LONDON, UK – Pop-up shops in some of the capitals trendiest shopping areas can offer jobseekers valuable work experience exposure, says reed.co.uk

As more and more high-street retailers continue to fall victim to higher rental and business costs in London’s most fashionable shopping areas, forcing multiple outlet closures, the number of temporary pop-up shops occupying the vacated space is seemingly on the rise. reed.co.uk, one of the UKs leading job sites, claim these temporary ventures are providing opportunities for jobseekers to gain relevant work experience exposure, especially if they wish to attain future retail or sales jobs in the capital.

Since the turmoil of the economic recession in 2008 heaved financial pressure on retailers, many of the UKs leading high-street brands have had to shut-up-shop in some of London’s most bustling shopping areas. Continual rises in costs have only added to the number of closures, however the vacated space has meant smaller, pop-up shops are now emerging across the capital; giving smaller traders the chance to benefit from higher levels of shopper traffic, even if it is for a limited time only.

With relevant experience highly sought after by prospective-employers, reed.co.uk say jobseekers, aiming to improve their chances of gaining jobs in London are now considering applying for work experience in pop-up shops; especially if, in the past, financial constraints have limited the time available to undertake unpaid placements.

The job site admits that one of the biggest barriers jobseekers face when undertaking work experience placements is financial sustainability- after-all most placements do not offer a wage or any sort of payment for work. However with pop-up shops only trading on a temporary basis (most are only typically open for a month at a time), reed.co.uk claim attaining work experience for such a short period of time is ideal for those unable to commit for greater lengths of time.

“Pop-up shops provide ideal opportunities for jobseekers to gain valued work experience, quickly. Not only can they gain great exposure to the retail industry as a whole, but they can see how smaller businesses can thrive in such a competitive environment,” said a spokesperson for reed.co.uk.

“However it’s not just small clothing retailers taking advantage of higher levels of shopping traffic- as you’d expect. Many restaurant owners, artists and top-brand designers, including Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney, have also jumped at the chance to temporarily rent from previously vacated shops, so there are plenty of work experience opportunities in several career sectors.”

With pop-up shop venues set-up across London, most notably in Shoreditch, East London (Box Shoreditch- the world’s first pop-up mall), Carnaby Street and Camden, shop owners have exposure to some of the busiest shopping areas in the world.

Image Courtesy of  Kamira / Shutterstock.com

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Dragonfly, Wellington’s newest restaurant and bar on Courtenay Place offers customers a different dining experience with a focus on sharing and experiencing new flavours with an Asian theme. Dragonfly offers both a formal restaurant setting and cocktail bar with full menu available indoors and out.

Customers are encouraged to order several entrees and mains for the table rather than one for each person so everyone can try a wide range of flavours and create a more social atmosphere when dining. We went to Dragonfly for a special occasion so chose to be seated in the main restaurant. For the two of us, we ordered three entrees, one main and the dessert tasting platter to share.

All of the food was packed with flavour and was filling but didn’t make me feel stuffed, which is good since we were practically licking the plates clean! The only problem with the menu was I couldn’t decide what to choose. After a lengthy discussion, we decided on the soft shell crabs, crispy chicken and takoyaki octopus balls for our entrée. The crabs are crispy outside with juicy flesh but it does take a bit of getting used to eating the shells.

(Soft Shell Crabs)

The crabs are collected in the short window after they shed their first shell before the new one is fully formed. The crispy chicken spare ribs are well seasoned and paired with a homemade sweet chilli sauce. I was a bit hesitant to try the octopus balls but was pleasantly surprised. The balls are made from mashed potato mixed with sliced octopus and a fried coating and offer an enjoyable texture as well as taste. All of these entrees were paired with sauces which complemented and added to the main flavours.

(Octopus Balls)
For the main we had the Angus beef curry with Angus ribs, baby potato and pea snaps. The meat was amazingly tender and the sauce flavoured with cardamom, tamarind and Thai basil is mild so we were able to taste the flavours with heat in the background rather than it being overpowering.

