EATING OUT AT ANDY'S TAVERNA IN CAMDEN TOWN, LONDON

My second meal out since lockdown was a birthday celebration for my husband at Andy's Taverna.

We were made to feel welcome and everyone wore a mask.  It was the end of the summer and the outside tables were all taken so we sat indoors.  There was plenty of santising going on and the toilets had plentiful supplies and were clean.  The food was amazing.  The portions were so big, I asked to box mine.  The service was excellent.  Will definitely return when it's safe to do so (lockdown etc.)  We had to wait about 20 minutes for the dessert but it was well worth the wait and they told us it takes a while.  I don't eat chips on a regular basis but these were the best I have had in a long time.  The only niggle was, the place is so popular the tables were a little too close together during these trying times with Covid.

Kleftico

Beef stifado

mixed kebabs

• 

A selection of starters with bread

More starters

The interior decoration.

A meal at The Six Bells ancient pub in Lymington, near Littlehampton in Sussex

 

 

It was my birthday and it rained all day.  We were staying next door so booked a table and the rain went away for the short walk.  We wore masks but the staff didn't, which really surprised me.  There was hand sanitiser close to the entrance. We sat next to the fireplace.  For starters we had a seafood platter which was very nice.  We had lamb shanks for main and a meat pie.  I had a ribeye steak which was large and tender.  I couldn't manage the chips and veg as am not a big eater.  It was my first meal out since lockdown.  We didn't try the lovely sounding desserts because I had a birthday cake "at home".  We left through the back garden as per instructions.  It was too dark to see the garden.  It was a nice meal.  I feel some renovations might brighten things up, although it must be cosy on a wintery night.

 

 

 

 

Aphrodite Taverna, 15 Hereford Road, London, W2 4AB

This restaurant was recommended to us by my husband's friend who is a regular. It wasn't a disappointment. The atmosphere was good on a winter's evening. The food was good and the portions fine. The only downside was the handwritten bill which was difficult to read but we were overcharged. That was soon sorted though, when we pointed it out.

We were glad of somewhere to lay our weary heads - CVK Hotel Taksim, Istanbul

We booked to stay for one night having travelled by minibus from Sakarya, further south in Turkey. We finished our journey by taxi and the driver took us to the other CVK hotel overlooking the sea. The doorman gave him directions to our hotel in Taksim Square. The location (if you like Taksim, couldn't be better). We left our 4 cases with the doorman and went upstairs to the reception where we discovered our booking with Apodo had gone horribly wrong and our room had been given to someone else. They only had suites or one tiny room available. The receptionist quoted a price higher than the one detailed on the reception wall. When I pointed out the correct price, it was changed. They let us sit in the comfortable lobby to contact Apodo by email but our email providers didn't recognise our "address" so thought we were being hacked. Tired, in our 60's we took the tiny room, similar size to BLOC at airports, with no view. Well there was a view. See photos! So, all in all, we got over it and were pleased to have somewhere to stay the night before heading for the airport. The room had everything we needed for a good nights sleep, but was overpriced. We found a lovely roof top restaurant nearby and had a pleasant afternoon on a warm October day, before the rain came. In the morning, breakfast wasn't very welcoming. Nobody spoke to us Nobody offered us tea or coffee or explained what we were entitled to. There was a chef area for live cooking but the chef, just stared at it. It was a cold and rainy morning and someone decided to open the remote control windows and it became quite blowy.

Would we stay again? Might like to try their sister hotel. The facilities look good on the website. The guys dealing with our luggage were very efficient and helpful.

A MUST FOR BIRTHDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS - VILLA TIBERIO, MARBELLA

We always go there if staying in the Marbella area. Do have a drink in the outside patio area. They don't seem to have a bar menu, so be ready with your choice of drink in your head. A good photo opportunity, if you didn't already take a few from the car park to the restaurant entrance (lots of statues and fountains).

The food is pretty much old school Italian which suits us. Not for everyone, I understand. There is always a special and the knowledgeable staff will tell you what they are. If on a budget, these can be pricey.

If visiting in summer, a table in the large impressive terrace is a must. There is music with requests catered for.

The owner, Sandro Morelli, trained in London and was the owner of the Barbarella restaurants in Fulham. We used to go there regularly. He is very welcoming and likes to know his guests are happy.

Celebrity spotting? One time we were on the next table to Lord Sugar and another time, Nicole Scherzinger.

A great evening out, any time of the year.

Harry and Meghan. What happens next?

 

They seem to be acting unpredictably. If they want to avoid the press, why allow the coverage of their thank you meeting at the Canadian Embassy? Why use Instagram at all? What will happen next? Will they keep Frogmore House and the staff available all year round? Will they choose Los Angeles or Canada, or both, involving much travel by jet. I am not really bothered but ordinary people seem to be encouraged to give up flying, or indeed anything enjoyable, to save the planet. All of a sudden cattle are adding to climate change.

I need a private jet to a sunbed somewhere without veganuary, or dry January etc.

 

 

Manuka Honey - Any Benefits?

My OH bought some expensive manuka honey.  I was reluctant to try it at first.  £58 oer jar.  How much does that cost per spoon?  We have tried various honeys from the Black Forest, the mountains of Turkey, the Yemen etc.  I can't say the manuka tastes any different.  I went to WebMD and found this:

Quote

The major antibacterial component in manuka honey is methylglyoxal (MG). MG is a compound found in most types of honey, but usually only in small quantities.

In manuka honey, MG comes from the conversion of another compound, dihydroxyacetone, that is found in high concentration in the nectar of manuka flowers.

The higher the concentration of MG, the stronger the antibiotic effect.

Honey producers have a scale for rating the potency of manuka honey. The rating is called UMF, which stands for Unique Manuka Factor.

The UMF rating reflects the concentration of MG. To be considered potent enough to be therapeutic, manuka honey needs a minimum rating of 10 UMF. Honey at or above that level is marketed as "UMF Manuka Honey" or "Active Manuka Honey." But doctors and researchers aren’t sure if this rating means anything from a medical standpoint.

Unquote

I am wondering if it would help our son's psoraisis with its antibiotic properties.

I am having an acai berry yoghurt mixed with a Benecol fruit yoghurt, topped with manuka honey.  I hope it does some good.