As a champion of the hospitality sector, new openings are always music to my ears and I have been really captivated by the 1920’s inspired marketing campaign to announce the arrival of the first sister restaurant of the famous Scott’s Mayfair to a riverside location in leafy Richmond. The pictures of the interiors and setting are simply stunning and am sure will be a welcome addition to the already bustling restaurant scene in Richmond.
Opening its doors on 26th September 2022, Scott’s Richmond is set over two floors, with a grand bar on the second floor and includes a 32-cover terrace for all year round al-fresco dining with those perfect river views. Scott’s Mayfair was originally opened as an oyster warehouse in 1851 by a young fishmonger by the name of John Scott, and rapidly evolved into the now famous seafood restaurant and oyster bar and is amongst the five oldest restaurants in London. And it is said that Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, was often seen at Scott’s in the 50s and 60s and it was here where he first discovered the dry martini cocktail ‘shaken not stirred’. With cold weather and darker evenings arriving, a glittering new restaurant to discover is just what the doctor ordered! I can’t wait to visit, full blogpost to follow. For more information, menus and to reserve a table visit their website
‘With the advance of the Nation’ prosperity and culture entertaining has not only become more general but almost one of the necessities of social life’ – Introduction to Searcys catalogue, 1896.
Searcys as a hospitality brand has been part of my city life since I first started work as a trainee lawyer, and so when recently I was creating a video on the City of London’s climate action strategy, I was keen to include voices from key stakeholders and was delighted that Chef Director Darren Deadman gave us some insights into how the company has adopted sustainability into their operations running some of London’s most iconic stand-alone restaurants, which includes St Pancras Grand Brasserie and Champagne Bar (Europe’s longest bar), Osteria at the Barbican as well as the restaurant at Blenheim Palace, to name just a few, as well as a substantial events catering business. It is thus no mean feat to incorporate sustainability commitments into a luxury hospitality offering. But this post is not about that, its a celebration of a fabulous London venue managed by Searcys housed in an iconic building, the Gherkin, which since filming Chef Director Deadman, has fast become one of my favourite spots for special occasions and catching up with friends.
Under the stunning lens- shaped glass roof is Searcys Iris Bar, with the Helix restaurant on the level below offering contemporary all-day dining. Both offer breathtaking 360 degree views over the City of London, together with wonderful food created by Chef Darren Deadman and his team, and exceptional service under the leadership of General Manager John Short. With the hospitality industry having suffered acutely during the pandemic, it is even more impressive how the relatively new team work together so well, and welcome old and new guests with equal warmth and attention.
To top it off, everything is done with the utmost style and precise attention to detail from Searcys signature delicate honeycomb pattern on the table service, its own house champagne brand to the geometric table top designs and ever-changing and seasonal floral displays throughout.
And although I could do a separate post on the Gherkin itself, nicknamed as such because of the shape, this stunning building is without a doubt one of the most famous landmarks on the London skyline, located at 30 St Mary Axe in the square mile and designed by world famous architect Norman Foster. It was opened in 2005 with the accolade of being one of London’s most sustainable buildings at the time, and sixteen years later, through countless changes to building regulations, it still holds its own as an example of a ‘green’ building.
Comprising 40 storeys and rising 180 metres in height, its design enables it to be free of columns and sustainable innovations included mean it uses half as much energy as other comparable office buildings. And as expected it has since won many architectural awards including the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2004.
One of the positives to have come from this pandemic for me has been a renewed appreciated for our incredible city and all that it offers, and Searcys at the Gherkin really does leave you (literally) feeling on top of the world every time I have visited.
For information on the food and drinks menus at Helix and Iris, how to book a table and more about the Searcys brand generally visit their website.
I have always loved Fortnum & Mason. Founded in London’s Piccadilly in 1707, and named after its two founders, William Fortnum and Hugh Mason, the iconic brand has become synonymous with quality, luxury and history. What started off as a grocery store in St James has become a worldwide phenomenon and indeed the humble Scotch egg can trace its origins to William Fortnum’s idea of covering a hard-boiled egg in sausage meat and breadcrumbs so ‘food on the go’ could be sold.
