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Articles tagged “london”

A London hot dog worth eating!

by Tom Johansmeyer on Feb 8, 2011

I was skeptical at first. The hot dogs I’d eaten previously in the United Kingdom uniformly failed to impress. This wasn’t terribly surprising, of course: I’d never have pegged the country as a dog destination. So, when a friend suggested a spot in London, I took the recommendation while eating my (rather low) expectations.

I’m drawn to hot dogs. I’ve eaten them around the world, and I’m always on the lookout for something unique – which often matters more to me than the actual quality of the dog. The United States is obviously the top spot for hot dogs, though I have had good luck in Iceland, Sweden, South Korea and Canada. There’s no regional bias to cloud my judgment, and I walked to London’s Portobello Market with an open mind.

Despite my initial doubts about the recommendation I’d received, I was heartened by the name: Banger Bros. A hot doggery should carry a slightly pornographic appellation, lest it be accused of taking itself too seriously. Once inside, I surveyed the rather extensive menu (which includes burgers and even some baked goods) before placing the order on which I’d decided well before entering: two plain dogs that I’d enhance on my own with ketchup and mustard.

%Gallery-115889%The staff was good for a laugh, balking at my attempts to take pictures though giving fellow blogger Laurie DePrete a pass. I forgot about the folks behind the counter completely, though, when my dogs arrived.

They were big. Very effing big. Intimidating.

The fare, it seems, is susceptible to the same humor that could be applied to the establishment’s name, especially when you try to wrap your mouth around one. These hot dogs are big and thick, requiring an act of will for each bite. They are coked well, snapping when you bite into them, though the burst of flavor that comes with a dog from Crif Dog, Gray’s Papaya or even Popo’s is missing. Still, the hard work of Banger Bros. surpasses that of the other dog establishments I’ve visited in the United Kingdom.

Banger Bros. is a local chain, though the food and style are not reminiscent of the fast food joints in the United State If you’re curious, be patient: I hear that there are plans to bring the dog shop to tour side of the Atlantic.

[photos by Laurie DePrete]

A travel guide to the 2011 Oscar movies

by Meg Nesterov on Feb 2, 2011

The 83rd annual Academy Awards are coming up in a few weeks and the Oscars race is on. This year’s nominations contained few surprises, with many nods for Brit period piece The King’s Speech, Facebook biopic The Social Network, and headtrip Inception. While 2010’s ultimate travel blockbuster Eat, Pray, Love failed to made the cut, there’s still plenty to inspire wanderlust among the Best Picture picks.

Read on for a travel guide to the best movies of 2010 and how to create your own Oscar-worthy trip.

127 Hours – Location: Danny Boyle’s nail-biter was shot on location in Utah’s Blue John Canyon near Moab and on a set in Salt Lake City. Go there: Should you want to explore Moab’s desert and canyons while keeping all limbs intact, check out Moab in fall for bike races and art festivals.

Black Swan – Location: Much of the ballet psychodrama was shot in New York City, though the performances were filmed upstate in Purchase, New York. Go there: To see the real “Swan Lake” on stage at Lincoln Center, you’ll have to hope tickets aren’t sold out for the New York City Ballet, performing this month February 11-26.

The Fighter – Location: in the grand tradition of Oscar winners Good Will Hunting and The Departed, the Mark Wahlberg boxing flick was filmed in Massachusetts, in Micky Ward’s real hometown of Lowell, 30 miles north of Boston. Go there: For a map of locations in Lowell, check out this blog post and perhaps spot Micky Ward at the West End Gym.

Inception – Location: The setting of this film depends on what dream level you’re in. The locations list includes Los Angeles, England, Paris, Japan, even Morocco. Go there: There are plenty of real locations to visit, including University College London and Tangier’s Grand Souk. Canada’s Fortress Mountain Resort where the snow scenes were shot is currently closed, but you can ski nearby in Banff.

The Kids Are All Right – Location: Director Lisa Cholodenko is a big fan of southern California, she also filmed the 2002 Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles. Go there: Love it or hate it, L.A. is still a top travel destination in the US and perhaps this year you can combine with a trip to Vegas, if the X Train gets moving.

The King’s Speech – Location: A prince and a commoner in the wedding of the century. Sound familiar? This historical drama was shot in and around London, though stand-ins were used for Buckingham Palace’s interiors. Go there: It might be hard to recreate the vintage look of the film, but London is full of atmospheric and historic architecture and palaces to visit. If you’re a sucker for English period films or places Colin Firth has graced, tour company P & P Tours can show you around many historic movie locations like Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.

The Social Network – Location: Another Massachusetts and California movie, this very academic film shot at many college and prep school campuses, but none of them Harvard, which hasn’t allowed film crews in decades. Go there: If you enjoyed the Winklevoss rowing scene, head to England this summer for the Henley Royal Regatta June 29 – July 3.

Toy Story 3 – Location: The latest in the Pixar animated trilogy is set at the Sunnyside Daycare. Go there: Reviews are mixed, but Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a new Pixar parade, to let fans see their favorite characters in “person.” Visit any Disney gift shop to make your own toy story.

