Best of Liverpool Magazine - February 2013 by Liverpool Post & Echo

SUPPLEMENT

WINNERS

FIT FOR FEBRUARY

COLDSET COLOUR SUPPLEMENT OF THE YEAR!

OF LIVERPOOL FEBRUARY ISSUE 2013

How to lose the love handles

THE FOOD OF LOVE Wine and dine your Valentine or woo them at home with our romantic recipes

BEAUTIFUL BOUDOIRS Setting the scene for romance

SEDUCTIVE STYLE Dress to impress on your hot date

VALENTINE SPECIAL

Gorgeous gifts guaranteed to set hearts a flutter

HEART & SOUL Singer/songwriter Tricia McTeague finds her dream role in a brand new Liverpool musical

HOT HAIR TRENDS// HOMEGROWN TALENT// ROGER MCGOUGH// WHAT’S ON// HALF TERM FUN// PERFECT PROPOSALS// ROMANTIC RETREATS// SPICE CITY

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BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Contents

BEST

FEBRUARY 13

FEBRUARY 13 14

O F L IVERP O O L

NEWS

04-05 TALK OF THE TOWN City news and gossip

FASHION

THE 2012 NEWSPAPER AWARD

WINNERS: COLDSET COLOUR SUPPLEMENT OF THE YEAR!

GET IN TOUCH

STORIES 0151 330 5035 EMAIL magazine@liverpool.com ADVERTISING 0151 330 5039 WEBSITE www.bestofliverpool.com FOLLOW US twitter@BestofLpool

HEALTH & BEAUTY

11 SALON SPOTLIGHT A marine massage – there’s lush! 12 HOME WORK-OUT Lose the love handles 13 HAIR TRENDS Styles for 2013

CHILDREN

14-15 FAMILY FUN Hurrah it’s half term!

Welcome... LIVERPOOL ECHO EDITOR Alastair Machray MAGAZINE EDITOR Michelle Rushton DEPUTY EDITOR Katie McLoughlin WRITERS Paul Baker, Sarah Hooley, Sue Kelbrick, Katie McLoughlin and Emma Thompson PHOTOGRAPHY Trinity Mirror photographers FRONT COVER PHOTO Gareth Jones DESIGN Vicky Andrews COMMERCIAL FEATURES EDITOR Sally Jones SALES MANAGER Ros McGuire

COPYRIGHT Best of Liverpool is published monthly by Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales/ Liverpool ECHO. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

LOVE is definitely in the air here at Best of Liverpool. We are such a soppy bunch and can’t help getting excited about February 14. And one team member has already had two Valentine’s gifts delivered to her desk (jealous...moi?) As well as cranking up the Barry White, we decided to bring you some inspiration on how to celebrate the patron saint of lovers, starting with Emma’s choice of sultry outfits on pages 8 and 9. And blokes have no excuse not to make the effort. See Paul’s guide on dressing to impress the ladies on page 10. We have picked an array of gorgeous gifts, guaranteed to score you Brownie points from your sweetheart on page 23 and hey, it may even lead to a proposal! See our advice on how to pop the question in style on page 22. Katie recently went on a hot date to Spice City – find out how she fared on page 21. And if you’re planning to woo your own hot date – see her pick of the best places to wine and dine your Valentine in Liverpool on pages 24 and 25. If you prefer to stay in, we have some tasty recipes to tantalise your loved one’s tastebuds on pages 26 and 27. Plus Sarah has some top tips on how to turn your bedroom into a boudoir on pages 28 and 29. Or perhaps you fancy whisking your special someone away? See our guide to romantic getaways on page 30. If you’ve yet to start your new year

08-09 SHOPPING FOR HER Seductive style 10 SHOPPING FOR HIM Dress to impress

fitness regime, it’s not too late. Try the home work-out on page 12, courtesy of personal trainer, Paul Coshott. But don’t forget to factor in some ‘me time.’ Paul recently indulged in a massage of a marine variety at the new LUSH spa and was certainly feeling shipshape when he returned to the office. Read all about it on page 11. And if you feel in need of a new ‘do’, discover the new hair trends hitting the catwalks for 2013 on page 13. Lastly, as we’re such a social team (and still getting over the Albert Dock Media Crawl – what a truly excellent night!), we bring you our guide to what’s on in the region on page 20, whilst getting up close and personal to some of the talented people performing this season – from singer/songwriter, Tricia McTeague, who is starring in new musical Heart & Soul (pages 16-17) and Scouse poet laureate Roger McGough on his adaptation of Molière (page 18), to DJ Adele Moss (page 19). Plus Sue has some good ideas on how to entertain the kids this half term (page 14). And don’t forget it’s Chinese New Year this month. Don’t miss the colourful parade on Sunday, February 10. Gung Hey Fat Choi!

ENTERTAINMENT

16-17 HOMEGROWN TALENT Tricia McTeague puts her heart and soul into a new musical 18-19 HOMEGROWN TALENT Roger McGough and Adele Moss 20 WHAT’S ON A fun-filled line-up for February

FOOD & DRINK

21 RESTAURANT REVIEW Hot stuff at Spice City

VALENTINE’S SPECIAL

22 DECENT PROPOSALS Pop the question in style 23 LUST LIST Gorgeous Valentine’s gifts 24-25 FOOD FOR LOVE Where to wine and dine your Valentine 26-27 ROMANTIC RECIPES Fabulous feasts for your beau

HOMES & GARDENS

28-29 LOVE NESTS Turn your bedroom into a boudoir

TRAVEL

30 ROMANTIC RETREATS Escape with your Valentine

Michelle Rushton, Best of Liverpool Editor

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 03

Talk of the town

OutANDabout

21ST BIRTHDAY FOR CHARITY

From swish soirées to gatherings, launches and more, Michelle Rushton and Katie McLoughlin take a look at what the city’s glitterati have been up to...

AWARD WIN FOR CITY HOTEL AN award-winning charity which provides personcentred support to adults with learning difficulties and mental health needs is celebrating 21 years of providing life-enriching support across the North West. Alternative Futures Group Limited (AFG) was founded on January 22, 1992. Its first ‘head office’ was an old air raid shelter in Woolton Village, Liverpool. The successful charity has grown considerably since then, but has remained community focused and true to its vision of ‘A world where people control their lives’. AFG provides around the clock, personalised support to people throughout the North West, in their own homes or in one of eight Independent Hospitals. It is calling upon those people and their families to come forward to share their ‘21’ themed stories. The charity has unveiled a celebratory programme of events to mark its 21st anniversary including local coffee mornings and a showcase event in the summer to raise awareness of the organisation. Visit www.alternativefuturesgroup.org.uk for more details

LIVERPOOL’S Hard Days Night Hotel has been named one of the UK’s top luxury hotels in LateRooms.com’s ‘Simply The Guest’ Awards. The awards were based on customer reviews of the 70,000 hotels, B&Bs, cottages and apartments on LateRooms.com, those with the highest rating from customers – including Hard Days Night Hotel – received awards from the national accommodation website. General manager of Hard Days Night Hotel, Mike Dewey says: “We’re delighted to have been named one of the top luxury hotels in the UK and it means a great deal that these awards are voted for by the public.”

ATKINSON REVEALS LINE-UP SOUTHPORT’s flagship new arts venue has revealed an eclectic performance programme for its opening season. The Atkinson is a £17m development set in a grade II listed building in the centre of Lord Street, involving the integration of three arts and cultural managed venues, Southport Arts Centre, the Atkinson Art Gallery and Botanic Gardens Museum alongside the Southport central Library, into one regional cultural centre. When fully complete, it will comprise two performance spaces, a cafe, Theatre in the Community (TIC) and library, plus art galleries, a shop and a museum. The initial performance programme for The Atkinson features renowned names from the world of music, dance, theatre and comedy plus some top family and children’s entertainment. For more information on the programme and to book tickets call the box office on 01704 533333 or visit www.theatkinson.co.uk

We’re loving... LAUGHING OUR SOCKS OFF RECENTLY opened within House on Bold Street, Four Candles Comedy Club delivers a perfect night of comedy with dinner and drinks in a plush new venue. Plus you get to see some of the funniest comedians, such as Steve Day and Paul F Taylor, bringing the very best in comedy to Liverpool city centre. The nights are compèred by ex wannabe rock star Sam Avery. Check out fourcandlescomedy.com for the latest lineup or call 0870 7871866.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

BROUHAHA WINTER WARMER ORGANISERS of the Brouhaha International Festival recently hosted BrouThousand & 13 at a showcase at the magnificent St George’s Hall. Giving a glimpse of what’s in store this year, executive director, Giles Agis, led a team of performers from Turkey, Greece, Martinique, the Netherlands, Spain, Hungary and Liverpool onto the stage. There was a selection of testimonials from four young people involved in past projects highlighting the work

of the organisation and how businesses can get involved, support the carnival and even find themselves performing in this year’s ever popular carnival parade in the city. Mr Agis says: “We’ve always been an incredibly inclusive festival full of diversity in terms of culture and entertainment. But we want to keep pushing for more. There really is something for everyone.” For more information on the programme for 2013 visit www.brouhaha.uk.com

LIVING THE HIGH LIFE

PERFECTING OUR SKIN

WE heart these herbal teas which contain natural ingredients which may just light up your Valentine’s night! Produced by Higher Living, which has been described as ‘the Rolls-Royce of tea,’ the new range contains fennel which is notably high in phytoestrogens, and natural oestrogenlike chemicals and chillis - which can fire you up in more ways than one! Plus, there’s licorice which has been used in ancient China for its love and lust provoking properties. Higher Living Tea is priced from £1.99 and available to buy from Asda, Tesco, Waitrose, Holland & Barrett, Planet Organic and Whole Foods. Visit www.higherlivingherbs.com

WANT brighter, more radiant skin that glows with health? Then give this little beauty by Origins a whirl. We’ve fallen in love with the way that Origins’ VitaZing™ SPF 15 Energyboosting moisturizer with Mangosteen brightens and perfects our skin. Formulated with unique skin tone perfecting mineral pigment technology, it visibly transforms skin, instantly. The magic cream appears untinted when first massaged onto skin, then it releases a subtle, sheer hint of colour to even and enhance skin tone. The result is a flawless, radiant complexion that glows with health and appears naturally perfected. Great for when you’re run down, tired or your face just needs a bit of pepping up, this skin must-have is priced at RRP £27 from Origins counters.

FEBRUARY 13 FIFTH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS FOR ACC LIVERPOOL

WORK, REST AND PLAY NEXT month sees the launch of a new accommodation concept for Liverpool. Richmond Luxury Living is located in the up and coming centre of Hatton Garden and will combine serviced apartment and hotel services, making it ideal for residential conferences and events. The collection of 51 spacious apartments, suites, executive and classic rooms, all within a Grade II Listed iconic building, will offer free WiFi, a secretarial service, smart TVs with video calling, and onsite conference and meeting facilities for up to 150. There will also be free transport to ACC for conference delegates. Furthermore, delegates will be able to take advantage of other facilities including the recently opened Olympus Health Club & Spa and special nightlife offers with local bars and restaurants. Other facilities within the development, which has 153 rooms between the 51 apartments, include a concierge service, bar and brassiere, and flexible rooms able to sleep between two and 10 guests. Visit www.therichmondliverpool.com

ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and ECHO Arena, is celebrating its fifth birthday. The venue opened its doors in January, 2008 with the official opening ceremony for Capital of Culture and has since attracted almost 3 million visitors to 1,100 events and generated £620m in economic benefit for the local economy. Highlights at ECHO Arena Liverpool over the past five years include the MTV Europe Music Awards, the MOBO Awards 2010 and 2012 and X-Factor Boot Camp, which reached over 16 million TV viewers. Artists who have performed at the arena include Sir Paul McCartney, Beyonce and Lionel Richie. BT Convention Centre has hosted a series of high profile conferences including Labour Party annual conference, the Royal College of Nursing Congress and the Liberal Democrats spring and annual conferences. As the venue enters its sixth year, it has further plans to develop the site with the construction of Exhibition Centre Liverpool (ECL).

