#Alfresco version

[dideki]

listened to the world of jeeves and wooster the album and i knew that hugh laurie can sing because ive watched the show and ive watched a bit of fry and laurie and i listened to some of his blues recordings and all that but holy shit

[denimbex1986]

'It’s one of those odd April days in Los Angeles, the type that locals know well: Hours after noon, the sun still seems ambivalent about whether it wants to make itself known. An outsider wouldn’t think it possible for the gleaming capital of show business to feel so grayed out. But if you grew up on an island where colorless skies are the norm, it might feel familiar.

“It’s like, Will I? Won’t I?” the Irish actor Andrew Scott quips as he settles into his chair on the rooftop of the Edition Hotel in West Hollywood. He’s been in town promoting his Netflix series “Ripley,” which launched a few weeks ago, and the foreboding weather seems apt. On that limited series, the Italian vistas seem as unsettled as its antihero’s soul. The show’s vibe is “almost like L.A., what we’re looking at here now,” Scott says, as I begin to regret not bringing a jacket to our alfresco lunch. “It’s cloudy. I come from a place where the sky is normally like this.”

Scott’s “Ripley,” an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel about a grifter whose 1950s Euro-trip comes with a body count, is morally cloudy, too, and glamorously gloomy besides. Unlike the 1999 film “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” which placed an uptight Tom Ripley (then played by peak-heartthrob-era Matt Damon) amid the rustic charm of Italy and drew its charge from the contrast, this year’s version is a blunter object. Speedo-clad Damon romped through the Italy of your dreams; the baggily attired Scott staggers through a nightmare.

Written and directed by Steven Zaillian and likely to place Scott in contention for a limited-series lead-acting Emmy, it’s mesmerizing but cool to the touch, using Oscar winner Robert Elswit’s stark black-and-white cinematography to depict a landscape as forbidding as its central character. That may account for why the series got off to a slow start on Netflix’s weekly viewership charts. But “Ripley” has also attracted the kind of positive notices that suggest a potential long tail, especially as Emmy season looms.

The series was a crucial test for Scott, who, at 47, has proven himself a shape-shifter. The out gay actor, who in 2019 stole scenes as the “Hot Priest” on the second season of “Fleabag,” and who had an awards-season run for his lovelorn role in last year’s “All of Us Strangers,” knows how to win hearts. Even playing the villainous Moriarty opposite Benedict Cumberbatch’s Holmes on the 2010s BBC “Sherlock,” Scott became known for his loopy, outsized line readings. So what would it feel like to play a tamped-down sociopath?

But Scott didn’t see Ripley that way. “I found an enormous amount to like,” he says. “There’s something about that character that, I think, a lot of people see themselves in. And I think it’s to do with being an outsider.” Tom Ripley, plainly gifted, lacks the social connections of the wealthy American expats he meets (played here by Johnny Flynn and Dakota Fanning as layabouts and occasional boors). His flashes of rage — forcing him, later, to methodically dispose of multiple corpses — exist for Scott as a sort of frustrated creative impulse. “He probably is more of an artistic sort, but he doesn’t feel he’s got the class to call himself that.”

There’s something about Ripley, in other words, that’s tortured — a trait Scott can conjure with ease. On “Fleabag,” his unnamed Catholic clergyman struggled through a crisis of faith-versus-lust that was both funny and painful. In “All of Us Strangers,” his conflicted gay writer goes on a dreamlike journey to re-encounter his late parents, forgiving both them and himself for past miscommunications while falling in love with a character played by Paul Mescal.

“Fleabag” cut against, and “All of Us Strangers” leaned into, Scott’s rare status as a gay leading man. “And not afraid to talk about it and be open about it!” marvels Andrew Haigh, his “All of Us Strangers” director. There’s little Scott isn’t open about: In a wide-ranging conversation, he volleys back his answers with the relentless self-examination — and the fleeting tearfulness — of a person who’s spent time in his feelings.

It can be hard not to conflate the characters he’s played with the sense that Scott is Hollywood’s new prince of heartache. In fact, he has a direct line to the queen of such matters. “Taylor’s new album is sensational! I texted her yesterday to say how amazing it is,” Scott says about “The Tortured Poets Department,” which came out three days before our conversation. Taylor Swift, he says, is a friend, and he beams with vicarious pride about her 31-track magnum opus: “I think she is just a force of nature, just an extraordinary human, and this album is really, really amazing.” His favorite song on it, for the record, is “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived,” a ballad that begins with quiet heartbreak and builds toward a dramatic excoriation.

But Scott is perhaps being modest. Some believe that he is as much to credit for the title of the album as the men Swift sings about. Consider the explosion online after a 2022 Variety Actors on Actors conversation between Mescal and Joe Alwyn (who was dating Swift at the time, and is thought to have inspired a few songs on the album) in which they discussed their membership in a group chat called “Tortured Man Club.” Scott, they said, had initiated the chat.

“Let me tell you what that is!” Scott says. Just before Alwyn was to appear in the TV adaptation of novelist Sally Rooney’s “Conversations With Friends,” Scott — Alwyn’s co-star in the 2022 film “Catherine Called Birdy” — set him up with Mescal, of “Normal People,” another series based on Rooney’s work. “So they were about to play these tortured characters, and I had played a tortured character in ‘Fleabag.’ It wasn’t about our own characteristics!” The chat quickly died on the vine, he says. “I think there were three texts, like, ‘Hey, guys.’ You know those groups that you set up, and they just collapse.”

Short-lived or not, the existence of the chat had taken on a second life ever since the announcement of “The Tortured Poets Department.” And the whole incident speaks to Scott’s easy way of connecting people.

“He’s a great guardian of actors, if you’re lucky enough that he admires you or has respect for you,” Mescal says. “He’s got an overseeing quality, in terms of understanding that good art and good actors are hard to come by.”

Mescal, 28, and Alwyn, 33, feel in a sense like peers of Scott’s. “Fleabag” Season 2, which brought Scott to a new echelon of fame, was just five years ago, and in conversation, he has a Peter Pan energy: raffish, barking laugh and eyes that seem to twinkle with each new disclosure. And yet Scott makes for a notably older Tom Ripley — a character written by Highsmith to be just past college age.

“It was just a beautiful film,” Scott says of Anthony Minghella’s 1999 adaptation. “The idea of approaching that again, one of my first questions was ‘OK, who wants to do a carbon copy?’” Scott gestures at what, in the dim light of the patio, appears to be his delicately lined face: “Jesus, look at my age!”

Scott’s take on the character reads as more experienced, and wearier. More tortured, over a longer timeline. Scott can relate. Our conversation is the final stop on a lengthy press tour, which came on the heels of promoting “All of Us Strangers” during Oscar season; he flies back home tomorrow. Before that was “Ripley”’s long road to the screen: After some 162 days of principal photography from summer 2021 to spring 2022, the series, which had been made by Showtime, bounced to Netflix amid a fire sale at the Paramount-owned cable network.

Following “Ripley,” “All of Us Strangers” and his solo show “Vanya” on London’s West End last fall, Scott is on a career high, and he’s become a red-carpet fixture as a fashionista. (His all-white tux-and-tee combo as a nominee at this year’s Golden Globes deflated the pomposity of the event, while looking dazzlingly fresh.) “It’s a way of having fun, being creative — going, OK, well, this is a bit of a laugh.” Scott stammers, but goes on: “My mother was a very stylish, creative person, and it’s something I’ve always been interested in. Why not just have a bit of fun while we’re here?”

