California Dreaming

Special Guest: Steve Barilotti (Barlo)

 

I met Mr Barilotti one beautiful Cape Town Autumn day a very long time ago. We found ourselves on the deck of the Nauticat, the one time HQ Boat of the Red Bull Big Wave Africa, chugging out to Dungeons (a sickass big wave break just outside of Hout Bay). Since that auspicious moment he's been a soul friend and has taught me to look at not only surfing but the world in general through different eyes. It was Barlo who took me on my first trip up the Californian coast...an unforgettable week of surf history, galleries, fish tacos, crackers Danish replica towns, wine valleys and my first ever tower of blueberry pancakes. Oh and a blue mustang. It was in California that I discovered that burittos and avocado work just as well at breakfast time as with an ice cold corona at night. Tequila you can add at either time...

 

Barlo's travelled the world writing for Surfer and endless other iconic Surf mags and so he's infinitely qualified in the master art of picking the best spot for a post dawn surf breakfast. Apparently I am not infinitely qualified in the master art of persuasion as it has taken me a year of nagging to get him to send me one of his local favourites. Hopefully my skills will improve and I'll manage to get him to send me a few more...

 

Pipes Cafe

 

121 Liverpool Drive

Cardiff, CA

760-632-0056

 

Website

The new kid on the block but quickly becoming a runaway star in its own right. Owned by hardcore North County local Tim Fischer and wife Karen, this former Thai-restaurant-turned-surf-cafe fires on all culinary cylinders. Located just across the railroad tracks from Cardiff State Beach Park, the outdoor dining patio offers great visual access to parked cars. The walls sport surf art, maps and signed surf posters from Slater to Buttons endorsing the cafe's food in breathless terms. The latest surf videos play nonstop for the heavy San Dieguito high school crew. Surf star appeal: heavy. Rob Machado eats there 2-3 times a week when he's off the tour. Taylor Knox and Gerlach too. The Surfers--Slater, Machado and Peter King--all practiced in the cafe's back room before cutting their CD. The signature bro deal dish is the Pipes egg burrito--prepared four ways and is legendary in it's size. Cost: $3-3.75. Salsa: 8.3.

 

Trick or Treat?

For some unknown reason,  I woke up at the arse of sparrows today and by 8.30 was desperate for someone to wake up and come with me for breakfast.

Luckily my mate Melissa is part Insomniac and finally got annoyed by my messages and agreed to meet. After last weeks top find in Chelsea, I figured West was Best and so did a bit of digging to find out if Shepherd's Bush has more to offer than a f#cking brilliant Caribbean take-away (Ochi in case you've been looking for a good one - as frequented by Rihanna...and me) and as I didn't fancy jerk chicken before 12, luckily I found a few good reviews about a place called Brook's Counter and Table.

Amazing that I lived in South by South West for 6 years and must have driven past this little gem at least 100,000 times without noticing it. In my defense (and not just because I am generally unconscious until 2 Starbucks Vanilla lattes), it is pretty unassuming.

But inside, it's all Treat and no Trick. Brook's Counter and Table is exactly what it says on the tin: one counter and some tables (ok and some chairs). But. Man. Oh. Man. That counter is packed with some amazing things. It's self service so you can go up to the counter and pick from the deli selection or on a Sunday from either the Breakfast or Brunch Chalk boards.

If you've ever read this Blog before you'll know that a few very simple things make me breakfast happy... must have: breakfast available all day (because today was a massive exception and usually I can't get my ass out of bed until 12 on Sundays); Eggs Benedict; great juices; great coffee and if possible a bit of imagination in the egg department and some creative alternatives to that boring old fart 'the Full English'. Well Brook's does Simple pretty damn well and completely nails every item on my wish list.

Melissa had a delicious sausage and egg towery thingy (picture does more justice to it) and I had a breakfast Tortilla (spanish styley egg, mushroom and sausage beast). I also had an apple, carrot and ginger juice as a small guilt appeasing atonement from 5 days of being fully off the wagon and quite possibly having consumed my body weight in whiskey...

