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  Jet Set Gazette

Review: Elistano

2/19/2013

 
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Every Friday evening I am in no mood to cook. Exhausted, ravenous and ready to let off some steam, I was delighted to find an elegantly simple Italian restaurant hidden behind the noise and bustle King’s Rd on Elystan St – Elistano. Escaping from the harsh winds of the exterior we step into the warmly quiet yet open confines just perfect for a quiet and relaxed dinner without the hassle of other London hotspots on a Friday evening. Even more warm was the smiling service that greeted us and took our coats away while we sipped on still water and pondered over the menu, taking in the authentic Italian delicacies that their new chef, Daniel Urbani, promised to deliver.

We are recommended an excellent bottle of Sangiovese Vigna 2010 (£22.75), an Italian red wine full bodied enough to linger on your palate but light enough to enjoy alone and with the fish choice that I was opting for as my main course. S chooses the Bruschetta with Goats Cheese (£6.95), while I’m informed that the Soup of the Day is Minestrone (£5.95), a perfect Italian classic for the cold winter’s day. My soup is absolute perfection, steaming hot, and accompanied by two delightfully big crisp croutons delicately flavoured with hints of cheese that balance out the lightness of the vegetables in the soup. I watch S cut his bruschetta, the goats cheese oozing onto the plate, tempting me as each melted strand clings to the plate, but knowing I have two more courses to go, I am content at sipping my beautiful wine, which is expertly topped up with attentive service so that the glass is never half full.

Our mains arrive very quickly after this so that we’re not left hanging and as S embarks on his examination of the medium rare steak with a dainty pot of mushroom sauce on the side (£19.95), he informs me that it’s cooked exactly to his liking. As a connoisseur of well-prepared meat, that is a most welcome compliment from him. My pan-fried fillet of sea bass comes (£15.95) with a slice of lemon and sprinkling of black pepper, clean, fresh and light. Although the side of hand cooked chips must also have been simultaneously crisp and soft; we both opt for steamed spinach (£3.95) as our side dishes, which arrive as a big healthy green portion of nature on, separate plates, reeking of class.

Happily content, we are faced with the dessert menu. S immediately spots the uniqueness that leaps out from the paper: Chocolate Brick (£5.95). Bravely he takes the plunge while I am faced with a towering scoop of Mango and Lemon sorbet (£5.95). Sticky and soft spoonfuls of icy wonder that wake up my tastebuds on a paradoxical journey of sweet and sour. “What is the brick?” I ask S tentatively, it looks like a brick of chocolate sprinkled with white polka dots. S informs me that it’s softer than a brick of chocolate but harder than a brownie, another ambiguous discovery that oozes chocolate biscuit, cake and brownie.
Our eyes light up as the charming waiter brings over a shot of Limoncello, the perfect tang of refreshing alcohol to dim the sweetness while leaving us wanting more. Yes we want more of this hidden gem of a restaurant behind the usual overcrowded main street haunts. I dare you – search it out; I assure you – you’ll definitely want more.

Dinner for two with wine, excluding service £94.85
12.5% optional service charge


Elistano
25-27 Elystan Street
Chelsea Green
SW3 3NT
www.elistano.com

Top 3 Pancake Parlours 

2/12/2013

 
Shrove Tuesday marks the start of Lent and 6 weeks of frustrating sacrifice. As well as being a religious date on which people across the globe promise to stop eating unhealthily, it is also when the same people stuff their faces with calorific pancakes filled with enough chocolate to satisfy even the greediest of souls and present them with a Theobromine poisoning scare (Chocolate Poisoning – yes, death by chocolate really is possible).
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1) The Breakfast Club: The Breakfast Club is an independent chain of breakfast restaurants situated in Hoxton, Angel, Soho, Spitalfields and Canary Wharf. This hipster haven, named after the cult film, will leave you feeling as full with food as ‘The Brekky Club’ is with bohemian journo types. I suggest the ‘pancakes with berries’; a mouth-watering tower of American style pancakes, topped with a delicious berry coulis, maple syrup and vanilla cream. I'm drooling at the thought of it.


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2)     La Crêperie de Hampstead: Although crêpes technically aren’t pancakes, this unassuming little kiosk in picturesque Hampstead village had to be included.  Since 1980, the stall has been a local favourite and has attracted crowds of North London teens, loyal fans of the stall and numerous celebrities. The Nutella and banana crêpes, prepared in front of you by authentic French-speaking staff, are sure to delight. 


