The Best Brunch in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

The best part of a weekend has to be long, lingering brunch with family or friends. Here are Bon Vivant’s suggestions for the best brunch in London.

Caravan, Clerkenwell

Caravan offers a weekend brunch menu to rival any in London in a relaxed and effortlessly cool setting on Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell. The New Zealand influenced restaurant has its own coffee roaster, so flat whites are very popular too.

The open plan layout and double facing glassed front make this an ideal location for enjoying a vibrant part of London. Caravan has a second outpost on Granary Square behind King’s Cross station, Caravan King’s Cross, both of which serve some of the best coffee in London.

Hawksmoor, Shoreditch

Although more widely known for being one of London’s best steakhouses, Hawksmoor is fast becoming renowned for its weekend brunch menu offering a mammoth Hawksmoor Full English for two people to share and roast beef with all the trimmings available on Sundays.

The Modern Pantry, Clerkenwell

Anna Hansen’s acclaimed Clerkenwell restaurant The Modern Pantry serves an excellent weekend brunch in light, bright surroundings on a beautiful square in Clerkenwell, claimed by many to offer the best brunch in London.

The restaurant also has a large terrace to make the most of the sunshine in the summer months, making The Modern Pantry one of the best alfresco restaurants in London.

Cecconi’s, Mayfair

Serving fine Italian food from the morning until the early hours, Cecconi’s is a perfect spot for breakfast, brunch or lunch and a great way 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 in never a bad thing, especially for a weekend brunch.

The Wolseley, Mayfair

The Wolseley has maintained its place as one of London’s chicest destination for breakfast, with businessmen and fashionistas flocking there for the grand dining room and people watching.

The Wolseley is one of the classic restaurants in London for a power breakfast meeting and certainly offers some of the best brunch in London.

34 Restaurant

The new brunch menu at 34 Restaurant offers eggs with a twist – lobster, crab, grilled asparagus, black pudding, smoked salmon, chorizo and much more. Grills include spatchcock chicken, pork belly, swordfish and steak; and brunch staples like buttermilk pancakes, pasta and Caesar salad are also available.

A Sunday roast with all the trimmings is available for Sunday brunch.

The Delaunay, Aldwych

The Delaunay, sister restaurant to The Wolseley and Brasserie Zedel from restaurateurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King, sits on the corner of Drury Lane and Aldwych.

The restaurant is open seven days a week – until midnight from Monday to Saturday and 11pm on Sunday – serving breakfast, afternoon tea, and à la carte lunch and dinner menus ‘inspired by the grand cafés of Europe’. They also serve some of the best brunch in London.

Riding House Café

The team behind the acclaimed Garrison and Village East in Bermondsey opened the Riding House Café, an all day Brasserie offering a selection of small plates to share as well as traditional main courses in Fitzrovia. The restaurant has a great vibe and a ‘buzzy’ bar area too.

Pizza East, Shoreditch

Housed in the Tea Building, adjacent to Shoreditch House, Pizza East forms part of the Soho House Group, where the vibe is a cool mix of American and Italian. While the menu focuses on pizzas, including a full English breakfast pizza, the menu does offer more traditional brunch items as well.

Dean Street Townhouse, Soho

Dean Street Townhouse serves classic British cuisine from first thing in the morning until the early hours. The weekend brunch menu offers a full range of breakfast classics as well as a traditional Sunday roast. The pitchers of Bloody Mary are always popular too!

York & Albany

A short stroll from Regents Park you’ll find Gordon Ramsay’s York & Albany, housed in a converted coaching inn. After brunch, you can visit the adjoining deli, Nonna’s, to purchase items to take home with you, or you could even check in to one of the bedrooms in the hotel upstairs.

Lantana

This delightful coffee house is nestled down a lane in Fitzrovia. Lantana’s Australian ownership is reflected in the brunch style dishes, flat whites and relaxed atmosphere.

The cakes are particularly good and breakfast dishes always delight. Lantana offers some of the best brunch in London.

The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club, just off Upper Street in Islington, offers a casual, quirky environment for a weekend brunch. Serving a range of classic brunch dishes, from pancakes to eggs Benedict, at an affordable price, the café is very popular, so expect to queue!

Fifteen London, Old Street

Fifteen London is the flagship of Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen group, which aims to give opportunities to disadvantaged youngsters. An emphasis is placed on making everything in-house and particular praise must be given to the homemade jam, which alone is a reason for visiting.

