Whitstable Seaside Guide

I don’t give UK holidays enough credit. There’s something about being an ex-pat that means I avoid all of the terribly British summer holiday traditions that mean piling on to a train, to stay in a cottage by the seaside just to stare out and watch the rain fall.

Do you know what though, I’m giving weekends from London more credit than that now that I’ve actually enjoyed some incredible UK based mini-breaks this year. 

On the hottest weekend of the year we jumped on a train from Kings Cross and in less than an hour and an half from our door we had our toes in the sea. 

I knew Whitstable was famous for its oysters so our first stop was the seaside snacks lining the harbour. For virtually a pound a pop we scooped up half a dozen oysters and some delicious fried whitebait. William washed his down with a lobster roll for good measure.

While dinky oyster shacks are a-plenty, you can grab a table, a pint and a doughnut ice-cream sandwich from The Forge on the seafront. The oysters are varied and there are some huge ones available. 

Whitstable high street is also lined with adorable coffee shops, pubs, bakeries and restaurants. A few faves on the trail included ice cream from Sundae Sundae which incidentally is right next door to an amazing cheese shop, The Cheese Box, and coffee from Blueprint Cafe who use Ozone Coffee Roasters beans. For a pint of Pimms be sure to walk down the beach to The Neptune pub where you can grab a table outside on the beach and sun your shoulders while you sip. 

Now that I’m a Great British Seaside convert, are there any other adorable towns you love to visit that you’d recommend? 

Fayre Share

If you’re like Joey Tribbiani and don’t share food, Fayre Share probably isn’t for you. But, if you’re normal, or dare I say, like to taste a little bit of everyone’s food then this brand new sharing concept restaurant in Victoria Park Village is right up your alley.

Fayre Share is all about well-made food served family style. Each menu item is available in portions for one, two or four people. There are whole beer roasted chickens, chops, stews and a variety of pies, each more delicious than the next and served to the whole table as if you were enjoying Sunday dinner at home with family.

The menu is classily British, a style of cooking perfected by Mark Bloom, co-owner, during his time working with Jeremy King and Chris Corbin across several of the restaurants in their portfolio, including The Wolseley, Brasserie Zédel and Colbert. Dishes you absolutely cannot pass include Hot and Sticky Ribs and Wings; Fried Sea Bream with grilled baby gem, sliver skin onions, peas with cream sauce and Grilled Lamb Barnsley Chop with broad beans and onion. We didn’t try a pie as it was hotter than Australia in January when we visited, but we’re told they are the real showstoppers.

The space is beautiful, it’s designed to look at feel like home. You arrive at what may well be my dream kitchen before stepping into the restaurant and garden. The garden is something pretty special, the space has scandi furniture, woven monochrome rugs and an outdoor fireplace. The roof rolls back, so if it’s a scorching summer’s day like it was when we visited you can sit outside and enjoy the sun on your shoulder.

The restaurant is open daily and we’re told they also do brunch. While there are lots of restaurants neighbouring Victoria Park there are few as good as this, so turn the corner from Lauriston Village and pop in to Fayre Share.

Chiringuito Tulum, Mexico

We spent 3 days at Chiringuito Tulum at the end of a whirlwind trip to Mexico to escape London for some winter sun. I knew I was desperate to stay beach front and to enjoy great food, but I also wanted to take advantage of a private pool - something we rarely ever do on holidays but that I lust over when trawling booking.com. We had spent the first half of our trip over indulging in a resort further up the coast, but ending our trip at Chiringuito was perfect.

In an amalgamation of the stylistic whitewash stone villas of Greece and the wooden shades and monochromatic natives of Tulum, Chiringuito is a boutique hotel with only 13 rooms, half of which are two story offering rooftop terraces with blue and white woven lounges and private pools. We opted for the pool villa (obvs). It was really nice to spend the days moving casually from the white soft sandy beach to our terrace, and watching the sun set over the Mayan jungle in the evening. 

The restaurant encompasses the same med-inspired menu with fresh and healthy Tulum style breakfasts alongside grilled seafood, ceviches and paellas in the evening. 

Located on the south end of Tulum beach, Chiringuito is right beside hotels Sanara, Be Tulum, Nomade and Casa Malca which made for an easy sneak peak at the luxury neighbours. On the jungle side, the hotel is an easy walk to all of Tulum's favourite restaurant and bars; Raw Love, Hartwood, the Real Coconut, Matcha Mama, Casa Jaguar and Gitano.

