Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Pizza Express Victoria Square, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

During our stay in Belfast we tried two Pizza Express, one of our favorite chains in the UK and Ireland for casual meals.

This time around we went to Pizza Express Victoria Square after having been to the one on Bedford Street.
 

The architecture was completely different. Victoria Square is a very modern shopping mall and one of the best designed in the country, so the Pizza Express was also contemporary and flooded with day light.

It was already busy, but we hadn't any problems getting a table.
 

We ordered one Elderflower Presse, one orange juice, two hot chocolates, one Leggaria Pizza ad Astra, one Leggaria Pomodoro Pesto, one Leggaria chocolate cheese cake and one Toffee Fudge Glory.

Comparing the chocolate cheese cake with the one from Pizza Express Bedford Street it seemed slightly sweeter at Victoria Square.

It was the first time ever we have been asked our preference for hot chocolate at a Pizza Express outlet (more milk or more cocoa).

The cost was 44 GBP (ca. 56.35 Euro or ca. 70.30 USD).
 

Service was attentive, but in our opinion slightly too personal. But, that's a personal thing, many others might enjoy the attention.

We will return should we be at Victoria Square again in our future.


©2014

Friday, November 21, 2014

Balfes @ The Westbury Dublin, Ireland

Before travelling by long distance bus to Belfast we had breakfast at Balfes, located at the Westbury Hotel, Dublin, Ireland and formerly known as Cafe Novo.

Normally we are frequently going there for the weekend brunch, so breakfast during the week was a new experience for us.

During brunch the whole restaurant is accessible, not so when having breakfast during the week. Only the bar section was open to the public. This was the only thing I disliked. The bar was busy due to some job interviews taking place and other guests. All the low tables were occupied. It left us only high ones and meant sitting on a bench or bar stool. It was a bit uncomfortable for me and the tables are slightly too small.

There was another difference. The portion sizes were much larger at breakfast than it is during brunch.

The service was as always attentive and we were recognized as regulars.

We ordered two Chai Lattes, two Orange, carrot and ginger juices, Eggs Benedict, an omelette with smoked salmon and oat pancakes sweetened with agave syrup. The food was delivered timely and was delicious. The oat pancakes were especially interesting and filling.

The bill came in at 45 Euro (ca. 56.20 USD).

In the future we will return either for breakfast or brunch.

©2014

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Majlis @ The Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

When we were at the Ibn Battuta Mall we also visited the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel. It has the largest arch in the world, where the Presidential Suite is located. The hotel is operated by Moevenpick.

We like the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, because the Arabic design continues and adds to the architecture of the shopping mall.

We stopped at Majlis for drinks. The first waiter we had was warm and took our order, but left later on.

The second waitress was professional, but not as warm as the first member of staff. Our order arrived correct - one large bottle of still water, one Green Hornet Mocktail and one orange juice. The mocktail and the orange juice were freshly prepared at the bar and were delicious.

The cost was 65 AED (ca. 14.20 Euro / ca. 17.75 USD).

Refreshed we were ready to go on exploring Ibn Battuta Mall further.

©2014

Friday, November 14, 2014

Pizza Express Bedford Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

During our stay in Belfast we went to Pizza Express, Bedford Street on the evening we arrived. This outlet was just across the street from our hotel the Holiday Inn (see also review).

We liked the architecture of the fully restored building. The Pizza Express was in a classic building with three floors and had exposed brick walls.

The staff was warm and efficient at the same time. The restaurant was extremely busy.

We ordered Sicilian lemonade, a raspberry lemonade, Pizza Pollo ad Astra, Pollo Pesto al Forno and as side dish broccolini with chilli flakes and Parmesan. All dishes were very good.

The highlight was the dessert, a Leggaria chocolate cheesecake.

We paid 36 GBP or ca. 46.10 Euro or 57.55 USD.

All dishes with the name Leggaria are more health conscious than the normal range on the menu.

We like Pizza Express's initiative to offer lower calorie and gluten free products.

Another reason is the good value and consistency - no matter where we went to so far be it in the UK or Ireland (Pizza Express took over the Milano chain, but didn't change the name.), we always received good service and good food.

We will visit this branch and others in the future again.

©2014

Monday, November 10, 2014

Restaurant Milano Dublin, Ireland

Milano is a staple in our life since we are living in Dublin. There are three outlets one at Temple Bar, one at the IFSC and one at Dawson Street.

