Hilton Manchester Deansgate

Hilton Manchester Deansgate

Rating: 4 out of 5

 

So this is my second review for this hotel. Stayed on the executive plus room this time (which had a jacuzzi as well) so I was ultra relaxed. The in-room dining food was disappointing this time- the food was not cooked well and very mediocre. I wonder if they have changed their cook.

The cleanliness is beyond reproach and the bathroom is perfect for a relaxing bath (and jacuzzi!)
The views from the room were beautiful - I was on the 16th floor. I just slept with the curtains wide open and it felt like I  on a roof terrace.

The room also allows access to Executive Lounge on the 23rd Floor - which you must check out for the stunning views. 

The room was big and comfortable. I loved the glass windows.

The breakfast in the morning was excellent in-room but the breakfast downstairs was very cold and stale. Even the hot water for tea was lukewarm.

The staff were all brilliant and extremely  helpful on the whole

Would recommend it but wish they would improve their food

Style edit

Tried my fabulous Sportmax dress as playful workwear for the congress and teamed it with Ferragamo pumps and Marc by Marc Jacobs messenger bag

Villa Bianca, Hampstead, London

Villa Bianca
1 Perrins Court, Hampstead, London NW3 1QS
Rating: 5 out of 5

Fantastic and stunningly beautiful restaurant with great service and amazing good food. In fact this is probably the best Italian food I have had in London - it is closest to authentic Italian food in London. Also , the value for money is incomparable. You would think it is a very expensive place but it is actually very reasonable. 

The service is excellent - they even have  a wonderful pianist upstairs. We had a table on the first floor terrace and the pianist was playing lovely music while we ate. The ambiance is incomparable. The décor is beautiful - loved the flowers everywhere! Highly recommend the place and make sure you get the first floor balcony!!

The Birth Of Venus by Sarah Dunant

The Birth Of Venus by Sarah Dunant
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

The story is set  in Florence in the 1490's just after Lorenzi Medici's death and during the rise of Girolamo Savonarola. Florence is introduced to fundamentalist Christian doctrine by the monk and his followers and the author paints a vivid picture of the resulting oppression in the city of art and culture.
Alessandra Cecchi, is the main protagonist of the story. The character and her family all come to life in renaissance Florence and the in-family rivalries, politics and drama if portrayed very well. A young painter comes into this family, commissioned by Alessandra's father to paint their chapel and he captures our young and wilful heroine's heart. Yes, it sounds very Mills & Boon but actually it's written on a backdrop of very interesting historical events (unlike Mills & Boon).

Alessandra is married off to an older man who is actually having an affair with her brother and for his part, the man assumes that their marriage is one of convenience where he gets an heir and she gets her freedom. Except that no one has informed her of the terms of their contract! All this drama is taking place while Savonarola continue to gather followers and making Florence a very fundamentalist and "moral" city where no moral crime goes unpunished, resulting in civil unrest especially among the Medici followers who were patrons of art and culture in the city

So basically its part romance and part historical. I honestly did not get the "birth of venus" reference. The book had nothing to do with Botticelli's painting. The painting was mentioned a couple of times and that's it. I thought the book will be about creation of this painting but alas it was not.  The historical detail and the renaissance life is recreated with dynamic narrative and lovely detail. I especially loved the description of the paintings.
Dunant tried to hint that the painter Alessandra had an affair with was Michelangelo. However, he couldn't have been. For one, this painter brought up in a monastery and Michelangelo was definitely not brought up there.  Other aspects of his life do not marry up with Michelangelo's either. Michelangelo's life is very well documented so this author should have either researched it carefully or not suggested that this painter was Michelangelo - it is just silly!
So not a bad book but I think she should stick to fiction, Her research is not good enough to include famous characters in her books!

Love by Cake at Kew Market, Kew

Love by Cake at Kew Market, Kew
Rating: 4 out of 5

We sampled these lovely cakes at Kew Market over the weekend. The cakes are delicious, the decorating is lovely and the presentation was excellent. It was probably the most attractive stall in the market

However, I was really disappointed by the way the cakes were pretty much "thrown" in the box on top of each other so by the time I got home I couldn't serve them with tea to my friends :-(
So overall, nice cakes but please don't throw them in boxes! Oh and they had really cute packaging too!

Day at Southbank and Bleecker St Burger Lunch

Southbank Bleecker St Burger
Rating: 4 out of 5

We went for a walk in Southbank to see the miniature London model built to celebrate 350 years of the Great Fire. We had a Bleecker burger for lunch which was meant to be a quick stop and I wasn't expecting much but turned out quite delicious and exactly what you need when sightseeing.
It's just the right size to walk n eat or sit outdoors and eat. It tasted really nice. The fries were delicious too although both were slightly too salty hence the 4 score. Would definitely visit again!

Southbank walk was lovely. Amazing London views but a shame about the weather. They have the cutest little Snog pink bus for frozen yogurts but it was way too cold. The London Burning Model was superbly constructed and did look amazing when it went up in flames. Excellent job, London!



Dress: Zara; Jacket: Gucci; Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo



Bag: Marc Jacobs

Whyte and Brown, Carnaby St, London

Whyte and Brown
Carnaby St, London
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

This restaurant is located in the Kingly Court in Carnaby Street.  The atmosphere is amazing and the service is quick though I did feel rushed with the staff in a hurry to clear the plates.
Food was good - I tried the buttermilk chicken option which was delish though lacking mayo (very stingy with their mayo). Also the burgers don't come with fries - you have to order these separately.
So, overall good food but not impressed with the service. Don't think I will go back