FASHION FUNDRAISER

THRILLING NIGHT FOR BOOK CLUB

VIVIENNE Westwood Liverpool hosted an in-store event at Cavern Walks recently to raise money for The Marina Dalglish Appeal. A Champagne reception kindly provided by Bar twentyfive, welcomed guests to the event, which was a great success. Loyal customers and VIPs attended the event and 10% of sales during the event were donated to the appeal, which raises money to help improve cancer care received by patients in the local area. Guests were also invited to celebrate the store’s recent refurbishment and preview Vivienne Westwood’s Spring Summer 2013 collection. The boutique is a regional destination for Westwood’s collections.

MEMBERS of the House Beauty Spa Book Club recently got a glimpse into the mind of thriller writer, Gillian Flynn. The Chicago-based author came to Liverpool to sign her new book, Gone Girl, at an exclusive dinner event at Caveau in Woolton. Gone Girl is topping the best sellers’ charts and is hotly tipped to be turned into a film staring Reece Witherspoon. The Book Club will be presenting more exciting authors in March including Lyn Andrews who will be signing her first historical novel The Queen’s Promise and her recently published hardback, Sunlight on the Mersey at Fifth, The Hope Street Hotel on March 8. Judy Finnigan will be signing her bestselling novel, Eloise, and will be questioned by none-other-than her own husband, Richard Madeley at Gusto, Albert Dock, on March 12. For more details on future events visit the website www.thehousebeautyspa.co.uk or call 0151 724 4999.

WIN A PARIS HOLIDAY COURTESY OF VIVA BRAZIL VALENTINE’S diners at Viva Brazil can win a romantic holiday to Paris! Every diner will be entered into a free prize draw to win a weekend break including flights and hotel to Paris – the capital of love! The Valentine’s menu (priced £37.95 per person) includes a Full Rodizio (choice of over 15 cuts of meat), including a selection of seafood rodizio skewers, chocolate and strawberry fondue and a glass of Mumm Champagne. For an extra £5 per person, a red rose and luxury box of chocolates will be on the table as a gift for your Valentine. Or why not go all out an opt for the VIP package? At £60 per person, you can have a seat in one of the booth seats, Caiprinia Cocktail on arrival, Full Rodizio, including a selection of seafood rodizio skewers, chocolate and strawberry fondue with a bottle of Mumm Champagne and wrapped red rose and luxury chocolates awaiting you on your table! With live music and our Samba dancers dancing all night – Viva Brazil is the perfect place to romance the night away! For more details, call 0151 236 8080.

WIN

MARTINI LOUNGE TICKETS

HOT off a smoking year for the Martini Lounge Burlesque and Variety Show in 2012, the Epstein Theatre is set to turn up the temperature even more in 2013. It will be hosting two shows over Valentine’s weekend – on Friday, February 15 and Saturday, February 16 featuring a delicious and delectable line-up. Audiences will be treated to Chocolat The Extraordinaire, the UK’s first black neo-burlesque performer. She is joined by the comedic and terrifying Crimson Skye, and for the girls, the ‘super hot boylesque pole act,’ Edd Muir, will be making an appearance. The night will be rounded off with an unforgettable performance by Liverpool’s own Lady of Love and all-round Aphrodite, Miss Millie Dollar. Hosted by cheeky cupid Fred Bear, the UK’s must-see Burlesque and Variety show guarantees a tantalising show sure to get you hot under the collar!

The shows start at 8.30pm and tickets cost £24 per person. In the meantime, Best of Liverpool has got its silky mitts on a pair of tickets for the Martini Lounge Burlesque and Variety Show on Friday, February 15 to give away. To be in with a chance of winning them, simply answer the following question... Who is Liverpool’s own ‘Lady of Love?’ Answers on a postcard to: Martini Lounge Comp, Best of Liverpool, Liverpool Post & ECHO, Old Hall Street, PO Box 48, Liverpool L69 3EB or email magazine@liverpool.com Deadline: Wednesday, February 12 Visit www.martinilounge.co.uk

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Shopping for her Khloe Gold dress from the Kardashian Kollection, £45, from Dorothy Perkins

For your eyes only Emma Thompson falls in love with the latest eye catching frocks this February WHETHER you’re going on a hot date with a new beau or a romantic dinner with your boyfriend or husband, you’ll no doubt want to knock his socks off this Valentine’s Day. But dressing to impress isn’t always easy and if you’re struggling to decide what to wear, you can’t go wrong with a seductive little number. The classic ‘little black dress’ is always guaranteed to attract attention or if you prefer something a little longer, you may feel more comfortable in an embellished maxi dress which can look equally as stunning. The high street has styles to suit everyone, whether you fancy the romantic Hollywood style of the 50s, a touch of lace and feathers reminiscent of the 20s, desire to show off your hour-glass silhouette in a mini figure-hugging cocktail dress, or embrace a modern day

skater style dress with sequins and leather. This February 14, make sure he has eyes for only you with the help of a stunning, sexy dress.

Beige lace dress from the Kardashian Kollection, £50, from Dorothy Perkins

Elliston jersey maxi dress, £195, from Coast

Lipsy VIP waxed lace feather dress, £110, from Lipsy

Zandi duchess satin dress, £220, from Coast

One shoulder lace dress in rich wine, £36, from The Vestry

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Flocked peplum bandeau dress, £60, from Lipsy

FEBRUARY 13 WHAT LIES BENEATH

Short cocktail dress, £225, from Vera Mont

UNVEIL your best assets this Valentine’s Day with these sultry underwear sets...

Myleene Klass leopard mould plunge underwired body, £34, from Littlewoods

Lace bra, £6, and knicker, £3.50, from George at Asda

Red lace bra, £22, and red lace high-waisted briefs, £12, from Next

Ebony plunge bra, £28, thong, £12, and suspender belt, £16, from Boux Avenue

Limited J’Taime, £29.50, from Marks and Spencer

Limited Collection cami, £29.50, and Limited Collection knicker, £7.50, from Marks and Spencer

Evie sequin leather skater dress, £34.99, from Missguided

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BEST OF LIVERPOOL 09

Shopping for him Label J Oxford shirt, £25, from Jacamo

Charlie Shawl Cardigan, £75, from Pretty Green

Paul Baker picks out some stylish outfits for men looking to tick the right boxes this Valentine’s Day GSTAR Bronson tapered chinos, £44,99, from Get The Label

Suede shoes, £22, from F&F at Tesco

THIS CHARMING MAN IT’S a common enough scenario, even if us men don’t even realise it’s happened... we throw together an outfit, add a quick splash of aftershave and rush out the door to make a date. If you turn up in an uncoordinated ensemble, dishevelled and looking like you’ve worn your clothes to bed, is it really a surprise when she complains she’s not

feeling well, leaves and never calls you again? Clothes make the man, is an idea that can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, and who are we to argue with them? So get some inspiration from Best of Liverpool’s smart-casual outfits that your date won’t turn her nose up at. We’ve even offered a choice of tops to suit the date, because we’re nice like that... Five pocket ‘rip and repair’ denim jeans, £55, from Voi Jeans Co

Gefen grey marl fleck sweater, £30, from Boxfresh.co.uk

Tobacco cords, £43.50, from franklinandmarshall.com Flintoff charcoal suit jacket, £110; white Oxford shirt, £60, all from Jacamo

Lord Paisley penny collar shirt, £99, from Pretty Green

Bulova precisionist chronograph watch, £545

Bertie Braxton storm shoes, £115, from Dune

Abraham Dune black shoes, £135, from Dune

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Health and beauty

FEBRUARY 13

Float away Liverpool’s Lush Spa offers a massage treatment with a distinctly nautical feel. Is something fishy going on? Paul Baker weighs anchor and tries it out for himself SO, is a massage to relax or to invigorate? Ah, it’s the age old question… well, it is if you’re the sort of person who regularly has massages. As I’m not, it’s a question that left me fairly flummoxed when it was put to me. That age-old ‘get out’ of: “And what would you recommend?” came to my aid and led me to a treatment called ‘The Good Hour’ courtesy of Lush Spa, a recent addition to our city centre. Many will be familiar with the Lush chain of stores selling fresh handmade cosmetics for the bath and body, but perhaps less familiar with their range of exclusive spas offering a range of treatments in warm, comfortable and homely settings, with skilled therapists and often set to a specially created soundtrack. This soundtrack idea was certainly something that caught my attention when arranging my treatment as I was told The Good Hour has been likened to a voyage upon a great ship, one with huge masts and billowing sails. As such, I was to expect my body to be worked like the rigging of a galleon, all set to the strains of sea shanties and topped off with a cheeky little blast of the theme from the TV series Captain Pugwash! I was a little taken aback by this notion, as you might imagine. But while colleagues sniggered, I was quite looking forward to this novel approach to massage therapy. Based on Whitechapel, the spa itself is above a new Lush store, filled with all the exotic scents and helpful assistants you might expect. Move upstairs to the spa itself and you are transported from the bustle of the city to what looks like a quiet farmhouse kitchen. Here I am seated at a large table, served with water and introduced to my therapist for today, Leone Gough. Leone trained at Southport College and, having worked in spas in Southport and Formby now finds herself in the city centre doing massage choreographed to specially formulated CDs. So what’s with all this sea shanty business then? Leone informs me that Lush’s founder, Mark Constantine, has a condition known as synaesthesia. Typically, this will involve two of your senses mixing in unusual and fascinating ways. Apparently Mark understands smells in terms of shapes. You can see how the ability to apply a definite physical property to each thing you smell might attract you to

work in the cosmetics industry. It’s no surprise then to hear that the man who arranged the music for Lush’s treatments, Simon Emmerson, is a fellow synaesthesiac who sees certain colours when he hears different sounds. He’s also a member of the excellent folk/roots music collective The Imagined Village. Hearing this reassured me that I was in good hands, both in terms of the music and massage, so onwards to the treatment. The Good Hour is a pretty interactive process. As it is designed to invigorate and relieve tension and pain in the body, Leone ascertained which areas she should concentrate on, in advance. I also had the option of one of four massage bars, used in the treatment to produce a desired effect upon your skin, during the massage. I went for one called The Hottie, a spicy little number containing ginger and black pepper oils to warm up those muscles. Apart from leaving you smelling great, they certainly have the desired effect and are a good fun part of the treatment. But I’m getting ahead of myself, I need to try and set the scene as well as Lush do first.

WHERE IS IT?

On Whitechapel in the city centre, not far from Lord Street.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

A range of massage and facial treatments designed to invigorate, relax and stimulate the senses. The Good Hour is a deep tissue massage set to music and costing £80.

CONTACT:

Visit: Lush Spa, 9-11 Whitechapel, City Centre, L1 6DS Call: 0151 236 6952. Email: liverpool@lush.co.uk Online: www.lush.co.uk/spa

Yes, as I am led into the warm and delicately lit treatment room, Leone adds a little touch of maritime magic to the proceedings, dropping a bath bomb into a bucket Leone Gough, to produce wisps of dry ice, therapist at Lush Spa enhanced by blue and green lights to create the feel of a morning sea mist. The trip into my imagination has begun, and as the soundtrack of a boat’s creaking hull seeps into the room you can start to let your senses forget you’re in an upstairs room just off Lord Street and, instead, ring the ship’s bell to call for the voyage to begin. Beginning with the chest, Leone works her way dexterously through the areas of the body that do the most work and get the most knots and strains. As Leone pulled and massaged my right arm and hands, then down my right leg to the feet and then back up the left side, I drift away. I close my eyes and listen to the sea shanties merge with the sounds of the boat creaking and am lost to the sensations. If you’re expecting weather-beaten sailors with salt-shredded voices to be singing at you, you’d be mistaken as the tunes are from that modern English folk scene – filled with glassy female voices and male harmonies – music that is rather popular and quite current just now. A quick flip over and the back and neck are fully worked over. You’ll feel the spine stretched and knotty shoulders unwound. It’s not all plain sailing, expect a few grimaces, but it does you good. If you want pure relaxation, there are other treatments. But if you want to feel like all your muscles have just had 10 years taken off them, then this is the one for you. The familiar melody of that Captain Pugwash theme then washes in and we know dry land and reality awaits once more. I’m given some time to rest and reacquaint myself with my senses before dressing and making my way back out to that kitchen table to enjoy some ship’s biscuits (shortbread fingers) and a cup of tea. The option of lacing the cuppa with a shot of rum is one I’d certainly recommend. And with that last taste of the high seas, it’s back into the tides of the city centre for me. I stride amongst my fellow pedestrians, refreshed, invigorated, and with the sound of waves somehow breaking in my ears.

