London picks

It’s all very well hanging out in the world’s best restaurants and bars but when was the last time you treated your eyes to a visual feast? I’m talking art galleries. Not just the tourist traps like the Tate or the National Portrait Gallery, but something where the pieces have been carefully created. You can rely on the Halcyon Gallery in Mayfair to have something interesting every time you walk in.

Until 7 July 2012, there’s an exhibition by controversial Russian artist Dashi Namdakov. Why controversial? Because one of Dashi’s sculptures is of Gengis Khan (above).

The luxurious gallery was packed during the launch party (below) and there were lots of VIPs in the room, including us. The party felt like something out of Sex And The City when Carrie’s attending a posh private view. Everyone looked glamorous, the Champagne was flowing and people were conversing about their taste in art. A brilliant way to pass half an hour!

As well as the Genghis Khan, there were other amazing objets d’art. But be careful as its not cheap – the bull below is worth £575,000! Who can we get to buy it for us?

Essential Info

Cost: The gallery is free to enter but you could be tempted to purcahse a sculpture worth thousands or even hundreds of thousands.

Contact: There are several branches of the Halycon Galerry in Mayfair but we visited the one at 144 New Bond Street, London W1s 2PF. 020 7100 7144. Visit the Halcyon Gallery website

Paramount at Centre Point is a vertiginous 31 floors above concrete ex-members bar, with views all around the city. As a former members club, you can expect it to be quite fancy, and it is, but to be honest it’s main selling point is the panoramic views across the city. Tom Dixon governed the design of this bar, so it is easy to enjoy a glass of bubbly and the view in the comfort of a highly stylised, yet comfy interior. If you time your visit right, you will be able to see the sun set behind the Gherkin and St Paul’s Cathedral – bliss.

Once you hop foot it past the terribly posh security guard, (yes, really), you will descend from the lift into the bar and restaurant area. Past this is a set of secret stairs which elevate you to the viewing gallery, which has a more intimate champagne and wine bar. This is the perfect location for a date or anniversary drinks. Whilst the atmosphere back on the 31st floor is more of a work drinks environment, which is still bags of fun.

Cocktails should be the tipple of choice at Paramount – the Angel Martini (Grey Goose vodka, elderflower liqueur, apple, lemon juice and a splash of Sauvignon Blanc), is one of the best we’ve tasted. So go on, be a little bit more adventurous than a glass of vino. Now us mere mortals can book a table and enjoy one of the best views of London, we think a night at Paramount is most certainly in order.

Essential Info

Cost: Cocktails start at £11, while bottles of bubbly begin at £95 and sky rocket to £360. The main thing is, there is a drink for everyones price range – that’s a relief, we thought we’d have to sell our Jimmy Choos to drink there.

Contact: Centre Point, 101-103 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DD. 020 7420 2900 Visit the Paramount website.

Wyld is a late night cocktail bar and club within the W hotel in Leicester Square, London. This fancy pants bar has fast become a playground for the international elite and celebrity crowd. It’s located right on the edge of Leicester Square, so it is nearing China Town rather than the hustle and bustle of Shaftesbury Avenue. The hotel is so bloomin’ cool, the promo video even starred David Gandy and Helena Christensen (we wish we were in that damn video).

The outside may look like a giant eyesore, but the revolving disco ball on the first floor can be seen by all outside – which gives us the first clue that there is more to this building that meets the eye. The bar’s interior is very chic with its fountain of disco balls, marble flooring and plush seating areas.

The first part of the venue is a cocktail bar, which is where most of the guests choose to mingle, on the long leather sofas and dim lighting. Next stop is the VIP club area, which is just further down the corridor. Although not a breeze to get through, if your name is on the list it’s easy as peas. Once  you have been admitted in, you will feel a wave of warmth flow over you, as you are hit by a sea of red and a three meter wide disco ball. Let the party begin!

Essential Info.