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3)     My Old Dutch: Hailing itself as ‘London’s Original Pancake House’, My Old Dutch, situated in Holborn, Kensington and Chelsea, is a popular chain of homely restaurants. It's claim to fame is offering a mind-boggling amount of topping varieties on their Dutch pannekoeken. Alongside the fairly traditional sweet offerings, the creative savoury menu will make you flip out, if you pardon the pun. My personal favourite is ‘The Amsterdammer’, a bizarre yet delicious mixture of crispy smoked bacon, soft sautéed apples and maple syrup on a large, flat pancake. Their ‘Lite Menu’ means that they even cater for the calorie-conscious consumer. How thoughtful of them.

London is filled with delightful little pancake parlours, some are grand (The Delaunay almost made the list)  and some unexpecting (there's a great one in Camden Market). Tweet us at @jetsetgazette, and let us know  if you have a favourite place to go for this oh so under-consumed treat.

Josh Zietcer
@mrjoshz

Guest Post: @SexAtOxbridge on Valentine's Day

2/11/2013

 
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Sex At Oxbridge is an anonymous blog written by a female Oxbridge student. The blog  has  been covered by The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Sun, The Evening Standard and now The JSG!  The controversial brainbox writes about life, love and lust and has entertained her huge online following since 2010.
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It is a common misconception that single people hate Valentines Day. Having spent an even amount of years being both single and in relationships over the past four years, I can tell you that I like Valentines Day no better or worse either way. Annoyingly to most, I've had four of the best Valentines Days between 2009 and 2012 complete with scenarios even your best rom-com writer couldn't dream up.

For me, Valentine's Day is a lot like New Years Eve - overrated. Both days are essentially designed to stress you out and put an immense amount of pressure on your friends and loved ones to ensure you have a day that meets impossibly high standards. My streak of fantastic Valentine's Days began in 2009 because it was the last time I attached sentimental value based on the reciprocal participation of someone else on that very day. Is that cynical? No. Let me tell you why.

2009: It was my first year at Oxbridge and I was in my first serious relationship. I had lunch with a friend of a friend from another college whom I had met once or twice. It was only the day before that I realised that I had agreed to lunch on Valentines Day with a boy who was not my boyfriend. It was pretty much just for banter, even though I was on fine date form. I'm very expressive when I talk, often using my hands for emphasis, and managed to hit my fork quite forcefully, sending the salad on the other end flying into the air. At another point I dropped salad in my lap, and after a discreet attempt at picking it up and placing it on my bread plate, my date noted, 'I would have been much less impressed if you had eaten that.' And took the piss once more when the waitress collected our plates and all that was left was a ring of lettuce around where my bowl had been. I don't think I've ever laughed quite so hard on a first date, and despite leaving him with nothing but a kiss on the cheek and great chat in exchange for lunch, we stayed in touch. 

Later that evening my actual boyfriend, who was suppose to take me on the kind of date I'd had earlier, but obviously much more romantic and with less spinach throwing, stood me up for a date with his faculty library. I knew he had pressing deadlines, but he failed to notify me that they would deter him for the entire evening prior to his mobile running out of battery. Assuming myself to be stood up, tears naturally ensued. 

Friends came to rescue me from my self-imposed misery that came from the millions of scenarios I had imagined to be the case. Had I been dumped? Was he with someone else? Why was his phone off? There was no instance in which I would imagine the exact reason that I would get the next day, but after a healthy glass or three of wine I didn't care, and headed out with my friends for one of the best nights out I had during my uni years. 

Confident that I was happier alone than coming second to a library, I was single soon thereafter. That Valentine's Day was essentially perfect. 

2010: Despite my terrible table manners the year before, and despite only having seen the boy I had lunch with on the previous Valentine's once since (we may have snogged at a garden party), he asked me to lunch again for Valentine's Day. We went to a local pub near his college and enjoyed our general banter, but I was becoming increasingly aware of the time. It was the day of the England vs Italy Six Nations match and, in case you don't know, I love rugby. Far more than I like Valentine's Day. 'Do you like rugby?' I asked, apprehensively. Some blokes don't. His eyes widened. 'What time is it?!' He had beers and a telly in his room, so we headed there to continue what was quickly becoming an amazing date. I honestly would have had an almost identical day had I been on my own. Almost identical, as I'm pretty sure halftime would have been much less exciting had I been sitting alone in a pub versus what activities we got up to. 

