I hadn’t been to The Bloomsbury Hotel for some years but on a recent visit there I couldn’t believe the transformation. The historic 153-room property underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment last year masterminded by interiors pro Martin Brudnizki, who has worked on iconic London venues such as The Ivy and Scott’s. The place now oozes sex appeal, with luxuriously warm interiors enveloping you from the bustling concrete world outside. A few of my friends had mentioned the Coral Room, which is an impressive bar located on the ground floor but I ventured to the hotel on a Monday night to...
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It's somewhere I've walked by numerous times, but now I know what's lurking inside 30 Portman Square it's somewhere I'd definitely recommend as a more luxurious spot to stay in the city. The rather austere-looking building is home to the five-star Hyatt Regency London The Churchill, named and decorated in honour of the former Prime Minister. Not only does the place boast a prime location - around the corner from Marble Arch tube station and Hyde Park - it also serves up top notch service and delicious food, with a Michelin star restaurant on site. The moment you step into the Hyatt Regency,...
Read more →I always find it tricky to find a decent spot to eat around Bond Street, but that problem has now evaporated thanks to the addition of Harry’s Bar on James Street. Stepping into the venue on a Friday night, it proved to be a sophisticated old school oasis and a safe haven from the flurry of tourists and shoppers swarming the streets outside. Jazz music was playing, the lighting was low and I could see that my friend Ralph had ordered me a vodka olive martini with one of the white-suited bar men delicately shaking it into a sippable blend. Before dinner we opted for a drink at the bar. Unli...
Read more →'Pace yourself!' was the instruction we originally received before tucking into a multi-course James Bond food and drink extravaganza. ‘That’s not very in the style of James Bond,’ I thought to myself, as I imagined the infamous spy having little restraint in many aspects of life, especially on the subject of pleasure. The event was taking place at one of my favourite venues in London, The Distillery on Portobello Road, and I was sat in the upstairs private dining room with 20 other guests. There was a group of Americans, a man from Norway and Londoners, all brought together by one thing - ...
Read more →Ultra-premium London Dry Gin, Berkeley Square, is set to unveil its exquisite new look for the first time with an exclusive residence, GINTESSENTIAL, at prestigious Mayfair members’ club, Morton’s. Open to club members and Londoners alike from September 5th to the 28th, guests are invited to step into a cocktail oasis like no other featuring bespoke serves using Berkeley Square Gin. The GINTESSENTIAL menu, co-created by Berkeley Square Gin and Morton’s head bartender, Constantino Armocida, includes a selection of gin cocktails that show the versatility of the UK’s favourite spirit, and also ...
Read more →What does a cut of tender grouse, a knickerbocker glory and a moreish martini all have in common? They’re all on the menu at 45 Jermyn St, a smart restaurant tucked away in Mayfair which is well worth checking out. The eatery, which is actually within fine food purveyor Fortnum & Mason, serves up an array of classic and seasonal dishes with grouse season now in full swing. I ventured to dinner on a Friday night and the place had a great buzz. Taking a corner table, I instantly felt at ease with low lighting and some soft jazz music setting the mood. The cosy interiors were designed by...
Read more →Finding a rooftop in London where you can drink well-mixed cocktails and eat good food is a pretty hard combination. But the new roof at The Trafalgar St James hotel hits both spots. I try to avoid central London when I can, but sat on the top deck of this new spot I felt a world away from the hustle and bustle downstairs. We picked a couch table, with views of the city skyline peeping out before us and chefs busily whipping up dishes from the open kitchen. There was a good atmosphere, with upbeat music and chatter from other guests setting the tone. It was a really hot evening, so we put...
Read more →If you love a bit of classical music and delicious food, then tune into The Ivy Kensington Brassiere for its latest offering. The perfectly appointed restaurant has crafted a special menu around this year’s BBC Proms. We checked into the eatery on a Sunday evening at 6pm before an 8pm concert at the Royal Albert Hall. With it being a warm evening, we decided to take a table in the tucked-away terrace area. To kick things off, we decided to try the two musical inspired cocktails. The Strawberry Symphony features a delicious mix of Chase vodka, strawberry syrup, lemon juice, watermelon cube...
Read more →For a taste of old-school London, Le Caprice hits the spot. This classic restaurant, tucked away in the heart of Mayfair, oozes sophistication without being stuffy. Think Art Deco-style interiors, David Bailey photographs and smartly-dressed waiters brimming with charm. I hit the restaurant on a Monday night and the place was abuzz, with a bubbling of chatter and jazz piano lifting the mood. The outside terrace was full, but we were shown to a lovely little table towards the back of the restaurant, with light flooding in through the window. To set things off, we went for a couple of vodka...
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