Scott has brought up his mother a few times before I get the chance to offer my condolences. She died unexpectedly on March 7 — less than a month before “Ripley”’s premiere. “It came very suddenly to our family,” he says, “and it’s landed in the middle of all of this stuff. Her spirit is so alive in me in the immediate aftermath of her death.”

There are painfully mixed feelings at play: Scott is proud of the work he’s done (and duty-bound to promote it), while part of him is elsewhere. Talking about his mother is a way of keeping her close. She was an art teacher, “and her way of dealing with people was so kind, but she wasn’t very good at small talk,” Scott says. “She connected with people in a very particular way. What I was taught was the idea of being authentically yourself.”

Which extends to Scott’s self-presentation. In our meeting, he’s neon-bright, wearing a teal crewneck sweatshirt under a fuzzy cardigan the precise shade of cerulean that Miranda Priestly popularized. “People say that they look back at photographs and cringe,” he says. “Who cares? It’s about playfulness. It’s about going, How would I be if I wasn’t scared of criticism?”

“Ripley,” in its ambiguity, is a show unafraid to trigger debate. Among the choices Zaillian (best known for his Oscar-winning screenplay for “Schindler’s List”) made was a greater fealty to Highsmith’s text. Minghella’s film untangled her complications: Tom lusted after Dickie (played by Jude Law), and he had to destroy what he could not obtain. Here, though, Tom seems repulsed by Dickie, even as he admires his lifestyle and easy way of being. Tom doesn’t seem to fit into any identity at all, leaving some viewers to wonder whether he’s even gay in this version.

“Everything that I feel on that subject is in the show,” Zaillian says when asked to clarify Ripley’s sexual orientation. “I don’t like to do anything overtly; I think subtlety is best. It’s not that I’m trying to hide anything, but I think it’s all there.”

Scott is willing to go a bit further. “I didn’t want to diagnose him with anything in particular,” he says. “I don’t think he would be comfortable in a gay bar or a straight bar. I think his sexuality is elusive to him.” What he does to Dickie is an expression of frustrated heartsickness, perhaps. “I think he has a feeling of love for him. Sometimes it could be sexual. Sometimes it could be fraternal. And sometimes it could just be amicable.” What was a quarter century ago rendered as an outright homoerotic story here gets into levels of confusion that feel more challenging, more novelistic. “If she was alive today,” Scott says of Highsmith, “I’d love to ask her a bit more about that.”

Highsmith, whose own relationship with her lesbianism was complicated, likely wouldn’t recognize the world through which Scott strides. Indeed, he has previously expressed his dubiousness about language around sexuality — specifically, the term “openly gay,” which he derides. “It’s wonderful to be able to talk about sexuality in an open way,” Scott says. “But I do feel sometimes, other people — and by other people, I mean straight people — don’t have to explain or talk about their sexuality every time they go to work.”

Scott, thus far quick-witted and voluble, has begun to weigh his words carefully. “The idea that I’m being defiant by just being exactly who I am … Be open about it? Why wouldn’t you be open about it?” The distinction between disclosing one’s sexuality and not isn’t lost on Scott, and he doesn’t mind it — that’s what, to him, the word “out” is for. “But the word ‘openly,’ for me, just seems a little loaded.”

The actor’s newfound prominence as a gay leading man is both a turning point for our culture and a fact that might seem to lend him special access to certain characters. In his first conversation with Haigh about “All of Us Strangers,” “he understood so deeply what that character needed to be,” Haigh says. “You want someone to connect to the character on a personal level. And I don’t think Andrew is afraid of that. In fact, it excites him, and he wants to embrace how he can make it personal.”

And yet Scott resists the idea that the story is solely one for gay viewers: He remarks that just today, he received a note from a friend who watched with his wife, and was moved. “A lot of this stuff has really affected me in my own life growing up — God knows I didn’t have a lot of gay content,” Scott says. “We live in an identity-politics era. We’re separating each other more than we need to. This hysteria about your sexuality and how that is something that is only understandable to people who belong to the same tribe as you — it just doesn’t seem truthful.”

Part of Scott’s response might be a desire to sidestep misreadings of his intentions with “All of Us Strangers” and “Ripley.” In both projects, he plays a character who has experienced some version of same-sex attraction; in both, his character also seems miserable. “Sometimes I find it hard when you’re doing press,” he says, “because I feel so joyful and so emancipated. It seems like I always want to talk about the difficulties that I have with being gay, when actually, it’s the greatest joy of my life.”

His presence on the celebrity circuit, though, suggests that culture is still figuring out how to treat an out star at Scott’s level. At this year’s BAFTAs, a red-carpet reporter for the BBC asked Scott about Barry Keoghan’s genitalia as seen in the film “Saltburn,” implying that Scott and Keoghan (who is dating the pop star Sabrina Carpenter) had been intimate. Scott quickly walked away. “It was awkward,” he says. “It was a little bit weird. But I got an apology from the journalist. I think it was a series of unfortunate events. And I totally accepted his apology.”

Scott doesn’t dwell on the incident, saying, “I wouldn’t want him to suffer any more.” But the story resonates with a general sense that Scott’s work, or his public self, is held to a different standard. The understandable excitement around Scott booking massive jobs — and his experience of being the “first” or “only” in many professional settings — feels strange from the inside. “What is the best thing that we could do?” he asks me. “I don’t have the definite answer. Would it be unusual for us not to mention my sexuality at all?”

Well, yes — but we move on. The moment Scott’s experiencing is the culmination of an incremental build, after an initial leap of faith. He’d dropped out of Trinity College in Dublin (alma mater of Irish artists such as Oscar Wilde and, more recently, “Normal People”’s Rooney and Mescal) after six months to pursue theater. “Sometimes you shouldn’t have a safety net,” he says. “If you have a safety net, you’re going to be really, really safe.” Early screen roles included appearances in “Saving Private Ryan” and “Band of Brothers.” The parts gradually got bigger — his performance in the 2014 drama “Pride,” about the gay-rights crusade in Britain, is a fan favorite, and he was an appropriately sinister opponent for James Bond and MI6 in 2015’s “Spectre” before playing the lead in a 2017 London staging of “Hamlet.”

But it was “Fleabag” that lit his career aflame. Scott calls Phoebe Waller-Bridge “one of my main homies” and, to the extent that the Hot Priest phenomenon has followed him, says it’s all for the good. “It hasn’t prevented me from playing any other characters. And I just feel so proud of the process and the product.” Would he return to a hypothetical “Fleabag” Season 3, if Waller-Bridge asked him to? “Of course I would,” he says before unleashing one of those great Andrew Scott guffaws. “But she’s not going to!”

It’s hard to overstate the impact Hot Priest had, turning what had been in its first season a charming critics’ favorite into a world-devouring, Emmy-sweeping hit on the strength of Scott’s chemistry with Waller-Bridge. (Scott was not himself Emmy-nominated for “Fleabag,” but was the following year for an episode of “Black Mirror.”) Sad-eyed yet smiling, H.P. forges a deep understanding with Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag: They both know that they want to be together, and they both know that they cannot.

