STK Restaurant Review

STK is the steak restaurant in the new ME hotel on Aldwych.  Having walked past it endlessly as it's opposite my gym I booked a table for last Friday night, taking advantage of Bookatable's £25 for 3 course offer. 

We were greeted and coats taken by a very cheerful tattooed lady who is swiftly replaced by our server Carlos who could easily be Ricky Martin's slightly camper cousin.  Carlos embarrassingly informs me, when I ask what I need to do regarding our Bookatable reservation, that I was supposed to tell the person at the coat check this when I first came in.  Obviously I am not psychic so I didn't know that, so thanks Ricky for making me feel like an idiot before I even order.

Correct menu arrives and we then hear the spiel about the restaurant getting busy later on in the night, people dancing on tables while the DJ spins etc. etc.  To be honest I just want a steak love if I want to go clubbing I will go to a nightclub! Carlos then decides to try and go on about the entire menu, sides, explain about the Wagyu beef in the Lil Brgs, at that point I start to lose the will to live, there is attentive service and then there is encroaching on a night out! I started to feel like he was part of the date!

Somehow the £25 per head menu ends up costing £106 with a tip, which I realised afterwards was asked for EVEN THOUGH there is a 12.5% service charge already added! So I ended up giving a 26% tip. Fuming since the service was the most annoying part of the whole night.

The Lil Brgs and the feather steak were delicious but both overpriced, actually everything was totally overpriced including the ridiculous cocktail that was so strong it took and entire hour and a half to drink as I felt like I was drinking paint stripper.  The upsold extras of parmesan chips and spinach were necessary as you can't just eat a piece of steak on it's own but we shared a portion of each and we still didn't finish them all as they were so rich and fatty and just blah.

The desserts of mini ice creams and mini magnums were nice, but to be honest I would have preferred an actual magnum, which costs like £2 and tastes better.

To be honest a few drinks at the bar would have been enough at STK, I could have quite as easily done that and then had burger king and been just as satisfied without spending such a ridiculous amount.

The room itself was gorgeous and felt like we were in Vegas, the bar was poorly designed as there wasn't enough room for people to pass each other properly without colliding so I spent the night being bashed into until we finally gave up and almost had to crowd surf to get out of there.

If you fancy wasting £100 or so and feeling slightly ripped off then by all means, otherwise I'd just head to Maccy D and go to the ME's lovely radio rooftop bar instead to enjoy the view which in comparison is where I had one of the best nights out and this is one of the poorest dinners I have had out in quite a long time.

Overall I would avoid and save your pennies!

Pennyhill Park Hotel and The Spa

Hidden away in 123 acres of woodland is the stunning Pennyhill Park Hotel, a 19th century Mansion House which is where I spent an amazing weekend recently enjoying the spa and all of the other facilities available and generally having an amazing time.

The grounds of the hotel are picture perfect from the driveway to the immaculate lawns around the property. There are terraces, an outdoor heated pool, 9 hole golf course and pretty much anything you could wish for in a country house hotel with an emphasis on luxury.

The Magnolia Suite

Pennyhill Park is such a versatile and world class 5 star venue that amongst the wedding parties, weekend spa breakers, honeymooners and footballers we were told about the England rugby team staying while training as they often take over part of the hotel, the F1 driver and his girlfriend who has been such a regular that he has a preferred room (the Magnolia suite) and that Cameron and Justin stayed here when they were together and even visited the local chippie!

Lupin

The View from Lupin

The traditional junior suite I stayed in (Lupin),  was gorgeously decorated with pale green wallpaper covered in butterflies, which contrasted with the extremely fancy bathroom/wet room which had a walk in shower, two sinks and a TV in the bath - because what kind of bath doesn't have a TV?!  

Each room is decorated differently however they all share the same quality with crisp white sheets, pillows that are so amazing you wish you could shamelessly steal' them and a general air of luxury from the tea and coffee box to the proper iron and ironing board stowed away in the cupboard.

View of The Spa

The spa was built 8 years ago and while it does look very new and lovely I found that the building wasn't out of keeping with the rest of the hotel at all.  There are a wide selection of treatments available including facials, couples treatments, many types of massage and your standard nail services and the hour long aromatherapy massage I had was hands down the best I had ever had.  It included a proper consultation and a choice of aromatherapy oils (I chose vanilla citrus) as I wanted to feel uplifted after the treatment.  

After your treatments you can head down and enjoy one/all of the hotels 8(!!) pools including a jacuzzi, heated outdoor hydrotherapy pool and indoor infinity pool all of which I tried and my favourite was the outdoor heated pool.  

