Monthly Archives: February 2010

The Best Afternoon Tea in London

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Here is Bon Vivant’s selection of the venues for the best afternoon tea in London. Let us know if you agree with us or if you have your own afternoon tea venues to add.

The Lobby at the Corinthia

the best afternoon tea in london

The Corinthia Lobby Lounge is a light, airy and chic setting to enjoy an afternoon tea, and at £35 per head (with a glass of Laurent Perrier for £45) it is value for money and superior to a great number of its 5* contemporaries across the capital, without the month-long waiting list.

Claire Clarke, who worked as at the celebrated French Laundry in Napa is the consultant and in-house cake maker, making this one of the best afternoon tea in London.

The Foyer at Claridge’s

Claridge’s is the perfect place to indulge in afternoon tea, which is served right at the heart of the hotel in the grand and elegant foyer, which exudes luxury and style. There’s a selection of 30 teas from all over the world and they use exclusive tea-infused jam and Devonshire clotted cream.

The Caramel Room at The Berkeley

For a more contemporary experience, Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley hotel offers afternoon tea with a fashionable twist, taking inspiration from the world of fashion in the style and shape of the sandwiches and cakes.

Mat Hatters at Sanderson Hotel

Sanderson has launched a brand new Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea in collaboration with Shoreditch based design collective Luna & Curious.

the best afternoon tea in london

The tea has a mix of British food and bespoke, English made ceramics with a large dash of eccentricity. Tea varieties are presented in dainty glass caddies, complete with dancing ballerina sugar boxes, with a Victorian jelly trolly circulating the heated terrace.

Bea’s of Bloomsbury

Bea’s offers great value for money afternoon tea in a small, friendly and ‘buzzy’ café environment. The cakes taste as good as they look, and not many people leave without taking home at least one cupcake.

The Lanesborough

The public areas at The Lanesborough are a delight, including Aspley’s, where afternoon tea is taken in a formal and elegant manner. The service is impeccable, including England’s first tea sommelier to guide you through the extensive options that you would expect from a contender for the best afternoon tea in London.

The English Tea Room at Brown’s Hotel

In a light and airy room with the sound of a baby grand piano in the background, Brown’s offers a selection of 17 teas, including their own blend, accompanied by friendly and attentive service. If you’re looking for the best afternoon tea in London, Brown’s was awarded the ‘Top London Afternoon Tea 2009′ award by The Tea Guild.

The Parlour at Sketch

The Parlour offers fine cakes, sandwiches and tea in a grand setting with a cool and quirky vibe. There is a no reservation policy, but any wait will be worth it.

The Capital Hotel

The Capital hotel is unmistakably British, and the sitting room is an ideal setting for afternoon tea. Given the pedigree of the hotel and the restaurant, this is great value for money in a beautiful setting.

ARTea at The Cadogan

Afternoon tea in the drawing room of The Cadogan hotel is now accompanied by an exclusive collection of works from The Kings Road Art Gallery, where you can combine your love of art with your afternoon treat.

Sotheby’s Café

Offering an unusual setting for afternoon tea, tucked in next to the famous auction house, Sotheby’s café is small, elegant, great for people watching and surprisingly good value.

The Mandeville Hotel

The Mandeville Hotel features a men’s afternoon tea, designed to be an alternative to the standard business meeting or a respite from a shopping excursion, offering ‘man sized’ portions, a selection of games and a range of whiskies as well as champagne and tea.

If you liked this top 10 feature on the best afternoon tea in London, why not read our guide to the best brunch in London, the most romantic restaurants in London or the best alfresco restaurants in London?

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Summary of Restaurant Reviews – 22 February 2010

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Welcome to Bon Vivant’s summary of the restaurant reviews from the weekend’s national newspapers. Enjoy!

Giles Coren, The Times

Giles visits Empress of Sichuan, a ‘top-class Chinese restaurant’ in Chinatown where ‘everything is Sichuanese’ and ‘beautifully’ cooked and the staff are ‘friendly, knowledgeable and fluent in English’.

Lantern Shadow Beef, or very thinly sliced meat, was ‘both very spicy and quite sweet’ and ‘insanely moreish’, while a dish of pork slices with garlic and chilli was ‘textural harmony’ and ‘very oriental’.

The sea bass in ‘Boiled Fish Slices in Extremely Spicy Soup’ took on ‘the spice and soup flavours brilliantly’ but the soup was, as advertised, extremely spicy. Villagers’ Aubergine was ‘soft and mellow and sensitively spiced’, Bear’s Paw Tofu was ‘very rich and meaty’ and the rice was ‘beautifully shiny, sticky and authentic’. 9 out of 10.

AA Gill, The Sunday Times

AA Gill visits Dean Street Townhouse in Soho, where ‘the menu isn’t extraordinary’ but the food ‘good enough’, where the service is ‘familiar, in a clubbable and inclusive way’ and the prices ‘are expensive, but far from exorbitant’.

The onion tart starter was ‘nicely made, sweet, with light, dry pastry’, the salt beef was ‘gratifyingly sodden and meaty’ and the signature mince and potatoes was ‘replete with juicy flavour, goodness and rectitude’. 3 stars out of 5 for the food; 4 stars out of 5 for the ambience.

Matthew Norman, The Guardian

Matthew had an ‘endlessly bewildering’ ‘Basil Fawlty meets haute cuisine’ experience at The Evesham Hotel in Worcestershire, which has ‘one of the best wine lists I’ve ever seen’ and where ‘the range and inventiveness of the vegetarian dishes’ is ‘a major ­endearment’.

A roquefort and fig brûlée was ‘glorious’, linguine with wild mushrooms was ‘outstanding’ and tiger prawns in sweet chilli sauce were ‘fine, if a tad regulation’.

A main of chicken breast with a sweet-and-sour pepper sauce ‘looked terrible, but the sauce was subtle and spicy’, venison pie with chestnuts and thyme was ‘a rich, winey, gamey ­delight’ but a sirloin steak ‘was a disaster’. No rating given.

Jay Rayner, The Observer

Jay visits the Pipe & Glass Inn, a ‘class act’ and ‘a nice, unpretentious country pub serving quality food with inspired touches’ in South Dalton, East Yorkshire.

There was ‘no doubting the quality of the cookery’ and the food was ‘developed and intricate’, including a tartar of salmon that ‘came with a tiny “scotch egg” of smoked salmon, with a centre of quail’s egg whose yolk still ran’ and crisp rissoles of wild rabbit with cockles, capers and sorrel. A dessert of ‘a tasting plate of chocolate things’ ‘forced us to make strange guttural noises’.  No rating given.

Tracey MacLeod, The Independent

Tracey visits HUNter 486 at The Arch Hotel, a ‘discreet’ ‘refuge from the bedlam of Oxford Street’ where there is a ‘conflict between rustic and fancy’ with the menu and décor, and where the service is ‘erratic but generally efficient’.

The charcuterie board was ‘let down by underwhelming meats’ and the olives were ‘rather nasty’, but a roast beetroot and goats’ cheese tarte was ‘much better’ and ‘full of big punchy tastes’.