It can't go without being said that our dates were essentially continuous awkward moments, punctuated by us pointing out and laughing at said awkward moments. For example, at halftime he decided it would be a good time to show me from the sitting room to his bedroom, while I was wrapped around his waist, kissing him as he walked us through the flat. Stumble is more appropriate than walk, but I digress. At one point there was a loud crash and we stopped, startled. I looked down to realise that at the mere touch of my foot the world's flimsiest shoe rack had burst into a million wooden pieces. After the initial shock had subsided, we laughed our way into the bedroom for some fun, and made our way back to the sitting room in time to see England scrape their way to victory (the final score was 12 to 17). A triumphant afternoon for all. It was perfect. 

2011: I had recently begun dating the kindest, funniest, cutest mix of loveliness I had ever met. I don't think any man would want to be described as such, but I was madly in love with him. It was as if I had found my personality doppelganger. We hadn't known each other long, nor had we been dating for longer than a month at that point, but it was no matter. The fourteenth of February in the year two-thousand and eleven will stand as one of the best dates I have ever been on. And I've been on my fair share of dates. 

I have been wined and dined, taken to shows, balls, gala events, etc ... but it would be hard to match the levels of fun we reached that night. After googling, for continuities sake, whether it would be possible to have an identical date despite which Oxbridge city I was actually in, I can't find that to be the case, so for anonymity's sake, and for the sake of keeping at least an iota of my relationship with him to myself (our eventually subsequent breakup is written about in agonising detail over the course of many months) I'm not going to outline our itinerary in detail. It was an excruciatingly heartbreaking breakup, so sometimes it's nice to remember the good bits. Our date was simple, but the kind of evening where your cheeks hurt so much from laughing or grinning like a fool all night. Fools may rush in, but I hope to never lose that kind of foolishness that's so inherent in my nature, because that night was perfect. 

2012: The pain from breaking up with the previously mentioned boyfriend had subsided by this point. For the most part. Okay, marginally. I hadn't been in a relationship since. Rather, I had put most of my energy into friendships with men which wouldn't end abruptly. My best friend is a boy and essentially provides all the companionship one could need without the drama or fear of abandonment. Romantically, I was casually seeing one or two boys consistently, one of whom was becoming more consistent but never serious. My working life was coming together quite nicely and though I loved my job, it had a much more demanding schedule than uni, with far less flexibility for impromptu nights out on a weekday. My new friend with whom I had consistent adult sleepovers was in the banking business, and thus in a deficit of free time as well. We met at his, shared a bottle of champagne and had a lovely, stress-free evening like every other evening we had ever spent together. It was perfect.

My point, friends, is this. [Cut to me taking a break in writing - I hand write most my work first - to go to the bar, order lunch and a pint, ask that they put Six Nations on, and contemplate what my point is whilst finishing my pint and waiting for the England vs Scotland game to begin.] My point is that my days are often perfect because I do what I want, enjoy the freedom of spontaneity and choice that comes from avoiding putting unnecessary emphasis on what I should be doing for Valentines Day. Or any day for that matter. I'm not saying bin work or responsibility, but when it comes to life - love and relationships in particular - it's just too short to worry about what you should do. There's absolutely nothing as important about Valentines Day as Tesco wants you to believe there is. The point is, why reserve expectations of enjoyment and love for certain days? Do the things you like, and if you can't be with the one you love, love the one your with. Luckily I have a very healthy love for myself, which is why watching England destroy Scotland alone whilst writing in the corner and drinking a pint is an ideal afternoon for me. It was perfect.

Valentine's Day: Our Suggestions

2/6/2013

 
Paris may be the ‘City of Love’ … but this February, London is for lovers. In the build-up to Valentine’s Day, we’ll suggest some creative ideas for what you can do on 14th February.

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Valentine's Idea #1
First up, we suggest venturing to the depths of North West London. Situated in the heart of Camden, Shaka Zulu, the neighbour of the highly popular Gilgamesh, will be treating guests to a 5 course meal fit for (Zulu) kings. The South African inspired interiors are opulent; perhaps over-the-top but entirely appropriate for Valentine’s Day, and provide the perfect backdrop for the luxurious meal. As guests tuck into their corn-fed chicken breast, Brett Warren will be serenading couples to add to the romance of the night. The meal costs £29.95 and double-daters will be treated to a bottle of South African Rosé.  