Saturday Jazz Brunch at Le Caprice

Le Caprice has launched its Saturday Jazz Brunch featuring the musical styling of Dom Pipkin. Best known for his soulful New Orleans sound, Dom has played sessions with the likes of Ray Davies and Morcheeba, and is currently the man leading the band for Paloma Faith. Saturday Jazz Brunch happens twice a month from 12.30pm to 4pm.

Apero at The Ampersand Hotel, South Kensington

Set in the bright and airy cellar arches of The Ampersand Hotel, Apero brings a stylish and satisfyingly gentle twist to a weekend brunch.

The menu covers pretty much all the classic choices, from the Full English Breakfast, Grilled Kippers and Eggs Benedict to some slightly more adventurous alternatives such as O’Sheas Beef Onglet and Fried Egg, Beetroot Risotto or Pancakes with honeycomb butter and caramalised banana.

There’s also an excellent selection of cocktails and mocktails. The feel is relaxed, fresh and crisp; with glossy white tiles, beautiful teal and navy leather seating and dark wood finishes.

London’s top hotels are also well known for their brunch offerings, including Helene Darroze’s champagne brunch at The Connaught and the St John Hotel on Leicester Square is popular for their the ‘Breakfast Buns’.

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

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Best New Restaurants of 2010

Posted by Bon Vivant

2010 has been a great year for London food enthusiasts with a wealth of new restaurants, a large proportion of which have been of an excellent quality. Here’s our guide to best new openings of the past 12 months.

Hawksmoor Seven Dials, Covent Garden

While the original was already widely regarded as London’s best steakhouse, the arrival of Hawksmoor Seven Dials has secured domination on the London scene. Like the original in Shoreditch, the menu reads like a meat eater’s dream, but it’s the look that makes all the difference with the new venture, along with the great bar area with ample space for pre-dinner cocktails.

Les Deux Salons, Covent Garden

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

Koffmann’s at The Berkeley

Pierre Koffmann made a triumphant return to the kitchen with his eponymous restaurant Koffmann’s at the former Boxwood Café site at The Berkeley Hotel in mid July, offering hearty, robust French cooking, bringing back old favourites such as the pig’s trotter and the pistachio soufflé.

Polpetto, Soho

Polpetto is the new venture from the team behind Polpo, the successful Venetian ‘bacaro’ in Soho. Polpetto is located above the French House pub on Dean Street and offers ‘cicheti’ – small plates of classic ventian dishes. Like its sister restaurant, Polpetto has a no reservation policy for dinner, so expect to queue as this place is always busy, or try to secure a much coveted lunch booking.

Bar Boulud, Knightsbridge

Daniel Boulud, one of the most coveted chefs in the US, has opened his first restaurant in the UK at the Mandarin Oriental with Bar Boulud, which was already a big success across the pond. The room may lack real character, but the mix of rustic French brasserie fare and a New York style buzz has been an instant hit. With almost universal praise for the charcuterie boards and the burgers, Bar Boulud has certainly made its mark.

Caravan, Clerkenwell

From the former chef at The Providores, Caravan has been the surprise hit of the year. Offering a weekend brunch menu to rival any in London, along with an excellent evening menu that is ideal for sharing, Caravan is a relaxed and effortlessly cool newcomer on Exmouth Market. The New Zealand influenced restaurant has its own coffee roaster, so flat whites are very popular too.

Viajante, East London

Following the success of The Loft, his supperclub in Dalston, Nuno Mendes opened Viajante in Bethnal Green’s new town hall hotel earlier this year. Nuno’s cooking is described as experimental with echoes of the grand master, El Bulli, and while not every dish gets it just right, Viajante is seen as a breath of fresh air from a chef with real passion.

Bistrot Bruno Loubet, Clerkenwell

The Zetter hotel in Clerkenwell has welcomed Bruno Loubet back on to the London scene with his restaurant, Bistrot Bruno Loubet, having spent the last eight years in Australia.

The space may be a bit crammed, with tables packed in next to each other, but the crowds keep flocking here for the rustic French cooking with intense flavours.

Gauthier Soho, Soho

Alexis Gauthier, who achieved a Michelin star at Roussillon, has opened his eponymous restaurant at Lindsay House, once occupied by Richard Corrigan, in Soho. Gauthier’s cooking is classic French with a large focus on vegetables and, despite the rather sedate mood, the restaurant brings a touch of refined class to Soho.

Zucca, Bermondsey

Zucca is a bright and bustling modern Italian restaurant in Bermondsey, described by many as a River Café at half the price. The reasonable prices and generous portions mean that the restaurant is usually booked up, so book far in advance or try your luck on one of the stools at the bar. Zucca was closely followed by many other high quality mid-priced Italian restaurants, including Tinello in Pimlico, Trullo in Islington and Tempo in Mayfair.