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BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Fitness AS Valentine’s Day approaches fast, it’s time to get physical – in a fitness sense! Feeling decidedly far from svelte, Best of Liverpool turned to personal trainer Paul Coshott to find out how we can lose our love handles. Paul has been running his personal training business in Liverpool now for almost 17 years. Here, he has put together a boxing workout that you can do at home, which will help tone all the major muscle groups and burn calories.

Gymophobe Michelle Rushton finds out how to fight the flab without having to set foot in a gym...

WARM UP – SKIPPING

Paul says: “People often ask me, if they were to buy a piece of equipment, what should they buy? I always respond by saying a skipping rope. You can get one from the high street for about £3-£4. “Start off by taking the rope over your head 20 times. Your heart will rocket at the start. When you feel comfortable, try swinging the rope over your head 30 times and build up till you can skip nonstop for three minutes. You can do this outside, or if you don’t feel comfortable, skip indoors without the rope.”

CIRCUIT TRAINING

Paul says: “Here, we are going to follow a circuit that will work all the major muscle groups. Try for 30 seconds on each exercise. When you have built up your fitness, try one minute on each exercise.” l Squats. Make sure your feet are shoulder width apart and your feet straight. Keep your knees over your ankles. Breathe in on the way down, breathe out on the way up. l Star jumps. Keep your heels up off the floor, but, be aware of your calf muscles tightening up. This will also maintain the warming up process of the shoulders. l Stomach crunches. Put your feet flat, knees bent. Tuck the chin into your chest. Keep the shoulders back, Hands on the thighs. Reach up to the knees and back. Keep the lower back on the floor. Breathe out on the effort. Putting this exercise in at this point will help bring the heart rate down after the star jumps.

Lose the love handles l Press ups. Keep your knees on the

floor, unless you’re comfortable doing a full press up. Hands wide and chest in line with the hands. Breathe in on the way down, out on the way up. l Lunges. Begin by doing one leg at a time – 30 seconds on left leg, then 30 seconds on right leg. When you are feeling fitter and stronger, try doing alternate lunges. If you have an issue with your knees, use a chair for support. With the leg that is doing the lunge, make sure you push through the heel on the way back. This will take the pressure through the glutes, which is where you want it, rather than the knees. l Jogging on the spot. A very underestimated exercise. Try and keep the knees high. This will take your heart rate back up again. If you feel uncomfortable with jogging, then take it to a march on the spot. l Lateral jumps. Maybe use a rolled up towel or a small object. Stand at the side of it. Bend the knees and jump over the object, sideways and then jump back. Make sure you bend your knees so you are slightly working your thighs. If you are working to 30 seconds, maybe aim for about 12 reps. If you are working to one

minute, maybe aim for about 20 reps. Your heart rate will go up again during this exercise. l Squats. Again working the thighs and the glutes. This exercise will also gently bring down your heart rate. l Stomach crunches. Working the stomach and core. Keep the feet flat, knees bent, chin tucked into the chest, shoulders back. Reach up to your knees. Breathe out on the effort. This will also help your heart rate come down again. l Star jumps. Last exercise for the circuit. Keep the heels up and take the arms no higher than shoulder height. This will take your heart rate back up again and prepare you for some shadow boxing.

SHADOW BOXING

Paul says: “For two, three minute rounds, working on the spot. Take the feet shoulder width apart. Then step the left foot forward. Take your fists just below your chin with your elbows tucked into the sides of your chest. I call this a left fighting stance.” Use the following combinations within each round: l Two left punches, one big right punch

PEDAL POWER ACCORDING to Albert Einstein: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” Now, Merseytravel’s TravelWise campaign is calling on people across the region to pedal their way to fitness. And if you need a bit of help, its Freewheeling Programme offers Merseyside residents free cycle skills sessions and bike maintenance courses. Whether you’re looking to learn to ride a bike for the first time, or improve your confidence and on-road skills, each Freewheeling skills session is designed to offer help. All are based on the three levels of the national standard Bikeability training - Level 1 teaches you the basics, like staying upright, signalling, looking behind and using your gears. Level 2 takes you through turning at junctions and overtaking parked cars etc. Level 3 offers more advanced skills and manoeuvres for cycling on busier roads. If you can't ride a bike or haven't ridden for many years, then don’t worry - there is also a special ‘learn to ride’ session, which will get you ready for the Level 1 course.

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l Two right punches, one left punch l Straight punches out in front of you,

continuously l Punching above the head continuously. Maybe use two combinations within each round, making each combination last 90 seconds. Try and keep your rest period between each exercise to 15 seconds and have a one minute rest between the two rounds of shadow boxing. If you are working with a partner, maybe get a pair of pads and gloves. You can pick a set up these days for quite cheaply. You will then be able to do some pad work instead of shadow boxing. Paul teaches Boxercise on a Monday evening at 6.15pm and Wednesday evening at 8pm, at St Mary’s Church Hall, St Mary’s Road, Cressington, L19 0NE. He also teaches kids' and adult Ju Jitsu on Monday and Wednesday evenings. For further details, visit his website www.liverpoolpersonaltrainer.com or call him on 07887868872. You can also follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

LOSE WEIGHT THE RIGHT WEIGH

The maintenance courses teach you to help you gain specific knowledge about fixing a puncture, safety checks and cleaning, brakes and gears. For more information on cycling in Merseyside, including free resources such as maps and advice, visit www.letstravelwise.org/cycling or call 0151 330 1253.

DO you want to lose weight and learn how to keep it off? There are weekly weight loss classes at all of Knowsley Council’s leisure centres. They include a weekly weigh-in, tips on healthy eating and food labelling, advice and support and an exercise class. The sessions cost just £2.20 a time and are run as part of Knowsley Council’s Activity for Life exercise and referral programme. The scheme is aimed at people who want to get fit and change their lifestyle but need a bit of help and support. The sessions are suitable for both men and women and the exercise session caters for all levels and abilities. The weekly weight loss classes are held at the following centres at the following times: Stockbridge Village – Monday, 12pm to 1pm Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park – Tuesday, 5.45pm to 6.45pm Halewood – Monday, 10.45am to 11.45am Kirkby – Thursday 11am to 12pm For more information, email activityforlife@knowsley.gov.uk, call 0151 443 3109 or log onto www.activeknowsley.com

Health & beauty

FEBRUARY 13

HOT HEADS In search of on-trend tresses, Michelle Rushton asked stylists from Liverpool salon Voodou, to pick their top trends for 2013 ROCK N' ROLL WAVES FROM Versace to Calvin Klein, Rock n’ Roll Waves have been an iconic look on many catwalks this season. A huge trend for 2013, it takes inspiration from 90s grunge and gives hair a tousled effect that hints at a natural ‘no-effort’ style. In reality, we know better and creating this look takes some practice! GET THE LOOK… Curling hair around a pair of GHDs or a curling wand can create this style as the curls are then brushed out with the tips of your fingers leaving a messier and softer feel. Voodou’s 2-Go service from just £22 can create this look for you and there is step by step video on voodou.co.uk to help you copy the look at home.

Looks for the modern man

Extra long hair Photo: PA

Easilocks use 100% human hair and no heat, glue, braiding or sewing so that the individual extensions feel lightweight and natural as they are evenly spread across your head.

THE MODERN MAN

OMBRE WITH a colour specialist salon on Bold Street and four stylists with Wella Colour Master Awards through the company – Voodou is always on the lookout for the hottest colour trends. Last year, ombre had a huge presence and this Ombre style, year it’s only going to get as modelled by Caroline Flack bigger. Photo: PA Caroline Flack’s iconic ombre hair is a gorgeous example but it’s not just natural colours that are in for 2013 but also pastels and bright hues too. GET THE LOOK… If you’re looking for a change and fancy an ombre look, visit a salon and let the expert stylists find the right ombre style to suit you. Want something a little less permanent? Directions semi permanent hair colours can be mixed so you can create your own unique shades. Even less commitment is a range of chalking products from Color.bug and Colorsmash. They rub on with hairspray and wash out for an instant flash of colour.

THE FRINGE THICK, blunt, and long is the key to a fringe in 2013 – preferably sweeping the top of the eyes. With a messy, textured, Bohemian edge or an aura of 60s glamorous nonchalance – both looks have been seen in collections

from US Vogue’s January ’13 edition. GET THE LOOK… Getting the right fringe for your face shape is key, so ask a stylist to discuss your options and which style of fringe would suit your faceshape best. If you’re not sure whether a fringe is practical for you, why not do a Kim Kardashian and fake it, with the range of Beauty Works hair pieces from Voodou’s Colour Centre salon?

IT’S no secret that men have become just as interested in how their hair looks as women – and the changes over the years to Voodou for Him salons are a huge example. Men’s hair trends differ from women’s as they are much more classic and long lasting compared to women’s which can change every single season. The key to a great hair cut is keeping the

style well-groomed and choosing products that complement the style you have gone for. GET THE LOOK… Voodou’s free Nioxin Dermabrasion consultation tests your scalp to find out your hair type. This will guide you on the types of products you should be using to get the most out of your hair style. Book in with a Voodou stylist today if you fancy a change but don’t know quite what to go for. For more details, telephone Voodou on 0844 445 7889, or check out their website www.voodou.co.uk or Facebook page.

The fringe Photo: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

EXTRA LONG HAIR LIKE the classic bob, extra-long length is a great way for a haircut to make a big impact. The trend on the runways for 2013 suggests a hair length that just reaches or covers the breasts – think mythological, ancient goddesses and mermaids! GET THE LOOK… If you’re lucky enough to have this sort of length already then very long hair in 2013 can be cut in two main ways: blunt, or layered. Both can work equally well so have a chat to your stylist to see which one will suit your hair type the best. If you want to add length to your life, then Voodou’s range of hair extensions include Dianne Marshall and Easilocks which are quickly becoming two of the most popular brands on the market.

T h o r n To n h a l l h oT e l & S pa p r e S e n T S :

Romantic Twilight Spa Experience

The perfect way to spend time together or give as a gift this Valentine’s. = Full use of our award winning facilities

= “Sheer Bliss” full body massage tailored to your needs = Finish your day in our outside Hydro Spa

with a glass of bubbles to help celebrate this special day.

*Exclusive offer available online & by calling The Spa direct only. Please quote ‘Cupid’ when booking. Available Mon-Fri from 1st Feb-31st Mar.

Call 0151 353 0116 Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa, Neston Rd, Thornton Hough, Wirral, CH63 1JF www.thorntonhallhotel.com

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Children

Fabulous February Sue Kelbrick finds you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to keeping the kids entertained this half term...

IT’S like waiting for a bus. It seems like only yesterday that you packed the kids off to school after the Christmas break and along comes another one. February half term is often the trickiest holiday to keep the kids happy because the weather is often still cold and wet, the excitement of Christmas is long past and most families are on a tight budget after the excesses of the festive season. But fear not, there are so many things to see and do in Liverpool this half term, that the hard part will be trying to cram it all in. Here’s a little taster of what’s on offer...

BIRTHDAY FUN AT FACT BELIEVE it or not, FACT is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and there are loads of family-friendly events happening to mark the occasion. If you think you know ping pong then think again. Noisy Table is a table tennis table that makes music and sounds as you play so you can create your own unique sound. Created by artist Will Nash, Noisy Table is programmed with a library of digital instruments and samples. The vibrations created when the ball hits the table are turned into sounds, which are then broadcast live back into the game. Noisy Table is available to play from 12pm to 6pm daily (11am until 6pm on Saturdays) until February 23. An interactive programme of works that promises to be electric is Winter Sparks, also on at FACT, until February 23. And last but definitely not least, on February 23, FACT’s actual 10th birthday, a fabulous family day kicks off a whole year of celebrations. There are events throughout the day promised an interactive bouncy castle which really does have to be seen to be believed. For more information visit www.fact.co.uk

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OLD DOCK EXPERIENCE

OO-AR ME HEARTIES!

