The classes cost £35 per person and include a premium cigar and an alcohol pairing.  The first class in April featured the Habanos Trinidad cigar paired with Vestal Vodka.  Many scoffed at the thought of smoking a cigar with vodka but by the end, everyone in attendance was converted.  I spoke to Joel Lawrence, the manager of Voltaire who promised many more cigar pairing surprises for the coming months, so we can’t wait to go back.  As a novice, I didn’t feel out of my depth and I highly recommended if you enjoy smoking a cigar while holding intelligent conversation.  They will also be launching ladies only cigar nights with the first one on Monday 10^th June.

The next masterclass is set for Monday 27^th May at 6.30pm.  For more information, dates of classes and bookings, visit http://voltairebar.com/masterclass

Voltaire Bar, 19 New Bridge St, EC4V 6DB.  Nearest Tube: Blackfriars.

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Anyone from Clapham will know all about Eco, the family owned pizzeria on the trendy high street, as it has been serving authentic Italian pizzas and pasta on the same site since 1993.  Having spoken to some local residents, they seem to be awfully protective about “their” restaurant, which intrigues me so much I soon find myself walking along Clapham High Street and pop in for dinner.

Eco has recently gone through a grand refurbishment and have stripped the walls back to the original 19^th century brickwork, but have modernised all around with bright orange warehouse lights, and an open plan kitchen which draws attention to the all-important wood fired oven which has also been decorated in the orange theme.  The mix of contemporary and traditional design works really well and I love how modern it feels.

We are greeted by a smiling Italian waitress and introduced to the menu which features a respectable mix of breads, pizza, seafood, pasta dishes and plenty of variety for vegetarians.  For starters we share a 7” garlic pizza bread, which is amongst the best I’ve ever had- crispy dough and a sweet tomato and garlic sauce; and also made a gorgeous pairing with the complimentary homemade chilli paste.  The salt and pepper squid was equally as impressive; it had just the right consistency and the batter wasn’t too oily.

Garlic Pizza Bread

Chilli Prawns

Moving onto the main, the Spicy Piccante pizza, made with 3 types of sausage, was exceptional.  The fermented sourdough, high quality herbs and meats used, and the 400 degree wood oven add up to an experience you are unlikely to find in many other establishments this side of the channel.

We also ordered the Spicy Homemade Beef Meatballs in a magnificent tomato and red wine sauce, which came with a mound of spaghetti.  Although tasty and filling, the only let down is that Eco don’t use homemade pasta, so was missing that extra dimension.

Spicy Homemade Meatballs

San Daniele Pizza with fresh rocket, pecorino, and tomato

Also, as you’d expect from an Italian restaurant, there are a number of good, fairly priced wines on offer, but strangely, they are all served in small tumblers.  I’m informed by the waitress that this is to give a more homely, Italian feel, but I would have personally preferred an orthodox wine glass.

If you can manage dessert after such a carb laden meal, I recommend the tiramisu.  I’m not a great coffee lover but they have kept the flavours quite moderate to bring through the creamy mascarpone.  By this point I was thoroughly satisfied and it’s hard for me to find fault with anything I’ve tried.  What’s even more impressive is the prices with the average 2 course meal with a drink coming in under £15 and the portions are generous to say the least.

I’m not from an Italian background, but this is what I’d imagine dining at home may be like in Rome; hospitality at its best, passion fuelled cuisine, and no one leaves the table hungry.  Now that I’ve experienced Eco first hand, I understand why locals want to keep it all for themselves.

For more information and bookings, visit http://www.ecorestaurants.com/

Eco Pizzeria, 162 Clapham High St, SW4 7UG.  Nearest Tube: Clapham Common

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NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) is a cocktail bar on the first floor of the Bedroom Bar on Rivington Street and is themed around old town New Orleans.  The bar is open to the public throughout the evening but turns into a members club after midnight.  Bar owner and expert mixologist Dan Priseman is a great lover of American drinking culture, so it’s no surprise that the menu features vintage favourites like the Sazerac, and a plethora of bespoke cocktails made with bourbon and rye whisky.  Cocktails are priced around £9-£10 each, so is competitive with other local popular cocktail bars Callooh Callay and Happiness Forgets.

