Historic Sussex Hotels launches its luxury membership in conjunction with Design Restaurants

The Spread Eagle Hotel - South Street, Midhurst, West Sussex,GU29 9NH

Today marks the official launch of a new unique  luxury membership programme, called the Historic Sussex Hotel Club at The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa in Midhurst, and at its sister properties of Bailiffscourt in Climping and Michelin rated Ockenden Manor in Cuckfield.  Historic Sussex Hotels are a group of privately owned collection of three very distinctive luxury small hotels set in some of the most beautiful locations in West Sussex.

The Historic Sussex Hotel Club has been created to provide great value and a range of VIP privileges and gifts for discerning regular customers to enjoy more of their business, pleasure and leisure times within these luxury hotels. Membership also offers complimentary membership to Design Restaurants for extended UK dining preferential benefits.

The Spread Eagle Hotel

For a one-off annual fee of just L130 inc. VAT, Historic Sussex Hotel Club members can enjoy amazing benefits worth thousands of pounds, including: a free stay in a deluxe double room with breakfast for two and spa entry; complimentary afternoon tea for two on two separate occasions; free dining in its three AA Rosette and Michelin star awarded restaurant properties; private dining and event offers; and exclusive passes to the spa.

Edward James, General Manager of The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa, says: “Historic Sussex Hotel Club membership represents true value for money and a way appreciate the finer things in life more regularly.  With The Spread Eagle Hotel, I believe it to be amongst the finest historical inns and is a beautiful destination with mouth-watering cuisine and a lovely relaxed charm.  Historic Sussex Hotel group is a byword for meticulous service and this club, with its fantastic array of benefits, is a remarkable indictment of just how much we value our regular customers and neighbours. We hope all our customers can benefit from this and new ones will love it too.”

Specifically, members are entitled to enjoy the following benefits at The Spread Eagle Hotel, and at the other hotels where noted:

Complimentary dining for lunch and dinner when dining with one or more guests all week, except for Saturday evenings in all three hotels.Two x complimentary cream teas for two people, valid Monday to Friday – valued at L20 per visit.Founding members joining before 31 March 2011 will receive a complimentary deluxe double room with breakfast for two and spa entry – valued from L185 – on joining.  Valid Sunday to Thursday.  Usual membership benefits apply following this of three dining visits prior to receipt of complimentary room stay.A complimentary bottle of ‘West Sussex’ Sparkling Wine voucher when dining in a party of four or more – valued at L42.  Two complimentary Spa passes for two people allowing free entry to the spa when booking a 55 minute treatment per person.Gourmet mid-week voucher offers to enjoy a three course dinner with overnight stay and breakfast for two people for: L100 at The Spread Eagle Hotel, L200 at Bailiffscourt, and L200 Ockenden Manor.Exclusive Meeting and Private Dining function member rates from free room hire to 15% pending party size.Complimentary enrolment into the Design Restaurants membership club – valued at L80 – allowing the member to dine with preferential dining rates and privileges at fine dining restaurants throughout the UK. http://www.designrestaurants.com/Member invitations to social, gourmet, and health events throughout the membership year.

Prospective members or Design Restaurant members wishing to increase their member benefits should call the Historic Sussex Hotel Club membership services on:  01276 850581

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Published:January 9, 2012 / 12:40 pmCategory:Lifestyle Articles, Restaurant newsTags:

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Best Pet Friendly Hotels in the UK

Hudson

So which hotels go that extra mile to accommodate you and your ‘best friend’ in the lap of luxury.  Little courtesies such as staff learning your dog’s name, dog sitting and walking services and in some cases customised welcome hampers, a la carte menus to collar tags with the hotel’s address on it.

Whilst your doggies gets the break of their dreams so can the ‘Mummies’ and ‘Daddies’ at our selection of the finest country house breaks in the UK.