Late Arrivals

The last few weeks of 2010 saw the arrival of a few new restaurants that could be the ones to watch for 2011, but we thought it was too early to include them in the ‘best of 2010′ list as they have not had enough time to establish themselves properly. These include Brawn, the new venture from the team behind Terroirs, which is already receiving great reviews; The Savoy Grill, Gordon Ramsay’s latest venture at The Savoy; and Roux at The Landau at The Lagham hotel.

Coming Soon

Heston Blumenthal’s first foray into the London restaurant scene will be at the Mandarin Oriental from January 2011 with ‘Dinner’ by Heston, Marcus Wareing will open The Gilbert Scott, a British brasserie at the St Pancras Renaissance hotel in February, and Jason Atherton (formerly of Maze) will open Pollen Street Social in March, which will have its own dessert bar.

London Guide: Christmas Parties

Posted by Bon Vivant

With the holiday season fast approaching, here’s our guide to some of the best venues at which to host your Christmas parties. Bon Vivant can help you plan your Christmas events, so please contact us for further information.

Exclusive Event Spaces

London has many spectacular private event spaces, but here is our selection of the best on offer.

One Marylebone and One Mayfair

These sister properties offer some of the most special and elegant event spaces in central London. One Marylebone, formerly the Holy Trinity Church, was built in 1826-28 to the design of Sir John Soane to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon. One Marylebone offers seated dinner for up to 180 guests for £160pp or standing reception for between 150 and 600 guests for £119pp. One Marylebone will already be festively designed for you, therefore you will only need to decide on your catering needs. For further information, visit www.onemarylebone.com.

Its sister property, One Mayfair, will be a blank canvas where you can have free reign to design the perfect venue for your needs. For further information, visit www.onemayfair.com.

Altitude 360

Altitude 360 will present ‘Christmas on Cloud 9’, on the 29^th floor of the Millbank Tower in Westminster, with packages starting from £150pp. There will be a shared event on 14 December for smaller groups for £99pp.

The River Room at Altitude, on the 2^nd floor of the Millbank Tower, will be transformed into an Ice Paradise, offering one of London’s most unique festive experiences, decorated as an icy cavern offering guests the chance to gather around the fire in the lounge with sheepskin rugs and warm mulled wine, or dance amongst snowflakes as they fall from the indoor water fall! The River Room can accommodate groups of 30 to 600 guests.

The Brewery

The Brewery will be transformed into a ‘Peculiar Wood‘ where all sorts of wonderful creatures will welcome you with a ‘peculiar’ cocktail at the Woodland Ball. Two packages are available: Willow, which is best suited to smaller companies hosting 50-250 guests, and Cedar, which accommodates 250-1,000 people. Both provide a live band as well as a DJ performing after dinner, at £95pp.

A shared event will be held on 17 December for groups of between 20 and 150 with a total capacity of 500 for £116pp.

Christmas at Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is one of London’s favourite iconic structures and is available to hire for a unique Christmas party with great views of the Thames and London beyond. Three course dinner packages are available from £114pp and bowl food package from £66pp, with a capacity of 120 for dinner and 220 for a buffet reception.

The London Eye

For those wanting a shorter celebration with spectacular aerial views of London, the London Eye will be hosting champagne and mulled wine capsules for up to 25 guests for around £30pp.

Smaller Gatherings

For smaller parties or for a more intimate celebration with friends, London’s restaurants can offer great private dining experiences. Here’s our selection of the best on offer.

Table Lumiere at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester

Cocooned by a luminescent oval curtain, the Table Lumiere is surrounded by 4,500 shimmering fibre optics that drop dramatically from the ceiling, which is ideal for an intimate Christmas dinner for 6 guests. While diners are able to hear the buzz of the restaurant, they are partly screened from view, giving a sense of intimacy without any loss of atmosphere.

The Balcony at Galvin at Windows

Situated on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane, Galvin at Windows has wonderful views of London, and with Chris Galvin at the helm it has become one of London’s leading destination restaurants. The ‘Balcony’ is a semi-private space surrounded by floor to ceiling windows, which is ideal for a private dinner and the bar has a great cocktail list with a late licence throughout the week.

The Temple at the Andaz Hotel

The Greek Masonic Temple is hidden in the depths of the Andaz Hotel with grandiose throne-like chairs, heavy mahogany, Grade II listed marble columns and a zodiac ceiling. The impressive space makes a great private dining space, ideal for a Christmas party venue with a difference!