Thursday 14th February 2013
To book, either call 020 3376 9911, email reservations@shaka-zulu.comor visit www.shaka-zulu.com
Stables Market
Chalk Farm Road
Camden
NW1 8AB


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Valentine's Idea #2
Our second suggestion is Hony Tonk, in Chelsea.  For those of you that are bored of the mushy, lovey-dovey Valentine’s routine, this New-York inspired restaurant is bringing something much edgier to the equation. On February 14th, Honky Tonk will be offering a Yankeefied set menu, champagne upon arrival and live music. Three courses will cost you £39.95 per person, or $62.50 (if you really want to be authentic).

Thursday 14th February 2013
Honky Tonk
6 Hollywood Road,
London
SW10 9HY
Tel: 0207 351 1588
W: www.honkytonkchelsea.com/


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Valentine's Idea #3
Our third suggestion is Bunga Bunga, the famous Italian Karaoke bar in Battersea. This year, Bunga Bunga will be celebrating Valentine’s Day twice. At first, they’ll be organising a secret singletons party, named the ‘Segreto Club’, on Tuesday 12th February, with unlimited Prosecco and Bellinis (from 7.30pm until 9pm), small pizzas and a musical chairs game with a speed-dating style twist. Secondly, on Thursday 14th February, if the previous event has worked at all, lovers will be treated to heart-shaped pizzas, serenaded by according players and offered the right amount of Prosecco to get the daring/drunk guests to take to the karaoke stage, at the ‘Lovers Dinner’. This is certainly a less pretentious alternative to other Valentine’s Day events being offered in London!

SEGRETO CLUB
Date: 
Tuesday 12th February 2013
Time: 7.30 start

LOVERS DINNER
Date: 
Thursday 14th February 2013

37 Battersea Bridge Road, 
London, 
SW11 3BA
Tel: 020 7095 0360
Website: www.bungabunga-london.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/BungaBungaLondn


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Valentine's Idea #4
They say that oysters are an aphrodisiac, so is there really any place better to go than an Oyster Bar, on Valentine’s Day? Bibendum, in South Kensington, is famed for its spacious and surprisingly unpretentious Oyster Bar.  Four varieties of oyster are available, including a seasonal treat of six native Colchester No.2s for £19.75. As well as the food being delicious, the tiled wall and high ceilings of the extravagant Michelin building also provide the perfect back-drop for a highly romantic evening.

Michelin House,
81 Fulham Road,
London
SW3 6RD
Tel: 020 7581 5817
Website: http://www.bibendum.co.uk/oyster-bar/index.html

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Valentine's Idea #5
If you've left it a little bit late or have managed to bag yourself a date today ... Have no fear. London has plenty of great restaurants with a strictly no booking policy. This may mean that there are long queues of disorganised lovers on Thursday night, but it also means that a delightfully romantic evening is still possible to attain.

Chicken Shop (79 Highgate Road, NW5 1TL (020 3310 2020) in up-and-coming Kentish Town is part of the growing chicken rotisserie scene in London. Simple but delicious food in a somewhat high-end setting. Alternatively, Meat Liquor is a popular choice with London foodies; famous for its burgers and alcohol, hence the name. It's situated just off Oxford Street, so you can even buy a Valentine's present just before... If you're cutting it reaaaaally fine. The final suggestion is creative, inexpensive and could, if done correctly, be the most romantic option of them all. A stroll alongside the charming Camden Lock, with a meal from one of the international stalls, may be an interesting option for those of you who shy away from the typical Valentine's Day affair.


Enjoy your Valentine's Day, boys and girls, and keep on jet-setting! 

Josh Zietcer

Upper West: Cursed or heading for success?

1/31/2013

 
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Boys and girls, gather round! It’s story time. Once upon a time, in a land called Chelsea, there was a building called 107 Kings Road. Now, 107 Kings Road looked just like any other building on the street … but this building was different. This building was cursed.

At first there was a Mamilanji Club, the high-end members club and restaurant with an R&B twist. Closed. Then there was Tuatara. Closed. Kings Club arrived on the scene. Closed. Now, on 31st January 2013, the grand opening of Upper West, a Manhattan-inspired nightclub, has arrived. The question on everyone's lips, however, is will this new destination be able to extend their lease? Will its fate be any different to the other now defunct joints?

Considering the vast amount of complaints of overly-expensive entry and drinks, tacky interiors and poor management at all of the aforementioned spots, the future does not (initially) look bright for Upper West.

