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The Best Boutique Hotels in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

While we have some fantastic luxury hotels in London, we also have a number of excellent boutique hotels – from homely properties to design-led hotels and those with a wealth of character, here’s our guide to the best boutique hotels in London.

The Arch Hotel

The Arch Hotel, sitting just north of Marble Arch, has the advantage of both Marylebone and Oxford Street. As you enter this beautiful townhouse you sense the upbeat and colourful nature of the hotel.

There is contemporary art scattered across walls with bold use of colour, texture and patterns throughout. The restaurant is relaxed and the gorgeous Martini Library (pictured above) makes a lovely venue for a party.

The Zetter Townhouse

Located on a lovely square in the centre of Clerkenwell, the Zetter Townhouse is a gem of a hotel. It is difficult to fault the cocktail lounge, the quirky bedrooms or the wonderfully comforting food served by Bruno Loubet.

The overall feel is modern with a stylish eccentricity. The cocktail bar is particularly special with its unique set of drinks, impeccable service and great atmosphere. The Zetter Townhouse is one of the best boutique hotels in London.

Covent Garden Hotel

The Covent Garden Hotel is a starry eyed affair of effortless glamour and classic British style. The rooms show all the hallmarks of Kit Kemp’s distinctive style and the result is homely yet stylish.

The hotel is perfectly placed for theatregoers and shoppers on one of Covent Garden’s most quaint streets.

Blakes Hotel

Blakes hotel is a sultry affair that brings a certain sexiness to its upmarket corner of London. You will discover rooms that are exotically Oriental, monochrome, delicately balanced neutrals or decadently dripping in velvet.

The restaurant serves a combination of East and West in a seductive setting that will certainly please the palate and senses.

Dukes Hotel

Dukes Hotel is one of those unique hotels combining English charm, exacting standards and discreet luxury. The beautiful front leads into a space that feels more like an elegantly appointed home than a hotel. The design is fabulously understated with a focus on comfort and elegance.

Dukes Bar offers arguably the world’s best Martini and this is certainly a bar that is something of an occasion.

St James’s Hotel & Club

The St James’s Hotel is discreetly hidden down a quiet street near the exclusive shops of Jermyn Street. Once discovered you will enter into a world of luxury, style and Michelin starred cuisine from William Drabble.

The overall feel of the hotel is modern, stylish and very chic. The St James’s Hotel and Club is one of the best boutique hotels in London.

The Rookery

The Rookery is a small boutique hotel in the fashionable area of Clerkenwell. Inside you’ll discover a world of period charm, polished wood panelling and genuine antique furniture. The effect is that you feel more like you’re entering into a private club than a hotel. The rooms are delightfully traditional with four-poster beds, bookcases and rugs.

45 Park Lane

This hotel is superbly placed opposite London’s Hyde Park. If this isn’t a big enough draw, then the Damien Hirst artwork, Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant CUT, the stylish Bar 45 and rooms designed by Thierry Despont will be.

Dean Street Townhouse

Dean Street Townhouse is a boutique hotel and dining room from the Soho House Group, which is constantly buzzing with the Soho crowd who can frequently be found perched at the bar.

Bedrooms are available in Tiny, Small, Medium and Bigger sizes, with hand-painted wallpapers, upholstered vintage seats and sofas. It’s also a great place for a business lunch, but make sure you clear your afternoon calendar as lunch can often merge into dinner.

The Ampersand Hotel

The Ampersand Hotel opened in South Kensington in August 2012. The hotel features 111 bedrooms and suites decorated with splashes of contemporary art, inspired by the surrounding museums. Weekend brunch is a popular option at its restaurant, Apero.

The Best Boutique Hotels in London by Bon Vivant

At Bon Vivant we have excellent relationships with the best boutique hotels in London. If you are thinking of visiting London, contact us now to enquire about our London travel services to help plan your perfect trip.

Our full review of these hotels will follow, so sign up to our blog at the link below to be sure not to miss them!

The Gent Jazz Festival 2013

Posted by Emyr Thomas

The UK is awash with summer music festivals, so perhaps it’s time to travel a little further afield for your music fix this summer – introducing the Gent Jazz Festival from 11 to 20 July 2013.

The festival will feature a mix of emerging talent, young stars and a few musical legends. Big named stars performing include Elvis Costello, Diana Krall and Jamie Cullum.

Other stars performing at the Gent Jazz festival include Bobby Womack and Bryan Ferry featuring The Bryan Ferry Orchestra who will headline a Special Night on Monday July 15th.

A full line up of the Gent Jazz Festival 2013 can be seen here, with new artists being confirmed as we get closer to the event.

On every day of the festival there will be jazz lunches at Lof, the restaurant of the Grand Hotel Reylof, featuring the best of the Belgian jazz scene who will perform intimate sets in groups on a daily basis.

With a programme of big international stars and a mix of new, emerging and local performers to discover, this looks like an excellent summer music festival. To purchase tickets to the Gent Jazz Festival, please click here.

Salvador and Amanda Restaurant – Tapas and Late Night Drinks in Bloomsbury

Posted by Krista

Bloomsbury is not an area known for its selection of post work drink spots, so when Salvador and Amanda opened their second location there, it was a move welcomed by the locals.

The stylish Spanish inspired bar, restaurant and late night dance venue (the bar is open until 3am on weekends) does not stray from what made its first Covent Garden location successful, and if anything, is a step up to fill a much needed gap in the WC1 postcode.

When we arrived at Salvador and Amanda on a Friday night, the place was buzzing with groups of friends and co-workers toasting to an accomplished work week. Pitchers of fresh sangria greet you at the door and are followed by an impressive cocktail list and authentic tapas menu.

As we were there for dinner, we were a little confused as to where we would be eating until we were led up the stairs to their slightly quieter but more intimate second level. It still has the warmth and buzz of downstairs accompanied by a long wooden bar and candle lit tables for diners.

The menu is a notch above the sharing platters downstairs and after taking a quick look, we leave our dining fate in the hands of our charming and confident waiter who suggests we allow him to pick our dishes.

What came next was what seemed like a never-ending flow of well executed and ridiculously delicious tapas dishes. Highlights included the Monkfish special of the day, the Croquetes Caseras de Jamon (ham croquettes) and the Salmon Curada paired with pomegranate and black olive vinaigrette, which was a surprisingly tasty combination.

However, the winner of the evening was the Chorizo Lollipops. They were as indulgent as they sound and had us wanting more the second they were finished. Overall we sampled around 9 dishes.

It was the perfect amount for two people and really allowed the kitchen to showcase their ability to execute Spanish classics as well as more modern and playful combinations.

The dessert menu was slightly safer in comparison but featured a nice selection of fresh ice creams and sorbets in rich caramel and fruit flavours among others. They were a perfect way to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Salvador and Amanda proved that it is not just an option for locals, visited out of necessity; it’s a great experience for anyone. No matter what you are in the mood for, forgo the regular Soho haunts and travel a bit East…you won’t be disappointed.

Read our review of Bloomsbury neighbour, Garufin, an Argentine restaurant, or Mayfair based tapas restaurant El Pirata.

Read our guide to London’s best restaurants.

The Best Luxury Hotels in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

London is one of the greatest cities in the world, with fantastic luxury hotels to match its reputation. Emyr Thomas shares his thoughts on the best luxury hotels in London.

The Connaught, Mayfair

The Connaught, sitting neatly on the corner of Mount Street in Mayfair, combines its splendour with impeccable service and traditional English grandeur. The style of the hotel is a restrained glamour and elegance with fantastic restaurant and bar offerings.

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught has 2 Michelin stars, offering fine French haute cuisine, while its two bars, the glamorous Connaught Bar situated towards the back of the hotel with its art deco flare and the warm, homely Coburg Bar with its heavy fabrics and open fire, are both excellent places to enjoy a martini in London and features in our choice of the best bars in London.

Claridge’s, Mayfair

Claridge’s is perhaps best known for its popularity amongst royalty, dignitaries and the glitterati. It is also a shining example of the grace of art deco with its beautifully crafted interior and fin de siècle elegance.

Whether you are taking afternoon tea in The Foyer, dining in Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s or sipping on champagne in Claridge’s Bar, you will marvel at the flawless style and service.

The Corinthia Hotel, near Embankment

The Corinthia hotel is the ultimate destination for those looking for luxury, style and relaxation. You will find it located just off from Trafalgar Square and even at first glimpse it radiates glamour.

As you enter the hotel you will become aware of the striking chandelier crafted out of Baccarat crystal dangling above you, which sets the tone for one of the best luxury hotels in London.

The rooms are large and stylish, there are two very good restaurants, a lovely bar, The Bassoon Bar, where the bar stretches out from a piano, and possibly the best spa in London.

The ESPA, cascading three floors beneath the hotel, is as luxurious as you could imagine – it is encased in black Italian marble and offers an equally impressive range of treatments. The Corinthia is our pick for one of the best luxury hotels in London.

The Langham, Fitzrovia

The Langham is conveniently placed just off the fanfare of Oxford Street, where the style of the hotel is grand with stylish flourishes throughout.

The dining options are also notable, with Roux at the Landau and the beautiful yet creative afternoon tea in the Palm Court. There is also Artesian pictured above, a cocktail bar serving a fabulous selection of drinks.

The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner

This five star hotel on the edge of Hyde Park is a brilliant example of traditional elegance. Decorated throughout in a refined style that is reminiscent of a long forgotten era, the rooms are decorated with drapes, delicate flourishes and muted colours.

The restaurant, Apsley’s, is a stunning Venetian-style dining room complete with glass roof and plush upholstery, serving up light Italian food worthy of its Michelin star.

The Dorchester, Mayfair

The Dorchester exudes traditional glamour and a quintessential British elegance, and it is easy to see why it is so popular. The style is unmistakably thirties’ glamour with a modern twist.

The bedrooms delight with their mixture of delicate floral touches and traditional British grace. The Dorchester has three top quality restaurants including China Tang, The Grill at the Dorchester, and the 3 Michelin Starred Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester.

Four Seasons Park Lane

The Four Seasons Park Lane re-opened in 2011 after a full transformation. The rooftop spa has spectacular views of London, and the restaurant, Amaranto, offers Italian-inspired food with international flavours and a dark, sexy bar area.

The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel at St Pancras International Station is an architectural marvel, standing ceremoniously with a sweeping driveway set back from Euston Road in London’s King’s cross area.

The London hotel features 245 guest rooms split between two buildings – 207 rooms are located in a new annexe and 38 beautifully restored suites are found in the original building. The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel oozes history from every corner, which is its biggest asset.

The Bulgari Hotel, Knightsbridge

The newly opened Bulgari Hotel in the middle of Knightsbridge has a lavish and sumptuous feel with a decadent blend of marble and silver throughout. The Bulgari has one of London’s best luxury cinemas, seating forty-seven in pure luxury.

The Bulgari Spa is also worth a visit, most notably the beautiful swimming pool and eleven treatment rooms.

Brown’s Hotel, Mayfair

Brown’s Hotel is a traditional British Hotel in the heart of Mayfair, but holds a modern, stylish bar on the ground floor. The Donovan Bar is cool, stylish, intimate and a haven for fashionistas.

The walls are adorned with Terence Donovan’s iconic black and white prints, which adds a contemporary twist to the history of the surroundings. Brown’s Hotel also offers contemporary British dining in the form of Hix Mayfair from Mark Hix.

Mandarin Oriental London, Knightsbridge

The Mandarin Oriental has a prime address in Knightsbridge with views over Hyde Park and with Harrods and Harvey Nichols moments away. The hotel features restaurants from two superstar chefs, with Bar Boulud from the US’s Daniel Boulud and our own Heston Blumenthal.

Avoid the waitlists for his Fat Duck restaurant in Bray and try his special cooking techniques in the heart of London.

The Savoy, Covent Garden

The Savoy is an institution on London’s hotel scene and caused quite a scene when it re-emerged a couple of years ago with a new look. The American Bar is a huge draw for visitors, but walk to the rear of the hotel where you’ll fine the grand Beaufort Bar, which has live singers on certain nights.

Cafe Royal, Piccadilly

Café Royal opened its doors on 3rd December 2012, but its official full opening occurs in the summer of 2013, the culmination of a four-year transformation of a former London grand dame.

The stunning hotel retains the heritage of the original building with its imposing staircase and opulent design features.

There are currently 159 rooms and suites (including six historic suites), a restaurant under the direction of Andrew Turner, 2 bars (including the spectacular Grill Room), soon to be followed by a private members’ club (with its own more formal restaurant) and a holistic well-being centre.

