Tag Archives: SW1

Art for a Cause: Artists Team Up with Rolls-Royce to Battle Breast Cancer

At the Rolls-Royce Showroom in Berkeley Square, passion, support, and community were affectionately curated for the benefit of breast cancer patients. The Breast Cancer Care Art Auction, brought together by Breast Cancer Care and supported by Rolls-Royce, invited twelve stunning contemporary artists to create an impactful piece that would push the boundaries o modern sculpture while showing great respect and care of the theme. I was honoured to attend the preview of the auction on May 19th, and deeply touched by the philanthropic efforts of all involved. Continue reading

Posted in Art, Cars, Good Cause, London, Luxury | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dammann Frères Teas at the Sofitel London St James’s Rose Lounge (espressoCrazy)

Man cannot live on coffee alone. And as much as I tried (often succeeded) in doing so, I must admit it’s nice to have a cup of something else every once in a while. Horses for courses and all that … Continue reading

Posted in Drink, espressoCrazy, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

La Vie en Rose Afternoon Tea at the Sofitel London St James

On now and running throughout May is a new floral-inspired La Vie en Rose afternoon tea at the Rose Lounge at the Sofitel London St James hotel. I got a taste of this limited run luxury a couple of weeks back and very much enjoyed it. Here’s a waft of what made it such a treat for me. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Big Hair Party at Maggie’s

A disco ball, flashing neon lights, and leopard print décor. While a trip to Maggie’s may not include any real time travel, members’ nights promise to whisk you off the streets of 21st century Chelsea and into the flashy nightclub scene of the 1980s. At Maggie’s January soirée, Maddie Salters was thrilled to find that the age of PEZ and Pac Man was alive and kicking it on the dance floor. Here are some of her thoughts about her experience at Maggie’s aptly-named Big Hair Party. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Fashion, London, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Restaurants in London – 2014

Most of these ‘best of lists’ I’m doing have been compiled with some degree of difficulty often leaving me feeling guilty for excluding somewhere excellent that for whatever reason was nudged out by another place. However, making a concise and definite list of my favourite few London restaurants visited over this past year was an absolute breeze as five fantastic eateries clearly did stand out from the rest with respect to quality of food and overall dining experience. Continue reading

Posted in Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Elegant Japanese Dining at Kouzu, Belgravia

Japanese fine dining restaurant, Kouzu, opened with a hush of a soft launch (although apparently the Prince of Monaco had already caught wind and paid a visit) last week. Via an invitation extended by the restaurant, Kemey and I dropped by Saturday for what turned out to be a most elegant meal. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Luxury, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Steve McQueen at Thomas Dane Gallery: Ashes

Two new works by Steve McQueen go on view soon at Thomas Dane Gallery in St James’s. One is an immersive projection with sound entitled Ashes which was shot on Super8 film in Granada with much of the footage dating from 2002 and taken by cinematographer Robbie Müller with recently recorded soundtrack about the sad fate of the subject in the film. The other work is Broken Column, a sculptural installation which “acts as a pendant to Ashes.” Continue reading

Posted in Art, London, Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Theatre Review: Proud Haddock’s Julius Caesar

A few nights ago, I got to catch newbie production company Proud Haddock’s first ever show, a sold out performance of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar at Saatchi Gallery (the only time a play has ever been staged there). That was a one off. However, from early November the play will have a couple of weeks’ run at Chelsea Theatre about a mile or so farther down King’s Road. If the Chelsea Theatre run goes anything like the Saatchi Gallery premiere, audiences are in for a treat. Continue reading

Posted in London, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win Dinner for Two at Pont Street Restaurant – Courtesy of Zomato

So, a couple of weeks back I had a very agreeable Friday night dinner for two at Belgraves hotel’s Pont Street restaurant. And now – thanks to a team up with online restaurant discovery guide, Zomato – I’m offering the chance to enjoy the same delicious experience to one lucky reader. Check it out! Continue reading

Posted in Competition, Drink, Food, Freebies, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review: Pont Street Restaurant at Belgraves Hotel

Before making my rez for Friday night din-din at the Belgraves hotel’s Pont Street restaurant, I skimmed the web for a few reviews. Ouch! I’m not sure whether what I read was egregiously unfair or if Pont St subsequently got its act together, but my experience was way better than those perused online. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

