What happened when Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda went to tea

Well I don't know what happened when Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda went to tea-but I do know what happened when Lavi, Savi, Soni and Noorie went to tea...

This is afternoon tea- Sex and the City style!

When you're as busy as Carrie and her friends, the best way to catch up is over tea, sandwiches and scones. That's why the Hyatt Regency in London have created the 'Sex and the City' inspired Afternoon Tea. It's flirty, fun and fashionable! What more could a girl want?

We booked the 'Sex and the City Afternoon Par-Tea' as a surprise for Lavi's (our eldest sisters) birthday back in November. We made the reservation pretty last minute and so we were lucky that there was a table for us. We had booked it for 4.30pm but in true Carrie style, we arrived fashionably late at 5.30pm.

Could there be any other way to start a fashion inspired tea party...?

The celebrations started with a bottle of the old bubbly (on the house) but it kinda went a bit down hill after that. You might say they committed a few tea party faux pa's!

The tea took a very long time to arrive but I reckon this is because we had the champagne so they probably assumed we would want to wait before we were served tea, but either way the staff (although quite nice) didn't seem attentive to our needs.

So what do you do when you're dressed up and waiting around for your tea? Well, you take pictures of yourself of course!

Okay so you take pictures of yourself and the place.
This is where we were sat, by the kitchen where we had the perfect view
of the hold up with our tea!

Such posers honestly. 

Oh hi birthday girl! Happy birthday! 

Bubbles make you fly...

The tea and food FINALLY arrives
How can you not take a pic
 with the jelly inspired martini glasses?
I mean how cute are they!

Oh and that would be me with the big sis. Howdy peeps.

Naturally, by the time we had finished being self obsessed the tea and food had arrived. Maybe fashionably late too?

You can choose from four types of teas from the menu, each which reflects the personality of one of the girls. I picked the Organic Silver Needle White Tea inspired by Carrie, which was a nice winter warmer.

A mixture of sweet and savoury treats, here is what you can expect to get at a Sex and the City inspired tea party at The Hyatt:

New York inspired savoury treats which include pastrami on rye,
smoked salmon New York bagel, mini hot dog and mini burger.

Word of warning. The menu described the hot dog as being 'lightly drizzled' with mustard...
Oh my god! Lightly drizzled but very lethal-it burned our lips!

Where's Savi...? 

The lower tier, as seen in the picture is the cold food, the middle tier the hot food and the top tier for the sweet treats-each also inspired by one of the girls' personalities. For Carrie, they have created a strawberry flavoured chocolate pink stiletto; for Charlotte, a pink strawberry cupcake; for Samantha an apple flavoured jelly martini (appletini) and for Miranda, glazed doughnuts.

How cute is the chocolate stiletto
and the mini apple martini jelly!

This strawberry chocolate stiletto was just too sweet for me to finish and that is not a comment any chocoholic should make but it really was pure sugar. None of us could finish it. One bite of the heel  was all we could handle. I guess some things are just nicer to look at.

Personally, neither of us (apart from Savi) are fans of jelly, but surprisingly, I really liked the appletini jelly. Did it have the wobble factor? Yes. But not too wobbly, which is good because I'm not a fan of wobbly things you see. Who remembers wibble wobble jelly on a plate?

I've mentioned before in an earlier post how afternoon tea can fill you up that you don't need to eat dinner, but that wasn't the case this time round. After each working our way through the 3 tiers, we found that we were all still hungry and so ordered another round of tea from the classic tea and scones menu and then we ate and ate until we just could not eat another bite and with that we decided to pack the goodies in a doggy bag and call it a night.

Was it a good night? Yes. Would I go again? Probably not. The waiting around and the tiny portions was a bit of a let down (sorry girls!) and so I award the Sex and the City tea par-tea a stylish but not so swanky 6/10.

Don't just be Inspired. Be Twinspired. 

Noorie 

The Christmas Posts: Recipe for Christmas Pudding Cake Pops

Welcome Back people! In this episode, we'll be showing you how to make Christmas Pudding style cake pops. These really are time consuming, but hey, the Mayans got it wrong so we got plenty of time to play with now. 

The only Christmas Pudding I'm eating this year. 

