Using any seasonal excuse to try out a new cocktail I joined a friend at the recently opened Purl bar in Marylebone to discover the stylish way to ‘do spooky’.
Sitting in a candle lit underground cavern we sipped on a ‘Mr Hyde’s fixer Upper’.
Presented in a metal wine cooler with dry ice spilling over the sides we were presented with a mysterious looking glass bottle. Our bar tender popped the wax seal and filled two chilled glasses with its maroon coloured liquid. Made with an uber-premium rum, Zacapa 23, as well as cola, chocolate and orange bitter it made for a bittersweet taste sensation.
The bar is one of the latest trendy nightspots offering the luxury spirit. Apparently it’s made using only the finest ingredients and is aged at 2,300 meters above sea level within the mountains and volcanoes of Guatemala to slow the aging.
Finding myself surprisingly clear headed the next day proved to me this was fine stuff and after chasing down their marketing team I was allowed a quick phone chat with the brands master blender Lorena Vasquez who, as it turns out, is one of a small number of female master blenders in the world!
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Michelin Guide 2010 awarded 2 stars to The Ledbury, located in Notting hill. Most recently seen on Masterchef, where the semi finalists had a tough job maintaining the high standards of The Ledbury.
Led by extraordinary Australian Chef Brett Graham, The Ledbury is simply THE London restaurant right now. The Ledbury gained its first Michelin star in its first year and has found higher standards of Fine Dining since.
Chef Brett Graham
The 2 star award represents Brett Graham’s flair and skill and the ability to create dishes which would appear to have no equal – The man has a dedicated and inspiring attention to detail, The chef is a genius.
We had the set lunch menu, 2 course for only £27.50, which is very agreeable for a restaurant held in such high regard.
To start, I had the Duck egg wrapped in Kataifi with Jerusalem artichokes, cepes and truffle. My Fiancee went for the Celeriac baked in ash with wood sorrel, hazlenuts and a kromeski of wild boar (a kromeski is like a small croquette filled with minced meat). We tried each other’s dishes. I had to retry the boar again, just to be sure.
I am sure, positive even, the two starters were the very best I have had this year. The Boar Kromeski being a savoury delight, a perfect way to start this best Fine dining experience.
For mains, we again sampled each other’s choices. The Poulet noir was complimented lovely by the chestnut puree. The fillet of Brill was wonderfully spicy and cooked to absolute perfection.
The Ledbury has a comfortable ambience that oozes style and quality. The service is welcoming and of a professionality that matches the food.
Is this the most perfect London restaurant?
Based on my lunch time experience, I cannot wait to return. I have to come back for the evening taster menu. In my opinion, If you wish to dine at 2 star Michelin restaurants london has no better option.
The food is of a level most deserving of The Ledbury’s 2 Michelin stars. The restaurant is friendly and the whole experience befittingly delightful.
For booking enquiries, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7792 9090 / Fax: +44 (0) 20 7792 9191 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
For Restaurant Magazine – Voted no. 1 in Top 100 National restaurant awards 2010 and Restaurant of the year.
Zagat London Restaurants 2011 – no.1 Food rating with 29/30.
The words ‘local’ and ‘luxury’ are rarely uttered within the same breathe outside an SW1 postcode until it seems now. The suburbs of South West London have smartened up. Venture into Wandsworth these days and you’ll find yummy mummys lining up outside gorgeous boutiques, picking up organic groceries then lunching at chic cafes. This is the land that gastro pub The Bowler inhabits.
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With a name like Baroness Monica von Neumann you’d expect quality and that’s exactly what you get with the ex Dior and Yves St. Laurent model who has just launched her rather luxurious range of scented candles.
The Baroness is well known in the US as a lifestyle expert, and someone who clearly enjoys the finer things in life. Her new range of 4 scented candles take you on a journey around the globe, from the Norwegian pine forests to her own cosy library in Bel Air. Flavours are as follows:
ATLAS – Sandalwood, Ceylon Cinnamon & Mahogany
FETE – Clove Bud, Mandarin & Norwegian Pine
MODENA – Orange Blossom & Lemon Leaf
SAVON – Jasmine, Damask Rose & Red Amber
Each candle has a burn time of 70 hours and made of natural soy wax, all hand poured in the USA. Each candle comes beautifully packaged in a fine box and is contained in quality frosted glass. Each candle also features the exclusive and rather regal von Neumann crest and retails for $38.50 each from www.baronessmonicavonneumann.com.
We recently received a few samples of the candles and have to say that we were hugely impressed with the quality. We’ve started burning the Modena candle and the smell is divine!
If you are looking for an affordable Christmas pressie for someone whose got everything, look no further!
When a girlfriend calls with a crisis there is only one cure. Cocktails and food. Often followed by more cocktails…
Our choice of venue: Hush. A cool new uber trendy Mayfair bar and restaurant noted for its fabulous cocktail menu and even more fabulous cuisine. Step inside and you’ll find yourself rubbing shoulders with a heady mix of city slickers and stunning fashionistas. Fresh from the office and straight off the catwalk they stumble in thirsty for a great night out. We started upstairs on mix of martinis and daiquiris decorated with real flowers and fresh fruit, simply gorgeous.
Sitting on leather stools sipping our Brazilian ‘Salto emotions’ the world suddenly seemed a rosier, kinder place. The night got even better when we were called to dinner downstairs and seated in their sparkling white dining room that served up delights that included lobster spaghetti, hand cut chips dipped in homemade mayonnaise and whole roasted sea bream. With 70 wines available by the glass we decided to keep it simple and opted for a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio and lots of sparkling water! What at first seemed a mountain/-challenging amount of food seemed to ease with the course of the evening. It all went, we cleaned out plates, mended our wounded hearts and declared Hush a success. Not that it needs our vote, the place was brimming with customers all falling out smug and satisfied into the west end air. Now I know why it’s called Hush, this place is so fantastic you just want to keep it secret…