The Best Luxury Hotels in London by Bon Vivant

At Bon Vivant we have excellent relationships with the best luxury hotels in London, with access to preferential rates and additional complimentary benefits. If you are thinking of visiting London, contact us now to enquire about our London travel services to help plan your perfect trip.

Our full review of these hotels will follow, so sign up to our blog at the link below to be sure not to miss them!

Quantus Restaurant in Chiswick

Posted by Andrea Klar

On a drizzly evening we walked down Devonshire Road in the heart of leafy Chiswick to find Quantus restaurant.

I am a Chiswick girl (I can tell you all about local mums having no problems with pushing their prams over my feet and tutting whilst they do it); but I had never heard of Quantus restaurant before nor seen it during any of my many outings to neighbouring La Trompette.

Quantus is a smart, casual, affordable fine dining restaurant, offering a modern, eclectic menu with a South American influence, created by Argentinian Head Chef Juan Zuliani, in a relaxed, comfortable surrounding.

The restaurant feels special as soon as you walk in. There’s a small bar and the main dining room and one smaller area flows out from there, featuring quaint black and white photography on the walls, comfortable cushions and whimsical chandeliers.

The cosy restaurant can seat around 45, but part of the intimacy comes from the excellent service; the waiters are chic and upscale and it feels like the people who work here are enjoying themselves.

We opted for two simple appetisers with complex yet fresh tastes of home cured salmon, beetroot, cucumber, dill and wasabi mayonnaise; and gambas and scallops with sweet corn, cilantro, chilli and crispy sweet potatoes.

For mains, I chose the al-forno lime and coconut cod loin topped with chilli, ginger, cilantro and peanut gremolata and green beans and jasmine rice. Again, the tastes were very fresh and light and I would go back to have this dish any day.

My plus one picked the grilled beef fillet with homemade horseradish sauce, leeks and mixed beans. The fillet was salty, crispy on the outside, and tender, juicy, medium rare in the centre.

I should have trusted my better judgement and not chosen any desserts. Our banana and caramel pudding with vanilla ice cream and dulce de leche and the cremoso mascarpone with M&Ms, almond crumble and espresso syrup were a disappointment for me. But, if you like mousses and soufflés (which I don’t) you’ll enjoy them.

There’s something old school about the whole dining experience at Quantus. I’m often irritated when servers clear one person’s plate before others at the table have finished. Not Quantus. The GM Leo was incredibly attentive but not in an overbearing way and made us feel welcome from the moment we entered until we left.

Voted as one of the ‘Top 25 Most Romantic Restaurants in the UK’ by Top Table diners, Quantus is a restaurant that is elegant without trying too hard or being too self-conscious.

Concierge Tip: the best table in the house is table number 9 – ask for this one when booking. It is intimate enough but placed in a way that ensures that you can overlook the entire restaurant.

Monday to Thursday: 2 Courses £17.50; 3 Courses £21.00
Friday & Saturday: 2 Courses £23.50; 3 Courses £27.50

In the meantime, read some of our best London content including our guide to the best afternoon tea, the best boutique clothes shops in London or where to sample the city’s best coffee.

St Pancras Renaissance Hotel – A Gothic Masterpiece in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

The most dramatic of entrances leads to a lobby of mammoth proportions but which manages to refrain from feeling too cavernous.

The London hotel features 245 guest rooms split between two buildings – 207 rooms are located in a new annexe and 38 beautifully restored suites are found in the original building.

The Chambers, as the suites are called, come with a private club with complimentary refreshments, a butler service and, above all, the opportunity to stay in the original Victorian masterpiece.

Our junior suite had a wonderfully high ceiling, giving the sense of a much bigger space than the room’s actual dimensions, with a stunning dramatic mirror as the centrepiece.

The room looked directly on to St Pancras station, which, while creating a sense of literary romance, also had the downside of waking up to the sound of the train announcer at an early hour. Not for the light sleeper, perhaps, but certainly for those who love to watch the world go by.

For those who need to venture to Europe on the Eurostar, guests staying in The Chambers can bypass the queues and head straight from the hotel to the platform, saving precious time.

What makes a hotel special for me is its ability to welcome both tourists and locals under one roof, and the public areas at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel achieve just that.

The Booking Office bar buzzes with the local after work crowd and The Gilbert Scott, Marcus Wareing’s British brasserie and wonderful cocktail bar, plays host to London’s fashionable and in-the-know set.