Ston Easton

Ston Easton – Nr Bath, Somerset (01761 241631)

You will appreciate the Palladian style mansion in the Mendip Hills but we are sure your four legged friend will like its 36 acre estate complete with cascading River Norr running through.  Ston Easton is super comfortable, welcoming and exquisite with fantastic dining facilities.  They have also teamed up with pet food producer ‘James Wellbeloved’ to give Pet Lovers a real gourmet getaway this Spring.  As part of this special breaks valid till Easter, dog lovers pets will enjoy a complimentary meal courtesy of James Wellbeloved as well as a free stay for doggie.  Enjoy a country house break from only L225 per room per night to include dinner, bed and breakfast.  Pets free.   Members staying on different packages are reminded their members card is also valid for dining at Ston Easton.

The Manor House Hotel

The Manor House – Castle Combe, Wiltshire (0845 521 1880)

It doesn’t get much more idyllic than Castle Combe – a film location regular and tranquil hideaway 20 minutes from central Bath.  Here they have two dedicated rooms which are both suites in their cottage rooms.  Housekeeping will supply dog blankets and bowls.  You have some great walks to do and fantastic places to visit.  Charges are the hotel’s usual rates plus L25 per night.  The hotel offers Michelin starred dining for the pet owners in the main house and members can dine for complimentary dining for lunch Monday to Saturday and for dinner from Sunday to Friday.

Bailiffscourt Hotel

Bailiffscourt – Arundel, West Sussex (01903 723511)

A perfectly preserved medieval house with 35 acres of pasture land leading down to the unspoilt Climping beach for a very happy dog walk.  You have a stunning hotel and its facilities to use and a sumptuous contemporary spa (although sorry to say doggie cannot follow here). The hotel provides the warmest of greetings with a doggie bed, treats, bowls and for L13.50 per night a Doggie Dinner Menu.   Members can use their card for complimentary dining in the restaurant for all meal periods except for Saturday night, or special functions.

Bovey Castle

Bovey Castle – North Bovey, Dartmoor, Devon (01647 445000)

History, excitement and glamour yet relaxed and unstuffy – you have it all going on at Bovey.  For activities there is plenty to amuse you and your best friend especially if you enjoy long walks.  You have the grounds of the hotel and set walks to the village but take a five minute drive and you have the whole of Dartmoor to explore.   Bedding and bowls are provided at L20 per dog.  Members can use their card for complimentary dining in the restaurant for all dinner periods and for Sunday lunch, except for special functions.

Linthwaite House Hotel

Linthwaite House Hotel – Windermere, Cumbria (01539 488600)

On a hilltop setting above Lake Windermere and the surrounding fells, Linthwaite House is an award-winning small country house hotel. Its setting make it ideal location for a walking holiday in the Lake District.  They have two dedicated pet-friendly ‘cottage’ rooms with their own entrances.  Although the dogs are not allowed in the hotel there is plenty of pampering available with 14 acres of grounds including a private tarn, our door seating areas, blankets, throws and bowls, lists of dog-friendly nearby pubs, spare leads, scoop bags and many more.  You have a variety of off-road and on-road walks available for a refreshing break.  Members can use their card for complimentary dining in the restaurant for Sunday to Thursday for dinner.

Gidleigh Park

Gidleigh Park – Chagford, Devon (01647 432367)  

A pedigree hotel!  You have an idyllic location on the banks of River Teign, an impeccable five star hotel and a restaurant voted number 100 in The Times top 100  Restaurants.  It has two Michelin stars and boasts Michael Caines OBE as Head Chef, where he has been and established himself since 1994.  They have three dog-friendly rooms at L10 per night extra from a beautiful thatched cottage separate to the hotel, or two rooms within: one with a large balcony and one with a Juliet style balcony.  Although dogs cannot go in the main house there are plenty of walks to wear them out with the house pleasantries of dog blankets, bowls, leads, torches to aid early or late walks, or free heated exterior kennels if you prefer to have the room to yourself.  Members can use their card for complimentary dining in the restaurant  for lunch and dinner Monday to Thursday and Sunday dinner when in a party of four or more.

