabana it pretty much is.

7 Central St Giles Piazza

London, WC2H 8AD

T: 020 7632 9630

Chestnut Plaza, Montfitchet Way

Westfield Stratford City, E20 1GL

T: 0208 536 2650

www.cabana-brasil.com

A Sweet Experience at the Royal China

The ever-popular Royal China on Queensway, which comes of age this year, has just been given a facelift: One of the world’s youngest – and harshest – restaurant critics put it through its paces.

The adults in our party loved the picture menu at the Royal China. My seven-year-old goddaughter, Lily, was less impressed. Admittedly she is too young to appreciate the wonderful retro appeal of the Royal China, being used to more contemporary offerings from the likes of Yo Sushi.

The delightfully old school Royal China is three times her age and in its 21 years has served tens of thousands of happy customers, who keep coming back for the winning timeless combination of superb service and consistently excellent food. Lily, counted ten other Chinese restaurants on this street, but the Royal China was the original and is still the best.

We decided against some of the more esoteric offerings such as baked lobster and fois gras, sautéed scallop and frogleg and eel and chestnut or even a whole Japanese wind dried abalone which rings in at 180 pounds. Instead, we went for some firm favourites – spring rolls, roast duck on rice, sautéed crab in its shell and ribs. All were absolute winners. The spring rolls were light, yet full of texture and flavour, the duck was succulent, its juices soaking deliciously into the sticky white rice and the crab was cooked to perfection – crispy, meaty and delicately flavoured.

Lily, my goddaughter isn’t necessarily hard to please but she certainly knows what she likes. ‘They were my favourite,’ she said of the juicy ribs, while making sure she got more than her fair share of the other starters. As she rested her chopsticks, satisfied, on the silver ‘spoon saver’ in the shape of the dragon, the kindly head waiter patiently explained the significance of the exquisite gold and black motifs that covered the walls.

‘The big waves and the beautiful birds are auspicious,’ he said as we all listened intently. ‘That means good luck,’ (they certainly have been for the Royal China), he went on, addressing Lily before offering her another lemonade and bringing our next course. Scallops the size of a baby’s fist with tender asparagus, crunchy noodles and perfectly cooked seafood, and spicy tender chicken were met with all round approval.

It was early – 6.30pm – on a Tuesday evening and the restaurant seemed crowded to us, but the waiter said it was normally much fuller than this – ‘packed’ in fact. And at weekend lunchtime, when the place filled up with eager dim sum fans, it was practically impossible to get a table, which was no surprise given the standard of the food and service.

What was a big surprise to all of us was the dessert course. Many of us – especially me – tend to skip ‘afters’ in an Asian restaurant, as it is rarely the highlight. But when strawberry and chocolate ice cream was ordered as a half term treat, the bigger kids followed suite – and were very pleased we did.

My bowl of green matcha tea and sesame ice cream was outstanding. My husband took a childish delight in his black sesame paste in peanut crumbs, even drawing a picture of them before declaring them a masterpiece. Lily’s dad enthused about his bowl of chillled lychees washed down with a fine pot of oolong. And when my champagne and lychee cocktail arrived – a pretty layering of bubbles and pink juice I could hardly contain myself – as if I were seven years old myself.

In Love Again: the New Size Zero

The New Size Zero 4 Wheel Cabin from Antler is slender, strong and with classic good looks. I am in love again.

There are a few non-negotiables for me when it comes to luggage. It has to have four wheels (for anyone who puts their laptop in their bag, four wheels are not really an optional extra as with only two wheels your luggage is prone to fall over), be cabin compliant and be very light. It’s also got to look good.

After taking the New Size Zero for a road test, Antler are now officially my new favourite luggage manufacturer. I pushed the cabin baggage to the limits at the airport when I had to squeeze my handbag tightly into my one allowed piece of hand luggage on my budget flight. Grrr. The zip didn’t break though and I loved the convenient outside pocket to stash my water bottle. The case was easy to pick up and take off the airport conveyor belt thanks to a carefully designed handle and inside, separate neat compartments and even a hanger loop made for streamlined and organised packing. This suitcase even has central locking. Yes, really. And at the touch of a button. It also has a fixed combination lock.