LET’S PARTY WITH DISNEY

DUE to popular demand, more people than ever will be able to join the ranks of the 9,000 who have already enjoyed a free tour of the revolutionary Old Dock at the Albert Dock. These tours will now be held daily, starting from the Merseyside Maritime Museum, with three tours a day and group and school tours also available by prior booking. Described by some archaeologists as being “as important as Stonehenge,” the Old Dock was constructed 300 years ago and was one of Liverpool’s greatest contributions to world trade. Visitors to the Old Dock Experience go back in time and see the birth of Liverpool. A large section of the dock wall still stands from the bed of the pool – the creek that gave Liverpool its name. The Old Dock was discovered during excavations in 2001, after being buried since 1826. More details can be found by visiting www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/docktours

THERE is still a chance to don your pirate hats and check out the pirate ship on show at World Museum. The model ship made for the film, ‘The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists’, is over four and a half metres long, has a mast more than four metres high and took over 5,000 hours to create. For more details visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/pirates. Continuing with the pirate theme, if your little ones are after some swashbuckling fun this half term then why not book a party at Underwater Street? At no extra cost, the venue is offering a pirate (or princess themed for the girls) party which includes a hot meal, drinks, ice-cream, invitations and party bags as well as loads of games and activities including galleon workshops, a science show, walk the plank, pelt the pirates, a slime factory and crocodile workshops. Shiver me timbers! For more information telephone 0151 227 2550 or visit www.underwaterstreet.com

DISNEY on Ice will be skating its way into the ECHO Arena Liverpool from February 27 until March 3. This all-new production features more than 50 classic and contemporary Disney characters who have captivated audiences around the world. Let’s Party! is a magical medley of celebrations with Mickey Mouse and friends and is jam-packed with fun surprises, spectacular skating and vibrant costumes.

The show is all about experiencing holidays and celebrations through the eyes of the Disney characters, Celebrate a Merry Unbirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter, a Royal Valentine’s Day Ball with the Disney Princesses, a Hawaiian luau with Lilo & Stitch, a winter wonderland with Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear and much more. Book early to avoid disappointment. Family tickets start from £44, visit www.echoarena.com or call the ECHO Arena box office on 0844 8000 400.

FEBRUARY 13 BREAKFAST PANCAKES

BANANA AND CHOCOLATE PANCAKES

Serve immediately. Makes 8 to 9 pancakes and is suitable for freezing separated by baking parchment or greaseproof paper. l

Ingredients: l 125g self-raising flour l 1 egg l 125ml milk l 4 tbsp crème fraîche l 1 tsp vanilla extract l 3 tbsp maple syrup l Pinch of salt l 30g butter

From Annabel’s Kitchen: My First Cookbook by Annabel Karmel, available from Ebury Press, £12.99

Method: l Put the flour in a large bowl. Whisk together the egg, milk, crème fraiche, vanilla, maple syrup and salt. Add to the flour and whisk to make a batter (there may be a few small lumps but don’t worry). l Melt the butter in a large non stick frying pan and tip it into a small bowl. Mix 1 tbsp of the melted butter into the batter. Use the rest to grease the pan. l Drop 2 tbsp batter into the frying pan and cook the pancake for 2 minutes until brown underneath and just set on top (with small bubbles). Flip over and cook for a further 1 to 2 minutes until golden and cooked through.

Flip the light fantastic! It’s Pancake Day on Shrove Tuesday, February 12, so why not get everyone involved and make some delicious family-friendly dishes? Be warned though – it might get messy!

Ingredients: l 50g milk chocolate, chopped l 50g dark chocolate, chopped l 100ml double cream l 2 tbsp golden syrup l 2 medium bananas, peeled and sliced l Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, to serve Method: l Put the chocolate, cream and syrup in a small bowl and melt in the microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring well in between, or over pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally and making sure the bowl does not touch the water. l Arrange sliced banana over half of each pancake. Fold the empty half of the pancake over so the banana is wrapped inside the pancake. Transfer to plates and spoon over the chocolate sauce. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. l You can make pancakes in advance and freeze them or store them in the fridge for a couple of days, interleaved with greaseproof paper and covered with clingfilm. To reheat, preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4. Stack the pancakes on a heatproof plate and

cover with foil. Warm in the oven for about 10 minutes. Alternatively you can reheat them in the microwave. l Serve immediately. Makes 4. You can use all milk chocolate, but it’s more sugary so only use 1 tbsp syrup. From Annabel’s app ‘Essential Guide to Feeding your Baby and Toddler’, available on iTunes or Google Play for £3.99

LITTLE CHEFS’ ESSENTIALS The Miffy pan and rubber mould, £24.99, from www.miffyshop.co.uk

GET yourself kitted out in the kitchen so you’re ready for Pancake Day... Archie and Aggie matching apron set and hats, £12.50, from www.thekidscookingcompany.co.uk

At Home with Ashley Thomas mixing bowls, £18, from Debenhams

Keep Calm and Carry On apron, £9.99, from The British Heart Foundation

27 February – 3 March 2013

0844 8000 400 www.echoarena.com www.disneyonice.co.uk

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 15

Homegrown talent

Promises and dreams Michelle Rushton meets Tricia McTeague, star of new Liverpool musical Heart & Soul and finds out how the plot bears an uncanny resemblance to her own life story... THIS month the Epstein Theatre will premiere the launch of Heart and Soul – a brand new musical set in Liverpool. It follows the rollercoaster journey of a young woman’s quest for success in the cut-throat music industry, whilst juggling lovelife and family drama. Set in the mid 90s, Cathy Mason, a gifted singer/ songwriter, receives another rejection letter from a record company. Disheartened, still living at home with her loving yet unfulfilled mother and recently redundant and bitter father, Cathy wonders whether she is destined to perform at dingy pubs and clubs forever – but is determined to make it big. When Cathy’s destiny becomes entangled in a love triangle between her childhood sweetheart and a Memphis record producer, deceit and betrayal threaten to shatter her dreams. It’s a journey that Tricia McTeague who plays the lead role, Cathy, is all too familiar with. In fact, the script is spookily similar to her own life story! Tricia, who hails from Widnes, is a successful singer/ songwriter who performs backing vocals for ITV’s The X Factor and has toured with Ronan Keating. But the road to stardom hasn’t always been easy and, like her character Cathy, she has her fair share of hard knocks. Tricia reveals: “Like me, Cathy has experienced lots of rejections, trekking down to London in the days before Pop Idol and The X Factor when you had to send demos and visit all the A&Rs (music industry talent scouts to you and me!). “I’ve done that trip, you go all the way there and the person doesn’t turn up. You get duped – there’s loads of sharks out there!”

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Self taught, Cathy started getting interested in music from an early age. She laughs: “My parents bought me a Boogie Box which I had circled in the catalogue at the age of nine and I would sing away to the likes of “When The Going Gets Tough!” At the age of 16, Tricia and her twin brother Anthony started gigging locally. “It was the best way to learn about the music industry and we got loads of work,”

reveals Tricia who later ventured to London in search of a record deal. “I joined a girl band called Ruby Fusion which was great fun. Then my sister won a competition to meet Ronan Keating and gave him my CD. His manager phoned me and asked me to join Ronan on tour as a backing singer.” Tricia has since worked as a session vocalist on many albums by major artists in different genres, and has performed live with the likes of Natalie Imbruglia and Ricky Ross (Deacon Blue), Andy McCluskey (OMD) and Neil Finn (Crowded House), as well as being a support act for Lionel Richie, Elton John, Pink and many more. You will have heard her voice most recently on the hit TV series The X Factor where her backing vocals have been used for numerous acts – from Janet Devlin to Diva Fever. She is an extremely versatile performer and has a real passion for songwriting, having collaborated with Narada Michael Walden, Nile Rodgers, Ray Hedges (Take That, Boyzone, Westlife) and Ricky Ross. Plus, her song ‘One of These Days’ (‘Onaji Te’) is featured on the number one selling album in Japan by Yuki, ‘Ureshikutte Dakiau Yo.’ She released her debut album ‘The Pleasure is Mine’ in 2008 and was writing and recording for her second album in 2012 when she met Maria Cavanagh and Indra Nathaniel – the writers and producers of Heart and Soul. Tricia recalls: “We met through mutual friends and they were telling me about the musical they had written. They were casting for the right person to play the lead and as they told me about her – I couldn’t believe the phenomenal parallels between myself and Cathy.”

FEBRUARY 13 Photo: Gareth Jones

And Tricia was over the moon to be offered the part. “I feel like it was made for me – it’s right up my street!” She beams. “Cathy is a singer/songwriter and has a turbulent lovelife – like me! And her mum was a great singer and almost got a record deal but fell pregnant leaving her feeling unfulfilled. Again, my mum is a beautiful singer. Plus, Cathy, like me, is confident in her ability but is shy in real life.” Tricia has been busy rehearsing and getting her teeth into the role. She admits she has never acted before but is relishing the challenge. But for her it’s all about the music. “I just love the songs to be honest,” she confides. “They are really gorgeous, so heartfelt and emotional but with a rocky edge. One of my favourites is Record Refusal Blues – it’s amazing!” The production is packed with original songs, spanning the genres from Motown to rock, dance, ballads and even jazz, entirely written, orchestrated and played by Maria and Indra who run Applet Music Productions. The talented local cast includes actress and Radio City presenter, Claire Simonsen, who plays Cathy’s Mother. Cathy’s spirited best friend and backing vocalist,

ONES TO WATCH FOLLOWING the successful premiere of their new production, the talented guys at 20 Stories High will be embarking on a national tour. 20 Stories High is an award-winning Liverpool-based youth/community theatre company which creates dynamic, challenging pieces and pushes the boundaries of theatre. This month, it launched its new production ‘WHOLE’ at the Unity Theatre which presents a bold and unflinching look at sex, sexuality and religion for young people. WHOLE was inspired by real stories of the young people of Liverpool. When the company’s youth theatre and young actors company met for a ‘Dinner and Debate’ session in early 2012 more than the food was hot, as the contentious topics of sexuality and religion were discussed with passion. Never one to shy away from challenging subject matter, co-artistic director Julia Samuels and writer Philip Osment, saw the opportunity for 20 Stories High to turn this debate into an exciting new play for young people. She says: “About 50% of our Young Actors Company have moved to the UK from Africa, and many hold deep rooted Christian beliefs. “The Dinner and Debate highlighted the challenge these young people face when presented with the more liberated sexual views of non–religious young people – trying to reconcile their beliefs whilst fitting in with their mates is a tricky balancing act. “ Using these real life experiences and the words of young people – WHOLE shines a spotlight on four friends as they come of age in 21st century Britain, attempting to reconcile religious beliefs, a quest for fulfilment, and an understanding of sex and sexuality. The production will now be touring local schools and small-scale venues until March. For more information visit www.20storieshigh.org.uk

Nicky, is played by Charlie Griffiths whilst her two potential love interests, childhood sweetheart Michael Carlucci and Memphis Record Producer Red Carson are played by and Jay Podmore and Jay Davies with Corrie’s Nick Cochrane providing much comedy with his character, Basher the barman. Tricia adds: “There’s some great characters in Heart & Soul. My best friend is a real fun time girl, with her boobs out, looking for a sugar daddy, and there are some really dark characters too, as well as lots of laughs. It will be a real rollercoaster of emotions – so get your tissues out!” So will Cathy achieve her dream of stardom, success and true love? You’ll have to watch it to find out...! Heart & Soul will be staged at The Epstein Theatre on Hanover Street from March 13-16 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and on Friday at 5pm and 8.30pm. To book tickets, call the box office on 0844 888 4411 or online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk (subject to booking fee). For more details on Tricia’s latest work visit Triciamcteague.com

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Homegrown talent

Molière transplant

Roger in The Scaffold Photo: David Flower

Scouse poet laureate Roger McGough brings his third adaptation of Molière, The Misanthrope, to the Playhouse stage this month. Paul Baker caught up with him to discuss The Three Rs – rhyming, writing and reincarnation!

