Latest news with #Fresco
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The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Archaeologists piece together plaster fragments into wall painting from ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London'
A 'jigsaw' of 2,000 year old fragments have been pieced together by archaeologists to reveal a remarkable Roman wall painting. Pieces of the fresco were discovered on a site in central London that was being redeveloped in 2021. A team of archeologists have now reconstructed the pieces of shattered plaster, revealing a detailed wall painting believed to have once donned the walls of a home in the "Beverly Hills of Roman London". Among the 120 boxes of fragments is rare evidence of a painter's signature, as well as unusual graffiti of the ancient Greek alphabet alongside beautiful drawings of birds, fruit and flowers. The frescoes once decorated around 20 internal walls of an early Roman building, making them one of the largest collections of painted Roman plaster ever discovered in London. They are believed to have been shattered into thousands of fragments by demolition works which took place at some point before AD 200. Almost 2,000 years later, they were discovered dumped in a large pit at 'The Liberty' development site in Southwark, and a team at Mola (Museum of London Archaeology) has now finally put the puzzle together. Mola senior building material specialist Han Li said: 'This has been a 'once in a lifetime' moment, so I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness when I started to lay the plaster out. 'Many of the fragments were very delicate and pieces from different walls had been jumbled together when the building was demolished, so it was like assembling the world's most difficult jigsaw puzzle.' The paintings were designed to show off both the wealth and excellent taste of the building's owner or owners. They include bright yellow panel designs with black intervals beautifully decorated with images of birds, fruit, flowers, and lyres. While panel designs were common during the Roman period, yellow panels were not, having only been identified at only a few sites across the country. Andrew Henderson-Schwartz from Mola told the BBC: "There was this thriving, bustling settlement quite early on in the Roman period, and it's almost the kind of wealthy suburb - the Beverly Hills of Roman London,. "And what this shows is that the Romans are committing to London. They're investing in London, and they're seeing it as a place to settle in, a place to stay. It's not just a kind of provincial outpost." The plaster also featured the remains of evidence that the artist signed the fresco - the first known example in Britain. On fragment contains the Latin word 'FECIT' which translates to 'has made this'. Tragically, the fragment is broken where the painter's name would have appeared, meaning their identity will likely never be known. The plaster also reveals traces left behind by the building's owners and visitors – in the form of ancient graffiti. This includes an etching of a near complete Greek alphabet – the only known example of this inscription from Roman Britain.
NDTV
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Addoni's, Green Park Feels Like A World Of Flavours Under One Roof
There's something incredibly comforting about discovering a place where everything just clicks- ambience, food, drinks, vibe. That's exactly what Addoni's in Green Park, Delhi, manages to deliver. I recently visited Addoni's for a weekend dinner,r and the place felt both luxurious and lived-in. It's a rare balance that this new entrant in Delhi's dining scene nails with effortless charm. Addoni's is a thoughtful blend of world cuisine, cocktail culture, and design sensibility, born from Riccardo Addoni's globe-trotting culinary adventures. First Stop: The Long Bar I began my evening upstairs at The Long Bar by Addoni's, a cosy, English-style bar that surprises you with its unexpected pairing of Japanese food and top-tier cocktails. The vibe? Intimate yet energetic. Soft lighting, plush seating, and enough couches and bar stools to perch yourself with a view. From the bar bites, the Salmon Volcano sushi was decent, but the Prawns Plancha stole the show- juicy, buttery, and layered with white wine and chilli butter goodness. Cocktail-wise, the Heatwave (a spicy tequila-based drink) was a knockout. It was bold, balanced, and just spicy enough to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them. The Scarlet Tranquility is for those who like their cocktails sweet and fruity. Downstairs: A Global Culinary Tour After a couple of cocktails and nibbles, I moved downstairs for dinner. The space was buzzing- full but not chaotic- with a mix of indoor and lush outdoor seating. Italian-inspired interiors, natural elements, and gentle water features create an oasis that feels miles away from Delhi's chaos. The food continued to impress. The Pomodoro pasta was classic and comforting, while the Carom Marinated Fish Kebab had an interesting texture-soft but slightly chewy-with a decent depth of flavour. My pick from the drinks downstairs? The Mango Picante- a spicy-sweet cocktail that danced beautifully on the palate. I also tried the Fennel, but found the fennel flavour a bit too forward for my liking- those with a strong palate might appreciate it more. To round it all off, I indulged in the San Sebastian Cheesecake... and wow! Possibly one of the best I've had in Delhi. The beautifully charred top, soft cake base, and perfect trio of chocolate syrup and strawberry compote made it unforgettable. What sets Addoni's apart is not just its menu or cocktails, but the experience it curates. It flows effortlessly from tranquil daytime lunches at the Fresco kitchen to lively evenings at the Long Bar- and soon, into late-night revelry with the upcoming private club, Cici. It's world cuisine with a heart, cocktails with character, and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay just a little longer.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc (LOCO) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Revenue Growth Amid ...