But note that only well behaved doggies will ordinarily be welcome in any hotel.

For more luxury destinations, restaurants and offers see www.designrestaurants.com 

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Top 10 Most Romantic Restaurants in the UK

Discover the best restaurants to impress your Valentine

Gentlemen, take it from us.  If you want your lady to swoon then a beautifully enchanting restaurant must be on the agenda too, as well as those flowers, diamonds and spa days.  The old fashioned proverb ‘ The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’ works for the opposite sex too.

It is so hard to choose from over 350 of the finest restaurants to find the most romantic destinations.  Our criteria was strict: atmospheric but not loud, mood lighting, the setting, table-cloths are a must, table spacing and table sizing, discreet service, bijou on size, relaxed but attentive service.  For men of few words, your destination could speak volumes.

Our top ten best restaurants for romantic dining:

The Bingham

The Bingham – Richmond, London

A beautiful Georgian townhouse boutique hotel and gastonomique restaurant with a riverside location by Richmond Bridge.  The ultra-elegant restaurant has long held a Michelin star for Chef’s Shay Cooper’s incredible masterpieces.  Daytime you have the views and the Balcony use during summertime and at night you have romantic candlelight dining – one of the tables has even been aptly named the ‘Love Seat’ for its cosy setting.

Adam Simmonds at Danesfield House Hotel

Adam Simmonds at Danesfield House – Marlow, Buckinghamshire

Between Marlow and Henley on Thames sits the exquisite luxury country house hotel, Danesfield House.  It’s situated a breast a hilltop plateau with full views from the rear sweeping down to the River Thames.  A neo-Tudor style grand white building with an equally spectacular restaurant, The Adam Simmonds is small and elegant with well-spaced tables.  The restaurant was delicately designed by the famous designer, Anouskha Hempel and retains the house’s character but with light wooden panelling, good use of mirrors, good seating and white linens.  Award winning as Buckinghamshire’s finest for numerous years and now the Michelin star ensures this as a destination restaurant to visit.

Inverlochy Castle

Inverlochy Castle – Fort William, Scotland

Perhaps one of Scotland’s finest and most highly awarded hotel and restaurant’s, its pedigree is almost as awe inspiring as its location. At the foothills of Ben Nevis and overlooking its own loch, Queen Victoria once said “I have never seen a lovelier or more romantic spot”. Once there you can savour the excellent British cuisine of Philip Carnegie and his brigade, with the impressive restaurant credentials of having held a Michelin star every single year since 1982.  Decor is grand Scottish Castle with period pieces.

Lucknam Park Hotel

Lucknam Park – Chippenham, Wiltshire

For the foodie or the traveller, first and foremost, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa is one of England’s most glorious 5 star Country House Hotels and a member of Relais & Chateaux. A magnificent XVIIIth century palladian mansion in 500 acres of parkland only 6 miles from Bath. Top class facilities include an impressive spa complex and renowned equestrian centre. Rich and lavishly decorated, The Park Restaurant is located in the house’s former ball room and offers classical menus with modern European influences. Chef Hywel Jones ensures to use the finest local ingredients in his Michelin awarded dishes.

The Samling

The Samling – Windermere, Cumbria

A very special small 11-bedroom hotel overlooking Lake Windermere in the Lake District.  Used frequently as a celebratory haven for the Beckhams, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Stella McCartney, where more than often it becomes an exclusive use property, it is famous worldwide for its unspoilt English charm, romantic setting and excellent cuisine.  Currently minus its long held Michelin star but nevertheless somewhere well worth a visit and to stay if at all possible.

