Critics’ Choices: Where We Went In May
Quite how the team at The Handbook aren’t morbidly obese never ceases to amaze, because during May we did a pretty decent job of eating our way through some of the best restaurants in London. Welcome to our ‘What we ate last month’ roundup, just don’t think of the calories.
W New York Times Square
Great view (of you doing a poo)
Emily’s been globetrotting again, this time on a romantic mini-break to New York with her boyf. And it was no Travel lodge affair, but the fancy surroundings of W New York Times Square. The sleek hotel is noted for its central location, art deco and neon bar and two restaurants. Apart from being traumatised by the prices of drinks (and the leaves-nothing-to-the-imagination glass-walled ensuite loos) she had a blast. Presumably she’d’ve given it more coverage on her socials if only they gave customers free wifi…
Click here for the full review…
Where: 1567 Broadway, 47th Street, New York, NY 10036
Website: www.wnewyorktimessquare.com
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Boulud and clear
As I write this the Mandarin Oriental is on actual fire, so this may not be the perfect moment to recommend heading to Bar Boulud, but Emily enjoyed it so much that maybe it’s worth getting scorched for. With the feel of a wine cellar Bar Boulud strikes a different tone to the opulent hotel above, but is no less enjoyable for it. And by all accounts it was jolly good too, not mind-blowing, but jolly good.
Click here for the full review…
Where: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, Knightsbridge, London, United Kingdom
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com
Rudy’s Dirty Vegan Diner
Cure Your Post Veganuary Blues
Heading into the belly of the (presumably hungry) beast, Charlotte visited vegan ground-zero, Camden, to check out Rudy’s Dirty Vegan Diner. And it sounds like it was a junk food heaven that even a carnivore like me would have absolutely loved. Sounds as good to eat as it is difficult to find on Google Maps (so I’m guessing impossible on Apple Maps). I’m sold.
Click here for the full review…
Where: North Yard, Camden Market, NW1 8AH
Website: www.facebook.com/rudysDVD/
Sartoria Restaurant
Feastfast
I’ve been to Sartoria a few times and could never quite get onboard with it, but perhaps this is because I wasn’t eating their brunch. Emily headed down to check out all things Saturday brunch and was bowled away by it. Apart from being wonderfully gluttonous, the whole meal sounds like a feast and I will most definitely be giving Sartoria another chance.
Click here for the full review…
Where: 20 Saville Row, London, W1S 3PR, United Kingdom
Website: www.sartoria-restaurant.co.uk
The Principal, Edinburgh Charlotte Square
Golden Age Of Travel
You can’t keep Emily out of hotel rooms, it seems. This time she was up to Edinburgh and stayed at The Principal. Sister to the new London hotel, it’s as swanky as you’d expect. Only recently under Principal control, it’s been revamped and the rooms are meant to celebrate the golden age of travel, which plays straight to Emily’s weaknesses. Once again in the centre of an Agatha Christie novel, this was only ever going to be a rave review, especially when twinned with all the delights of Edinburgh (and a couple-y boyfriend getaway).
Click here for the full review…
Where: 38 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4HQ
Website: www.phcompany.com
Corinthia London
A nice, normal, tea
Emily and I agree on this: there are some crazy-ass afternoon teas out there. I mean, you don’t know the half of it, everyone is falling over themselves to come up with a more whacky or tangential theme. Some don’t work (scroll down) and others do, but it feels kinda strained. Well step forward The Corinthia who have actually just decided to do something classic and simple.
Click here to read the full review…
Where: Whitehall Place, Westminster, SW1A 2BD
Website: www.corinthia.com
Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar
No Mis-steak
Call me a red blooded male (two undeniable facts) but I love a steak. Doesn’t everyone? (well, not Charlotte given she’s veggie) This is the perfect place for you, head down to Gillray’s now. Everything about it was tip-top, can’t really say more. Read the review.
Click here to read the full review…
Where: Gillray's Steakhouse & Bar, Westminster Bridge Road, London, United Kingdom
Website: www.gillrays.com
And that’s all for this month, folks, check in next month to find out exactly how we stuffed our faces in June!