Sorella

There are only a handful of restaurants in London that give me stomach pangs over the thought of going back to. The Diary in Clapham is one of them. Our first visit was perfect, it was the height of summer, we sat outside on the Common and each and every plate was a delectable treat served on the loveliest natural stoneware. The masterful Head Chef, Robin Gill has spread his unique style even further in SW4 with the new Sorella; a true neighbourhood Italian. 

The menu is hugely influenced by a luxurious stint on Italy's Amalfi Coast and is dictated by the produce arriving in from the owner's farm. It showcases the produce in a simple and authentic yet modern way, starting with cicchetti and antipasti with outstanding highlights including crispy fried olives, pork and fennel salumi, duck egg with artichoke, raw cuttlefish with monks beard and squid ink arancini.

Primi includes; rich and creamy crab linguine, cep gnocchi with girolles, a wonderful white truffle linguine and a seasonal beef ragù. I visited with a group of girlfriends, one being celiac and each pasta dish was available expertly recreated using homemade gluten free pasta - a real rarity in London. 

Secondi is larger and served family-style using whole cuts from rare breeds and daily changing fish sourced from Kernowsashimi. For dolci, expect Pump Street chocolate with fennel gelato and a frozen affogato with homemade coffee liquor. Drinks focus on slight twists on Italian classics; seasonal bellinis, a cherry smoked negroni, a bergamot Garibaldi and a house spritz. The wine list is small, concise and perfectly Italian.

To round the meal off, presented with your bill are a selection of perfectly delicate orange and poppy seed polenta cakes in a small wooden drawer. Total la dolce vita.

ChloBo Cherabella Collection SS18

Last month I was invited by the luxury bohemian jewelry brand ChloBo to a gorgeous lunch at Serge et le Phoque at The Mandrake Hotel to celebrate their new SS18 collection.

The new Cherabella line features intricately designed chakra signs that are designed to represent and reflect your own individual vibrations. I was gifted the beautiful Tree of Life charm bracelet with peach moonstone and gold plated beading. The Tree of Life represents the creation and balance of the Universe - something I'm all about at the moment is trying to find balance. Perfect. 

ChloBo bracelets are inspired by the Island paradise of Bali. The Cherabella collection features single bracelets, sets of two, a set of seven Chakra stack and beautiful layering necklaces in three complementary shorter lengths. 

The brand new Mandrake Hotel was the perfect setting with its mystical charm and veiled entrance. Serge et le Phoque is the London outpost of one of Hong Kong’s top Michelin star restaurants. Lunch was long, indulgent and delicious. We ate focaccia & parmesan tapioca with a fresh mussel. Followed by Pollock, broccolo fiolaro di crea zzo and Welch lamb, cauliflower, sesame & chorizo. I didn't even know the Mandrake had opened, but I will definitely be back.

It was lovely to meet the brand's founder and designer Chloe and hear about her inspirations. The collection is gorgeous and perfect for summer on Europe's beaches. 

Cinnamon Kitchen at Battersea Power Station

There are few things that can make us want to travel south of the river for, but the delicious tandoor grills at Cinnamon Kitchen will do the job. The newest branch in the group has opened in the amazing Battersea Power Station as the first chapter in the exciting regeneration of the Grade-II listed building.

The restaurant serves contemporary Indian dishes inspired by the dishes found on the Mumbai Jaipur Pink City Express train route and imaginative cocktails by award-winning mixologist Tony Conigliaro, you know, the genius mixologist behind 69 Colebrooke Row, Untitled and Bar Termini.  We dipped into the Assam Manhattan; Black Assam infused Buffalo Trace, vermouth, maraschino laced with black cardamom and Mezcal Verdita; an Indian twist on a Sangrita with fresh pineapple, chilli, blackpepper, verjus, curry leaves, mescal. Don’t let the comparison to sangrita confuse you with sangria, this is potent.

The thing we’ve always loved about Cinnamon Kitchen is how inventive and different the dishes are on offer, no butter chicken here. The team in Battersea looked after us so well, we literally tried 80% of the menu so take it with confidence when we say the absolute stand outs are the Spice crusted lamb fillet with tomato salsa, smoked paprika raita; grilled Wild African prawn with a coriander and garlic crust, it’s more lobster than prawn and is perfectly delicious; and the 35 day dry aged Hereford beef rump steak with tellicherry pepper sauce and masala chips. For a more traditional wet curry, you can’t go past the King prawns in Bengali turmeric curry.