Even though the club has already attracted the attention of an affluent and party-loving crowd, such as Francesca Hull and our very own ambassador, Diego Bivero-Volpe, one could have their doubts about whether Jad Lahoud and Alexander Nall-Cain have learnt from the mistakes of the previous clubs...

The prices remain high and the management appear to be equally as disorganised; the opening was originally planned for mid-November but was delayed until the end of January. However, the modern and minimalist interior design is far less offensive to the eye than the gaudy yet somewhat dingy décor of the Kings Club and the prices may be acceptable to the older, sophisticated target audience (The entry policy is strictly 21+).

Only time will tell whether this Chelsea-Manhattan hybrid will defy the odds and can establish itself as a Sloaney success.


Let us know what you think.  Tweet us your views to:  @jetsetgazette.


The Growing Chicken Scene: Clockjack Oven arrives in Soho

1/26/2013

 
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With rotisserie chicken making its way across the London gastro circle, Clockjack Oven is a new addition to the growing chicken scene in the city. Inspired by Tudor cooking, as represented by the name, founders Jerry Goldberg and Fraser Duncan have meticulously researched cooking methods and sourced a rotisserie that is one of its kind in the country.

With the success of Soho House’s Chicken Shop, Wishbone in Brixton and Mark Hix’s Tramshed, Clockjack Oven is capitalising on the chicken love and offering a unique experience. The Soho restaurant’s menu allows guests to build their lunch or dinner around the rotisserie cooked chicken, which is served in varying portion sizes and can be accompanied by Clockjack Oven sauces including creamy ranch sauce, tangy barbecue sauce and hot chilli sauce. Marinated crispy chicken bites, crunchy sage & onion balls, fries and a selection of salads are available as alternatives or on the side. The Clockjack Torpedo, pieces of chicken leg meat marinated in buttermilk and served in a buttermilk bun with lettuce and ranch sauce, offers a more substantial dish. Chicken with chips or a salad costs around £10.

The ambience is casual and comfortable featuring an open rotisserie and a build that focuses on natural materials such as wood, brick and metals. The seating is a mixture of private and communal and a long table runs next to the rotisserie for those that are interested in watching their meat being cooked over the naked flame and looking forward to their succulent, delicious dinner.

Clockjack Oven is definitely a must try for all jet-setters – after all, who doesn’t love a bit of chicken?

Clockjack Oven
14 Denman Street, London W1D 7HJ
www.clockjackoven.com


Anjana Menon

London's Best Kept Secret 

1/23/2013

 
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Between 1920 and 1933, there was a national ban in the United States on the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol.  The jet-setting party-goers of the 1920s were facing a crisis; how could they engage in frivolous debauchery?

Gatsby-esque private parties managed to elude the attention of the police, and “speakeasies” popped up in the major US cities.  The speakeasies were illegal establishments which sold liqueur and hosted parties for the secretive socialites.

The prohibition era may have come and gone and steered clear of the British shores… but that doesn’t mean that London isn’t filled with these hidden gems. Referred to as “London’s best kept secret”, Barts, in the heart of Chelsea, is a quiry ‘speak easy’ style bar which is the brainchild of Duncan Stirling and Charlie Gilkes, the successful duo behind Maggie’s and Battersea’s Bunga Bunga.

Alongside its' extensive menu of wines and eccentric cocktails, Barts have recently unveiled their new Bloodshot Bloody Mary Menu. The drinks on this menu are made with Bloodshot Vodka, an artisan liqueur created from over twenty different ingredients, and are blended with an eclectic range of flavours. Favourites include ‘The Mary Tudor’,  a blend of Bloodshot, Rose Jam, Fresh Lemon Juice, Sugar Syrup and served with a garnish of Rose Jam on Toast  and ‘The Devil’s Punchbowl’, a warm drink served in a teacup and saucer and made with Harvey’s Bristol Cream, Bloodshot, Merlot, Cloudy Apple Juice, Cloves, Cinnamon and Ginger with a side of Chilli Chocolate. 

The inconspicuous tavern is easily accessible from Sloane Avenue, but don’t tell all your friends about it! After all, Gilkes and Stirling would hate for Barts to be the talk of the town.

BARTS
T: 020 7581 3355
E: info@barts-london.com 
W: www.barts-london.com


Josh Zietcer (@mrjoshz)

Hidden treasures: London's best park cafés 

1/19/2013

 
Every time it snows in London, a great debate arises; do we like the snow, or not? 

