Boom! Chef went wild when he saw this t shirt by Christopher Kane. With a stunning black and white cloud print, I’m not sure if it’s a ‘your hair is beautiful’ Blondie reference, a celebration of modernity or just war chic, but it’s brave and bold in equal measure.
My favourites are the two grayscale versions available at Matches now – there are colour ones at Harvey Nichols too. If it wasn’t for the cruel £170 upwards price ticket I’d have one already. Chef’s Kiss!
This week we went to Hammersmith to see Three Sisters by Anton Chekov at the Lyric. As we took our seats in the fine theatre, the cast wandered around the stage, setting the scene for the youngest sister, Irina’s (Clare Dunne), name day party.
Olga (Poppy Miller), the eldest sister, works at the school and is glad of a day off, but Masha (Romola Garai), the middle one, frustrated with her dull life, isn’t in such high spirits. Irina and the Baron (Jonathon Broadbent), one of the party guests, talk about how they want to work – and the purpose it will give them (they’re wrong – it doesn’t) – while Alexandr (John Lightbody) delivers rousing arguments on the ability of society to become more beautiful and poetic. This is lost on Irina who pines for cosmopolitan Moscow, where she wants to live life in colour right now.
The sister’s fortunes and futures are shaped by their dowdy brother Andrei (Ferdy Roberts) and his hideous wife Natasha (Gemma Saunders), and the play tells the story of the three’s hopes and dreams. With a haphazard collection of modern day props, the staging, designed by Jon Bausor, has a post-modern feel to it, with sound effects created live on-stage, and a stage manager who adds and removes stuff in the middle of the action. Sean Holmes and Filter direct a brilliant version of the play – funny, chaotic and moving – and it’s on at the Lyric until 20 February before touring. A great night. Chef’s Kiss!
This weekend I realised I’d not listened to a new album for ages so I went to HMV Fulham and got ‘Ciao!’ by Tiga and ‘Contra’ by Vampire Weekend.
The first, released last summer, reminded me of the joy of having an album in hand. With a bohemian graffiti cover and a sleek disc, black on both sides, ‘Ciao!’ looks as artful as it sounds – and makes me think of the stark black packaging of Wuz by Alex Gopher and Demon. On first listen the fun that is ‘Shoes’, the synthy ‘Luxury’ and the opener ‘Beep Beep Beep’ caught my ear. A few more plays made favourites of ‘Turn the Night On’ – all double claps and driving bass – and ‘Love Don’t Dance Here Anymore’ – a romantic ballad that turns into a disco workout. It’s a perfect electronic put-together.
‘Contra’ has the same summery, safari, Paul Simon-esque beats that everyone loves Vampires for – but this time with a harder electronic edge. ‘Run’ almost bleeps, and builds with hypnotic drums, ‘Taxi Cab’ sounds like a shuddering laser cutter accompanied by harpsichord, while Chef’s preferred track has to be ‘Diplomat’s Son’ – electronic keyboard reggae ready for a deck shoe summer.
Together they’re the start of a new effort to spend longer listening to stuff and not living off the breakfast thrill of a swift single song download for the tube journey. Chef’s Kiss!
Chef’s been so cold over the last few days that staying in has become a new hobby. In-between watching The Wire and Moonlighting box sets, I found time to have a look at a few old faithful websites, including Matches, where I found these amazing Gucci boat shoes. In crisp white, bold yellow and nautical blue they’re a maritime masterpiece and have me looking forward to when it’s warm enough to not wear socks again.
Until then, there are high tops, and none are more impressive than these magnificent Pierre Hardys. Since I saw them in Dover Street Market they’ve not left my mind – it’s as though Mondrian was channeled during their creation. Like all works of art they come in a limited edition (of 500 according to Colette) and are probably the finest high tops I’ve encountered – clearly an investment. If anyone wants to do some good this year then buy me a pair. Chef’s Kiss!