Cost: If you are  just attending the bar, then it is pretty reasonable. Cocktails are in the region of £12 and bottles of wine starting at £18. BUT, if you want the full VIP experience then table service will cost you between £600-£1000 and vodka bottles start at £200. Phew! We had better start chatting up some millionaires…

Contact: 10 Wardour Street, Leicester Square, London, W1D 6QF. 020 7758 1060. Visit the Wyld website

We all love a good curry don’t we?! And any VIP who has a love of Tandoori will want to visit La Porte des Indes - London’s answer to Pondicherry. Finding a good curry house is almost as difficult as finding the right pair of jeans – once you have found the right pair, then you will want to try all the different varieties.

La Porte des Indes is one of the best Indian restaurants you will find outside of India, and the French influences (historically, India has very strong French roots), will give you a taste explosion you will never forget.

Although the restaurant is located in Marble Arch, its surrounding area is not setting the VIP world alight, but once you are inside the venue you won’t even care. From the outside, the restaurant seems deceptively small, but once you’ve step down into the ‘Jungle Bar’ (which is fully decked out with jungle murals, tiger rug and bamboo furniture), you will think you have stepped into the real Pondicherry forest itself.

The restaurant has two very spacious floors, with its very own waterfall, marble staircase and foliage – it almost feels like you have been transported back to Colonial India.

The cuisine is a French/Indian fusion, which is steeped in history as the food derives from ex-French colonial base, Pondicherry. There are many traditional options on offer, but the more unusual dishes are definitely worth a try. When we payed the restaurant a visit we took part in the Masterclass with award winning head chef, Mehernosh Mody. (Pictured below) The class consists of learning about the culture behind the dishes, wine tasting, a tour of the kitchen, and cookery demonstrations and food tasting. This is a great opportunity to learn something new and sample foods you may not normally eat. (We tried a mushroom curry, which is not something that would interest us, but was delicious nevertheless)

If you wanted to dine at the restaurant (we’ve done that too!), then we recommend going for dinner, as this is when the restaurant really comes to life. To start, we had Beignets D’Aubergine (fried eggplant, stuffed with cheese and herb paté). The aubergine made us think of holidays in France, but with a twist you can’t quite put your finger on. The paté was suitably creamy and the outside of the eggplant had just the right amount of crispness. La Porte des Indes has two Tandoori ovens (which is pretty rare these days), so it would be silly to not take advantage of it. We had the chicken tandoori with some home made nann (pictured below), and a selection of chutneys.

The chicken was perfectly marinated with traditional spices, mustard oil and fenugreek, and the nann was light as a feather and warm enough to compliment the food. Whilst India is not famed for its desserts, the chocolate mousse was delightful, and we highly recommend it.

Overall the experience was charming. Although there are many Indian restaurants in London, there is no venue quite like this. The decor, atmosphere and service is what makes this place special , and you will want to keep going back for more. Plus, if the food is good enough for pop and Hollywood Royalty like Justin Bieber, Willow and  Jada Pinkett Smith (pictured below), then it is good enough for us.

Essential Info

Cost: It’s quite reasonable, considering the grandeur of the venue and quality of the food. Lunch will set you back about £30 per person, while dinner is a little more pricey with a meal for two will be in the region of £50 per person – BUT you will never taste Indian cuisine this good outside of its native country.

Contact: 32 Bryanston Street, London, W1H 7EG. 0207 224 0055. Visit the La Porte des Indes website here.

Any VIP worth their salt appreciates a good steak. Maybe it’s the neanderthal within us or maybe the celebs are bored with the Dukan and back on the Atkins diet?! Finding a good steakhouse is difficult, but once found will never be lost.

The Hawksmoor Seven Dials is one of the best steak houses we have ever had the pleasure of dining at. Although the chain, (there are now three delicious hangouts), have recently opened the Spitalfields restaurant, we still love the atmospheric art-deco version in Covent Garden.