Release Date: May 01, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:LOCO) reported a 2.6% increase in total revenue for Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. The company successfully launched Mango Habanero Fire Grilled Chicken, which drove trial from new guests and showcased the potential of menu innovation. El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:LOCO) opened two new restaurants in Q1 and plans to open at least 10 more in 2025, indicating growth in their restaurant footprint. The company is focusing on improving customer experience through investments in operations and a new customer feedback system. El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:LOCO) is optimistic about its brand relaunch and menu innovations, including new products like fresco wraps and quesadillas, which are expected to drive growth in the latter half of the year. The company reported a decrease in restaurant contribution margin to 16% from 17.6% in the previous year, primarily due to labor inflation and higher operating costs. Comparable restaurant sales decreased by 1.3% for franchise-operated restaurants, indicating challenges in maintaining sales momentum. El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:LOCO) experienced a 3.8% decrease in transactions, despite an increase in average check size. The company faced headwinds from consumer pullback and macroeconomic uncertainties, impacting sales performance. Weather conditions in Southern California negatively affected sales, particularly during lunch hours, contributing to softer performance in March. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with LOCO. Q: What are your expectations for Q2 same-store sales given the current environment? A: We expect headwinds to continue in Q2 due to consumer pullback. However, we are focusing on our brand relaunch and menu innovations like the quesadilla to drive growth. We anticipate easier comparisons in Q3 and Q4, which should help improve our performance. - Liz Williams, CEO Q: How effective was the Mango Habanero launch, and what impact do you expect from upcoming product launches? A: Mango Habanero drove trial and showed that consumers want innovation. We are excited about our upcoming launches of Fresco wraps and salads in May and quesadillas in June. These products are expected to attract different consumer segments and drive sales. - Liz Williams, CEO Q: Can you provide more details on the impact of kitchen equipment investments on labor costs? A: We've rolled out equipment like holding cabinets that improve chicken quality and reduce labor time. These investments are expected to enhance operational efficiency and help manage labor costs. - Liz Williams, CEO and Ira Phils, CFO Q: Are there regional differences in consumer behavior, particularly among Hispanic consumers? A: We see a consistent consumer pullback across regions and income bands. The Hispanic consumer is under pressure, but the trend is similar across different demographics. - Liz Williams, CEO Q: What is your guidance for menu pricing for the year? A: We expect menu pricing to be around 3% for the year, with 3% in Q2 and about 2% in Q3 and Q4. - Ira Phils, CFO Q: Can you elaborate on the development pipeline momentum? A: We are confident in opening 10 new units this year, and the pipeline for next year is strong. We expect to accelerate growth beyond the 10 units planned for this year. - Liz Williams, CEO Q: What operational challenges did you face in March, and how are you addressing them? A: March was impacted by weather and consumer uncertainty. We also saw some operational execution issues with Mango Habanero. We are focusing on improving order accuracy and customer service to address these challenges. - Liz Williams, CEO Q: What is the status of the kiosk rollout, and what benefits are you seeing? A: Kiosks are installed in most company restaurants, with some remaining installations planned for this year. We see opportunities to use kiosks as merchandising tools to drive guest engagement and check size. - Ira Phils, CFO For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