Spatchcocked poussin was ‘over-reliant on a heavily reduced Madeira jus’ and confit of pork belly ‘similarly fell short on the flavour front’. A dessert of sticky toffee pudding was ‘of perfect temperature and sweetness’. 3 stars out of 5 for the food and service; 2 stars out of 5 for the ambience.

Lisa Markwell, The Independent on Sunday

Lisa visits Le Relais de Venise in Marylebone, where the cooking is ‘skilled amateur rather than dazzling professional’.

A ‘reasonably perky green salad’ starter ‘does the job’, the steak was ‘tender and well-flavoured, and the chips crisp and thin’, but the ‘buttery, salty sauce’ was ‘a tad heavy on the herbs’. Desserts of crème brûlée and praline liégeois were ‘rather good’, and a plate of French cheeses was ‘à point’. 13 out of 20.

Zoe Williams, The Telegraph

Zoe visits Manson, with ‘near-flawless casual French food’ in South West London, which she ‘totally loved’.

The steak tartare was ‘a triumph’ and ‘compellingly edible’ and the foie gras terrine ‘looked a tiny bit prissy’ but was ‘delicious’, ‘rich’ and ‘classy’.

A main of cod on a bed of spinach was ‘so perfectly cooked that its flakes slid apart like a masterclass in the physical universe’ and the brill was ‘discreetly sweetish, and subtly intense’. A Jerusalem artichoke cheesecake dessert was ‘incredible from top to bottom’ and ‘profoundly delicious’. 9 out of 10.

Jasper Gerard, The Telegraph

Jasper was ‘moderately delighted’ by the Turkish food, which he believes is ‘one of a handful of world cuisines neglected by London’, at Tike in The City of London.

Pacangha borek, fried pastry filled with shredded vegetables, melted cheese and pastırma, had ‘all the soggy appeal of a Chinese pancake’, lahmacun was ‘pleasingly light but lacking tang’, cherkez tavugu was ‘seriously lacking’ garlic and spice and minced grilled lamb adana kebab was ‘overwhelming, but tender and flavoursome’. 6 out of 10.

Andrew Neather, The Evening Standard

Andrew reviews Assaha Village, a ‘rustic’ and ‘charming’ Lebanese restaurant near Paddington, where the food was ‘the most authentic Lebanese I’ve had in London’.

A spread of mezze was ‘bursting with freshness’, including ‘admirably smoky’ mutabbal, ‘tender’ kibbeh balls and tabbuleh ‘as zingily fresh as it should be’. 4 stars out of 5.

Chris Blackhurst, The Evening Standard

Chris visits Battery in Canary Wharf, a new restaurant on the former Ubon site.

Chris started with small sharing plates of Iberico ham, scrambled eggs and black truffles and slow cooked lamb cannelloni, which ‘tasted fine but somehow fell short’.

The sirloin steak with pickled beetroot and fat chips in dripping and the duck with caramelised foie gras, creamed sprouts, artichokes and ceps were ‘perfect, if unexciting’, but ‘you ought to be getting something memorable and flavour-popping’ for the price. Puddings, including chocolate fondant and prune and apple tart, were ‘good’. 2 stars out of 5.

For more information about Bon Vivant, please visit our website at www.bonvivant.co.uk

A Guide to Tipping Etiquette on Holiday

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Tipping Etiquette: Have you ever wondered how much to tip on holiday? Tipping etiquette varies from country to country but here we try to decipher how much to tip in some of the world’s major cities.

Tipping can be socially awkward, cause endless embarrassment and be highly inconsistent and irrational, especially since it is based on the amount of a transaction instead of the quality of service.

It is imperative to remember that tipping is a gesture of appreciation for services rendered – if the service is impressive, then it deserves to be acknowledged and rewarded. More important, perhaps, the main tipping etiquette is to remember to tip generously if you are a regular, as this will go a long way to ensure consistently good service and additional perks.

Deciding whether or not to tip is the easy part; the real problem lies in deciding how much to tip. Tipping etiquette is inherently linked to social custom and, as such, can vary between different cultures and countries. An inadequate tip could be considered an infringement on etiquette or an insult to a lifetime’s work.

In a country where a tip is considered a supplement to an income and not a constituent part of a wage, do not be afraid to not leave a tip if the service was not up to scratch – an important lesson for obliging Brits, perhaps. Let’s explore tipping etiquette across the globe.

London

In restaurants, particularly the high-end establishments, 12.5% is usually already included on the bill, with anything between 10% and 15% being customary and good tipping etiquette

In bars, it is normally at your discretion, although no tip is expected in a pub, but cocktail bars will normally add 12.5% for table service.

For hairstylists, anything between 5% and 10%, given in cash, is acceptable tipping etiquette. In London taxis, political and economical musings come at a price, with rounding up to the nearest whole pound or up to 10% of the fare being standard.

For hotel staff, a couple of pound is acceptable for maid service and for assistance with luggage is normally a good guide to tipping.

New York

In the United States, many service sector employers pay their workers on the assumption that tips will contribute to an acceptable wage, therefore the getting tipping etiquette right is of paramount importance.

Tipping is a big issue in the US in general, especially during the holiday season, with almost everyone receiving a monetary tip, including personal trainers, dry cleaners and teachers!

In restaurants, between 15% and 20% is good tipping etiquette, which is higher than most places, but this is more likely to go directly to the staff. Continuing with this trend, around 15% is considered standard in bars and pubs, with at least $1 per transaction.

If using a taxi in New York, be prepared to add between 10% and 15% to the final bill, but don’t be afraid to dispute ill-judged journeys, as you shouldn’t have to pay for a driver’s error.

If you have a haircut, you might have to forgo the blow dry, as you’ll need an extra 15% or 20% to pay for the tip. For hotel staff, a couple of dollars is consideerd good tipping etiquette for maid service and bellboys.

Paris

Parisians will tell you that there is no standard for tipping in Paris, and that the French will only tip if they deem a service to be worthy. Service is normally ‘compris’, or already included, in restaurants, but excellent service can be rewarded with a further 5% left in cash.

Tips are not normally given to taxi drivers, but generally used to make giving change easier. With hairstylists, a 5 Euro tip is standard tipping etiquette, whether the haircut costs 20 or 80 Euros.

For hotel staff, it is completely at your discretion, with a few Euros being more than sufficient. When it comes to bars, it is not customary to tip in Paris, unless, as one friend put it, you are feeling particularly guilty.

Barcelona

Tipping is not generally mandatory in Barcelona, but tends to vary with the type of venue – an upscale establishment, for example, will be more likely to expect a tip.

In restaurants, service is sometimes included in the prices, but this may not make its way to the waiters, so it is acceptable tipping etiquette to leave a further 5% to 10% in cash.

When looking at a menu, be careful to note whether tax at 7% is included in the prices, or this will also be added to your bill, by law. In a casual tapas bar, tipping is not normally expected, but leave a few Euros if the service was worth it.

Tipping taxi drivers is by no means obligatory, although between 5% and 10% is considered good etiquette. The same can be applied for hair stylists, especially if you visit the same one regularly. In hotels, a few Euros for staff is more than acceptable.

Hong Kong

Tipping is not generally a large part of Hong Kong’s culture, except in hotels, where tipping is considered mandatory. HK$10 to HK$20 should be given to bellboys and maids, and remember to tip your concierge if you make use of the service.