(Angus Beef)

Desert was too hard to choose so the tasting platter was perfect. It provides a selection of four mini deserts which change daily. Our platter contained a chilli and dark chocolate mousse, vanilla cream Brule, raspberry and white chocolate ice-cream, and a white chocolate pavalova with cream. They were all delicious but my favourite would be the mousse – a must-try for chocolate lovers.

After dinner we took our drinks to the courtyard to finish which is open but sheltered from the wind, which in Wellington comes as a welcomed relief.  The bar has a range of beers, wines and spirits as well as a cocktail menu containing favourites and Asian style mixtures. A unique idea is the sale of a 250ml carafe of selected spirits along with glasses for the table.

I was impressed by all aspects of Dragonfly, the food, atmosphere, drinks and exceptional service; both our waiter and the front of house staff were upbeat and had good knowledge of the menu.

The atmosphere and different areas available make it the perfect place for any kind of occasion; a casual drink or meal with friends in the bar or courtyard, dinner with business clients in any part of the restaurant, or a romantic dinner for two and I recommend it to anyone looking for a change from the usual.

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Chili’s Grill & Bar takes digital integration to the next level by expanding the guest experience beyond the four walls of the restaurant and right into the palm of their hands. With an estimated 142 million smart phones sold this holiday season, new iPhone and Android users as well as smart phone veterans, can now enjoy the new Chili’s app, making location searches, driving directions, updated menu and online ordering available at just the push of a few buttons.

The new apps and mobile site are user-friendly with a clean interface, making it easy for new smart phone users and Digital Natives alike to search for the nearest restaurant with the geo-mapping function. Using the guest’s physical location, the technology allows users to find the phone number, address and driving directions to the closest Chili’s.

“With the constant evolution of technology, our world continues to receive information and entertainment at the touch of our fingertips,” said Edithann Ramey, senior director of marketing for Chili’s Grill & Bar. “Our guests lead busy lives and Chili’s is making it easier for them to enjoy the convenience of our bold menu offerings with these enhanced applications.”

Guests can peruse the menu browser option to choose exactly what they want to ease their hunger pains. Featured items for dine-in and To Go are all at the touch of a button including Chili’s $20 Dinner for 2, where guests select one appetizer and two entrees for one great price, and the brand’s Custom Combinations, which features any two entrees served with seasonal veggies and loaded mashed potatoes.

There are several ways to download the Chili’s app. From an iPhone, go to the App Store and type in a search for “chilis.” Follow the directions once the Chili’s icon pops up. To download the app from a computer, visit the iTunes store at www.apple.com/iTunes, plug in “chilis” into the search box to access the app. From Android Market, search for “chilis” to install the free application. For other smart phone users, simply visit www.chilistogo.com to view the mobile site with the same online ordering functionality as the iPhone and Android app.

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Outside of Japan, it is difficult to find authentic Japanese cuisine that lives up to the quality and diversity of the original. But for foodies with a genuine taste for Japanese, if you do find such a place, you hold on to it and visit it near-religiously.

One such place can be found tucked away by Baker Street Station in the heart of London. Getting off the Underground, you turn right and cross the street — don’t let the obvious restaurants and fast food outlets get you on the way — and soon you will spot a modest wooden placard directing you into the complex, away from the busy street.

“Nambu is a region in Japan, where my husband is from,” explains the restaurant’s hostess, Yasuko. “Tei means a little place.” They have been in business for 11 years. “I have been in the UK for more than 35 years now. When we retire, we plan to go back. We visit Japan, but not as much as we would like to.”

The owners’ attachment to their roots is evident as soon as you step into the restaurant — it is like stepping into a different part of the world. Plenty of wood and Japanese decor ensures a pleasant and fitting environment for the culinary treats you’re about to experience.

Nambu-tei serves traditional Japanese food, from sushi and sashimi, to tempura, teriyaki and even hot pot dishes, which few restaurants do because of the amount of work required. Their lunch menu includes a wide variety of set lunches that cater to all tastes and are equally gentle on your wallet.