Aside from The Spa and gorgeous rooms the restaurants at the hotel are both a must visit, the Laytmer is the hotels 2 Michelin starred restaurant and the Brasserie served up the most delicious meal which frankly I would have assumed was Michelin Starred itself having eaten at other Michelin restaurants before.  We had a starter of duck which was probably the least favourite part of the meal as the watermelon was slightly distracting, then mains were veal which was cooked to perfection and salmon with lime which I was told was delicious, desserts were rhubarb and strawberry crumble (to die for) and chocolate fondant which looked amazing.  Each meal was the perfect size to be filling without feeling sickly stuffed and as you can see above, the presentation was impeccable.

Both restaurants serve bread freshly baked in the hotel's own bakery which even includes gluten free options. After the meal we headed to the Ascot Bar for some delicious cocktails and it was pretty lively for a hotel bar mostly due to the live entertainment and tipsy wedding guests who made my night after taking photos, no doubt for Facebook, atop the bronze horse situated in reception!

Overall this is is by far the best hotel I have stayed in so far in the UK and I would definitely go back without hesitation.  The room and spa prices are high but there wasn't 1 thing I was disappointed about, and how often can you say that about a hotel stay?  I would recommend this for a wedding, a hen do or just to treat your mum or girlfriend if you have the money.

Pennyhill park website is http://www.pennyhillpark.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE_HOTELS/the_hotel.aspx

The suite I stayed in costs approximately £345 per night for room only and the massage £90 which, considering a treatment at a local place on my high street is £70 and this was light years ahead I think is a brilliant price.

Sk:n Skincare, Inhibitif and Rooftop Bars

I went to an event at Sk:n clinic in Holborn on Tuesday which was really amazing.  Not only did I get to view an Isolaz acne treatment which uses a high tech laser combined with pore purifying suction technology to purify your skin from inside out, I got to chat with one of the doctors about glycolic peels which I would love to have done and to review on the blog, I got a big box of Sk:n skincare to test out and also lots and lots of information on their treatments and the changes in the industry that are very likely due to the recently published Keogh Report which Professor Keogh was asked to do in light of the whole PIP scandal with breast implants and, if taken on by the government (which is incredibly likely), what different effects this will have on the surgical and non surgical procedures and how they are administered.  I have so much information now but the first thing I am going to do is test out the products.  Above are the products that I will be using and I will update after a couple of weeks as to how I am getting on.  I

I am also testing out a new product to Boots called Inhibitif  which is to stop hair growing, I will be using it on my legs.  You apply it twice a day for 8 weeks so we shall see how I get on.

In other news I feel the need, now we finally have some sun, to try and go to as many of the London rooftop bars as possible to review so I have a few on the list, hopefully I will get to go to some soon but if you have any recommendations of rooftop bars in London then please let me know.
Have a lovely weekend everyone xx

Pizza Express - Leggera Lighter Options

Last week I went along to a pizza-making lesson at Pizza Express in Holborn to celebrate the launch of the new summer menu. It was a really cool evening filled with food, drink, pizza making and then pizza eating!  We started off the event with a few olives and drinks, I tried the Pinot Grigio blush which went down (a bit too) easily!  We then donned some pimpin aprons and hats (and let's be honest everyone in the picture below looks like the colonel from KFC) and got down to some pizza making.

After kneading and rolling the dough we went to put them in the pan, which was when the guy taking the class decided to tell me that mine was rubbish and did me a new one himself.  I wonder if I do the ironing really poorly someone would come and do that for me? Seems like an avenue to explore.  

After Mr Smarty Pants redid my pizza we cut the hole out of the middle as after cooking the gap is filled with salad and one of these low calorie pizza and salad combos is called a Leggera Pizza.  Leggera pizzas have been carefully created to bring customers pizzas that taste delicious but with only 500 calories.  Leggera pizza options include Pomodoro Pesto, Padana and American Hot.  If I am being entirely honest with you I still think the Fiorentina pizza with spinach and an egg would be my choice if I went to Pizza Express, just because it is soooo delicious and I rarely go so I feel I should treat myself.  If, however you go out a lot then this is a great option.  Perhaps on a date night so you can have a pizza but still keep the calories as low as possible.  I do think if you check out the new menu, you'll be pleasantly surprised.  And I seriously recommend the Pinot Grigio blush rose, responsibly obviously (you wouldn't want to stay out so late you miss your last train home or anything like that) LOL!

