The last word in dinner: the Krug experience at Petrus September 26, 2011 THERE are a lot of champagne-matched dinners to be had in London. But few are as stellar, or premium, as the one at Gordon Ramsay’s relaunched Petrus in Belgravia (not far from the old site at the Berkeley). This is a £450 per head chance to sup on Petrus chef Mark Askew’s finest dishes, prepared [...]
A whirlwind weekend in Hong Kong September 25, 2011 Hong Kong is epic. Everything about the city is exaggerated. The skyline. The escalators. The humidity. Once a busy trading port, it still thrives on exchange, be it financial bonds or dried fish. Being an island, Hong Kong has to work harder than other cities because it can’t reach out into the suburbs for a [...]
A downhill struggle: a first timer’s ski odyssey September 25, 2011 AS a country, we are obsessed with what separates us. North-South; rich-poor; black-white; upper, middle or working class. I’ve always thought that skiing holidays, for the Brits at least, offer one of the most reliable dividing lines. Personally, I would do away the census and ask one question: have you been on a skiing holiday [...]
Get into casuals with the latest menswear trends September 22, 2011 SO it’s goodbye London Fashion Week until next year, as the sartorial bonanza drew to a close with menswear day on Wednesday. Highlights included a spot of celebrity bingo with Topshop’s front row (Jamie Hince, Mr Kate Moss to you, and Sir Philip Green were all to be seen) and Oliver Spencer’s shortened trousers. Also [...]
Gosling shines in both romcom and action films September 22, 2011 Film CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE Cert: 12A YOU wait all year for a Ryan Gosling film (well, some people do, perhaps) and two come along at once. Here he plays Jacob, her muscle-bound playboy who takes cuckolded dad Steve Carrell under his wing to tutor him in the ways of being a right stud. Crazy, Stupid, [...]
Monaco’s calling September 22, 2011 TIMES are tough for property in some parts of the world. Not, however, in Monaco, where investors seeking classic, mature markets feel comfortable. The fact that it’s still one of the most glamorous locations on earth – with some of the world’s best restaurants and casinos (and let’s not forget the marina) – doesn’t hurt, [...]
City living: quit the commute September 22, 2011 BREAD Street, Poultry, Oat Lane – it doesn’t take a genius to guess that the City is about business. It’s certainly not the first place you imagine yourself living when you arrive in London. Indeed, the aldermen are trying to stop David Cameron’s attempts to turn it into a more residential area by relaxing planning [...]
MAIDA VALE, W9 September 22, 2011 CHIPPENHAM ROAD Price: £325,000 This attractive one-bedroom, first floor flat has neutral decor throughout. It has a reception room with high ceilings, a smart open-plan kitchen and sizeable bedroom, en suite bathroom and ample storage. Contact: Foxtons on 020 7449 6000 or go to www.foxtons.co.uk CLIFTON GARDENS Price: £7.95m This spacious family home has a [...]
PROPERTY NEWS September 22, 2011 FIRST GLIMPSE OF NEW PRIVATE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT Early lot prices have been announced for Pearl Island, the private Pacific island just an hour by boat from Panama City. The island’s 30km of unspoilt coastline is being transformed into a luxury development. Prices range from $800,000 to $2m and are between one and two acres in [...]
RENT September 22, 2011 HEAD OF RENTALS AT AYLESFORD INTERNATIONAL, A TOP END SALES AND LETTINGS AGENCY Q. I hear that some landlords are introducing “break clauses” to take advantage of premium short lets over the Olympics. Is this something you advise?’ A. Be careful, the Olympics lasts only 16 days. If your property is an investment, you need [...]