As soon as you walk into the venue, one instantly feels like you may have entered a men’s only club, as it is something reminisecent of a Mad Men episode. Housed within the Old Combe’s Brewery, and steeped in history (City representatives used to throw steak parties back in the early 1900′s), this chop house can easily compete with the best red meat New York City has to offer.

The entrance is difficult to spot, as it’s tucked away in Langley Street, away from all the hustle and bustle. After descending the stairs to the restaurant, you are met with period lamps and light-shades, thick industrial pillars and posts, ancient brickwork and low ceilings. (The very tall may have to stoop!) The semi-open plan kitchen has a metallic look to it, which compared to the old worldly feel to the rest of the venue, it is a stark, modern contrast.

The menu boasts more meat than a nightclub on a Saturday night, but there are other options on offer – but it would be silly not to try the grill! For starters we had crab on toast, which sounds less fancy than it actually was. The crab took us back to our childhood holidays, with memories of the sea racing through our minds. The meat was perfectly seasoned and the toast had the right amount of crunch. Then we moved on to the cow, which was mouth-wateringly juicy. We decided on a fillet cut, which melted in your mouth and coupled with a peppercorn sauce, made you want more. We now see why Giles Coren hailed this as, “the best steak I have ever eaten.” To complement the steak we sipped on Borsao Garnacha 2010 red, which we could of happily drank all night. For the full fat factor, the Somerset Sticky Toffee Pudding with Cornish Clotted Cream was the last order to the meal. Possibly the best pudding I have had for a while, (and I eat I lot of pudding!), the light sponge, chewy dates and deeply rich toffee sauce was to DIE for.

Overall the experience was fantastic. Although all three restaurants are very similar, it is the venue which made this experience really special. The setting, location and atmosphere is what makes us want to go back again and again!

ESSENTIAL INFO

Cost: It’s not cheap. You are looking at paying nearly £100 for three courses including wine; but it’s totally worth it! The steak starts at £20, with no side orders provided. Starters are priced around £9 and dessert £7, which is pretty pricey, but you get what you pay for.

Contact: 11 Langley Street, London, WC2H 9JG. 0207 420 9390. Visit the Hawksmoor website here.

If you pay a visit to The Collection in South Kensington, it’s likely you’ll be impressed from the moment you walk through the door. Firstly because you walk down a 60 metre catwalk from street to restaurant, which helps you to make a confident entrance. Secondly, the new interior design takes your breath away. It had a re-vamp in September 2011 under the hand of design guru Tom Dixon and looks a million times better than when we last visited.

The menu features contemporary takes on the traditional cooking of southern Europe and the Mediterranean Middle East under the head of executive chef Alex Fanzola. The kitchen uses the finest ingredients, expertly sourced from suppliers such as the organic Laverstoke Park and premium London butchers, O’Shea’s of Knightsbridge and you can tell this from the moment you start eating.

There’s no butter – just decadent lashings of olive oil. We started with the best bread selection we’ve had for ages and insist that everyone who visits The Collection tries it. For starters we had ceviche of scallops and calamares, moved on to a lamb shank that fell off the bone and a barbecue grouper with samphire marinated in a tomato and lime sauce. Then we shared a moist chocolate cake sprinkled with a hearty cocoa powder and almost wished we had one each as it was so nice. This is food for VIPs with high standards and it all impressed us as you can tell by the smiles on our faces.

The Collection has a downstairs bar where you could go for drinks without dinner and we’re certainly going back to work our way through the cocktail menu. We tried a bourbon with cherry liqueur and cointreau, which was like black forest gateau in a cup while a strawberry and vodka creation came with sparkly red glitter on the rim of the glass- beautiful!

ESSENTIAL INFO

Cost: The Tapas menu is good value given the location with small bites between £5 and £7 and main courses such as lamb shank or salted sea bass between £12-£15. Cocktails average £10 and there is an extensive wine list – pick your price!

