The newly refurbished The Builder’s Arms in Kensington is now even bigger thanks to a new upstairs area complete with wraparound leather banquette seating and its very own bar. Pendant lighting, whitewashed eaves and exposed brickwork complete the loft style vive. Downstairs, The Builder’s bar mosaic has been given a thorough polish and the wood-panelled walls freshened up with a slick of pale grey paint offsetting the navy pillars and the exposed brickwork fireplace. Candleholders, pink lampshades and red leather seating add a splash of colour to proceedings whilst glass chandeliers and over-sized mirrors give a feeling of space and […]
When it comes to food, we all like the best, those sumptuous flavours, brilliant presentations and enticing aromas. There’s nothing like a little taste of luxury to make us feel like a VIP. We’ve come up with a list of our favourite luxury restaurants in London. The Wolseley The Wolseley is located in a Grade ll listed building, near Green Park, and serves all kinds of treats ranging from breakfast to afternoon teas (champagne tea for those wanting to splash the cash) and of course dinner. The interior is opulent and glamorous, a neighbour to The Ritz, you wouldn’t expect any less. […]
Heard of the fruit ‘Yuzu’? Neither had we, but with a fruit tipped to be ‘the latest in food trends 2014’ it had us thinking that we probably should have. Luckily the team of mixologists at Ping Pong have it covered, incorporating it into a brand new cocktail. From the makers of a polka dot lychee cocktail and a hybrid hot tea punch, the creative cocktail makers have been working with the tangy fruit to create the Jun Yuzu Martini- a green tea ice sphere floating in a blend of Jun Shochu sake, Bombay Sapphire and Elderflower liquor, topped with […]
The Handbook has teamed up with Feya, London’s hottest new café, to give away a fabulous selection of dining experiences and beauty products to one lucky winner.
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When we heard that D & D restaurant, Avenue on St James Street was re-launching we couldn’t wait to see the end result, we had heard big things and we weren’t disappointed because heck was it good! The restaurant is almost unrecognisable from its former days – inspired by a Manhattan loft, it is chic and sophisticated, (it’s the sort of place you want to be taken on a date to, or could while away an evening drinking cocktails with your friends) yet still fresh and relaxed. With gold, nude and navy tones the restaurant is broken up into a […]
Having heard about long standing Fitzrovia favourite, The Crown and Sceptre’s recent refurbishment, The Handbook were keen to check it out. So last Thursday we headed down pushing through grey streets, stepping into the pub, before realizing what seemed to be the majority of London had had the same idea. Packed floor to ceiling with young professionals from the various surrounding media companies, you could tell this is a much loved drinking hole. Despite being the only diners in the pub at the time and drinkers cornering us on every side, there was a distinct buzz and a boisterous energy […]
Leonardo Dicaprio is an award winning actor but unfortunately for him not an Oscar winning actor as he lost out for the fourth time this weekend. The man to pinch him to the post was Matthew McConaughey for his role in Dallas Buyers Club, where he portrays an HIV victim who tries to give his situation a positive spin by selling illegal medicine from Mexico to fellow sufferers. His co-star Jared Leto also got the award for best supporting actor. Cate Blanchett took the award on the ladies side with Best Actress for Blue Jasmine, with relative new comer Lupita […]
So the seasons are changing, hopefully we can now say goodbye to winter and hello to spring, and welcome in the new restaurants and hotels which are set to launch this month. From floating hotels, to fusion restaurants, all day dining inspired by members’ clubs and the relaunch of one of Soho’s finest. Here are some of The Handbook’s favourites Assado Throughout his travelling renowned chef, Cyrus Todiwala realised that there was a wonderful relationship between the flavours and ideas of Portuguese, Goan, Brazilian and Indian cuisine. The result? Fusion -restaurant Assado, in Waterloo. Having opened this weekend, […]
Stop the press, for an important announcement. The Handbook has a new review section! Here at The Handbook we always try our very hardest to bring you the latest and greatest in London venues. Whether it is a new review of a quiet town pub, our thoughts on the latest club opening or having you reach for the credit card with an account of a luxurious London getaway, we pretty much have it covered. However, with the launch of our brand spanking new review section this month we cannot wait to hear from you instead. Use our venue finder to […]
Stop the press, for an important announcement. The Handbook has a new review section! Here at The Handbook we always try our very hardest to bring you the latest and greatest in London venues. Whether it is a new review of a quiet town pub, our thoughts on the latest club opening or having you reach for the credit card with an account of a luxurious London getaway, we pretty much have it covered. However, with the launch of our brand spanking new review section this month we cannot wait to hear from you instead. Use our venue finder to […]
Shrove Tuesday – you have your frying pan ready, you've stocked up on lemon and sugar, all ready with your batter- you go to flip that first pancake and bam, it lands on the floor. The second one falls apart and the third one, well you're just about ready to eat the batter raw. if that sounds like you (and even if it doesn't), then fear not because London has plenty of pancakes to offer this Shrove Tuesday. From pancake eating competitions at Coq d'argent to healthy pancakes over at The Good Life Eatery, to carnival parties! Here are some […]
Take everything you think you know about pizza and re-imagine it. That’s what Mayfair Pizza Co. has done, with interesting results. Mayfair Pizza Co have created a Sweet Pizza menu with fruits and chocolates instead of tomatoes and cheese. The pizzas are ideal for sharing due to their size, (smaller than a regular pizza but still pretty sizeable) and because all that dough makes for a heavy pudding especially if you have already sampled a savoury pizza for your main. The Sweet Pizza menu has 4 options; Wild Strawberry with White Chocolate, Nutella Calzone, Banana Tiramisu and Limoncello & Lime. […]
Like wine, cheese is one of those things that everyone loves, but when it comes to talking about it sometimes we are a little lost and it can’t be denied that we all secretly wish we knew what we were talking about to impress others. Well good news, on Tuesday 18th March The Pantechnicon Rooms are hosting a cheese tasting in The Loft. Their brilliant cheese supplier – La Cave a Fromage will be hosting the night with Jeff Brown, who will be talking through all the cheeses on offer. And of course as you can’t have one without the […]