Which makes “Fleabag” an intriguing counterpoint to Ripley, a character who pushes his way past every limitation he cannot hack his way through. The monochrome look of the show turns Scott’s eyes into vampiric black pools of need; over eight episodes, we witness Ripley’s lower-class life and high-class ambitions, and his willingness to turn to violence to bridge the two. There’s an unholy gnarliness to Ripley that Scott sells well.

“Ripley” is a double risk, as Scott knew when he took on the role. The series updates — by more closely following Highsmith’s tricky, nasty novel — a film that’s widely beloved, and does so with a leading man whose reputation is for suffering sweetly. “I’m just concerned about how it would be perceived, how it would change things for me,” Scott says. He acknowledged that fear — then let it go.

“When I played James Moriarty, I was younger than people wanted the character to be. And they’d go, ‘I wanted the character to have a beard and wear a top hat, and this little fucker is now playing it like this, and I don’t want that!’ The biggest challenge for you is to put your dukes up and go, Sorry, but this is this.” Risk — in comparison to what Scott calls “cynical and unconfident” compromise — works.

His co-stars have noticed the chances he takes. “Technical brilliance is one thing. And then there’s this other part of Andrew that is incredibly raw in his performance,” Mescal says. “You could sit around and talk to actors about their lives all day — they love nothing more than talking about themselves. But Andrew lets an audience into the corners of themselves that we don’t talk about.”

Sam Yates, the director of Scott’s 2023 “Vanya” — which won an Olivier Award for best revival in April — describes the places Scott would go onstage as “trancelike.”

“How do you go through that without a level of someone else taking over?” Yates says, adding that Scott “is being led by a certain degree of technique, but by a huge degree by his aliveness to his own emotions. He would surprise himself constantly onstage.”

He seems to surprise himself in conversation, too, returning with frequency to a subject that’s evidently joyful to recall and painful to discuss. Previously this season, while being interviewed by Terry Gross on NPR’s “Fresh Air,” his voice got tight when she asked him, seemingly not knowing the answer, if his parents were both still alive. Now, though, his mother feels like the third person at our table under a gray L.A. sky.

“You keep your Irishness alive by telling the story,” he says. “Thinking about my mom recently and talking about her — it was really important to me, in the eulogy, to celebrate her.”

I remark that his mother — her artistic sensibility, her impatience with pleasantries — feels very present to me. He pauses, seems to shudder slightly. Like a sudden storm, tears are rolling down his cheeks, and he takes a moment to speak. When he finally does, his voice is steady.

“It’s a really funny thing, to be honest,” he says. “I can’t disappear the fact that this has happened in the midst of all this. The juxtaposition of these two extremes in my life where all these projects are coming out, and I’ve had to be much more public-facing than I usually am, at a time when I’m going through this extraordinary personal loss.”

He begins talking more rapidly, becoming more animated as he wills himself out of crying. “I’m not even sure if it’s the right thing to do, but you have to tell your own truth. My job is to understand what it’s like to be a human being, and I don’t like perpetuating the myth that we’re all perfect. That you have to be a movie star.”

Scott’s production company, he tells me, is called Both/And — he notes the slash in the middle. “I’ve always believed that things are always both something and something else. It could be the happiest day of your life, and you’re hungry. You’re at a funeral, and you have a laugh. There’s always something else.”

I can relate: I’m pleased to be connecting, but sorry that I upset him. And so I apologize.

“No, no, listen! I’m upset anyway!” he says, then lets loose another hearty laugh, loud and rich enough to crack the tension of the moment. In its gusto and its surprising timing, it does feel like a laugh at a funeral, but sometimes those are the kind one needs.

“Ripley” may represent the greatest challenge this versatile actor has experienced — he’s at the center of each of its eight episodes, and nothing happens without him.

“We would do what we could in our time off, but I know it was really taxing for him,” Fanning, Scott’s co-star, says. “We found a lot of common ground, because we’ve both done this for the majority of our lives. We approach work in a very similar way — there’s a time and place to be serious, and there’s a time you need to tell some stupid joke. And we did that too.”

The presence of co-stars was a balm, but Ripley, necessarily, is alone a great deal. “Spending a lot of time with a character who is solitary when I was feeling solitary myself was quite tough,” Scott says. “I love that about my job — that you can go into a particular world — but it was very different from what gives me joy. It’s the sheer stamina that was needed: It’s a lot of acting.”

The show’s two bravura set-pieces involve the disposal of bodies. “It was important to me that this character was not a professional killer,” Zaillian says. “And so we have to see him think each one through. And Andrew can bring us into his thoughts and feelings.”

Scott, compact of frame, lugged his fellow actors (rather than dummies) as much as was feasible: “I remember doing a long take, seven or eight minutes, me just trying to lift something up, and Steve just let the camera go as I struggled, and didn’t cut.”

He doesn’t linger on this aspect of the shoot. Easily able to access heartache and joy, he tends to stop short when specifics about the work come up. “It goes into a sort of PR-speak,” he says, “where you have to tell people how much suffering you’ve been through.” He draws an analogy of a host throwing a dinner party: “If you spend the whole night saying, ‘Well, I couldn’t find any organic chicken, and the vacuum wasn’t working’ — they’re like, ‘Just give me my fucking dinner!’”

“He’s aware that his work isn’t for him,” Mescal says. “You’re providing a service to an audience. Nobody really gives a fuck about your process, and if they do, they’re boring.”

Elsewhere in our conversation, Scott edges up to describing his method for finding Ripley: “I’m always really interested in the vulnerability of people. What’s the thing they’re unconfident about? What are they hiding? It was hard to access that.” What he found, in the end, was less “a biographical sort of solution,” he says, than an absence — of the ease it takes to get through life. “Not everybody is charming and capable and socially adept and sexy. You have to advocate for people who don’t have it easy. That’s what made me have some degree of affection for him.”

Affection, even on a dark project, is what it’s all about. “He’s a big advocate for play,” Mescal says. “He takes the work very seriously, but he wears it lightly. And that allowed our chemistry to be pretty playful and organic.”

On “All of Us Strangers,” the pair, already acquainted, bonded deeply. “It developed into a genuine love between them, and you can still see that now,” Haigh says. “I felt like I’d been a dating agent, and I brought these two people together.”

The film, shot quickly after “Ripley”’s protracted production, helped Scott emerge and reset after playing Tom. “Sometimes a change can be as good as a rest,” he says. “Although, I have to say, I do need a rest now.”

I have one last question before I let Scott go. He’d said he wondered how “Ripley,” with its grand ambition and with Scott at the center of the story, might change things for him. What kind of change would he want?

It turns out the real question is what kind of change doesn’t he want. “You want to keep your life,” he says. “I like my life. I don’t want people to become the enemy. Because I like people.”

He lets out a sigh. “I’m glad to be wrapping up the promotion aspect of it, because it’s been quite a big journey, and obviously, I need to go and be with the people I love.” He smiles, and his eyes turn down slightly. “So it’s just time for me to exit stage left for a little while.”

