Dinner at The Kensington Hotel’s K Bar with a touch of old-school cocktail glamour A good martini is one of life’s pleasures, so I’m always happy to discover somewhere that takes them seriously; when I had the chance to visit the award-winning K Bar, tucked inside the five-star The Kensington Hotel, I jumped at it. […]
Chakra
Chakra Spices up Kensington It’s ten years ago that I last reviewed Chakra in Kensington. A lot of water has flowed under many bridges since then but both the prize-winning Indian restaurant Chakra and I are still standing. In the present climate for what is a small local restaurant, that’s a real sign of success. […]
Olympia Open House – Kensington
Gain insight into Heatherwick’s latest creation Kensington Olympia was part of the Open House festival this month. Thomas Heatherwick’s designs have become some of the UK’s most recognisable exports. With his studio’s work being built across the world, some of his most famous designs are still back home. The Routemaster redesign, now being phased out, […]
Chat Noir – Review – The Lost Estate
Immersive Theatre and Dining at Chat Noir It’s 1890 in Paris, and the night is young. Imagine you’ve travelled back in time as a guest of Rodolphe Salis, stepping into his infamous nightclub, Chat Noir, to embrace the anarchic spirit of bohemian Montmartre. The Lost Estate does exactly that, only this time, the illusion unfolds […]
The Kensington Hideaway Hotel
Boutique hotel pays homage to Kensington’s literary history Newly opened following a multi-million-pound renovation, The Kensington Hideaway is a 59-room, four-star boutique hotel located on Kensington High Street. Its excellent location is one draw, while the beautifully refurbished interior is another. I was invited to review the hotel as it opened. Being the first person […]
A Cultural Christmas in Kensington
Art, Craft, Heritage and Design for Christmas If, like me, you prefer a gentler and perhaps less commercialised Christmas shopping and festive break experience than the mayhem of Oxford Circus, Bond Street and Piccadilly, Kensington might just be the ticket. It’s a part of London where you’ll find all the major high street shops but […]
EVE Restaurant Kensington
Mediterranean dining in Kensington & Chelsea EVE restaurant has recently opened in Kensington & Chelsea in Ember Locke on Cromwell Road, alongside EVE café and bar. The menu created by Executive Chief Talia Prince, who has worked at both Le Gavroche and The Fat Duck, is based on fresh Mediterranean flavours with plenty of spices. […]
The Hayden Pub with rooms, Notting Hill
A newly refurbished landmark pub in Notting Hill. The Hayden sits in pride of place on Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill’s vibrant neighbourhood; this handsome pub is surrounded by chic shops and just as stone’s throw from Portobello Road. The Hayden recently has undergone an extensive makeover and which has successfully created an elegant and […]
The Ivy Kensington Brasserie
Summer dining in Kensington at The Ivy Set in a prime location on London’s Kensington High Street, The Ivy Kensington Brasserie’s exterior is looking glorious on a warm and sunny evening with a verdant floral display around the front door in celebration of the Proms. The Art Deco interior is in classic brasserie style with […]
Bottomless Brunch at Hotel Xenia in Kensington
Hotel Xenia Brunch: It’s funny how ‘Brunch’ has found its way into the cosmopolitan vernacular. Once upon a time, it was a humble and homely affair; a family meal, usually consisting of eggs and bacon, often enjoyed after church. But now? Brunch is the ‘Sunday Service’ for urban millennials – frequently seeking a hangover cure […]