Roger with director Gemma Bodinetz

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However, the quality of the text was what persuaded Roger to make Misanthrope his latest McGoughière, as he explains: “When I did The Misanthrope, actually it seemed to me that they were talking in the next room... and I was quite interested in what they were saying and what was going to happen. So once I got into it I was captured really by Molière.” Uncannily, Roger reveals how, during his time with Liverpool music/comedy trio The Scaffold, he unwittingly managed to capture Molière, or rather his likeness, in a photograph. “Years ago, we did some sketches, some comedy and I remember a photograph which I bloody can’t find now, but Thames Television blew it up and it’s a photograph of me, wearing a wig, like Louis the whatever – that period – with glasses, green glasses, and I look like Molière!” So, he looks like Molière and finds himself drawn to collaborating with the playwright across the centuries. Perhaps there’s something spooky going on here? Perhaps Roger has actually become ‘McGoughière’? “Yeah, I’m a reincarnation of him. Haha... I’m not a playwright you know, I’ve tried writing plays but I haven’t got that gift for narrative, and for things unexpected, which he has. I’m good at writing lines and verse, that’s my skill I think and hopefully that will capture people’s imagination.” Verse is certainly what Roger McGough is best known for. Born in Litherland, Roger began writing poetry at university. He then became a teacher until he found success with The Scaffold, alongside John Gorman and Mike McCartney, even scoring a Number 1 hit with Lily the Pink. As a poet, Roger came to the public’s attention in 1967 thanks to the publication of The Mersey Sound, a poetry anthology by McGough and Liverpool poets Brian Patten and Adrian Henri. His latest book of verse, As Far As I Know, was released last year. So, with his McGoughières, is it difficult balancing reverence for the text with putting his own voice and poetry into the play? “It’s interesting,” begins Roger. “People say that it sounds like me, my verse, my poetry and that’s sort of inevitable because he [Molière] wrote in 17th century French, so what’s that going to sound like? So I’ve got to make these imaginative leaps and think he was writing for this audience. “And you do take liberties with the text… in Tartuffe there’s references to people quoting in English and speaking

Photo: Will Wilkinson

YOU could forgive Roger McGough for being a bit tired of French playwright Molière. After all, the poet has recently completed work on The Misanthrope, his third adaptation since 2008 of the 17th century satirist’s work, and is now preparing for its launch this month at the Playhouse Theatre. Someone’s even created a portmanteau word for such Anglo-French literary collaborations – the McGoughière! So yes, you could understand if Roger’s enthusiasm for the great Frenchman had diminished, but not a bit of it. You see, they have a connection that has drawn Roger back once more to Molière’s door. So what is it? Roger first tackled Molière with Tartuffe, a hilarious farce which was one of the biggest successes of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture Year. He brought us The Hypochondriac in 2009, before Tartuffe returned for a second run in 2011. Did he return to Molière with any trepidation? “Well, when I did the first one, Tartuffe, I was very nervous about that – I didn’t know whether I could do it, and was very tentative,” reveals Roger. “The Hypochondriac came along and then you think, well have I done it now? And even Gemma [Bodinetz, the director of all three McGoughières], well we both thought it. Molière – you work quite intensely on it, it’s out there and then you think – don’t they all look a bit the same?” Roger explained his misgivings about adapting The Misanthrope were in part due to its general popularity in the Molière canon and the fact that there was a famous recent version which starred two of Britain’s hottest actors, Homeland’s Damien Lewis in the lead role as Alceste – the eponymous misanthrope who tells people exactly what he thinks of them – and Keira Knightly as Célimène, the flirtatious object of Alceste’s desire.

in French accents, that sort of stuff, which of course he didn’t do, but it’s the sort of thing he might well have done, in a sense. “He sends up society and that sort of thing. I, in his shoes or his high heeled boots or whatever he wore, have got to do the same sort of thing. You almost think he would like this, he would approve of this.” Roger reveals that, while Molière might approve of his playful use of the language, sometimes the actors don’t quite get his Scouse-tinted way with words. “Inevitably, being a Liverpool person, I’ll rhyme ‘chance’ with ‘romance’ – who wouldn’t? But they go, ‘I can’t say it, Roger, shouldn’t it be ‘charnce’? And maybe they’re right, but it’s all just part of the process.” In the play, the title character, Alceste, is honest to a fault, or rather to other people’s faults. So has Roger cast him as the hero or the fool in his play? “Yeah, it’s interesting isn’t it, in these times of celebrity and X Factor people say things, do they really mean it? Can you believe it anymore?” he asks. “So yes I admire him, getting to say these things. And he’s a poet, and I think

poets, because they’re not employed by anybody, in a way they inevitably just say things as they see them. They don’t have to please a newspaper writer or editor or something. Sometimes you get up people’s noses and offend, but you get to be honest as well.” So once The Misanthrope has come and gone from the Playhouse stage, is that it? Are McGough and Molière finished with one another? Are they breaking up for good? “Oh, I don’t know, I wouldn’t like to say that actually,” reveals Roger. “We’ve hoisted the Tricolore, got three done, but who knows? “There are things like Dom Juan which are quite different. It doesn’t take long before you start itching again. “People say ‘do another one,’ don’t do Molière, do something else, do another adaptation. Do Chinese or Anglo-Saxon or something. But, you know, there’s something about Molière that does appeal.” And on that note, we are left to await the latest reincarnation of McGoughière himself... hopefully, sometime very soon. The Misanthrope runs from February 15 to March 9 at Liverpool Playhouse.

FEBRUARY 13 Photos: Gareth Jones

BEAT THIS She’s gone from DJing in her bedroom, to warming up for some of the biggest names in dance music in just a few short months. Katie McLoughlin meets Adele Moss as she prepares for a very special gig this weekend...

THE last few months have been a bit of whirlwind for Adele Moss. Since winning a DJ competition run by Liverpool club night mUmU last year, the 24-yearold, from Crosby, has gone from strength to strength – with gigs in the Warehouse Project in Manchester, mUmU events in Liverpool and Fabric in London all in just a few short months. Not bad considering she only entered the competition to practice her mixing! “I’ve always been into music and I’ve been djaying for fun

since my next door neighbour gave me my first set of decks at 16,” explains Adele. “I’d always gone to mUmU nights and I saw the competition announced on Facebook, so I thought I’d enter.” Adele, who works as an assistant manager for Reiss in Liverpool ONE, was more than a little shocked when she found out she’d won the competition and beaten other amateur DJs in the city to the prize – a coveted residency at mUmU. “I entered more for the experience, I didn’t think I had any chance of winning – especially as I’d never done a live mix before,” she says. “It sounds silly, but when I read that I’d won on Facebook, it wasn’t sinking in, so I kept reading it, again and again, and then I started screaming like a loser,” laughs the modest 24-year-old. Adele’s first gig for mUmU – and indeed ever – was in London superclub, Fabric. Talk about an imposing setting for your firstever gig. How did she find it? “It was amazing, room three was a boss little room to play in,” enthuses Adele. “That was the first ever time that I’d played in a bar or anything though.” As well as having played at one of the world’s most seminal clubs for her first proper gig, Adele has warmed up for the likes of Mathias Kaden, Motor City Drum Ensemble and Matthias Tanzmann at mUmU nights in the city, and played at Manchester’s legendary Warehouse Project in November.

Indeed opportunities haven’t been short for this exciting new talent since she won the mUmU DJ competition last year. Now a resident at the wellrespected, underground city club night, Adele, has found herself catapulted onto the local club scene and, despite being a relative newcomer to the world of djaying, the talented blonde will play on the same bill as one of the biggest names in dance music this weekend – John Digweed. Adele has been given a coveted warm up slot at this Saturday’s Freeze presents: The Bedrock Warehouse Party in the Camp & Furnace. The latest in a series of high profile events from Liverpool promoters Freeze, the warehouse party will see Digweed – a man who needs little introduction to dance music fans, with an illustrious career spanning some 20 years – play a rare, extended set in the Greenland Street venue. The man behind Bedrock, the hugely influential house and techno label that’s home to the

Since winning a DJ competition run by Liverpool club night mUmU last year,Adele Moss is discovering the sound of success Photo: Tidy Images

likes of Guy Gerber and Steve Lawler, John Digweed last graced the city in 2009, when he played at Nation with Sasha. This weekend’s gig will see the Hastings DJ, who is famed for his sequencing ability and technical prowess, make a welcome return to the city and play an extended, five hour mix. Liverpool DJ and Cream resident, Jemmy will be warming up for Diggers in Room One, while Adele will play in Room Two, where she will warm up the crowd for Friendly Fires, Mark E, Waxxx and – in a very rare DJ set – Leftfield, who will be testing out new material at the event. “It’s probably one of my biggest gigs,” confides Adele, who admits that being a woman in the male-orientated world of djaying can be tough at times. “A lot of people think that because you’re female, you get more opportunities but in fact the opposite is true.” So, when you’re a woman DJ, people assume that you’ve got the gig on the novelty of you being a female DJ, rather than

on merit, so you have to work harder to prove yourself? “Yes,” agrees Adele. “When I’ve got a gig coming up, I work really hard to prepare – you’ve got to prove yourself a lot more than a man would.” So, how does she prepare for gigs? “I look at the line up and see what they’ve done recently and I try and choose my music to complement them and their style,” reveals Adele. “I will probably go for a houseystyle set at Freeze. It will be more uplifting and party than what I usually play, which will fit in with the mixes of Mark E and the other headliners in the room.” It seems that Adele must be doing something right, as gigs are coming thick and fast now. Following the Freeze/Bedrock gig this weekend, she’ll play at mUmU’s fifth birthday on March 2, when she will warm up for Panorama Bar resident Ryan Elliott, as well as one of her personal inspirations – Dinky – a female DJ of Visionquest fame. You can catch Adele Moss alongside John Digweed, Leftfield, Jemmy, Waxx, Friendly Fires, Greg Wilson, Mark E, Thomas Tuft and Mr Paul at Freeze present The Bedrock Warehouse Party at Camp & Furnace on Greenland Street this Saturday (February 9) from 7pm-5am. For tickets visit skiddle.com, www.clubfreeze.co.uk, or log onto http://youmemumu.com for mUmU tickets and info.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 19

What’s on Sarah Hooley digs out her diary to make a note of this month’s most exciting events...

BY NIGHT

BY DAY GLAM! THE PERFORMANCE OF STYLE

THIS exciting new exhibition at Tate Liverpool is a must for fans of glam. The first in-depth exhibition exploring the style and sensibility of glam – Glam! The Performance of Style – will be at the Albert Dock gallery from February 8 to May 12. All about extravagant David Bowie fashions and futuristic By Terry O’Neil 1974. National sounds, glam exploded Portrait Gallery across Britain during 1971-5 and many of the personas that emerged during this era firmly had their roots in British art schools. In total, the exhibition brings together more than 100 artworks and explores themes of glamour, camp, exaggerated identity, androgyny, eroticism and dandyism. Expect works from David Hockney, Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Allen Jones, Richard Hamilton, Peter Hujar and many more. Tickets cost £8, visit www.tate.org.uk

LADY LEVER

THEY say that behind every good man is a good woman, and the story of WIlliam Hesketh Lever and his wife, Elizabeth, is no different. Elizabeth Ellen Hulme, later to become Lady Lever, was married to the Lever Brothers’ founder and is the fascinating subject of a special exhibition at the newly re-opened Port Sunlight Museum this month. Historically, little was known about Lady Lever, but she is believed to have had a huge impact on both the village and her husband’s success. This exhibition attempts to uncover the mystery of the real Elizabeth by exploring

her upbringing, her relationship with her childhood sweetheart husband, her only son, the village residents and their reaction to her untimely death. Tickets cost £3.45 for adults, £3 for concessions and £2 for children. Family tickets (2+) cost £9.99.

WALKER ART GALLERY

AN EXCITING exhibition of artworks acquired by the Walker Art Gallery over recent years has been unveiled this month. New works at the Walker feature paintings, ceramics, sculpture and work on paper by artists including Anish Kapoor, Louise Bourgeois, Yoko Ono, Paula Rego, and Haroon Mirza. The show will consist of contemporary works owned by the gallery, many of which have not been on display before. You have also still got time to see In Seven Days... by Nicola Green. Running until April 14, the story of Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign is told in seven iconic silk screen prints by Nicola Green, who followed Obama and his campaign team across America as this historic journey unfolded. The exhibition will also include photographs and other imagery taken during the campaign trail. For more details visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker

MUST DO MUST DO...