The Chef’s Table at Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley

The Chef’s table, at the heart of the restaurant at Marcus Wareing, is great for an intimate celebration with friends, family or business colleagues, and a great place to witness one of London’s best chefs in action. For up to 14 guests, the elegant Pomerol Room, adjoining the main restaurant, is also available for hire for lunch or dinner.

Benares

Benares offers five separate dining rooms that can accommodate groups of up to 30 guests, including a Chef’s Table designed for six people with two glass walls enabling diners to watch the kitchen team, and a ‘Sommelier’s Table’ where guests will be surrounded by many of the world’s finest and rarest wines. Benares will add a bit of spice to your Christmas party with a selection of festive menus from £39 per person for lunch and £59 per person for dinner.

Best Restaurant Openings of the First Half of 2010

Posted by Bon Vivant

Emyr Thomas, founder of Bon Vivant, a concierge and lifestyle management company in London, shares his thoughts on some of the best restaurants that have already opened in London during the first half of 2010.

Bar Boulud, Knightsbridge

Caravan, Clerkenwell

Viajante, East London

Bistrot Bruno Loubet, Clerkenwell

The Zetter hotel in Clerkenwell has welcomed Bruno Loubet back on to the London scene with his eponymous restaurant, Bistrot Bruno Loubet, having spent the last eight years in Australia.

The space may be a bit crammed, with tables packed in next to each other, but the crowds keep flocking here for the rustic French cooking with intense flavours.

Gauthier Soho, Soho

Zucca, Bermondsey

Other Highlights

Other notable highlights include Koya, an affordable udon noodle restaurant in Soho, Roux at Parliament Square, Brasserie Joel at The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, Gordon Ramsay’s new Petrus and Paramount, the members’ club that has now opened its doors to us all.

Coming Soon

Heston Blumenthal’s first foray into the London restaurant scene will be at the Mandarin Oriental later this year with ‘Dinner’ by Heston, St John and Hawksmoor both have plans to roll out their brands at other sites in the West End in the autumn, The Savoy Grill will re-launch at The Savoy later in the year, and Pierre Koffman will open Koffman’s at the former Boxwood Café site at The Berkeley Hotel in mid July.

To make a reservation, please contact Bon Vivant on 0207 278 0642 or please visit http://www.bonvivant.co.uk

The Best Cocktail Bars in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Whether your drink of choice is a martini, a mojito or a negroni, read Emyr Thomas‘s suggestions for the best cocktail bars in London.

The Gilbert Scott

With ornately painted ceilings and stunning bell chandeliers you are instantly swept up in the grandeur of the space. The Gilbert Scott bar is absolutely gorgeous and has some wonderful concoctions for you to try.

The bar offers all day dining, from breakfast and brunch to afternoon tea and late night snacks, and the bacon flavoured popcorn is divine!

The Zetter Townhouse

The venue is designed around ‘Aunt Wilhelmina’, a crazy old aunt whose trinkets and artefacts from her global travels make the Zetter the most unusual venue I’ve been to in a long time. The cocktail menu is short but perfectly formed.

Each cocktail is the result of a specific concept, and is the product of multiple experiments a lab to get the final libation just right. Expect unusual ingredients, and the influence of many different techniques and fields, making The Zetter Townhouse a contender for one of the best cocktail bars in London.

The bar is open until midnight from Sunday to Wednesday; until 1am Thursday to Saturday. It is based in the Zetter Townhouse hotel with its quirky rooms so you can check-in upstairs if you’ve had too many cocktails!

The Hawksmoor Bar

The new Hawksmoor Bar in the basement of the original Hawksmoor Spitalfields on Commercial Street is a very fashionable and glamorous affair. A strip club was first turned into a fruit store and this spring has been reborn as a beautiful 60-cover bar.

The bar is dark, mysterious and funky with an excellent food offering to match, as you’d expect from one of London’s best steakhouses.

Callooh Callay

Callooh Callay has an imaginative cocktail menu featuring old favourites and classics in an eclectic space that is as quirky and nonsensical as the Lewis Carroll poem from which it takes its name.

Through a Narnia-esque wardrobe, you are taken to the Jubjub bar, an intimate little room that’s perfect for an intimate party at one of the best cocktail bars in London.

69 Colebrooke Row

The classy and bijou 69 Colebrooke Row has caused quite a stir on London’s cocktail scene over the last year. The owner, Tony Conigliaro, who perfected his craft at the Shochu Lounge at Roka, is described as a molecular mixologist, and nobody can argue with his take on the classic cocktail, which are well priced at one of the best cocktail bars in London.

Montgomery Place

Montgomery Place is small, intimate, mature and sophisticated. Inspired by the Rat Pack era, cocktails are served against a backdrop of black & white photography, in a relaxed setting, with staff who know their cocktails.

The Connaught Hotel

The Connaught hotel features two of London’s best cocktail bars that are ideal for very different occasions. The warmth and intimacy of the Coburg Bar make it a wonderful place to relax after a day at the office or shopping and certainly one of our best cocktail bars in London.

The design and the cocktails at the Connaught Bar, with its marble, dark leather and metal Art Deco detailing, are perfect for an upbeat glamorous evening with friends. We highly recommend one of their signature Martinis.

Mark’s Bar at Hix

Mark’s Bar is located in the basement of Mark Hix’s latest venture in Soho, serving some great cocktails from renowned mixologist, Nick Strangeway. The bar has a warm, clubby and retro feel with its low zinc bar, tin panels and bar billiards table, which is fast becoming Soho’s most popular venue.

Dabbous Bar

One of the best new bars of 2012, Dabbous restaurant and bar launched on Whitfield Street in Fitzrovia in late January 2012, the first solo venture from Ollie Dabbous, formerly of Michelin-starred Texture, and mixologist Oskar Kinberg, formerly bar manager at the Cuckoo Club.

Spread over two levels, the restaurant has an industrial but organic design, with exposed brickwork, sheet metal and copper pipes offset by rustic candles and natural woods.

The basement bar serves some of the best cocktails in London, and also makes for an excellent venue for a private party, where you can sample some exquisite canapés.

The Donovan Bar

The Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair is cool, stylish, intimate and a haven for fashionistas. The walls are adorned with Terence Donovan’s iconic black and white prints, which add a contemporary twist to the history of the surroundings.

The Donovan features in our guide to London’s best hotel bars, and must surely be a contender for one of the best cocktail bars in London.

Artesian Bar at The Langham

Situated in the beautifully revamped Langham hotel, the David Collins designed bar is sleek, sexy and dramatic. With its 50 types of rum, Artesian is ideally placed for a post shopping cocktail or a refined haven from the frenzy of nearby Soho at one of the best cocktail bars in London.

Bobby’s Bar at Bob Bob Ricard

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

They have an excellent bar downstairs where you can try their modern take on classic cocktails, such as my favourite, the rhubarb gin and tonic. Bob Bob Ricard is a string contender for the best cocktail bar in London.

Rules

Widely regarded as London’s oldest restaurant, Rules still thrives in the heart of Covent Garden, thankfully not succumbing to the tourist trap. The upstairs bar is dark and cosy, with a gentlemen’s club feel to it, offering a historical take on the best cocktail bars in London.

The Bassoon Bar at The Corinthia

The Corinthia Hotel is one of London’s newest luxury hotels, situated close to Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament in an old Ministry of Defence building.

The hotel’s gorgeous bar, The Bassoon Bar, was designed by David Collins, where the centrepiece is the piano – not only do they have regular live music but the piano is built into the bar!

The bar is stylish, relaxed and has an excellent cocktail list and feels warm and welcoming in the winter.

Nightjar

Nightjar is a beautiful bar hidden away in a basement in Old Street – the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of London.

The bartenders at Nightjar take a lot of care and attention when it comes to making their cocktails. They’re executed with flair and are garnished with some of the most insane but beautiful garnishes I’ve ever come across.

Nightjar is a great place to relax with a drink alongside laid back jazz and brilliant live music on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at one of the best cocktail bars in London.

Le Salon Bar at Joel Robuchon

One of London’s best kept bar secret, Le Salon is a dark, intimate and seductive haven for cocktail lovers, offering all the classics with a few twists. The décor is a mix of black and red in sumptuous fabrics and it really feels like you’re somewhere very few know about.

The bar is on the top floor of a restaurant by Joel Robuchon, one of the most celebrated chefs across the world, which you can only access by a lift.

If you liked this top 10 feature, why not read our guide to the best hotel bars?

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Read our other London bar guides including the best rooftop bars and the best beer gardens and terraces.

The Best Alfresco Restaurants in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Here are Bon Vivant‘s suggestions for the best alfresco restaurants in London – updated Summer 2012.

River Café, Hammersmith

Widely regarded as London’s best Italian restaurant with great pedigree in the kitchen that has produced many successful alumni and imitations, the River Café, with its minimalist, sleek design and light colour scheme that blend effortlessly with the riverside setting, creates an unforgettable dining experience.

The large terrace makes the River Cafe an excellent alfresco dining option in West London, and one of the best alfresco restaurants in London.