London Daily Photo: Barb

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The First Georgians Exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace (CheapOair)

To mark the 300th anniversary of the beginning of the Georgian era, a new exhibition – The First Georgians: Art and Monarchy 1714-1760 – explores royal patronage and taste during in the reigns of George I and George II as … Continue reading

Posted in Art, CheapOair, London, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Good Stuff

Good Stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or take a bite out of – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Delfina Foundation … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Chocolate, Drink, Food, Good Stuff, Hotels, London, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best London Restaurants – 2013

To say I ate and drank well this year does not begin to describe how delectable 2013 was for me. Both in London and beyond, I had the pleasure of experiencing some of the best meals outside the home I’ve ever eaten. Here’s a list of the ten London restaurants I enjoyed visiting the most over the past 12 months along with a few extra honourable mentions. Keep an eye out for more posts over the coming days listings my favourite London cheap eats and pizza places, as well as the ten best restaurants I visited outside of London this year. Continue reading

Posted in Best of 2013, Best of the Best, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Parma, Pubs, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Two Exhibitions – Old and New – at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace (OneTravel)

Two seemingly tenuously tied exhibitions have just opened at The Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace – Castiglione: Lost Genius and Gifted: From the Royal Academy to The Queen – offering visitors a chance to see some of the Royal Collections … Continue reading

Posted in Art, London, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Two Exhibitions, One Gallery: #LostGenius and #Gifted at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace

Two seemingly tenuously tied exhibitions have just opened at The Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace – Castiglione: Lost Genius and Gifted: From the Royal Academy to The Queen – offering visitors a chance to see some of the Royal Collections oldest and most recently received works. Continue reading

Posted in Art, London | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: Matsuri

The fine folks from Kikkoman invited yours truly out earlier this week to upscale Japanese restaurant Matsuri St James’s for a soy sauce masterclass taught by Chef Simon Hulstone. Continue reading

Posted in Food, London, London Daily Photo, Photography, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: Lutz Bacher at ICA

Black Beauty, the first major solo exhibition in the UK by American artist Lutz Bacher, which opens today at the ICA. The show provides a unique opportunity to see Bacher’s new works made specifically for the ICA together with recent work for the first time in London. Continue reading

Posted in Art, London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Photos from the 2013 Mr and Ms Mango Tree Competition

Last night’s Ladyboy beauty pageant at Thai restaurant, Mango Tree, not only celebrated ten years of he/she glamour competition but was also the restaurant’s 12th birthday birthday. Compared to past events, the 2013 “Mr & Miss Mango Tree Ladyboy Safari” had a touch more of a gala air about it (the canapés were tastier than I remembered as well). Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Photography, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Mango Tree Celebrates 10th Annual Ladyboy Beauty Pageant This Sunday

Upscale Thai restaurant Mango Tree’s now legendary annual ladyboy beauty pageant will return for a 10th year this Sunday night, the 15th of September. The 2013 event will feature a “safari” theme along with special guest hosts and judges as wells as DJs, musical performances and the “lively, buzzing atmosphere that Mango Tree is famous for”. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Theatre Review: A Door Must Be Kept Open – or Shut at The Osborne Studio Gallery

A first time collaboration sees The Osborne Studio Gallery on tony Motcomb Street in Knightsbridge host a new and intimate production of Alfred de Musset’s 168 year old play, A Door Must Be Kept Open – or Shut. Musset’s sharp witted lines delivered bluntly in this aristocratic battle of the sexes are a delight to take in and seem to ring as true today as when this punchy one act play was penned nearly two centuries ago. Continue reading

Posted in Art, London, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Drink in Knowing Style at London’s Hakkasan and Sake No Hana (OneTravel)

Beyond the fabulous settings and fantastic food, two of the Hakkasan Group’s best Asian fine dining restaurants in London will run a new series of cocktail and spirit masterclasses this summer. Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.