In restaurants and bars, 10% is usually automatically added to the bill, but you should still leave a further 5% to 10% in cash for the waiters, if you feel so inclined. Hairstylists will usually expect between 5% and 10%, and although taxi drivers don’t expect a tip, it is widely accepted that you should round up to the nearest dollar, or leave an additional dollar, at least.

Now that you have mastered the art of tipping, let Bon Vivant’s luxury travel service plan every aspect of your next trip. Contact us now for full details.

Bon Vivant’s Newsletter – 16 February 2010

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Welcome to Bon Vivant’s latest newsletter, containing a selection of the highlights that are available to our members over the next fortnight. To take advantage of the offers, some of which are also available to non-members, or to subscribe to Bon Vivant, please visit www.bonvivant.co.uk

New Restaurant Opening and Competition – Colony Bar & Grill

Colony, a new venture from renowned Michelin-starred Chef Atul Kochhar will open in Marylebone on the 18th February. With a bar, lounge and Anglo-Asian restaurant, Colony will offer something for everyone, including lunch, afternoon tea, evening cocktails and dinner. There are also two private rooms, which are ideal for parties and for business meetings. For further information, please click here.

We are delighted to be able to offer our subscribers a chance to win a complimentary lunch or dinner for two, with wine, at Colony. For a chance of winning, sign up to our blog at the link below or Tweet this article, with the winner to be selected at random by the end of the week.

Complimentary Glass of Champagne when Dining at Kai Mayfair

In January 2009, Kai Mayfair became only the third Chinese restaurant in the UK to receive a Michelin star. The award is just one of a number of prestigious honours bestowed on Kai Mayfair, which was also named Best Chinese Restaurant in the £45 and over category by Harden’s London Restaurants 2009. Kai is now universally recognised as one of the capital’s finest Chinese restaurants, a place where the most discerning and adventurous foodies come to satisfy their palates.

Bon Vivant’s members receive a complimentary glass of champagne when dining in the restaurant.

Andrea Hurst Reflexology – Exclusive Offer

Andrea has come to be recognised as one of the country’s foremost exponents of reflexology and is listed as the leading practitioner in her field by Vogue magazine. Andrea is now based at Nicky Clarke’s Mayfair salon, where she combines a thorough and insightful treatment together with a deeply relaxing and pampering experience.

Bon Vivant’s members receive 20% discount on all treatments, as well as a 6th complimentary session when 5 sessions are booked.

Champneys – Exclusive Offer

Champneys – The place to be relaxed, pampered, refreshed, calmed, soothed. Discover laid-back luxury at one of Champneys’ four spa retreats scattered across the UK where sumptuous accommodation, elegant surrounds, pampering treats, water therapies, delicious cuisine and the latest fitness trends are all a part of the Champneys spa life, focusing on inner health and outer beauty.

Visit www.champneys.com and enter Bonvivant when booking online to enjoy a 20% discount on any standard tariff day or stay package.  This offer is valid until 31/12/10.

Hotel Offer – Cotswold House Hotel & Spa

Cotswold House Hotel & Spa is a historic inn overlooking the 17th century Market Hall in Chipping Campden, which is considered one of the most beautiful and well-preserved towns in England. The rooms, of which there are just 28, are decorated with charm and elegance. Some have fireplaces and all have a soaker tub that’s generously sized for two. Suites at the Cotswold House Hotel & Spa also feature a hot tub and a private garden.

Bon Vivant’s members receive a complimentary upgrade and welcome drink.

Events

Below we have included a selection of the events occurring in London and beyond over the next few weeks. If you would like to book tickets for any of these events, please contact us. Please note that these events are available to members and non-members.

London Fashion Week Closing Catwalk Show, 24 February 2010

We are delighted to be able to offer complimentary entry to a private catwalk show at Jalouse in Mayfair to mark the end of London Fashion Week, featuring the designers Angy Morton, Anh Tuan and Maria Cuji. For your complimentary entry, please contact us.

Noble Gift Gala, 13 March 2010

Eva Longoria Parker and Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK would like to extend an invitation to you to join them for an incredible event. The Noble Gift Gala will take place on March 13th in London at The Dorchester Hotel. Your participation at The Noble Gift Gala will help them to capture and build momentum for the invaluable work of the foundations involved and the positive message this event delivers.

This gala is an exclusive event supported by HRH Prince Azim of Brunei, and includes a night of entertainment, music, dinner and exclusive access to celebrities raising funds for Eva’s Heroes and Make-A-Wish UK.

Joe Calzaghe’s Help for Heroes Gala, 22 March 2010

Join Joe Calzaghe & Guests for a unique gala tribute to the world’s greatest fighting heroes at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.

The evening will start with a champagne reception with Joe, the performing artists, celebrities and other special guests. This is followed by a three-course dinner with complimentary drinks served at your table and live entertainment from The Stereophonics, Joss Stone, Rhydian, The Fron Male Voice Choir and others. Joe Calzaghe will also be interviewed on stage by Adrian Chiles and the Gala’s Host is Gethin Jones.

The Empire Awards, 28 March 2010

This year’s Empire Awards will take place in London’s prestigious Grosvenor House and we can offer you the chance to attend a glamorous evening of celebration with the stars, including the awards ceremony, a three course dinner and the after party.

Price per person: £660 + VAT

Elton John’s Oscar Viewing Party, 7 March 2010, Los Angeles

We are delighted to offer you the chance to attend one of the most prestigious and exclusive parties of the year. Elton John’s Oscar viewing party is considered the most exclusive Oscar viewing party in Hollywood. Your VIP evening will include:

  • Champagne and canapé reception
  • Deluxe 4 course meal
  • Oscar screening
  • Celebrity performances
  • Charity auction
  • Price per person: $7,200

The Black Ball, 27 May 2010

Hosted by Alicia Keys, the Black Ball is an event where celebrity and philanthropy walk hand in hand, fulfilling hopes, dreams and raising funds for children and families with HIV and AIDS in Africa and India.

Previous events have featured incredible performances by Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox, Adele, Jennifer Hudson, Damian and Stephen Marley and Emmanuel Jal.

The event begins with an intimate cocktail party, followed by a live auction with world-renowned Christie’s auctioneers, a spectacular seated dinner and one of a kind performance by Alicia Keys alongside other extraordinary artists.

A Platinum Gala Table Package will include:

  • Platinum Gala table for 10 guests
  • Pre-dinner cocktail party
  • Dinner for 10
  • Front Row placement at concert
  • Meet and greet with event host at your table
  • Full page advertisement plus acknowledgement in souvenir event programme
  • Prominent recognition of company logo and link on KCA’s website
  • Gift bag
  • Cost: £22,500 + VAT per table

A Premier Gala Table will include:

  • Premier Gala table for 10 guests
  • Pre-dinner cocktail party
  • Dinner for 10
  • Half page advertisement in souvenir event programme
  • Recognition of company logo on KCA ‘s website
  • Gift bag
  • Cost: £16,900 + VAT per table

An Individual ticket Package will include:

  • Pre-dinner cocktail party
  • Premier placement at seated dinner and concert
  • Gift bag
  • Cost: £1,700 + VAT per person

Below is a selection of the concerts being held over the next few months, for which Bon Vivant can obtain VIP block and box seats.