I turn my tape recorders off; Scott has given me enough. But he waits a second, his gaze once again as eager as during the formal part of our interview: What had I meant when I used the word “obversely”? (I’d said that the Hot Priest persona seemed like a gift, but — obversely! — potentially limiting as well.) He usually uses the word “conversely” to describe what he thought I meant.

We both look up definitions on our phones, and conclude that the two words mean the same thing: two feelings coursing at once, in seeming opposition to one another. Like the lovability and loathsomeness dueling within Ripley; like happiness and sorrow in a single charged moment. Both/and, or something like that. Words are funny things! And isn’t it amazing, Scott muses, that we can use language to communicate what we’re feeling. What an invention. What a gift. He grins. And if there’s another feeling behind it, both the smile and something else, the sun is suddenly shining too brightly for me to see.'

[mariacallous]

Greek Jews are no strangers to moussaka — the rich casserole traditionally made from eggplant and lamb and thickly layered with béchamel. But because kosher laws prohibit the consumption of milk and meat together, Jewish versions of the dish tend to either skip the béchamel entirely, which is a shame, flavorwise, or make a dairy-free topping from fat, flour and stock.

In this take, the moussaka’s eggplant base is paired with cremini mushrooms instead of lamb, making it completely meat-free and perfectly suited for its creamy topping. Moussaka is warming, hearty and easily transportable, making it the perfect dish for alfresco meals on Sukkot.

Note: Store leftovers, covered, in the fridge for up to 3 days.

[detect-thief]

Sophisticated Saloon out now!!

Its better than the last one??? Though the vibe is more tame??? I wish there was more of that yellow stone thing, maybe a smaller version??? I cant really use much plant coz it doesnt match right

And a bonus!!!

The best!!! Its in a smaller scale but it still looks good. I was thinking of like alfresco seating and maybe stone furniture but imma try that tomorrow (or whenever I remember to post again.)

---

Shushroom, officially logging out! Goodnight people, see you next Illusion. *turns into a crow, flies away*

[clear-blinds]

Canvas Awnings: Choose Elegant Style and Visual Flexibility

In addition to being practical, bistro blinds are aesthetically pleasing. The canvas awnings complement the building without overpowering the room, whether you're going for a sleek, contemporary aesthetic or a more classic one. Although optional trimmings and valances might add a little personal flair, their simple design guarantees that they complement the outside space rather than overpower it.

Integrated Indoor-Outdoor Lifestyle

The bistro blinds in Melbourne can be custom-made to match the style of your home or business and are available in clear or tinted PVC and shade mesh materials. Indoor-outdoor movement is key in contemporary Australian homes, and bistro blinds make it simple to expand your living area outside.

They successfully create an enclosed space that seems like a natural extension of the house when placed around patios or alfresco spaces. On bright days, you may fully open them, or you can cover them to make the space more protected. This adaptability improves the use of your space by transforming a basic deck or veranda into a useful living space for dining, entertaining, and lounging all year round.

Better Privacy Without Giving Up Light

The ability of cafe blinds to offer seclusion without darkening a place is one of their underappreciated benefits. Clear PVC choices let in natural light while protecting the space from onlookers or adjacent properties. For people who like to enjoy outdoor areas without feeling exposed, tinted or mesh versions provide even more discretion. In metropolitan settings like Melbourne, where homes and apartment buildings are frequently located near to one another, this is especially advantageous. You may enjoy an open, light-filled space while maintaining privacy with bistro blinds.

Versatility in Business for Melbourne Companies

Bistro blinds are a great option for Melbourne cafes, restaurants, and event spaces in addition to residences. Businesses may serve customers in comfort no matter the weather by installing bistro blinds.

Building a dependable and fashionable outdoor space can have a significant impact in a competitive industry like Melbourne's hotel sector. Because of their sturdy construction, they can endure exposure and heavy usage without losing their functionality or aesthetic appeal. This leads to low maintenance and long-term peace of mind for both business owners and homeowners.

Source

[homeandsouldubai]

Elevate Your Space with Handcrafted Rattan Furniture: Coffee Tables, Side Tables & More in Dubai

Discover timeless rattan coffee tables, side tables, and outdoor furniture in Dubai. Explore handcrafted pieces like the Cali and Ava tables or the Menorca sun bed at Home and Soul.

Rattan Coffee Tables: A Blend of Craft and Character

Rattan coffee tables have become the go-to for those seeking a natural, laid-back aesthetic that doesn’t compromise on elegance. Whether you're styling a contemporary villa or a boho-inspired apartment, these pieces instantly add warmth and texture. Rattan Coffee Table with Black Legs – Cali this piece contrasts organic rattan with sleek black legs for a modern edge. It’s the ideal anchor for a neutral living space or an earthy outdoor setting. Ava Rattan Coffee Table fully wrapped in natural rattan, the Ava brings island vibes indoors. Its circular design makes it perfect for cozy gatherings or layered decor arrangements.

These rattan coffee table aren’t just statement pieces—they’re versatile, durable, and eco-conscious, making them perfect for homes across Dubai.

Rattan Side Tables That Do More Than Hold Your Coffee

When it comes to multi-functional design, nothing compares to a rattan side table. Lightweight yet sturdy, these tables are perfect beside a lounger, sofa, or even as an indoor plant stand. Round Natural Rattan Side Table High a tall, textured piece that works beautifully as a standalone or paired next to a daybed. Round Natural Rattan Side Table Low slightly lower in height, this version makes a perfect companion for floor cushions or lounge seating.

These tables offer functionality without sacrificing style—true essentials for anyone seeking beautiful and functional rattan side tables in Dubai.

Rattan Furniture in Dubai: Designed for Outdoor Living

With Dubai’s warm climate and love for alfresco lounging, rattan furniture is a natural fit. Whether you’re furnishing a garden, terrace, or poolside deck, our pieces are built to elevate your outdoor lifestyle. Natural Day Bed with Cushion ideal for shaded patios, this handcrafted piece invites slow mornings and sunset lounging. Menorca Natural Sun Bed with Cushion a minimalist yet comfortable design perfect for soaking up the sun in style.

From laid-back lounging to elevated entertaining, rattan furniture Dubai is more than a trend—it’s a lifestyle choice rooted in craftsmanship and comfort.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're after a show-stopping rattan coffee table, a functional side table, or complete rattan furniture sets for your Dubai home, Home and Soul offers curated designs that blend timeless style with everyday practicality. Shop online or visit our store to experience the beauty of natural materials and expert craftsmanship.

[mattscorners]

Transform Your Outdoor Living with Monsoon Blinds in Singapore

Whether you’re setting up a balcony, café patio, or garden area, the right outdoor blinds and shade systems can enhance usability all year round. At Matt’s Corner, you’ll find a full suite of tropical weather-ready products—from blinds to umbrellas to roofing systems—tailored for Singapore's unique climate.

Why Choose Monsoon Blinds in Singapore?

Monsoon season in Singapore often brings heavy rain and gusty winds. Monsoon blinds in Singapore are specially designed to:

Provide clear visibility with waterproof transparency

Shield your space from strong winds and rainfall

Preserve comfort without enclosing your outdoor area completely

Enhance the aesthetic of homes, restaurants, and commercial spaces

These blinds are a favorite choice for high-rise balconies, rooftop lounges, and semi-outdoor commercial areas.