Equipment

Electric mixer 

Mixing Bowl

Craft knife (or just a really sharp knife)

Chopping board (or a surface which you don't mind scratching)

Rolling Pin 

Lolly sticks

Baking tray

Grease proof paper

Ingredients

200g Madeira Cake

140g-160g White Chocolate

300g Milk Chocolate

Ready-to-Roll icing (festive colours)

To make the Cake Pops

1) Pulse the Madeira cake into a mixer until the cake resembles fine breadcrumbs. 

2) Melt the white chocolate in a microwave for 1-2 minutes or in a bowl over simmering water. The chocolate must NOT bubble. It should be a smooth consistency. 

3) Combine the chocolate and crumbs together using your hands. 

4) Roll the mix into 10 small balls using the palms of your hands. Place them on a grease proof lined baking tray and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. 

6) In the meanwhile, melt the milk chocolate in the microwave or in a bowl over simmering water.

7) Once the balls are set, insert a lolly stick (or any other firm stick) into the melted milk chocolate and insert into the balls, one at a time. Once done, return to the fridge to set for another 5-10 minutes. 

8) Once set, take one ball on a stick and dip into the melted milk chocolate. Make sure you cover the ball evenly, rotating the stick around so the chocolate is covered all over the ball. Place them in a glass, polystyrene or cake pop holder to keep them apart and to prevent from sticking to one another. 

9) Roll out the white icing to make the drizzle on the Christmas Pudding effect. Cut out the shape and place on top of the cake pop once the cake pops are completely dry and set. Roll out the holly shape from the green and red icing and finish. 

The fun in making these cake pops actually comes when you are decorating them. They were a pain in the ass to make, but definitely worth it because they looked so cute! 
If you like Cinnamon Biscuits, then you may like our next post on how to make them. Hasta Pronto Amigos!

Don't just be Inspired. Be Twinspired. 

Hernoor aka Noorie

The Christmas Posts: Recipe for Christmas Cupcakes

Holidays Are Coming! Who doesn't love the Coca Cola advert?! It is just too magical and nostalgic. One thing that I never understood as a child was who in their right mind would drink an ice cold drink in the Winter? Anyway, this time of year is so amazing because it means time to spend with family and friends, feeling like a kid again and being inspired by all the festive lights. It is a magical time full of optimism and glad tidings. Enjoy it while it is here, because as a month, 'January' sucks the most. It signifies the end of the the twinkling fairy lights and the beginning of all things bleak, grey and miserable. Merry Christmas, by the way! 

We've been busy baking and shopping for Secret Santa gifts. In the coming posts, we'll be sharing recipes for cupcakes, cake pops and biscuits.

Christmas Pudding Cake Pops, Festive Cinnamon Biscuits and Festive Cupcakes. 

Vanilla Flavoured Christmas Cupcakes

Makes 12

Equipment

12-hole muffin tin

12 muffin cases

Electric mixer (or there is no harm in the trusted 'wooden spoon and elbow grease')

Mixing Bowl

Wire Rack

Craft knife (or just a really sharp knife)

Chopping board (or a surface which you don't mind scratching)

Rolling Pin 

For the cakes

125g/4oz Self-Raising Flour

125g/4oz Caster Sugar

125g/4oz Unsalted Butter (must be room temperature) 

1 and a half teaspoon Baking Powder

2 medium eggs 

2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Extract 

3 tablespoons Semi-Skimmed Milk

For the Icing/Decoration

Ready to Roll icing (festive colours)

Edible snowflakes/silver balls

White Writing Icing tubes

To make the Cakes

1) Pre-heat oven to 180c/350f/Gas Mark 4 and line the holes of the muffin tin with muffin cases

2) Add the butter, caste sugar and vanilla extract to the mixing bowl and mix together for 5-7 minutes until light in colour and creamy in texture. 

3) Add one egg and mix for 1 minute. Add the second egg and mix for another minute. 

4) In a seperate bowl and using a metal spoon mix the flour with the baking powder. Sieve into the mixing bowl and mix together until well incorporated. 

5) Add the milk a few tablespoons at a time and mix for a further minute. 

