Monthly Archives: February 2011

Bon Vivant Nominated for Best Concierge Award

Posted by Bon Vivant

We are thrilled to announce that we have been nominated for the best concierge in The Luxury Hub’s annual LuXplosion Awards. If you have enjoyed our articles, guides and features from the blog over the last year, which we run alongside the main concierge service, we would be most grateful if you could spare a few seconds to vote for us by clicking here. Voting closes today.

Please scroll down half way to the ‘Concierge de Luxe’ category and register your vote for Bon Vivant. Many thanks for your continued support.

Bond and Brook Restaurant

Posted by Vilma

Our guest writer, Vilma Darling, continues her culinary tour with a visit to Bond and Brook in Mayfair.

There’s no better cure for a disastrous visit to the hair salon (no blonde wants to go seven shades darker!) than a generously sized Bellini cocktail served in a proper champagne saucer.

The hairdresser had decreed that I could go blonder NEXT TIME, so to drown my sorrows I went to the Fenwick department store on New Bond Street, where my friend Veronica joined me and my terrible mood for lunch at the Bond and Brook restaurant.

To calm my nerves, I asked our waiter for a glass of Prosecco… “What about a dash of fresh peach juice in your Prosecco?” he asked, obviously seeing that the lady was in distress.

And yes, ladies (and gentlemen) a great Bellini cocktail can definitely lift your spirits. I have tasted the Bellini cocktail at its birthplace, the famous Harry’s bar in Venice, and I can say truly that the one at Bond and Brook is far better.

The Bellinis and our talk about clothes, shopping and a tiny bit of politics made my hair disaster seem ridiculous (I could go to the salon again tomorrow, right?).

Like proper ladies who lunch we ordered three small tapas plates to share for our starters: grilled squid with chilli and spring onions, artichokes with goats’ curd and mint and well, not so ladylike, the Hoisin pork belly with Napa cabbage (three tapas plates for £16.00 or £6.25 each).

“The artichokes! Well, that was the triumph!” declared Veronica, also very much impressed by the pork belly and its crispy crackling, which, even in the best of the best restaurants, is often lacking in crispness. I fell in love with the squid and its great smoky flavours enhanced by the spice of the chillies.

We both ordered the sea bass L’Oriental with ginger and soy on a bed of leafy greens (£18) and new potatoes for our mains. And, well, that was truly amazing.

I really hate bland sea bass, which is often the case in more traditional restaurants, where they expect you to relish in the taste of the fish and sea – here, I loved the saltiness, the ginger hit and the crispiness of the dish, and cleaned my plate with excitement.

I was very impressed with Veronica’s reaction, because she always complains about food and has a long list of unacceptable foods: red meats, eggs and parsley are among the foods that she hates with the kind of passion a hard working drama student could only dream of mustering.

To finish our lunch at Bond and Brook we asked for coffee and Veronica went for the ‘skinny girl’s desert’ – mango and coconut sorbet (£1.50 / scoop) and I went for the full fat chocolate fondant served with light cream mousse and prunes (for better digestion, I suppose…). No need to mention here which desert tasted (much, much) better.

Bond and Brook’s menu offered plenty of choice from breakfast (tomatoes on toast and Croque Mademoiselle) to more tapas, set menus, afternoon tea options and other great cocktails.

The Bond and Brook restaurant is the result of collaboration between “Rhubarb” caterers and the Evening Standard’s food critic, Fay Maschler’s restaurant consultancy. Its ex-Le Cafe Anglais chef, Daniel Taylor, won the Malton Chef challenge this month and will be heading there with his £10,000 investment prize to help him open his own restaurant.

But for me, tucked away in the ladies’ department on the second floor at Fenwick, Bond & Brook’s white and elegant interior, friendly service and delicious food is a calming oasis away from the Oxford Street madness and irresistible allure of the Mayfair shops.

A true all day dining experience for ladies and gentlemen who love to shop and lunch.

Website: www.fenwick.co.uk

Address: 63 New Bond Street, London, W1S 1RQ

Bar Nearby: The Polo Bar at The Westbury or Claridge’s Bar (see below)

Hotel Nearby: Claridge’s is a very short walk away.

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Read some of our other restaurant reviews including Coya, 34 Restaurant and Portal.

London Guide: Tuscan Wine Tasting Event For £25

Posted by Bon Vivant

On Wednesday 23 February, join us at Fiumano Fine Art Gallery for a tasting of the wines of Guicciardini Strozzi, hosted by Princess Natalia Strozzi, whose family links include Medici princes, The Mona Lisa and Winston Churchill.