The launch event on Tuesday 14^th May brought a real Deep South vibe to East London with live jazz bands, jive dancing and even an appearance by the original Blues Brother himself Dan Aykroyd who signed bottles of his creation Crystal Head Vodka.  After such a lively opening, we can’t wait to go back for great cocktails and southern hospitality.

Dan Aykroyd speaks to guests

NOLA Bar, 66-68 Rivington St, EC2A 3AY.  Nearest Train/Tube: Shoreditch High St / Old Street.

http://nola-london.com/

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When it comes to Bluetooth headset technology, Jabra is likely to be the first name that springs to mind.  In fact, at Blood, Sweat and Fashion- we absolutely adore the brand, so when we found out they had created their first portable Bluetooth speaker, we got very excited indeed.

The Solemate is a mini speaker, no bigger than a bottle of ketchup and first impressions are that it is a sexy piece of tech.  Smooth, rounded corners, big volume buttons on top and the base is made from rubber similar to shoe soles (hence the name) and comes in handy to prevent slipping.  The one feature it doesn’t have is the ability to change track, which is slightly annoying.

The Solemate has the most straightforward Bluetooth pairing system I’ve come across to date with a simple switch of a button to put it in pairing mode, then a suave (or annoying, depending on who you ask) American gentleman tells you how to connect, and then confirms once connected.  It pairs with any Bluetooth enabled device, and there is a wired option via a 3.5mm jack which hibernates within the sole.

Sound comes through 3 front facing speakers and for such a small device, it packs a mighty punch, however it did struggle with particularly bass heavy tracks.  Also, unlike most Bluetooth speakers at this price point, the Solemate includes an inbuilt microphone for ultra-clear conference calling.

The device is marketed towards the active music lover, so we took it to a festival where it faced rain, mud, sand and numerous drops from height.  Although wireless playback is quoted as up to 8 hours via the inbuilt lithium-ion battery, at maximum volume I managed to get about 5 hours straight playback which came in handy with a lack of power sockets around.  It came back from the party weekend slightly bruised and dirty, but thanks to the included rain protective bag, it still worked as good as new.

At around £100, the Solemate is slightly cheaper than the market leading Jawbone Jambox but offers comparable performance.  However, the Solemate offers many more benefits such as the microphone, superior build quality, and the voice controls.  There are a few alternatives that will give bigger and better sound, but for the overall package, the Jabra’s value is unrivalled.  If this is a first effort, its competitors should be very scared indeed.

Jabra Solemate Specs

-Weight: 610grams
-Dimensions: 172 x 64 x 70 mm
-Power: 9W
-Battery: 8hrs wireless music, 10hrs talk time.
-Bluetooth 3.0
-RRP £99.99

For more information and stockists, visit http://www.jabra.com/Products/Speakers/JABRA_SOLEMATE/Jabra_SOLEMATE_Black

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The founder, Mark Holmes visited Poland in the 90’s and was so inspired by their love of the spirit that he did some research and stumbled upon the 16^th Century legend of King Sigismund III.  It is said that he was cured of a supposedly incurable disease by a vodka ‘medicine’ created by alchemist Sendivogius, and Mark made it his objective to create a spirit as near to this original recipe- and U’luvka was born.

U’luvka is a 40% ABV grain based triple distilled vodka made from start to finish in Poland.  On the nose there is a strong hint citrus and vanilla and to taste it starts off sweet on the tongue with a peppery finish as it slides down the throat.  It is remarkably clean and there is no harsh aftertaste, which makes it good enough to drink straight or over ice.  Alternatively, U’luvka’s spicy flavour works well in a vodka martini and the website has a section dedicated to cocktail creations.

At around £40 a bottle, U’luvka firmly sits in the ultra-premium segment of the market, with an emphasis on the party loving, trendsetter.  It’s a pity, as U’luvka would be good value if it was half the price, but for the type of audience it is marketed towards, you can’t blame them for setting such a premium price.  I must admit though, the curvaceous clear bottle certainly has that ‘look at me’ factor, and you would be hard pressed to find anyone who wouldn’t covert a bottle for their drinks cabinet.  Friendship, Love, & Pleasure is the motto of this Polish vodka and although I can’t guarantee that it will bring you friends or a new beau, it will undoubtedly bring pleasure.

For more information, stockists, and to buy online, visit www.uluvka.com

U’luvka Premium Vodka¸ 40% ABV, RRP £38.28 (inc delivery) for 70cl bottle.

