Out & About in London: Close to On|Off
EAT/DRINK
Getting a table at this esteemed European bistro continues to be difficult, but the regal ambience, all day service and simple, but well-prepared cuisine is well worth the wait.
160 Piccadilly, W1 Tel: 020 7499 6996
Must Try: The best in fine breakfasting Eggs Benedict and Bubble and Squeak
Billed as an ‘American Brassiere’, it’s the perfect combination of comfort food in a cosmopolitan setting
33 Dover Street, W1S 4NF Tel: 020 7499 3033
Must Try: Automat Burger and Mac-n-Cheese
This four- floor-dining emporium offers private dining for intimate nights, a buzzy main restaurant, a main bar, and basement drinking den that makes the best martini in W1.
10-11 Lancashire Court, W1S 1EY Tel: 020 7518 9388
Divine drink: Strawberry and cucumber Martini
Yau’s acclaimed dim sum restaurant. Blue fish tanks and fairy lights complement the perfectly formed morsels. Tea and cakes on the ground floor are delicious too. The restaurant is non-smoking, and surprisingly, the prices are almost reasonable.
15/17 Broadwick Street, W1 Tel: 020 7494 8888
Must Try: Scallop Siu Mai are brilliantly constructed (a halved scallop on a plump shrimp with a dollop of fish roe)
This classic Italian restaurant offers a fairly priced traditional cuisine and all day dining. The swanky black, white and lurid green interior compliments the simple but lively buzz of the restaurant.
5a Burlington Gardens, W15 3EP Tel: 020 7434 1500
Nobu needs no introduction. If you get a table, the fresh sushi (we love the tuna tataki), excellent service, and buzzy crowd will not disappoint. The bar at Nobu Berkeley is a bonus, too.
15 Berkeley Street, W1J 8DY Tel: 020 7290 7222
Must Try: Never tire of signature dishes, but try the tasting menu and you get black miso cod and wagyu steak amongst six other courses of bliss.
The Rivoli Bar at the Ritz
We love it here. Art deco intimate den, with great service, and cosy atmosphere. Good people watching, too, and so much better than tea.
150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR Tel: 020 7493 8181
PARTY
Still hot, this bar continues to provide expensive but good food and drink to the rock set . It’s a member’s bar (of course) but if you book, you should get in. Expect live music, purple interior and 'paps' a plenty.
Swallow Street, W1 Tel: 020 7287 4300
Must Drink: Purple Lady
The VIP bar drips with uninhibited twenties opulence, deep leather banquettes and secret coves. This is the West End’s Bouji’s, and the prices truly are fit for a king. Members bar, but try booking in advance.
7-9 Swallow Street, W1 Tel: 020 7287 1056
Must Drink: A Root Julep
A private members club with a hip informal atmosphere. It’s old library interior and oil paintings give it a homely but eccentric feel.
3 New Burlington Mews, W1B 4QB Tel: 020 7434 2232
This club is where we want to be these days. Disco lighting, Jimmie Martin furniture (fluro baroque chairs with fabulous photo prints of flamingos, stilettos etc), high booths, and superb cocktails. Membership is reasonable and Mayfair location is perfect for a post show tipple.
12 New Burlington Street, W1 Tel: 020 3102 3060
This veritable house of four-floor fun features casinos, restaurants, bars, a member’s lounge, and nightclub. It’s louche, it’s smart, it’s luxe, and makes you feel rich, rich, rich. Only problem is, if you want to gamble, make friends with a member, or get your wallet out.
50 St James’s Street, SW1 Tel: 0870 415 5050
SHOP
Six-storey one-of-a-kind shop, with over a dozen designers, bare walls and beams it’s a mixing up and coming together of design talent. It doubles up as an inspirational art gallery, furniture display and lifestyle store for the Comme des Garcons generation.
17-18 Dover Street, W1 Tel: 020 7518 0680
Must See: New shoe space by Michael Howells inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s Red Shoes.
Get inside Paul Smith’s head with this unique furniture shop. Full of changing and unexpected treasures that have been given a new lease of life.
9 Albemarle Street, off Old Bond Street.
A mecca for new fashion talent and eclectic niche collections. Its small, but with labels including Eley Kishimoto and Roksanda Ilincic as well as up and coming designers, the B store is at the forefront of directional design.
24a Saville Row, W1 Tel: 020 7734 6846
Must See: Cosmic Wonder – double breast detail trench coat and the classy selection of B Witch shoes.
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