O2 Arena Dates

  • Lady Gaga – 26th, 27th February 2010
  • Dave Matthews Band – 6th March 2010
  • Dizzee Rascal and Lily Allen – 7th March 2010
  • Stereophonics – 10th March 2010
  • Katherine Jenkins – 13th March 2010
  • Whitney Houston – 25th, 26th, 28th April 2010
  • Black Eyed Peas – 5th, 6th, 27th May 2010
  • Rhianna – 10th, 11th May 2010
  • Westlife – 12th – 14th May 2010
  • Michael Buble – 15th, 16th May 2010
  • Alicia Keys – 25th, 26th May 2010
  • Black Eyed Peas with Cheryl Coe – 28th May 2010

Wembley Arena Dates

  • Ne-Yo – 14 February 2010
  • Kelly Clarkson – 19th February 2010
  • 30 Seconds to Mars – 23rd February 2010
  • Stereophonics – 11th March 2010
  • 50 Cent – 20th March 2010

We are continually striving to form more relationships that will provide our members with additional benefits and exclusive treatment. Please note that the price and availability of offers are subject to change without notice. For more information about Bon Vivant, please visit our website at www.bonvivant.co.uk

Summary of Restaurant Reviews – 15 February 2010

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Welcome to Bon Vivant’s summary of the restaurant reviews from the weekend’s national newspapers. Enjoy!

Giles Coren, The Times

Giles visits Terroirs, a ‘very foodie place’ serving ‘little platefuls of weepily honest local French specialities’ near Charing Cross, to try the recently opened Downstairs at Terroirs, which has gone ‘more seriously over to major meal-making’ than the original upstairs restaurant.

‘First-rate’ squid a la plancha was followed by ‘a first-class’ cassoulet, accompanied by ‘excellent’ white wine and a carafe of red wine ‘so natural it was just a bunch of grapes squeezed straight into the glass from a Frenchwoman’s armpit’. 7.67 out of 10.

AA Gill, The Sunday Times

AA Gill visits the The French Horn restaurant and hotel in Sonning-on-Thames, ‘on a pretty, willow-wept stretch of the Thames’ in Berkshire, where ‘the waiters are proper old French blokes, who do authentic silver service’.

A starter of an egg poached in a reduction of red wine ‘wasn’t bad, though not actually perfect’ and the pea soup was ‘served far, far too hot’.

The tournedos of beef in a wine reduction with a slice of foie gras was ‘rougher and more open-textured than’ he ‘would have expected’ and was ‘underhung’, and a pudding of crêpes suzette was ‘a bit too breakfast, the orange too sprightly’. 3 stars out of 5 for the food; 4 stars out of 5 for the atmosphere.

Matthew Norman, The Guardian

Matthew visits Wallace & Co, Gregg Wallace’s debut as a restaurateur, with ‘some of the laziest, sloppiest cooking’ he has ‘encountered in years’, which ‘wouldn’t make it even to the first round of Masterchef’.

In a ‘perfectly pleasant room’, a ribollita was ‘horrendously thin, weedy’ and ‘olive oil-free’, an ‘all right’ smoked mackerel pâté was ‘too sweet’ and a scotch egg was ‘peculiarly bland’.

A Lancashire hotpot came with a ‘dry, overcooked slab of sliced ­potato on top’ and a ‘worse’ steak, mushroom and ale pie came with gravy that was ‘more watery than the soup’ and ‘brittle and ­paper-thin’ crust. Puddings of knickerbocker glory and apple crumble with custard were ‘the real deal’ and ‘much better’. No rating given.

Jay Rayner, The Observer

Jay visits the dining room at The Goring Hotel in London, ‘a fantasy of cream and beige’, which is celebrating its 100th birthday by featuring dishes from various significant eras of its life.

Fillets of soused herring were ‘mushy and dull’ and ‘left a nasty aftertaste’, steamed oxtail pudding was a ‘thick suet shell’ that ‘gave way to not very much at all, and certainly not the luscious, gravy-slicked strands of meat I had expected’, and a jam roly poly and custard dessert was ‘lousy and the portion so small’. No rating given.

John Walsh, The Independent

John visits The Seafood Restaurant, Rick Stein’s ‘shrine to piscine perfection’ offering ‘both sturdily traditional Victorian dishes and subtly tweaked, spiced and gussied-up Asian treats’ in Padstow, Cornwall that has acquired a ‘deserved reputation as one of the most jaw-droppingly expensive eating-houses in the country’.

Oysters Charentaise, which involved a Carlingford Lough oyster, a forkful of hot spicy sausage and a ‘slug of cold white wine’ ‘sounded fun but was strangely pointless’. The Cornish crab with wakame salad was ‘yummy’ and came with wasabi mayonnaise that was ‘a heavenly tease on the tastebuds’.

An expensive Dover sole that ‘looked fantastic’ was ‘just not very interesting’, but it came with a butter sauce that ‘lifted the sole to spiritual heights’. John ‘absolutely loved’ the Indonesian seafood curry, and a pavlova dessert was ‘wonderful’. 4 stars out of 5.

Toby Young, The Independent on Sunday

Toby visits More, a ‘small, nondescript café near London Bridge’, brainchild of the team behind Livebait and The Real Greek, which is ‘conceptually confused’ ‘with an unremarkable kitchen offering mediocre fare’.

A starter of hare and pork rillette had a ‘suitably coarse texture, without too much fat’ but the flavour was ‘a little bland’, and a main of slow-cooked lamb shoulder with flageolet beans was a ‘similarly unexciting’ ‘bog-standard Mediterranean dish’. 10 out of 20.

Zoe Williams, The Telegraph

Zoe visits Dean Street Townhouse in Soho, which has ‘real pedigree’ and is ‘exceptionally well done’. A starter of hot-smoked salmon with beetroot and ‘punchy but not psychotic’ horseradish was ‘fleshy’ and ‘full of flavour’, the Dorset crab mayonnaise was ‘delicate’ and ‘100 per cent expert’, and a twice-baked smoked haddock soufflé was ‘spectacular’.

Mains consisted of ‘faultless’ fish and chips and an ‘intentionally perfect’ roast chicken that was ‘cooked-through in the old-fashioned way’ with sage and onion stuffing that had ‘a liverish top-note which made it impossible to leave alone’. 9 out of 10.

Jasper Gerard, The Telegraph

Jasper visits Le Jules Verne, a ‘serious Michelin-starred restaurant’ at the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, where ‘the view turns out to be the restaurant’s least spectacular aspect’.

A starter of gilthead bream marinated in lemon juice was ‘so beautiful it should be hung in the Louvre’. A wild duck accompanied by ‘fresh, light cabbage’ looked ‘dark outside but quite red-blooded within’, and monkfish on the bone with potatoes and saffron was ‘delicious, manly fayre’. A bitter chocolate bar came with ‘sensational’ blood orange sorbet and candied orange peel, and the Roquefort was ‘sublime’. 8 out of 10.

Fay Maschler, The Evening Standard

Fay visits the Empress of Sichuan in China Town. Grilled lamb skewers were ‘deeply savoury’ and ‘showed how this dish should be done’, and marinated cold noodle in a spicy sauce had Fay ‘clashing chopsticks to get at the last strands’.