As we slowly emerge from our enforced winter hibernation, and are being encouraged to socialise again with friends and family outside, I can’t think of a better way to bring some cheer than filling up the famous F&M wickerwork hamper with goodies and going for a picnic in one of London’s parks. Although there is undoubtedly something very glamorous about the F&M hamper, they started life simply as travellers’ baskets since the food at coaching inns on the routes out of London was seldom appealing.
Even more exciting, as lockdown restrictions were eased this week in England, Fortnum’s launched a gorgeous outdoor terrace for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner at its Royal Exchange restaurant opposite Bank tube station, in the heart of London’s Square Mile.
As sustainability now becomes more and more at the heart of all business decision-making, it was interesting to learn that Mr Fortnum and Mr Mason began their business by recycling half-burned candles from Queen Anne’s palace. In the same spirit, F&M customers have been reusing and re-imagining their beautiful packaging ever since, from biscuit tins to paintbrush holders and tea caddies to plant pots.
And finally, not many people may be aware that the roof of Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly is home to a collection of beehives, a salmon smoker and an allotment (the produce of which is used in the restaurants) and all of which are packaged under the ‘Made in Piccadilly’ brand.
One thing the pandemic has really brought home to us all is the need to really seize the moment and not to put things off, for another day. I do regret not having travelled more or going after some of my dreams with more passion. I admit that I have far too often put my own needs in second place, focusing on what I “ought to do” rather than “what I want to do”. So I think its time to to live life to the fullest, to order the F&M hamper that have been coveting for years, and cherish all the things (big and small) that bring us joy.
As many of you will know from my Instagram posts, one of my favourite spots in London is Hotel Cafe Royal in Piccadilly and I have featured the hotel and its dining options which are available for non-guests a few times now on the blog, including their incredible afternoon tea experience in the spectacular Oscar Wilde Room. So I was thrilled to learn that they had launched a new Sunday brunch menu at the end of last year.
With the wet and windy weekends we have been experiencing in the UK not to mention the doom and gloom following Brexit, what could be better than to seek refuge in an interior design dream with delicious food and drink and in the company of good friends. Designed by Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni with hues of brown, grey and bronze, Laurent Restaurant is on the first floor of Hotel Café Royal. The main dining room and bar overlooks the elegant sweep of Regent Street, with additional seating around the sensational Murano glass chandelier which takes centre stage in the hotel’s grand lobby.
Executive Chef Laurent Tourondel has brought New York to London with a fantastic brunch menu featuring dishes such as his incredible Truffle Popovers Benedict which are a twist on the classic Eggs Benedict using a truffle hollandaise sauce and lots of cheese. It is supremely rich in flavour, but worth visiting the restaurant just to try this dish as was absolutely exquisite.
Also on the menu, you will find classics such as avocado and salmon as well as country style pancakes. And of course there is the option to choose the bottomless brunch menu with includes one main dish with either unlimited Bloody Marys (£45), or VeuveClicquot (£65). To note the bottomless option is for two hours only, but that is plenty of time to enjoy the live jazz music and escape hectic city life for a few hours of much needed relaxation or catch up with friends.
The hotel describes itself as a ‘London luxury address like no other’, and this in my opinion is no overstatement. For over 150 years, Hotel Café Royal has been the ‘vibrant living room of London, the place to convene, converse and celebrate’ for famous visitors like Oscar Wilde, Muhammad Ali, Winston Churchill and David Bowie (indeed several of the spaces in the hotel are now named after these illustrious folks). The new Sunday brunch menu has further enhanced the hotel’s offering, and am even more of an ardent fan of this very special spot in London. I am looking forward to my next visit already!
I have always been a fan of the Hotel Café Royal for afternoon tea and drinks, but found it strange that their main restaurant Ten was situated on the ground floor surrounded by passing traffic of people en route to the Green Bar or guests checking in, so was very intrigued to visit their new restaurant, Laurent at Café Royal, on the first floor following the hotel’s £5 million refurbishment.