The Monro restaurant. Photo: Paul Heap

s YOUR best to show off your flippin’ marvellous pancake tossing skills at The Monro and The James Monro in Liverpool city centre. On February 12, the two gastro-pubs will be holding a Pancake Tossing Competition. If diners at the pub can toss the chef’s special Monro pancake at their table twice, they’ll get their main course for free! To find out more, call 0151 707 9933 or log on to www.themonro.com; call 0151 236 9700 or www.thejamesmonro.com

MUST TRY... THE finer things in life at Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa’s new After Dinner Club which is launching tonight. The monthly event takes place on the first Thursday of each month, with tonight’s event themed as ‘A taste of Islay-Bowmore Burns Night.’ Guests will be treated to delicious canapés on arrival, followed by an introduction to Bowmore, a four course Scottish themed dinner in the hotel’s award winning 3AA Rosette restaurant, The Lawns, as well as fine cognac, whisky and cigars. For details on future events visit www.thorntonhallhotel.com

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

MUST SEE...

Photo: James Maloney

THE spectacular celebrations for Chinese New Year this weekend, when around 25,000 are expected to fill the city’s streets to welcome in the Year of the Snake. Events are set to include Tai Chi demonstrations, street performers, and a lion and unicorn parade, as well as a special appearance from the ‘Lucky Man’ who will be handing out red envelopes to children. The Taste of China street market will also be back and bigger than ever, plus an array of other events will continue into March.

MUST REMEMBER... TO get your tickets for Liverpool International Jazz Festival at The Capstone Theatre, February 28 - March 3. The new, eagerly anticipated event will showcase original and innovative instrumental sounds from an array of high profile international artists. From Roller Trio, Led Bib, Kit Downes Quintet, Robert Mitchell, and Denys Baptiste’s Triumvirate to Courtney Pine (pictured), the festival has a stellar line-up not to be missed. There’ll also be a series of free performances by Liverpool’s jazz scene musicians. Visit www.thecapstonetheatre.com

NME AWARDS TOUR 2013

A MUST for fans of new music, the NME Awards Tour 2013 will be at the O2 Academy Liverpool on Wednesday, February 13. The hotly-anticipated annual tour is brought to you by one of the UK’s leading music magazines, showcasing a stellar line-up from this year’s most exciting emerging talent. For 2013, the bill includes Palma Violets, Peace and Miles Kane (former co-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets), with British rock group Django Django headlining. Doors open at 7pm, tickets cost £21.48. Visit www.o2academyliverpool.co.uk

LICENCE TO THRILL

FRESH from the latest series of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, Brendan Cole will be hot footing his way to Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on February 23. One of the show’s most charismatic choreographers and mesmerising performers, Brendan will be joined by a cast of 20 musicians and dancers for a spectacular night of entertainment. The live extravaganza features music from across the ages, and promises an evening of ballroom magic and Latin excitement with something for everyone. Tickets cost £28.50, £32.50 and £38.50, visit www.liverpoolphil.com or call 0151 709 3789.

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA PREPARE to be wowed by Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. On at the Liverpool Empire, from February 20 – March 5, the show features brilliant new design, staging

WIN

and choreography as well as costumes by the much missed Maria Bjornson. It’s also being overseen by theatre giants Cameron Mackintosh and Matthew Bourne guaranteeing audiences a night to remember. One of theatre land’s longest running shows, the phenomenal music tells the story of the mysterious Phantom who lives a shadowy life beneath the majesty and splendour of the Paris Opera House. Tickets cost from £10 - £54, call 0844 871 7660 or visit www.atgtickets.com

RESERVOIR DOGS

JAMESON Cult Film Club will be arriving in Liverpool’s cultural quarter for a spectacular screening of Quentin Tarantino’s raw and explosive, Reservoir Dogs. The 90s cult-classic will be shown at Camp & Furnace on February 27 when the warehouse will be transformed into a unique viewing space for people to watch the film that made Tarantino one of the most influential new filmmakers of the 1990s. Guests will be greeted by Mr Pink, Mr White and a smooth Jameson drink on arrival, then can spy in on Joe Cabot’s notorious briefing, watch the infamous shootout and if they’re hungry, grab a taco before the action begins. As guests are ushered into the venue, cops and police vehicles will be on patrol – and if you bring your dancing shoes along, Mr Blonde will be on hand to teach you the steps to his legendary ‘Stuck in the Middle With You’ dance routine. Free tickets are available from www.facebook.com/ jamesoncultfilmclub from February 25. Hall in The Phantom

Earl Carpenter and Katie of the Opera - UK Tour. Photo: Alistair Muir

TICKETS FOR CLASSICAL SPECTACULAR!

AFTER a two year break, Classical Spectacular, will be back in the city at the ECHO Arena on Saturday, March 16. With mass appeal, the show combines the very best classical music with state-of-the-art technology, including multi-coloured laser displays and dazzling special effects that bring to life the moods evoked by each piece. From O Soave Fanciulla by Puccini, and Canon by Pachelbel to Nimrod by Elgar, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra will be joined by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir to bring you a superb programme of classical greats. The evening then culminates in a spectacular finale of the 1812 Overture with thundering cannons, muskets and explosive indoor fireworks. Seen by over two million people worldwide, it promises to change the way you see classical music forever! For your chance to win a pair of tickets

to see Classical Spectacular, answer the following question: How many people have seen the show worldwide? Send your answers on a postcard to: Classical Spectacular Competition, Best of Liverpool, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB. One entry per person. Closing date: Friday, February 15. Alternatively, to book tickets log on to www.echoarena.com or call the ECHO Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400. Tickets are priced from £27.50, subject to a booking/handling fee.

Food and drink

FEBRUARY 13

THE SPICE IS RIGHT Photos: Andrew Teebay

Katie McLoughlin visits a city centre Indian restaurant which has risen from the flames after an arson attack and emerged better than ever... Photo: Katie McLoughlin

IN 2009, an arson attack devastated city Indian restaurant, Spice City. The fire was started deliberately by a pyromaniac who tried to pass himself off as a hero – by claiming he had tried to save four people trapped inside. The blaze swept through the city centre restaurant and completely destroyed it, leaving owner Niz to face the difficult task of rebuilding his business. Four years on and Spice City has risen from the flames like a phoenix – with a new look interior, a new wine list and a new menu featuring a host of new dishes to tempt diners back. Those who visited Spice City before the fire will see that there have been a lot of changes to the layout. The dining area now has an open-plan feel, there’s an extended bar area and fresh, neutral décor throughout. The Stanley Street restaurant, which reopened in September, has also revamped its menu and when my partner and I visited on a cold January night, we were excited to see the addition of contemporary and signature dishes, alongside classic curries. We were also pleased to see that the menu included several ‘desi-style’ options, which are dishes cooked and served in an authentic way, as they would be made in an Indian home. “We’ve worked hard to create a menu to cater for everyone and there are a lot of things on the menu now that we didn’t do before,” says Niz. “We wanted to expand the menu and introduce some authentic desistyle dishes to cater for Indian customers’ tastes, as well as introduce contemporary dishes while still keeping

the classic dishes that customers know and love.” With an emphasis on Southern Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine, Spice City’s menu offers a good selection of dishes. We ordered a bottle of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc (£11.95) to quaff while we perused the menu and, after much deliberation, we decided to start with lamb chops (£4.95) and Rasqi Hansh (£5.95), with four roasted poppadoms (£3.20) and a chutney tray (£2.50) to nibble on while we waited. A signature dish, my starter of Rasqi Hansh featured chunks of duck breast which had been marinated in a mixture of tandoori and kashmiri spice blends, then cooked in the tandoor oven. Served with a side salad, the duck had a pleasant flavour with the spices imparting a hot yet slightly sweet taste to the rich meat. My boyfriend, meanwhile, opted for a classic starter of lamb chops. Marinated in herbs, spices and yoghurt, and also cooked in a tandoor, the chops were very good. Perfectly spiced, they were expertly cooked so that the fat on the chops had rendered yet the meat was moist, slightly pink and juicy inside, but with the undeniable charred flavour that only comes from cooking in a tandoor on the outside. For our mains, we went for Desi Chicken (£10.95) and Lamb Karahi (£7.75), with a side dish of Tarka Dahl (£2.95), a delicately spiced lentil dish, finished with fresh coriander and a tarka – spices and garlic cooked in ghee (Indian clarified butter). The Tarka Dahl was beautiful, with the buttery taste of ghee and roasted garlic adding a lovely edge to the yellow split lentils. It also had just the right consistency. All too often I find that tarka dahl can be served watered down so that it resembles something more like a sambar (Indian lentil soup) than a dahl, which is a lentil curry, but this one was just right and I polished the lot off

without any hesitation. The Desi Chicken was, as we requested, medium spiced but with just enough kick to keep it interesting. Desistyle dishes are cooked and served as they would be in an Indian home, and this chicken curry was fragrant and flavoursome, with a light sauce and generous use of cumin, coriander, green cardamom pods, ginger, garlic, onions and curry leaves. We ate our curries in the traditional Indian fashion, without cutlery, instead using chapatis to pick up the curries. An unleavened Indian flatbread, the chapatis were perfectly cooked. Speaking as someone who has been trying to master the art of making them for some time, the chapatis here were just right – not too thick, not too thin and with the perfect amount of charring from when they’re put on the open gas flame to make them puff up. The Lamb Karahi was also well spiced. Rich with tomatoes, spices and chunks of tender lamb, it was a nice dish. Our only issue being that the pepper and onion pieces in the curry were a little too large to eat in the traditional fashion with chapatis, in our opinion. All in all we enjoyed our meal at Spice City, the food was fresh and tasty, the staff friendly and welcoming and the prices were very reasonable, with our meal for two including two bottles of wine coming in at just under £70. Visit The Spice City, 18 Stanley Street, Liverpool city centre, 0151 236 4443. The restaurant is open for lunch Thursday and Friday, noon until 3pm; and for dinner, Monday-Thursday, 5pm-11pm; Friday and Saturday, 5pm-midnight; Sunday, 4pm11pm. A take-away menu is also available during these times.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Valentine’s Day

A selection of hand-made, bespoke diamond rings using ovals, radiants and yellow diamonds, prices from £5,000, from David M Robinson, Liverpool ONE

Pop the question in style

The Forever Diamond 18ct gold 45pt diamond ring, £1,999, from H Samuel, Liverpool ONE

9ct white gold half carat diamond solitaire ring, £1,199, from Ernest Jones, Liverpool ONE

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, so if you plan on making a Valentine’s Day proposal, be sure to impress her with one of these beautiful rings. Katie McLoughlin shows you how to dazzle while you’re down on one knee...

Platinum one carat diamond radiant cut bridal set, £3,000, from Ernest Jones, Liverpool ONE

Diamond set shoulders in platinum, prices from £5,000, from David M Robinson, Liverpool ONE

18ct white gold half carat princess cut diamond ring, £1,599, from H Samuel, Liverpool ONE

18ct white gold half carat diamond solitaire ring, £1,999, from Ernest Jones, Liverpool ONE

SCENE SET FOR ROMANCE WHEN it comes to finding a beautiful setting for a romantic proposal, Liverpool Cathedral is hard to beat. As well as being one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, Liverpool Cathedral’s tower is a pretty awe-inspiring place to propose. Standing at 331ft-high, the imposing tower is accessible via two consecutive lifts, or for the more agile among you, 108 steps! Taking the stairs may be something of a trek, but trust us, the picturesque views over the city, the Three Graces, docks and beyond will take her breath away. Liverpool Cathedral is offering couples

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE... ALL you need is love to get engaged. But, when it comes to planning a wedding, there’s a bit more to consider. So, if you’re looking for inspiration or need some expert advice on how to get hitched in style, don’t miss the wedding fayre being held at the Hard Days Night Hotel on Sunday, March 3. The North John Street hotel will play host to the wedding fayre from noon-4pm on March 3, with the help of Bliss Wedding Shows. The fayre will feature over 30 specialist exhibitors including bridal wear, car hire, florists, groom wear, gifts, favours, mother of the bride

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

and much, much more. As well as an array of exhibitors, the event will include two catwalk shows at 1.30pm and 3pm to showcase the best in wedding fashion in the hotel’s exclusive Two of Us suite. There will also be live entertainment throughout the day plus delicious canapés courtesy of Blakes restaurant. Admission is free and there will be a complimentary goodie bag for all brides attending. For more information about weddings at Hard Days Night Hotel, contact the venue on 0151 236 1964 or email events@harddaysnighthotel.com

the chance to enjoy twilight views of the city this Valentine’s Day as it will be opening the tower until 8pm on February 14, to allow couples the chance to experience spectacular views of the city on the most romantic day of the year. Those considering a romantic proposal should bear in mind that sunset is at 5.14pm on Valentine’s Day. The last ticket to go up to the top of the tower is 7.30pm. Tickets cost just £5 and are available to buy in person from the cathedral’s shop, online at www.cathedralshop.com or by calling 0151 702 7255.