Add Value with Weather Blinds in Singapore

If you’re looking for an all-season solution, weather blinds in Singapore offer year-round protection from sun, rain, and wind. These blinds blend functionality with sleek design, making them ideal for anyone who wants to maintain an uninterrupted outdoor experience.

Go Natural with a Synthetic Thatch Roof in Singapore

For a touch of tropical charm with low maintenance, consider a synthetic thatch roof in Singapore. Unlike traditional thatch, synthetic versions offer the same island-style look with added durability and zero risk of pests or mold. Perfect for resort-style cabanas, garden shelters, and poolside retreats.

Shade with Style: Aluminium and Outdoor Umbrellas

Umbrellas are the simplest way to add shade and visual appeal to any open space. At Matt’s Corner, you'll find:

Aluminium umbrella in Singapore – Lightweight, rust-resistant, and modern, great for commercial spaces.

Outdoor umbrella in Singapore – Ideal for residential patios and alfresco dining, available in various sizes and styles.

Both options provide flexible shade solutions for spaces where installing blinds or roofs may not be practical.

Sleek & Functional: PVC Blinds in Singapore

If you prefer a more minimal look, PVC blinds in Singapore are an excellent choice. Waterproof, transparent, and easy to clean, PVC blinds are perfect for urban homes, coffee shops, and terraces exposed to the elements.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're facing blazing sun or sudden monsoon showers, having the right outdoor covering makes all the difference. From monsoon blinds in Singapore to stylish umbrellas and synthetic thatch roofs in Singapore, Matt’s Corner has everything you need to protect and elevate your space.

Explore our range today and bring comfort, durability, and style to your outdoor living.

View More

Synthetic Thatch Roof | monsoon blinds | pvc blinds | Roller Fabric Blinds

Economical monsoon blinds | weather blinds | synthetic thatch roof in Maldives

aluminium umbrella in maldives | synthetic thatch roof in singapore | synthetic thatch roof in Seychelles | PVC Blinds in Seychelles | Outdoor umbrella in Seychelles | synthetic thatch roof in sri lanka | synthetic thatch roof in Mauritius

[jamesvince9898]

Crafting Culinary Experiences: Exceptional Event Catering by Four Seasons Catering Ltd

Introduction

At Four Seasons Catering Ltd, we understand that food is more than sustenance—it’s the soul of every celebration, a unifying force during solemn moments, and a defining highlight of corporate and private events alike. From intimate family gatherings to lavish weddings, our expertise in catering has made us a preferred choice for countless clients across the region. Whether you’re planning an outdoor BBQ, a traditional hog roast, a paella feast, or a refined business luncheon, we deliver an unforgettable culinary experience tailored to your event’s unique character.

As a full-service catering provider, Four Seasons Catering Ltd specializes in wedding catering, outside catering, corporate functions, private parties, and funeral catering. We combine passion, precision, and professionalism to ensure that every dish served reflects the occasion’s significance and your personal taste. If you're searching for terms like “wedding catering near me”, “bbq catering near me”, or “hog roast caterer near me”, your perfect catering partner is just a call away.

A Passion for Wedding Catering Excellence

Weddings are one of life’s most cherished milestones, and at Four Seasons Catering Ltd, we’re proud to play a part in making your special day unforgettable. Our wedding catering services are fully customizable to suit diverse themes, cultural preferences, and dietary requirements.

From a classic three-course plated meal to relaxed buffet-style receptions or even an alfresco BBQ banquet, we handle everything from menu planning to seamless delivery and setup. Couples searching online for “catering for wedding” or “wedding catering near me” will find our team ready to elevate their nuptials with creative cuisine and impeccable service.

Our extensive wedding catering menu includes:

Canapés and welcome drinks

Sit-down banquets

Hog roast options

BBQs and paella stations

Late-night snack bars

Desserts, cakes, and sweet tables

Every wedding we cater is unique. Our culinary experts and event coordinators collaborate closely with clients to ensure the food not only delights guests but becomes a cherished memory for years to come.

Mastering the Art of Hog Roasts and BBQ Catering

For events that call for rustic charm and hearty flavors, our hog roast catering and BBQ catering services are unbeatable. As a premier hog roast catering company, we use locally sourced pork, slowly roasted to perfection, served with crispy crackling, apple sauce, and freshly baked rolls. It's a show-stopping centerpiece ideal for festivals, private parties, corporate fun days, and casual wedding receptions.

If you're searching for “hog roast caterer near me” or “bbq catering near me”, look no further. Our experienced chefs provide live cooking stations, ensuring both aroma and ambiance enrich your event. We offer a wide selection of meats and vegetarian options cooked over open flames or hot coals, including:

Gourmet sausages and burgers

Grilled chicken and ribs

Marinated vegetables

Halloumi skewers

Artisan condiments and sides

We also handle permits, equipment, and setup—so you can enjoy the event while we take care of the rest.

Delicious Paella Catering with a Spanish Twist

For something bold and unique, our paella catering service offers an authentic taste of Spain in the heart of your event. As a sought-after paella caterer near me, Four Seasons Catering Ltd brings the vibrant flair of traditional Spanish cuisine to your gathering.

Cooked live in giant pans, our paella is more than a dish—it’s a culinary performance. Choose from:

Chicken and chorizo paella

Seafood paella with king prawns and mussels

Vegetarian paella with seasonal vegetables

Vegan-friendly versions

Served piping hot and full of color and flavor, our paella stations are ideal for weddings, garden parties, corporate gatherings, and food festivals. Your guests will appreciate the theatre of the cooking process and the delicious results.

Thoughtful and Respectful Funeral Catering

During difficult times, food can bring people together in comforting and meaningful ways. Our funeral catering services are handled with the utmost compassion, professionalism, and sensitivity. If you’re looking for “funeral catering near me”, we provide discreet and efficient services designed to take the stress off your shoulders.

We offer a variety of menus for wakes and memorial receptions, including:

Finger buffets with savory and sweet items

Afternoon teas

Hot and cold platters

Beverages, tea, and coffee stations

Our team takes care of setup, service, and clean-up, allowing you to focus on being with family and friends. We also cater to dietary needs, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-aware options.

Corporate and Business Catering That Makes a Statement

Professional events require more than just good food—they need seamless coordination and a polished presentation. Four Seasons Catering Ltd supports your business needs with corporate catering that ranges from working breakfasts and boardroom lunches to full-day conference meals and product launch canapés.

We bring consistent quality, punctual service, and adaptable menus to meet your schedule and impress your stakeholders. Whether you’re planning a team-building BBQ or a holiday office celebration, we ensure every meal reflects your brand’s values and hospitality.

Our corporate services include:

Individually packaged lunches

Shared platters and buffets

Canapé receptions

Conference catering

Event staff and equipment rental

Catering for All Occasions: Parties, Festivals, and Private Events

Whether you're hosting a milestone birthday, anniversary, engagement party, or festival, Four Seasons Catering Ltd delivers catering for parties near me with flair and flavor. Our flexibility and diverse offerings allow us to adapt to any event format, whether it’s indoors, outdoors, formal, or casual.

We can supply:

Mobile kitchen setups

Buffet and plated service

Food trucks and pop-up food stalls

Themed cuisine (Mediterranean, Asian, Caribbean, British classics)

Beverage and bar services

We work with you to craft a menu that aligns with your vision and satisfies your guests, no matter the size or style of the event.

