Awards season is well underway and the UKs big weekend is upon us with the Orange British Academy Film Awards this Sunday. Hosted by the ever magnificent Stephen Fry we can expect self-deprecating jokes and a lot of digs at Anne Hathaway’s dedication to her art. British stars a plenty are nominated including the ever present Helen Mirren and Daniel Day-Lewis. Anna Karenina – starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law and Aaron Taylor-Johnson – also has a couple of nods; fighting the British corner. The Americans hold a strong position though with Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Helen Hunt and Jennifer Lawrence […]
Love (100ft) in the air at The Roof Gardens Sip Rose Petal Martinis and watch as your message to your loved one is projected 100ft above London on a multi-coloured laser system. That’s after you’ve dined on quail eggs and rump of lamb at the Babylon Restaurant overlooking the capital’s skyline and been serenaded by a live Jazz band. Four course menu, £75pp. www.roofgardens.virgin.com Babylonian Ball Beach Blanket Babylon’s two venues in Notting Hill and Shoreditch are hosting evening of Valentine’s Day Decadence and Rococco Romance complete with four course menus and a glass of Champagne or French Kiss Cocktail […]
Valentine’s Day is looming, for some it is a day to indulge in and be spoilt, for others it is that last minute tacky card and flowers from a garage, and for others it is a day to be dreaded as you drown your sorrows in the nearest bar. Well this year Barts have had enough, they are boycotting celebrating just Valentine’s Day rather the speakeasy styled bar is running a month of good old fashioned, laid back fun. They have installed a secret message board on the French windows where you can write your secrets, tell your loved how much they […]
Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks, and for those who will not get the chance to return home to USA for 28th November and celebrate with family and friends, Gillray’s Steakhouse has prepared a special Thanksgiving offering for you to enjoy in London.
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Valentine’s Day is looming, for some it is a day to indulge in and be spoilt, for others it is that last minute tacky card and flowers from a garage, and for others it is a day to be dreaded as you drown your sorrows in the nearest bar. Well this year Barts have had enough, they are boycotting celebrating just Valentine’s Day rather the speakeasy styled bar is running a month of good old fashioned, laid back fun. They have installed a secret message board on the French windows where you can write your secrets, tell your loved how much they […]
Although The Spaniards Inn has recently reopened following renovation, don’t expect a great visual transformation. This is a pub that’s received a behind-the-scenes makeover; think of a car having a new engine installed. As The Spaniards was built in 1585, hardly any actual renovation is permitted – instead the money has mostly been spent on exceptional training for staff and the reworking of the menu into a culinary masterpiece. The venue still exists as an ancient and rustic pub, but this appearance veils a seamless operation that’s on par with a high quality restaurant – waiters are efficient and endlessly charming, with great conversation […]
Quentin Tarantino's latest, Django Unchained, is a bold take on the old hat that is the western genre. A field which hasn't seem much air time recently is taking off this year. The Lone Ranger as well is due for release – with Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer. Django Unchained is Tarantino on his best form with the gritty yet carefully constructed reality he specialises in. A stellar cast consists of some of the hottest stars this year; including Jamie Foxx. Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L Jackson and Christoph Waltz. The gripping story follows a German 'dentist' (Waltz) who travels in old slave-based America, picking up […]
Launching today Harrods will be welcoming The Modern Pantry and Anna Hansen as ‘Chef of the Season’ for Spring 2013 to its Food Hall. For three months The Modern Pantry will be offering exclusively to Harrods a selection of takeaway meals and a range of condiments, spices and pantry goods. The Modern Pantry’s fresh foods can be purchased at the counter in the traiteur section of the Food Hall as individual dishes or complete meals for dinner parties at home. Starters include Jasmine tea-smoked salmon with black garlic, liquorice & macadamia crust, tomatillo salsa, mains feature Rose marinated poussin with […]
A unique hidden cocktail bar launches in Covent Garden today. And it doesn’t sell alcohol. Intrigued? You might well be. This tiny nook of a cocktail bar hidden away in the depths of Bedfordbury Street in Covent Garden is an entirely new concept and BYOC stands for Bring Your Own Cocktails. With absolutely no alcohol available to buy on the premises, guests are invited to bring their own favourite tipple, for the mixologist to create a little something bespoke to a backdrop of exposed brickwork, an original fireplace, gramophone and vintage signs from the 1920s, B.Y.O.C. lies behind a discreet […]
Last Friday night The Handbook headed to The Exchange, and The Rooftop Café which lay within. Ironic that a rooftop café should nestle but nestle nevertheless it did given that it lay bang at the foot of the newly erected Shard. As with so many restaurants now the theme was clearly simplicity. Nothing wrong with this; though when ‘simple’ borderlines on ‘unfinished’ you need to be careful. This just about came on the right side of the line, though maybe the toilets could have done with a lick or two more of paint. The food carried similar connotations. Fundamentally great […]
The American fashion designer Tom Ford, famous for turning around the Gucci fashion house and reviving Yves Saint Laurent, is set to open his first standalone flagship store in the UK on Sloane Street. The large store, measuring 8,000 square foot, will showcase the complete male (currently only available in Selfridges) and female clothing range (available in Harrods) as well as signature jewellery, accessories collections and his modern classic fragrances. Tom Ford has recently been quoted as saying: “Our British customers are among the most discerning and stylish in the world. Opening our first directly operated Flagship in the UK is an […]
If you haven’t already been make sure you go see Les Misérables before its cinema run is finished. It seems to be the marmite of films at the moment – with most critics praising it to the heavens and the small majority loathing it. Ignore the latter – it’s hard to not love Les Misérables. It’s not only worth it for Anne Hathaway’s infamous version of ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ which could – and indeed has – made grown men cry, but for other emotional numbers from Eddie Redmayne and Samantha Barks. Hugh Jackman is worthy of his Oscar nomination […]
Corinthia Hotel London guarantees to set hearts aflutter this February, with the introduction of a Sensory Afternoon Tea. Available from the 9th to the 17th, the Valentine’s-themed tea will treat guests to a romantic and sensual dining experience, featuring Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé and the eminent perfumer Roja Dove. Couples can kick back and relax in Corinthia’s serene and elegant Lobby Lounge, enjoying a glass of distinctive bubbly and a selection of sweet fancies. The tea menu is served beautifully presented and includes a stunning red velvet chocolate mousse and raspberry floral macaroons. To heighten the romantic atmosphere, lovebirds will also […]
