'We're out of tiramisu and the Maia Cup I'm afraid,' the waiter said apologetically. He added that it had been a busy day in the patisserie-cum-restaurant and those two sweets had flown off the counter shelves. This was unsurprising news to me after spending a good few hours at Maia, as this is a little gem of a place that promises to impress, from its chic romantic ambience to its friendly staff and simple but well-done dishes. Firstly, it wins on location, especially if you're a shopper. The corner restaurant is tucked away on Hans Crescent in the heart of the Knightbridge shopping dist...
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If you’re looking for a hotel that’s polished from top to toe, in a way that it speaks for itself and no boasting's needed, then head to The Hari. This tucked-away spot, consisting of 85 rooms including 14 suites and a penthouse, is well-worth checking out, not only as a place to stay but also for its classic Italian restaurant, cosy terrace and lively mezzanine bar. The ten-storey tower oozes luxury with a sexy edge, courtesy of interior designer Tara Bernerd (also behind celebrity-favoured Blakes Hotel). Think low lighting, warm colours, eclectic modern art, brushed brass and slabs of marble...
Read more →This September, Jumeirah Carlton Tower’s bar and restaurant, The Rib Room, has created a bespoke cocktail menu based on several locations in the Jumeirah Group portfolio. From Dubai to Frankfurt, the eclectic menu perfectly pairs well-known Jumeirah destinations to fresh ingredients associated to each hotel. For example, the ‘English Country Garden’ cocktail is inspired by the private gardens opposite Jumeirah Carlton Tower to which guests have exclusive residents access. Similarly, the ‘Honey Bee’ cocktail is an ode to Jumeirah Frankfurt’s ‘Skyline Honey’ initiative whereby the hotel’s 28t...
Read more →Having opened barely a year ago, Sumoson Twiga is a relative newcomer to the Knightsbridge food scene, but it’s already making an impact, with its three chic floors of dining, drinking and dancing.
Read more →Pizza slices, popcorn, Jammie Dodgers and hot chocolate were our go-to accoutrements for sleepover when we were 12. But more than a decade later, my childhood friend Stephanie and I had decided to do a PJ party all grown up. Now both based in London and no longer in the Nottinghamshire wilds where we attended ballet school, we decided to check out the newly-revamped Blakes hotel in the Kensington area of town. Tucked away on a quiet residential street where houses go for a handsome sum, this place is a treasure box to explore. Over the years this secluded spot has welcomed a host of A-liste...
Read more →Going for dinner at a department store might not sounds enticing. But Harrods isn't any old department store. Nestled on the 5th floor of the maze-like Knightsbridge shopping spot is Chai Wu, a Chinese restaurant serving up a range of fusion-style treats to fuel a hard day of spending. It was 7pm on a Friday night and I'd set a date there with an old school friend who I hadn't seen for a number of years. We'd had a hard day at work, not spending unfortunately, but we were in need of pepping up nonetheless. Walking into Chai Wu you're instantly transported away from the madness o...
Read more →Jacinta Phelan (Harvey Nichols as Director of Restaurants and COO at Chiltern Firehouse) spoke about her personal career journey at a recent event at Searcys venue 30 Pavillion Road to celebrate International Women's Day. During the talk she touched on why women need to make their own game plan and not play only by men’s rules in order to succeed and get ahead in business. Here's some snippets from the talk. What's your secret to career success? JP: I learned that you should always have a game plan. Why is this so important? JP: Life can be amazing but if you don't have a game plan...
Read more →As fans of Rainer Becker we went back to where it all began - the original concept, Zuma which like his other ventures was influenced by his time in Japan. In 2002 Rainer Becker introduced this modern elegant and sophisticated cuisine philosophy, inspired by the more informal Japanese dining style – Izakaya. Zuma, is essentially made up of three different components: the main kitchen (which offers a selection of contemporary dishes), the Sushi Bar (dedicated sushi chefs), and of course the Robata Grill (a concept which originates from the cooking style of northern Japanese fishermen) which is...
Read more →Tucked away in amongst the serine neighborhood of Belgravia, Pont Street is a restaurant for locals in the know...
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