FEBRUARY 13 TICKLED PINK Tickle your true love’s taste buds with these extra special Charbonnel et Walker pink truffles, £15, from House of Fraser

YOU’RE THE ONE FOR ME

From the heart

LOVE is in the air at St John’s as Valentine’s Day fast approaches. Retailers at the city centre shopping centre have chosen their top picks for the most romantic night of the year, whether it’s for the perfect outfit, a hot date or a gift for that special someone...

SOFT AT HEART Show your Valentine your soft side with this Crochet Heart Cushion, £28, from John Rocha at Debenhams

Champagne Veuve Monsigny Rosé Brut by Philizot & Fils, 75cl, £12.99, from Aldi

Set your Valentine’s heart a flutter with these fabulous gifts

HEART BEADS Trollbeads offers a selection of romantic beads including the Asian Heart bead, Silver Heart and Summer Dot bead. Priced from £23, from trollbeadbracelets.com

Lovely Heart Collection, £15, from Thorntons

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS The tulip stands for perfect love so what better gift this Valentine’s Day? This Red Tulip Bouquet is available from arenaflowers.com and is priced £29.99 with 20% of the sale price being donated to the British Heart Foundation

ALE AND HEARTY Treat the man in your life to this essential guide to over 300 of the finest beers known to man. Craft Beer World by Mark Dredge, £16.99, available from all good bookshops

TOUCH OF SPARKLE Dazzle your loved one with these delicate heart drop earrings with three crystal stones set in a silver coloured setting, £15, from martinewester.com

Agent Provocateur Eau Emotionnelle, £38.50, from The Fragrance Shop

Adidas Originals Samba, £57, from JD Sports

MALE GROOMING Treat him to this American Crew Luxury Male Travel Bag, £25, from Voodou for Him ETERNAL FLAME Set a romantic scene for the light of your life with this fragrant TU White Fig & Patchouli Candle Tin, £3.50, from Sainsbury’s Home

HOT LIPS Allow your lover to get their sweet lips around this cheeky mug. You’re guaranteed to receive a thank you kiss in return! £5, from Marks & Spencer

HEAVEN SCENT This sensual oriental scent for her, from Paco Rabanne, casts an addictive spell with an intoxicating overdose of cashmere wood, neroli and black pepper, £41.99, from The Perfume Shop

Red box bar platform court shoes, £29, from New Look

OFF THE CUFF Wear your heart on your sleeve with these Heart Cufflinks, £15, from Marks & Spencer

BEST OF LIVERPOOL 23

Food & drink Il Forno

Blue Bar

Love is in the fayre

Planning a romantic dinner for two this February 14? Katie McLoughlin takes a look at what the city’s restaurants have to offer this Valentine’s Day...

That’s amore

ITALIAN is known as the language of love, and with St Valentine himself originating from Italy’s capital – Rome – an Italian restaurant seems a fitting setting for February 14. Couples looking for an authentic taste of Italy will not be disappointed by Il Forno’s special Valentine’s menu, designed to showcase the best Italian cuisine. Paolo Cillo, head chef at Il Forno, who is originally from Potenza in southern Italy, says: “Nowhere does love like Italy. “It’s part of who we are as people and influences everything that we do. We are passionate about bringing that authentic ‘amore’ to Liverpool this Valentine’s Day and have created a romantic menu to wow our customers.” Diners will be treated to an array of Italian specialities including oven baked oysters – an aphrodisiac – served with zabaglione sauce and heart-shaped focaccia to start. Enjoy a secondi like fillet of John Dory from the Sardinian coast, served with cherry tomatoes, black olives, capers and roast potatoes, and complete your culinary journey to Italy with a selection of home-made desserts and ice cream to share. The three course Valentine’s menu is priced at £29.95 per person, call 0151 709 4002 or log onto www.ilforno.co.uk

Delightful dishes

FOODIES looking for a gourmet treat this February 14 should head to Delifonseca on Stanley Street to sample a Valentine’s menu that would have even Cupid himself swooning. Priced at £37.95 per person, the menu includes a glass of fizz on arrival and an amuse bouche of savoury bacon, rosemary and sea salt popcorn. The starter is a tactile – and tasty – sharing platter of chicken liver parfait, Parma ham wrapped asparagus, goats’ cheese mousse served with red onion and chilli chutney. For the main event, diners can enjoy oven-roasted duck breast with roasted fennel, wild rice and sweet morello cherries; slow-braised beef or Brazilian black eyed bean stew. A sharing platter of decadent desserts and a hand-made chocolate truffle on departure complete the gastronomic feast. Booking and £10 per head non-refundable deposit is essential, call Delifonseca Stanley Street on 0151 255 0808.

BEST OF LIVERPOOL

Blue for you

WITH dishes like ‘love apple’ soup, Thai chicken skewers; seared swordfish and ribeye steak ‘Diablo’ complete with a garlic, shallot and beef consommé sauce, creamed mashed potato and wilted greens on the menu, it’s easy to see why Blue Bar is always a popular choice on Valentine’s Day. The atmospheric Albert Dock venue makes for a romantic setting on February 14, and the menu is priced at just £35 per person which includes a three course meal, plus coffee and chocolates. Call 0151 702 5831 to book. Italian Club Fish

The bold and the beautiful

FOR an intimate dining experience this Valentine’s Day, visit the small but acclaimed Italian Club Fish restaurant on Bold Street. Run by Maurizio Pellegrini and fiancee Rosaria Crolla, who were semi finalists on Channel Five’s Marco Pierre White’s Kitchen Wars last year, Italian Club Fish has a sumptuous three course menu to enjoy this February 14. Priced at £29.95 per person, the menu features the likes of oysters with shallot vinegar and Tabasco to start; grilled 7oz sirloin steak or a pan-fried monkfish tail wrapped in Parma ham for mains, and a trio of desserts to share. Call 0151 707 2110 to book.

Best of British

INDULGE yourself and the one you love with a delicious three-course meal this Valentine’s Day at Liverpool’s Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, in Hotel Indigo. A romantic treat awaits you with Marco Pierre White’s decadent array of starters, mains and desserts; guaranteed to raise the heartbeat, instill passion and add flavour to this most romantic of evenings. For £50 per person, you can choose from a menu of delights, including pan-fried scallops with braised pork belly and green pea foam or beetroot and goats’ cheese with a herb salad for starters, and prime rib-eye steak with butter cooked fondant potatoes, curly kale and black peppercorn sauce or pan-roasted cod, brown shrimps and ribbons of green vegetables with steamed potatoes and red wine sauce for mains. Then top your evening off with one of Marco Pierre White’s indulgent desserts, lovingly prepared by the in-house pastry chef, including double chocolate fondant with black cherry sauce. The price also includes a complimentary rose and a box of chocolates for that someone special in your life. To make a reservation call Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, on 0151 559 0555. Dinner, bed and breakfast packages are also available.

Delifonseca

Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, in Hotel Indigo

Malmaison

Be my Malentine?

ENJOY Valentine’s in an opulent fashion at The Malmaison. The sleek and stylish waterfront hotel has a bevvy of Valentine’s themed cocktails to quaff in its Plum Bar, like a Frisky Whiskey, Cupid’s Dream or a Royal Valentine featuring Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Bloom gin, Chambord liquor, Crème de Cassis and raspberries. Served in the Mal’s restaurant, the Valentine’s menu is priced at £49 per person and includes such tantalising starters as chicken liver parfait with spiced pear chutney and warm toasted brioche. Enjoy a truly indulgent chateaubriand steak to share, with pomme fondants, creamed savoy cabbage, confit tomatoes and truffle jus. Continuing the sharing theme, finish with a caramelised pear tartin for two, served with vanilla ice cream. The hotel also has a special Romance accommodation package, which is priced at £80 per person, and includes a night’s stay between February 14-17, a bottle of Champagne on arrival with chocolate dipped strawberries, a cocktail each and a full cooked breakfast each. Quote ROMANCE when booking online or call 0845 365 4247.

FEBRUARY 13 Share the love at Sapporo Teppanyaki

Sapporo Teppanyaki

FANCY a change from the usual Valentine’s Day ‘table for two’? Well, Duke Street Japanese restaurant, Sapporo Teppanyaki, is offering diners something a little different this Valentine’s Day, with a unique evening designed to spread the love. Visitors to the restaurant will enjoy a four course meal at the communal tables while taking in the famous teppanyaki grill ‘food theatre’ together. The four course Valentine’s menu, which is priced at £29.95 per person, features such Far Eastern delights as a chicken, coconut and lime soup appetiser then heart-shaped sushi to start. Specially created for Valentine’s Day, the sushi heart is made with the finest tuna sashimi and topped with rare pink Tobiko – Japanese caviar. Mains include several teppanyaki options, like beef fillet with garlic and sesame or king prawns with chilli, garlic and mirin, all served with sauté potatoes, stir-fry vegetables and egg fried rice. There are a number of vegetarian options too, like Kimono Roll – a steamed rice paper roll with bean sprouts, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, green peas and sweet corn with a spicy peanut sauce. With desserts like chocolate spring rolls or Japanese ichigo cheesecake, you can end the meal in style. To book, call 0151 705 3005 or log onto www.sapporo.co.uk for more info.

I N D I A N R E S TA U R A N T

18 STANLEY STREET, LIVERPOOL L1 6AF 0151 236 4443

Valentines Special Appetizer

Pappadum and Chutney

Choice of Starters

The 3 Queens features three quality lead Vocals, close harmonies and a winning combination of camp, funny and highly entertaining personalities... A stunning vocal tribute to Soul, Motown and the biggest anthems from that era! And to off with a Disco to show off your moves!! And it doesn’t stop there... a FREE Bottle of Bubbly for every Mum! Lunch will be served at 2pm

Mumbay Stir fry, Razai Piri Piri Padina Kebaba (Chicken or Lamb tikka) Goan Crab Puri or Lal Pepper

Choice of Main Course

Jalapeno (hot), Afgani (medium - hot) Machli Ragni (medium - ﬁsh), Banglore (mild - fruity) Honey Badami (mild - sweet and nutty) (Choice of Chicken tikka, Lamb tikka or Veg)

Side Mix Exotic Shabji Bhaji (serving for two)

Choice of sundries or supporting sundries Steamed Basmati Rice, Pilau Rice, Mushroom Rice, Plain Naan or Kulcha Naan.

Dessert

Gateau, Carrot Cheese Cake, or Ice Cream

Champagne Reception

Advance booking recommended. When booking please quote ref: Val2013

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Food & drink

Recipe for love

CARPACCIO OF TUNA WITH SASHIMI DRESSING SIMPLE to make yet elegant, this Japanese-inspired recipe from Paul Feery, senior executive head chef at Hard Days NIght Hotel, is sure to impress. Ingredients: l 60g loin of fresh tuna (ask your fishmonger for a centre middle cut loin) l 15g diced pickled cucumber l Micro parsley, to garnish For the sashimi dressing: l 1 tbsp soy sauce l 1 tbsp sesame seed oil l 1 tbsp lime juice l Zest from a quarter of a lime l Dash of salt and pepper Method: l Make the sashimi dressing by mixing together all of the dressing ingredients. l Slice the tuna loin very thinly and arrange on to chilled plates. l Gently drizzle the sashimi dressing over the tuna, then sprinkle over the diced, pickled cucumber and garnish with the micro parsley. l Season very lightly and serve – being careful not to over salt the dish because of the soy sauce.

Put romance on the menu this Valentine’s Day by wining and dining at home, says Katie McLoughlin, as she brings you a complete menu for February 14...

LAMB SHANK CURRY

CHOCOLATE FONDANT CAKES

SPICE up your Valentine’s Day with this recipe from The Spice Lounge, Albert Dock.

