The new Sharan: big AND clever May 24, 2011 BACK in the early 90s it felt like MPVs were everywhere. Created to solve the challenge of how to move big families about, they were sold as useful and trendy until the public caught on to the fact that the reality was rather different. Though big, these lumbering beasts often proved impractical, with minimal luggage [...]
CAR TALK May 24, 2011 ASTON MARTIN TEAMS WITH ZAGATO To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, Aston Martin has created an elegant, new V12 Zagato concept with the Italian design house Zagato. The car has a handcrafted aluminium body and features the iconic Zagato double bubble roof. The car premiered at the Villa D’Este Concours, Lake [...]
Fake tans: the golden rules May 23, 2011 IT’S that time of year again. With the prospect of unveiling bare legs and arms for the summer weather, many of us are heading straight to the self-tanning counter. (Not least the cast of ITV2’s “The Only Way is Essex”, whose collective mahogany glow hit new levels at Sunday’s TV BAFTA awards.) But self-tan doesn’t [...]
Episode 13: Jermyn Street May 23, 2011 “Hello David.” I turn to face Caroline Davison. “Hello…” I begin. “I’m surprised you’re buying your shirts here. Thought you’d be getting them handmade now. I heard you’d been elevated to the peerage.” “Not quite the peerage Caroline.” “No but I’m sorry I didn’t drop a line to congratulate you.” “No. Not at all.” “So, [...]
French fare with added va va voom May 23, 2011 CHABROT BISTROT D’AMIS 9 Knightsbridge Green, SW1X7Q1, 020 7225 2238, www.chabrot.co.uk FOOD SERVICE ATMOSPHERE Cost per person without wine: £45 ON a wall inside the entrance to Chabrot Bistrot d’Amis hangs a large black and white photograph of a grizzled paysan emitting a gummy grin as he pours red wine from a magnum bottle into [...]
FOOD & BOOZE NEWS May 23, 2011 HAWKSMOOR TO OPEN IN EC2 Big news for the City, this. Late last year Hawksmoor, the celebrated East End restaurant and bar that serves up some of the finest steak in London, opened a second branch to great acclaim in Covent Garden. Well, Hawksmoor number three, Hawksmoor Guildhall, will be opening in the City, on [...]
The St David’s Hotel & Spa 5* May 23, 2011 A modern icon of the city, The St David’s Hotel & Spa stands proudly on the edge of bustling Cardiff Bay. With its striking glass-fronted design every room here enjoys spectacular floor-to-ceiling views across the water, creating a real tranquil atmosphere throughout. And for real relaxation, the Marine Spa provides probably the finest pampering experience [...]
The Imperial Hotel 4* May 23, 2011 A grand Victorian façade and fantastic sea-fronting position on Llandudno’s promenade makes The Imperial Hotel a real seaside classic. Relax in the elegant surroundings, enjoy the stunning sea views and taste mouthwatering dishes in the AA Rosette awarded Chantrey’s Restaurant, well known for its delicious food made with seasonal Welsh produce. Lovely. Book at Laterooms.com
Village PREM Swansea 4* May 23, 2011 As with all Village Hotels, the range of facilities at the Village PREM Swansea is fantastic. This cool and stylish hotel offers a great Health & Fitness club, a grill restaurant, a pub and even a Starbucks. Being a ‘PREM’ a high spec stay is on offer, and with so much going on there’s a [...]
Lavishness amid the lonely splendour of the Welsh coast May 22, 2011 SOUTH Wales is home to a duality like nowhere else in the British Isles. It’s a land of timeless verdancy, endless summers and persistent rain. It’s a land torn apart by poverty, and before that the machinery of heavy industry. It is also my favourite place on earth. On the train eastwards from Swansea, this [...]