Cecconi’s, Mayfair

Serving fine Italian food from the morning until the early hours, Cecconi’s is a perfect spot for all day dining in the sun, with a few sought after tables lining the street on the corner of Saville Row and Burlington Gardens.

You can sit at one of the best alfresco restaurants in London watching the world pass you by in London’s most glamorous postcode.

The Modern Pantry, Clerkenwell

Anna Hansen’s acclaimed Clerkenwell restaurant The Modern Pantry has a large terrace on a beautiful square in Clerkenwell. Tables are available on a first come, first served basis, but it’s really worth the wait as this is one of the best alfresco restaurants in London.

Dean Street Townhouse, Soho

Dean Street Townhouse serves classic British cuisine from first thing in the morning until the early hours. Whilst the interiors are dark, cosy and seductive, the small but perfectly formed terrace is a delight in the warm weather, with the added benefit of being right in the heart of Soho.

Odette’s, Primrose Hill, NW1

Odette’s has been a Primrose Hill institution for decades, but is now under the reign of Bryn Williams, winner of the Great British Menu television series.

The mood is dark and seductive in the downstairs restaurant and the tables that open out on to the streets of Primrose Hill are ideal for an alfresco lunch and one of Best Alfresco Restaurants in London.

The Ledbury, Notting Hill

The Ledbury, with its Notting Hill location and neighbourhood restaurant feel, had been quietly making its mark on London’s dining scene until its second Michelin star catapulted it into the mainstream earlier this year.

As expected, Brett Graham’s cooking is now in huge demand, but as the terrace does not accept reservations, it’s a great way to skip the long wait list and try one of London’s best restaurants whilst enjoying the sun. The terrace makes The Ledbury one of the best Alfresco Restaurants in London

Scott’s, Mayfair

Scott’s is glamorous, exciting and makes a great night out, specialising in seafood and shellfish. Scott’s is located on Mount Street, one of the beautiful streets in London, and with a small selection of tables lining the street outside, it is easy to see why Scott’s is one of London’s most popular restaurants.

If you can’t get a table on the terrace or inside in the main restaurant, you may be lucky to get a seat at the oyster bar.

Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, West End

Bentley’s terrace holds up to 24 people, surrounded by glass panels to allow views up and down Swallow Street. They host events on the Terrace including Cigar evenings and they plan to set up some mini tennis courts in time for Wimbledon.

The Albion, Islington

The Albion is a traditional English country pub in the heart of London, with the main attraction being its garden. The French windows in the restaurant area open onto a terrace of over 450 sq metres, which can seat over 120 people for dining and drinking surrounded by herb beds, fruit trees and an original Georgian walled garden.

In the summer months, the outdoor barbeque is a real draw, as well as the whole roast suckling pig for 10 to share, making this one of the Best Alfresco Restaurants in London

Caravan, Clerkenwell

Known for its brunch menu and excellent coffee, Caravan is a relaxed and effortlessly cool restaurant on Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell. If you can’t secure one of the tables outside, the open windows and doors will make you feel like you’re outside, even when you’re not.

The Engineer, Primrose Hill

A Primrose Hill institution, although now under new management. Despite the ample dining space, the bar area is on the small side, but there is respite in the form of a back garden, which is an ideal spot for long summer lunches at one of the Best Alfresco Restaurants in London.

Tom’s Terrace at Somerset House

The River Terrace Cafe at Somerset House has been taken over by Tom Aikens for the summer, with an informal menu, including mini burgers and triple cooked chips, to accompany the evening drinks and splendid views of the Thames.

Tom’s Terrace is only open during the summer month, so please always check that it is open.

Rooftop at the Boundary, Shoreditch

One of the latest venture from Prescott & Conran, the rooftop restaurant at the boundary, a 48-seat grill, has 360° views of London and includes a designer garden, a large bar, an open fireplace and luxury blankets for the chillier evenings.

Le Pont de La Tour, Tower Bridge

Le Pont de la Tour has a beautiful riverside setting from which to enjoy its modern French menu, with a focus on seafood, and vast wine list. The outside terrace is very popular in the summer as it has a superb view of Tower Bridge.

The Gun, Docklands

With a beautiful riverside setting and a large decked terrace to embrace the British summer, The Gun is one of the best dining experience in the Docklands offering a great British pub menu. In the summer, be sure to visit A Grelha at The Gun, an al fresco Portuguese BBQ of fresh fish and meats on the decked terrace.

Bleeding Heart, Clerkenwell

With a rustic look to match its location and history, the Bleeding Heart offers traditional French fare in a welcoming and intimate setting, but the real attraction in the summer is the large terrace, which brings a bit of Paris to the streets of Farringdon.

