Read the best low-calorie cocktails in London.

The post Where to go for a low-calorie cocktail in London appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

For more info, visit: http://grandunionbars.com. Check out pics from our recent visit below! 

The post What we’ve been up to… food and cocktails at Grand Union appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

The post What we’ve been up to… The Diner, Gloucester Road appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

The menu offers great British classics, all produced freshly every day using top ingredients. You can get brunch at the weekend including poached duck eggs or the traditional sausage sandwich.  The dinner menu is equally adventurous and classic at the same time with quail, duck and sweet potato fries all featured on the menu.

Drinks are on the pricey side, but for London you don’t get much cheaper, and they are worth it. Overall, it’s a great place to go to catch up with friends as it has the balance of a busy bar with a great atmosphere but not too noisy that you can’t chat and hear people, a problem I find more and more with London bars ( though maybe that’s just my age…). And I recommend my favourite cocktails –  the Carol Channing, a mixture of framboise and champagne and the Blueberry Caiparinha with organic abelha cachaca and homemade blueberry jam. (Words: Lucy Palmer) 

For more info, visit www.benugobarandkitchen.com

The post Somewhere You Should Go… The Benugo Bar & Kitchen appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

On arrival, I was greeted by the loveliest maître d’ and a cocktail on the house (!), before my party was sat in the cosy table corner, perfect for a small group of friends.

The majority of us opted for the set menu (2 courses, £24.90, 3 course £29.50) , which featured a slightly edgy selection of traditional dishes.  I chose the calamari with chili & lime mayonnaise for starter, followed by an 8 oz. rib-eye steak (medium to well done)  with sautéed spinach & garlic mash and a selection of ice cream to top it all off.

The calamari was cool enough – although since discovering Busaba Eathai‘s version, it’s hard to find anything remotely comparable; so divine! – and it’s a decent portion, at least.  But my friend seemed smitten by her  grilled goat’s cheese with roasted sweet peppers, crispy potatoes & chimichurri, which I’d probably opt for next time.

As for the main, I really enjoyed  the mash, which perfectly complimented the tasty steak – and the dessert, while small, just worked for the simple fact that the pistachio flavour added a bit of flair to the usually redundant chocolate and vanilla combo.  Drinks-wise, I stuck to the subtly sweet albeit pricey treat of Prosecco Rose (£6.50 a glass) for most of the evening, which overall I could say ended enjoyably, and without a hitch.

It’s no secret that  BBB has been plagued with poor reviews in the past, but off the back of this experience, I’d say it’s an intriguing locale that offers a stylishly cosmopolitan night out, but one that doesn’t require the dining. Where it triumphs is in its ambience, friendly staff, zealous cocktail culture (there’s an entire lounge downstairs) and its ability to make you feel a level beyond bourgeoisie – and who doesn’t want that?  (Words: Matilda Egere-Cooper) 

[stextbox id=”custom”]

[/stextbox]

The post Somewhere you should go…Beach Blanket Babylon appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Anyway, while I do love the breadless avocado and crayfish sandwich from Pret ‘A Manger, I’ve got to hand it to Starbucks for taking a good chunk of my income over the last few months. Here’s why:

1. I’m American. Starbucks is an American company. Americans rule dontcha know? That’s loyalty right there. Red, white and blue all the way! Black president! Popeyes Chicken!!!! MACYS! (CHEST BUMP!)

2. I believe in the Starbucks Card. It affords me free wireless in all of their branches AND if I top it up, I get free shots of syrupy stuff. This didn’t matter until I started drinking coffee – trust me, a shot of vanilla helps with the bitterness.

3. It doubles as my office sometimes. The longest I’ve stayed in a Starbucks is about 5 hours, and that’s on the basis of a single cup of Chai Tea Latte. Result, surely? I didn’t get any dirty looks, I could keep my laptop plugged in, and the armchairs are ridiculously comfy. Not sure Pret or Caffe Nero would afford me the same treatment. Pret is French and Nero is Italian and we know that can be love and war. Mmmm hmmm.

4. Caramel Waffles. I could eat 15 of these and search my teeth for remnants a day later. Deep, I know, but they’re that good.

5. They are EVERYWHERE. I live smack between two, and while I know it’s mass capitalism playing me for the fool, I can’t knock the convenience. Sorry.

The post 5 reasons why…Starbucks wins appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.