FOR the perfect indulgent treat to end any romantic meal on a sweet note, serve these delectable desserts in Le Creuset stoneware heart ramekins, available from many department stores.

Ingredients: l 2 tbsp peanut oil l 2 large lamb shanks, French trimmed l 2 onions, thickly sliced l 65ml tomato puree l 400g tin chopped tomatoes l 375ml lamb stock l 5 fresh curry leaves l 100g carton natural yoghurt l 2 green chillies, left whole but pricked with a fork l Half a tsp cloves l 1 cinnamon stick l 2 bay leaves l 2 black cardamom pods l 6 green cardamom pods l 1 cup fresh coriander, coarsely chopped l Naan bread, to serve For the curry paste: l 1 inch piece of fresh ginger l 4 garlic cloves l 2 tomatoes l 1 green chilli l 1 tsp chilli powder l 1 tsp turmeric l 2 tsp ground coriander l 2 tsp ground cumin l 1 tsp ground black pepper l 1 tsp salt Method: l Make the curry paste by adding all of the paste ingredients to a food processor and blending to a paste. l Preheat your oven to 160°C. Heat half the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish over high heat on the

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hob, add the lamb shanks and cook, turning regularly, for 5 minutes or until browned. Once browned, remove the shanks from the casserole dish. l Heat remaining oil in the dish on a medium heat. Add the onions, green chillies, cloves, cinnamon stick, black and green cardamom pods and bay leaves and cook, stirring regularly, for 5 minutes or until soft. l Add the curry paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, or until aromatic. l Return lamb shanks to the casserole dish with the curry leaves, tinned tomatoes, lamb stock and tomato puree and bring to the boil. l Transfer to the preheated oven and bake, covered, turning occasionally, for 2 hours or until the lamb is tender. Set aside for 5 minutes to cool, season with salt and pepper to taste. l Slowly add the natural yoghurt to the curry, stir thoroughly, then add the chopped fresh coriander. l Serve the lamb shank curry immediately with naan.

Ingredients: l 100g chocolate l 100g butter, plus a knob of butter for the moulds l 3 eggs l 50g self-raising flour l 100g icing sugar Method: l Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F/Gas mark 6. l Melt the chocolate and the butter together in a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water. l Mix the sugar, flour and eggs

together in a separate bowl. l Add the melted chocolate/butter mixture and mix well. l Butter the heart ramekins and sprinkle with flour, then pour the mixture into the ramekin moulds. l Cook for between 10 and 15 minutes – the fondant should be cooked on the top and still gooey in the centre. l Either serve in the heart ramekins with a dusting of icing sugar, or remove the fondants from the moulds straight away and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

FEBRUARY 13 Heart teapot, £10, from John Lewis

Ashley Thomas at Home, large heart casserole dish, £22, from Debenhams

Cupid’s cookware Valentine’s heart shaped cookie cutters, £1, from Tesco

Valentine’s heart shaped frying pan, £2.50, from Tesco

Sweetheart Champagne flutes, £15 for two, from Marks & Spencer

IT’S OKAY TO CHEAT... FANCY a romantic night in, but can’t cook? Cheat this Valentine’s Day with a little help from Delifonseca. The award-winning deli and restaurant has launched a special Valentine’s at Home menu, which its talented chefs will prepare and you simply pick up then follow the step-by-step instructions complete with photographs, to create restaurant-worthy grub at home. The menu, which is priced at £37 per couple, begins with a shared starter platter featuring a trio of terrines – goats’ cheese, tarragon and chive; chicken and piquillo pepper ballontine; and duck and morello cherry rillette – accompanied by mint and mango tabbouleh, beetroot and horseradish remoulade and crostini. After the tactile sharing starter, mains include the likes of heart-shaped fish cakes with vegetable gateaux and tomato and beetroot confit; or freerange Goosnargh chicken leg with truffle stuffing, mashed potato, roasted vegetable gateaux and veloute sauce. To end the meal in style, dessert is also a sharing platter – featuring lemon meringue roulade, chocolate toffee tart and a trio of jellies (raspberry, strawberry and ‘the last Rolo’) with shortbread. The menu is priced at £37 per couple and a nonrefundable deposit of £10 is required when placing your order. Orders must be received by Tuesday, Feburary 12. Call 0151 255 0808 to find out more or log onto www.delifonseca.co.uk

Ashley Thomas at Home, heart ramekins, £4 each, from Debenhams

Valentine’s six heart silicone cake cases, £1.50, from Tesco

A true Italian experience

Love Heart apron and oven glove set, £20, from Very.co.uk

Franco’s

Franco’s Restaurant is situated at 48a Castle Street in the heart of Liverpool. Open daily for lunch and dinner - until 11pm on Saturdays Opening Times Franco’s Restaurant is open six days of the week: Monday-Friday: 11.30am to 3.00pm Tuesday-Saturday: 5.30pm to 11.00pm

Welcome valentines 3 Course champagne and canapes Meal

£25.95

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including a rose for your loved one!

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236 3375 ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥

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♥Valentines Book now for ♥ Day

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♥ BEST OF LIVERPOOL 27

Homes MyricaDesign Sir Elton headboard (available in two colours and two sizes), from £540, from Cloudberry Living

You Light Up My Life, £54.95, from www.oliverhayden.com

Maroon and slate ceramic table lamp, £76.60, from The Chandelier & Mirror Company Ltd

THE LOOK OF LOVE Set the scene for a night of amore says Sarah Hooley... IF good old Saint Valentine was still around we’re sure he’d be busy sprucing up his boudoir ready to impress his beau this February 14. Okay, well maybe not, but giving your sleeping quarters a romantic new look is undoubtedly a good way to woo your other half. All about love, sensuality and intimacy, the bedroom should be a place of romance and relaxation. Opt for soft faux fur throws and tactile cushions scattered

on the bed, as well as scented candles strategically placed to give your room a soft (and flattering) glow. Light any table lamps and use heavy drapes to sweep across the window. As for bed spreads, stick to greys, or deep shades like plum and merlot to set the scene. No tacky bright reds or satin sheets, thank you! Finally, relax and enjoy. With a little imagination you’re sure to set your partner’s pulse racing...

Smoke droplets ceiling light, £149, from Marks & Spencer

Love heart frames, £75, from www.vintageplayingcards.co.uk

True Amour cushion, £75, from The French Bedroom Company

Glamour chaise, £549, from Marks & Spencer

Mayfair chair in pink, from Next

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FEBRUARY 13 Plumage throw, £120, from The French Bedroom Company

Vintage Playing Cards ‘I Love You Just The Way You Are’ frame, £195, from www.vintageplayingcards.co.uk

Mull Cream Bed, £999, from www.theheadboardworkshop.co.uk

Moulin Noir Bed, £1,099, from Ivory Pearl Interiors

A DOG’S LIFE Westie shaped ‘Mabel’ blackboard, £19, from www.retreat-home.com Windhund table lamp, £135, from www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

Mr Dawg antique wall hanging, £120, from www.alexanderandpearl.co.uk

FROM cuter-than-cute Westies to wrinkly bulldogs with a face only a mother could love, dogs are one of the key interior trends for the year ahead . . .

Obedient poodle white side table, £195, from www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

Personalised ‘Mabel’ cushion, £24.99, from www.GettingPersonal.co.uk

Carola van Dyke Gary the Bull Terrier cushion, £75, from cotswoldtrading.com

Tartan puppy bumperstop doorstop, £15.95, from www.prezzybox.com

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Travel

FEBRUARY 13

Romantic retreats Green Bough Hotel, Chester

IF you’re planning to whisk your loved one away this Valentine’s Day, here are our picks near and far...

Great John Street, Manchester

GREEN BOUGH HOTEL, CHESTER

WANT to leave reality behind for a few days? This beautiful Victorian town house hotel offers the perfect getaway. The luxury four-star hotel, located just outside the historic city centre of Chester, has a selection of sumptuous suites or rooms, each with their own identity. We particularly love the opulent ‘Tabley’ with its muted mushroom tones and cream antique cast iron bed. The hotel also has a roof top garden, Champagne bar and an acclaimed restaurant. Take advantage of its Valentine’s ‘Love and Luxury’ package and enjoy an array of luxuries including strawberries and chocolates, flowers, a full English breakfast and gourmet dining experience from £295 per room. Visit www.chestergreenboughhotel.com Stanley House Hotel

THE SIR THOMAS HOTEL, LIVERPOOL

The Sir Thomas Hotel, IF you’re staying local, but still fancy Liverpool a night of romance, The Sir Thomas Hotel could be the answer. The boutique hotel, located in city’s business district, is elegantly decorated and has 39 bedrooms, including a luxury suite sumptously refurbished for an extra touch of opulence. There’s also a stylish restaurant and bar – perfect for an intimate dinner-a-deux. To celebrate Valentine’s Day the hotel is offering a luxury Champagne dinner, bed and breakfast deal with a bottle of bubbly and chocolates in your room for £160 per couple on Thursday, 14 and Friday, 15, or £210 per couple on Saturday, February 16. Visit www.sirthomashotel.co.uk

STANLEY HOUSE HOTEL, NEAR PRESTON

AN award-winning hotel and spa, Stanley House Hotel is nestled in 54 acres of Ribble Valley countryside just outside the city of Preston. The grade II listed building has been spectacularly converted and extended to boast 30 bedrooms, including 12 that are opulent, individually-themed and a further 18 ‘woodland rooms’. The hotel also boasts a world-class spa, stylish Grill on the Hill restaurant, and Mr Fred’s bar and lounge. A delicious menu is available at the restaurant on February 14 for £55pp, or £29.95pp in Mr Fred’s and you can add a night in a double room with farmhouse breakfast to your dinner from £150 per room. Visit www.stanleyhouse.co.uk

GREAT JOHN STREET, MANCHESTER

A STONE’S throw from Manchester’s most exclusive shopping areas is this chic, boutique hotel. Once a Victorian school house, Great John Street, boasts 30 plush duplex bedrooms and suites decorated in five distinctive styles. Expect features like exposed steel beams, goose down feather pillows, and cast iron roll-top soaking tubs. Guests can also make use of a bar, library, and roof garden playground comprising a terrace, hot tub, sun lounges and stunning city views. Decadence defined! Visit www.eclectichotels.co.uk/great-john-street

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Il Sogno Di Giulietta, Verona

IL SOGNO DI GIULIETTA, VERONA

AS epic tales of romance stories go, they don’t get much better than the starcrossed lovers of Romeo and Juliet. So why not arrange a trip to Il Sogno di Giulietta, in Verona? The luxury hotel – which translates as Juliet’s Dream – oozes charm and has a selection of elegant rooms, including a number of suites boasting double Jacuzzi tubs. It’s also located within Juliet’s courtyard, home to the most famous balcony in the world. At night the hotel is closed to the hordes of visitors who flock there during the day, leaving you to soak up the magic. Many of the rooms also boast views of the balcony. Visit www.juliet-dream.com

THE PAND HOTEL, BRUGES

Kamer 01, Amsterdam

KAMER 01, AMSTERDAM

WITH its cobbled alleys, pretty waterways and beautiful architecture, Amsterdam is a great destination for any romantic trip. And, the Kamer 01 is an ideal hide-away for trend-conscious couples. Built in 1585, the boutique bed and breakfast enjoys a great city centre location on the Singel Canal. With only two rooms – the Red Room on the second floor and the Blue Room in the attic – it has an intimate atmosphere, and hosts Peter, Wolter and Tommie (the Beagle) have combined original features and mod cons with a retro twist. We especially love the Blue Room’s ultra-kitsch round bed. Prices start from 218 euros per night (rising to 238 euros from March 22, 2013). Visit www.kamer01.nl

THE pretty little city of Bruges is fast becoming one of the hippest holiday destinations in Europe. And, a few nights at The Pand Hotel is sure to win your loved one’s heart. With an intimate lounge, library, romantic bar, and country style breakfast room with waiter service and Champagne (well, why not?), plus 26-opulent bedrooms it offers discreet luxury. In particular we adore the Junior Suites – furnished with Ralph Lauren fabrics, a Jacuzzi and Hermes Baldaquin bath products. The hotel is a proud member of ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World’, and has been voted as one of the 100 best hotels in Europe by the Sunday Times. Find out more at www.pandhotel.com The Pand Hotel, Bruges

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