The Berkeley hotel, in Knightsbridge, has transformed a former car park into The Garden at The Berkeley, a gorgeous outdoor restaurant. There are real trees strewn with fairy lights. Generously spaced tables, each topped with an automated hand sanitiser dispenser. There’s music pumping loudly enough to feel fun but so you can hear yourself talk with it. On a balmy Thursday evening it feels like … Continue reading The Garden at The Berkeley
Head chef at The Grill at The Dorchester, Tom Booton, is a sprightly 26 years old. He’s the youngest head chef in London. I think? Surely. He’s ex-Alyn Williams at The Westbury, which was certainly a brilliant restaurant before the fall out. The handsome space, all low lighting and gold galore, features a dessert bar where guests can stuff their faces on puds like banoffee … Continue reading The Grill at The Dorchester
As 5* London hotels go, Corinthia London is a real whopper. From afternoon tea, to Tom Kerridge to the finest spa in the city, it’s got it all. The latest addition is André Garrett, previously of Cliveden House, who’s overseeing the menu at The Northall. The vast space is refined without being stuffy; tall ceilings, natural light aplenty, plush carpets and crisp tablecloths. Our visit … Continue reading Northall at Corinthia London
I’ve been a fan of Adam Handling ever since watching him on MasterChef: The Professionals back in 2013. He’s a bloody good cook, even if the folk at Michelin are yet to acknowledge it. A recent meal at Handling’s restaurant, The Frog in Covent Garden, was superb. Continue reading Adam Handling at the Belmond Cadogan Hotel
London is full of exciting new hotel openings right now. You’ve got the Hoxton Southwark, Mama Shelter in Shoreditch, The Biltmore in Mayfair and The Stratford in, er, Stratford. Head over to King’s Cross and you’ll find the first UK outpost from The Standard. It takes over the old Camden Town Hall right opposite King’s Cross station. A little less glamorous than its Downtown LA, … Continue reading Isla at The Standard, London
I’m not always convinced by chefs who have successful restaurants abroad opening up in London, as more often than not they get lost in translation. And even more often than not, said chef is rarely in the kitchen. So here we have Eneko at the hotel One Aldwych which has extensively refurbed its basement dining room to house Eneko Atxa’s creation (he owns a three … Continue reading Eneko at One Aldwych
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught hotel has held its two michelin star status for over 5 years now. Everything about the place feels glamorous and special, from the dark wood panelled walls to the plush carpet and immaculately dressed staff. As fine dining restaurants go, y’know, ones with tablecloths, this is one of the best. They’ve started offering a new menu, Le Poulet du Dimanche, … Continue reading Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
Being Mother’s Day and all, the only afternoon tea available (there are usually numerous options) was the champagne one at £65 per person. At the Dorchester hotel, afternoon tea takes place in the promenade, a glamorous corridor which is the perfect place for people watching – we saw Rod Stewart and Ralph Fiennes on our visit which pleased my Mum no end. When you pay … Continue reading The Dorchester: Afternoon tea
The Goring hotel, made famous by Kate Middleton’s stay the night before her wedding day, is now home to a Michelin starred dining room. We’ve had the afternoon tea before in the bar which was quite wonderful. The hotel is all glamour, from the outside to the lobby. The dining room however has a little less grandeur and the clientele are north of 60; it’s … Continue reading The Goring, Belgravia
I’ve been a fan of Simon Rogan’s food ever since a trip to L’Enclume in Cumbria. The never ending tasting menu was exciting and unusual. Since Fera replaced the Gordon Ramsay restaurant at Claridge’s, I’ve had some equally impressive meals, so was excited to hear of the introduction of Aulis. It’s a kitchen within the kitchen, where guests sit at comfy stools round a counter, … Continue reading Aulis at Fera, Claridge’s
It’s fair to say Marco Pierre White has lost the credibility he once gained from the days of being the youngest chef ever to receive three Michelin stars. He’s now the face of Knorr and owns a collection of mediocre restaurants. Marco’s New York Italian, which is a franchise, has taken over the former dining room in the Mercure hotel in Bankside. Inside, pictures of … Continue reading Marco’s New York Italian, Bankside
I must say, I’m an avid Corbin and King fan (they’re the chaps who own Zédel, The Delaunay and The Wolseley amongst others). Their latest restaurant sits inside their first ever hotel, The Beaumont, just off Oxford Street, and it’s another corker. The hotel itself is glamorous yet not at all showy; the large Antony Gormley installation, an architectural extension to the hotel (which is … Continue reading The Colony Grill Room, The Beaumont
I love a bit of a pomp me, so I was expecting to love the recently renovated Lanesborough hotel on Hyde Park Corner. After all, they did spend over £60m on the place. Gone is the Michelin-starred Apsleys and in its place is Céleste, under the guidance of a French chap called Florian Favario. I was a tad disappointed then to be greeted at the … Continue reading Céleste, The Lanesborough
Alain Ducasse (the legendary French chef who also owns Rivea and The Grill at The Dorchester), has held three Michelin stars at his eponymous restaurant inside Park Lane’s Dorchester hotel for over eight years. Technically I should be boycotting the hotel, seeing as the owner, the Sultan of Brunei, hates us gays, but I really wanted to give it a try. The room is large … Continue reading Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Park Lane
There are two two Michelin starred restaurants in Vienna and as we couldn’t manage to bag a reservation at Steirereck in Stadtpark, we opted for Silvio Nickol at Palais Coburg. It’s a grand old hotel to say the least. The dining room was a dramatic space with an amethyst filled wall at one end being the main focal point. It was a bit like being … Continue reading Silvio Nickol at Palais Coburg, Vienna