We came fresh back from Dubai and wanted originally go to the one at Temple Bar, but the restaurant had closed for renovation, so we went to the next convenient location which is at Dawson Street.

During the Celtic Tiger we wanted to try Milano at Dawson Street, but were told at the time they were fully booked and no table was available. The space was essentially empty, so we felt they didn't want our business and had avoided this branch until now, essentially a few years past since then.

This time around we were greeted warmly and immediately brought to a table. The restaurant was buzzing and had undergone a renovation. The walls depicted famous Irish writers, like James Joyce, and excerpts from their books or poems.

We decided to have a bottle of still water, two orange juice, one Risotto Fresco, one Pizza Romana Pollo ad Astra, and as dessert two scoops of ice cream (strawberry and chocolate) and one summer fruit pudding. There was a special offer we took avail off. Our green tea and hot chocolate were free, because we ordered dessert.

As always Milano wasn't a let-down. The staff was friendly, efficient and knowledgeable, for example one of us chose a different pizza after he was advised the one he had in mind was very spicy, as in too spicy. Good choices were made.

Our bill was 50.45 Euro (ca. 63 USD).

We will return again if we are looking for a good and freshly made pizza.

©2014

Friday, November 7, 2014

Esteemed

Kristin Henriksen sighed. She dreaded going to the dinner her mother had organized. There were going to be a few of her cousins and friends of her mother - a girlie thing. Her mother Helena and the rest were all thin and attractive. Kristin was voluptuous. She had to endure comments about how fat she was or was teased and given odd advise on how to lose weight. It knocked Kristin's self-esteem down.

Encountering the new Chief Security Officer of the company she worked for changed Kristin's perception of herself.
 Coldham Fintan Noose III and she were introduced by Rory Rosales, the head of HR.

Later Fin, as Mr. Noose wanted to be called, flirted with Kristin while waiting for his appointment with Kristin's boss Trace Unger. Trace caught them but didn't comment.

One evening she was more than surprised when she was invited to a private dinner by Fin. It was intimate and only another couple, friends of Fin's wife Frieda, had joined them. Fin flirted again with Kristin. It seemed Frieda didn't mind at all and maybe even egged him on. When the other couple left, Kristin stayed. Before starting anything Fin had admired Kristin's figure and complimented her on her curves. Frieda also said she liked her boobs and well-rounded behind. Frieda was bisexual, but she accepted Kristin wasn't into girls. Fin was one lucky guy, because both women focused their attention on him. Based on Fin's character Kristin was surprised he liked being at the receiving end of anal sex. Fin was lying on the side in the middle of the bed. Frieda was at his back, penetrating him with her strap on, while Fin moved inside Kristin, who was facing him. The sex was amazing. All were satisfied and agreed to repeat it at some stage.

The encounter built up Kristin's confidence.

As always Kristin's mother needed help with the dinner preparations. It was expected of Kristin to give Helena a hand. Adrienne, Kristin's cousin, had joined them. Helena and Adrienne were chatting about which star had gained or lost weight. Kristin wasn't sure if it was for her "benefit". On the other side Adrienne was only fifteen and of course into fashion, make up and stars.
While Adrienne prepared the salad and Helena the main course Kristin made her famous mushroom ragout as a starter. When the ragout was nearly ready the rest of the guests arrived.

All being seated and having their drinks, they caught up with each other. Lori, a friend of Helena and only a few years older than Kristin, commented Kristin looked radiant. Kristin's cousin Brandy couldn't agree less. Kristin had lost a bit weight thanks to shagging more or less regularly with either Fin and Frieda or just Fin. They still showed their appreciation of Kristin's looks. It encouraged Kristin and let her feel more secure about her own body. She didn't react to Brandy's jibe. The subject, thank goodness, changed again to the newest fashion trends. "I've bought a mini skirt. It's black and really, really short." Adrienne said. "Of course it wouldn't look good on you, Kristin." Her cousin Renae added dismissive. Kristin knew what looked good on her and what didn't. Renae's comment hurt, but Kristin didn't react.