The possibilities for lunch are in fact so vast that it can be difficult to choose which combination you would prefer. Toonari Post recommend the Unaju Box, featuring barbecued eel on rice, the Ton-katsu Lunch or the Foodie’s Lunch Box, a beautiful three-storied box including sashimi and fried salmon. Be sure to wash it down with hot green tea.

For dinner, the prices go up as one might expect, but so does sophistication. Japanese cuisine is not just rice, tuna and teriyaki sauce. The combination of flavor and texture is unique and for true fans, highly enjoyable. Have a shot at the Sunomono (a seafood salad with rice vinegar dressing) or treat yourself to Nasu Dengaku, a grilled aubergine sweetened with miso.

Toonari Post also highly recommend the grilled eel. Some of the Chef’s recommended dishes can sound slightly intimidating: fermented octopus, seasoned jelly fish, or how about some assorted seaweed? The casual eater might not want to risk ordering something they won’t be able to eat, but often the best food experiences are the surprises you stumble upon. If you don’t try it, how can you say you’ve really lived?

The dinner menu also includes set dinners and impressive hot pots – some of which have a two-person minimum. Prices range between £28-£38 but if you do indulge, rest assure you won’t be walking away hungry. A Nambu Dinner Special for one cost £36 but you get a sushi platter, a special soup in a teapot and assorted tempura before the main course of two well-sized seafood skewers, rice and miso soup arrives.

In addition to a well prepared and beautifully presented meal, try a glass plum wine if you haven’t already. It’s a sweet and fruity alcoholic drink which you drink slowly. There are many different types and strengths; Some home-brewed ones are not for the faint hearted, but the house brand at Nambu-tei is delightful. Finish off, if you can, with a scoop of ice cream – pick from chestnut, sweet red beans or green tea.

Beyond the dining area, Nambu-tei also has rooms downstairs in the authentic style of floor seating. Parties of four to eight can gain the full experience, sitting on specially made chairs and placing their feet in the floor. Yasuko explains that their busiest days are Thursdays and Fridays and that they are frequented by office workers and people looking for a place to eat near the Tube station.

What may attract people is a welcome break from the local food chains and the generic menus. Nambu-tei is a truly original experience in the British capital. Being run by Yasuko and her husband, who is the head chef, they have been careful to keep the spirit of their home country, from the menu to the interior and to the friendly staff who all but one speak Japanese.

To learn more about the location and their menu, please visit the Nambu-tei website. They are open for lunch Monday-Friday from 12PM-2.30PM and dinner Monday-Saturday from 6PM -10.15PM (last order).

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The Sunburnt Calf BK, located in Prospect Heights, is the newest addition to the group of Australian inspired restaurants in New York City. With its unique perspective on joining the tastes of the nation down under with the exotic flavors of South East Asia, The Sunburnt Calf BK is a trendy yet down to earth place in a relaxed neighborhood.

Only opened for about two months, this Brooklyn restaurant is the perfect spot to try creatively presented and well thought out dishes, with flavors from a world away. Almost immediately upon arrival to the restaurant, the friendly staff offers complimentary shots of their signature Moo Juice.

The Sunburnt Moo Juice contains a passionfruit infused tequila mixed with orange and strawberries. The sweet combination of the fruits mask the usual punch of the tequila well, making for a refreshing way to start off the dinner. The restaurant offers over a half dozen appetizer selections, all of which take South East Asian inspired ingredients, served with an Australian flare.

It is their signature “Australiasian” approach to food that makes The Sunburnt Calf BK’s menu stand out amongst others. The shrimp toast is a savory small plate that contains bites of crispy toast, covered with a layer of mouth watering shrimp. Accompanied with the shrimp toast is an orange plum sauce that gives a sweetness to the dish.

Another must have from the small plate section of the menu is the steam buns with red-braised pork belly. The succulent pork belly is served with sprouts and a dressing, inside a soft steam bun. The light and airy bun is well complimented with a mouthful of packed ingredients.

