At the end of last year we went with some friends to Gingerline, an interactive dinner experience that was as strange and exciting as it sounds. The idea is that you have no idea what you are going to end up doing, so you have to get yourself somewhere on the ‘Ginger Line’ – otherwise known as the London Overground – by 6pm, and await a text telling you where to get off. Once at the station, arrows or hidden clues (in this case yellow cycle padlocks) point you in the direction of your ‘secret location’.
Descending an external staircase outside what appeared to be a council office building, we found ourselves at an airport check-in desk manned by an orange haired, turquoise suited hostess who looked like something out of Thunderbirds. So, the evening begun...
Our dinner was ‘Planet Gingerline’; we found ourselves on the Gingernought, a mysterious spaceship where we spent the evening amazed, entertained and chatting with others sharing our table come space-ship command module. From devouring the delicious four course meal that had been carefully prepared by excellent chefs – my favourites were the Pre-Flight Protein Pack (dehydrated salad and goat’s cheese and mango lollipops) and the delicious white chocolate ‘Jupiter’ with ‘poppin’ space dust’ – to watching the eccentric stewardesses dance, sing and smile, we had a really great time. This is great food, in a fun and interesting setting with a chance to let go a little and imagine you really are "on another planet".
The highlight of my evening was take-off, where we donned psychedelic glasses and were scanned for disease, which if found, was treated with a large oral injection (which tasted very alcoholic!).
Their latest creation is running currently and, as all visitors are sworn to secrecy so as not to spoil it for future Gingerliners, I have no idea what surprises are in store. All I know is that there were rumors that you needed to wear wellington boots. I wonder why?
Each event is different and only on for a limited amount of time so check out their website and be sure to book for their new event which currently runs into early 2015. I would really recommend it and will be sure to book myself once again!
Wandering around Manhattan is always interesting, made even more so by the unique and totally fantastic shopping streets, one of which is Elizabeth Street in the Nolita (North of Little Italy) neighbourhood.
After a good few hours of shopping, we were getting hungry and a vibrant place at the top of Elizabeth Street called Tacombi caught our eyes. We were very lucky to get a table because, as soon as we sat down, the lunch-time queue formed outside the ‘restaurant’ - if you can call it that. It was more a large warehouse, with a 1960’s Volkswagen campervan in the middle serving fantastic Mexican food (slider style) – some favourites were the crispy fish tacos and ‘corn esquites’.
Not only was this place interesting because of the friendly vibe, authentic theming and great food but, as many of the Vida Vida leather bags are handmade in Mexico, I found the colourful and simple patterns extremely inspiring. As well as this, New York is definitely on trend, mixing two new food crazes in London that have really taken off; Mexican food and Truck food.
Burritos in particular have taken over London recently. With hundreds of different places including Chilango, The Flying Burrito and Wahaca now filling our streets you really can’t turn a corner without the lovely smell of tacos surrounding you. My favourite of the lot, although all are tasty, is probably Chipotle, which after being established in 1993 in the USA came to Europe three years ago and is definitely the most natural fast food you will find on Baker Street.
The other yummy if not slightly unusual craze is fast food from trucks. Probably due to the amount of music festival trucks with delicious food including perfect corn, proper pie and mash and real burgers which have gained popularity, firstly over the summer at festivals, and later on around London. You can also find mouth-watering meatballs from the Bowler, exotic ice-cream from La Griotta or Mexican Street food from Luardos. Track the trucks whereabouts online at www.luardos.co.uk, @thebowleruk or kitty@lagrottaices.com.
You will find this fantastic food stalls are cheaper than most places, yet the food is generally tasty and organic, and who wouldn’t want to sit by the side of a truck in British Summer now the sun has finally arrived? (It was sunny when I wrote this – honest!)