Kitchen Hire for DIY or Independent Chefs

In addition to our full-service catering, we also offer kitchen hire for those needing professional kitchen space for a day, week, or long-term use. Our fully equipped, food hygiene-certified kitchen is ideal for independent chefs, pop-up vendors, cooking classes, or small food businesses scaling their operations.

Kitchen hire features include:

Commercial-grade ovens and hobs

Refrigeration and storage

Prep areas and sanitization stations

Flexible booking and support

Whether you're preparing food for a market stall, catering a private event yourself, or running a cooking workshop, our kitchen hire service is practical, affordable, and fully compliant with local health and safety regulations.

Why Choose Four Seasons Catering Ltd?

What sets Four Seasons Catering Ltd apart is our unwavering commitment to culinary excellence, customer satisfaction, and event success. Every dish is prepared with care, every event is managed with precision, and every client receives a personalized service designed around their goals and expectations.

From your first inquiry to the final bite, we’re here to guide, inspire, and deliver. If you've been Googling phrases like “bbq catering near me,” “funeral catering near me,” or “kitchen hire”, then your search ends with us.

Book Your Event Catering Today

No matter the occasion, Four Seasons Catering Ltd is ready to serve. With a diverse culinary portfolio, experienced staff, and a passion for events of all types and sizes, we’re your go-to solution for wedding catering, party catering, corporate catering, hog roasts, BBQs, paella, and more.

[meshblinds]

Why Every Home Needs Awning Canopy Patio for Comfort and Curb Appeal?

A house or building is just the structure and may not be aesthetically pleasing and also the comfort level is lower to enhance the outdoor areas it is recommended to install an awning canopy patio for such areas. Window and door awnings give the outdoor areas a beautiful curb appeal along with keeping such areas cool. Even commercial buildings like retail shops require them since this keeps the door area comparatively cooler and eliminates sun gaze thus enhancing customer experience.

The advances in shading solutions, retractable patio sun shades and sunroof systems for both residential and commercial outdoor spaces are nowadays found in many buildings. Their sleek, modern design and excellent protection from the sun, wind, and rain enhance their functionality and also motorised systems are available. Sun shades can open or close with a single push of a button so they are comfortable and versatile all year round. With integrated LED lighting and waterproof fabric options, they are perfect patios, cafes, and courtyards that require functionality with elegance.

Shade structures such as shade sails offer a stylish and practical solution to keep open space protected from damaging UV rays. They can be designed to fit any size of outdoor area, by high-tension fabric stretched over poles or attachments and these structures are ideal for schools, parks, playgrounds and commercial properties and offer great sun protection and aesthetic appeal. Shade sails come available in various colours shapes and sizes and are durable and low maintenance in addition to any outdoor setting.

Conservatory and pergola shades are designed to control heat and light in glassed-in or open-area roofed conservatories. Conservatories and pergolas are more usable throughout the year using these shades, which are designed to regulate temperature and reduce glare. The fabric is available in manual or motorised versions, and is UV resistant; the fabric can be integrated seamlessly with existing architecture. Ideal for adding elegance to garden rooms, outdoor lounges or alfresco dining areas these are the shading systems that enhance comfort.

Contact the leading companies offering various types of awnings and pergola shades and get a price quote from them to get them installed in your building.

Source

[luxuriesofkashmiir]

Sun-Kissed Sophistication Kashmiri Outfits for Summer Soirées

Summer has unfolded into a golden splendour and with the sun out, it’s time to revamp your fashion game with Kashmiri garments that channel effortless elegance through breezy fabrics, and timeless sophistication through delicate embroidery.

Whether you are planning on attending a sunlit brunch with your girls, an intimate garden party with family, or an alfresco evening gathering, your outfit should embody the perfect balance of luxury and comfort. This is where garments from the Luxuries of Kashmir come into the picture. With delicate embroidery, feather-light fabrics, and exquisite craftsmanship, these fusion outfits are bound to redefine summer sophistication.

Kashmiri Style Statements - The Aura of Sophistication

Kashmiri fashion is known for its intricate detailing, rich cultural heritage, and luxurious fabrics. Over the years, Kashmiri artisans have mastered the art of weaving and embroidering garments that go beyond offering warmth but translating seamlessly into lighter, breezier versions for warmer months. By embracing pastel tones, airy silhouettes, and hand-embroidered details, these outfits become a perfect choice for summer soirées.

Nothing says summer sophistication quite like pastel tones. Soft blush pinks lend an ethereal quality to Kashmiri ensembles, making them ideal for sun-drenched brunches and evening cocktails. Unlike overpowering jewel tones, pastel pinks offer a sense of tranquillity and refinement, perfectly complementing the natural hues of summer. Here are our top picks for the season.

Meloré Mia: Sheer, lightweight, and exquisitely embroidered, crafted from organza and accentuated with delicate two-tone floral embroidery, this fusion set from Luxuries of Kashmir is a treat to the eyes of the beholder. Featuring sequins and cutdana on delicate fabrics, this set embodies luxury at its finest teamed with unmatched elegance.

Mauve Mirage: Bloom in grace when you step out in this delightful fusion set tailored to perfection and adorned with all the right details. The dreamy set is crafted from satin and organza, featuring impeccable tailoring and accentuations of floral embroidery all over the set. The two-piece set captures the beauty of fine details in its most delightful form and makes this set a must-have for those with impeccable taste.

Mauve Melody: Yet another piece of pastel perfection, Mauve Melody is a fusion set rendered in organza and tailored in a feminine fit. The fusion set features a dhoti-style bottom and a zippered jacket that beautifully balance out each other and channel elegance in its fine details. Festooned with vibrant embroidery, the jacket adds a pop of colour and brings the ensemble to life.

Twilight Tryst: For a breezy yet opulent look, choose this three-piece suit that channels elegance and excellence with every detail. The soft pink three-piece fusion suit features a bralette, a sharara and a cape that team up to make for the most elegant ensemble. Brought to life in organza and georgette, this fusion set is a representation of Kashmiri craftsmanship on a modern silhouette.

A rare blend of softness and luxury, these pastel pink fusion sets from The Luxuries of Kashmir are the perfect picks for your summer soirees. They are all about embracing light, elegance, and luxury, and Kashmiri garments encapsulate this essence beautifully. Let your wardrobe speak of heritage and high fashion with the timeless charm of Kashmiri ensembles. Shop yours today from www.luxuriesofkashmir.com.

[homeinterior012]

Outdoor Blinds Dubai: The Perfect Blend of Style, Comfort, and Protection

Dubai’s year-round sunshine and hot desert climate make outdoor spaces a popular place for relaxation, entertainment, and leisure. However, with the intense sun, high temperatures, and occasional sandstorms, having the right outdoor shading solution is crucial. This is where outdoor blinds come in. Not only do they offer protection from the harsh elements, but they also elevate the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor blinds Dubai spaces. In this blog, we’ll explore the various types of outdoor blinds, their benefits, and why they are an essential addition to homes and businesses in Dubai.

What Are Outdoor Blinds?