With an interior designed by Piero Lissoni, Laurent is contemporary yet nods to the hotel’s rich heritage retaining grandeur and elegance and is headed by French chef extraordinaire Laurent Tourondel, and offers an international menu including both steak and sushi all prepared to perfection. I was interested to learn that Chef Tourondel actually worked weekend shifts at Hotel Café Royal when he started out as a young chef, so its absolutely fitting he returns at the helm thirty years later for his first European restaurant opening.
With an open “parilla grill” kitchen and sushi bar, you can choose between the small sexy dining room with its glittering bar facing Regent Street or the intimate balcony tables overlooking the fabulous Italian Murano chandelier taking centre stage in the refurbished hotel lobby.
I have eaten at Laurent a few times now and absolutely love the giant cheesy Yorkshire pudding which is served instead of bread, the in-house cured gin-salmon California rolls and (melt in the mouth) USA Creek Stone Farm beef fillet steak with salt and vinegar chips. And the desserts are simply exquisite.
London has an incredible repertoire of high-end eateries to choose from, but I have to say Laurent will be featuring high up on my list for both business and personal dining for the foreseeable future. Glamorous interiors, incredibly delicious food and warm knowledgeable staff are an unbeatable combination. I simply cannot wait to return! For more information or to reserve a table visit the website.
When talk started five years ago about the iconic Ivy restaurant opening a chain of Ivy-esque restaurants across the UK, I will admit I was expecting a watered down version of the original theatre-land legend, but I am in awe of what has been created, very much aligned to the heritage brand and delivering exquisite food, ambience and service.
The first one opened in Covent Garden in 2014, followed by Chelsea in 2015 and the rest is history with a total of 27 restaurants across the UK in the Ivy collection, with my local, Ivy City Garden, which launched last summer as a much needed addition to city eateries.
Located in the historic Bishopsgate Gardens – one of the City’s few garden squares – and next-door to the famous St. Botolph church, the Ivy City Garden brings the familiar luxury of The Ivy in the West End to the City of London together with a much needed green refuge from the steel and glass of the square mile. The Ivy City Garden boasts a sensational interior designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, and also has an outdoor space with a retractable roof, in which if the (at times unpredictable) British summer allows I hope to enjoy some al fresco dining over the coming months.
It is fast becoming one of my favourites having done number of client lunches here as well as great place to meet friends. I cannot wait to try the truffle beef Wellington sharing platter served with foie gras sauce and dauphinoise potatoes, which apparently is simply divine and exclusive to Ivy City Garden!
Highly recommend and if you visit be sure to try the Garden Collins cocktail – Beefeater Gin infused with rosemary & lavender from the restaurant’s own herb garden.
I Don’t Want to Belong to Any Club That Will Accept Me as a Member
I don’t think the newly opened Curtain Club in Shoreditch, East London will have the same problem. To be honest I think it will be the reverse. As the hottest new opening in the area, it is set to rival Shoreditch House and give the eclectic local residents and workers a fabulous new space to work and play in.
Having walked past the building works on my way to the offices every day over the last year, I was intrigued to see the inside of the Curtain Club and so was delighted when it finally opened and I was offered the chance to go in and have a snoop!
The wow factor clearly comes from the rooftop restaurant and bar, The Lido, set in front of a year-round heated swimming pool and sun loungers, but all the spaces have been carefully and beautifully curated, and will transport you away from the, at times, gritty city surroundings.
Interestingly, it was the area that attracted New York hotelier Michael Achenbaum (of the acclaimed Gansvoort brand) to build his club in this area. As he says : “We spent almost 10 years seeking locations throughout London, with the last 7 years specifically focused on the emerging East London area. It’s in our DNA to create hotels in neighbourhoods that are not only ahead of the curve but also in areas that are growing. The Curtain is that vision come to life in Europe.”
In addition to The Lido, members have access to private club club spaces and bars as well as a 24 hr gym, spa and live performance space.
And foodies, both club members and the general public, can enjoy the delights of Marcus Samuelson’s iconic Red Rooster restaurant, bringing its Harlem cool to London, as well as an all-day taqueria and bar, La Tienda, which are both also on site.
Finally, the Club also offers 120 guest rooms, including five suites, but more on that next time!
Check their website for more information about the club and about applying for membership.
The White Diaries
