By Jack Peat, TLE Editor  Last summer I started writing a book exploring the understated role of wood in bringing to life regional qualities that lay at the heart of the most lauded drinks in the World. A trip to North Yorkshire, a trip to Bordeaux, a trip to Porto, a trip to Switzerland and a trip to the Inner Hebrides of Scotland later and I have 35,000 words of gold on a hard-drive doing not very much. But the...

By Bea Patel, TLE Property Editor and Director of Shop for an Agent, the estate agent comparison site Procrastinating… Thinking… Daydreaming? Ever gazed out of the office window? Ever actually thought about what you see? Is it inspiring or an eyesore? At some point in time, many of us have gazed out of the office window – some of us may have more than one office view. But have you actually thought about what you see and contemplated what it’d...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food With the first Hawksmoor restaurant having opened its doors in 2006, there are now six outposts scattered across the country (five in London, one in Manchester). Positioned just a short walk from Liverpool Street Station, the original opening in Spitalfields also boasts a separate basement bar that’s so strong it could stand alone without the help of the adjoining Steakhouse. Accessible via a door that’s hung just a few metres from the main entrance,...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Residing within The Westbury, a five-star Mayfair Hotel, the award winning Polo Bar comprises a grand selection of Cocktails as well as fine Wines, premium Spirits and Champagnes. Headed up by head mixologist Carmine Catena – having joined the bar in 2008 – who is in charge of curating the exciting cocktails: one of which he has shared the recipe for. Featuring Ilegal Mezcal Joven, Campari, Barolo, Orange Jam and Lemon Juice, here’s a...

By Perry Power, property sales specialist at Perry Power Let me begin by saying that the value of your house should be based on its true market value at the time you want to sell it, rather than what price you’d like or think you should achieve. Sometimes there’s a significant discrepancy between the two. This can lead to difficulties in marketing the property, such as discouraging potential viewers and offers. No agent worth their salt should market a property...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Since 1936, Orangina has been hailed as a delicious soft drink that’s sparkling and made with real Orange pulp and zest that requires a “shake to wake”. However, over the past years it’s become increasingly difficult to find Orangina on shop shelves across the UK. Thankfully, the thirst-quencher that’s perfect for the Summer months has made a grand return. The taste is the same as before, but there’s a new plastic bottle that’s bigger...

#8 - I’d Love To See You There This week is one of those weeks where everything collides at once. On Monday and Tuesday I was rehearsing for the musical, Failed States, which we’ll be performing one more time at the Latitude Festival on Sunday, 5.45pm in the Theatre venue. If anyone wants to come along and see what happens when a chubby guy in his 30s from Milton Keynes that plays computer games for a living pretends to be an...

By Ellery Nick @Ellery_Nick Ant-Man is here, riding on the back of ants to rid the planet of those who would seek to miniaturise themselves for all the wrong reasons. And so we meet Scott Lang, a soft-hearted criminal in the mould of Edward Snowden. Released from jail, Scott comes to the attention of retired hero Dr. Hank Pym, played by Michael Douglas, who’s been watching him through his teeny bug cameras and thinks he’s got what it takes become...

What do you get the kid who has it all? If they're heading for a beach holiday, it's a personal beach butler, of course. If you can tear them away from their iPhones and Game Boys (!), your diddums can soon make some amazing-looking sandcastles with these beachy Jeeves-like characters at hand. The concierges, a new idea from travel company Oliver's Travels, are in the process of being specially trained. Once they're officially sandcastle aficiandos, they'll set over-rich parents back...