Outdoor blinds are designed to provide shade, privacy, and protection in outdoor living spaces such as patios, balconies, terraces, and gardens. Made from durable materials, outdoor blinds are specifically engineered to withstand weather elements such as sun, rain, wind, and dust. They are available in different styles, materials, and mechanisms, allowing homeowners and businesses to select the ideal option for their outdoor environment.

Types of Outdoor Blinds Roller Blinds Roller blinds are one of the most popular choices for outdoor spaces. They are made from a single piece of fabric that rolls up and down along a mechanism. Available in both manual and motorized versions, roller blinds are highly versatile and can be used to cover large areas like patios, verandas, or balconies. The fabric is usually UV-resistant and waterproof, making them ideal for Dubai’s climate.

Ziptrak Blinds Ziptrak blinds are a premium option designed for total enclosure of outdoor spaces. These blinds feature a tracking system that allows the fabric to zip into place, offering complete protection from the elements. With their smooth operation and resistance to wind and rain, Ziptrak blinds are a great choice for patios and outdoor dining areas.

Venetian Blinds Venetian outdoor blinds are a stylish choice, featuring adjustable horizontal slats that allow you to control the amount of light and privacy in your outdoor area. Made from durable aluminum or timber, Venetian blinds are weather-resistant and can be customized to suit different outdoor spaces. Their sleek design enhances the aesthetic of any garden or terrace.

Louvered Blinds Louvered outdoor blinds feature adjustable slats that can be tilted to control light and airflow. They provide a modern and sophisticated look while offering excellent sun protection. Louvered blinds can be used to cover pergolas or gazebos and are perfect for creating shaded, comfortable outdoor living spaces.

Bistro Blinds Bistro blinds are perfect for outdoor cafes, restaurants, or homes with alfresco dining areas. These blinds are often made of clear PVC material, allowing you to enjoy the view while still being protected from the wind, dust, and rain. Bistro blinds create a cozy, weatherproof environment for year-round use.

Benefits of Outdoor Blinds in Dubai Sun Protection and Heat Reduction Dubai’s harsh sun can make outdoor spaces unbearably hot. Outdoor blinds are designed to block harmful UV rays, providing much-needed relief from the heat. By reducing direct sunlight exposure, they help maintain a cooler environment, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space even during the hottest parts of the day.

Privacy Privacy is a concern for many Dubai residents, especially for those living in high-rise buildings or crowded areas. Outdoor blinds provide a sense of seclusion by shielding your outdoor spaces from prying eyes. Whether you are hosting a gathering or simply relaxing in your garden, blinds help create a private and secure environment.

Wind and Dust Protection Dubai is known for its occasional dust storms, which can make outdoor living spaces uncomfortable and dirty. Outdoor blinds act as a barrier against the wind and dust, keeping your outdoor area clean and protected. This is particularly useful for balconies or terraces exposed to the elements.

Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal Outdoor blinds are available in a wide range of colors, materials, and designs, making them a stylish addition to any outdoor space. Whether you prefer a sleek, modern look or a more rustic, natural style, there is an outdoor blind solution that will complement the design of your home or business. The variety of options available ensures that you can match the blinds to your outdoor décor.

Increased Property Value Installing outdoor blinds is not only a practical decision but also an investment in your property’s value. By enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of your outdoor space, outdoor blinds can increase the overall appeal of your home, which can be a great selling point if you decide to put it on the market in the future.

Durability and Low Maintenance Dubai’s extreme weather conditions demand durable and low-maintenance outdoor solutions. Outdoor blinds are made from weather-resistant materials such as UV-resistant fabrics, aluminum, or PVC, ensuring long-lasting durability. They are easy to clean and maintain, requiring minimal effort to keep them looking their best throughout the year.

Why Choose Outdoor Blinds in Dubai?

The extreme weather in Dubai – characterized by scorching heat, intense sunlight, and occasional dust storms – makes outdoor blinds an essential addition to any home or business. Not only do they provide much-needed shade and privacy, but they also allow you to enjoy your outdoor spaces all year round. With numerous options available, outdoor blinds can be tailored to your specific needs, whether you're looking for protection from the sun, privacy from neighbors, or an aesthetic upgrade for your garden or patio.

Additionally, the rising popularity of outdoor living in Dubai means that homeowners and businesses are increasingly focusing on enhancing their outdoor areas. By investing in high-quality outdoor blinds, you can make the most of your outdoor space, ensuring that it remains comfortable, functional, and stylish throughout the year.

Conclusion

Outdoor blinds Dubai offer a combination of style, practicality, and protection against the elements, making them the perfect solution for homeowners and businesses alike. Whether you need sun protection, privacy, or a way to keep your outdoor spaces clean and comfortable, outdoor blinds provide an ideal solution. With various options available, including roller blinds, Ziptrak blinds, and Venetian blinds, you can find the perfect fit for your outdoor space, enhancing both its functionality and aesthetic appeal.

[mariacallous]

Greek Jews are no strangers to moussaka — the rich casserole traditionally made from eggplant and lamb and thickly layered with béchamel. But because kosher laws prohibit the consumption of milk and meat together, Jewish versions of the dish tend to either skip the béchamel entirely, which is a shame, flavorwise, or make a dairy-free topping from fat, flour and stock.

In this take, the moussaka’s eggplant base is paired with cremini mushrooms instead of lamb, making it completely meat-free and perfectly suited for its creamy topping. Moussaka is warming, hearty and easily transportable, making it the perfect dish for alfresco meals on Sukkot.

Note: Store leftovers, covered, in the fridge for up to 3 days.

[versatilestructur]

Innovate Your Outdoor Experience with Custom Shade Sail Design

Outdoor shading systems are no longer high-maintenance, complex, and expensive to install. Nowadays, you can buy a custom shade sail if you need a cost-effective and minimal-maintenance solution.

A custom shade sail provides ample shading while protecting against UV radiation, which is why it’s widely used in sporting clubs, childcare centres, playgrounds, commercial establishments, domestic areas, and council parks. If you’re interested in having one made, work with a trusted installer who can create a stylish system that provides reliable protection from UV rays and light rain.

Improving outdoor spaces

Shade structures can transform your property and boost its value — and they don’t need to be expensive to install and maintain. Shade sails made of waterproof fabric can be a great choice if you want a low-maintenance system, as rainwater helps wash down dirt and debris to keep them clean. You can also choose retractable versions that you can close or open as necessary to create comfortable and functional outdoor spaces all year round. They are ideal for alfresco areas, especially restaurants and cafes looking to extend their usable space.

High-quality materials and expert installation

It’s best to engage expert installers for custom shade sail designs to ensure high-quality fabrics like high-density polyethylene. This fabric is treated with UV additives that absorb or reflect UV rays. Moreover, the monofilament weave extends the shade sail’s lifespan, ensuring long-term savings.

Reputable installers can customise the installation according to your property’s requirements. Fixed shade sails can span greater distances without several poles or support structures, making them ideal for grandstands, covering swimming pools, or car park shading. Installers will carefully inspect your site and assign a draughtsperson to consider the area’s 3D geometry, overall shape, and location to ensure secure, precise, and appropriate install posts.

Designed for your needs

Custom shade sail designs provide shading that suits your exact requirements. The fabric is tested to AS1530 Parts 2 & 3 to ensure reliable fire performance and fire-retardant properties against radiant heat. Additionally, installers can use steel coatings to match site-specific conditions.