In the hotel’s basement you’ll find a lovely spa with a Moroccan-style pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and six treatment rooms.

The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel oozes history from every corner, which is its biggest asset.

Whether you want to walk the wide Victorian corridors, marvel at the Gothic architecture or pose on the staircase where the Spice Girls told us to ‘zig-a-zig-ah’, visit the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel to watch the world, both old and new, pass by.

If you would like Bon Vivant’s London concierge team to plan your next trip to London, please contact us now. Sign up to our blog to receive our hotel reviews direct to your inbox:

Read our guide to London’s hotels on The London Guide on our website.

The London Guide From Bon Vivant

Posted by Emyr Thomas

We hope that our members and readers enjoy our regular blog posts – we try to make sure we tell you about the best venues and experiences to help maximise your free time and to ensure you are ‘in the know’ before anyone else.

In addition to the blog, we have launched a new section on our main website called The London Guide – your one source for the best hotels, restaurants, bars, spas, exclusive events and cultural highlights in one of the greatest cities on Earth – London.

Whether you want to know about the best London hotels (luxury or boutique), want to find a suitable London restaurant for the right occasion (brunch, afternoon, business lunch or private dining room, for example) or need inspiration for somewhere to go for a drink (cocktail bar, rooftop bar or champagne bar).

Bon Vivant’s London Guide hopes to be your one source to return to time and time again for inspiration on the best that London has to offer – it has our best content in one place, easily accessible and in an easy format to navigate.

We also have a section on London neighbourhood guides and a selection of holiday destination and travel guides including the Caribbean, Mallorca, Barcelona and the South of France.

Bon Vivant’s London Guide will tell you what you need to book, for whom, when and how. Click here to read The London Guide.

If you would like us to cover any content that we currently don’t have, please email us or leave a comment below – we would love to hear your thoughts. If you don’t already subscribe to our blog, enter your email address below:

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2013

Posted by Emyr Thomas

The San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards winners have been announced for 2013 to the excitement and intrigue of chefs, critics and the media the world over.

Last year’s Danish winner, Noma, has been pushed back in to 2nd place by Spain’s El Celler de Can Roca located in Girona, north east Spain.

The UK fared well at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards with a total of seven restaurants in the top 100. Dinner by Heston at the Mandarin Oriental was the top London restaurant in 7th place, with The Ledbury in Notting Hill at 13, and Heston Blumanthal’s The Fat Duck in Bray in Bray at number 33.

The following restaurants complete the top 10 line up of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2013.

3. Osteria Francescana, Italy
4. Mugaritz, Spain
5. Eleven Madison Park, New York
6. DOM, Brazil
7. Dinner by Heston Blumanthal, England
8. Arzak, Spain
9. Steirereck, Austria
10. Restaurant Vendȏme, Germany

West London based Hedone, founded by Mikael Jonsson in July 2011, must also be congratulated as it makes its way to number 70. It is quite an achievement for a restaurant that has only been opened for 2 years. Hedone is very much ‘one to watch’.

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In the meantime, read some of our best restaurant reviews including 34 restaurant and The Gilbert Scott.

The Best Champagne Bars in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Few drinks have the same emotional effect as Champagne – the perfect celebratory drink and the focal point for a great birthday, party or gathering with friends and family. Read on for Bon Vivant’s guide to the best champagne bars in London.

The Grill Room at Cafe Royal

The Grill Room at London’s latest luxury hotel, Café Royal, has been restored to its original Louis XVI style and it looks stunning.

The opulent room has seen its share of history and scandal, and is now, thankfully, open again as a champagne bar with a great location on the fringes of Mayfair and Soho.

Bob Bob Ricard

Bob Bob Ricard in Soho is designed in the style of a train with booths for 4 to sit for dinner with plush curtains separating the booths. It oozes Art Deco decadence with its buzzy atmosphere, and there’s a “press for champagne” button on your table to press when you need a top up – perfect!

Bubbledogs

Bubbledogs was one of the big restaurant hits of 2012 specialising in hot dogs and champagne on Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia. Bubbledogs features a menu of ten hot dogs served on traditional steamed buns and a selection of grower Champagnes.

Bubbledogs offers a cool alternative to the grand champagne bars in London.

