Food and Drink
The Quiet Revolution Of The Polish Culinary Scene
Poland's culinary scene is experiencing a rising recognition for its unique flavours and growing number of Michelin-recommended restaurants, as Baldwin Ho discovers.
The Polish economy has been flourishing since it joined the European Union in 2004. The country has the highest GDP among Central and Eastern European countries. It is therefore no surprise to discover that the stereotypical, disparaging image of Polish cuisine is very much outdated nowadays. I travelled the length of the country recently to discover what Polish cuisine truly means in 2025.
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Six Of The Souths Best Whiskey Bars
31st March 2025
Whiskey's historical roots run deep in southern parts of the USA. From Tennessee and Kentucky to Virginia and South Carolina, there are time-honoured distilling traditions and legacies to be found in each. For those visiting, be they whiskey aficionados or not, a distillery visit ranks high on the bucket list. From lowkey, local drinking holes to grander affairs, The Sybarite has curated a list of must-visit whiskey bars in the south.
Meet The Chef: The Woman Behind Louie
24th March 2025
Located in a historic 19th-century townhouse, Louie is known for serving New Orleans-inspired cuisine with a heady blend of Spanish and Caribbean influences. At its helm is Geanina Rugina, an experienced executive chef whose résumé includes the likes of Gordon Ramsay Group and D&D London. With a seasonally-changing menu and delicious, fresh flavours delivered consistently, Louie has certainly made its mark on the London food scene. Below, The Sybarite speaks to Geanina about the women who have inspired her, the unique dynamics of Louie and her advice for budding chefs.
Whisky and Chocolate: The Perfect Pairing
20th March 2025
House of Hazelwood creates sublime whisky, and they asked an award-winning Chocolatier from the Highlands, Mr Iain Burnett, to create a bespoke chocolate pairing for four of the distillery's rarest whiskies.
Discover Londons Most Prized Mothers Day Brunch Spots
19th March 2025
There are few people on earth more special than our mothers. In the leadup to Mother's Day, you might be thinking of where best to celebrate in London's expansive dining scene. Below, The Sybarite has compiled a list of treasured brunch spots for a morning-into-afternoon celebration with scrambled eggs and mimosas aplenty.
The Best Irish Pubs In London To Celebrate St Patricks Day
13th March 2025
Whether you're Irish by blood or in spirit, London's variety of Irish pubs offers an authentic slice of the Emerald Isle's hearty hospitality and atmosphere. From traditional folk tunes echoing through historic walls to modern bars serving craft Irish ales, the city is a treasure trove of spots to enjoy. So, if you're looking to celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2024, you're in luck. We've brought you the definitive guide to the best Irish pubs in London, where the Guinness flows freely, the welcome is warm, and the vibe is unmistakably Irish.
Women Who Launch: Lynette and Cloe De La Vega Of Abuelo
5th March 2025
With shared Argentinian and Australian heritage and a love of hospitality, Lynette and Cloe have long championed their roots. This passion comes to life in Abuelo, the coffee-driven brunch spot on everyone's lips. With new locations popping up across the city, the cafe's ability to nail the basics while offering something unique is its success sweet spot. Within its stylish confines, guests can expect delicious and inventive food in a visually beautiful space. Despite their differences, Argentina and Australia happen to be a match made in heaven on the culinary front. As a result, Abuelo's menu showcases a delicious combination of spice, zest and rich flavours. During the day, dishes are a heady mix of sweet and savoury, including whipped ricotta and plums on toast, generously filled sandwiches and green pea fritters with poached eggs. Come nighttime, Abuelo Marylebone transforms into a vibey space, serving up natural wine and small plates, with a DJ on Saturday nights. In need of a recommendation? The's hot honey jamón toast is something to shout about, with creamy stracciatella sitting atop loaded prosciutto cotto and a drizzling of fermented hot honey. It's the perfect balance of creaminess, zing and crunch. Speaking to its success, the rate of expansion for the cafe has been highly impressive, especially in a city like London where the competition is fierce. Abuelo opened in 2018 with a Covent Garden location and expanded to Marylebone last year. Outposts in Mayfair and Soho are set to come. Lynette's background as an architect and Cloe's work as a designer has been instrumental in bringing the creative vision of Abuelo to life. Both understand that the physical space is just as important as the food, which is reflected in the decor. Marylebone features mid century light fittings sourced from the Netherlands, while Covent Garden houses textiles made by local artisans in remote parts of Argentina. Each space is unique and speaks to a different source of inspiration, making them memorable in their own right. Below, we speak to them both about Abuelo's unique position in the brunch scene, the architectural vision behind the spaces and the challenges faced by women in hospitality. https://www.abuelocafe.co.uk/
Raising the 'bar' for International Women’s Day
7th March 2023
Individual, complex and historically undervalued: it could be said that artisanal Irish whiskey has something of an affinity with the fairer sex. What better pairing then, than the women of Hakkasan’s bar, wine and pastry teams and the Craft Irish Whiskey Co. – a creative match made in heaven and the partnership behind The Golden Nectar. The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is a relatively new Irish whiskey brand that has taken the luxury drinks market by storm with a slew of award-winning products, including Best Irish Single Malt 2022. Spearheading an Irish whiskey renaissance – a drinks category dominated by Scotch whisky in the 20th century – the company takes a no-expense-spared approach to the art of distillation. The makers admit to an obsession with perfection, from the finely tweaked maturation process to the packaging, which includes, in the case of one release, an actual Faberge egg. No wonder then that these whiskies can be found on the backbar of most of the UK and Ireland’s most decorated Michelin restaurants.