The starter was a success and Kristin was praised for it. Helena's entree, a venison meat loaf with carrots, green beans and Adrienne's salad, followed. Cider and white wine was free flowing. There were a few more barbed comments from the others, especially when Kristin took a second helping of the meat loaf. "I see the pounds already piling!" Reva, a friend of Helena, said sarcastic. "You will never find a man, if you are too fat." Michelle, another friend of Kristin's mother added. Kristin had enough. She dropped her fork with a loud clank. The conversation around her went dead. "I have enough of all of you! Just for your information I don't care if I don’t' get a man because I'm fat! There are some out, who love curves and being thin didn't help you keep your men, did it, Lori? In future I don't want to hear about eating nothing, following the cabbage diet, South Beach diet, Atkinson’s or whatever else is out there! You have made me feel bad about myself long enough, that's over now! Either you take me for who I am or leave me alone. Is that understood?" There was stunned silence for a while. Kristin expected an angry retort, but to her surprise Helena got up and hugged Kristin awkwardly. "I'm sorry. It was never my intention. I simply thought you need an incentive to get fit and healthy." "There are better ways to motivate me, Mom. I would have appreciated your support much more, but I'm happy the way I am." "I only fear you get diabetes or suffer a stroke when you are older, because of your diet..." "Mom, I'm eating a varied and healthy diet. The only thing I have to work on is getting more active..." "Why don't you join a fitness center?" Kristin's cousin Jerri suggested. "It's boring." "I go regularly to a Zumba class. Would you like to come and join me?" Jerri number two, a friend of Helena's, invited. "It involves dancing and aerobics, doesn't it? Adrienne asked. "Yes. It's fun and burns a lot of calories." "As you know I'm a cheer leader. You could look into that too." Adrienne offered. Swimming, Pilates, Boot camp training, boxing or kick boxing were other suggestions. Michelle and Lori were less supportive and had their doubts Kristin was able to change. They said Kristin would always be fat, because she wasn't going to get her lame ass off the couch. Kristin told them their snide remark was out of place. The other two didn't back down, so there were tensions in the air. Kristin hoped that her mother would support her for the first time in her life and wasn't disappointed. "Kristin is an adult and if she's happy how she is, we should leave her be." Kristin was very proud, but it didn't go down well with Helena's friends, who tried to make Helena decide between her daughter and them. "Blood is thicker than water! My daughter is always going to win over outsiders. It's up to you if this is a reason to forget about the good times we had or not." Grumbling the two friends stayed, but they were disgusted with Helena's lack of back bone and that Kristin was standing up for herself.

Kristin found an activity she really liked beside sex. Frieda, Jamie Lu, Fin's PA and friend of the Nooses, and Kristin went wall climbing one afternoon. It was fun, exhilarating and a challenge. Frieda wasn't such a big fan, but Jamie Lu and Kristin were hooked, so the two went regularly. While Jamie Lu was always trim, Kristin shed more pounds. Kristin had never felt better then after being taking up an activity and even started to take part in competitions. Her favorite was pitching herself against another climber. This type of wall climbing was called dual competition, because it used a mix of lead and speed discipline. An identical, parallel route was laid out for both competitors and whoever reached the top first won. Kristin never came in first place, but sometimes was in the top ten. It made Kristin very happy when her mother found time come to a comp and cheer her on. Their relationship changed for the better and they spent more time with each other, going even shopping together.

©2014 

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Ibn Battuta Mall & Cinnabon Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Ibn Battuta Mall is one of our favorite malls. It is located near Jebel Ali and very easy to reach by Metro or of course car/taxi and even by bus.

It is appealing to us, because the whole building is dedicated to the travels of the 9th century explorer Ibn Battuta. Each section of the mall is designed after a country/empire or region Ibn Battuta visited.

There are also exhibits, describing how navigation, water clocks and other things functioned in the past, so the mall combines education, architecture and retail very well. It has a cinema, a Geant supermarket and a food court beside retailers like Bed, Bath & Beyond, Coton and Max.

At the moment an extension of 200 shops and restaurants is on-going.

A Carluccio's has newly opened.

We strolled a bit, but also did some shopping and had a snack at Cinnabon.

The staff was happy to have us and very friendly.

We had two Mochalata and two classic cinnamon rolls. At first the snack was great, but after a certain time both the drinks and rolls turned cloyingly sweet. Our tastes must have changed a bit over the years and next time we will share a large roll.

The cost was 65 AED (ca. 14.05 Euro or ca. 17.75 USD).

The Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel - operated by Moevenpick - is just across the road from the mall and a visit would be for us incomplete if not going there.

Next time in Dubai we will return to this mall via the Metro Dubai and explore the extension in the future, enjoy the atmosphere and shop a bit.


©2014