The Rib Room is okay… but that’s it January 30, 2012 The Carlton’s eatery turned 50 last year, celebrating with a refurb and new chef. But has it worked? Jumeirah Carlton Tower, SW1X 9PY FOOD ** SERVICE **** ATMOSPHERE *** Cost per person without wine: £65 Elderly restaurants can be a bit like grandparents – demanding of respect without doing very much to deserve it. They [...]
OUT OF OFFICE January 30, 2012 EAT DINNER WITH LUKE AND LEIA The hottest dinner ticket in town next week hails from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars fans have the chance to attend a glitzy three-course meal on 2 February at the Park Lane Hilton, as the countdown to the release of The Phantom [...]
Qatar sovereign fund close to buying Credit Suisse London HQ January 29, 2012 QATAR’S sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), is in the final stages of acquiring Credit Suisse’s headquarters in London and may sign the deal in a few weeks, two sources familiar with the matter said. “They’re working out the details now. It’s a matter of a few weeks,” one of the sources said, adding [...]
Gerald Ronson returning to service station roots with bid January 29, 2012 PROPERTY tycoon Gerald Ronson plans to return to his roots with a bid for a collection of Welcome Break service stations put up for sale by Robert Tchenguiz. The Heron Tower developer, who has boasted he “probably knows more about petrol retailing than anyone in the country” after 40 years in the business, has expressed [...]
House prices stagnate as activity stalls January 29, 2012 HOUSE prices have stagnated under the weight of economic troubles, according to two separate studies released this morning. The average price of a British home fell by one per cent in December leaving prices virtually unchanged through last year, as recorded by an aggregate of several price surveys. And a new report from Hometrack says [...]
Try dog sledding, shooting and snowshoeing – all before tea January 29, 2012 WITH the wind flying in my face, I looked ahead to see my pack of dogs, panting and straining at the leash, pulling us through the pristine white landscape of Haute Maurienne Vanoise. With just the teams of huskies in sight as far as the eye could see, and only the sound of barking and [...]
Easy, tiger January 29, 2012 IN the chilly darkness, I climb into the passenger seat of the open-top Tata 4×4, with binoculars, camera, hot-water bottle and blanket, for the dawn game drive. The birds are fully awake as the dry teak forest of Pench National Park emerges in the soft amber-pink light. We hear the single, punctuated note of a [...]
TRAVEL NOTES January 29, 2012 See Ayers Rock by balloon for the first time While Uluru (Ayers Rock) is one of Australia’s best known monuments it has previously only been accessible by guided walk or camel. This is all set to change in March when visitors after a new arrangement has been agreed with the local Aboriginal Anangu people to [...]
Watch England walk out at Lords from the comfort of your own penthouse January 26, 2012 WHERE IS THE BEST PROPERTY FOR WATCHING SPORT IN THE UK, AND HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ME? The England cricket team mounted something of a comeback this week after losing the first test against Pakistan in spectacular fashion. Spirited batting by Kevin Pietersen will have whetted the cricket fan’s appetite for the return of [...]
FOCUS ON: ST JOHN’S WOOD January 26, 2012 HAMILTON TERRACE Price: £37.5m This imposing six bedroom house in Hamilton Terrace has an interior designed by Bill Bennette, offering a glamorous, contemporary space, ideal for entertaining and stylish family living. Features a gated driveway with parking for two cars at the front. Contact Savills on 020 3043 3600 or savills.co.uk AVENUE ROAD, NW8 Price: [...]