Posted in Drink, Food, London, OneTravel, Restaurants, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Explore the Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion at Buckingham Palace (OneTravel)

In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion, an exhibition currently running at The Queen’s Gallery inside Buckingham Palace shines an intriguing light on the fashionable follies and sartorial considerations of 16th and 17th century nobility. For visitors visiting London and keen to learn about Britain’s royal heritage and how one’s status was expressed and identified through what they wore, this excellent exhibition is well worth keeping in mind. Continue reading

Posted in Art, London, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Take a Sake Masterclass at Sake No Hana, St James’s Street

Modern Japanese restaurant, Sake No Hana, is to launch an Introduction to Sake masterclass in July. I participated in a press preview of the class the other night and discovered that there’s a lot to learn about Japan’s celebrated rice … Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace

In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion, an exhibition currently running at The Queen’s Gallery, shines an intriguing light on the fashionable follies and sartorial considerations of 16th and 17th century nobility. Continue reading

Posted in Art, London | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Bento Express Menu at Buddha-Bar London (CDCLifestyle)

Buddha-Bar’s new bento features a tasty selection of light Pan Asian starters and mains from which to create your own meal for £27. The bento includes a bowl of miso soup, a side of wakame salad and a choice of steamed rice or Buddha-Bar noodles. Quality of the food is high. Portion sizes are ample with the bento prettily presented. Service is efficient and cordial. If you know Buddha-Bar then you’re aware that the setting is extremely attractive and rather plush, whether you’re there for drinks or a quick meal. Continue reading

Posted in CDCLifestyle, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Upscale Bento at Buddha-Bar London

Mention the lavish Buddha-Bar in Knightsbridge to anyone and thoughts of a glamorous night out sipping exotic cocktails with a soundtrack of signature lounge and chill-out tunes wafting through a beautiful people filled lounge probably spring to mind. But what about a “Buddha Bento” express menu for a no fuss lunch or a pre-theatre dinner with a promise to having you in and out within 40 minutes? Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Breakfast at The Botanist, Sloane Square

As elegant as any casual dining establishment you’re apt to come across in upscale Chelsea and just a stone’s throw from Sloane Square Station, the Botanist is as smartly situated as London restaurants come. And with a newly introduced breakfast menu available all week, it’s now a smart place to start your day as well. Continue reading

Posted in Coffee, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Prime Steak and More at Palm London (CDCLifestyle)

Star of the table at Palm London is the steak: New York strip, rump and boneless rib-eye to be precise. Sourced exclusively from Smithfield stalwart – Tom Hixson & Co – and grilled to perfection by Executive Chef Spencer Westcott and his kitchen, the Palm serves gorgeously marbled and tender corn fed, hand selected USDA Prime beef aged for a minimum of 35 days … But the reasons to choose Palm don’t stop with the steaks. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, London Daily Photo, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Pay by the Clock” at Palm London Restaurant and Bar (OneTravel)

The welcoming atmosphere – along with a really tasty range of dishes – should certainly offer reason enough to visit, but a newly launched “PrimeTime” discount menu of cocktails and “Prime Bites” adds excellent and affordable incentive to pay this great place a visit. Continue reading

Posted in Discounts and Special Offers, Drink, Food, London, OneTravel, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

PrimeTime at Palm London, Belgravia

I really enjoyed my visit to Palm London and found its newly launched PrimeTime discount menu of cocktails and “Prime Bites” to be an excellent way to get a taste of what makes this neighbourhood favourite so special. Continue reading

Posted in Discounts and Special Offers, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mr and Ms Mango Tree UK: Ladyboy Competition 2012

Last night’s ladyboy competition at upscale Thai restaurant, Mango Tree, marked the ten year anniversary for this annual transgender beauty pageant. From “why is that man wearing a dress?” to “why does that woman have an Adam’s apple?” the show … Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants, Thailand | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mango Tree’s Annual Ladyboy Beauty Pageant Returns This Sunday

It’s back and if anything like in the past few years promises to be an absolute hoot. Upscale Thai restaurant, Mango Tree, will host its annual Mr and Miss Mango Tree UK Ladyboy competition this Sunday. The theme this year? … Continue reading

Posted in Celebrities, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants, Thailand | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What’s for Lunch? Mint Leaf, Haymarket (Londonist)

A smart setting for pre and post theatre drinks and dining, it’s not such a bad place to sneak down into for lunch. What’s for Lunch? Mint Leaf, Haymarket Londonist, 8 May 2012

Posted in Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

London Daily Photo: The Sacred and Profane

Posted in London, London Daily Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment