Monthly Archives: October 2010

London’s Best Bonfire Night Celebrations

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With its large number of parks, hills and open green spaces, you’re never far away from a spectacular fireworks’ display in London. Here are Bon Vivant’s suggestions for where to go on Bonfire Night:

Battersea Park

The display in Battersea Park is the largest and most impressive in South London, with a beautiful riverside setting. This year’s event occurs on Saturday 6 November, with up to 50,000 expected to attend, with tickets at £6. For further information, please click here.

Ealing Cricket Club

On Saturday 6 November, Ealing Cricket Club will combine its Bonfire night celebrations with the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Dramatic music always accompanies the display here, so it’s set to be an uplifting evening, with tickets at £5.

Victoria Park

East London’s best display is a free event that this year will occur on Sunday 7 November.  The display has many activities for children, so it’s a great family event. For further information, please click here.

The Walker Ground

With the annual extravaganza at Alexandra Palace cancelled because of budgetary constraints, one of the best options for North Londoners this year is the display at The Walker Cricket Ground in Southgate on 6 November. Tickets are £5 and the event will feature food stalls and kids’ rides.

Watch in Style

If you would prefer to watch many displays all at once from the comfort of a luxury bar whilst indulging in your favourite cocktail, then head to the bar at Galvin at Windows, which has spectacular views of London from the 28th floor of the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane. Other options include Paramount at City Point near Tottenham Court Road and Vertigo 42 in The City.

Lord Mayor’s Show

A week after Bonfire Night on Saturday 13 November, the most spectacular fireworks’ display in London will occur at the Lord Mayor’s Show, which finishes at 5 o’clock with a display from a barge moored in the Thames between Blackfriars and Waterloo bridges. Watch the spectacle from the banks of the Thames or in style at The Yacht London, a new members’ club on the Thames by Temple.

If you are still looking for a way to celebrate Halloween, you can read our guide here.

The London Guide: News, Updates and Launches

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Welcome to Bon Vivant’s latest article on the current news, openings and recommendations for London’s restaurant and bar scene. If you would like further information or to make a reservation, please contact us.

Bollinger and Caviar at BBR

Bob Bob Ricard is offering a special price of £95 for a bottle of Bollinger and 30g of caviar until the end of October – a perfect excuse to indulge! Please call 020 3145 1000 to make a table reservation and mention the Bollinger & caviar offer. Bob Bob Ricard is also celebrating the re-opening of the bar with an offer of 10g of caviar with sour cream and blinis and a shot of Russian standard vodka for £15.50 until the end of November.

Les Deux Salons Opens in Covent Garden

Situated in Covent Garden on William IV Street, Les Deux Salons is a spacious, traditional French brasserie, sister restaurant to Arbutus and Wild Honey, both of which have a Michelin star for their modern European cuisine.

Meatball Tuesdays at Pizza East

Every Tuesday evening (6pm – midnight) from mid September 2010, Pizza East will celebrate rustic Italian cooking with ‘Meatball Tuesdays’, with a three-course menu for £15, offered in addition to the standard a la carte menu. Different variations include beef, lamb, spinach and ricotta.

Birthday Celebrations at Le Bouchon Breton

Le Bouchon Breton in Spitalfields is offering a special 2nd Birthday three course sharing menu available throughout October, featuring 16 oysters with one of each variety from the Breton range per person, followed by 28 day aged rib of Scottish beef, béarnaise sauce and frites and to finish a large sharing plate of French cheese, for £35 per person.

Bonfire Night at Galvin at Windows

Galvin at Windows will be celebrating Bonfire Night on November 5th, with specially prepared Nyetimber English sparkling wine cocktails and paired canapés in the bar. Located on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane, the bar offers a perfect viewpoint to enjoy the fireworks across the city, and the bar is open until 3am to make the most of the festivities. For more information call 020 7208 4021 or visit www.galvinatwindows.com

Ricker Restaurants open Glo Glo’s in Shoreditch

Glo Glo’s is a Tokyo-inspired cocktail bar with Pan-Asian sharing dishes from a robata grill from Ricker Restaurants, the group behind E&O and Eight Over Eight.