Hotel Tresanton

Hotel Tresanton – St Mawes, Cornwall

Perched on the hillside overlooking Cornwall’s stunning Roseland Peninsula, Hotel Tresanton is a former yachting club which has seen a stunning transformation at the hands of owner Olga Polizzi.   Described as ‘Seaside chic at its finest’, Hotel Tresanton is a delightful fresh mix of white washed walls, watercolours and mosaics for a emotive carefree holiday feel whenever you visit.  The elegant restaurant is flooded with natural light from the windows on two sides making the most of the beautiful sea views and at night you can enjoy candlelight dining. Outside, a delightful two tiered terrace enables you to really make the most of the setting during the warmer months.  Head Chef Paul Wadham makes the best use of the wonderful local produce within the daily changing menu and introduces a hint of Italian to the otherwise eclectic cuisine.

The Lugger

The Lugger Hotel – Portloe, Truro, Cornwall

In the cove at Portloe, an unspoilt Cornish fishing village sits The Lugger Hotel.  A building carefully extended from an original boat builder shed and house to surround the small water inlet where you can sit and dine both inside or out on the small balcony and watch the local fishermen  bring in their hauls.  Much of the catch is used in the restaurant for amazing British cuisine.  During the summer months we recommend a walk before or after dinner across the headlands straight from the hotel and along the coast, where you can marvel at the stunning views of the land and sea for miles.

Rasoi

Rasoi – Chelsea, London

The dining in this upmarket bijou Chelsea townhouse off Kings Road is spread over several beautiful small rooms on the ground floor.  A Michelin starred Indian restaurant of perfection with the chef, Vaneet Bhatia winning formally the Michelin star also for Zaika. The lighting is to perfection for day or night and hugely atmospheric as each room holds a comfortable amount of seating.

The Manor House Hotel

The Manor House – Castle Combe, Nr Bath, Wiltshire

The village of Castle Combe is a regular used as an idyllic film setting for the quintessential Cotswold village, such as War Horse, and the 14th Century Manor House Hotel as the magical setting Stardust.  As a setting, you will be stunned.  The Bybrook restaurant is Michelin starred, extremely comfortable and reaps much praise for its imaginative menus. Its brigade of chefs use fresh produce from the Manor’s own orchard and kitchen garden to create culinary masterpieces together with a cellar of your dreams.

La Becasse

La Becasse – Ludlow, Shropshire

La Becasse is a boutique fine dining townhouse setting in the medieval market town, now gourmet mecca, of Ludlow in Shropshire.  At La Becasse there is a very simply philosophy  – “We aim to exceed your expectations leaving you wanting to return.”  The food style is Modern French cuisine using the finest ingredients and with seasonality key to the success of the dishes.  At the helm in the kitchen is Chef Will Holland, a true craftsman, having previously been Head Chef at the sister Michelin starred L’ortolan restaurant, Berkshire.  Perfect for lingering memories.

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Published:January 30, 2012 / 5:12 pmCategory:Lifestyle Articles, ListsTags:

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The Cinco de Mayo Mint Julep

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May 04, 2012The Cinco de Mayo Mint Julep

With Cinco de Mayo clashing with the Kentucky Derby this weekend we see an opportunity to do a couple of cocktail mashups. The first up is the Cinco de Mayo Mint Julep.

It used to be that you'd order a julep and get a gin cocktail, so don't get all in a bunch about not using bourbon. Mezcal has a wonderful smoky and woody quality and if you avoid the unfiltered cheap stuff, you'll do a lot better. A couple of these ingredients may be tough to find but make do with obvious substitutes.

The Cinco de Mayo Mint Julep

3oz. Mezcal
8 mint leaves
Cane Sugar    
Sugar cane swizzle

Muddle the mint leaves and cane sugar with 3 oz of mezcal pour over cubed ice. Add a cane swizzle and sip.

It's simple. It's different and you can kill two birds with one cocktail. Next up - The Derby Mint Margarita.