So basically the Guilt reducing detox juice tipped it for me...this is a definite go back to. And it was 20 squids for 2 of us.

One final thing: if you happen to be in the Bush for a gig at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire give Ochi a try too.

Brook's Counter and Table
140 Shepherds Bush Road
Hammersmith
London
W6 7PB
Nearest Tube: Hammersmith (a 5 minute walk from there or 10 mins from Shepherd's Bush Market or Shepherd's Bush, or the 220 Bus goes right past)
Website
How to find it

Ochi Website

Made in Chelsea

"I think it sort of says lunch, dinner and probably breakfast as well." Caggie Dunlop, Made in Chelsea

The Chelsea Bun

So after a six month lull and finally rediscovering my love of weekends, I have dusted off I ♥ Breakfast and got back on the wagon. My old friend and original I ♥ B side kick Barba Razzi was in London as a rare treat this weekend and so it seemed like as good a reason as any to go hunting for somewhere new for brunch.

Being Austrian and specific, B Razzi informed me that it needed to be somewhere near Earl's Court. Keen to avoid a greasy spoon, I figured Chelsea was our best option and so pashmina and knee high boot camouflage in place, I felt safe to head to SW10 in search of The Chelsea Bun, famous for its breakfasts and rated by Timeout as one of the best in the West for Breakfast and Brunch. Ok admittedly there was no pashmina as I don't own one, but I did polish my boots...

Two tubes and a cheeky taxi later we arrived at The Chelsea Bun. Cheap and Cheerful and just a tiny bit tacky, we opted for an outside table to enjoy the gorgeous blue sky autumn weather. Passing buses are a slight hazard and you're more likely to be ignored by the grumpy waitresses, but when blue sky dawns over London it's like swearing in Church to sit inside.

So seating sorted, what to eat then...

I'd already had a look at the website and had fallen a little bit in love with the Gourmet Breakfast Menu and one very attractive Malibu Omelet in particular. The name is misleading as you'd imagine egg whites and tofu but in reality you get a feasty, big assed combo of eggs, avo, salmon, marscapone cheese, cayenne pepper and hash browns. There are other brilliant options on the Gourmet Menu too, but the main thing that gives The Chelsea Bun a mahoosive tick in my book is the fact that they have a whole Benedict Breakfast section. Not the just usual 3 suspects but 7 different versions of my old favourite Monsieur E. Benedict. Even his Mexican cousin Tijuana Benedict makes a debut. Noice! Razzi opted for Benedict Royale. Avec Salmon.

A word of warning on the portions. They are MONUMENTAL. Great for hangovers and also suitable as a one meal replacement for breakfast, lunch and dinner but probably a killer for the petite eater. Luckily, not an affliction I suffer from...

The service is definitely a little ropey, but the plates are so gigantic that when the food arrives it's about 2 hours before you need to ask for anything anyway. And any place that can offer you more than 25 ways to enjoy eggs deserves forgiveness for hit and miss staff. Plus Breakfast is available all day. Winner. And you'll get change out of a twenty so for Chelsea pretty damn reasonable.

You're unlikely to bump into Spencer, Hugo, Francis, Caggie or Milly* here. But hey is that a bad thing?

* The hapless cast of British Reality TV show Made in Chelsea (which I may or may not be slightly addicted to)

The Chelsea Bun
Limerston Street
Chelsea
London
W10 0HP
Website
How to Get There
Nearest Tube: Sloane Square (then take the 19 or 319 bus or be a lazy ass and get an £8 taxi if you're hungry)

DIY Brunch in Bed

So I'm finally able to justify my small addiction to trashy weekly magazines...

It turns out that Grazia inlcudes a great recipe each week. Right next to the horoscope if you're interested (no prizes for guessing how I found it then). I recently found this yummy breakfast one and although I can't claim to having made it, Iain has and it's brilliant - simple and delicious. So thanks Grazia for the following recipe and apologies for the slight liberties I've take with the wording...

