Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge: Bright sparks, dark dreams July 7, 2025 The typical Rolls-Royce buyer – if such a person exists – is now 42 years old. For the Spectre, the average age drops to just 35. Given that I recently celebrated my 46th birthday and drive a 19-year-old Golf, those feel like sobering statistics. Clearly, I should have worked harder at school. Rolls-Royce’s shifting demographic [...]
Was publishing Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel an act of betrayal? July 4, 2025 It’s “an act of betrayal”, acknowledge Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s own sons Rodrigo and Gonzalo in the book’s preface. “We decided to put his readers’ pleasure ahead of all other considerations. If they are delighted, it’s possible Gabo might forgive us. In that we trust.” Rodrigo and Gonzalo need seek forgiveness because their father was unequivocal [...]
M3GAN 2.0 review: Slasher movie sequel a huge disappointment July 4, 2025 Becoming a viral sensation can be a mixed blessing for movies. Given the fleeting nature of internet stardom, studios get the illusion of success which doesn’t always translate to box office glory. Marvel found this out the hard way in 2022, when the ironic enjoyment of megaflop Morbius led the studio to re-release the film, [...]
Toast the City: Is Bob Bob Ricard’s pie the best dish in London? July 4, 2025 City AM’s inaugural Toast the City Awards has set off to discover the things that make the Square Mile great, from the coffee shop you always stop at to the gym class you never skip. Among the categories is the Best Meal, which will celebrate the single dish that stands out as the finest the [...]
Gordon Murray Automotive: The supercar stars of Goodwood July 4, 2025 This week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will celebrate the 60-year career of Gordon Murray CBE. From his early days at the Brabham F1 team to establishing his own car company, Murray is one of the motoring world’s greatest innovators. Born in South Africa, the young Murray designed, built and raced his own ‘IGM-Ford’ sports car. [...]
Lunchtime tourism: Rosetti at Guildhall Art Gallery July 3, 2025 Bob Vylan at Glastonbury 2025 showed how art and entertainment is often explosive in the political and cultural discourse. ‘Twas ever thus. Just take a walk into the Guildhall Art Gallery. Upstairs in the Victorian section you will find La Ghirlandata, Dante Gabriel Rosetti’s self-proclaimed “very best picture,” painted 152 years ago in 1873. Her eyes [...]
Whisky Business: Commando Spirit’s unique brand July 2, 2025 Whisky Business: City AM’s monthly look at the world of whisky. A handful of big-name brands dominate the world of whisky, but there’s a growing number of smaller, artisan whisky brands carving out niches in the market. One of these is Commando Spirit, the brainchild of retired Royal Marines Brigadier Rory Copinger-Symes CBE. Commando Spirit is [...]
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons: Behind the culinary icon July 2, 2025 During my first visit to Le Manoir I could neither speak nor talk. This is not hyperbole about dumbfounded luxury – I was just a baby. But my parents still tell the story of how Raymond Blanc, in full chef’s whites, came to ask them if I had enjoyed the fresh pasta and butter the [...]
Evita, Palladium review: Rachel Zegler isn’t the problem July 2, 2025 Evita, Palladium review and star rating: ★★★ Whole PHDs could be written about the publicity campaign for Jamie Lloyd’s Evita. Hundreds of people are gathering outside the Palladium every night to watch Rachel Zegler belt ‘Don’t Cry for me Argentina’ from the theatre balcony for free, a fun PR stunt that is getting so popular [...]
Le Cordon Bleu Reveals Semi-Finalists for £90,000 Scholarship July 1, 2025 Le Cordon Bleu London has officially unveiled the 32 semi-finalists for its 2025 Scholarship Award. This year’s competition marks the institution’s 130th anniversary and comes with an “unprecedented prize package” worth over £90,000. The majority of this year’s finalists for the prestigious award are London locals, but the final also features aspiring chefs from Northern [...]