Aces & Eights Saloon Bar Opens

Located in Tufnell Park, Aces & Eights is a new dive bar and live music venue from the people behind Slim Jim’s Liquor Store and the Crazy Horse. Aces & Eights opens until 12:30 all week and 1:30 on weekends.

The White Horse Pub Opens in The City

Geronimo Inns have opened a pub on Bishopsgate in The City offering ‘proper British pub grub’ from head chef Mark Blatchford (formerly of Racine, The Fountain at Fortnum and Masons, Soho House and The Beckford Arms).

Argentine Restaurant Open in Connaught Village

Casa Malevo is a new Argentine restaurant in Connaught Village, which aims to showcase Argentine cuisine with a wine list sourced entirely from Argentina.

Samrqand Opens in Marylebone

Samarqand restaurant and bar has opened in Marylebone, specialising in Central Asian cuisine. Samarqand has five private rooms with flat screen TVs, Karaoke machines and games consoles.

The Broadway Bar & Grill Opens in Fulham

The Broadway Bar and Grill has opened on Fulham Broadway, which has a New York loft feel with a heated rear garden open all year.

Chateau Civrac Wines

Chatau Chivrac is a new wine launched in the UK from Mark and Sarah Hellayar, who now supply to restaurants such as Le Gavroche, La Pont de la Tour and Angelus. Chateau Civrac is available to purchase online at www.civrac.com

Game at the Criterion

Criterion restaurant in the heart of Piccadilly Circus has introduced its ‘game’ menu for 2010. Matthew Foxon’s dishes include a game & foie gras terrine (£11), Licorice risotto, venison and beetroot chips (£9), whole roasted grouse, game chips and seasonal vegetables (£32), red deer loin, braised haunch faggots, celeriac puree, sauteed Savoy cabbage and juniper jus (£24) and rosemary and wine braised Red deer shank, potato puree, green beans (for two to share – £20 per person).

Day of the Dead De-Light

The Met Bar is taking a different approach to Halloween this year, by celebrating Mexico’s iconic Day of the Dead festival. Commemorated annually on 2 November, ‘Dia de los Meurtos’ is a festival of remembrance in honour of souls departed. Taking inspiration from the occasion the Met Bar has updated the signature waist-friendly Afternoon De-Light dishes, which is available from 25 October to 2 November.

Fancy Dress Hire in London

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If you’re looking for fancy dress hire in London, read on for guide for the best fancy dress shops in London.

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Competition: Ferran Adria Book Launch

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To celebrate the launch of the first ever biography of Ferran Adrià, ‘Reinventing Food: Ferran Adrià, The Man Who Changed The Way We Eat’, there will be an exclusive evening event at the Royal Geographical Society on Sunday 24 October, as the chef and acclaimed food author Colman Andrews reflect on Adrià’s extraordinary career.

Doors open at 17.30 to commence at 18.00, which will run for 90 minutes including an audience questions and answers sessions. Tickets are priced at £24, which includes a free copy of the book (RRP £19.95) and the talk will be followed by a book signing.

We are delighted to be able to offer four complimentary pairs of tickets for our readers – For your chance to win, please comment below in response to the following question, giving your reasons why as well.

Ferran Adrià is revered throughout the world for his ‘molecular gastronomy’ style, with his restaurant, elBulli, winning the ‘best restaurant in the world’ title on many occasions. From your experience, to which restaurant would you give the ‘best restaurant’ honour?

The Best Private Dining Rooms in New York

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Emyr Thomas from Bon Vivant shares his thoughts on the best private dining rooms in New York.

The Wine Cellar at the 21 Club

With its fascinating history from the prohibition era, the Wine Cellar at the 21 Club is today considered one of the most coveted private dining rooms in New York.

Up to 22 diners can enjoy a three course lunch or a seven course tasting dinner in what was once the most famous speakeasy in the city.

The Modern

The Modern is a fine dining restaurant featuring French-American cuisine located at the Museum of Modern Art.

Overlooking the Sculpture Garden, the private dining room is adorned with Danish furnishings and tableware, which can seat up to 64 people, or the room can be divided into two separate private rooms to feel more intimate. Menus start from $65 for lunch and $150 for dinner.

Gramercy Tavern

Gramercy Tavern is one of New York’s most popular restaurants, serving classic American dishes with a commitment to locally sourced ingredients in a relaxed and friendly setting.

One of the best private rooms in New York can accommodate up to 22 guests with menus starting at $65 for lunch and $130 for dinner.

Bellecour Room at Daniel

The Bellecour Room at Daniel, featuring Daniel Boulud’s award-winning contemporary French cuisine, can accommodate up to 90 guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner or up to 150 guests for cocktail receptions.

The Bellecour Room was elegantly redesigned in August 2008 by Adam Tihany and is naturally lit through a series of floor to ceiling windows facing the heart of the Upper East Side, making this one of the best private dining rooms in New York.

Adour at the St Regis

Adour, by Alain Ducasse, was developed by The Rockwell Group on the concept of giving guests a state of the art experience with wines. Adour offers two private rooms, which can accommodate up to 16 guests, featuring mirrored ceilings and fabric-covered walls.

The private vault room, which can accommodate up to 14 guests features an 11 foot dining table with a white goatskin surface positioned under a sculptural element comprised of hand blown glass spheres suspended from the ceiling.

For wine lovers, this is a great experience with one of the best private dining rooms in New York. Dinner menus start at $120.

Asiate at The Mandarin Oriental

Asiate offers contemporary cuisine with an Asian twist in a stylish setting with stunning floor-to-ceiling views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. The private dining room can accommodate up to 10 guests.

Buddakan
Famed for its grand and flamboyant decor, the vast Buddakan is a visual feast, which also features good Asian fusion cuisine. Buddakan is cool, trendy and a great place for a lively dinner with friends, where you can revel in its opulence until the early hours.

The Spotted Pig

A firm favourite with celebrities, The Spotted Pig is a traditional pub that focuses on high quality English and Italian cuisine that relies on local, seasonal and organic food.

They can offer antipasti for groups up to 30 starting at $65 per person, a cocktail and canapé party for up to 35 guests starting at $50 per person or a roasted suckling pig dinner, served family style, starting at $110 per person for up to 22 guests.

The Spotted Pig offers some of the best private dining rooms in New York.

Bobo

Bobo is based over three floors of a century old townhouse in the heart of the West Village, with beamed ceilings, exposed brick and large candlesticks adding to the seductive and intimate vibe.

Bobo offers contemporary American food, with menus starting from $65. The private room can accommodate 16 people, with the larger Den being able to accommodate up to 28. Bobo offers some of the best private dining in New York.

best private dining rooms in New YorkRiver Café, Brooklyn

Located under the Brooklyn Bridge, The River Café offers a beautiful setting for private dining with spectacular views overlooking New York Harbour and the Manhattan skyline. The Terrace Room can be used for parties of 30 to 100 with menus from $98 for dinner.

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You may also like to read about the best private dining rooms in London.

Bon Vivant’s Newsletter – 12 October 2010

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Welcome to Bon Vivant’s latest newsletter, which includes a selection of the highlights that are available to our members over the next few weeks. To take advantage of these offers or to join Bon Vivant, please contact us.

 

Restaurant Offer – Moti Mahal

Moti Mahal is a fine dining Indian restaurant in the heart of London’s West End in Covent Garden. First established in Delhi in 1959, the restaurant combines heritage and innovation with Chef Anirudh Arora’s celebrated menus inspired by his life-long passion for the cuisines of India’s Grand Trunk Road.

