Essential viewing

A fire girl with a fiery temper and a water boy with a tendency to turn on the waterworks: the two are complete opposites, right? So what happens when they’re forced to work together? is an animated Pixar/Disney film where characters made up of different elements of nature--fire, water, earth and air--live together in Element City: they play sports, make art, run deliveries, work at city hall, fall in love, etc. The world-building is super creative (keep an eye out for how the different neighbourhoods of the metropolis have their unique characteristics), the visual animations are very sophisticated, it’s got a heartwarming story (as a child of immigrant parents who grew up in the US, I felt like I could relate a lot to Ember) and fun characters. Lots of puns (if you stay for the end credits, breakfast cereal fans may be amused to see boxes of Frosted Flames, Shredded Wood or Smoke Puffs scroll past). LL

Find out how four detectives operating in four periods (1890, 1941, 2023, 2053) investigate the same murder and take on (without really knowing it) a band of time-jumping authoritarian terrorists in the miniseries Bodies (2023), set in London. Or, I guess, several Londons. Camp enough (listen to the plot synopsis) that it enjoys itself while also, for what it is, unusually coherent from a character perspective. Bring low expectations and it will pass (cue groaning laughtrack) the time. JP ()

We’ve been watching , about a fictional women’s wrestling show taped in mid-1980s Los Angeles, on Netflix. I was a bit skeptical until about halfway through the first episode. It’s been laugh-out-loud funny ever since. AG

Outdoors with family

No age limit! No time limit! The season at the “Patinoire Kockelscheuer” skating rink, located southeast of the city of Luxembourg, started on 15 September and will run until 15 April. The parking has 550 places available and is free for 24 hours, and the rink is accessible by public transportation. Kids and teenagers craving adventure and laughs can go to Patinoire Kockelscheuer for a good time and enjoy lovely music playing all over the place. During a recent visit with my kids, my son said at first it was terrifying, because he fell down and he was scared to hurt himself. But then he saw that many kids fell down and stood up again, so he did it again, over and over until he felt like flying. It’s so amazing, he said! Feeling daring? Take the bus or your personal car, no reservation needed. The entrance fee is €3 a day per kid (younger than 15 years old) and €4 a day per person for those older than 15 years. DJ

For foodies

is an Italian restaurant in Bonnevoie that serves delicious pizzas with generous toppings and the perfect crust (slightly crunchy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside). I’m a fan of the Ortolana pizza (tomatoes, mozzarella, eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers) and Il candore dell’orto (vegetables topped with fresh cherry tomatoes, roquette and Parmesan cheese). I haven’t been able to bite properly since losing a few teeth in a recent bike accident, but that means I’ve had the chance to test some of the other dishes on their menu: the risotto with pumpkin cream and truffle is excellent, as is the sciscetta napoletana (a bit like a lasagna with eggplant, tomato sauce and cheese). Warm lighting, exposed pipes, deep blue walls and soft music create a welcoming atmosphere, and the staff is super friendly. LL

Craft beer has had its (delicious) day; next might be craft coffee. The team at Jolt Coffee Roasters in Belval are--right this minute--fretting themselves about which beans to buy, how best to calibrate their roaster to tease out the most flavours, and which preparation technique is best. I honest-to-God  and drank an emulsified (i.e., poured from a tap, draught-beer-style) cup of coffee, and it was the best kind of bizarre. The pastries are also homemade and utterly worth it. JP

Jolt Coffee Roasters in Belval serves an emulsified (i.e., poured from a tap, draught-beer-style) cup of coffee. Photo: Jeff Palms/Maison Moderne

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Jolt Coffee Roasters in Belval serves an emulsified (i.e., poured from a tap, draught-beer-style) cup of coffee. Photo: Jeff Palms/Maison Moderne

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Shopping

As the winter chill sets in, those with a fondness for mushrooms find a season to celebrate. The colder months are ideal for delving into the rich and earthy tastes that mushrooms bring to a variety of dishes. They become star ingredients in comforting soups, hearty stews, flavourful broths and rich, savoury sauces, lending their unique depth and complexity to warm winter fare. For enthusiasts eager to explore these fungal wonders, Grand Frais presents an authentic treasure trove. A recent visit to their location revealed an array of over a dozen types, from the classic button and portobello to the exotic realms of shiitake, porcini, girolle, trompettes and oyster mushrooms. Grand Frais’s extensive assortment caters to every mushroom aficionado’s taste. No matter if you’re a seasoned chef or just beginning to play with these adaptable ingredients, there’s ample inspiration for your next kitchen adventure. The Grand Frais chain also has stores in Mersch and Contern, expanding your opportunities for culinary exploration. KH