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Bulgari is one of the most recognised luxury brands worldwide and their new Knightsbridge hotel is a fine addition to the brand.  Contemporary Italian design is evident throughout, it boasts one of the most lavish spas in the UK, and perfume is even circulated through the air conditioning system.  With such credentials, when I heard they were launching a Chelsea Flower Show themed set lunch menu to celebrate the show’s centenary year- my ears pricked up and got myself down there.

Being an Italian owned hotel, the Bulgari’s Il Ristorante offers exquisite Italian cuisine, headed up by Scottish Italian head chef Robbie Pepin.  We are sat around the centre table which has a large tree sprouting from the middle, and although impractical if you want to speak to someone directly opposite, it’s a fitting tribute to the prestigious flower show.  The 3 course menu has a floral theme throughout with fresh leaf vegetables used and edible flowers all featuring.  The English pea risotto main with borage flower garnish was a personal highlight; I often find risotto a bit heavy but this was creamy, yet not too overpowering and the portion was just right for lunch.

Spring Leaf Salad with Pansy Flowers

English Pea Risotto with Borage Flower garnish

There is also an optional wine pairing menu for each course and if you are in the mood to get ever so slightly squiffy, it is a worthwhile treat- the sparkling dessert wine is exceptionally good with the strawberry and elderflower pavlova.

Wild Strawberry and Elderflower Pavlova with Mascarpone Sorbet

Located just one mile away from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Bulgari is the perfect location to lunch during the prestigious show from Tuesday 21^st-Friday 25^th May and is light enough to carry on your horticultural journey right through until tea time.  At only £30 per person, it won’t break the bank and is very reasonable for a 5 star hotel in London’s most expensive district- highly recommended.

The Chelsea Flower Show Lunch is available until Friday 25^th May.  For information and bookings, visit http://www.bulgarihotels.com/en-us/london/

Bulgari Hotel, 171 Knightsbridge, SW7 1DW.  Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge.

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Is it pronounced S.T.K or steak?  I ask the maître d’.  Although a valid question, I felt nervous about asking as it’s one of those questions that I feel a discerning diner like myself should already know the answer to (such as how to shuck on oyster or the best way to cook sweetbreads).  STK is the hottest new restaurant on London’s luxury steakhouse scene and is situated in the gorgeous 5 star ME Hotel on the Strand.  It has only been open a matter of months and is already being touted as a contender for the cow shaped crown currently held by the likes of JW Steakhouse and Hawksmoor; so I paid a lunchtime visit to the establishment to see if it’s a worthy challenger.

First appearances of the restaurant are impressive.  The contemporary dining area is huge and separated in two sections by a circular metallic bar in the middle of the room.  Large white booths set up for large groups and a DJ set up on one side of the bar, and an intimate dining room on the other.  There is plenty of room between each table and the décor is quite simply stunning, with an eccentric jellyfish-like centrepiece surrounded by cherry blossom plants and a lilac glow.

We are greeted and handed the newly created lunch menu, which has been shortened from the dinner menu and includes a few more salad dishes, but many of the USDA and British prime steaks are still present.  For starters I decide on the infamous STK Lil Brgrs which became popular in the original STK restaurant in New York and is made to the same recipe and Wagyu beef.  They can only be described as exquisite and although quite a large portion for a starter, I was NOT complaining.  My partner had the tuna tartare which was presented impeccably and a warm, nutty flavour offset the raw fish rather well.

Lil Brgrs starter

Tuna Tartare

I was already looking forward to my main as the menu description had me salivating at the thought- the STK Shooter is essentially a steak sandwich with a hip flask filled with a Bloody Mary.  The dish was inspired by olden time hunters who would often eat a steak sandwich before going out into the wilderness.  The dish was hearty to say the least, and the caramelised onions gave it an extra dimension that you wouldn’t find in your average lunchtime sandwich.  Some may call it gimmicky, and to be honest the Bloody Mary didn’t really add anything, but it was worthwhile just for the Instagram likes.

STK Shooter sandwich with flask containing Bloody Mary cocktail

Of course, you can’t go to a restaurant with the name STK without trying one, and my companion chose the 400g rump.  The USDA sourced cut was certainly flavoursome but she did find it slightly overcooked.  On the plus side, the chunky chips cooked in truffle oil is absolutely gorgeous; a must have side with any steak dish.