Contact: 264 Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW3 2AS. 020 7225 1212.Visit The Collection website

This intimate and sleek club and bar is the perfect destination for a night out. Come here to sip great cocktails and champagne and listen to the sets of both resident and guest DJs. There is even a range of International dishes, such as Spanish tapas to have a nibble on – you can get so many cool things under one roof!.

Inside, the fabulous and unique boutique interior of CherryJam means it will be a night out like no other. Normally attracting a sophisticated celebrity clientele such as Lily Allen and Corinne Bailey Rae, you will feel like a VIP if you party here. Friday and Saturday nights are normally the events of the week with house music blasting from the speakers.

It is in a great location in the fashionable area of Notting Hill,with  the nearest tube of Royal Oak just a skip away. Be warned: CherryJam gets very busy from early on and with such a small capacity so we suggest you head down here fast!

ESSENTIAL INFO

Cost: Admission is free on Wednesday and Thursday before 11pm, £6 thereafter. Friday and Saturday there is a free guest list before 10pm, £6 after 10pm and £10 after midnight. Food is extremely reasonable with single portions ranging from £3.50 to £8, and a range of platters serving 6 people costing £30. The happy hour cocktails are all £9 or £9.50 and champagne cocktails cost £12.

Contact: 58 Porchester Road, Bayswater, London, W2 6ET. 020 7727 9950. Visit the Cherryjam website

For a sophisticated gentlemen’s club with an infusion of glamour and glitz, we suggest you charge towards Spearmint Rhino in London’s West End. It was where we hosted the LiveLikeaVIP.com launch party.

The sleek interior reflects the atmosphere perfectly. Felt armchairs, silver poles for the seductive dancers and extravagant mirrors suggest comfort, entertainment and style; three words which are ideal for summing up this venue.

There is more to this place than just dancing. Services include the finest food, an incredible variety of beverages and fabulous entertainment, making it a clear competitor within the gentlemen’s club industry.

The main stage area is home to a bar, stage and podiums. This is the heart of the venue, and the perfect place to catch a bit of the action. Head through to the back where you will find the five star restaurant and another bar, with a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere. This place puts a new twist on dinner and dancing, as you order fantastic food surrounded by dancing girls. The food will suit all appetites, whether you are after nachos for nibbles or a mouth-watering grill.

A popular venue for men, couples and even women, it is perfect for an unforgettable night. It is an ideal location in London’s West End, with easy access to the underground via Warren Street but we predict you will stay later than the last tube and need a taxi home…or a hotel.

ESSENTIAL INFO

Cost: Admission is free from 12 noon until 5pm Monday to Friday, and £15 thereafter. Food is reasonable, with an average of £22 for a steak, and drinks vary from minimum £65 for a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne to £890 for a magnum of Cristal.

Contact: 161 Tottenham Court Rd, London W1T 7NN. 0207 209 4488. Spearmint Rhino UK website

If you’re looking for something glamorous, fashionable and decadent to fill a Saturday afternoon then grab your best girlfriends and head to Kettner’s in London’s Soho for more fizz then you’ll find in a Jeroboam of Champagne.

And talking of Champagne you’ll find plenty of that to help you loosen up as well as cocktails served in teacups, chocolate puddings from Gu, delicate sandwiches, and homemade pastries.

Masterminded by the team behind Tart at 40 winks. Coquette includes beauty tips and makeovers led by Benefit’s head make-up artist Lisa Potter-Dixon, retro styling by vintage specialists Lipstick and Curl, as well as a buy-it-before it sells out selection of underwear by Lingerie Collective.

Then you can catch seminars in the art of kissing and the art of seduction or choose to have your tarot cards read. The fabulousness never ends!

The next events are 20 August, 15 October and 3 December, but with only 80 tickets available for each event, it’s advisable to book quickly.

ESSENTIAL INFO

Cost: Tickets cost £90 per person but the event’s on between 1pm and 5pm, packed full of Champagne, cocktails and afternoon tea treats and everyone gets a goody bag with knickers by Modern Courtesan, Nails Inc and more.