Grazia's Brunch in Bed
Serves 2:
Cooking time 10 minutes (if you're Iain or Grazia, if you're more like me may be a bit longer)

The gubbings:
2 Flat breads, like a wrap or large pitta bread (we use Mission Deli Multigrain Wraps - yum)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tspn sesame seeds
30g butter
A pinch smoked praprika (we just use ye olde regular kind)
8 large free-range eggs (Grazia says preferably organic Dahling)
2 tbsp milk
50g labneh (Middle Eastern creamy yoghurt cheese - see my notes below on where to find)
A sprig each of mint, coriander and continental parsley (if you're lucky from your herb garden or if like me you manage to murder herbs on a weekly basis supermarket is the way to go!)
Salt and pepper

The how:
1. Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C.Fan 170 degreesC/Gas Mark 5. Lightly brush the flat breads with oil, season with salt and bake for 2 minutes until crisp. Remove from the oven and break into large pieces
2. Meanwhile, heat a small frying pan and toast the sesame seeds for 1 - 2 minutes until brown. Add half the butter and the smoked praprika, and allow the butter to melt. Put the sesame butter to one side in a small bowl. Wipe the pan clean.
3. Whisk the eggs, milk and some salt and pepper together. Melt the remaining butter in the frying pan, add the eggs and stir gently over a low heat until the eggs are done the way you like them.
4. Divide the eggs between 2 warmed dishes and top each with a dollop of labneh and the herbs, drizzle over the sesame butter and serve while hot with the toasted flatbreads
5. Enjoy!
6. Fight over who is doing the dishes/ cleaning the crumbs out of bed


Notes from Beedub:

• May or may not be consumed in bed - entirely dependant on how messy you are. Remember crumbs have an amazing ability to get into uncomfortable places...
• If like us you have no clue where to find labneh and are in London - Green Valley, a fantastic Middle Eastern suppermarket off Edgeware Road has it. Otherwise I suggest you look for your nearest Lebanese or Middle East supermarket. The hunt is worth it though - it's delicious! There is also an option to make it but pre-meditating what you're going to have for breakfast 24 hours (that's how long it takes) in advance just kills the romance (not to mention the challenge of finding muslin - I ask you who actually knows where to find that?!)

My new locals - Penk's and Gail's in Queens Park

Penk's

79 Salusbury Road
London
NW6 6NH
Nearest Tube: Queens Park
Website
How to Find It

It turns out that maintaining a Blog when you have a grown up job is harder than I thought it would be. Luckily I have discovered a few absolute gems close to my new apartment and so beating Saturday sloth isn't too tough.

So having left my beloved Tinto's behind in Fulham, I spent my first month in Queen's Park scouring my new hood to find a replacement. My friends know how much of a Starbucks addict I am, but as happy I was to discover one on my doorstep, ye olde Green Mermaid is no replacement for Tinto's.

Luckily Starbucks and Sainsbury's are about the only major chains to be found on Salusbury Road. Everything else is individually owned and lovely. It's a little slice of country life that feels about as far from the crack fest of Kilburn High Road as Mars.

Penk's and Gail's are neighbours on Salusbury Road but Post Code is where the similarity ends.

Penk's describes itself as a Bistro, but it's more quirky than that. By night, it is an arty, velvet-curtained boudoir. By day, the glass doors and curtains at the front are thrown open and it becomes a light, bright cafe that could be in Paris. I've eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner there and no matter the time of day or night, the lovely owner is always there, presiding over his tiny gourmet kingdom.

It only opens for breakfast on weekend's (just as well or I think the poor man would collapse) but oh joy it serves breakfast until 1pm - which suits my lazy ass to the tee. The breakfast menu isn't massive, but there are some special treats there including - to my delight - Kedgeree!

Growning up as the african child of a Scots father who was raised in Burma, I have been fascinated but so many quintessentially colonial food traditions.  I have been desperate to try Kedgeree as long as I can remember. In case like me you aren't British, Kedgeree is a slightly bizarre but yummy spicy rice conncoction made with smoked haddock, bacon, egg, yoghurt, parsley and sultanas. As a Kedgeree virgin, I am no expert but it was lovely and a really unusual breakfast.