Transform your outdoor space with a custom shade sail by Versatile Structures. Their shade sails are proudly made in Brisbane using only the best materials to guarantee durable and reliable shading solutions. Call 07 3271 4519 or 0405 401 500 or ask about a custom design on their website.

About the author:

Versatile Structures is a provider of high-quality shade structures in Queensland for commercial, government, council, and domestic clients. They provide an extensive selection of shade solutions, encompassing shade structures, shade sails, commercial shade options, membrane sails, aluminium screens, gates, billboard structures, and specific residential applications. Their main service region encompasses Brisbane, Greater Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Ipswich, and all of South East Queensland, with the potential to extend to a broader area based on the project's requirements.

[thehungrykat1]

Kingsford Cafe is a Hidden Culinary Gem in Kingsford Hotel Manila

It had been a while since my last visit to Kingsford Cafe, so I was happy to be invited last week to rediscover this hidden culinary gem inside Kingsford Hotel Manila. I usually indulge in their themed weekend dinner buffets, but this time we were here to explore some of the unique and creative dishes on their a la carte menu.

Kingsford Hotel Manila is part of the growing lineup of homegrown Filipino hotel brands under Megaworld Hotels and Resorts. It’s located at Bagong Nayong Pilipino, just beside Okada Manila and right in the middle of the bustling Entertainment City. Since it's opening in late 2021 (Kingsford Café Opens Its Doors at Kingsford Hotel Manila), the hotel has been a popular choice for businessmen and travelers looking for a relaxing stay just minutes away from the NAIA airport terminals.

You can find Kingsford Café at the ground floor lobby serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. The café comes with a refreshing and relaxing ambiance. Its contemporary design and cozy interiors are complemented with beautiful wall art pieces.

The restaurant can accommodate up to 128 guests with dedicated seats available for alfresco dining. Guests may also dine privately with sectioned dining spaces ideal for intimate corporate events and other social gatherings.

We were delighted to once again meet Kingsford Café’s Executive Chef Angelo Chubby Timban, a well adorned champion in international cooking competitions and celebrated for his creativity and passion for the craft. Staying close to his roots, Chef Chubby’s dishes pay homage to a strong Filipino upbringing but redefined through modern European techniques alongside contemporary Asian executions. The concept is to celebrate the rich produce of the Philippines and its multicultural influences by featuring nostalgic local flavors to capture the heart of every guest.

Last year, Chef Chubby had created a very special Sampaguita Menu which features dishes inspired and infused with our national flower, the Sampaguita. This also includes Sampaguita beverages like the SaMaRRa (P320) on the left, a refreshing Sampaguita tea combined with mango juice, tarragon leaves, peppermint leaves, and vanilla extract. On the other hand, the Paraw Regatta (P280) is a cocktail named after the annual Iloilo sailboat festival featuring the Paraw. It comes with Jasmine tea, vodka, mango juice, blue curaçao, and grenadine.

It was then time to try some of the featured signature dishes in Kingsford Café's a la carte menu. I've always been amazed at Chef Chubby's presentation and flavors, but we were really surprised with the new lineup that looks more appropriate inside a five-star fine dining restaurant instead of a casual dining cafe.

We started with one of their bestsellers, the Kingsford Laksa (P300). This is a modern presentation of the Singaporean laksa with its creamy laksa broth poured over a medley of shrimp, bean sprouts, crisp miki noodles, young corn and straw mushrooms. It's a different experience from the traditional laksa, especially with the crispy noodles, but the overall flavors of the fragrant laksa are still very much present.

My favorite and best new discovery that afternoon was the Kare-Kareng Bagnet (P450). This lovely deconstructed Kare-kare dish comes with crispy fried pork belly doused in a rich peanut and annatto sauce. It also has steamed lowland vegetables and served with slow cooked ginamos.

I really loved the crunchy chicharron together with the juicy and savory pork belly. This is one of the best versions of Kare Kare I have ever tasted and I would gladly come back to Kingsford Cafe just for this alone.

We also wanted to sample some of their special Sampaguita Menu, so we ordered the Gambas Royale (P580). This dish has big pieces of prawn al ajillo presented with Lucban risotto, soffits, asparagus, sampaguita, and mango salsa. It's not your usual Spanish-type gambas as it has less of the garlicky flavors but is more savoury and balanced, especially with the risotto and vegetables.

On the other hand, the Bistek Tagalog (P500) is a twist on the traditional Filipino dish. This one comes with thick and fatty roasted beef belly with grilled cauliflower, roasted rustic potatoes, monggo and sampaguita caviar in a caramelized calamansi and lacuna jus sauce. I've never seen Bistek Tagalog served this way but we really enjoyed this thicker, meatier, and more flavorful version.

For desserts, we also tried two of their colorful Sampaguita items that really put a big smile on my face.

The Sakura Brazo de Mercedes (P300) is as pretty as they get. This has a mixed berry mousse cake on the bottom topped with a cherry micro sponge and chocolate branch with edible soil. Usually, you can only find this type of presentation in fine dining restaurants, so I was really impressed that they serve this here at a very reasonable price. Imagine going on a date and being served this dessert. You will really be going home happy.

But that's not all, because I was even more impressed with the Mango Sampaguita Cheesecake (P320). I have eaten so many cheesecakes before but this was one of the best versions I have ever tasted! This deconstructed cheesecake is made with Sampaguita cream cheese, mango jelly, blueberry, and edible soil. The sweet cheesecake tasted like my favorite Hokkaido milk, so I really loved finishing this splendid dish.

Kingsford Hotel Manila also has a few promotions in store for Father's Day. Show your love for Dad in the best way—through his stomach. Take him to a tasty food trip experience with a Weekend Dinner Buffet or a Father’s Day Buffet Lunch and bond over delectable food selections as endless as your conversations. Go up to the fifth floor pool area for a savory Chill and Grill, and chatter over unlimited drinks and a platter of grilled meats against a stunning backdrop of the city. Then end the day relaxed and stress-free with their cozy Deluxe Room, with a high-speed internet connection and a TV for a fun movie time–just the way dad likes it.

Moments are definitely priceless, and so is their Kingsford Beer Mug! Make the moment last with a souvenir that he can use for years, and get your dad’s seal of approval at no cost, as the Beer Mug comes free with the room package. The King of the House Package starts at P8,988 nett for 2 pax and includes an Overnight Stay for 2, Buffet Breakfast for 2, Weekend Buffet Dinner or Father’s Day Lunch for 2, Chill and Grill for Dad, and a free Kingsford Beer Mug for Dad. The package is available from June 14 to June 16, 2024 only.

We also took home some chocolates courtesy of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts which features eight different flavors representing eight of their outstanding local hotel brands. We would like to thank Lance Bermejo, Marketing Officer of Kingsford Hotel Manila, for inviting us back at Kingsford Cafe to try out these wonderful new dishes. Kingsford Cafe is one of the most underrated and best value-for-money hotel restaurants in the city, so make sure to drop and discover this hidden gem.

Kingsford Café

G/F Kingsford Hotel Manila, Bagong Nayong Pilipino, Entertainment City, Parañaque

8888-6388 / (0917) 8053585

www.kingsfordmanila.com

www.facebook.com/kingsfordmanila