The multidirectional wheels glided silently – apparently they are patented – and were a very smooth drive even on a sheer rocky mountainside in Lake Garda. The lockable front pocket is an agreeable added extra, as is the three height push-button locking handle which can be adjusted to any size of traveller.

We all have to be size geeks thanks to the ever over complicated cabin baggage allowances with airlines annoyingly having no standard cabin bag size. Don't worry though: the lovely people at Antler have come up with a ingenious cabin bag checker. Each of its cabin baggage items is colour coded (red, green, yellow or blue). Simply match the colour to Antler's cabin bag checker chart to see which airlines will let you take it on board for a stress-free trip.

Antler has been in the luxury travel luggage business for nearly 100 years, and the company's origins go back even further, so I have no doubt I will have to use the New Size Zero's ten-year warranty, but it's nice to have it. Not as nice as it is to have the case itself, though. I love it.

High Style India Dining in Surrey

I clearly hadn’t done my research. I arrived for my visit to India Dining in Surrey with my overnight bag, having arranged to go on to review a hotel nearby. I had little idea that Warlingham, the restaurant’s village location, was so accessible from central London.

‘We are in zone six, here’, explains the affable owner, smiling as red London buses drive past the village green. Clearly driven, Asad Khan has lovingly created a sophisticated Indian restaurant that caters to the well-heeled locals as well as those who make the short journey from central London by train.

Khan’s high calibre team has been recruited from stables such as India's distinguished Taj and Oberoi hotel group. The chefs offer a modern, inventive menu where you won’t find fiery vindaloos but more subtle fusion cuisine; in fact most of the dishes were light enough for my lunchtime visit.

The amuse bouche and between-course sorbet (champagne pomegranate or lemon) borrowed from the high dining traditions didn't seem out of place in Indian Dining’s urbane setting. I find the clean, modern interior of white walls and dark wood pleasing, although the eclectic contemporary art slightly less so.

Highly tempted by the Scottish king scallops in butter and garlic in spicy tomato broth, I go for a starter of soft shell crab in garlic and lemon garlic gram flour. Flavoursome, delicately spiced and served on a welcome bed of lettuce, it comes with an unexpected mustard ‘alioli’ emulsion and would have been stronger without the rather retro zig zags of balsamic reduction. My husband’s guinea fowl in a marinade of Greek yoghurt, garlic and chilli is an inspired combination that we can't fault.

The kindly patient waiter explains that the menu – which is well presented and offers a good variety of dishes – changes monthly.

We ask him to tell us about the small pools of colourful sauces that arrive with the guinea fowl and he is happy to oblige. ‘That one is mango and mint coulis and the other is coriander mint and basil – Indian pesto’, he laughs.

Cobra lager appears hidden away right at the end of the extensive eight-page drinks menu that features pages and pages of fine wines, elaborate cocktails and even mocktails. We decide against the intriguing sounding Indian mohito made with an Indian spirit known as ‘deshi’, or a pink Sambuca. Instead we plump for a classic Gin and Tonic with Bombay Sapphire, which perfectly whets my appetite for the small mountain of tandoori king prawns that soon appear.

Knuckle-sized prawns are exquisitely flavoured and perfectly textured – this accomplished dish is nothing short of outstanding. I loved the ‘masala mash’ – good old mashed potato with masala spices served in a pot with onion and coriander. Why hasn't anyone thought of this before? Indian Dining’s menu is peppered with such inspirational inventions, but doesn't make too much of a song and dance about it.

Other good ideas include a tasting menu available both for lunch and dinner. For £32.50, diners get a choice of three starters and three well chosen mains – tandoori salmon, Rajastani lamb and chilli prawns, served with vegetable side dishes, rice and dessert. The restaurant also puts on events, including Indian cookery master classes, provides private catering and apparently does a roaring trade in takeaways.

Asad Khan’s and his staff’s dedication has in no way flagged by the time we get to dessert. I was delighted to see such startling combinations as beetroot pudding with cardamom and star anise, alongside one of India’s most popular classic desserts, gulab jammu – rose sugar soaked dumplings and buffalo milk kulfi with cardamom scented ice cream.

Indian Dining


6 The Green

Warlingham,
London, CR6 9NA

Tel: 01883 625905

www.indiadining.co.uk

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