Bon Vivant’s members will receive a complimentary glass of champagne and a discount of 30% when dining in the restaurant. For further information visit www.motimahal-uk.com or to make a reservation please contact us or call the restaurant directly on 020 7240 9329, quoting ‘Bon Vivant’.

Exclusive Offer – Karen Beadle Make-Up Artist

Karen Beadle is one of London’s leading make-up artists, with the artistic ability and creativity to see the perfect make-up combination for each individual. Bon Vivant’s members will receive a 20% discount on all services offered – for further information, visit www.karenbeadle.com.

Hotel Offer – Aria Hotel, Prague

The Aria Hotel is an eclectic tribute to the musical passions of surrounding downtown Prague. Each floor is dedicated to a musical genre and each deluxe room and luxury suite to a specific musician or composer, right down to the décor and book selection.

Venture through the sharply designed halls of this boutique hotel with the famous musical illustrations of artist Josef Blecha, enter the music library or indulge in wines and delicacies in the classically designed CODA Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Prague.

Bon Vivant’s members will receive a complimentary upgrade, breakfast, internet access and late check out. For further information or to make a booking, please click here.

Events Calendar

Below we have included a selection of the events occurring over the next few months. If you would like to book tickets for any of these events please contact us or reply to this email.

London Film Festival – From 13 October 2010

The London film festival is the UK’s largest public film event, incorporating a wide range of contemporary world cinema, new British films, and various events and discussions relating to the world of movies and the people behind them. For a full list of movies and the schedule, please click here.

Frieze Art Fair – From 14 October 2010

Frieze Art Fair takes place every October in Regent’s Park showcasing new and established artists from 150 of the world’s leading galleries to an international audience of contemporary art lovers. The restaurant at the fair will be hosted by Mark Hix, offering a selection of classic British dishes. To purchase tickets, please click here.

The Yacht London Charity Event – 15 October 2010

On Friday 15th October, The Yacht London will be hosting an evening in support of the British Red Cross Pakistan Emergency Floods Appeal.  There will be complimentary cocktails and canapés from 8pm to 10pm, special guest DJs, raffle prizes and an auction, including David Haye signed memorabilia, golf lessons, Gael Clichy (Arsenal) signed football shirt, a central London hotel stay, a Laurent Perrier Magnum and much more. Proceeds from the tickets, prizes and drinks sales will go directly to the appeal. Please click here to purchase tickets for £30.

Aura’s 1st Birthday Party – 16 October 2010

Aura, an exclusive nightclub in Mayfair, will be hosting its first birthday party on Saturday 16 October, with table goody bags from Grey Goose, Akimbo and Cartier. If you would like to attend, please email Alastair at Aura.

The Music Industry Trust Awards with Tom Jones  – 1 November 2010

We are delighted to be able to offer you the opportunity to attend the annual Music Industry Trusts’ Award dinner.  This year’s recipient of this prestigious award is Sir Tom Jones in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music. The award dinner takes place on Monday 1st November 2010 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair. Please contact us for ticket information.

Andrea Bocceli – 12 November 2010

Andrea Bocceli will visit London’s O2 Arena on 12 November as part of his UK tour, with the classical tenor bringing his captivating voice to one of the world’s premier music venues. For tickets, including VIP and box seats, please contact us.

Chequered Flag Ball – 12th November, Abu Dhabi

The Chequered Flag Ball was launched in Abu Dhabi ahead of the inaugural 2009 grand prix, and it’s the perfect way to start the grand prix weekend. The event will be hosted by Eddie Jordan with entertainment from soul diva Beverley Knight. For tickets to the ball or for other grand prix related events, please contact us.

Film Premieres

We have access to film premieres in London, Hollywood and many other cities, therefore if you would like to attend a particular premiere, please contact us. Hollywood premieres within the next month include ‘Love and Other Drugs’ with Jake Gyllenhal and Anne Hathaway and ‘The King’s Speech’ with Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush.

