I wouldn't have put vegan meals and comfort food in the same box but my latest dining experience has flipped that preconception on its head. The Perception at W London has launched its latest dining series (running until the end of June) with British chef, Ravinder Bhogal, making her debut. The culinary whizz has crafted a vegan menu in homage to her niece who became a vegan two years ago forcing her to think and cook in an original way – to design delicious dishes that were satisfying, creative and nourishing, but were incidentally vegan too. The result is a hearty spread of plant-based fo...
Read more →Sadie Whitelocks 9
Airport hotels usually have the same kind of vibe; corporate, impersonal and a little drab. But I was delighted to find on landing in Nairobi, of all places, my vision of airport hoteling turned on its head. The Four Points by Sheraton opened four months ago and I couldn’t recommend it more as a base to crash before heading off on safari. With the 172-roomed building being just a five-minute drive from Jomo Kenyatta Airport airport it’s the perfect spot to land after taking British Airway’s direct flight from London Heathrow. Far from being drab, this airport hotel is superbly chic, with ...
Read more →In all honesty, I'd never been to a Wahaca, although friends love the UK chain for its reasonably-priced food. But in all honesty, I'm not a fan of Mexican - cue outcry!! I used to live in New York and there's plenty of great Mexican restaurants but I tended to avoid them, going with Sicilian, Japanese or French instead. With tacos and burritos, I prefer the filling to the floury cases and beans / rice make me feel like a lead weight. However, when in comes to guacamole, I could eat this stuff in bucketfuls and tequila also tickles my fancy. So, when I heard about the Wahaca Test Kitchen i...
Read more →FEAST Bar & Kitchen, brought to you by the folk behind The Prince and Pergola, fuses the drool-inducing fare of its summertime predecessor and puts it all under one year-round roof. The former home of the BBC in White City has metamorphosed into a unique 5000sqft drinking and dining destination. An incredible den of deliciousness, FEAST Bar & Kitchen boasts big sharing tables and communal seating for 300 diners, as well as a rotating line-up of the capital’s most incredible independent eateries. The night we visited we feasted on delicious salads and grilled cheese sandwiches from M...
Read more →They say 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' but who would dismiss a timely little nip and tuck? The London EDITION has performed a little maintenance to its Lobby Bar menu, without sacrificing familiarity, featuring a raft of new drinks and bar snacks... WE'LL DRINK TO THAT! With head bartender Robyn Wilkie at the helm, the Lobby Bar’s creative team has concocted an inspiring array of new cocktails, featuring the perfect mixture of fresh new recipes and returning classics. Highlights include the Havana Moon: a thoughtful twist on the popular classic, made with Havana 7, caramel stout and waln...
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 →If you go down to one pub in London today, you’ll be in for a big surprise. The charming Gunmakers in Clerkenwell, which is tucked down a cobbled road, has a hairdressers hidden in its attic so you can get a rum, coke and cut at the same time. I popped to the Gun Club salon on a rainy Wednesday afternoon, where I met the lovely Tim on the top floor. The attic salon has a nice chilled-out feel, and there is even a small bar with delicious banana-infused negroni mix waiting to be poured. I explained to Tim that I hadn’t had a haircut for more than three years, as self-beautification is botto...
Read more →I realised I was sitting there with a big grin on my face as I settled in to watch Cirque du Soleil's jaw-dropping production Ovo at London's Royal Albert Hall. Full of fun, humour and dazzling colour, this is a show that will brighten the rainiest of days. The nature-inspired spectacle, conceived by Brazilian writer Deborah Colker, delves into the world of insects, with performers transforming themselves into cartwheeling beetles, twirling butterflies and creeping spiders. It first premiered in Montreal in 2009 and it is currently showing in London before moving to Antwerp in March. From...
Read more →London’s Leicester Square is somewhere I generally avoid but on stepping into the W London hotel, the craziness of tourists-galore soon dissipated. I felt as though I was rocketing into space as I took the black leather-padded elevator and stepped into an equally as spangly reception. Check in was friendly and efficient and despite the overly hip interiors, I felt at ease. I was testing a new service at the hotel, courtesy of Girl Meets Dress, where you can hire an outfit of your choice and get it delivered to your room. After navigating a set of very dark corridors, with just a low glow t...
Read more →