6) Spoon the mixture into the muffin cases (the mixture should drop softly from the spoon into the cases). Bake for 20-25 minutes or until springy to the touch. To check if the cakes are well baked, insert a knife or toothpick into the center of the cake. The knife/toothpick should be clean when removed from the cake. 

7) Remove the baked cupcakes and transfer them to a wire rack to cool. 

To make the Festive Shapes

1) Lightly dust a clean surface with icing sugar.

2) Roll out your desired Ready-to-Roll icing onto the dusted surface as flat as possible. 

3) Using the craft knife, create your desired festive shapes. 

4) Place any unused icing in cling film to prevent it drying out. 

And...here's some we made earlier...(The cupcakes were made by Savi and I, but the awesomely amazing icing skills was all crafted by our talented elder sister, Savi Grewal). 

Attention to detail: Check out Snowman's hat! It's got a little Holly Sprig on it made from icing sugar of course. 

Voila! Festive Cupcakes!! The Icing was all 'glued' into place with white writing icing to prevent the shapes from sliding off the cakes.

Here is Savi aka Santa's little helper getting into the festive spirit with hat, complete with real tinkling bell.       

In the next episode, we will show you how to make Christmas Pudding style Cake Pops. Stay tuned folks. In the meantime remember to wrap up warm, hold the doors open for those carrying bags or loads on their mind and don't ever forget that Santa Claus used to wear a green outfit!

Don't  just be inspired. Be Twinspired.

Sukhman aka Soni

Bollywood Night Out

If you don't already know, Noorie and I are are 'into' all things Bollywood. The costumes, the songs, the dances, the dialogue, and Aamir Khan looks really good these days. I just need to mention how amazing Hrithik Roshan looked in the film 'Jodha Akbar', especially in one particular scene where he is wielding his sword during a practice session, while Aishwarya Rai secretly looks on in awe (and clearly being turned on too). Ladies and Gentleman, check it out below, it is only a short clip but well worth it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0jULCmOVY

Wow, I got majorly distracted! Ok, back on track now, haha! 

So I've mentioned we like to listen to Bollywood songs, we like to sing them for fun and try to pick up one or two dance moves. For the record, there is one song that can be played over and over again and I just don't get bored of dancing to it. Check it out below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHsnF-XfsGo

We were looking to get our Bollywood groove on, so Noorie found this place called Apt Bar in St. Pauls where they host 'Kuch Kuch Nights'.

http://www.kuchkuchnights.co.uk/

The place officially gets 'live' after 10pm. It was quite empty at first and the crowd is a mixed crowd of young and old (whatever that means). There were some students, and the other type of student too. Just off the boat, if you catch my drift. I'm sure I saw a few Husband's and Wives out together too. I felt like I was at a Wedding Reception at times, especially when a fight broke out in the middle of the dance floor (further details below). 

The music was a mix of really old school Hindi songs from the 1970s and some popular current item songs too. Everyone seemed up for a laugh and the dance floor was packed. The bar staff were sooo cool! They were European but they were getting in on the fun too, smiling and dancing away whilst pouring drinks. Just to let you know, they don't charge for water. How refreshing for a change. I was disappointed that they didn't play my song (the one in the link) and that really set my mood for the whole evening - I kid you not. 

Noorie poses while she waits for the DJ to warm up and for the place to fill up with more people. 

The highlight of the evening was when a fight broke out in the middle of the dance floor right next to us - I actually felt like I was in a Bollywood movie, 'Dusham Dusham' style. For our non-Indian friends, 'Dusham Dusham' refers to the sound when one guy throws a punch at the other guy in an Bollywood movie. 

As mentioned above, I felt like I was at an Indian Wedding Reception too. For our non-Indian friends, sometimes a fight usually breaks out right at the end of an Indian Wedding Reception Party for no reason other than the fact that the men get drunk and suddenly feel they can take on any guy in the room who looks at their sister/wife/cousin/female friend. This particular 'fight' was one of those fights where one guy was purposely dancing next to another guy's girlfriend. Both guys were trying to be so macho under the influence of alcohol but it was actually embarrassing to watch.

Mehar and I can't contain our excitement. It looks empty, because it was. It got live and kicking around 1am. 