Josh on May 04, 2012 in Drink of the Week | Permalink

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Underground Dining Club X-Marx to Debut Flour and Bones at Dose Market

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May 11, 2012Underground Dining Club X-Marx to Debut Flour and Bones at Dose Market

Underground dining clubs have been operating around the city for years, hosted in chefs' basements, friends' apartments, even outdoors. They're fun and creative, but kind of a logistical pain for diners who would like to just, you know, show up and eat dinner.

X-Marx, a four-year-old established group in the underground dining world, is finally making the leap to the big time with a new restaurant, Flour and Bones, slated to open late this summer in Logan Square. They're quick to point out that though it shares some trendy trappings-- communal table, open kitchen-- this is not just another ampersand-ed Logan Square gastro-fill-in-the-blank.

Like much of X-Marx food, Flour and Bone will have an Asian spin. The 30-seat restaurant will serve an omakase menu in addition to a la carte offerings and a beverage program. To get a better peek at the menu, show up to this Sunday's Dose Market, where Flour and Bone will serve some preview bites like smoked tofu, lapsang tea eggs, hand-cut noodles, and ube cupcakes. And if you make it to Dose on Mother's Day, you'll also be rewarded with a preview of Pecking Order, chef Kristine Subido's forthcoming chicken-centric restaurant. We hate to say it, but those are two good reasons to ditch Mother's Day brunch early. --Kate Bernot

Kate Bernot on May 11, 2012 in Logan Square, Pan-Asian | Permalink

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Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant –Minimalism at Its Finest

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May 07, 2012Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant –Minimalism at Its Finest

I now work on the South Side of Chicago.  Well, not really the South Side, but certainly the near South Side, just south of the South Loop. It's a different environment from a restaurant perspective.  Well, it's different in many perspectives.  But, after years of working downtown and having lunchtime and happy hour accesss to various Loop, River North, and West Loop spots, a smorgasboard of new possibilites has presented itself, across an area ranging from Bronzeville to Pilsen to Little Little Italy, Chinatown, and University Village.  Except on occasion, I'm far too busy to get out for lunch, but have visited a few spots that are reasonably close to the office.  Sometimes my visits to a new-to-me place have been on the way home.  My explorations have inlcuded new establishments, such as Davonti Enoteca, small bistros toying with food trucks, such as Flavor 180, and mainstays, such as Joy Yee Noodles.  Quite a few spots have been rewarding.

One long-rumored establishment that is finally within relative striking distance of me is "that carnitas place on 18th and Ashland".  That's how it's been described to me over the years, the mysterious Mexican restaurant in Pilsen, off Ashland, that allegedly serves carnitas and only carnitas. Even simply finding this establishment, Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant, was a bit adventurous.  Squeezed between a menagerie of shoe stores, clothiers, mercatidos along 18th Street, its understated, slightly italicized signage barely distinguishes itself.  But for that key word in the title, "Carnitas", it could easily be mistaken for just another Pilsen taqueria.

Right away you know this place is different as you're greeted by a giant hulking pile of fried carnitas heaped in the window as you enter.  It lays there, with a reddish-brown skin and a pinker interior, inviting you to gorge on its cheap, simple succulence.  Truly, all they do at this place is carnitas.  They have a few other offerings on weekends and they always carry house-made pork rinds.  But if you're there on a weekday and fried, battered pork fritters disgust you, carnitas is all you'll get.  And why would you want anything else?   A golden rule with restaurants should be that if you are not good or great at versatile cooking, then do one thing and do that well.  As such, it's hard to chide Carnitas Uruapan's business model. 

A gentleman who was cutting up the carnitas into smaller strands handed me a newly-cut piece while I parsed the menu, posted on the wall, looking for a burrito offering.  You won't find burritos as Carnitas Uruapan, just as you won't find beef or chicken there.  Your carnitas order comes as a taco.  They have quite an unusual assembly line.   Like a sow in sweltering heat, that pile of carnitas I mentioned never moves its general area near the storefront where you place your order.  The gentleman shouts your order in Spanish to the kitchen area in back, and, eventually, a guy in a grease stained undershirt brings up a red basket full of tortillas.  Hunks of newly chopped carnitas are lumped into these doubly rolled whitish corn tortillas, and rolled into little pockets of processed carb goodness leaving oil on their tight wrappings. 