Iain had a good solid full english which was brilliantly cooked. Other things we could have had - pancakes, healthy mueslie bits and pieces and my standard heroes Eggs benedict, Florentine and Royale.

Oh and a Bloody Mary. Good to know for the itchy scratchy Sundays...

BTW - if you're in the area, give the 5.30 pm cocktail tasting menues a whirl.

Gail's
79 Salusbury Road
London
NW6 6NH
Nearest Tube: Queens Park
Website

Gail's is part of a slightly preteniously named chain of Artisan Bakeries, Darling. Which is fancy pants speak for a deli bakery combo. It's pretty busy on weekends so you might struggle to get a seat. If it's a nice day, my suggestion would be to grab one of their amazing sandwiches or the sundried tomato quiche or delicious gruyere pastry corner thingy and head for Queen's Park to sit in the sun.

If its a bit miz outside or you just feel like a sit down, then hustle your way to the back to find a seat. Relooking at the website writing this, I realised that there are a lot of scrummy things to eat which I missed as I had a slightly strange egg dish with the hollandaise served solid on the side (sound weird and it was!). I would definitely give it a second chance though as I have had the sandwiches a few times and they are brilliant.

* Gail's photo borrowed from the website

What do you get when you take a Hotel Lounge and add a fire place, 2 men in fuschia underpants, 3 blondes and a bottle of pink champagne?

... Brunch in Shoreditch Darling

It's been a while since I have woken up before going to bed on a Sunday, fully clothed (or totally naked depending on the context) and staggered straight to the nearest Greasy Spoon, pausing only to wash my mouth out with a swill of vodka.

Today, thankfully was no such day, having risen in a very civilised manner in the leafy suburbs of North West London.

For two of East London's more flamboyant residents however, it appeared to be exactly that sort of Sunday. A very tight pair of raspberry cord trousers, jiggling next to a very ripped pair of jeans (revealing a peak of very tight pink unders) caught our attention as we settled into leather sofas right next to the fire in the Hoxton Hotel.

We were momentarily distracted by the menu until with a shriek Ripped Jeans stripped off his skin tight black shirt, declaring it 'Filthy' before whipping it around his head ala Brokeback Mountain and hurling it into the fire next to us. Thankfully it wasn't a Primada special and didn't explode into a burst of acryllic pyrotechnics, instead favouring an elegant Poof and Fizzle. Oh and a waft of Eau de Tom Ford.

And so we met the neighbours...

Somewhere in between Eggs Benedict and Earl Grey Tea, Ripped Jean's side kick slid over and perched one of his raspberry coloured butt cheeks on the arm of our couch, waving a bottle of pink champers in our direction. It turns out Raspberry Butt Cheek (RBC) hails from Sicily with dubious business ventures in Brazil and Colombia. Who knew food import and export could be so lucrative?

At some point, in a pause between his elegant lobbing of our sugar cubes at Ripped Jeans, RBC managed to completely floor our hereto impeccable Gaydar, by desperately trying to lure Melissa to a hotel room for a shower. Thankfully the appearance of the very anxious and unimpressed looking Manager distracted him long enough for us to escape.

Truthfully in this instance, I can't tell you a tremendous amount about the food as the company was far too entertaining, but then again who needs food when in the immortal words of RBC ... 'ave you hever 'ad Tequila for breakfast?'

Clearly the man was onto something - we haven't had so much fun at breakfast in ages...

....you should try it sometime.

The Hoxton Grill @ The Hoxton Hotel
81 Great Eastern Street
London EC2A 3HUWebsite
How to Get There
Some retrospective useful info...
Full breakfast menu until 12pm, Bruch til 4pm

Talho Capixaba Delicatessen, Rio De Janeiro

Guest Writer: Marta dos Santos (Tata, Queen or Smithy)

 

So Marta. One amazing, beautiful, strong Brasilian lady who abolsutely knows how to keep me, a big crew and the occaisional  Famous Face inline. Marta was one of my travelling family for the past few years and when she is not touring with a band, she lives in glorious Rio. Finally she has been home long enough to write something for me and kick off the South of the Border section...