The long bean dish is a generously sized appetizer that is served with a watercress salad, along with toasted coconut, peanuts, and kaffir. The long beans have a nice bite to them, and the addition of the shaved coconut is a surprising touch that takes this dish to another level.

One of the highlights on The Sunburnt Calf BK’s menu is the Wrap & Roll. Diners have the choice of two meats, which can be crispy Thai chicken, roast duck, red cooking braised pork belly, or curry short ribs. Miniature round roti is served on the side, along with a variety of smaller dishes that can be combined in a wrap.

There is a mildly spicy sauce, Vietnamese guacamole, cucumbers with onions and cauliflower, and herbs including parsley and basil. The Wrap & Roll is a fun and interactive dining option, as people can choose what flavor combinations to pair together.

As a side dish, the sauteed baby bak choy is a perfect choice, in which the classic Asian vegetable is showcased to perfection. Garnished with garlic and a tiny but heat packed chili pepper, the baby bak choy so flavorful you’ll forget you’re eating vegetables.

There are plenty of meat and poultry options on the menu, as well as fresh seafood plates that continue to bring the flavors of Australia and Asia to Brooklyn. The barramundi dish, an Australian fish, is fried in a tumeric beer batter and served atop vermicelli noodles. It is sprinkled with dill and a Vietnamese sauce which equally blends the Australian and South East Asian flavors in one bowl.

The outer layer of the fried fish is crunchy, while the inside reveals a delicately soft white, fresh fish. The unique flavor of dill gives the fish and vermicelli noodles a nice extra component. Seafood options continue with large prawns steamed in beer. Served in a broth that is infused with garlic and lemongrass, these prawns are soft and have just the right amount of spice to give the dish an extra kick.

Capping of the dinner with a couple of The Sunburnt Calf BK’s desserts is a smart choice, as the restaurant packs a lot of sweetness into their desserts. A Thai tea cupcake with cream cheese frosting has just the right amount of frosting to balance the cake, which is moist and flavorful. A creamy flan with diced pineapple and chocolate sauce is another stellar option for dessert lovers.

The richness of the flan pairs well with the crunchy yet juicy texture of the pineapple, while the chocolate sauce gives the plate an extra hit of sugar.

The cocktails available at The Sunburnt Calf BK are masterfully designed with creative combinations. The Lemongrass Rickey, which has Sombra Mezcal mixed with fresh lemon juice, lemongrass agave, pepper bitters, and club soda, is a refreshing drink that has a layer of subtle peppery flavor.

The Zu Moscow Mule contains Zu Bison Grass Vodka, fresh lime juice, Bundaberg Australian Ginger beer, and lychee puree. The infusion of Australian and Asian cultures can be perfectly seen in this drink, with its Australian ginger beer and Asian lychee puree. For a stronger drink option, the 5-Spice St. Clair, is a cocktail made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, 5-spice agave, and orange and angostura bitters.

More potent than the other drinks, the 5- Spice St. Clair is one not to be missed. Aside from the delectable array of food, the staff and owner at The Sunburnt Calf BK is extremely friendly and helpful when choosing items from the menu. They will happily explain the ingredients of the dishes as well as how they are prepared, and are greatly attentive throughout the whole dining experience.

Local diners in the restaurant easily give high reviews for The Sunburnt Calf BK. “The knowledgeable staff make for a real appetizing experience,” said Christine Youssef, a Brooklyn native. “The ambiance of the restaurant is warm, I like how it is a chic place but it’s also family friendly. The Asian and Australian inspired food is delicious, I’m going to be stuffed for days.”

The restaurant currently serves dinner every evening as well as brunch on the weekends. A crowd favorite is their endless brunch option at $20-$25. Included is one choice of a brunch item, along with all you can drink moomosas, moo Mary’s, Fosters, screwdrivers, and greyhounds. In the next upcoming weeks, The Sunburnt Calf BK will begin to serve breakfast and lunch.