Kettner’s Soho

The Champagne Bar at Kettner’s has an extensive range of champagnes. The bar has a wonderful Soho buzz and has two ‘nooks’ that are ideal for an evening with a group of friends.

Keep reading for our tips for some of the best champagne bars in London…

Champagne and Fromage

As a Champagne bar, shop and bistro, Champagne and Fromage has a no fuss, warm and welcoming ambience.

All the grower champagnes served at Champagne and Fromage are sourced by the owners from award-winning family owned producers.

The Vaults at Voltaire

Once housing the treasures of the former bank above, the old stone vaults have now been converted into a unique bar area, The Vaults at Voltaire. The Vaults offer private alcoves with i-pod docks and decorated in silks and furs, with service from your own private waiter.

St Pancras Grand Champagne Bar

Known as one of Europe’s longest Champagne bars, the St Pancras Grand Champagne Bar is located on the terrace of St Pancras International station, alongside the Eurostar train carriages.

Marvel at the station’s stunning architecture and roof while you wait for your journey to Paris with a glass of champagne

Texture

Texture is a Michelin starred restaurant, combining British ingredients with Scandinavian influences. The Texture Champagne Bar offers five Champagnes by the glass and a further 110 by the bottle, making this an ideal spot for a pre-dinner drink or to make your way through the extensive champagne list!

Vertigo 42

Vertigo 42 is located on the 42nd floor of Tower 42, the former NatWest tower in the City. Vertigo 42′s Champagne Bar offers a stunning view of London while you enjoy a glass of champagne.

The Beaufort Bar at The Savoy

The Beaufort Bar is an Art Deco gem with opulent black and gold furnishings. The bar has an extensive list of champagne by the glass and by the bottle including rare vintages from Louis Roederer and Cristal.

The Beaufort Bar has live lounge singers on select evenings and a monthly evening of cabaret and burlesque.

Aqua Nueva Cava Bar

Aqua London in Soho has launched a new cava bar in its Spanish restaurant, Aqua Nueva, showcasing 15 Cavas at the tapas bar.

The new cava bar has the largest cava selection in London. Aqua also has two lovely rooftop terraces to enjoy in the summer months.

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The Gilbert Scott Restaurant – A British Classic

Posted by Emyr Thomas

The Gilbert Scott is a true British classic. Set in one of the most architecturally dramatic buildings in London, the dining room has an overwhelming sense of grandeur and occasion, yet manages to be elegantly casual at the same time.

Although located in the same building as the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel at St Pancras International station, this is not a pit stop, a conduit or the start of a journey: this is a destination in itself.

The Gilbert Scott is the second restaurant from celebrated chef Marcus Wareing, but don’t expect Michelin-style finesse and ceremony – this is a British brasserie, with a menu of historic and nostalgic British dishes.

The starters include Brown and Forrest smoked salmon with oatmeal soda bread, crispy pig’s head with laverbread mayonnaise, pickled cockles, and sea herbs and venison terrine with Somerset cider chutney.

Highlights from the main courses include an intensely flavoured braised oxtail and nutmeg mash, veal schnitzel with fried egg, anchovy mayonnaise and capers, Mrs Beeton’s barbecue chicken and Cornish hake with cauliflower, capers, almonds and sea purslane.

Puddings are a highlight with classics such as sticky toffee pudding, warm apple pie, Eccles cake and trifle. It’s rare to find a menu where you would happily order it all.

We dined to the sound of a live pianist, which added to the nostalgia and created a wonderful atmosphere. I was envisaging a smoke-filled room with guests in formal attire enjoying dinner to the sounds of a live chanteuse.

The Gilbert Scott has a range of private dining options, including The Kitchen Table (pictured above) in the basement kitchen area, surrounded by walls of wine with the buzz of the kitchen in full view.

While the restaurant was a joy on every level (my only quibble being that the tables are a little too close to each other), The Gilbert Scott has an absolute gem of a cocktail bar that I would consider to be one of the best cocktail bars in London.

Combining an excellent cocktail menu with a truly stunning room with ornately painted ceilings and magnificent bell chandeliers, setting the scene for an enchanting evening of elegant decadence.

If you would like your concierge to arrange your next dinner at The Gilbert Scott or any other London restaurant, please contact us. Read our other restaurant reviews including Wabi London, 34 restaurant in Mayfair and Portal in Clerkenwell.