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

  • Les Miserables – 3 October 2010
  • NBA Europe Live – 4 October 2010
  • Disney on Ice – 20 to 31 October 2010
  • Michael Flatley Lord of The Dance – 3 November 2010
  • Peter Kay – November 2010
  • Andrea Bocceli – 12 November 2010
  • JLS – 9 and 10 December 2010
  • Scissor Sisters – 15 December 2010
  • Lady Gaga – 16 & 17 December 2010
  • Kings of Leon – 21 & 22 December 2010
  • Usher – 2 & 3 February 2011
  • The BRIT Awards – 15 February 2011

Wembley Arena Dates

  • Michael Buble – 2, 3 and 4 October 2010
  • Dr Who Live – 8 to 10 October 2010
  • Biffy Clyro – 4 December 2010
  • Paul Weller – 10 December 2010
  • Status Quo – 11 December 2010

Please note that the price and availability of offers are subject to change without notice.

Bon Vivant

Bon Vivant is a bespoke, highly personalised concierge service that advises on and arranges every travel, lifestyle and leisure need. We specialise in arranging holidays, recommending and booking restaurants and bars, advising on a wide range of lifestyle services and helping with the things that you don’t have the time or inclination to do yourself.

London Restaurant News

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Welcome to Bon Vivant’s latest article on the current news, openings and recommendations for London’s restaurant and bar scene. If you would like further information or to make a reservation, please contact us.

London Restaurant Festival

In celebration of London Restaurant Festival’s partnership with American Express, 10-10-10 is a new landmark Festival event for 2010. Taking place on 10 October 2010, the event will see 20 of the UK’s most celebrated chefs cast aside their creative competitiveness and work side-by-side to create 10 never eaten before collaborative Sunday lunch menus. One of the pairings is Steven Smith from Freemasons Country Inn in Wiswell, Lancashire, who is teaming up with Matthew Foxon from Criterion in London, with dishes including lemon tart, Pugh’s Piglet and scallops with pork belly.

Restaurant Re-Opening – Elysee

Elysée, one of the oldest Greek restaurants in London in Fitzrovia, has had a major refurbishment and has re-opened with the addition of a roof garden and a cocktail bar.

New Bar at OXO Tower

The OXO Tower Restaurant is currently working with Shaun Clarkson on a new bar, which will launch in November, situated between the 8th floor Restaurant and Brasserie with its own views of the river.

The Savoy Grill to Re-Open

The Savoy Grill will re-open on 29 November under the direction of Gordon Ramsay Holdings. Chef Director, Stuart Gillies, alongside Head Chef Andy Cook, have created a menu that is inspired by classic British and French dishes of old.

New Weekend Brunch Menu at Circus

Circus in Covent Garden have launched a quirky new weekend brunch menu, which they describe as being hosted by the world’s grumpiest dragon, Piff and his sidekick Piffilicious, who have recently completed a sell-out Edinburgh comedy and magic tour and supported Stephen Merchant, Simon Amstell and Jessica Hynes in the West End.

Free Beefeater 24 Cocktails

Beefeater 24 have come up with the idea of asking 24 top London bars to create new cocktails that convey ‘Daring, London, Glamour’. They then set out to identify 24 of the capitals most promising young photographers by visiting grad shows and speaking to industry insiders. They selected 24 of the most promising photographers to become involved with the promotion and allocated each of them with a bar/photo shoot with the same themes for inspiration: ‘Daring, London, Glamour‘. These images are available to view at: www.beefeater24.com/ldn24. If you vote for your favourite, you will receive complimentary vouchers for free cocktails at any of the bars.

The Betsy Smith

The team behind the Winchester in Islington and The Lodge Tavern in Ealing Broadway have opened The Betsy Smith in Kilburn. The concept is inspired by fantasy, including a giant Narnia style wardrobe which has been re-designed into a quirky seating area, a wall garden with pink flamingos, and Sailor Jerry’s rum toilets.

Bar Battu in The City

Bar Battu is a new natural wine bar in The City, which also offers a Mediterranean menu.