Cinnamon Kitchen caterers to the needs of gluten free, veggie and vegan diners. We visited with a friend who suffers from coeliac disease and for the first time in a long time we could share everything put in front of us. For the odd dish we couldn’t an individually portioned alternative was delivered to the table, perfectly explained and equally delicious.

The restaurant interiors are a dream too. The old railway arch has a minimalist industrial décor to complement the stark backdrop of the historic Power Station. There’s natural earthy materials offset against edgy, modern exposed brick and a cool monochrome colour palette with splashes of jade green and luxe finishes such as marble, and brass. There’s a lush black concrete bar ideal for sipping on a spice-infused cocktail whilst added theatre comes from the expansive open-plan kitchen.

Impulse Buy

My hotel wish list is a growing beast and I cannot tell you the number of times I have impulsively booked a stay at one of these lusty locations with no flight, no holiday plans and no clue only to sadly and begrudgingly cancel the booking before the end of the free cancellation period. So when tasked with writing about places I just can't get out of my head for this month's travel link up, I thought I may well share my top four wanderlust locations with you.

Casa Cook, Greece

The first dreamy resort on my bucket list came to me after a quick skim on Instagram, a speedy trawl on Pinterest, a flip through ES Mag and then I spotted it; Casa Cook Hotels. I'm not one for big hotel chains which is why the boutique hotel range instantly floored me. There are only two hotels in the group, and they are both utterly stunning. 

In both Kos and Rhodes the hotels encapsulate everything I love, minimalist modern design, natural materials and muted earthy tones - a pure vision of a nomadic way of life. 

Son Brull, Mallorca

I discovered Son Brull whilst working in Mallorca last summer. Our incredibly lucky event guests were staying there, sadly I did not. The swoon-worthy historic architectural details of this former 12th-century monastery in the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana in Mallorca are a total dream!

This stunning restored historic site sits at the bottom of a hill called Puig de Maria. From the top there's incredible views of the countryside from the ruins of an old monastery. 

Masseria Potenti, Puglia

Lost among the olive groves and vineyards of the Puglian countryside, Masseria Potenti is a boutique hotel in a traditional fortified farmhouse. The original outhouses have been converted into chic rooms with their own fireplace, living room and private patio which overlook the lush gardens and swimming pool.

The restaurant at Masseria Potenti has a “field to fork” ethos, showcasing the best of Pugliese traditional cuisine. Guests gather around the shared dining table under the stars to enjoy a homemade meal of freshly harvested fruit and vegetables. There is no menu and the dishes cooked are based on what is in season on the farm. Literally, the dream! 

Les Roches Rouges, French Riviera 

Boutique hotel Les Roches Rouges is stooped on the edge of the blue Med, with sweeping views of the Sea, a natual, chic design aesthetic, a carefully-curated cocktail list and a photogenic stoned-lined pool by the ocean. The hotel has the sense of an effortless cool hideaway along the coast from Nice, on the edge of L’Esterel National Park. I found this glorious little hotel last summer, and it's been on my bucket list ever since. 

he topic for April is one we enjoyed in 2015 - and we fancied it again - 'Places we can’t get out of our heads'.(And, for those of you who've been around that long - has it changed for you? Link back to your old post in your new post, it's good for SEO!)

How to link up your post

Just pop your post up, add it to the below or on the blogs of Adventures of a London Kiwi, SilverSpoon London, Follow Your Sunshine and The Travels of Mrs B.

There are no rules – basically all we ask is that you check out some of the other cool bloggers that are involved in that months travel link up; make a few comments here and there and tweet a few of the posts out to your followers that you think they will love. It’s a great way to meet some new travel bloggers and share some blogging love!

The Travel Link Up is open to all bloggers – as long as the post is relevant!

Kinosaki Onsen; the best way to relax in Japan

I’ll admit, getting naked in public just to sit in a stinking hot bath with strangers doesn't immediately seem like the best way to partake in relaxation, but rest assured the 'ancient powers' of onsen do indeed harvest one of the best ways to relax in Japan. 