Farmer’s Fish baked with black beans and cumin had ‘funky flavours’, marinated black fungus was ‘wickedly spicy’ and steamed aubergine with green and red chilli was ‘an agreeably novel take on that purple vegetable’. 3 stars out of 5.

For more information about Bon Vivant, please visit our website at www.bonvivant.co.uk

Mayfair’s Hotels, Restaurants & Bars

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By Emyr Thomas – written in 2010

Mayfair has always been synonymous with style, glamour and decadence, and today it can also be proud of a new ‘cool’ status as Londoners embrace their British heritage, with the contemporary seamlessly sitting alongside old school grandeur.

Mayfair has its share of fabulous dining experiences, with a plethora of Michelin starred restaurants, including the legendary Le Gavroche and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, which was recently awarded its third Michelin star, making it only the second restaurant to currently hold that accolade in London.

Photo: Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester

The Wolseley has maintained its place as London’s most chic destination for breakfast, with businessmen and fashionistas flocking there for the grand dining room and people watching, while Automat has firmly established itself as the place for weekend brunch and a Bloody Mary.

Serving fine Italian food from first thing in the morning until the early hours, Cecconi’s is an excellent lunch spot to break up a day’s shopping on nearby Bond Street. Cecconi’s is fun and glamorous, with a real buzz about the place – and Prosecco on tap is never a bad thing.

Scott’s, on Mount street, has been a Mayfair institution for years, and in its current guise, it is the epitome of the new Mayfair vibe. From the moment the doorman wearing a bowler hat greets and escorts you into the dining room and you see the fabulously ornate oyster bar, you know you’re in for a treat, and the food, service and ambience deliver just that. Scott’s is glamorous, exciting and a place ‘to see and be seen’.

Mount Street has transformed itself in recent years, with high-end shopping boutiques such as Christian Louboutin and Marc Jacobs effortlessly neighbouring Purdey, the prestigious gun makers and Allens, London’s oldest butcher.

The newly refurbished Connaught hotel has re-established itself at the heart of Mayfair and has elevated the hotel bar scene to new heights with two of the best bars in London. The Coburg bar is a wonderful place to relax after a day at the office or shopping, while the design and the cocktails at the Connaught bar are perfect for an upbeat glamorous evening with friends.

Photo: The Connaught Bar

On the fringes of Mayfair, at the top of the former Dickens & Jones department store on Regents Street, Aqua opened towards the end of 2009 with 250 seats spread over two restaurants, both of which have a large and impressive roof terrace, which is certain to be a popular destination in the summer.

Mayfair’s nightlife continues to thrive, with re-openings and reinventions at Molton House and Morton’s competing with a new breed of cool pubs at The Punchbowl and The Only Running Footman, all in the shadow of the iconic institutions of Annabel’s and Mark’s Club.

A place to relax, pamper and rejuvenate is essential, and Mayfair does not disappoint. The recently refurbished Dorchester Spa at The Dorchester hotel is the epitome of Art Deco glamour with a contemporary twist; after indulging in the vast array of treatments, guests can enjoy champagne and cake at the adjoining Spatisserie. The Connaught Hotel has also just opened its Aman Spa, the first stand-alone Aman spa in the world.  Gentlemen are also catered for with outposts of The Refinery and Gentlemen’s Tonic and the recently launched Dunhill at Bourdon House.

With such a fine selection of venues to drink, dine and frolic, you may well need somewhere suitable to rest your weary head, and fortunately, Mayfair is home to some of the best hotels in the world. Claridge’s exudes style and luxury, the service is impeccable and the public areas are delightful. For a more hip and trendy vibe, there’s the Mayfair Hotel, the new home for any young celebrity passing through London.

The future of London’s most stylish grande dame is set to sparkle, with the re-opening of the Four Seasons Hotel and The Dorchester Collection’s new 45 Park Lane scheduled for 2010, both of which will further ignite Mayfair’s bar and restaurant scene. The chic and fabulous will surely follow; I, for one, will be joining them.

Bon Vivant

Bon Vivant is the bespoke, highly personalised concierge service that advises on and arranges every travel, lifestyle and leisure need. Members have access to exclusive treatment, complimentary benefits and discounts at top hotels, restaurants, members’ clubs, exclusive nightclubs and a range of lifestyle services as well as access to VIP and sold out events.

For further information about our concierge services, visit our website at www.bonvivant.co.uk or call 020 7278 0642.

Summary of Restaurant Reviews – 8 February 2010

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Welcome to Bon Vivant’s summary of the restaurant reviews from the weekend’s national newspapers. Enjoy!

Giles Coren, The Times

Giles pays multiple visits to Galvin La Chapelle in Spitalfields, the latest opening from Chris and Jeff Galvin, which comprises a ‘beautifully converted’ ‘vast-ceilinged Victorian hall’ for ‘serious eating at lunch and dinner’ and a ‘sympathetically constructed modern’ café for ‘lower-key eating and drinking and breakfasts and stuff.’

In the ‘cinematically fancy’ main dining room, Giles had ‘great’ crab lasagne, a ‘cleverly deconstructed’ pigeon tagine and a ‘gleaming bit of sea bass’. In the café, he tried a ‘great’ squash risotto and a ‘lovely, crisp, dry, sweet pissaladière’. 9 out of 10.

AA Gill, The Sunday Times

AA Gill visits Milan, a ‘characteristically welcoming’ ‘local restaurant’ in Northumberland, which ‘has the cheery glamour of a suburban cocktail bar’.

Highland chicken with haggis and bacon was ‘surprisingly good’ and a hoisin-duck pizza ‘tasted a lot better than it sounds’. A dessert of a trio of ginger was an ‘ideal’ combination with ‘perfect’ gingerbread cake and ‘sublime’ ginger ice cream. 4 stars out of 5.

Matthew Norman, The Guardian

Matthew visits the ‘good and sporadically brilliant’ Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, where the dining room is ‘handsome’, the lighting ‘­ultra-gentle’ and the service ‘fabulously attentive’, and concludes that the name must have had a part in the recent attainment of a third Michelin star.

Matthew found the food ‘genuinely beautiful to the eye, but less ­memorable to the tastebud than that triple-star rating might suggest’ but with one ‘expression of genius’ with a roast chicken that had ‘the texture of ­soufflé, with lobster, pasta and sweetbreads in a sensational creamy, truffly sauce’.

Baked sea bass with ­razor clams was ‘lovely, ­delicate, but a touch forget­table’ and a roasted rib of venison with chestnut and quince was ‘wonderfully tender’ and an ‘irksomely named’ pudding called ‘The Girl From Ipanema’ ‘showcased pineapple in all its myriad glories’. No rating given.

Jay Rayner, The Observer

Jay visits Cabbage Hall, a ‘pub restaurant’ in Little Budworth, Cheshire, with an ‘overweening self-regard’, which ‘gives restaurants of ambition, and therefore expense, a bad name’.

A starter salad of lightly pickled wild mushrooms with celeriac purée ‘looked pretty, was texturally interesting and made sense’, and a slice of sticky toffee pudding was ‘properly executed’. However, ‘underseasoned’ scallops came with a ‘slippery cream sauce that obliterated their flavour’ and ‘hard, overcooked pheasant breasts’ came in a ‘cloying Cognac-bloated sauce, studded with hard nodes of chestnut’. No rating given.

