OUT OF OFFICE: CHELTENHAM IN THE CITY February 16, 2011 ONE of the City’s great hospitality jamborees, the Cheltenham Festival, kicks off in just under a month. It’s centenary year for the festival this time round, but you don’t have to be in Cheltenham – or squashed round a telly in the pub on your lunch break – to enjoy the action. On 15 March, [...]
The intelligent C4 February 15, 2011 ACCORDING to Citroën, cars can be stationary for as much as 30 per cent of the journey time during commuting – unless you’re on the M25, of course. This is why stop/start technology is a major feature on the carmaker’s new eco version of its C4 model – it stops the engine in traffic and [...]
CAR TALK February 15, 2011 Autobiography Ultimate Edition The most luxurious Range Rover ever is to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The Autobiography Ultimate Edition has an interior hand-finished in Kalahari wood, leather and aluminium, a yacht-inspired teak load floor and a cabin which includes a rear console with a machined aluminium laptop table, drinks chiller, and [...]
The Codfather on life, fish and Nobu’s enduring success February 14, 2011 IF it weren’t for Nobu, it’s hard to know where Victoria Beckham, Madonna and Kate Moss would eat out when in London. Synonymous with tip-top Japanese fusion cuisine and celebrity glamour, nobody has ever synthesised food with “scene” in quite the dynamite way that Nobu has. With restaurants in LA, New York, London, Mykonos, Dubai, [...]
CITY DAD February 14, 2011 IT’s like this Noel. Daddy, well, daddy’s friends, at work, they think they can make something better than the people who are making it already. And so…” I look down at my son, six next month, wriggling expectantly in the half-light, his Spiderman duvet pulled up beneath his chin. He’ll repeat all of this tomorrow [...]
Review: super long-lasting manicure February 14, 2011 THE problem with manicures is that they don’t last. Until now. Welcome to the ingenious world of EzFlow, an American company that uses the range of modern nail technology including fibreglass, silk, acrylic, gel and a wonderful polish called Gelez. I can’t say I understand the other ones, but I do understand Gelez thanks to [...]
Battersea gets a slice of seafood heaven February 14, 2011 The Fish Place Vincentia Court Building, Bridges Wharf, Bridges Court Rd, SW11 3GY FOOD SERVICE ATMOSPHERE Cost per person without wine: £40 FOR the capital city of an island nation, London is shorter on first-rate fish restaurants than it should be. Sure, there are plenty of fishy dishes on some of the best menus, and [...]
FOOD & BOOZE NEWS February 14, 2011 A TASTE OF ITALY IN LONDON Lovers of all things Italian will be able to indulge their passion next month with La Dolce Vita 2011, an event aimed at celebrating Italian culture – and that means, particularly, its food and wine. Taking place at the Business Design Centre in Islington, the four-day event includes an [...]
FISHY FAVOURITES IN THE CITY February 14, 2011 CATCH AT ANDAZ The Andaz hotel’s grand 1901 restaurant tends to get the attention, but Catch is worth a visit for its fresh, expertly-cooked seafood. Menu highlights include confit of Arctic salmon with duck egg and spinach gnocchi, and pan roasted brill cutlet with octopus, fennel and sepia ink risotto. 40 Liverpool St, EC2M 7QN. [...]
Stay in style in the Land of the Rising Sun February 13, 2011 TRADITIONALLY, visitors to Japan have had two choices. Stay in a Western chain hotel like a Hilton or opt for a Japanese establishment. The first option is safe but dull. There is something quite galling about returning to a slice of America or Europe when you’ve spent the day soaking up Eastern culture. Nor is [...]