Dukes, of course, is world famous for its bar. Run by Alessandro Palazzi and his team, it’s recognised by almost every martini aficionado as serving the best martini in London if not the world, so much so that Alessandro and the martinis are both spoken about in hushed tones of reverence. When it comes to…
Tag: St James’s
The American Bar at The Stafford
Ask a Londoner where the American Bar is, and depending on where you are, you will probably get a multitude of answers. Invariable though, they will almost always say “at The Savoy, on The Strand”. If you’re at all considering seeing this so called “Best Bar in the World”, go once for posterity, and never…
The Wine Bar
Secreted behind the large staircase that leads down to the small but perfectly curated offering of the food hall at Fortnum & Mason, is The Wine Bar. Originally called 1707, the new incarnation is still the same tucked away wine bar that has had oenophiles making a B line to it and its stunning wines…
The Summer Exhibition 2018
The Royal Academy have, for their 250th Anniversary, pulled out the big guns for the Summer Exhibition, the centre piece of the RAs calendar. This year (the 249th summer exhibition) Grayson Perry RA, and his female alter ego Clair, has taken the curatorial mantle to create what is the most original, creative and witty Summer…
3&6
The newest addition to the drink and dining options at Fortnum & Mason is the 3’6 Bar (Three and Six Bar), found on the third floor by the Gentleman’s Department. This cocktail bar is wonderfully relaxed with its antique globes, books and fun fair table top toys. The name is derived from Fortnum’s 1930s home…
Il Vicolo
Tucked away down Crown Passage, a narrow hickledy pickledy ally running off Pall Mall parallel to St James’s Street, among the pubs, Davy’s Wine Bar, tailor and sandwich shops, is an Italian restaurant named Il Vicolo. Family run for some 20 years now, and listed in the Michelin Guide many times, it’s an unsung and…
Rochelle Canteen at the ICA
On The Mall and tucked under Carlton Terrace butting up against the Duke of York steps, you’ll find the Institute of Contemporary Art. Not a gallery that will interest all, its exhibits are exceptionally modern. Among the works they have shown are performance art, films, and an old cathode ray TV showing static in a…
Dukes
The bar at Dukes is agreed by all to be one of the finest in London. It comprises a collection of three small Edwardianesq rooms, their walls dripping with portraits and etchings, and low lighting, The head barman, Alessandro Palazzi, is one of the most highly respected and admired cocktail makers, as well as a…
Ole & Steen
Founded in Denmark in 2008, but with its roots stretching back over 20 years, 2016 finally saw Ole & Steen open up shop in London. From their first store in the new St James’s Market, they now have four more locations, including Canary Warf and the Nova development in Victoria, with plans for a further…
Avenue
Avenue on St James’s Street has been one of those places I’ve been dining at since it first opened. I was a kid and going regularly for lunch with the family after visiting the RA just up the road on Piccadilly; the Sunday roast beef and Yorkshire pudding was just superb. As often happens with…