When typing in the word ‘luxury’ into Google it’s definition should be Gleneagles.

As one of the leading hotels in the world who prides itself on its heritage and traditional values, it truly does live up to all the expectations. Located within the midst of 805 acres of the Perthshire countryside you really do feel like you have found the adult equivalent of Disneyland- perfectly accessible with only an hour’s drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow’s international airports.

I’m sure you will agree after you have indulged in the Scottish secret yourself it’s the most private and elegant place in Britain. You can’t help but sit up straighter and sip slower as you sink into the most breathtaking environment. No wonder this was the hotel chosen for the G8 Summit in 2005 and will be a host for the 40^th Ryder Cup in 2014.

My family and I were greeted by the food and beverage director, an old family friend, who gave us a tour including the most decadent suite ever seen – if budget allows the ‘Royal Lochnagar Suite is a must, frequented by The Windsor’s, heads of state and celebs. The self control it took for me not to sign my name next to Tony Blair’s was off the Richter.

All the rooms possess the finest qualities and whisk you back in time making you feel like part of a period drama. I have to admit I was kind to myself and split my time equally between the ‘Espa Spa’ and ‘Andrew Fairlie’s restaurant – a two Michelin star heaven!

I would say staying at the Gleneagles Hotel and Spa is an experience like nothing else!

Golf was not on my agenda but it was the reason I didn’t see the rest of my family for the whole stay. They reported perfectly manicured lawns and a challenging course, 5* in all.

Luxury.

Winter Blues offer-

Not too hard to resist on a cold snowy January day? Rockliffe Hall understands our pain.

Conde Nast rarely gets it wrong when they stamp their recommendation on anything (it usually turns to gold) and Rockliffe Hall is certainly no exception.

An 18^th century gem, located on the banks of the Tees, Rockliffe Hall boasts 5 star status and lives up to it with laid back swagger. As opulent as it is there is a feeling of home you can’t escape.

On arrival the ambience was warm and welcoming, plush carpets and fabulous furniture help. You feel at ease immediately as a perfectly versed and friendly team introduce you to the impressive, state of the art facilities and glorious pampering options.

The Spa facilities were outstanding but without doubt it was the standard of customer service that really made the day special. Nothing was too much trouble.

The only criticism, if there has to be one, was that the lunch menu in the spa area was a little below par.  Perhaps this was more to do with the Orangery being next door, with its Michelin standard fayre.

Overall- disappointment was never on the agenda, a great experience and the excuses are easy to find to make a return visit.

Apparently the Golf is pretty good too but the Spa…sheer bliss.

www.rockliffehall.com

Rockliffe Hall

Hurworth Place

County Durham DL2 2DU

01325 729 999

Akbar’s, Unit 1, City Quadrant, Westmorland Rd, Newcastle, NE1 4DP

http://www.akbars.co.uk

*****

“Akbar’s, the King of Curry” the adverts claim.  “I know, I know” was my response, “when can I go?”.  I have a long-standing love affair with Akbar’s.  I lived in Leeds for 9 years and was a regular visitor to their two Leeds restaurants and the original Bradford paan house from whence the empire sprung.

It’s fair to say that Newcastle isn’t synonymous with good curry.  In fact, with the exception of a couple of more fine-dining-oriented restaurants, it’s a pretty poor state of affairs.  Homogenous meat in homogenous sauces, heavily coloured and massively disappointing.  I’ve been recommended lots of restaurants, but not one has lived up to its billing.

Akbar’s is synonymous with excellent, authentic and great value food, in luscious surroundings, so the latest Newcastle restaurant, just opened in City Quadrant, close to the Centre for Life, had a great deal to live up to.  Could it live up to my own expectations and its own hype?

For those unaccustomed to the Akbar’s experience, there are some things to get used to.  Firstly you cannot book, however as a 300 seat restaurant you aren’t likely to be waiting for long.  Secondly they operate what can only be described as a ‘zonal’ seating system.  When you arrive, the waiter who collects you from reception determines where you sit – as you will be in their waiting ‘zone’.  Thirdly the environment is far more opulent than anything you’ve probably ever experienced.

A bit more on the restaurant itself – opulent really is an understatement.  We’re not talking Michelin-starred understated luxury, we’re talking Versace – and lots of it.  The entire restaurant is clad in inch-thick Versace carpet with chandeliers and massive Versace wall-hangings abound.  It must have cost them a fortune to dress the place, but given that this is a new restaurant in a new city where they have no history or presence, it was still fairly busy, so it isn’t going to take them long to recoup the cost.