Onsen, or hot springs, is a Japanese tradition. The bathing ritual involves removing all your clothing in a public change room, covering your dignity with only a small face cloth, soaping yourself from head to toe on a small plastic stool before being hosed off like a horse, then at last retreating into a hot tub clouded so thick with steam that your vision stretches only to the few feet in front of you. 

It is said that each natural hot spring offers different benefits depending on the minerals in its water; sodium, chloride and calcium are thought to help reduce fatigue, reverse digestive issues and help nerve and muscular pain and bruising. This is where the phrase ‘ancient powers’ comes from. 

I had read about onsen when planning our two week trip to Japan and knew, that while daunting, it was something I wanted to do. For our onsen experience we travelled by shinkansen (high-speed bullet train) for just over two hours from Kyoto to Kinosaki Onsen, a little town famed for its hot springs on the thick-forested coast of the Hyōgo prefecture. The small town is the length of only one street on a canal, yet is home to seven completely different onsen. 

Upon arrival to our Ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn) we were provided with a yukata (or Japanese robe) and wooden clogs (I’m sure these do have a proper name). This would be the dress code for the entire duration of our three day stay. The polite Ryokan manager who spoke no English whatsoever provided us with a pass to gain free access to each onsen and we were on our way. 

The quite streets saw more locals than tourists which made for a truly authentic experience. Approaching our first onsen the atmosphere was calm, silent, respected, relaxing and wonderfully revitalising. We disrobed and submerged. I don't know if it was being the only western tourists present, not speaking the language or quite simply not having the fear of being judged in a room of every body type imaginable, but I very quickly felt comfortable in my own skin, I found myself liberated moving from bath to plunge pool confidently and inhibition free. 

Outside the onsen, the town of Kinosaki is renowned for its local snow crab. Huge, fleshy pink and white crustaceans available in each of the small restaurants come served cold, grilled or in traditional hot pot. With the entire town’s water heated naturally from the springs, we savoured the opportunity to boil out own eggs right in the canal-side. Three minutes, and they were perfectly soft-boiled.

After a day spent soaking we retrieved back to our ryokan to participate in a traditional 13 course Kaiseki dinner, before a night’s rest on our futon beds with a new found sense of balance and wellbeing. 

This post was part of the monthly Travel Linkup. Our March topic is travel and well-being. Have they interlinked for you in the past? Have you ever planned trips around your health, relaxation or perhaps a 'medicinal' spa weekend?

How to link up your post

Just pop your post up over the first week of the month (the 1st - 7th March 2018), add it to the link up widget found on Silverspoon London, Follow Your Sunshine, Adventures of a London Kiwi or on the blog of the lovely guest host Sophie at Sophie's Suitcase.

The Travel Link Up is open to all bloggers – as long as the post is relevant!

Pablo Escobar's Tulum mansion, now a luxury hotel

Pablo Escobar, you know the one, took over this mid-century beachfront mansion in the 1980s at the height of his reign as an infamous Colombian drug lord, making the luxurious location his playground. Abandoned after his death, the villa was rediscovered in 2003 and was returned to its original owner before being put up for sale only to be snatched up by New York art collector and gallery owner, Lio Malca in 2014.

Casa Malca, the now five-star boutique design hotel sits along one of the most desired oceanfront stretches in Tulum and is filled with pieces from Malca's own art collection, including works by Keith Haring, KAWS, and Marion Peck.

Casa Malca is a work of art in itself, set in a natural wonderland surrounded by the lush Mayan jungle. The entrance is over the top with suspended arm chairs and a sofa swinging from heavy draped curtains, restaurant stylized with the ornate antique furniture and creepy old toys, and to best showcase it all, a rooftop bar with 360-degree views to take in Tulum's sunsets. 

Roganic

Simon Rogan is back in London with his cult pop-up Roganic, and this time it's for reals! The permanent site takes up home on Blandford Street in Marylebone and brings the famed elements of L’Enclume, Simon’s two Michelin star restaurant in the Lake District, to London for good. 

If you're a fan and foodie fanatic like me you will remember Roganic and its forward-thinking and imaginative menu using only the freshest and most exceptional array of produce from the best suppliers around the country, including Simon’s ‘Our Farm' in The Lake District.

The permanent site is a renaissance of the original pop-up delivering an innovative and informed dining experience serving dishes that draw upon Simon’s trademark visionary and pioneering cooking. Enjoy the full tasting menu with wine pairing, or a very reasonably priced set lunch menu for £40.