Rump Steak

Chunky Chips in Truffle Oil

By this time I had fallen into a meat and carb fuelled coma and although thoroughly satisfied, in hindsight I probably shouldn’t have chosen 2 courses loaded with bread and luckily I didn’t have to be back at work in the afternoon, otherwise productivity would have been at an all time low.  It takes a lot for me to skip dessert but I had to admit defeat on this occasion, and opted for a post dinner cocktail, of which there are many on offer.  As a bourbon lover, I became intimate with the ‘Not Your Daddy’ Manhattan made with Woodford Reserve and Licor 43.  My colleague did manage to save some space for dessert and had the wonderfully unique rose water candy floss.  Probably not the most obvious choice for a lunchtime dessert, but went down a treat none the less.

All in all, a great lunch but was very heavy on the stomach and the wallet.  Our meal came to roughly £30pp, so is probably best served for entertaining clients rather than grabbing a quick bite.  The concept of STK has intrigued me greatly.  Walking into some luxury steak restaurants can be intimidating for the 20 to early 30something diner, and STK has broken down this barrier creating a party atmosphere that mature audiences will probably hate with a passion.  It’s a risky strategy but with such a large young, cosmopolitan restaurant scene in London- the rewards could be great if it works.  I have a feeling that STK will be like marmite.  Personally, I love it.

And by the way, if anyone asks, it’s pronounced S.T.K.

For more information and bookings, visit http://togrp.com/togrp-stk-london/about/

STK London, 336-337 The Strand, WC2R 1HA

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Milk and Honey is a long standing fixture of the London bar scene, opening in 2002, but you’d be forgiven if you’ve never heard of it.  This is mainly because Milk and Honey’s reputation has been borne out of exclusivity and known to only those in the know.  M&H London is a spin-off of the original, hugely popular Milk and Honey in New York which was one of the first modern speakeasy bars and was the unintentional blueprint for a whole host of similar bars that have popped up on both sides of the Atlantic.  Similarly to the New York bar, the venue is members only, but M&H London does allow limited public access- and we were lucky enough to get the chance to review the iconic Soho bar.

I’ve been to enough speakeasy bars to know that finding the entrance may be difficult, and Milk and Honey is no exception and I have to ring a buzzer on an unmarked door to enter.  It sounds cliché but once inside, you feel like you’ve been transported to an illegal underground 1920s party complete with a musky incense smoke filled atmosphere, piano music, and natural candle light making it difficult to see more than 10 metres in front.  It is the oddest environment of any bar I’ve visited, similar to that feeling when you enter the steam room after a long work out, and I find it impossible not to slide into the booth and look to the ceiling.

The drinks are just as sophisticated, featuring 40 bespoke cocktails, and some of the rarest wines, champagnes and digestifs sourced from all over the world.  I tried the Penicillin- a multi award winning classic from M&H New York with a wicked ginger kick and the classic Boulevardier- a cocktail that dates back to the 1920s.  Watching the bartenders at work, the passion and care which goes into each drink is evident and I’m told that all juices are hand pressed on site daily to ensure freshness.  Although the cocktails are priced around £9-£10 each, it’s hard to argue that they aren’t value for money.

As well as the impressive main bar, there are 3 other members only floors featuring a games room, a relaxation room complete with sofas and fireplace, and a rooftop terrace.  All rooms offer something different, whether you are after an intimate evening for 2, or with a small group of close friends.  M&H offers the complete classic cocktail club service and its popularity and longevity is testament to how well they have done.  Considering how healthy the London cocktail scene is, many will question the need to pay a membership fee for great drinks- but if I were on the hunt for an exclusive members club, Milk & Honey would be right at the top of my list.

For membership and booking enquiries, visit http://www.mlkhny.com/ or phone 0207 065 6800

Milk & Honey London, 61 Poland St, W1F 7NU.  Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus

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Now here’s another one to ponder over: how many seven seater 4×4’s can you think of that cost under £27,000?  Tough isn’t it?  When it comes to offering a lot of car for your cash, especially if you’re in the market for something that can not only carry the extended family but carry them off-road too, then perhaps your thoughts should turn towards Kia’s latest Sorento.