The restaurant is on 3 levels, entering from the street you come into the reception and large bar area from where you go up a short staircase to the enormous main restaurant level.  The layout here is slightly awkward given that it is split level, with a slightly sunken round area in the middle.  It means that walking round you are always on the edge of a couple of steps – not a problem per-se, just a little unconventional.  Also on this level are some raised sections overlooking the main dining area, where we were fortunate to be seated – a little more private with a great view of the restaurant.  There is another floor above the main level as well, up another flight of stairs – this area also looked quite substantial although we didn’t take a close look.

Onto the food.  The menu at Akbar’s is extensive, but not particularly mainstream.  A small section is set over to ‘old school favourites’ (Korma, Rogan Josh, Madras, etc) but they very much take second billing to more traditional Pakistani and Punjabi cuisine.  There is even a dedicated section for Lahori cuisine.  Everything is presented in traditional Karahi cooking pans, and served in a way that encourages you to eat from your own dish rather than share (although you can of course request plates!).

The meal began with poppadoms with a standard selection of pickles and accompaniments.  In Akbars this means an onion salad, mango chutney, raita and a spicy coriander pickle.  All thick, fresh and very tasty.

If this was going to be a fair comparison with the Leeds and Bradford restaurants, I had to go with some of my personal favourites, so I chose dishes I knew well.  My starter was Masala Fish (£3.45) – a large piece of beautifully cooked fish coated and fried in a mixtures of spices, whilst my wife started with Chicken and Prawn on Poori (£3.25) – a wonderfully light but rich curry on a crispy Indian pancake.  Both were expertly cooked, delicate, but very filling – it was at this point I remembered how generous portions were at Akbars – the main course might be a challenge to finish!

Main course were a Karahi Fish (£7.95) and Karahi Keema and Matter (£7.45) for my wife and I respectively.  The Karahi Fish was presented in a thick sauce that looked muscular but was actually incredibly light and fragrant.  The Keema and Matter consisted of minced lamb cooked with vegetables, peas and chilli, and was more robust than the fish but again fantastically flavoured.

At this point we were both full, but I couldn’t pass up dessert and opted for the Kulfi (£2.65) which was presented rather originally as a large lollipop with cream and pistachios.

In total, the bill, including accompaniments, with a bottle of house wine came to a touch over £50.

So did it match the hype?  Most definitely.  It doesn’t seem to matter how far Akbar’s strays from its Bradford roots, the quality and value of both food and service never ceases to disappoint.  Although the restaurant was only half full on our visit, it was a cold, wet Tuesday night in a restaurant that’s barely been open for 3 weeks.  I’d advise getting your first visit in quickly – the queues are show to grow once word gets out.

Kiara blog

Thrift boutique comes to Newcastle

Kiara  has found a new style charity shop in Eldon Square  and we’re hoping you will donate your unwanted clothes to make way for your new Kiara spring arrivals!  A mixture of vintage and second hand thriftboutique is a bright and modern store that Mary Portas would be proud of!

All the proceeds go to The  Cyrenians the charity, based in Newcastle supports and helps excluded and other vulnerable adults.

Find thriftboutique at the Monument entrance to Eldon Square, T:  07800 591 289  E:  d.wright@tcuk.org

Walk along the harbour, have a few glasses of nicely-chilled electric soup from the Sloop Inn while watching the world go by (at this stage you may even smoke a guiltless cigarette as the sun drops over the Atlantic). Then, as the warm buzz starts to make you feel like you could walk like Huggy Bear without it being ridiculous, head off further along the harbour to Alba.

Alba is a seafood restaurant where all of what you eat is caught locally and is exceptionally fresh. Don’t be surprised if your sea bass remarks that it can see its house from your plate (I had oysters and two of them tried to organise an escape committee). Alba is crisp, white, clean and casual. The entire front wall is glass looking out across the sea and the harbour. This affords diners a splendid view and also allows you to drink their excellent Sancerre in a showy and ostentatious way as others walk glumly past wishing they had had the presence of mind  to book a table. Blessed are the meek – they make it some much easier for the rest of us.

To have a fabulous evening go to St Ives. Get tipsy in the Sloop Inn. Dine in Alba http://www.thealbarestaurant.com/. Afterwards, don’t try a night time swim the mile or so to Carbis Bay. I learned very quickly that the train is quicker and less likely to result in a panic attack when you get a stitch.

And so to New York Kiara went – to that maelstrom of bouncing yellow taxis.