The family’s wines are similarly illustrious and the line-up will include their jewel in the crown, the Millanni 2003 (£50 retail). Tickets are £25 per person in advance (refunded on purchase of a mixed case), the numbers are limited and the event will start at 7pm.

The event is also an opportunity to meet the teams behind both Bon Vivant and WineChap and to learn more about the service each can offer you. If you would like to attend, please email us or use the contact us form on the website.

Hollow Legs: Recommended Food & Restaurant Blogs

Posted by Bon Vivant

Continuing with the theme of restaurant and food blogs that I enjoy reading, here’s a Q&A session with Lizzie from Hollow Legs.

Name: Lizzie, Hollow Legs

How would you describe your blog? I would describe the blog as food experiences, recipes, restaurants and ramblings.

What’s your favourite restaurant in London? Favourite restaurant in London is a mighty tricky one, but I guess I would say The Ledbury; it’s the only place I’m happy to repeatedly drop large wads of cash. Usually with other fine dining establishments once I’ve been I tick it off the list, but this place… I go back time and time again.

Photo: The Ledbury

What makes the perfect restaurant for you? This would depend on the occasion. A meal, for example, with family would be very different to a meal with a date. However, I think Polpo or Polpetto in Soho are pretty perfect restaurants to me though; lively, buzzy atmosphere, wait staff that always make you feel comfortable, and delicious food. And wine! Wine served by the carafe. Brilliant.

What’s next on your hit list? Next on my hit list is Le Wei Xiang, a little-known Northern Chinese restaurant in Lewisham. I’m big into my local places; I have several places lined up in Deptford and Elephant and Castle that I’m going to try.

Are you excited about any new openings during 2011? I’m not hugely up on what’s opening in 2011. Pollen Street Social maybe? (The new venture from Jason Atherton, opening in February). For me, 2011 is going to be mostly about decent cheap and exciting eats.

If you could give a new restaurant advice before opening, what would it be? Hire a really, really good chef and source your produce wisely.

Which of the newspaper reviewers do you like / hate? I like Marina O’Loughlin best. I’ve always read her reviews avidly; she’s acerbic and witty and the anonymity is something I really respect about her. I also like Jay Rayner, but I am rather ashamed to admit they are the only ones I read. I haven’t got any strong feelings against others, but I lost a lot of respect for Matthew Norman when he said “The last thing you anticipate from even the finest Chinese chef is the showing of respect to the veg.”

What’s the future direction of your blog? I don’t have a game plan for my blog; I’m just aiming to keep discovering new things and keeping it honest and interesting.

Which other blogs, food or otherwise, would you recommend? Other blogs I love are Cheese & Biscuits, Food Stories (some might say I’m biased as they are very good friends of mine!), Cooking the Books, Tamarind and Thyme and An American in London. Otherwise, I read a few blogs about advertising but that’s mainly for my job.

The Diary: Events, Hospitality and Client Entertainment

Posted by Bon Vivant

This is an ideal time to plan your events for the year ahead to ensure you have dates in your diary to look forward to. Whether you are planning your corporate hospitality days, special treats for key members of staff or looking for a fun day out with friends, here’s our guide to the best events for the first half of the year. We can obtain ticket only options as well as full hospitality for all these events, therefore please contact us for prices and availability.

February 2011

Cirque de Soleil – TOTEM at The Royal Albert Hall – Until 18 February 2011

TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilisations. Inspired by many founding myths, TOTEM illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species.

Ski Chalets in Verbier – Winter 2011

For an active retreat, we have some ski chalets still available for the winter ski season, including this incredible chalet in Verbier, which can accommodate up to 24 guests, making it an ideal corporate retreat.

Six Nations Rugby

The RBS 6 Nations is Europe’s premier international rugby tournament. Whether you support one of the home nations or simply an avid rugby fan, this is the event for you.

The Brit Awards – 15 February 2011

This year the Brits will be held at the O2 Arena for the first time and will include performances from the world’s biggest music stars.

London Fashion Week – 18 to 22 February 2011

Taking place at Somerset House, London Fashion Week gives both established and new designers a platform to display their latest collections and innovations.

Gaucho International Polo – 24 February 2011

The O2 Arena will host a remarkable indoor polo event featuring three world class matches. Arena Polo is a truly exciting form of polo played on a reduced size pitch, with only 3 people per side rather than the usual 4. Click here to purchase tickets at reduced prices.