All calorie information can be found at www.pizzaexpress.com and according to Which? the Pizza Express pizzas are the lowest in fat and calories with the best taste of all of the leading UK pizza chains. I certainly think Pizza Express have the tastiest pizzas out of the other chains that I have been to. 

Do you like Pizza Express?

Finally an update!

Finally I am home at a sensible hour so I can update with what I have been loving and eating these last few weeks.

First of all I have been obsessed with Korres' Mint Tea products especially the shower gel. I have loved Korres as a brand for a good few years now and their shower gels are my favourites - so gentle and the scents are gorgeous but always a little bit different, Mint Tea kind of reminds me a bit of CKbe perfume mixed with mint tea. You can get Korres products online or in Liberty.

I love a bit of baking, especially to take into work for my friends so I made a batch of Cadbury cream egg brownies using the recipe here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PeK0vCB2ujd5usQdYJgYGFt_hxV31kSb6dsBn6Y-lKU/mobilebasic?pli=1

They went down really well, all 12 of them had gone by the end of the day so I definitely recommend making them. The brownie tin is genius and saves cutting them all out, it's from Lakeland.

I am obsessed with Pret a Manger's sushi salad, it's so tasty and so easy to eat in a rush at my desk which is like, every day! I know it's not like proper sushi but its definitely a nice change from sandwiches.

I have found the Ray Bans that I want in House of Fraser in Bluewater, I like the larger sized ones and they have sturdier arms which I am less likely to bend! Have you got Ray Bans? Just wondering they're sturdy on holiday.

My boss bought me this lovely scarf for my birthday,it looks so nice with black (lucky that since all my outfits are black). It was so kind of her and I love it! I really should look in Jigsaw more often in fact I don't think I have ever been in there!

This is the inside of my Birthday card from work, I love getting these cards every year and I am in charge of sorting everyone else's cards too, it's nice to feel loved on your birthday. The randy IT guy thing was a bit of an in-joke but basically this IT guy was a bit of a perv even though I wasn't interested, everyone else found it hilarious!

I am so excited as we have tickets for Wireless festival for the whole weekend and my mate from work is also coming on the Friday to see Snoop Dogg/Lion so yaaaay!!! Always one of the best weekends of the year so I. Just need 3 outfits now! This photo is from last years festival.

The only other news I can think of is that I have booked a holiday with my mate Roxi for June to Madrid. I am so excited and am also hoping that I get another weekend away and a weeks holiday this year too, I think I deserve it!

What have you been up to?

The Cheltenham Chase Hotel and Spa Review

I recently spent a very relaxing weekend at the Cheltenham Chase hotel and spa which is a gorgeous four star hotel located nearby the spa town of Cheltenham and also great for exploring Gloucester.

The hotel has a relaxed and stylish interior which is clearly suited to both spa and business travellers alike is also a great base to stay in if you are going to Cheltenham race course.

I've not had the best year so far and was in dire need of some rest and relaxation which is why the spa was amazing at the hotel as I left feeling so rejuventated.  You can have a day spa or a spa break at the hotel or just pop in for a one-off treatment and there is also a gym and swimming pool to enjoy.  I felt like I was cocooned in the haven of the spa while I was there and the relaxation area was so calming with comfy lounge chairs and soft music and I enjoyed just sitting in there before and after each treatment, there isn't a clock so you don't even have to worry about how long you are in there for you can just sit back and close your eyes and let your stress ebb away.

I had two treatments at the spa, a deluxe pedicure and a Qhotels Ritual which were both performed by lovely therapists who worked their magic and left my feet (and the rest of me) feel totally refreshed and energised.  The products used in the spa are mostly by the brand Spa Find.

Spa Find specialise in authentic mineral spa therapies from around the world to help you relax and unwind.  Spa Find treatments are rich in skin loving minerals.  During Spa Find treatments our bodies absorb these minerals and the levels within the body can once again begin to normalise and bring our inner health back into balance.  Spa Find offers non-comedogenic, skin friendly formulas, blending natural de ionised water with pure dead sea minerals and organic plant extracts - products are allergen free and contain no parabens, genetically modified organisms or animal ingredients.

The rooms were really nice and cosy with a large bed, chairs and lots of extra cosy cushions and pillows.  The bathroom was super clean and the bath and shower were good and there was a hairdryer - very important.

We had such a brilliant time and I would thoroughly recommend The Cheltenham Chase for a really relaxing spa break.  For more information visit  The Cheltenham Chase