Whilst the more sensible, logical Londoners would argue that the snow simply messes things up, the more carefree and young at heart amongst us will be building snowmen, Instagramming the Narnia-esque landscapes and searching for the perfect spot to enjoy a hot chocolate in the snow. In order to appeal to both teams, I've decided to write an article aimed at those who want to enjoy a hot chocolate in their snowy surroundings, but in a local setting, so as to avoid the health and safety threat on the roads. How thoughtful, right? 
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North London

Sunny Hill Park Café: Situated in the sleepy, leafy suburb of Hendon, North West London, this hidden gem provides guests with a round-the-world experience. Whilst the Chalet exterior convinces you that you are enjoying the slopes of Switzerland, the Israeli-Mediterranean cuisine offers you some Middle-Eastern warmth. Highly recommended for a hot hummus and pitta meal, only 20 minutes away from the centre of London.

http://www.sunnyhillcafe.co.uk/

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Photo by: @imogen89
Golders Hill Park Refreshment Café: Golders Hill Park is a picturesque segment of Hampstead Heath. From the Refreshment Café at the top of the hill, one has a view of  the beautiful flower garden, duck pond and putting green. The menu offers a wide range of winter warmers and is a delightful spot to enjoy a cup of tea, whilst overlooking the marvellous grounds. Additionally, local residents Helena Bonham-Carter and Jonathan Ross are said to be regulars.

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Brew House, Hampstead: The perfect spot for enjoying wholesome, organic food behind the magnificent Kenwood House. Many locals refer to this area as "Hampsteadshire", largely due to the impressive view of the former stately home, the village atmosphere and the hearty grub.

http://www.companyofcooks.com/locations/our-locations/kenwood

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South London

Pavilion Café, Dulwich: Alongside a boating lake and numerous sporting facilities, the Pavilion Café is a comfortable spot to enjoy a coffee 
or a small snack in a friendly, homely environment.



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Common Ground, Wandsworth: Located in the centre of Wandsworth Common, the homely interior of this local favourite means that it is a lovely spot to enjoy some hearty food, before enjoying a walk across the lovely grounds. The menu is currently under review, so expect some big improvements in coming months.

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Photo by Ratbaggy
East London

Pavilion Cafe, Victoria Park: 
Situated in Victoria Park, East London, this charming little café is populated by East London hipsters, foodies and yummy mummies. The chocolate brownies are delightful.

www.the-pavilion-cafe.com/



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West London

Belvedere, Holland Park: Although this a rather more serious establishment than the other options, Belvedere is situated in the picturesque, winter wonderland that is Holland Park. The menu has a French twist and offers delicious dishes such as Aberdeenshire ribeye with béarnaise sauce and thick chips. The comforting food ensures that Belvedere is a perfect spot to enjoy whilst the snow is still out. 

http://www.belvedererestaurant.co.uk/Intro.html

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Broadwalk Cafe, Kensington: During the summer, this spot is unbearably touristy. However, in the winter months, the Broadwalk Cafe offers visitors fair trade tea and coffee and world famous views. If throwing snowballs isn't quite enough and you truly want to feel like a child, you're in the perfect location to enjoy the free Diana Memorial Playground. 

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens/facilities-in-kensington-gardens/broadwalk-cafe-and-playcafe

 Josh Zietcer
Twitter: @mrjoshz

My New Year's addiction: Personal One 2 One Trainer

1/15/2013

 
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It’s that time of year again when that awful cliché ‘New Year, New You’ stares at you like the eyes of divinity from all surfaces of advertising. Part of this always involves some form of fitness overdrive, Special K discounts and ‘3 for 2’s on Marks and Spencer ‘Count on Us’ ready meals, if you’re willing to overlook the irony of eating microwaved food for health purposes. 

January is a fairly dismal month – savings ravaged from Christmas, no more sparkly decorations enveloping the streets, it’s cold and dark with less alcohol to provide that inner warmth and the last thing you need is an overcrowded gym with newcomers squabbling with the regulars over ‘your’ bike in the spin class. An obvious solution? A personal trainer.