If you liked this top 10 feature, why not read our guide to the best brunch in London, the best cocktail bars in London or the best gastropubs in London?

Where to Watch the Election Results in London?

Posted by Bon Vivant

With this year’s election results being the tightest for decades, with a hung parliament being a distinct possibility, the Capital is gripped with election fever. Here are Bon Vivant‘s tips on where to watch the action unfold.

Parliamentary Waffle House by Bompass & Parr

The Parliamentary Waffle House is the latest venture from ‘food architects’ Bompass & Parr, based near Carnaby Street, serving waffles representing each of the three major political parties. A live swing-o-meter will gauge the political preferences of diners as they vote with their mouths. On 6th May, they are hosting an Election Night Extravaganza with food, politics and partying for £20.

St James’s Club and Hotel

Anyone up for a bit of election fever in Mayfair on 6 May should make their way to William’s Bar & Bistro at St James’s, where they’ll be able to watch the action unfold with party-themed cocktails and free coloured popcorn.

The special cocktails will be available from 3 May and will include a gin based red cocktail for Brown Backers, a rum based yellow cocktail for Clegg’s Contingent and a vodka based blue cocktail for Cameron Comrades.

The Ritz

The Ritz will be hosting an election night dinner for £120 per person for a special dinner and half a bottle of champagne. In the run up to the results, The Ritz is offering a range of election themed cocktails, including Brown’s Battle, Clearly Cameron and Clegg’s Climb, which can be enjoyed at The Rivoli Bar.

Election Fever at Brown’s Hotel

Brown’s Hotel will be seeing in the General Election with swing-o-meters, sweepstakes, smoked salmon and special election cocktails at The Donovan Bar and The English Tea Room, both of which will have large television screens where you can watch the election results unfold.

From 10pm until the early hours, guests can enjoy Champagne Socialist, Maggie-rita, Libertini, Hung(over) Parliament and Floating Voter cocktails.

Forman & Field Hamper – A Coalition of Fine Foods

For those who would prefer to stay at home, Forman & Field have just what you need to get you through a night of political swings and roundabouts – a special General Election hamper of the finest products from across Britain’s constituencies. Watch the action from your own home with a special seasonal hamper for £99.95.

Other Highlights

In the run-up to the big night, The Arch London is offering exclusive Election Éclairs with a selection of sweet and savoury éclairs decorated with caricatures of the political leaders made using edible inks, and Maggie’s, a new Eighties inspired club in honour of Margaret Thatcher, has just launched on Fulham Road, which is adorned with Eighties memorabilia and plays The Iron Lady’s famous speeches in the bathrooms.

For further information on Bon Vivant or to make any bookings, please visit www.bonvivant.co.uk

The Best Private Dining Rooms in Europe

Posted by Emyr Thomas

We highlight the best private dining rooms in Europe, outside of the UK. You can also read our guide to the best private dining rooms in London.

Taillevent, Paris

Taillevent is small, intimate and elegant and widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in Paris, with an extensive, award-winning wine list. The Guimet room can accommodate up to 10 guests and the larger Saturne room can accommodate up to 32 guests.

Conveniently located off the Champs-Elysées, Taillevent is a great place to celebrate an important business deal with one of the best private dining rooms in Europe. Menus from €120.

Vivaldi at The Schlosshotel, outside Berlin

For something a little different, the Vivaldi restaurant offers refined dining in the palatial and glamorous setting of the Schlosshotel just outside Berlin, which is surrounded by small lakes and wooded trails, which all adds to the enchanting atmosphere.

The Oval room can accommodate up to 10 people, with menus from €55 per person, making this one of the best private dining rooms in Europe.

La Tour d’Argent, Paris

Located on the fifth floor, the private rooms at La Tour d’Argent are luxuriously elegant and offer a unique view of Paris, Notre-Dame and the Seine, with one of the best private dining rooms in Europe.

Accommodating between 15 and 50 guests, with menus starting at €135, La Tour d’Argent is the ideal location for private events, business lunches and dinners.

Senderens, Paris

Alain Senderens famously relinquished his 3 Michelin stars before closing his restaurant, Lucas Carton, to open Senderens in its place, with the aim of offering a more relaxed and informal restaurant, which was later awarded 2 Michelin stars itself.

La Salon La Madeleine is a beautiful and stylish private room from which to experience the finest French cuisine in a refined yet unstuffy atmosphere at one of the best private dining rooms in Europe.