Review of The Luxury Insider reviews Kasa and Kin
31st March 2022
Having only opened last year in London’s Soho, Kasa and Kin throughout the day is a Filipino-style café and bakery and in the evening it changes to a full-on dinner menu with wines and cocktails. From the outside it’s much more café than fancy restaurant, but what this place has taught me is, don’t judge a book by its cover - the food here is sensational, the service exceptional and the atmosphere warm and welcoming.
Review of The Luxury Gent Reviews - Mano Of Mayfair
18th March 2022
Romain Fargette has owned restaurants, night clubs and beach clubs up and down the French riviera since he was 18. His founding partner Alexis Colletta is an established entrepreneur, and together they persuaded the winner of Top Chef Brasil 2020 and MasterChef: The Professionals semi-finalist, Luciana Berry to be their head-chef, and launch Mano of Mayfair. Luciana was born in Salvador Brazil, and grew up in a traditional South American family and food centric household. Mano of Mayfair, seeks to fuse the varied exotic fruit-rich uniqueness of Brazilian cooking, with the delicate fresh ingredients and fish from Japan.
Women who launch – Valentina de Santis of Grand Hotel...
14th March 2022
I’m here to tell you that that would be a mistake. Italy has been one of my most frequently visited countries largely because of its regional diversity. I love how a short drive could mean a complete change in scenery, dialects, and flavours. Late last year, I was fortunate to spend a long weekend in the region of Lombardia where panoramic views of the Alps greeted me every morning. It is in this picturesque location that the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, a Preferred Hotels & Resorts member, welcomes guests every season. Lying on the western shores of Lake Como, Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a family-owned five-star luxury hotel with Valentina de Santis as its current CEO. de Santis is a multi-awarded hotelier who has, not only hospitality expertise running in her veins, but a keen eye for design as well. She has taken all the elements of the art nouveau hotel and created a line of products sold in a newly-launched e-boutique that allow guests to take the experience home with them.
Featuring International Women’s Day- the best female-only wellness...
8th March 2022
Health and Fitness Travel, the wellness holiday specialists have rounded-up the best female-only wellness retreats for solo travel for those looking to book a well-deserved wellness break in 2022. From relaxing on the glistening shores of the Algarve with an immersive yoga experience, to increasing your fitness on an intensive bootcamp overlooking the striking Thai mountains, these exclusive health and fitness retreats are guaranteed to enlighten and empower every woman.
Clara Latham, GM of the empowering womens Processo brand...
18th March 2021
The Sybarite speaks to Clara Latham, General Manager at Della Vite about challenging the norms of Prosecco, bringing something new to the market and how proud she feels working for such a strong women-owned business.
Mahali & Co, the multicultural, innovate, London based...
17th March 2021
With a combined 18 years of industry experience, they want to diversify London's cafe culture to reflect its growing multicultural community by embracing their own cultural backgrounds which have influenced their palettes. Inspired by their love for pastry and a shared passion for experimentation, they aim to provide a fresh take on laminated dough pastries by introducing unique flavour combinations. "We wanted to create a space where people can find the finest sourdough bread, venoisserie and condiments all made freshly in-house – ultimately, everything you need for the perfect breakfast, with a twist". Their main focus is to provide a solid range of high-quality products that will be innovative, yet familiar, and difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Carme Ruscalleda, female chef with most Michelin stars in...
8th March 2021
Three for San Pau in San Pol de Mar, two for San Pau in Tokyo and two more for Moments in Barcelona, a restaurant that she co-runs with her son Raül Balam. In total 7 Michelin stars alongside numerous awards. The Sybarite speaks with Carme Ruscalleda about her passion for cooking, how she’s facing the pandemic and the importance of believing in yourself.
Featuring Cooking the Future with The Worlds First Fully Robotic...
4th March 2021
Making dinner has never been so easy. With their slogan, 'The future is served', British company Moley Robotics has brought the digital revolution to the table: The World’s First Fully Robotic Kitchen. The world's first smart chef-robot, that cooks and washes your dishes, is a game-changing step into the future of cooking at home and in restaurants. This luxurious tech kitchen makes gourmet food without effort from the comfort of your own home, which is especially relevant in times when extra hygiene measures are essential worldwide. Moley Robot facilitates limited contact during food preparation and integrates safe UV-disinfection of the worktop and the air in the cooking zone.