Contact: 29 Romilly Street, London W1D 5HP. 020 7734 6112. Coquette at Kettner’s website

The Mango Tree serves up traditional Thai food like satays, spring rolls and red and green curries cooked to perfection, but what’s really special about this chic contemporary restauarant is it’s seafood specials. Lobster tempura (photographed above) delighted our tastebuds so much that we wanted to order a second.

Prawns are succulent and juicy, sea bass remains moist after being cooked in a banana leaf and there’s a creamy yellow curry with light and flaky white fish that we wish we could eat every day of our lives.

Plus it’s in a great location – a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace – and ideal for pre or post theatre suppers.

Read our full review here

ESSENTIAL INFO

Cost: Approx £40 pp for the A La Carte menu. Special Sunday set menus start at £17.

Contact: 46 Grosvenor Place, London SW1x 7EQ. 020 7823 1888. Mango Tree website

Would you like to hear some seductive, sensual music mid-week? There’s nothing like indulging in something fun and fabulous on a weeknight to make you feel alive and Kettner’s provides both of those things in bucketloads.

The decadent old building in Soho is full of fizz, quite literally, with a bar dedicated to Champagne. You can buy bubbly by the glass or by the bottle and sip it in style while relaxing on chaise longues or plush velvet sofas.

On Wednesdays, the place comes alive with a night called Chansons and Champagne with seductive performances from gorgeous female singers from 8pm.

Read our full review here

ESSENTIAL INFO

Cost: Champagne by the glass is from £8.95 or treat yourself to a bottle from just £46.

Contact: 29 Romilly Street, London W1D 5HP. 020 7734 6112. Kettner’s Website

Ice cream is a sexy food but eat it at Freggo and it’s even more pleasurable and indulgent thanks to the plush purple leather booths where you can lick and lap up an ever-changing menu of ice cream, frozen yoghurt, pancakes and Argentinian cakes.

With unique and delicious flavours like Dulce de Leche, Passionfruit and Malbec and Berries, you’ll be screaming with joy with each spoonful. When you’ve finished you can skip out of the venue guilt-free as Freggo’s ice-cream is made from the milk of Argentine Fresian cows which graze freely on the pampas. Their milk is less rich than European milk, making Argentine ice cream lower in fat and calories than Italian or American ice cream.

But what really makes Freggo stand out from every other ice cream parlour in the capital is that it’s open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays meaning you can go straight from the club to the cone paradise. It’s a far classier option than taking your date to the kebab shop!

Read our full review here

ESSENTIAL INFO

Cost: Two scoops for £3.95 and a chocolate or dulche de leche dip for 50p extra. Alfajores (Argentinan cakes smothered in dulce de leche) are £1.95.

For the above reason – which tastes even better than how it looks – Sumosan is in our list of top 5 restaurants in London. A dome made from sugar covers a milk chocolate cake smothered in green tea mousse served with fresh coconut ice cream. AND it gets better as warm, melted white chocolate oozes out of the cake as soon as it’s cut.

Sumosan is a Japanese restaurant in the heart of Mayfair with Nobu-quality dishes served in a laid-back atmosphere. Minimal effort has gone into furnishing the venue – think plain wooden tables and chairs with the only comfort being a cushion on the chair – but that’s part of the charm that attracts a diverse mix of diners after one thing and that’s superb food. Christina Aguilera and Will Smith have visited on separate occasions and gone un-noticed as people were focussed on their mouth-watering meals.

On the main course menu, you’ll find sushi so fresh it could swim back into the sea with the sushi rice succulently juicier than in the chain sushi bars. The black cod in miso will transform your dining experiences forever as you’ll want to keep returning to Sumosan to have it over and over again.

Read our full review here

ESSENTIAL INFO

Cost: £125 for two including a basic bottle of wine and the fabulous white chocolate fondant. Quite pricey but this is Mayfair.

Contact: 26 Albermarle Street, London W1S 4HY. 020 7495 5999. Sumosan website