 

Talho Capixaba Delicatessen

 

Av. Ataulfo De Paiva

1022 - Leblon

Rio De Janeiro

+55 21 2512-8760    

 

Website  

Where to find it

 

This one is one of my favorites.

 

Low key, but very cool and a bit pricy. But for sure, worth every penny!

 

Holds 50 pax, spread along on the outside tables, 4 high chairs by the balcony where you can see you order being prepared and on the tables at the back on a quiet comfortable room.

Talho Capixaba, used to be a butcher house with special cuts of meat, until they decided to diversify and also offer all sorts of bread baked in the house, cold cuts, juices, sweets and other goodies.

 

 

My option of breakfast is a grilled cheese sandwich with sliced turkey breast, on whole wheat bread. To drink along, melon and mint leafs juice.

 

The round thing looking like a flat cup cake is a Brazilian favorite, cheese empada. A must!

The Botanist - London, Sloane Square

"Why do I drink Champagne for breakfast? Doesn't everyone?" Noel Coward

No 7 Sloane Square
London
SW1W 8EE
Nearest Tube: Sloane Square
Website
How to Get There

Starting this Blog has developed a very happy Sunday tradition of getting off my lazy ass and exploring London to find interesting places to eat Breakfast and meet up with old friends. Oh and, on the odd occasion, to throw in a small reason to celebrate with a bottle or two of champagne (like, in the words of Melissa, Beedub becoming an F Word).

Today the tradition continued with a celebration of the end of my life as the eternal bachelorette. I put Fee in charge of decision making and her unbeatable breakfast compass came  up with The Botanist. So to Sloane Square we trekked, meeting up with other Iheartbreakfast veteran supporters Barbara P and Melissa plus old friend Tams. Truth be told, I might possibly have been slightly distracted by catching up on months of news and several glasses of Champagne, but The Botanist still managed to make an impression.

Apparently, it is best known for Friday evening drinks, but their breakfast menu is respectable with a good mix of predictables and a couple of eye catchers. Personally, I think any place where the Breakfast menu starts with Bucks Fizz and rolls gently past Bloody Mary's into the food options warrants a recommendation. I managed to concentrate long enough to order the Crepe Complete (tricky one to order after two glasses of champagne). When it arrived it turned out to be a winner - a very crafty combo of eggs, bacon and Gruyere cheese served in a crepe.

Some of the girls choices - pancakes with bacon and maple syrup; the iheartbreakfast regular Eggs Benedict and porridge. All of which got the thumbs up even from Fee who carries a PhD in Pancakes. Also worth mentioning, they serve real mint tea brewed with fresh mint leaves and their machiatos come with a stirring chocolate stick.

Price wise it's not bad - sans champagne it was £20 each. Almost in the home straight for a full house Beedub tick, the only hiccup was slightly sketchy service and the fact that breakfast service stops at 11.30am. Nevertheless, if like us, you order a few bottles of bubbly you won't even notice, so all in all this is a goodie. Try it.

Also, if you're not a Fulham/ Chelsea local, the Saatchi Gallery is just round the corner and is worth popping in at, even if you can't make head or tale of 'icecream headed man shags antelope'...

Signal Restaurant, The Cape Grace Hotel - Cape Town

West Quay Road
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Cape Town
South Africa
Website
How to Get There

So FINALLY I have added a few African entries. Pretty slack really considering I am a Saffa/ Zimbo hybrid, but better late than never.

It's been two years since I was last home and it's always amazing to see how Cape Town has changed. Thankfully some of my favourite things never change and nor does the fact that I miss living there on a daily basis. If you've never experienced the magic of Cape Town, do not pass go, move straight to add-this-to-you-list-of-get-there-as-soon-as-you-can places.

