Unless there’s sufficient lubrication involved (probably tequila or sambuca) you probably won’t find me on the dance floor. It’s not that I don’t enjoy dancing – I really do – it’s just that, like many of my friends and associates, I’d rather avoid the humiliation of not being very good at it.
“So how about some lessons?”
“Not likely!”
...or so I thought. But that was before I was invited to a free lesson at the studios of former world champion Latin American dancer (and winner of ITV’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’), Karen Hardy. How could I refuse and what a great opportunity to win some bonus points with my girlfriend!
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Tucked away just off New Bond Street you’ll discover MEWS of Mayfair, an elegant yet positively eccentric venue that spans four floors of bar and restaurant. Prior to our visit we’d heard some great things about the French inspired menu and simply had to take a closer look for ourselves.
The venue itself is situated within a historic courtyard and was originally terraced 18th Century mews houses (hence the name). The interior design combines original character with a modern vibrancy that makes this venue quite unique in its own right. It feels like a private club with dinner, drinks and dancing across its different floors… but there’s not a stuffy attitude or expensive membership fee in sight!
The restaurant is situated on the top floor of the building and has an incredibly ambient feel about it thanks to its lighting, furnishings and neutral colour scheme. At fists glance the menu definitely has a French edge with its mouth watering mix of seafood, vegetarian and meat options that straight away tell you that the chef knows his onions (excuse the pun!).
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There are some rather luxurious and sparkly happenings at the O2 this year and I’ve been impressed by recent February offerings.
The famous Gaucho Empire has linked up to offer a rather romantic experience - an exclusive evening in concert with Eric Clapton and a fabulous meal for two. Couples first experience a luxury five course champagne dinner complete with aphrodisiac oyster appetisers, lobster and of course a famous award winning Gaucho steak - this time served in a Valentine champagne and truffle sauce. Couples are then moved to a private suite to see Clapton play and continue the rest of the night sipping bubbly to their hearts content.
In fact Champagne has become a theme for O2. Laurent Perrier are now sponsoring the VIP bar at ‘Matter’, O2’s live music and clubbing venue. I visited its launch on Saturday night when the chart topping DJ Eric Prydz was house guest. It was lovely to be able to view the music scene below the balcony with a glass of fizz in hand in my own private leather booth. The newly redecorated bar incorporates the Cuvee Rose artwork, soft pink lighting really suits the a back leather clad interior and brings to mind those famous shaped bubbly bottles. It’s makes the clubbing scene a rather decedent and delicious experience!
Champagne, food, music in exclusive settings…lets hope O2 keeps up the good work!
Track-based supercar club, RS Academy, has announced it is launching the first of its taster days at the Ascari Race Resort in southern Spain. These days will allow potential members to get a flavour of club membership and experience some of the club cars for themselves in situ at one of the club’s venues.
The taster days will be held on various dates in December and the fee will be refunded to anyone who joins the club on the day.
RS Academy is the only supercar club membership that affords members the chance to drive the world’s finest performance cars as their designers intended. The club keeps its cars at the Nürburgring Nordschliefe, Spa Francorchamps and the ultra-exclusive Ascari Race Resort in southern Spain and because they keep their cars on the circuit, they don’t have to water down their fleet with tourers or ‘classics’. They only buy machines that offer the most rewarding and captivating driving experience – track cars like the Ferrari 430 Challenge, Caterham R500 and Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
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Masala Zone Group has just opened another venue in Bayswater. Its part of a respected restaurant chain who’s USP has always been to deliver high quality food at reasonable prices - its lucky enough to even boast a Tatler Restaurateur of the Year Award. At the opening of the Bayswater branch the chairman Ranjit Mahrani announced:
Serving real Indian food of quality at under £15 a head is a challenge – We (aim to ) bring delicious food from the homes and street stalls of India, which we combine with an environment that is totally a part of London
With this objective in mind I was keen to trial a Masala dining experience. The restaurant inhabits a former bank and has inherited its pale stone exterior, high ceilings and large street windows – which assists in establishing a contemporary and stylish interior. Our head waiter described how each venue uses art and craft to create its own personality. Bayswater has invested in Indian pop art from India’s famous fireworks town – Sivakasi. A kaleidoscopic range of colourful, kitsch posters and calendar art line the walls and brighten up a warmly lit buzzing room.
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