Archive For The “British” Category
A Room with a View. Covent Garden is a wonder of architecture, history and eclectic retail opportunities. Throw in a juggler or two and you have the perfect tourist attraction. Pivot Bar and Bistro, on the other hand, appeals to tourists and locals alike. Enjoy the Sunday Ultimate Sharing Roast which offers a traditional meal…
St Ermin’s has long been a favourite hotel and now I can boast that I have actually stayed there and also enjoyed breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner in their iconic Caxton Grill. There is a separate street entrance for the Caxton Grill but it’s a treat to arrive via St Ermin’s reception hall. One…
The George and Dragon Hotel and Restaurant is nestled in the heart of the National Trust village of West Wycombe. It’s easily reached from central London and is an Instagrammer’s dream. This is a quaint 17th century coaching inn and has a prominent place on this picturesque high street. This charming and cottagey restaurant has…
Gilbey’s is a restaurant with rooms. Gilbey’s is a brasserie with beds. Gilbey’s is a rather good spot for dinner, even if one isn’t laying one’s head in the upstairs quarters later. This is a smart/casual restaurant with a quaint façade, cosy interior, and sporting stylish design elements. The menu is constantly changing so one…
It’s some kind of prejudice, I guess. It’s just that I didn’t expect to discover such a restaurant in a spot that seemed so difficult to find by car. One could easily miss this rather isolated inn (OK, so I come from London) which might be mistaken for a cosy cottage with its own car…
Holdsworth House Hotel is found along a rather anonymous road halfway between Leeds and Manchester, and not far from Halifax. It makes the ideal base for visiting Yorkshire’s Brontë Country and Calderdale’s beautiful and dramatic hills and moors. It’s a stone’s throw from the Lake District, one of Britain’s best-loved regions. This is one of…
Lancrigg is perhaps one of the most charming hotels in the Lake District …and even beyond. It has the exterior of a rather good country home. Its pale yellow walls blend perfectly with the surrounding countryside. The stone barn behind is so picturesque that it could almost have been put there just to thrill Instagram…
The Plough Inn is a little stunner. It offers beautiful rooms for the few who are lucky enough to stay, and a traditional bar and restaurant for resident guests and locals. The concept is smart casual and the food is polished. My perfect combination. One sits amid a riot of mismatched tables and chairs. The…
Today I have a review of a smart restaurant conveniently situated about 2 hours outside Paris. Good transport links with easy access to city shops. Superb food and waiters who speak English, and a menu in English as well. Yes, that’s got your attention, my dear Anglophone reader! Even better news is that, if you…
We are truly blessed with marvellous hotels in London. They are diverse, and one can always find something to appeal, no matter what one’s taste. If you are looking for 5-star luxury, an excellent location, and a selection of fine dining experiences, then perhaps Grosvenor House has your name on it and there is Anna’s…
Yes, London is a city, but then within that there is ‘The City’. Known as “Londinium”, the Romans established a settlement on the current site of the City of London around AD 43. By the late 16th century, London had become a major centre for banking and trade. The Royal Exchange here was founded in…
Georgian House Hotel is Five-star in every regard (read my review here). It’s a cosy boutique bed-and-breakfast with the addition of a delicious and worthy afternoon tea in their Pimlico Pantry. Upcycled Afternoon Tea! The new Upcycled Afternoon Tea is prompted by the best of motives, but it also ticks all the boxes for those…
It’s snowy in London and it does rather give the impression of a Christmas landscape. At that time of year one’s fancy might turn to a theatre trip with the kids – nothing taxing like King Lear, but perhaps a children’s classic like Pinocchio might fit the bill? The National Theatre has the ideal production,…
As Chef Director of Duck and Waffle since 2012, Dan Doherty has received many accolades including acceptance into The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, as the youngest member to date, in 2014. This is a prestigious statement of respect from his gastronomic peers. Sadly, I suspect that very few of the guests at Duck and…
It’s a bright English summer day. A perfect time to enjoy the delicious and colourful delights of the celebrated Borough Market. It was first mentioned in 1276, although the market claims to have been around since early in the 11th century, and possibly even before that. During the 19th century it became one of London’s…
It’s not surprising that we were invited here to enjoy a meal with meat as the show-piece. This was Blackhouse Grill at Smithfield, after all! Smithfield’s meat market dates from the 10th century, and is now London’s only remaining wholesale market in continuous use since medieval times. It’s a bloody spot in other ways, too….
The Swan is a striking hotel in an equally striking location. Lavenham is a town the likes of which is often thought extinct. It’s the stuff of historic dramas, with unspoilt houses and shops; a slice of Harry Potter was filmed here. It surrounds the visitor with quaint buildings and photo opportunities by the shed-load….
OK, I confess, I had never visited Suffolk. I discovered a strikingly beautiful county with coast, pasture, chocolate-box villages and historic towns. I discovered Woodbridge! The Crown Hotel (read my review here) houses its eponymous 2 AA Rosette restaurant, which is recommended in the Michelin Guide. It’s found at the top of The Thoroughfare which…
This striking and high-end hotel seems contemporary but it has a long history which is camouflaged by its light, modern and immaculate presentation. But part of this building has been around for more than a couple of hundred years. Originally known as Felin Wynt, Welsh for windmill, the still-remaining and iconic tower was built in…
This truly is a ‘garden’ house with the intimate character of a cosy cottage. (Read more about the Garden House here.) It’s part of the Beaverbrook Estate and the smaller of two hotels, the other being the lavish and imposing main house which was once the home of Lord Beaverbrook, one of the most influential…