Urban Cognoscenti

wheat free triumph for bread lovers against the grain

2011-07-15T15:54:00.010+01:00

I love bread, two particular favorites are soda bread and a wonderful rye bread with dried fruit and nuts that I used to be able to get at the Bread Boutique in Duke of York square. Alas the latter is no longer available – and I’ve been looking for somewhere else doing it since – with no success. Being intolerant to wheat and yeast (owing to previous over-consumption), I am forever searching for

The art of happiness - a perspective from the Dali Lama

2011-01-20T17:48:00.003Z

"Generally speaking, you can have two types of individuals. On one hand, those who are wealthy, successful, surrounded by relatives etc. If that person's source of dignity and sense of worth is only material, then so long as his fortune remains, maybe that person can sustain a sense of security. But the moment the fortune wanes, the person will suffer because there is no other refuge. On the

Pure genius

2010-05-06T19:48:00.005+01:00

This is pure genius. Simple, yet so clever and compelling.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFz5jbUfJbkFor me, the message in this is that it only takes a change in perspective to change our world. The world is what we believe it is.... believe in the positive and make it happen.

Change

2010-04-23T14:24:00.004+01:00

Having worked in the field of change for many years - and experienced much personal change through my own volition or otherwise, I've learned that it is not possible for one person to change another or group - one can only influence another persons decision to engage in a process of change or not, by creating the conditions for change. Even then the individual or group may or may not succeed in

Everybody wants to save the world

2010-03-03T11:03:00.004Z

and a fine sentiment it is. Although, dare I say, I feel a lot of such sentiment can often be ego driven. Or it can be a way of avoiding dealing with ones own personal issues; feeling that one is doing something for the greater somehow makes everything else ok. Take the infamous earth mother Angelina Jolie (and Brad is in on it too), charging forth, ever increasing family in tow, determined to

2009-11-03T13:36:00.003Z

Good food only takes 10 minutes I have real concerns about the health of our and other western nations, largely owing to poor diet, which have been getting worse ever since post World War II and the end of rationing. Since then we seem to have been increasingly embracing eating ‘junk’ and processed food as the norm. It seems now that eating junk/processed food, and as much

New jewel in the Cape

2009-03-21T18:53:00.012Z

I've just recently returned from a trip to the southern hemisphere, the first in a while and my first to Cape Town, South Africa. I had been told by many how beautiful it is as a place and the outstanding quality of food and wine.... and I wasn't disappointed. As usual I sought out the little gems the cape had to offer - from cafes to bars and restaurants.... and struck gold (or semi-precious

when is enough, enough?

2009-03-03T21:25:00.005Z

In the midst of the current sea of economic opinion and discussions I've been reflecting on both my business studies and experiences. My reflections turned to the question of growth, economic, profit, revenue, turnover - the usual suspects in the business and financial worlds. During many years working with large, fairly mature organisations though numerous sales, flotations and growth cycles

something for the weekend valentine?

2009-02-09T21:13:00.009Z

So, here we are with our first commercialized celebration of 2009... but what better celebration than that of love?Doubtless many are wondering how they can make an impression on their beloved this Saturday. I've been racking my brains thinking of what the ideal venue for an intimate valentine's evening would be. Somewhat predictably, my mind drifted to places that naturally evoke romantic

Heavenly bakery for your daily bread

2009-02-04T21:55:00.004Z

Not wishing to seem bias on the Italians, but (as far as bakeries go) this place is simply exquisite. Princi, one of Milan's smartest bakery and deli outfits has opened is UK flagship store on Wardour St in the heart of Soho. Who would have imagined a bakery come cafe and deli could be so serene? Well, at least that is, when its not heaving at the sides full of hungry customers, slavering over

new upscale brand from the brains behind ZARA

2009-02-01T18:01:00.007Z

Great news for fans of the Spanish brand Zara, who have launched a new, slightly more upscale clothing and accessories line. Not yet in the UK, I checked out their new brand Uterque on a recent trip to Barcelona for the Bread and Butter street trends fair (review blog to follow). I was pleasantly surprised by the collection of well designed, reasonable quality clothes and accessories, which were

Where to spend in times of drought

2009-01-31T15:23:00.009Z

Suffering from overindulgence, on a micro-post-Christmas level and macro post-global-over-consumption level... where does one head to spend the diminished coffers on eating or drinking out? To my mind in times like these I turn to the places that offer simple things done exceptionally well, with style rather than a fashion.... the LBD (that's little black dress for you fellas) of the gastro world

2009-01-31T14:14:00.000Z

Welcome to the cognoscenti living blog... I feel excited and intrepid scribing this first entry into what I hope to be the beginning of something auspicious (at least for me), and prolific.I've been working on the idea of providing a source of intelligence on enjoying the best life has to offer for some time... drawing on the experiences and encounters I have whilst on my travels, in London, UK