Almost our first stop off the plane was to visit my best mate Pooks at the Cape Grace Hotel. She was doing some freelance work there and tipped me off that the breakfast was definitely worth a look. After a marathon 5 flights in a week, we duly arrived at the 5 Star hotel entrance in grubby jeans and Converses. Potentially not a good start you'd think, but the staff there are brilliant and charmingly ignored our travel grunge and even extended the breakfast times for us. Retrospectively this could have been more about Pooks having the entire staff wrapped around her finger and less about our aura of respectability, but I choose to think they could see past my travel hair and recognise the breakfast connoisseur within.

So about the breakfast. It's served in the Signal Rrestaurant which overlooks the V&A Waterfront Basin and Table Mountain. Most definitely views you can eat to.

You can choose from a Full Breakfast or Continental Breakfast option, both of which give access to the buffet. Full Breakfast gives you additional hot choices. Breakfast buffets, specially hotel ones, can often be very samey, but the Cape Grace manages to sneak in a few special surprises. Like fresh Oysters on ice, which happen to go very well with the champagne. Or a fruit salad with fruit you can only find in Cape Town (Cape Gooseberries - so yummy). Plus all the other things you would want and expect at a 5 star hotel. 

Iain had Eggs Benedict from the Hot Breakfast selection. I'm really getting concerned that I have indoctrinated into him into my EB cult, but in this case they really lived up to the hype and justified the choice although there were several other very tempting possibilities to choose from. By the way, I don't know if you have ever tried to make Eggs Benedict yourself, but unless you've had a crash cooking course with a Michelin Star chef, I highly recommend a pre-made hollandaise sauce unless you have the patience of Job and a foolproof stove (at the very least have it as a back up!).

We washed everything down with champagne, delicious berry smoothies and right at the point when I probably could have exploded I stupidly added a Latte as well. All beverages are included in the per head price - R99 for a continental and R120 for Full so all in all in pounds under £25 for 2 people.

There are free newspapers and an amazing library so if you want to end your breakfast in a leisurely manner you can move with your coffee and finish off there. But, if like me you can't say no to yummy things, beware the Sugar Buffet that lies in wait in the library...

On the Run Options...

Sumo

When I lived in Cape Town, I used to be a disciple of Kauai Juice which offered amazing, healthy, fresh food on the run. Sadly, the original surfer brothers and friends who owned it sold it, and with them went the original ethos and my all time ever favourite breakfast hangover remedy the Breakfast Riser. Devastation!

Happily, I discovered Sumo on this trip home and found to my delight all the same good things Kauai used to offer with some of its own fresh ideas. Everything there is freshly prepared using natural ingredients. Our holiday apartment was right next door to one of the branches - in a small shopping centre on the corner of Solomans and Main Road Seapoint. I believe there are other branches too but can't find a website so keep your eyes peeled for the Blue and White signage and make sure you pop in if you find one

The Breakfast Burrito is a winner...

Nice one Megan!

Vida e Caffe

Website and where to find em

Vida e Caffe is South Africa's unique take on coffee. You can't really compare it to anything else - it's a quintessentially Cape Town style place - super cool and quirky. It launched before I left, with one brilliant shop on Kloof Street, but seems to have grown massively with stores all over the country and now, I believe, even in London. I would still suggest starting with the one in Kloof Street, not least because it is a great little corner of Cape Town to explore.

The coffee is delicious and there are a small selection of Portguese inspired things to eat (muffins, rolls and pastries). For me personally, the Quattro is king - the most decadent four cheese, herby muffin concoction. Soooo good.

And the staff rock too - lots of ex Zimbos like me.

Oh and did I mention every cup of coffee comes with Lindt chocolate?

See the Molo Afrika section in the next few months for more picks from friends and family

Schneekarhutte - Mayrhofen Austria

Website (but you need an Austrian or German mate to translate)
How To Get There

Loosely translated Schneekarhutte means Cablecar Hut. Ok, so it might not be the most romantic name, but believe me, this is a once in a life time experience.

