London Lamppost - The Illuminating Guide to London

Courtauld Impressionists – From Manet to Cezanne

By Joss Bassett 18 October 2018

The Courtauld is one of the smaller and lesser known galleries in London; it’s also one of the few with an entrance fee. But within the art world and to those who know it, The Courtauld Institute is one of the most impressive art centres in the World. It’s a leading art institution that has…

Venice - How Not to be a Tourist

By Joss Bassett 16 October 2018

It’s one of the biggest clichés, but, yes, Venice is magical. Or rather it can be. It can also be like something out of Dante’s Inferno (yes I know he’s a Florentine not a Venetian but I couldn’t think of an appropriate local to use for a simile). You arrive in the city by water…

The Whitebrook

By Joss Bassett 11 October 2018

Simply put The Whitebrook provided one of the best meals I have ever had, and eating at the last dinner service before the 2019 Michelin Guide for the UK was announced, it was clear it was going to retain its star. The only option is the 7 course tasting menu at £82pp, (which is fantastic…

Mantegna and Bellini

By Joss Bassett 9 October 2018

The National Gallery’s major autumn exhibition this year is a once in a lifetime exhibition, bringing together the works of two of the great early Renaissance painters – Giovanni Bellini and Andrea Mantegna. One the son of a great painter, the other the son of a carpenter, these brothers-in-law worked closely together for seven years,…

The Mezze Cookbook

By Joss Bassett 1 October 2018

Food is central to Middle Eastern hospitality. From Israel, Lebanon, Iran and Turkey, across to Syria and Iraq, no matter day or night, invited or unexpected, feeding a guest is a must be it a full meal or small mezze dishes. In her latest book, the James Beard award winning author and food writer, Salma…

45 Jermyn Street’s Cocktails

By Joss Bassett 20 September 2018

It’s a great restaurant and one of my favourites, the service is always immaculate, the food faultless and the design of everything the space to colours to uniforms, plating and coat check tickets is on point. 45 also has a great bar to sit at and an even better cocktail menu. They serve a variety…

67 Pall Mall

By Joss Bassett 18 September 2018

There’s a plethora of private for profit members clubs these days, often with very little other than decor to separate them. But 67 Pall Mall stands out. Set in a stylishly renovated old bank on Pall Mall, 67 is all about wine and the chance to drink some of the best wines out their at…

Bridge Theatre

By Joss Bassett 13 September 2018

The Bridge Theatre, sat between Tower Bridge and City Hall over looking The Thames, has quickly established itself as one of the best theatres in London with star studded casts, outstanding performances and creative stagings of new commissions and new productions of classics. It was founded by Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr when they left…

The Bar at Rules

By Joss Bassett 11 September 2018

Founded in 1798, and serving up classic British food, Rules has long claimed to be London’s oldest restaurants. What’s little known about it is that a few years back the upstairs room was turned into a cocktail bar. It’s quite the secret little cocktail bar. The menu contains the usual mix of classics and house…

Rhinos Round London

By Joss Bassett 6 September 2018

The Tusk Rhino trail has put 21 rhinos around town. Each designed by famous artists and musicians the they hope to highlight the dire plight of the rhinos in the wild. You’ll find them around town until 22nd September when they are auctioned off for the Tusk charity. They’re a perfect way to get out…