March 2011

Prince’s Trust Spring Ball – 3 March 2011

This star-studded charity event is back for the third year. In the company of Prince’s Trust Ambassadors, leading names in the world of music, fashion and entertainment will watch singer-songwriter V V Brown perform along with Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor from Strictly Come Dancing.

NBA Basketball – 4 & 5 March 2011

The first NBA regular-season game in Europe will feature the New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors at the O2 Arena.

The Cheltenham Festival – 15 to 18 March 2011

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the calendar, with the Gold Cup taking place on Friday 18 March.

Oxford vs. Cambridge Varsity Boat Race – 26 March 2011

In a tradition dating back to March 1829, the Oxford and Cambridge boat race is now a major international sporting occasion drawing millions of viewers from around the world.

April 2011

The Grand National – 7 to 9 April 2011

Aintree is a renowned venue of sporting excellence and home to the biggest horse race in the world. You can watch the action unfold in the 164th running of the world-famous steeplechase.

Kylie at The O2 – 7 to 12 April 2011

Kylie’s ‘Aphrodite – Les Folies Tour 2011′ is set to be the pop princess’s most impressive tour yet.

May 2011

FA Cup final – 12 May 2011

One of the highlights of the domestic football league, watch the action unfold in your prime seats at Wembley.

PGA Championship at Wentworth – 19 to 22 May 2011

The European Tour’s flagship event is now held at Wentworth annually. With past winners including Faldo, Langer, Woosnam and Olazabal, it remains high on every player’s victory wish list.

French Open Tennis Championships – 22May to 5 June 2011

For 15 days, Paris will be transformed into a battleground for the world’s top tennis players at the finest clay court tournament in the world.

Champions League Final at Wembley – 25 May 2011

The highlight of the European football season will this year take place at Wembley – contact us for tickets and full hospitality options.

F1 Monaco Grand Prix – 26 to 20 May 2011

Monaco is considered one of the most glamorous events in the F1 calendar. With Monaco’s luxury yachts, stunning hotels and world renowned race track, it’s a weekend of exhilarating races by world-class drivers.

PRA Rugby Players’ Awards – 25 May 2011

The RPA’s flagship fund raising event is the highlight of the domestic rugby calendar and provides a fitting climax to the end of each rugby season. All funds raised from the evening go to the RPA Benevolent Fund.

June 2011

Test Cricket at Lords – England vs. Sri Lanka – 3 to 7 June 2011

June looks set to be a cricket lover’s month as England takes on Sri Lanka in Test Matches at Lord’s.

Aegon Tennis Championship -6 to 12 June 2011

The opportunity to watch many of the world’s top men’s tennis stars combined with the central London location and outstanding hospitality makes the AEGON Championships a truly special event at which to entertain your clients, colleagues and friends.

Royal Ascot -14 to 18 June 2011

Royal Ascot, the centrepiece of Ascot’s racing year, is the world’s most famous race meeting, dating back to 1711. The royal family arrive each day in a horse-drawn carriage and it is a major event in the British social calendar.

Wimbledon Tennis Championships- 20 June to 3 July 2011

We are delighted to be able to offer debenture tickets for the all the action on Centre Court and No.1 Court. These seats ensure that you have one of the best views in the house and are among some of the most sought after tickets for tennis fans. We also have access to a range of hospitality options, so please contact us for further information.

Salon Privé – 22 to 24 June 2011

Salon Privé has grown to become one of the season’s most eagerly anticipated social events and an absolute ‘must’ for enthusiasts, collectors and buyers of modern and classic super & luxury cars. This year’s event will be held at Syon Park.

Henley Royal Regatta -29 June to 3 July

Each summer, Henley-on-Thames is brought to life with the Henley Royal Regatta. The Regatta, first held in 1839, is a unique rowing event offering 100 world-class races over 5 days whilst enjoying a day of lavish hospitality on the banks of the River Thames.

Take That and Robbie – The ‘Progress’ Tour – From June 2011

Take That and Robbie will reunite for a number of live shows throughout the UK during 2011 – for your VIP tickets, box seats or full hospitality packages, please contact us.

Throughout The Year

We have tickets for all ongoing sporting events, including domestic football and rugby games and for all concerts at the O2 and Wembley. If you have an event in mind, please contact us to enquire about tickets.