'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...
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If you're looking for place to impress a date or mark a celebration, than Oblix at The Shard comes top of the list. The 32nd floor eatery boasts unparalleled views of London, a mouth-watering menu and there are two areas which offer a completely different vibe. In Oblix West the dining area is sophisticated with an open kitchen to entertain, while over in the East section, the style's slightly more informal with a long bar and live music to keep you merry into the night. I zoomed up to Oblix on a Wednesday night and the place had a great buzz with expectant diners streaming into...
Read more →If you think you've had a top-notch piece of steak, I’d urge you to head to Smith & Wollensky, and compare your feed to one of their colossal cuts. My friend and I were left silently in awe after a recent visit to the smart New York-styled spot, located off the Strand. Our knifes sliced through our steaks with ease and the pink meat was dripping with flavour. When our Greek waiter Spiros served up the giant hunks of beef I didn't think I would manage the whole thing. But it was all so delicious, I swiftly polished it off with my knife and fork making fast work. I'd ordered a 680g Sign...
Read more →The thought of a traditional safari kind of filled me with dread. 4x4s waiting in lines crowded around animals and tourists clicking away with their long-range camera lenses. But in a bid to get off the beaten path and get a unique insight into Africa’s wild landscape, I signed up for a three-night tour in Kenya with The Luxury Safari Company. I certainly wasn’t disappointed and my fears of being on a ‘mass safari’ were skilfully avoided. GIRAFFE MANOR For my first night, I was directed to Giraffe Manor, which has repeatedly been voted one of the world’s most unique hotels. The gran...
Read more →'I struggled to find fine dining and good German food in Vancouver so I decided to open my own restaurant...' I'd only just met Dr Uwe Boll - a German filmmaker (once acclaimed the world's worst) who hopped to Canada more than a decade ago - but already I was liking his style. The food and film fanatic opened Bauhaus in Vancouver's Gastown district two-and-a-half years ago and it's already tipped as one of the hottest spots in town. The slickly-designed venue - a former bank - is impressive with double height ceilings, exposed brickwork and a stainless steel open plan kitchen. Each object h...
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 →Step out from the cold and take a trip down the rabbit hole to one of our favourite London hideaways, Sketch. The centrally-located wonderland, just off Regent's Street at 9 Conduit Street, promises to transport you away from the hubbub to an oasis of calm. This Christmas, the venue doesn't disappoint with another festive twist on its afternoon tea menu. On a rainy Wednesday in the Big Smoke, I stepped out of the wetness, through the front door curtains into a twinkling cavern of cool. After dropping our wet coats off at the front desk, we made our way through to the Gallery, where we were...
Read more →Meat-lovers rejoice, as an exclusive previously members only steak restaurant is set to open its doors to the public this December (the 9th to be exact!). We nipped down to Lutyens Grill inside The Ned on a Thursday evening and got lost in the meaty glamour of it all. The restaurant is discreetly tucked away behind a wall of wood and mirror from the bustling lobby outside. Inside you are transported to a world of old-school lushness, with warm lighting, Persian rugs and tasselled lamps hanging overhead. Lutyens Grill was previously the bank manager's office - The Ned, if you haven't been, ...
Read more →There are Ivys popping up left, right and centre, it’s hard to keep up. One of the latest ones to land is at Tower Bridge. I love the brand and worry that it’s being watered down but after visiting its new outcrop, I’m pleased to report that it’s still keeping true to its spirit - spot on martinis and well done classic cuisine - it’s just bigger and busier. No longer just confined to the West End theatre crowd but welcoming in the masses. The day we hit the impressively large Tower Bride location, three weeks after its opening, it was busy with a queue outside the door. Youngsters from the ...
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