True Grit – Location: The Coen brothers western remake may be set in 19th century Arkansas, but it was filmed in modern day Santa Fe, New Mexico and Texas, taking over much of towns like Granger. Go there: If you’re a film purist or big John Wayne fan, you can tour the locations of the original film in Ouray County, Colorado.

Winter’s Bone – Location: Many moviegoers hadn’t heard of this film when nominations were announced, set and shot in the Ozark Mountains in southern Missouri. Go there: The difficult film centers around the effects of methamphetamine on a rural family, but travel destinations don’t get much more wholesome than Branson, Missouri. Bring the family for riverboat shows and the best bathroom in the country.

[Photo by Flickr user Lisa Norman]

Get your Beatles-Style Abbey Road picture in five simple steps

by Tom Johansmeyer on Feb 2, 2011

When I emerged from the tube at St. John’s Wood and felt my way over to Abbey Road, I didn’t know what to expect. Like everyone of a certain age, I’d seen the album cover with the “Fab Four” striding across the street by their London studio. I’ve heard the songs and sung along (when nobody was around). The mystique had grown in me over decades, and I figured the Abbey Road crosswalk would have the feel of a holy place.

Well, it didn’t.

If you’re a Beatles fan, Abbey Road is certainly a mandatory stop on your next trip to London, and doubtless, you’ll want your own shot in that iconic crosswalk. I’m guilty of this brazenly tourist act, and along the way, I gathered a few ideas for making it easier to get your shot.

Are you headed to Abbey Road? Here are five ways you can make it easier to become one with music history:

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1. Watch the traffic: there is no traffic light, and Abbey Road is in a residential neighborhood. Cars come zooming past, except when Beatles fanatics get in the way (and even then …). Spend a few minutes watching the flow of traffic, which is influenced by lights farther down the road in both directions. Get a sense of when the natural gaps occur.

2. Note the horns: even if you pick a good time to cross, you’ll likely get in someone’s way. Be aware of what’s going on around you, and try not to be too much of a pain to the locals. They have places to go, too.

3. Make a trade: you need someone to take your picture. Someone else probably does, too. Help each other out, and be patient while waiting for an opening. Fortunately, you probably won’t be the only person in this situation, so finding a new photo buddy won’t be too hard.

4. Plan your walk, especially if you’re with a group: line up ahead of time, and e prepared to move when there’s a break in the vehicular action. You won’t have long when you’re in the street, especially if you want to be considerate of others looking for their moments in the middle of Abbey Road.

5. Instruct your photographer: when you hand over your camera, tell your new friend what you want: it will make it easier for him or her to deliver. When it’s your turn to return the favor, ask for instructions so you can do a good job, as well.

[photos by Laurie DePrete]

Daily Pampering: The May Fair London offers luxe Champagne parties

by McLean Robbins on Jan 24, 2011

Indulgence flows like, well, Champagne, at newest bar program. Aptly titled 150 at The May Fair, (after the magnum, 150cl of liquid) the semi-private bar experience offers a new series of programs where guests can order premium magnums of vintage champagnes paired with a menu of small plates prepared by the new head chef at the hotel’s restaurant, Silvena Rowe.

What would we opt for? The most glamourous offering of them all, naturally! The Dom Pérignon Rose 1998 Experience is a private Champagne party for up to 12 guests.

Priced at £4,400 (approx. $6,800), guests will enjoy four magnums of Dom Pérignon Vintage Rose 1998 paired with four canapés for each guest: seared diver-caught scallops and sevruga caviar remoulade; crispy spiced jumbo prawns with avocado and tahini; West Mersea native oysters with sevruga caviar and szechaun button and pomegranate glazed foie gras.

After that much drinking, we’d suggest you end the night in one of the hotel’s 12 signature suites… or at least with sponsored transportation home.

Get more luxury travel ideas from daily pampering.

Zahi Hawass tells New York City: fix Cleopatra’s Needle or give it back

by Sean McLachlan on Jan 7, 2011

The Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities has become famous in recent years for his regular television appearances and tireless campaign to preserve his nation’s heritage. Dr. Zahi Hawass has gotten the Met to return stolen artifacts and severed ties with the Louvre until they coughed up some of their own ill-gotten gains.

Now the fedora-wearing Egyptologist has a new location in his sights–New York City. On his blog he says Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park has become “severely weathered”. He’s sent a letter to the president of the Central Park Conservancy and Mayor Bloomberg describing how some of the hieroglyphs had all but disappeared and that if they couldn’t take care of the obelisk, he’d “take the necessary steps” to bring it back to Egypt.

Dr. Hawass also posted photos showing the weathering the monument has suffered. With the city’s variable weather and acidic pollution, it’s not surprising it’s suffered damage. Manhattan news service DNAinfo, however, talked to Jonathan Kuhn, director of Arts & Antiquities for the Parks Department, who said the damage was done more than a century ago and that there’s no significant erosion happening now.

Considering the level of determination Dr. Hawass has shown in the past, expect to hear more about this story in the future.

(As a side note, “Cleopatra’s Needle” is misnamed. It was actually erected by the pharaoh Thutmose III around 1450 BC, centuries before Cleopatra was born. London and Paris have similar obelisks.)

[Photo courtesy user Ekem via Wikimedia Commons]