Foodie Force

Monday, 8 December 2014

Christmas Getaways - Vienna

This is the fourth and final part in my Christmas getaway adventures. If you haven't read the first three instalments (Copenhagen, Iceland and Tromsø) then have a quick read here, here and here.

On Thursday we jetted off to Vienna, for our festival getaway for this year.

With a flight time of under two hours from London, Vienna is within the perfect reach of some wonderful Christmas markets, great art and foodie treats.

On landing in Vienna, the airport is easy to navigate and find your way to the train that takes just 20 minutes to arrive in the heart of the City. Coasting along on the train you have rolling green fields one side and industrial plants the other side. It is quite the contrast.

Our hotel for our stay was 25 hours Hotel based in the Museum Quartier. Now choosing a hotel in Vienna is quite difficult as there are many and the overall quality seems very high. So I decided to opt for a hotel based on location and the fact that it offered something a bit different. The 25 hour hotel certainly delivered on the quirky, being themed around a circus.

The theme of the circus and not taking things to seriously runs throughout the hotel which I loved. The lift to rooms is themed as a cage with scenes of the underwater world.

Each room is individually painted with circus scenes

You are also given your very own Nelly the elephant for the duration of your stay to keep you company.

The engaged signs for the rooms are designed in a similarly tongue in cheek way.

Prior to visiting Vienna I am not sure I truly understood how much the City had to offer as a destination. I have never crammed so much into such a short amount of time and best of all I can still go back to experience more. One thing I can share is Vienna is breathtakingly beautiful and I have so much to share, that this will be the first of two posts.

Until I visited I don't think I appreciated the scale that Vienna does Christmas markets.

They decorate the settings of their Christmas markets on a huge scale with wonderful festival lighting.

Oh wow is all I can say, but not all Christmas markets are equal however in Vienna, there are surprisingly many. They have those dedicated to ornaments, home made crafts, toys and food.

Walking around you can smell roasting chestnuts, mulled wine and hot potato snacks.

You are tempted around every corner with wonderful food.

Christmas Markets in Vienna to visit: (Those marked with a * were my personal favourites)

1.Wiener Christkindlmart beim Rathaus*: A huge Christmas market set outside the spectacular Neus Rathaus.

2. Advent market am Karlsplatz*: celebrating the arts and craftsmanship of Vienna. These market offers some fun things for those with children too.

3. Kilter-und Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Schönbrun

4. Weihnachtsdorf Schloss Belvedere

5. Weihnachtsmarkt Freyung*: This market offers lots of hand knitted items, art and wonderful homemade crafts.

6.Weihnachtsmarkt am Stephansplatz:
Stephansdom cathedral: is housed in the inner City of Vienna. If you like heights and are supper fit you can climb the 137 metre high gothic spire. What an amazing and picturesque location to have a Christmas market.

We ventured back to the hotel for some very needed supper at 1500 Foodmakers. As you can probably guess 1500 marks the number of minutes that exist in 25 hours. The menu is Italian inspired and whilst convenient because we were staying at the hotel, the restaurant is on the costly side and service is extremely chaotic. The food however is healthy and wholesome.

Well after a long first day we were well and truly spent (both in money and energy) so we ventured off to bed.

Lots more to follow in my next post where I will share highlights from the museums and definitely how the Viennese love to eat.

www.25hours-hotel.com

Friday, 5 December 2014

The Foodie Christmas List

As the nights draw in and the festive parties get under way, the foodies look forward to a month of eating, drinking and being merry without the guilt.

At any other time of the year eating, drinking and generally being gluttonous is frowned upon. During December however it is perfectly acceptable to eat out lots and party the night away.

So what do you buy a foodie for Christmas?

The person who spends their every waking moment dreaming about food. Even when they are eating they are in fact planning their next meal. This post highlights some of my best foodie adventures over the last year hopefully giving you some food for thought (sorry I couldn't resist) and ideas for the perfect gift.

1. Champagne and Fromage :

Who doesn't like Champagne and cheese?

This bistro in Covent Garden is the perfect location to while away a few hours devouring your favourite cheeses, charcuterie and sipping on Champagne (The shop sells over 25 award winning Champagnes). They offer lots of lovely food from cheese, charcuteries, tartinnes, salads, Foie Gras, snails and baked cheese the menu starts from £8 and £9 for a glass of champagne. They also have a wonderful afternoon tea £27.

If you are looking for a hidden gem for Christmas well this could be it. Champagne and Fromage really could be my new London secret, well that was until I shared it with you all. For those of you outside London you could combine it with a trip to London, the restaurant is near to all the major sites and theatres.

2. Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea - Sanderson Hotel:

The Mad Hatter's Champagne Afternoon Tea is £48 per person and includes a glass of Champagne. It is one of the most imaginative, well presented and tasty afternoon teas that I have had this year and I have had quite a few. It is perfectly located too for shopping on Oxford Street.

3. Luxury stay at Pennyhill Park hotel and spa:

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a stately home, in plush surroundings, embracing your inner goddess and having someone catering to your every whim?

Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of London life you can be in Pennyhill Park hotel and spa within 45 minutes.

Hidden away in 120 acres of delightful Surrey parkland the main hotel is set in a beautiful sprawling ivy clad 19th century mansion that plays centre stage to housing The Latymer restaurant by Michael Wignall (awarded two Michelin stars).

The Latymer is the perfect foodie destination, with a three course lunch starting from £38.

4. Fresh Wasabi Gift box:

Foodies love nothing more than cooking with fresh ingredients. The Wasabi Company Gift box is the perfect Christmas present to add a bit of a kick to your cooking. Gift boxes can be tailored with a plant to grow your own or freshly harvested rhizome and utensils (apron and grater) delivered direct to your door.

5. Baking lessons:

So you have a foodie that likes consuming food, more than they like making their own baking masterpieces. Turn them into a baking genius with Baking lessons. Bake with Maria offers tailor made classes to learn new skills: Introduction to cake baking, Bread Baking and Macaroon classes.

6.The unique kitchen accessory:

Kitchen accessories that add a bit of interest are a winner in my book. The egg skelter is the perfect gift to add something unique to your foodie kitchen.

Created in Devon by a small company at £19.95 it offers a vibrant, interesting but practical way to store your eggs.

Hopefully this has given you some inspiration. Don't live in or near London, don't worry. You could either visit us here or find alternative restaurants/afternoon teas where you live. You could also be creative and give a gift voucher for you to make a nice meal or afternoon tea.

After all foodies just love being fed.

What foodie present would you give?

Monday, 1 December 2014

Find the perfect gift

With today marking the start of December and only 23 shopping days till Christmas. It's officially time to start getting seriously festive.

So I thought I would share with you an "All I want for Christmas" list. If you have someone who loves pampering, relaxation and beauty then this guide should help you complete your buying and who knows if you've been good you might even find some of them under the Christmas tree for you.

What are you hoping Santa brings you this Christmas?