You could be forgiven for not having noticed that Kia have revised their Sorento, the new model looks strikingly similar to the one it replaces. However the more observant of you will notice that at the front the Sorento gets new bumpers and daytime running lights while at the rear the tailgate has been completely redesigned. The rear light clusters are all new too and I’d say there’s more than a hint of Audi in their design. Perhaps Kia’s design chief, Peter Schreyer, hasn’t entirely let go of what he learnt from his former employer – he was after all the man who originally penned the TT.

Inside too there are hints of Schreyer’s past. OK, so the Sorento’s interior isn’t in the same league materials-wise is that of Audi, but that doesn’t mean you have go without beautifully clear chrome rimmed dials complete with backlit red needles, nicely damped switches or a liberal smattering of soft-touch plastics. The list of standard equipment is also generous. In KX-2 spec, as tested, the Sorento gets all-important Bluetooth, iPod connectivity and seven inch sat-nav, plus auto lights and wipers, air-con, and heated seats.  There’s even leather trim and a reversing camera – that will probably prove very handy for those of you who wish to couple-up your Kia with a trailer or caravan.

You might well need that trailer, especially if you prefer to travel with company. Like all seven seaters the Sorento leaves little room for luggage once its third row of seating is deployed. However, with a towing capacity of 2.5 tonnes there’s no real need for anyone to travel light. Alternatively, if you’re not the passenger carrying type, with the rear two rows of seating folded the Sorento’s load space is gargantuan.

Fire up the 2.2 diesel and at first it sounds a little, shall we say, industrial. Once warm though it provides relaxed cruising and, thanks to some useful low-down torque, surprising punch, especially whilst overtaking. The Sorento also rides well. It’s no sports-car by any means and the steering is very light, but because it’s lower and lighter now than it ever was, the Sorento resists the urge to roll in corners and can punt along at a decent pace. A new exhaust-gas recirculation system means the Sorrento can also claim class leading mpg figures of 47.9 with CO2 emissions at just 155g/km.

Off road too, it can hold its own. There’s now low ratio ‘box option and on tarmac the Sorento is effectively front-wheel drive. However, when the going gets altogether gooier a percentage of torque is transferred automatically to the rear wheels to ensure no loss of traction. There’s also the option to manually select “lock mode”. This splits the torque equally between the Sorento’s front and rear axles for improved stability at speeds up to 19mph, should your speed increase further lock mode is automatically disabled but, if you’re not fully out of the woods, will re-engage once again if your speed drops back down.

By giving the Sorento a nip here and a tuck there, improving the way it drives, lowering its fuel consumption, and improving its aerodynamics and also the way it looks. Kia have turned what was once a slightly utilitarian outsider into a genuine contender.  Throw a seven year warranty as well and if you’re in the market for a seven seater all-rounder then the Sorento should be far from your thoughts after all. 

Kia Sorento KX-2 CRDi

Engine: 2,199cc 4Cyl turbo-diesel
Transmission: 6 speed Manual, all- wheel drive.
Power:  194bhp @3800pm
Torque: 311 lbft @1800 – 2500rpm
0-62MPH: 9.4Sec
Max Speed: 118mph
CO2: 155g/km
MPG: 47.9 combined
Price: from £26,500 (car driven £30,000)

www.liam-bird.com

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The party is to celebrate the launch of the One Night In London app by Rémy Martin

For being such loyal fans of Blood, Sweat and Fashion, we have managed to 5 pairs of tickets for the event for 5 lucky readers and a guest to sip free Remy Martin VSOP Mature Cask Finish cocktails, network with industry insiders & VIPs, and get tips from some of the world’s best bartenders in action.  This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so make sure you don’t miss out by not entering!

How to Enter

***COMPETITION NOW CLOSED- THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED AND REMEMBER TO KEEP LIKING OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES ON FUTURE COMPETITIONS AND MORE***

Over 18s only.  Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via Facebook, Twitter or email on Monday 13^th May at approx 6pm.  Failure to reply within a reasonable time period will result in ticket being allocated to another entrant.

NOTE: BEFORE ENTERING, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE AVAILABLE TO ATTEND THE EVENT AT 8PM-11PM ON TUESDAY 14^th MAY IN HAPPINESS FORGETS BAR, HOXTON SQUARE, N1 6NU.

http://www.remymartin.com/

http://www.happinessforgets.com/

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