Personally, I wouldn't go again unless I had to. I like to dance to a mix of Bhangra, Bollywood and R&B and this was obviously a pure Bollywood night. Noorie, on the other hand, had a blast. She had a freakingly awesome night out and said she would love to go back. So if you're like me and like to mix it up Bombay Halwa style, this may not be your cup of chai but there's no harm in checking it out. If you're like Noorie, this is defo up your galli (street) so put on your dancing shoes and 'Show us your Jalwa!' (This loosley means, 'Show me your charisma/moves'). If you're not like either of us, then that's actually very normal so don't worry.

Don't just be Inspired. Be Twinspired. 

Sukhman aka Soni

Ponti's -Italian Kitchen

5-7 John Princes Street, London. Home to 'Ponti's' - an Italian Kitchen. 

I like the idea they have called it a 'Kitchen' because that is what it feels like. To really give you a sense of what type of eatery this is, here are a few lines from whoever wrote the 'About' section on the Ponti's website:

''Our open, theatre style kitchen with its wood stove oven, creates a sense of theatre with dramatic displays of Salami, Coppa, Pancetta and Prosciutto Crudo suspended from meat hooks, surrounded by platters of large creamy balls of Mozzarella di Buffala, fresh green Italian olives on ice, punnets of juicy vine ripened cherry tomatoes, fresh Focaccia, Altamura and crisp bread from Italy''. 

Really, that is the best way to describe it. I would like to credit the person who wrote it, but they left no name. So all I can say is good job to the unknown author from Ponti's website! Check the link for more information about Ponti's:

http://www.pontis.co.uk/jsp/pontis.jsp

Most of the staff were really friendly, except one, who looked like she was waiting for her shift to end. But that was our experience on the day we happened to go. She's probably feeling festive and a lot better than when we dined there. On a separate note, I dunno about you guys, but the way a restaurant leaves a lasting impression on me is not just the service, food or staff but also how the Restroom/Toilets are maintained and the overall appearance of it. Here is a pic of what seemed to be a waiting area just outside of the actual toilets.

A place to wait if the toilets aren't vacant? Not sure what the purpose of this area is but it looks funky.
Loving the mirror and random dry plant too.

The Menu

http://www.pontis.co.uk/menus/PIK_main_menu_latest.pdf

To begin, I had a Focaccia with Sea Salt & Rosemary and for the Main, a Caprino Pizza. I do love Goat's cheese. Thank You Goat, I love the cheese you make. Well, the milk that you make for the cheese. Thanks man.  This cheese was melting in the mouth and had a tart taste to it which I like. But the sunblush tomatoes were too tangy for me. The Focaccia was crusty in texture and it was a challenge to eat it, even with my rabbit teeth. To wash all that down, I went for the Cranberry & Mint Cooler juice. The lime slice left a mildly citrusy aftertaste on my tongue. Thumbs up. Noorie went for Hot Chocolate as a drink and the Thick Cut Chips as a side. Can't go wrong with chips and hot chocolate if you're on a budget! We shared the pizza. We share a birthday, so sharing a pizza made sense too. 






Of course we saved room for dessert, people! 

The Dessert Menu

http://www.pontis.co.uk/menus/PIK_dessert_menu_latest.pdf

I went for the dessert with a wicked name: Bomboloni di Ricotta. This is a stodgy dessert, but I actually enjoyed eating this. The warm dough ball themselves were not sweet, rather it was the Acacia Honey which was drizzled over them which gave it a light sweet taste. It wasn't too overpowering in terms of it's sweetness. The vanilla ice-cream was cold, but it's milky consistency made a good accompaniment.

Noorie went for the Italian Lemon Cup Cake. She chose this desssert because she needed something light and 'zesty' after munching on a pizza and chips. Sadly, the cupcake wasn't 'zesty' enough for her. 




If you are heading down to Oxford Street and looking for great food and a place to unwind after your Christmas shopping, then give Ponti's a go. The Kitchen is warmly decorated in time for the Festive season and it is an ideal place if you are looking to eat somewhere a bit 'Christmassy' looking. 

Don't just be Inspired. Be Twinspired

Sukhman aka Soni