Is the wine bar making a comeback? Pall Mall Fine Wines is giving it a bash February 5, 2015 The years have not been kind to the wine bar. Two decades ago it seemed there were three on every high street, offering a “sophisticated” alternative to the local boozer, where you could trot off to quaff some Chardonnay and talk about the hardships of the working week. As a journalist, I spent some of [...]
Dish that’s orbit of a guilty pleasure February 3, 2015 Daniel McGarey, head chef at Canary Wharf restaurant Plateau, on his Hawking tribute Why did you choose The Theory of Everything as your inspiration for this dish? The Theory of Everything is one of my favourite recent movies and while I am not a scientist, I believe I have a good basic understanding. I find [...]
Mix it up: Raise your glass to London’s best rooftop cocktail bars with a view February 3, 2015 Architects and engineers are at war with the sky. While they battle it out, the rest of us can sit back and raise a glass to the men and women who are realising humanity’s inexorable urge to break the heavens. Each skyscraper will have its day – but there can be no winners. Just consider [...]
Alternative Valentine’s Day 2015: Left-field options to woo your loved one on February 14th February 3, 2015 Stand out from the crowd with these left-field options to woo your loved one come February 14th – or just find someone new altogether. ALL LOVED UP AFTERNOON TEA Throughout Feb: Skylounge Use the view at this rooftop bar to seduce your Valentine over a selection of aphrodisiac sandwiches. Designed to get the heart [...]
Car review: The luxury Mercedes’ S63 AMG coupé with sports clout February 2, 2015 If you’re familiar with the Mercedes CL then you belong to a rather exclusive club. The German firm’s flagship coupé lacked both the mass appeal and visual charm of its four-door S-Class brother. As such, it barely registered in the minds of UK buyers. The harsh reality is that a manufacturer at the volume end [...]
Not convinced? February 2, 2015 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… ASTON MARTIN DB9 COUPÉ PRICE: £133,080 0-62MPH: 4.6 secs TOP SPEED: 183mph CO2 G/KM: 368g/km MPG COMBINED: 18.2mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Four Stars PERFORMANCE Five Stars PRACTICALITY Three Stars VALUE FOR MONEY Two Stars FERRARI FF PRICE: £227,142 0-62MPH: 3.7 secs TOP SPEED: 208mph CO2 G/KM: 360g/km MPG COMBINED: 15.4mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Five Stars [...]
The £10,000 wardrobe: What to buy if all your clothes catch fire February 2, 2015 The worst has happened. Your flat has burned down and all your clothes have gone up in flames. You would go out tonight but you – literally – haven’t got a stitch to wear. The insurance company has made you a take-it-or-leave-it offer of £10,000 to replace the whole lot, from the shoes up. What [...]
Nippon’s sublime amber nectar: Why is Japanese whisky gaining so many global plaudits? February 1, 2015 Kampai!’ says my effusive barman, as I lift the highball glass to my lips. I’m in a narrow, low-lit, eight-seater bar called Hanare, just a few minutes’ walk from Gion-Shijo station, in the heart of Kyoto’s entertainment district, and about to try my first taste of Japanese whisky. It’s an apposite time to do so, [...]
48 hours in… Boston February 1, 2015 WHERE TO STAY Situated in the Back Bay area, Boston’s family-owned Lenox Hotel combines historical charm with modern luxury. The Lenox has been a Boston landmark ever since it opened for business in 1900. Now it’s known for its friendly, personalised service. Rooms start at $195, lenoxhotel.com WHERE TO GO Protopunk legends The Modern Lovers [...]
Art review: Christian Marclay January 30, 2015 White Cube Bermondsey | ★★★★☆ This is Christian Marclay’s first solo London show since 2010’s legendary The Clock, the 24 hour video montage of film clips including clocks, watches and people telling a time perfectly synchronised with the real world. Though none of these works reach the dizzy heights of that masterpiece, there’s still plenty [...]
