Autumnal shades
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Conkers. Conkers and brisk walks kicking up piles of crunchy leaves. That’s how I think of autumn. I spoke to a French colleague about conkers and he said with typical French aplomb that “you British are c...
Restaurants at the water’s edge
There are splendid restaurants with a bird eye’s view of the Thames but to properly experience the river you have to have your feet on the ground or at least stand on one of its bridges and observe its sur...
Touching down for cocktails at NY-LON
NY-LON is a novel concept – a first-class airport lounge located not within any terminal, but instead in the O2 centre in London. We were greeted at the entrance by a stewardess who took our names as she wo...
The height of Mid-Autumn dining
Bing Luo, the chef at Chinese restaurant Hutong, does not allow the elevated placement of his restaurant – the 33rd level of The Shard in London – to overshadow the quality and authenticity of his cuisine. We...
Chivas Regal’s The Icon available worldwide
This month sees the worldwide launch of Chivas Regal’s The Icon. This new blend has been established by the Pernod Ricard-owned label as the pinnacle of its range of whiskies. The Icon is available at Dubai Dut...
Comfort eating in Mayfair
London’s Mayfair may not seem an obvious destination for comfort food, but with the recent opening of Sackville’s – positioned, of course, on Sackville St – it soon will be. However, with Gordon Ramsay’s fo...
Regent Street launches Fashion and Design Month this September
London’s Regent Street is set to launch Fashion and Design month this September, allowing its many visitors to get closer to the creative talents that drive the retail strip forward.
This will see ...
Spend a weekend white truffle foraging at Villa Lena, Tuscany
Set in 500 acres of stunning woodland, the historic Tuscan retreat Villa Lena will be hosting a special weekend this October in celebration of the white truffle – trifola d'Alba Madonna, which grows amid the ro...
High in the city
Oxford Circus, London’s bustling shopping mecca, may not seem like an obvious dinner destination, but there’s fine dining to be found, if only you look up. Perched atop Regent Street – claiming the space of...
Blue Sky Hospitality strikes gold in Baku
Drawing inspiration from the mineral wealth of Azerbaijan, Henry Chebaane, founder of Blue Sky Hospitality, is responsible for the design of OroNero, the new Italian dining sensation at the JW Marriot...
Hotel Chantelle travels across the pond
Hotel Chantelle, New York’s famed restaurant and late-night spot, has opened its first international outpost: Hotel Chantelle London. Tucked away on unassuming Orchard St, hidden behind Selfridges, the sky-...
Mixing business with pleasure
According to surveys, between 55 per cent and 63 per cent of people want to set up their own business. But with 50 per cent of small companies failing in the first year, how do you guarantee your business’s sur...
Tea-infused cocktails available now at Opium, Chinatown
Opium, the dimly lit, speakeasy-like enclave that sits decadently atop the chatter of China Town has its own answer to Afternoon Tea Week this year. For the event, which is running all this week, it has teame...
In grand style
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, has marked its tenth anniversary in grand style by winning the prestigious 2015 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards with triple Five Star distinction across all categori...
The surprise of Singapore
I had never been to Singapore before my recent visit, and quite frankly, I didn’t know what I had been missing. Singapore, this almost perfect and pristine city-state, has lots to offer. Whether for the bus...
Spirit of Summer at Aqua Nueva
Created by the reigning global winner of World Class Bartender of the Year, Charles Joly, and Aqua London’s fabled house mixologist, Luca Missaglia, Aqua Nueva’s limited-edition Spirit Of Summer cocktail menu ...
Decadent French dining in Manhattan
Picholine, in midtown Manhattan, exudes the sort of New World elegance conjured up by old books like The Great Gatsby or The House of Mirth. The classic, canopied front gives way to a plush dining...
Unadulterated luxury – Glass visits Excelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan following its extensive restoration
THE outstandingly stylish Excelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan recently re-opened after the completion of an extensive restoration over the last four years. The award-winning Milan-based studio, Marco Piva, has re-...
Paradise on earth – explore the Halong Bay karsts with Paradise Cruises
Sailing the jade waters of Halong Bay in Vietnam is the stuff legends are made of. Just add misty mornings, a traditional junk design – such as that of Paradise Cruise's luxury boats – and a UNESCO Heritage Sit...
Celebrating Japan’s Marine Day
In Japan, this week Marine Day: the nation’s newest national holiday – recognised since 1996 – takes place, and is a day to celebrate the bounty of the island’s surrounding seas.
Back in London, the fine...
Sweet and sour
When it comes to Chinese food, most people have a story to tell. I still remember a girl from Hong Kong who told me that she had had a most “hilarious” meal at a local inn near the Forbidden City in Beijing a...