Laperouse, Paris

Set is a 17th century townhouse on the bank of the river Seine, Laperouse is famed for its rather debauched past catering to politicians and their mistresses. Today it offers refined French cuisine and is famed for its cosy and intimate private dining rooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 55 with great views of the Seine.

Cracco, Milan

Cracco, which holds 2 Michelin stars, is undoubtedly one of Milan’s best restaurants, featuring classic Italian dishes with a contemporary twist.

In a contemporary dining room of cherry wood walls and cool earth tones on Milan’s central square, Cracco boasts an extensive wine list of nearly 1,800 labels and is ideal for a celebratory lunch or dinner. The private room can accommodate up to 10.

Tantris, Munich

Tantris is widely considered to be the best restaurant in Munich, if not Germany in its entirety, due to its subtle, uncomplicated and original food. With its striking 1970s design with Oriental influences, the restaurant is refreshingly relaxed and unstuffy with seamless service. Tantris also has one of the best private dining rooms in Europe.

ABaC, Barcelona

ABaC is a chic and intimate hotel on the outskirts of Barcelona, which has been developed around its restaurant, offering an avante garde culinary experience. Private rooms can accommodate up to 20 guests with menus from €125, offering one of the best orivate dining rooms in Europe.

Sea Grill, Brussels

The Sea Grill is a spacious and elegant restaurant with an Art Deco design in the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Brussels, which is considered by many to be the best seafood restaurant in Belgium, if not Europe.

The Sea Grill has two intimate private rooms, one can accommodate 8 people, while the other can accommodate up to 16.

If you liked this feature on the best private dining rooms in Europe, read our guide to private dining in London.

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Celebrate St George’s Day in London

Posted by Bon Vivant

Welcome to Bon Vivant’s selection of the best British venues at which to celebrate St George’s Day in London on 23 April. Let us know if you agree with us or if you have your own suggestions to add.

Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall is one of London’s most impressive cultural venues and is a great way to celebrate St George’s Day in London.

Hix Soho

Hix Soho is a true British restaurant from chef Mark Hix on Brewer Street in Soho. The bar downstairs, serving some great cocktails, is worth a visit as well, and features on our list of the best cocktail bars in London.

Rules

Widely regarded as London’s oldest restaurant, Rules still thrives in the heart of Covent Garden, thankfully not succumbing to the tourist trap. The dining room is dark and cosy, with a gentlemen’s club feel to it, but the food is the real attraction, with its focus on seasonal ingredients, with game being a notable highlight.

There are few restaurants more british than rules, making this a great place to celebrate St George’s Day in London.

Magdalen

Magdalen features hearty British cuisine in a relaxed and unassuming setting near London Bridge. With a daily changing menu from chefs with real pedigree, the food is a class act, with friendly and professional service to match.

St John

Regularly featured in ‘best of’ lists and highly revered throughout the world, St John is an institution on the London dining scene. Housed in a former smokehouse around the corner from Smithfield Market, St John features simple, pared down British cooking that celebrates great ingredients and uses offal and neglected cuts as part of its ‘nose to tail’ ethos.

Hereford Road

Situated in an old butcher’s shop near Notting Hill, Hereford Road’s simple and sparse interior allows the food do the talking with its seasonal British menu that relies on high quality ingredients.

Similar to St John, where the chef trained, Hereford Road has a focus on offal, but it is also well known for its simple yet accomplished fish dishes.

Launceston Place

Visiting the chic and elegant Launceston Place is a culinary treat, whose menu presents haute cuisine with a British twist.

Both the chef and the restaurant are increasingly rising to prominence in London, therefore expect highly accomplished refined British food. Launceston Place is well located for dinner after the concert at Royal Albert Hall.

The Swan at The Globe

Under the creative direction of Mark Sargeant, formerly Gordon Ramsay’s head chef at Claridge’s, The Swan, at Shakespeare’s Globe, features modern British cuisine with great views of some of London’s most celebrated landmarks, the Thames and St Paul’s cathedral.

The Swan at The Globe is a great place to celebrate St George’s Day in London, which happens to coincide with Shakespeare’s birthday.

London’s Pubs

Visiting a proper pub is a distinctly British tradition, therefore one of the best ways of celebrating St George’s Day in London is to visit your local pub, sit in your favourite seat, surrounded by your friends and family, and drink your favourite ale! Enjoy!

For further information on Bon Vivant, please visit www.bonvivant.co.uk

London’s Best Hotel Bars

Posted by Bon Vivant

We have an updated guide to London’s best hotels bars – click here to read our guide for some wonderful hotel bars in London.

Reas some of our best London content including our guide to the best afternoon tea, the best coffee in London or our guide to weekend brunch.