Now I don’t do New Year resolutions and my expressions of adoration are
not the early motivations of 2013 producing disillusion. My experiences are
thorough, regularly tried and tested methods; and for everyone else now is more than a perfect time to start. My training with Sam Reeves at Personal 121 Trainer started back in June 2012 when I was still recovering from the trauma of the threatened mobility resulting from revision and exams. He approached me as I puffed my way on the treadmill; and because I was euphoric for the start of the summer holidays and a lovely person who rarely said ‘no’, I agreed on that initial session. To be honest I was skeptical before that session – I was a regular exerciser and was part of that crowd who believed weights equaled Madonna biceps. However that first session really opened my eyes and pores. 

We did an hour of circuit training type exercises that worked the entire body and heart and even with years of cardio behind me, I was ready to collapse! Afterwards I agreed on a 10 session package with Sam which, if you know me, is a massive deal, as this meant I had to save on those new dresses. That bag! Less trips to The Botanist for drinks! I thought that maybe my insanity from exams were leaking into other aspects of my life.

I had two sessions per week with Sam, each session divided into lower body
and upper body with circuit training and boxing thrown in spontaneously. Sam
mixed up the sessions each week which meant I was never bored of doing the
same exercise as I had been before when I was training on my own, and contrary to my beliefs, working with weights did not see me blossoming into the next incredible Hulk. Importantly however, Sam’s personality as a personal trainer was legendary. Gentle while motivating, attentive and so funny I forgot I was undergoing physical torture. Exaggerating I am not when I say I looked forward to my sessions; I even refused offers of date nights when I was booked in the next morning. Within a time period that felt like a blink, Sam was saying I had two sessions of my package left, with a blink I renewed. I could see my core strength increasing, I was no longer collapsing flat on my face doing push ups, and when university started again, I fitted the sessions in when I could, jetting down to London with dedication. I was shocked when I even found myself in the gym, ‘merry’ after a few cocktails. Of course that time I was gently sent back on my way home.

Of course it’s not all jolly. I have movement problems for days after a session on legs and am misconstrued as a moody female with hormonal problems after an abs session, laughing and scowling from the consequential pain at the same time, but I welcome this as positive pain. As I am made to do walking lunges there is a sign on the gym wall that always stares back at me: “ I Love My Personal Trainer; I Hate My Personal Trainer; I Love My Personal Trainer; I Hate My Personal Trainer”. 

Although those many Louboutins I could buy instead disagree wholeheartedly; I recommend the addiction to personal training.

Personal 121 Trainer provides individual and group fitness training with top
quality instructors in homes, gyms and local parks across London and the UK.
With training and packages geared to suit each individual’s goals and desires,
wherever you are, Personal 121 Trainer is perfect for that Jet Setting lifestyle!

www.personal121trainer.co.uk
@p121trainer

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Maristella Lee is a student at Cambridge University. She enjoys escaping reality through literature, running, ballet and a cocktail at a nice bar near her home in Chelsea.

Soho is the new Switzerland 

1/7/2013

 
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Christmas may be done and dusted with, but the chilly weather is here to keep us company. Still upset about not being at a chalet, sipping drinks by a warm fire in the evening? Well, aren’t you lucky that you live in London! Tell you what – you don’t need to go that far away to do that! There are two things every jet-setter knows. The first is Soho. Love it or hate it, the world is your oyster. The second thing we know is probably the best bit – the many secrets that this fantastic city has to offer.

Soho’s newest, best kept secret has been revealed – Piste! With Archer Street proving to be a success with the jet-setting elite and the Made in Chelsea cast, you can now enjoy a few cocktails there and head downstairs to their new alpine retreat.

The reclaimed rafter board walls, stripy cushions and sofas and funky mirrors lend to the “après ski” feeling. Still not convinced? They even have a costume box for you where you can find some lederhosen, goggles and ski boots if you’d like to lighten up your look. Add to this one of their delicious Apricot and Cinnamon Bellini and you’re in Verbier within minutes!

They have nightly entertainment in the form of a DJ spinning the decks and regular pop-up performances by their warm, friendly staff. (They sing wintery classics – let’s just say that Glee fans will love it.)

Piste is  joining Bodo’s Schloss in bringing the Alpine craze to London. It is relaxed, trendy, charming and welcoming – everything that has made Archer Street a success. This basement beauty won’t be a secret for long. You better get a taste of it at the earliest! Whether it’s after work drinks or a night out, this is one place you won’t be sloping home early from!

Piste at Archer Street,
3-4 Archer Street, 
London, 
W1D 7AP

www.archerstreet.co.uk


Anjana Menon

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