He stared at me blankly when I asked him about available toppings.  Your topping option is salsa.  And even that comes in only one variety.  It's kind of a mix between a salsa verde and a pico de gallo, a bit green with sizeable chunks of tomato and onion.   It's there for an extra kick, and marvelous one at that, but you don't need it.   The carnitas is succulent.   Its juicy and savory, and the sinewy, chewy chunks are a glorious gnaw.  It's not overly salty, allowing the natural meaty and fatty oils to permeate your palate.  Packing tremendous flavor, these could easily be eaten cold and would still delight. 

Odds are that Carnitas Uruapan is well out of your way.  Trust me on this: it's well worth the drive.   The folks at Carnitas Uruapan have mastered the craft of carnitas and they're quite the outstanding minimalists.

Carnitas Uruapan
1725 W 18th St
Chicago, IL

--M. Sheppard

M. Sheppard on May 07, 2012 in M. Sheppard, Mexican, South Side | Permalink

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Heirloom Plant Sale This Weekend at the Peterson Garden Project

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May 11, 2012Heirloom Plant Sale This Weekend at the Peterson Garden Project

How many of these tomato-types have you tried?

?    Box Car Willie
?    Big Rainbow
?    Green Zebra
?    Grandfather Ashlock
?    Stupice
?    Prudens Purple
?    Black Krim

We're tomato-naive but not for long...

Now's the time to explore the many heirloom tomato options at the Peterson Garden Project. Check out the heirloom plant sale Friday, May 11 through Sunday, May 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily. The sale is a fundraiser; all proceeds benefit The Peterson Garden Project, a 501c3 non-profit organization. Items for sale include organic, heirloom herb and vegetable seedlings, all priced under $5.There is no cost for admission.

Receive urban gardening instructions, purchase plants (beyond tomatoes!) and even gardening supplies.

Peterson Garden Project
4642 N. Francisco,
Chicago, IL

heirloom tomato image via Shutterstock

Josh on May 11, 2012 in The 'Scene' | Permalink

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PRICE$$$$$$$$$$Subscribe to this blog's feedRecent CommentsCVolanakis on Craft Beer Week Meet the NATO Summit... Josh on Free Pair of Weekend Passes to the Chicago Green Festival at Navy Pier!Teri L. on Butter & Cheese... Real Food is the Real Secret for Your DietDavid on Free Pair of Weekend Passes to the Chicago Green Festival at Navy Pier!Josh on Goldie LoxJeff Valentino on Has "Artisanal" Gone the Way of "Green" and "Natural"?Pressure Cooker on Pressure Cooking Fried Chicken... Dangerous Recipes?Josh on The 20 Most-Important Kitchen GadgetsMe Me on The 20 Most-Important Kitchen Gadgets Best BBQ in LA on Salmon Burgers with Hoisin Barbeque SauceRecent PostsCraft Beer Week Meet the NATO Summit... High Glycemic Index – The "Comfort" in Comfort Food.Logan Square Kitchen to Close After Valiant Battle with City RegulatorsChicago Blog Lottie + Doof Wins Saveur's Best Cooking Blog AwardHeirloom Plant Sale This Weekend at the Peterson Garden ProjectUnderground Dining Club X-Marx to Debut Flour and Bones at Dose MarketUpdate: Decoding Your Egg CartonSpring Orecchiette with Shrimp RecipeSeventh Time's the Charm for Chicago James Beard Nominees document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js'%3E%3C/script%3E"));COMSCORE.beacon({ c1: 2, c2: "6035669", c3: "", c4: "http://www.chicagofoodies.com/2012/05/heirloom-plant-sale-this-weekend-at-the-peterson-garden-project.html", c5: "", c6: "", c15: ""});

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