Callooh Callay: A Hidden Gem
11th March 2020
The Lewis Carroll theme doesn’t just stop at the name – Callooh Callay bar invokes all of the curiosity and kitsch of the Jabberwocky poem with an eclectic interior that really does feel like you’ve passed through to the other side of the looking glass.
Review of Cubé Oden bar review
21st March 2019
Considered one of the oldest fast foods in Japan, oden refers to a one-pot dish with various ingredients stewed in a dashi broth. We decided to pay the restaurant a visit and get a taste of what oden is all about. We’re welcomed downstairs by the the Cubé bar manager, Reo. With only 12 seats, the atmosphere is intimate and each guest receives a truly personal experience. We are asked to choose from one of three infused whisky highballs. I decide on the apple, cinnamon, and pink pepper infusion, whilst my guest, Danielle, chooses the raspberry, blueberry, lemongrass, and Earl Grey version. The Nikka brand was founded by Masataka Taketsuru, known as the Father of Japanese Whisky, who studied the art of whisky making in Scotland. Reo took time to tell us about the oden tradition and how each home or restaurant will always have their own take on it. The Cubé version has a mix of different seafood, radishes, Japanese sausage, boiled eggs, and fishcakes. It’s served with a side of very strong house-made mustard. Reo instructs us to try each ingredient on its own before trying it with the mustard. A word of caution: listen to Reo when he says the mustard is strong! However, when used properly, we find that it brings a really nice punch to the otherwise subtle dish.
Celebrate Easter With A Modern Baker Simnel Cake
26th March 2018
So what better way to celebrate, than with a cup of English tea and slice of this beautiful Simnel cake by Modern Baker? This Easter bake is a rich fruit cake which includes lumps of marzipan stirred into the mixture that melts and combines with all the other flavours during cooking. It is then decorated with more marzipan, typically in a spring floral design.
Lemon Compendium - Q&A With Author Yasemen Kaner-White
12th March 2018
Vibrant, red-lipped and glowing… I’m starting to think there might actually be something to this lemony lifestyle. Yasemen’s English-Cypriot heritage and passion for travel have driven her love of experimenting with cuisines from all around the world. A woman after my own heart, Yasemen relishes expanding her understanding of various cultures, paradigms – and especially her tastebuds! There is evidence of this insatiable hunger for unique stories behind each health tip, lifestyle hack and delicious recipe in her new book Lemon Compendium.
Listen to Your Gut – Modern Baker, A New Way to Bake
2nd March 2018
In a society where health and wellbeing are coming to the forefront of day-to-day living, we are looking for healthier alternatives to boost the nutritional quality of what we’re putting into our bodies. The Modern Baker is a pioneering baked good brand, working out of Oxford to bring us nutritional cakes, biscuits and bread made with natural ingredients and sourdough starters.
Melissa’s Life-Changing Carrot and Olive Oil Cake
2nd March 2018
"Sorry for the melodramatic title of this cake but to be honest it was life-changing for me, so please just go with it. It’s the complex play of the spices that really brings this cake to life. Cloves, cardamom and cinnamon combine to heighten the flavours and aromas to an almost intoxicating level. With 500g of grated carrot in this cake, there’s no getting away from its presence, though it’s surprising how the cake doesn’t really taste of it. Its purpose is to bind in the flour – in this case spelt, that is higher in protein and fibre than wheat. The fruity olive oil unifies all the other flavours. This recipe is so forgiving. Even overcooked, it’s still moist and delicious!" - Melissa Sharp
St Lucia gets serious about food
28th March 2017
That, however, is beginning to change with St Lucia emerging as a surprising destination with a lot to offer food lovers, aside from its lush tropical scenery. A new organisation is driving the revolution - The Caribbean Culinary Council has launched new initiatives with the aim of developing and celebrating the region’s culinary expertise. Head of the organisation Karolin Troubetzkoy comments: “Visitors to the Caribbean are looking for unique culinary experiences and locally sourced products. Increasingly, our culinary offerings are driving destination traffic alongside established factors such as accommodation and scenery. Visitors can now visit a cocoa plantation offering a Tree -To-Bar experience in St Lucia. Weekly street parties and ‘Jump Ups’ showcase the local cuisine, and the capital of Castries has one of the most colourful and vibrant food markets in the Caribbean.
Health is the Ultimate Luxury: Meet Clajah Bricce
24th March 2016
Growing up in London surrounded by the buzz of a hard-working city that never sleeps, Clajah found herself particularly inspired by her aunt, whose demanding schedule made keeping healthy an absolute must. As a singer working with the likes of Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder, Clajah’s aunt was constantly on the go, and she relied heavily on her fitness to be able to do her job. Even at such a young age, Clajah says she “wanted to be just like [her]” and really understood how important working out and eating well was for peace of mind, as well as body. Unsurprisingly, Clajah went on to study Biology, Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at university, further equipping herself with the necessary knowledge to make her business idea a very healthy reality. She loved the variety and complexity of the clients she took on “working with children and families, celebrities, sports figures and high powered executives”, all with a range of different health objectives. She now has more than 20 years of experience in the international health sector.
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