Tracey MacLeod, The Independent

Tracey visits 21212, Edinburgh’s newest ‘deluxe but quirky’ Michelin starred restaurant where the food ‘is far from conventional’ and the service ‘fast paced’.

A chicken salad was a ‘beautiful and colourful mystery tour’ where chicken breast, ‘played but a walk-on part’ and a creamy risotto of Gruyère cheese ‘came with a full supporting cast’ and was ‘an assault on the taste buds’.

Main courses were ‘stimulating and frustrating in equal measure’ where ‘the dishes never quite came together’. 3 stars out of 5 for the food; 4 stars out of 5 for the ambience and service.

Lisa Markwell, The Independent on Sunday

Lisa reviews The Artichoke, a ‘neighbourhood’ restaurant in Old Amersham with ‘a deft mix of olde world and crisp newness’ that ‘has the Michelin inspectors in its sights’ and where the maître d’ is ‘courteous, but lacking in warmth’.

A starter of creamed spinach and Parmesan soup with pumpkin gnocchi was ‘earthy’ and lightly curried scallops were ‘sumptuous’. All mains, including duck with a soft apple sauce, lamb with creamy cauliflower and ‘superb’ bass with lobster ravioli and bisque were ‘perfectly balanced’.

Desserts, including sunken warm chocolate cake, home-made ice cream and a plate of English and French cheeses were all ‘exemplary’, and the petit fours were ‘fabulous’. 17 out of 20.

Zoe Williams, The Telegraph

Zoe visits Supperclub in Notting Hill, which was ‘not great’, where the staff are a weird mix of waiters and performers with ‘exaggerated’ ‘bonhomie’, but concludes that, ‘of course you don’t go for the food’.

‘Tough’ sea bass came with a ‘very nice’ carrot escabeche and a ‘chewy’ and ‘crunchy’ fennel salad, lamb loin was ‘very pink and inviting’ but the pudding of ‘dense, mealy’ Genoa cake ‘was the worst thing I’ve ever eaten in a professional establishment’. 5.5 out of 10.

Jasper Gerard, The Telegraph

Jasper visits The Royal Oak, ‘a great little boozer’ in Kent, on a recommendation from a reader, where the specials menu was ‘nicely judged’ with ‘tempting’ dishes.

Bread with caraway seeds was ‘exquisite’, Rye scallops had ‘all the plump juiciness of Jennifer Lopez’, but the pheasant terrine was a ‘disappointment’. The pheasant was ‘delightfully tender and still just pink’ with ‘divine’ dauphinoise potatoes and chargrilled lamb had a ‘sweet’ and ‘deep’ flavour. Desserts consisted of ‘good’ chocolate brownies and ‘fabulous’ treacle tart. No rating given.

Fay Maschler, The Evening Standard

Fay visits the recently Michelin starred Bingham in Richmond, which has ‘a lovely view of the Thames’, where the dining room feels like ‘being inside a mushroom’ ‘lit with chandeliers’ and the chef’s ‘intuition regarding pairings, troilism and even shotgun marriages of ingredients’ was ‘admirable’.

An amuse-bouche of mackerel tartare was ‘coarse and earthy’ and ‘avoided accusations of mimsy or predictable.’ A cauliflower risotto, the main reason for not giving a higher rating, was ‘a masterful assembly’ and a brill fillet with ricotta gnocchi was ‘rather dry’. A glazed veal cheek with truffle mash and salt marsh lamb with sweetbreads both ‘suffered’ from having many different parts that ‘competed for attention rather than complementing each other’.

A dessert of passion fruit curd was ‘notable’ and the petits fours featured a pâtés de fruits of blood orange and ginger that made Fay ‘want to marry the pastry chef.’ 3 stars out of 5.

For more information about Bon Vivant, please visit our website at www.bonvivant.co.uk

Valentine’s Day Treats

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Here are Bon Vivant‘s top picks to enjoy Valentine’s Day with your loved one(s) in London.

Ethical roses from OnlyRoses

If in search of the perfect rose on Valentine’s day, look no further than specialists OnlyRoses, whose roses are grown in the fertile volcanic soils of the Andes in Ecuador.

OnlyRoses works exclusively with four Ecuadorian rose farms certified to meet the highest social, labour and environmental standards. The indigenous workforce is free from labour discrimination and all staff are provided with healthcare and clothing, and no toxic chemicals are used in the growing of the roses. These roses aren’t just pretty – they’re highly principled, too.

Bon Vivant’s members receive a discount of 20% on purchases from OnlyRoses.

Salsa at Somerset House

For something a little different from a dinner date, celebrate Valentine’s Day by visiting Somerset House for a Cuban night, including a live band and Cuban Salsa dancers who are there to show you some moves. Ticket includes a mojito on arrival and standing Caribbean cuisine.

Picnic on Primrose Hill

London has some beautiful open spaces that are ideal for romance. If it doesn’t rain, take a blanket, collect a picnic from Melrose and Morgan and head to the top of Primrose Hill to enjoy the view of London, snuggled up with your loved one(s).

Dinner and Massage from Extravaganza Food

Indulge in a Valentine’s dinner for two cooked by your very own personal chef at home.  For those who would like to make their Valentine’s celebration extra special, Extravaganza Food will prepare, cook and serve a four-course luxury dinner for two by an executive chef in your home.  For the ultimate pampering experience, Extravaganza Food will also bring a massage therapist who will give you both a 45-minute massage whilst food is being prepared.

This is available throughout February at any London address and for Bon Vivant’s members they will include fresh flowers, a box of handmade chocolates and a complimentary bottle of fine champagne.

The Old Faithful – A Romantic Restaurant

Our earlier post on romantic restaurants mentioned that on Valentine’s Day, many restaurants tread on the wrong side of the precarious line between romantic and clichéd. However, some restaurants do get it just right, and a Valentine’s dinner remains the best way for many couples to share the love. Bon Vivant’s top picks for Valentine’s Day can be found here on our list of London’s most romantic restaurants.

For more information about Bon Vivant, please visit our website at www.bonvivant.co.uk

Bon Vivant’s Newsletter – 2 February 2010

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Welcome to Bon Vivant’s latest newsletter, containing a selection of the highlights that are available to our members over the next fortnight. To take advantage of the offers, some of which are also available to non-members, or to subscribe to Bon Vivant, please visit www.bonvivant.co.uk

Complimentary Glass of Champagne when Dining at Le Café Anglais

A new landmark restaurant, Le Café Anglais opened in November 2007, adjacent to the Whiteley’s centre in west London. Chef owner Rowley Leigh has created a large, bustling brasserie with menus that he describes as “both proudly English and yet utterly unashamed of our debt to France”.

With views across the rooftops and looking along Queensway to Kensington Gardens, Le Café Anglais has magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows, leather banquettes, satin curtains and linen tablecloths. It is an ideal venue for weekday lunches, weekend family brunches, early evening suppers or post-theatre or cinema dinner. There is also a bar for up to 30 people with a superb range of aperitifs. The private dining room is available for lunch, dinner or receptions, and can seat up to 26, or 75 for cocktail parties.