So... to best experience the Schneekarhutte:- take between 10 and 20 mates; skis/ snowboards/ or good books; headache tablets; clean unders and head for the Zillertal in Tirol, Austria for a weekend you will never forget (or struggle to remember depending on your tolerance for Schnapps).

For the past 2 years, I have been lucky enough to go there for our annual team Christmas Party. You can only reach the Schneekarhutte by ski lift and after 4.30 pm there is no way to get up and down is only by fun Black run (not advisable by night, although tempting to a few of my more mental friends).

By day, the hut is an amazing rest 'n refuel spot on Horberg, accessed by the Schneekar Chairlift (ah, now you get it). By night, its an overnight hut with a large communal room built into the Pyramid as well as individual rooms. Oh and incidentally, the-most-amazing food.

As the point of this Blog is Breakfast and not insane gourmet dinners, incredible wine collection, stupid bar Olympics, cigar smoking and voracious schnapps drinking, I will limit myself to what you can expect in the morning for Breakfast. That is if you manage to crawl out of your bunk or haven't died from hypothermia, finding yourself face down in the snow outside. These are things that may or may not have really happened to people I may or may not know...

So to breakfast...first point. The view in the breakfast room is spectacular. With or without paracetemol you'll already start the road to recovery as you walk in. Things get even better as you see the buffet and amazing charceuterie plate on each table. There are delicious fresh juices, Bircher Mueslie, fresh fruit salad and more on the buffet and you can order eggs anyway you like them. So so delicious. Oh and the coffee comes either Austrian strength espresso or beedub friendly cappucino or latte machiatto.

If like me, you get overtaken on the baby slopes by 1 foot tall tadpoles in helmets, I recommend taking a book and enjoying one of the leather sofas and Gluhwein for the rest of the day while your mates ski and snowboard.

For €99 per person for a 4 course dinner, bed in the communal Pyramid and breakfast (drinks excluded), this place really is insane and I should also mention has probably the coolest, hardest working staff in the World. Make sure you go there at least once in 2011...

PS if you have any friends who snore like tractors, you might want to gently direct them to one of the private rooms...
PPS Thanks CW Family, TDA's and Wally's for the amazing memories

New Year's Day Breakfast of Champions...

"A dog's New Year's Resolution: I will not chase that stick unless I actually see it leave his hand!" ~Unknown

So according to my friend Bernd, my skills are better suited to cocktail critiques than breakfast. He could just be right and as it's New Years day and I'm feeling a bit fragile, here's my pick for the perfect New Year's day brunch...

Just have another Mojito...

(they have fruit in them so technically are pretty healthy)
This was taught to me by Alan Gage from Sweet 'n Chilli (sorry if this isn't strictly accurate Al ;0)

Ingredients (for about 6 to 8 people depending how thirsty)
Crushed ice (you need lots!)
1 bottle Bacardi Rum
limes cut into 8ths
Brown Sugar or Gom (professional bartender Sugar Syrup)
1 bottle Soda water
Bunch fresh mint

So, the thing with Mojitos is that they are quite personal so I suggest you make one first and then taste it. I like mine sweet and sour so this is based on my taste.

Line up your glasses. In each one, put 1.5 teaspoons brown sugar. Add 3 to 4 wedges of lime and 4 to 6 mint leaves. Now you need to 'muddle' these together. Translated this means take a Pestle and gently squish the limes and mint into the sugar to get everything to mix together. Don't over do it otherwise you lose the mintiness.

Next, add a handful of crushed ice. Use a spoon to drag the minty tangy goodness from the bottom of the glass through the ice. Then, add Rum. I like a good old free pour but again this is to taste.

Right, now you need to add another handful of crushed ice. Do another draggy motion to get everything to mix and pull through to the top.

Finally, add a dash of Soda, a squeeze of lime and a sprig of mint.

Voila! Easy.

Alternatively you could call Sweet n' Chilli and get them to send a bartender over to make them for you or fly to Cuba. All three work for me...