With the steamy streets, the 5th Avenue treats and treasures and yes, the towering crowned lady- The West’s emblem of freedom, designed by the French I might add and how fabulous she really is. Our favourite land mark. She sure would look fine and dandy in some Lily and Lionel neckwear (And as my dad quite wrongly asserts from his Geordie perspective, ‘a bit like looking at Greys Monument’).

This trip took Kiara Concierge to review two outstanding Manhattan eateries.

Buddakan as seen in Sex In The City the movie on 9th Avenue and Del Posto an up market Italiano dream on 10th Ave, reminiscent of  a Godfather movie with its design and vibe.  At both we were made to feel like movie stars.

At Buddakan we were expecting mouse sized portions however when the pre booked menu arrived, we assumed we all had to pick bits of it.  Not at all! It all came.  And boy did it come. Course after course of some of the most mouth watering delights we’d ever encountered by the time we’d completed the heavenly consumption, our Jimmy Choo heels were bending as we made our way back up to the fabulous (but very dark) bar with the downtown chic, fun and hip dress code!

http://www.buddakannyc.com/buddakan.html

As for Del Posto. Kiara Conceirge found the food glorious and as rich as its clientele. Sinatra himself could have served us and we wouldn’t have flinched.

(In fact I think he did).

Both require you to pre book menus, which is a bit disconcerting. But don’t fear. Both are exceptionally low risk options if you’re out to party, impress or simply romance in The Big Apple.

“Del Posto creates the highest quality dining experience in what is one of the greatest indoor spaces in New York City”

http://www.delposto.com/home.html

Kiara Concierge have gone to the extent of making their New Years resolution list bulletproof – yes that’s right it’s laminated and
precisely placed eye height on the fridge door.

We are aware that everyones number one item on their to do list is to work out, lose weight and be flawless for summer, super abs and toned legs is your must have for the summer season, which believe it or not is lurking around the corner! Eeeek! Look no further – ladies surgery is not the option -  gents a sports car is not going to detract from your physique – Kiara Concierge is here to ensure that you keep your promises to yourselves. Through our membership we can arrange a personal health and fitness regeime around all your work and family commitments to make it stress and hassle free!

2011 is the year we make our finances matter down to the last penny. Take charge, take control and be as efficient as possibile from everything concerning your home, car and business. Kiara concierge can arrange the best support and advice tailored to your specific needs.

As well as decluttering your wardrobe, do not be ashamed we all hate to put away our winter warmers (oh and did I mention Kiara concierge can arrange that for you to ) declutter your life . Life coaching is the latest craze. Prioritise, reorganise and focus! This is the year to make it all happen!

K C x

Well all the corks popped on time and there were enough fireworks to put November the 5th to shame and yes the elephant made a guest appearance…

From intimate gatherings to crazy, colossal  shindigs Kiara Concierge were there from beginning to end.

We organised snippets of gastronomic glory and sourced the smoothest vodka to be poured from a diamond shaped luge encrusted with Swarowski crystals.

One couple were chauffeured from one party to another in the A-team van and in complete contrast we arranged a candlelit dinner on the beach (heaters included) for a midnight proposal.

All in all a memorable time was had.

Now back to the grind as the festivities come to an end.

It is time to get those resolutions up and running- Kiara Concierge can be your ultimate guide and help you stick to them. Watch this space for our daily resolution tips.

We hope you all had as much fun as we did!

The Kiara Team

We spent November and December sourcing bespoke and unique gifts, we faced many challenges but were never defeated!

Exquisite, rare, exclusive and individual gifts were requested… Some of our favourites were:

The Perfect Fit

What do you buy somebody who has everything?

One lucky gentleman was given a gift from yesteryear  a pair of tailor made shoes designed to his taste  – comfort, style, and a complete one-of-a-kind  what more could he want?

The Ultimate bag of tricks

An Anya Hindmarch  bag was all wrapped up by Kiara Boutique and couriered to Monaco where our client’s girlfriend was spending Christmas.

The lucky lady received the Anya Hindmarch Carker bag full of trinkets and treasures including a divine diamond Cartier tank watch (we had to choose our courier very carefully)!

All tucked up

A client of ours was cooped up in bed, ill, for 2 weeks before Christmas.

Kiara Concierge swooped in and took care of everything- from Christmas card writing to Christmas dinner for 12- done.

Now that Christmas has been all wrapped up, the Kiara Concierge team are busy adding the finishing touches to New Years Eve parties home and abroad. We’ll be checking in with you after the New Year to let you know how it goes and let you know if we manage to source an Elephant – yes a real live elephant that is a client requirement at one party!

Until next time.

The Kiara Concierge team