'It doesn't even feel like we're in London!' my friend exclaimed, as I showed her around the jungle-like innards of The Mandrake Hotel in Fitzrovia. If you've never set foot in this salubrious lair then I encourage you to, especially if you're looking for a bit of escapism in these testing times! I ventured to the tucked-away spot on a Monday afternoon, a few weeks after it reopened. Before I could enter the building my temperature had to be checked and luckily I passed the test. On walking down the pitch-black entranceway and down the inky corridor, it's like meandering into another wor...
Read more →restaurant 9
I opened the plush velvet bedroom curtains to a view of a golden Willow tree blowing in the breeze, grassy banks twinkling with morning dew and the Thames trickling on by. It felt all very countrified but in fact I was just a short walk from a London tube station. Following a major refurb, I'd present the Bingham Riverhouse in Richmond as the ultimate London staycation spot. The interiors are chic yet cosy and with only 15 rooms, there is a certain intimacy about the place. I checked into the quaint redbrick townhouse (a former literary hub frequented by the likes of Ruskin and Yates) on...
Read more →If you're looking to add a real dash of flare and flavour to your night, then COYA Mayfair promises to satisfy your cravings. The Peruvian-inspired restaurant and pisco lounge is a sultry lair where your tastebuds are sent on a journey to the sunny wilds of South America. I checked into the place on a Friday night and the dining room steadily packed out to create a buzzing yet refined atmosphere. Taking a pew on a table next to a window, a friendly waitress came to run us through the menu and explained that dishes were best shared and that if we weren't drinking wine there were lots of cock...
Read more →Eaton square bar and restaurant have recently launched a new gluten free menu offering up a menu that is still delicious but much more accessible. With now 95% of their menu gluten free, coeliacs can rejoice as they are now able to enjoy dishes such as chocolate fondant and beetroot ‘ravioli’.
Read more →I’ve lived in London for more than a decade but there’s always new things to discover. Last month, on a walk through the historic area of Clerkenwell, I stumbled across the Malmaison hotel and a few weeks later I decided to check it out with a friend from out of town who was visiting. The guesthouse boasts a lovely location, overlooking a small grassy park with plane trees yawning high into the sky. It’s just a stone’s throw from Farringdon tube station, but its leafy surrounding makes it feel a world away from the bustle of London. From the outside the Malmaison looks a little unapproacha...
Read more →One of the world's most exclusive members' clubs Annabel's - founded in 1963 by Mark Birley - is set to re-launch in London any time soon, with the venue not moving very far... Two doors down in fact, from 44 Berkley Square in the ritzy Mayfair neighbourhood to number 46. It's Rude To Stare got a sneak peek as to what regulars can expect and I can promise, they're in for a real hoot with four floors of fun awaiting, topped off with a mescal bar boasting one of the largest collection of tequilas at close to 600 bottles. Think opulence and old London glory with four restaurants, seven bars, tw...
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 →Staying at the Marbella Corfu was a luxury experience from start to finish and dining in their restaurant Platea was no exception. The hotel is home to five restaurants and Platea is their traditional Greek offering. They serve a range of refined local dishes, alongside an extensive wine list.
Read more →The Vincent restaurant & café has opened off Dalston Lane adding another bright and beautiful eatery and social spot to the Hackney-Clapton area. This is a true neighbourhood establishment. The philosophy of the team is to support all things local, unique and independent. This is evident from their choice of lemonade to where they source their gluten-free baked goods as well as their overflowing list of undiscovered ciders or IPA brands which you never knew were on your doorstep. The interior is earthy, bright and modern with glass surrounding half of the space. The environment is uplifti...
Read more →