The Sunburnt Calf BK is located at 611 Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. For more information on making a reservation, check out www.moolifegroup.com or call 347-915-1000.

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Normally, if you want great tasting food, it’s likely to equal more bucks out of your pocket – and that applies to a lot of places in the world. One thing to know: not in Bangkok. What this capital city of Thailand offers leave visitors wanting to come back. Think about it, ten dollars a day with a heavenly delicious meal, hard to beat right? Just forget those expensive high-end restaurants, and start eating like a local.

With no further adieu, let me introduce you to the areas of Bangkok where dinning offers endless choices from restaurants, cafes, to street vendors. These places allow foodies to experience a unique kind of food experimentation. Key thing is to try out street vendors. It is highly understandable that many of us are used to eating in restaurants, but the food these Thai street vendors provide is truly flavorful, even air conditioned restaurants seem finding it hard to match.  Moreover, some of these vendors open until early morning. Whatever time of the day, rest assure, starving is out of the question. Keep in mind it’s not about which place to try specifically, it’s about trying as many as you can. The following areas are worth checking out:

Chinatown (Yaowarat)

If you ask anyone who lives in Bangkok what the best area for great street vendor eating is, they would all say Chinatown, known for Thai food with a heavy Chinese influence and fresh selection of seafood. Walk along this street and you will find multiple vendors as well as upscale Cantonese restaurants. Go for the ones you see busy, it is unlikely that you’ll be disappointed. Certain Chinese inspired food requires an adventurous mind to try. Most visitors have the habit of picturing how the stuff on their plate would look like alive. Don’t, you’ll miss out on trying something unavailable at home. “It’s an extreme place. You go from something really cheap to something really expensive” said Saisawat Iamlaoir. Certain ingredients used in upscale Chinese Cuisine are hard to find, and because of that, they are obtained at such a high price. Shark fin soup and bird nest in sugar syrup are the area’s delicacies. Dim sum restaurants and noodle stands are also worth trying.

Old Town

This location makes it very convenient for visitors to The Grand Palace and various temples around the area. The old town is an attraction in itself, but what many don’t realize is, it is also an excellent authentic local food scene where 300 baths (equivalent to $10) can go real far. Old town is the kind of place you go with an empty stomach and take advantage of the small plate portion, allowing you to try a few different dishes. Thai noodle soup, curries, sautéed dishes are recommended by the area expert.”Also, there are many bakeries and coffee stand in the area. Thai iced tea here is made from original recipe and it tastes wonderful.” said Saisawat Iamlaoir.

Sukhumvit

Now comes contemporary dinning with a modern atmosphere, a melting-pot of international cuisine with a big mixture of Thai flavor. and Sukhumvit.  Italian, French, American, Japanese, and Korean cuisines are to be found throughout the area. Grayhound, for example, is a small hip franchised restaurant featuring fusion Thai cuisine and famous international dishes, has two locations in the area, Emporium Mall and Central Chidlom. Keep in mind this is a business and a main tourist area, higher price tag for each dish is expected.

Siam

Siam, the “it” area of Bangkok where young people shop, eat, and hangout with their friends. This eccentric corner of the town ranged from simple Thai restaurants to fashionable, vibrant cafés. For many of us, it’s hard to not stop by a small ice-cream stall or to get a cup of bubble tea on the sidewalk. A few places to try out in the area include Som Tum Nua (Siam Square, soi 5), Northeastern eaterie famous for dishes such as traditional papaya salad (som tum), grill sliced pork, and pork salad. Chabuton Ramen (Siam Square, Soi 3), opened not too long ago, offered the authentic taste of Japanese noodle soup (Ramen) with an award winning recipes.

These are just a few examples of what Bangkok has for food lovers. With countless choices of dinning and great food diversity, even the local find it hard to choose where to eat. I asked Chulee Songsilp, a Bangkok resident, to recommend me one spot best for foodies and her respond was “It’s impossible to pick one. There are just too many good places out there”. Well, it is.

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