My tempestous love affair with London pt. 2

...what I love about London continued.....

9. Parks on sunny days! I'm lucky to live in a city that has over 10,000 acres of park space, and even luckier to work right next to Hyde Park. It is convenient for a quick mid day getaway from the office or wine tasting with friends on the weekends.Yes, this is England! Consumption of wine in public places is compulsory! 

10. Working in the UK (i.e. more vacation time than I know what to do with!) I admit, I am now well accustomed to the plethora of vacation time I receive as an employee in the UK. No probationary periods, and no such thing as a "sick time" allowance. The days are all mine!



La Plage de Calvi by Roger Broders France

11. Cursing! It's everywhere and the British have turned it into an artform. On the telly, on the tube, in the workplace, and even heard out of the mouths of babes. If my mother wasn't reading this, I'd share some of my favorites.

My favorite hotel bars in London

There's simply something magical about enjoying a great cocktail in a gorgeous setting served up by handsome suited bartenders! Perhaps again I imagine myself as a jazz baby, or a 1930's starlet meeting her married lover, or a spy waiting a rendezvous like a scene from Casablanca, if only in my imagination. So when I am feeling in need of a bit of mid week glamour & attention, without jetting off to Paris, I can often be found at one of these bars.

Here are some of my favorites in no particular order:

1. Claridges Bar at Claridge's Hotel Scene: Celebrity and Eurotrash. Best for people watching if you can get in, and especially if you can grab a seat at the bar. Exceptionally friendly and down to earth staff.

Claridges Bar

2. Rivoli Bar at the Ritz.  Scene: Impeccably coiffed British Countess. Lovely art deco inspired bar with soft peach lighting to purposely soften the complexion and make us ladies look as young and dewy as Doris Day! Overdressed? Never at the Rivoli. Best place to wear red lipstick and your gran's veiled hats.

Rivoli Bar

3. Knights Bar at Simpson's on the Strand. Scene: Dapper Gentleman's Bar. Great for a crisp, dry martini and priced less than the average hotel bar.You'll be in the company of suited men who have been drinking martinis there for about 40 years.

Knights Bar

4. Connaught Bar at the Connaught Hotel.  Table side martini service. Need I say more? Read my very first post.

5. Amaranto Bar at the Four Seasons. Scene: Ripe for romantic tryst. Red, sexy and exclusive. Purposefully not a destination bar which means lots of seating and anonymity. Not available to the public in the late evening.

Amaranto Bar

6. China Tang at the Dorchester. Scene: 1920's Shanghai Spy. Make your way downstairs to this dimly lit bar and exchange spy stories. Wear your shades if you want to give the illusion of "mysterious celebrity". Chances are you are sitting next to one. Be sure to check out the loos before you leave.

China Tang

Honorable Mention. Beaufort Bar at The Savoy Hotel. It's long and colorful history attracts underdressed tourists, but it's still a gorgeous bar with award winning bartenders known for crafting amazing and always interesting cocktails (such as the the Winston with cognac and muddled cigar!) Worth a visit.

Beaufort Bar

Soho Top 5 pt. 1

So many places in Soho and not enough time. With close proximity to West End theaters and Chinatown, you can eat, drink, shop, see a play and visit a sex shop all in the same evening while seeing a C-list celebrity stumble out of a bar.  This is one of my favorite areas of London, so I will be adding to this list.

My picks for Soho:

1. Algerian Coffee Shop. This caffeinated gem tucked away in Soho is alone worth sidestepping tourists. Established in 1887 and offering over 80 coffees and 120 teas from around the world, the assortment of spiced coffees blended for you in the shop is quite like Christmas morning for grown ups! Vienesse, a dark roast blended with figs, and the Lebanese blended with cardamom, are my favorites.

2. Amorino Gelato. Admittedly a European chain, this creamy goodness is a tempting late night treat as they fashion your gelato into a lovely rosebud! Coconut and the 71% Gran Cru Chocolate from Ecuador are my favorites.

 3. Salsa & cigars at Floridita. Imbibe well crafted cocktails (beware the Zombie!) in a 1930's Havana inspired setting in between dance requests from strangers who sure can salsa. Great girl's night out.

4. Oysters at Hix. If you want to get your sweetie in the mood, start here!

5. Cox Cookies and Cake. If you're in the mood for a cola flavored, gothic or S&M cupcake, this place is for you! The Bling Cake is my favorite, but they do a pretty good red velvet I must admit, being from the south and all.