IN DEFENCE OF BLONDES October 12, 2009 EVER since actress Jennifer Hudson sashayed into a New York cafe in the Sex and the City Movie and failed to recognise the newly-darkened locks of her trend-setting boss Carrie Bradshaw, the world of hairdressing has developed an obsession with the idea of ditching the bottle. Blonde is out, they cry; save money, go back [...]
OUT OF OFFICE October 12, 2009 FRIEZE ART FAIRLondon’s art world goes into overdrive this week as the season of contemporary art fairs gets underway. The biggest of the lot once again is Frieze (www.friezeartfair.com), taking place in a huge marquee in Regent’s Park from Thursday to Sunday, showcasing works for sale from the biggest galleries in the world. How will [...]
New York comes to Docklands October 12, 2009 Lower East Liquor Bar28 Westferry Circus, E14 8RRTel: 020 7536 2862 FOODSERVICEATMOSPHERECost in restaurant per person without wine: £25 THE Docklands’ great trump card, when it comes to leisure and lifestyle, is the river. Residents have access to the best views in town, immaculate riverside running paths and access to water transport (how jolly). Now [...]
FOOD & BOOZE NEWS October 12, 2009 SOHO GOES AQUAHere’s ambition. Having opened a slew of stylish, modern restaurants in Hong Kong – including one that garnered a Michelin star – former Credit Suisse laywer-turned-restaurateur David Yeo has set his sites on conquering London, and he’s taking a three-in-one approach. Aqua London, his new venue on the fifth floor of the former [...]
THREE OTHER DOCKLANDS RESTAURANTS October 12, 2009 JAMIE’S ITALIANJamie’s successful chain has brought colour – and extremely good pasta – to Canary Wharf. It doesn’t take bookings and its busy, but its worth trying your luck for the juicy, well-priced steaks, the spaghetti carbonara and the increasingly famous polenta chips. 2 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, E14 5RB. www.jamieoliver.com PLATEAUSitting up on the [...]
Winter breaks are all about curling up in a flash hotel October 11, 2009 THE nights, as you will have noticed, are starting to get darker earlier. Rain is falling more often. Coats, scarves and gloves are beginning to emerge from wardrobes. In short, winter is coming. At this time of year, if you are going to take a European city break you are not going to be doing [...]
Dolder Grand Hotel &Spa October 11, 2009 PERCHED just outside Zurich, the Dolder was built in 1899 as an escape for the good citizens. In 2001, though, it was taken over and given a thoroughly modern makeover, opening in early 2008. The old, castle-style hotel still exists, but is now embraced by a slinky and utterly fabulous new building. The old part [...]
Hotel Plaza Athenee October 11, 2009 THEPlaza Athenee holds a special place in the hearts of millions of women for being the romantic love nest – then love prison – of Carrie Bradshaw in the final episodes of Sex and the City. Now, if you don’t know much about Sex and the City, know this: the man who took Carrie to [...]
Hotel Arts October 11, 2009 THIS 44-floor skyscraper hotel was built for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, but wasn’t finished in time. Nevertheless, it soon became a symbol of the city’s early Nineties lifestyle renaissance and remains one of Europe’s largest paeans to avante-garde contemporary luxury, despite being owned by the Ritz Carlton group. It’s all hustle and bustle in [...]
Hotel Missoni October 11, 2009 YOU wouldn’t necessarily associate the chic-as-you-like Italian fashion house Missoni – famous for its bold, colourful patterns – with the city where tartan is still the curtain design of choice. When you bear in mind that other Missoni hotels are due to open in sunny, jet-setting places like Cape Town, Kuwait City and Bahia in [...]