Bon Vivant’s members receive a complimentary glass of champagne when dining in the restaurant.

Urbanity London – Exclusive Offer

In a world that is increasingly competitive, a strong successful image built on confidence and magnetic presence is more important than ever. With most first impressions formed in just 7 seconds, and 93% of that judgement based on non-verbal data alone, it is imperative that you put your best foot forward.

Urbanity London is the UK’s premier image consultancy, specialising in image coaching, re-styling, and personal shopping.  Devoted to helping clients package themselves to achieve specific goals, improve their confidence, and enhance their appearance, Urbanity goes above and beyond in building your best image.

To celebrate the partnership between Bon Vivant and Urbanity London, the image experts are now offering all Bon Vivant members a complimentary consultation, worth over £100. To see how you can improve you inner confidence and outer style, take advantage of this exclusive offer by contacting us@urbanitylondon.com or calling 020 7691 9060 and quoting Bon Vivant.

Extravaganza Food – Exclusive Valentine’s Offer

Valentines Dinner for two cooked by your very own Personal Chef at home.  For those who would like to make their Valentine’s celebration extra special, Extravaganza Food will prepare, cook and serve a four-course luxury dinner for two by an Executive Chef in your home.  For Bon Vivant members only, they will also include fresh flowers for the table, a box of our handmade chocolates, and a complimentary bottle of fine champagne.  This offer is available on any date in February, in a London location and costs £329.

Hotel Offer – Hospes Madrid

The Hospes Madrid is a renovated 19th century townhouse located in the picturesque Plaza de la Independencia, beside Parque del Retiro. From your room, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the city from floor-to-ceiling windows. Modern rooms feature neutral, muted shades set off by bright accents. Good-sized bathrooms house either enormous marble showers or large soaker tubs, where you’re sure to enjoy sweet treats in the form of organic Greek bath products from Korres.

Downstairs, indulge in dinner at Senzone, or check out one of three eclectic bar-lounges. A serene indoor pool, a Turkish hammam, and Hospes Madrid’s signature Bodyna spa are the perfect places to unwind after a day exploring Spain’s capital city.

Bon Vivant’s members receive a complimentary upgrade and internet access.

Events

Below we have included a selection of the events occurring in London over the next few weeks. If you would like to book tickets for any of these events, please contact us. Please note that these events are available to members and non-members.

The BRIT Awards, Earls Court Arena – 16 February 2010

The BRIT Awards is the biggest music show and TV event in popular music, featuring the best pop acts in the UK and throughout the world. This year’s event will be hosted by comedian Peter Kay in London’s Earls Court Arena.

Bon Vivant is able to offer the following packages:

Table Packages

  • Table seating
  • Access via VIP entrance
  • Pre awards champagne reception
  • 3 course gourmet dinner at your table prior to the awards (excluding       beverages)
  • Watch the BRITs from your own table
  • Access to the Official Brit Awards After Party
  • Individual Platinum seats: £1,350 + VAT per person
  • Individual Gold seats: £1,145 + VAT per person

VIP Pre Drinks Party, VIP balcony and Official Awards After Party Package

  • Champagne reception with canapés
  • Unlimited bar including wine, beer, soft drinks and house spirits
  • Balcony tickets to the Awards
  • Access to the Official Brit Awards After Party
  • Price per person: £420 + VAT

The BAFTA Film Awards – 21 February 2010

The BAFTAS are normally strictly a film industry only event, however we are delighted to be able to offer a platinum package for 10 people. Not only will you witness the exclusive awards ceremony but you will also dine and party with the stars of the international film industry.

The 2010 BAFTA Awards Platinum Package includes:

  • Access the BAFTA Awards via the red carpet
  • Take your Platinum seats to view the Awards Show (within TV camera shots)
  • Transfer to the Grosvenor House Hotel
  • Dine at the Official BAFTA Awards Dinner in the company of the BAFTA Award Winners and stars
  • Party at the Official BAFTA Awards After Party

Price per Table of 10: £15,500 + VAT

Carling Cup Final – 28 February 2010

The Carling Cup offers a chance for the lower league clubs to challenge the opposition from the higher leagues, with a Europa League spot on offer for the winner. Manchester United were victorious in 2009, beating Tottenham Hotspur on penalties. This year Manchester United defend the title against a strong Aston Villa side.

The Empire Awards – 28 March 2010

This year’s Empire Awards will take place in London’s prestigious Grosvenor House and we can offer you the chance to attend a glamorous evening of celebration with the stars, including the awards ceremony, a three course dinner and the after party.

Price per person: £660 + VAT

X Factor Live at the O2 – 20th to 21st March 2010

Having produced such major stars as Leona Lewis and last year’s winner, Alexandra Burke, The ‘X Factor’ Live Concert will include performances by all the 2009 finalists, including winner Joe McElderry.

Your VIP ticket options are:

1)    VIP entrance, VIP seats in block 102 with access to the VIP lounge pre and post concert. Price per person: £169 + VAT

2)    VIP entrance, seats in a VIP box, access to the VIP lounge pre and post concert. Box facilities include a lounge area and a private cash bar. Price per person: £195 + VAT

Love Never Dies – The Phantom returns! 16 March 2010

On Tuesday, 16 March 2010, at the Adelphi Theatre on The Strand, the principal characters of The Phantom of the Opera continue their stories in the only gala performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies.

Ten years after the mysterious disappearance of The Phantom from the Paris Opera House, Christine Daae accepts an offer to come to America and perform at New York’s fabulous new playground of the world – Coney Island. Love Never Dies is a rollercoaster ride of obsession and intrigue, in which music and memory can play cruel tricks, and The Phantom sets out to prove that, indeed, Love Never Dies.

There are a number of ticket packages available, details of which can be found here. One hundred percent of proceeds will go towards the Theatres for Theatres Appeal, an exciting three-year initiative to raise £4million to help fund two new state-of-the-art operating theatres at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The theatres will be used to treat children with complex and often life-threatening neurological and craniofacial conditions.

Tickets will be sold on a strictly first come first served basis and are non-transferable. To purchase tickets please call 0844 811 0056 quoting GOSHCC or book online at www.seetickets.com/goshcc.

Glastonbury 2010, June 2010

The Glastonbury Festival is the largest Greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world and a template for all the festivals that have come after it. U2 are lined up to headline the Pyramid Stage at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. Line up speculations for the 40th anniversary include:

Sting, Foo Fighters, Dizzie Rascal, Fatboy Slim, Florence and The Machine, Radiohead, Green Day, Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Muse, Kanye West, Dolly Parton and Duran Duran, Led Zeppelin and Rolling stones.

VIP Glastonbury tickets include the following:

  • Festival ticket with camping
  • Access to the VIP backstage areas
  • Access to backstage toilet / shower facilities
  • Access to backstage hospitality areas

Price per person: £710 + VAT

Below is a selection of the concerts being held over the next few months, for which Bon Vivant can obtain VIP block and box seats.