Happy New Year kitchenettes. At times Chef likes to take a break from cooking, and what could be better for an easy meal than some pasta with pesto. Often we make our own with vegetarian parmesan, fresh basil, garlic, olive oil and pine nuts, but when time is tight we’ve got a new friend – Seggiano’s Raw Basil Pesto, found in Whole Foods for £6 (ouch). It’s made from organic basil added to olive oil when picked, cashews, pine nuts and garlic, and has a smooth, rich flavour with a lovely nutty aftertaste. Ideal for some pasta pesto pronto, and vegetarian too. Chef’s Kiss!
It’s nearly here, so as a special treat here’s Chef’s top ten Christmas songs:
10. It May Be Winter Outside – Barry White
9. Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea
8. Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney
7. Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses
6. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Mel & Kim
5. December Will Be Magic Again – Kate Bush
4. Lonely This Christmas – Mud
3. Christmas (Baby Come Home) – Darlene Love
2. All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
1. Last Christmas (Pudding Mix) – Wham!
Merry Kissmas everyone. Chef’s Kiss!
We were heading for a stroll along the river when we spotted The Pear Tree looking rather chipper with new paintings on its glass windows. Further investigation found this fine old pub, down Margravine Road in Barons Court, had just re-opened with new management, so, on the way back from admiring the low winter sun we dropped in for a mulled wine.
Inside, there’s modern wallpaper and furniture mixed with the original bar and carpets, creating an individual cozy feel – the open fire makes it even more tempting to stay. It’s a nice addition to the pubs around Barons, and given the festive timing what could be better than a drink in a Pear Tree? Chef’s Kiss!
We were off Portobello Road, about to slip into a Bedknobs and Broomsticks rendition, when we found Osteria Basilico, a lovely warm and homely Italian restaurant, for dinner. The place was pretty much booked up but luckily managed to squeeze us in for an hour, so we got some wine and started ordering.
To begin we shared a plate of creamy mozzarella, ripe tomatoes and beautiful avocado with basil dressing – tasty and light. Then, Sue had fresh pasta with chicken, mushroom and ham, and I went for perfectly formed spinach and ricotta tortelloni in tomato sauce – both were simple spot-on classics.
As table time ran out we got the bill and slipped next door to Montgomery Place for drinks. There, we perched in the little dark moody bar with a speakeasy feel, and ordered wine and a Manhattan that arrived in a sleek cocktail bowl. Great drinks, great atmosphere and an ideal end to a lovely night. Chef’s Kiss!
As a long-term Comme des Garçons parfums fan, I was very pleased when I was given some Incense Kyoto recently. In a polished black glass bottle with a silver top it’s part of the Series 3 range and is as heady as its name suggests.
A couple of spritzes and a deep woody base is revealed, before you notice the spiced high notes that stay with you all day – darkly modern. It’s ideal for cocktail time and available at Dover Street Market and Liberty. Chef’s Kiss!
Waiting to head to Mr Wing for dinner tonight, I just thought of when me and Sue went to Oxo for dinner. A couple of weeks ago we booked into the restaurant and imagined dining in the middle of the red neon ‘O’. We weren’t quite that high up, but sitting in club chairs and bathed in blue light, the view out to St Pauls and the city was perfect.
After a good glass of wine our starters arrived. Sue had sea bass, light and lovely, and I had some delicious truffle beignets with a salad of shavings and a beautiful olive oil. Then for mains, Sue had filet of beef with some tremendous spinach, while I enjoyed beetroot terrine with a light samosa – all spot on. After that we hit the cheese board – I remember an excellent nutty cheese and also a blue cheese that nearly made me run away – and then a coffee was in order to round it all off. Sated, we hit the terrace to admire the tower and the river, before the cold sent us in. I imagine that eating out there in Summer would be nothing short of spectacular. Now time to go to Brompton Road for Chinese. Chef’s Kiss!
