WINE & DINE WITH ANGELA LANSBURY

  Lindisfarne Castle I first came across honey wine, or mead, at Lindisfarne in the north East of England, where a causeway floods. The causeway leads to a romantic, remote hilltop castle. It is called Holy Island and associated with monks and mead. A haunting Polanski film was shot here, called Cul de Sac. The film was released in 1966 in black and white. Somebody described it as a comedy, drama, thriller. Yes, there is supense. I did not find it funny. It was shot showing the tide out, and the tide in, at Lindisfarne Island, Northumberland, where the protagonist, played by Pleasance is the owner of historic Holy Island.  The Lindisfarne mead is curently in May 2024 selling online in British pounds at  11.25 for a 70 cl bottle. The company website also shows fruit wines, such as rhubarb, at 9.50 for 70 cl.  You might be interested in ginger wine, same price, or damson, or elderflower.  Mulled Wine Muled wine which is available in the smaller size, 35 cl, is popular warmed up to give p

  Happy Birthday written on the plate for dessert, at Kiyoto Sushi Bar and Takeaway (and restaurant), Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright. A short walk downhill from the station, in the centre of the Broadway. Their website says they have a loyalty card. This was not mentioned to us when we booked. Useful Website https://www.kiyotosushi.co.uk/ Please share links to your favourite posts.

  I have used three methods for choosing a birthday venue. 1 Book a special gourmet restaurant..  Ask them what they can offer for a birthday. They might charge extra for Champagne, or a birthday cake. If they won't do something special for birthdays, take your own table decoration or d\birthday card or birthday girl or boy badge or hat. 2 Check who is open and has availability on the day. 3 Pick a location and ask all the restaurants  I did this walking up and down Hatch End high street, called The Broadway. 4 Keep a birthday restaurant list in your diary  (Write on the birthdate and a week or month before). Note venues you visit where you see a dessert and candle presented and hear the music or singing of happy birthday. 5 Celebrate at home and buy wines for the dates of the birthday or anniversary You could be doing this years in advance. For example. buy wines in the year of the birth of a baby. Save wines for their coming of age, confirmation or barmitzvah.  Storage of wines

De Rada Brasserie restaurant in Mill Hill. Outdoor seating. Photo by Angela Lansbury. I have family in Mill Hill who know all the restaurants in Mill Hill. The family had enjoyed lunch here previously and suggested this place for a family dinner so I checked it out online.. The restaurant serves Italian favourites, Prosecco, Pizza and pasta. Not cheap - is anywhere nowadays, mybe some pubs at lunch time. De Rada is open all day until 10 pm for breakfast, lunch (sandwiches) and a la carte for dinner. First I looked at the drinks. Two kinds of Prosecco by the glass. One is extra brut which is extra dry so I made a note that I wanted the other. Both the same price. 7.25 (pounds sterling). My husband is a wine educator and was not over excited by the red wines, but conceded he might give one a try. However, I also liked the green reviver smoothie at five pounds. Maybe the smoothie as a starter. Their appetizers include olives with ham, and chicken liver parfait.  Olives. Photo by Angela La

A wine lunch at the Cavalry & Guards Club. Photo by Trevor Sharot.   If you want to hold a lunch or dinner or event in elegant surroundings in a private room you can choose a restaurant  - or one of the world's many clubs. There are American clubs, journalists' clubs, clubs for all kinds of professional groups, for government employees, the military and trade associations. Sports clubs include golf clubs, cricket clubs, fitness clubs and sailing clubs. I have been to several clubs in Singapore and London as well as a journlists' club in Hong Kong. London's many clubs for profession and trades, such as the RAF, The Cavalry & Guards,, The Civil Service and many more . One centrally located and historic club is the Cavalry and Guards. You might recognize pictures of the late H M Queen Elizabeth, as well as the current queen Camilla. Up and down the rand staircase and in all the rooms are portraits of famous people. Some are on horseback as the name cavalry might le

 Tukdin restaurant. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright. The Tukdin restaurant is easu tp fomd. a short walk along the main road from Paddington Mainline and underground stations which are adjoining.  We were given two menus. One for savoury starters and main courses. Another for sweet desserts and soft drinks. (No alcohol. Halal.) Drink - top marks for aroma and flavour I started with a rose aroma drink. Wonderful Aromatic. Tasty. Pink. Syrup - but not cloying. Chicken Dish - Top Marks For Coconut Rice My main course was coconut flvour rice with chicken. The coocnut flavour in the rice was more-ish.  The chicken was battered, not greasy but dry. I have never had chicken like that before. Normally, rice is just an accompaniment to the chicken. But here the rice was the star of the show. The rice was okay, a filling protein ballast, as an accompaniment to the tasty rice.  The adidition of a bioled egg, cut in half, and a few peanuts, and slices of cucumber, made this a well-rounded main