O2 Arena Dates

  • Lady Gaga – 26th, 27th February 2010
  • Dave Matthews Band – 6th March 2010
  • Dizzee Rascal and Lily Allen – 7th March 2010
  • Stereophonics – 10th March 2010
  • Katherine Jenkins – 13th March 2010
  • Whitney Houston – 25th, 26th, 28th April 2010
  • Black Eyed Peas – 5th, 6th, 27th May 2010
  • Rhianna – 10th, 11th May 2010
  • Westlife – 12th – 14th May 2010
  • Michael Buble – 15th, 16th May 2010
  • Alicia Keys – 25th, 26th May 2010
  • Black Eyed Peas with Cheryl Coe – 28th May 2010

Wembley Arena Dates

  • Ne-Yo – 14 February 2010
  • Kelly Clarkson – 19th February 2010
  • 30 Seconds to Mars – 23rd February 2010
  • Stereophonics – 11th March 2010
  • 50 Cent – 20th March 2010

We are continually striving to form more relationships that will provide our members with additional benefits and exclusive treatment. Please note that the price and availability of offers are subject to change without notice. For more information about Bon Vivant, please visit our website at www.bonvivant.co.uk

Summary of Restaurant Reviews – 1 February 2010

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Welcome to Bon Vivant’s summary of the restaurant reviews from the weekend’s national newspapers. Enjoy!

Giles Coren, The Times

Giles pays multiple visits to the Dean Street Townhouse and is highly complimentary each time, enjoying the ‘terrific, new-old-fashioned British cooking’ and the atmosphere of ‘Depression-era speakeasy frolics and laughter in the face of Prohibition’. Native and rock oysters were ‘beautiful’, the roast chicken for two was ‘fat and swaggering with perfect stuffing and roast potatoes’, duck eggs on wild mushrooms and toasted brioche were ‘impeccable’ and macaroni cheese was ‘beautiful’. Giles enjoyed everything else on the menu, including the signature dish of mince and boiled potatoes, seared scallops, smoked haddock soufflé and fish and chips, but the caramelised sweetbreads on a Lincolnshire onion tart was ‘quite horribly over-salted’. 8.67 out of 10.

AA Gill, The Sunday Times

AA Gill reviews Cliveden House Terrace Dining Room in Berkshire. After a careful dissection of the menu, a starter of low-temperature cooked salmon with pickled fennel, caviar and cucumber butter sauce was ‘the right choice’, where the salmon ‘was soft and fatty and tasted labially of salmon’ and the sauce ‘had a subtle flavour’. The main of loin of venison with salsify, chicory and a cassis sauce was ‘soft and strongly flavoured of winter fields and hoarfrost, bloody and loamy and slightly dank’. 3 stars out of 5.

Matthew Norman, The Guardian

Matthew visits Midsummer House in Cambridge, where the amuse bouches are ‘sublime’ and the waiting staff ‘leave you in peace’. Scallops with pickled cucumber, ­radish sorbet and miso soup was ‘wonderful’ and scallops with celeriac, ­truffle, Granny Smith apple and ­caramel was ‘beautiful’. A main of turbot was ‘almost great’, an ‘­otherwise ­impeccable’ slow-roasted fillet of pork was ‘oversalted’ and veal kidneys had ‘great’ flavour but ‘they tended towards the chewy’. A dessert of candied ginger parfait was ‘­glorious’ and ‘unbelievably delicious beignets’ accompanied the coffee. No rating given.

Jay Rayner, The Observer

Jay visits Dean Street Townhouse in Soho where he finds the menu to be ‘the last 10 years of British food in one tidy list’. A starter of deep-fried sprats ‘with a spiky caper mayonnaise’ and a salad of wild rabbit and black pudding that had a ‘perfect quartered quail scotch egg’ both had high quality ingredients and were executed ‘spot on’. After a long wait, mains of ‘overcooked’ cod and salt-beef with ‘sad, dense, slippery’ caraway dumplings and pickle were disappointing, but desserts of rhubarb and pear cobbler and queen of puddings were ‘great’. No rating given.

John Walsh, The Independent

John visits The Bingham in Richmond, where the atmosphere is ‘dim and churchy’, the bar ‘wonderfully well-stocked and appealing’ and the food ‘lifts the spirits’. A starter of organic salmon with braised octopus was ‘wonderful, the fish so meltingly soft’ and a fillet of brill was ‘a heavenly tranche of fish’.  The mains were ‘full’ ‘of heterogeneous excitements’, including a glazed veal cheek that was ‘voluptuously rich, sticky and curiously light in texture’ and ‘gloopy’ lamb that had ‘too much going on’. Puddings, including a jasmine pannacotta and crème caramel ‘showed a similar perversity’ which led John to concluding that the chef should embrace ‘the old-fashioned concept of letting customers have what they actually want’. 4 stars out of 5 for the food, 3 stars out of 5 for the ambience and service.

Zoe Williams, The Telegraph

Zoe visits Lutyens, Conran’s latest venture on Fleet Street, which she finds ‘fun’ and ‘tasty’ with ‘marvellous lighting’ but lacking ‘that extra sparkle’. A fish soup starter was ‘aromatic and classy’ and the crêpe parmentier with smoked salmon was ‘the most appealing disc of starch’ she has ‘encountered this century’. A ‘deftly’ filleted and ‘justly expensive’ Dover sole was ‘perfect, white, delicate, as uneventful as snow’, and the confit of canard with beans and Montbéliard sausage ‘looked spectacular’, but the meat ‘was a bit of a struggle to get into’ and some mouthfuls ‘were entirely fat, with no redeeming meat in them at all’. A dessert of blackcurrant jelly with madeleines was ‘marvellous’ and the madeleines ‘were lighter than air’. 7 out of 10.

Jasper Gerard, The Telegraph

Jasper Gerard visits The Ledbury, a ‘grown-up’ restaurant in Notting Hill, where the dining room is ‘icily urban’ but the menu ‘warmly rural’. A starter of celeriac baked in ash with purslane, hazelnuts and ‘wildly irresistible’ wild boar had ‘a heavenly aroma’, and chestnut and truffle soup ‘tastes powerfully of its core ingredients’ and was ‘tricky to eat but scrumptious’. A loin of Sika deer was ‘so, so tender’ and breaded brill with creamed potato, cauliflower and buttered shellfish was ‘even tastier’. The caramelised banana with salted caramel and peanut ice cream was ‘refreshingly light’ but the chocolate crémeux with walnut ice cream was ‘puzzling’ and ‘splattered’ ‘with indeterminate stuff’. No rating given.

Fay Maschler, The Evening Standard

Fay reviews Wallace & Co, where she finds Gregg Wallace, of Masterchef fame, ‘pandering to the Putney pram set’ with a ‘British interpretation of the first Carluccio’s Caffè’, which she thinks, is ‘similarly destined for roll-out’. A mackerel escabeche was ‘properly done’ but the ‘flesh was a bit creaky’ and ‘lacking’ ‘suppleness’, a homemade Scotch egg was ‘high quality’, the Imam bayeldi had ‘an overdose of tomatoes’ but ‘had lively spicing’ and a Jerusalem artichoke frittata was ‘more of a depressed soufflé’. The steak, mushroom and ale pie was ‘most satisfactory’, the monkfish skewer with salsa verde and salad potatoes was ‘an unqualified success’ but chicken with ‘unannounced’ breadcrumbs was a ‘shock’. 3 stars out of 5.

For more information about Bon Vivant, please visit our website at www.bonvivant.co.uk