Happy New year!

Jez and Tan's Picks from Around the World...

Guest Writers: Jez Browning and Tanja Rai

I met Jez and Tan a few years ago when I joined my good friend Tams on a trip to her favourite holiday spot - Lagos in the Algarve in Portugal. Since then, I have been to Lagos myself 5 times and love it more each time, not least of which is because it is always great to see Jez and Tanja. They both love surfing and really appreciate the amazing lifestyle Lagos offers but I hasten to add they both work damn hard and so anytime they have to themselves is spent surfing and enjoying life there and around the globe wherever there is swell. In my book this makes them brekka experts...

Jez

Here are my breakfast choices for the surfer.
Starting at no 5 it has to be a Pao com Chaurico from the Cepsa garage, Lagos, whilst filling up the surf chariot.
no 4.... Tosta Mista at Arrifana Restaurant, Lagos whilst watching where to put yourself in the surf crowd out there.
no 3.... dirty microwaved hotdog and a packet of Scampy fries with a Lucozade sport from Captain Rickdogs Beach hut at Centre's, GuernseyNo.2 - Sitting in one of the many Warungs above Uluwatu, chowing down on what you think is a chicken pad thai (probably dog) or a fancy burger.
No.1 Gallo Pinto & Huevo Rancherrous in the dirtiest Soda Tica you can find in Costa Rica at 11 am, post surf nose bag breakfast / lunch. The perfect way to reload after your dawny surf. You only got out as it's too hot plus you've been surfing for nearly 5 hours. It's great as it even makes you sleepy for that mid afternoon kip, before you dip in the surf for that *LEGO session.

*LEGO meaning Late Evening Glass Off..... dude....
When are you visiting again to savour some of the greatest tosta mista breakkies in the world?! Have a real portuguese one and have a bica and brandy.... that will def do the tricks in the morning nad willget you tipsy enough to convince yourself that you already had a drink so why not have another one?!

Tan

Ok......
So being a German all i love about breakfast is the variety of foods you get in a german breakfast buffee.... you can find them nearly everywhere but if you are in Berlin go to the "Schwarzes Cafe" and indulge yourself at whatever time of the day , morning, evening or night! Start with a Latte Machiato, then variety of breads with eggs butter fruit salads a sortiment of meats and cheeses, Nutella, jams,tomatoes cucumbers, quark.......oh i could go on forever!!!!So whether you are redicuolesly hungover, meeting a friend for a long talk or just want to fill up your tummy....thats the one i love the most!!!

But living a life of leisure and enjoyment in Lagos Portugal, the simpiest and best way to start the day is with a good old fashioned tosta mista and a tasty Galao!!!You get that everywhere in any cafe or even restaurant at most times of the day. But if you can spend a few hours waiting and like the simple stuff decorated with olives, and a flower then "Bora Bora" in Lagos is your place! While you wait you can people-watch (as its right in town),fall asleep on the sofa, share your snoring with friends on fb or- if you are hung over, which is pretty likely if you are visiting Lagos- sit around and be silly with your friends!Hmmmmm..... its been a while!

About Costa Rica: its an amazing pure place where your breakfast of "gallo pinto" is so yummy it blows your mind. Freshly cooked rice, black beans, tomato salsa with chillies, guacamole and eggs or beacon will def set you up fopr a long day of surfing and travelling! Accompany with a freshly sqeezed succo de pina and a cafe con leche..................Pura vida!

Notes from Beedub:
Where to find...
Bora Cafe, Lagos: Rua Conselheiro Joaquin machado, 8600 Lagos
Schwarzes Cafe, Berlin: Kantstraße 148, 10623 Berlin, Germany Schwarzes Cafe Website
Costa Rica - look on a map!
Guernsey - follow a local
Bora Cafe is a major favourite of mine too. Also don't miss Rosko's cocktail bar to generate the much needed hangover to really get the maximum benefit from a Tosta Mista - the cocktails are genius and the bartender a honey ;0)