A WORD ABOUT 24
Our aim in producing these guides is to take a neighbourhood of London at a time, keeping it local, and to offer a true guide. As locals ourselves, we’ve deliberately avoided the tube (no offence TFL), been realistic as to what’s possible to do in a single day, and included lots of what we believe are some of the city’s highlights. Don’t expect a listing of what’s “new” in London - we have avoided the latest fads and fashions. Instead, we’ve looked towards the iconic and memorable to capture the eccentricity of our hometown.
Our aim in producing these guides is to take a neighbourhood of London at a time, keeping it local, and to offer a true guide. As locals ourselves, we’ve deliberately avoided the tube (no offence TFL), been realistic as to what’s possible to do in a single day, and included lots of what we believe are some of the city’s highlights. Don’t expect a listing of what’s “new” in London - we have avoided the latest fads and fashions. Instead, we’ve looked towards the iconic and memorable to capture the eccentricity of our hometown.
LONDON 24 | SOHO
08.30: Breakfast at The Wolseley one of London’s most elegant of landmarks - an icon of architectural beauty and theatrical staging by the design extraordinaire, David Collins. Breakfast here is a serious affair. So popular is the menu from traditional kedgeree to viennoiserie (pastries, breads, canelés, brioche - all made on the premises) that you’ll need to book several weeks ahead (months for a weekend reservation). We recommend a souvenir copy of The Wolseley by A. A. Gill - a book dedicated to the pleasures of a long breakfast including the cafe’s own recipes. (The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB. Tel. 020 7499 6996)
10.30: If your aspirations include adding esquire to your name, stroll along Jermyn Street of famed St James. Here you’ll find everything from traditional toiletries, bespoke shirts and shoes, and robes. For the most discerning of gentlemen is Geo. F. Trumper - whose fragrances, shaving, bath and body products recall the days of Rule Britannia with scents like Extract of West Indian Limes, Spanish Leather, and Eucris (an arousing scent of sandalwood, musk and moss with trails of jasmine, spices and berries). St James is also home to Fortnum & Mason (we’d never say no to luncheon at The Fountain Restaurant) and that other holder of a royal warrant, cheesemonger Paxton and Whitfield. (Geo F. Trumper, 1 Duke of York St, SW1Y 6JP. Tel. 020 7734 6553; Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER. Tel. 0845 300 1707; Paxton and Whitfield, 93 Jermyn St, SW1Y 6JE. Tel. 020 7930 0259)
12 noon: Soho is pure razzle dazzle after the grandeur of St James and is the place to sample some of the best that London has to offer from the iconic Bar Italia, food stores such as Lina Stores, I Camisa & Son, Algerian Coffee Stores and Maison Bertraux . Bound by Regent Street, Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road, and Shaftesbury Avenue, abandon your map and simply explore this vibrant neighbourhood where designer meets trash, day-glow collides with minimalist design, all in the frenetic toing and froing that is Soho. (Bar Italia, 22 Frith St, W1D 4RF. Tel. 020 7437 4520; Lina Stores, 18 Brewer St, London W1F 0SH. Tel. 020 7437 6482; I Camisa & Son, 61 Old Compton St, W1D 6HS. Tel. 020 7437 7610; Algerian Coffee Stores, 52 Old Compton St, W1D 4PB. Tel. 020 7437 2480; Maison Bertraux, 28 Greek St, Soho, W1D 5DQ. Tel. 020 7437 6007)
13.30: Hungry? For an informal lunch, we’d recommend Japanese tapas at Kirazu. We just love the design of this store as well as its menu. And just around the corner is Gelupo - our favourite gelateria in London. For something grander, book a table at Andrew Edmunds tucked away in one of the more obscure streets of Soho though very close to Carnaby Street. The handwritten menu posted on the outside of this 18th Century townhouse gives a glimpse of the experiences within. (Kirazu, 47 Rupert St, W1D 7PD; Gelupo, 7 Archer St, W1D 7AU. Tel. 020 7287 5555; Andrew Edmunds, 46 Lexington St, W1F 0LW. Tel. 020 7437 5708)
13.30: Hungry? For an informal lunch, we’d recommend Japanese tapas at Kirazu. We just love the design of this store as well as its menu. And just around the corner is Gelupo - our favourite gelateria in London. For something grander, book a table at Andrew Edmunds tucked away in one of the more obscure streets of Soho though very close to Carnaby Street. The handwritten menu posted on the outside of this 18th Century townhouse gives a glimpse of the experiences within. (Kirazu, 47 Rupert St, W1D 7PD; Gelupo, 7 Archer St, W1D 7AU. Tel. 020 7287 5555; Andrew Edmunds, 46 Lexington St, W1F 0LW. Tel. 020 7437 5708)
15.00: First comes food and then comes culture. Explore The National Gallery. All major galleries and museums in London are free, making the extraordinary art within open to all. (Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN. Tel. 020 7747 2885)
19.00: Opt for early cocktails before dinner. Grab a table at the private members club - Milk & Honey on Poland Street. Non-members can book a highly coveted table between 19.00 - 21.00. The martinis would have inspired Dorothy Parker (“I like a martini, two at the most, three I’m under the table and four …” well you can imagine the rest) and the ambience is pure art deco. (61 Poland St, W1F 7NU. Tel. 020 7065 6840)
19.00: Opt for early cocktails before dinner. Grab a table at the private members club - Milk & Honey on Poland Street. Non-members can book a highly coveted table between 19.00 - 21.00. The martinis would have inspired Dorothy Parker (“I like a martini, two at the most, three I’m under the table and four …” well you can imagine the rest) and the ambience is pure art deco. (61 Poland St, W1F 7NU. Tel. 020 7065 6840)
21.00: Dinner at Bob Bob Ricard concludes this introduction to English eccentricity with the décor by the same design studio as The Wolseley. Start your evening with a mini zakuski taster plate and a shot of vodka at -18 degrees, before ordering that classic British dish of Beef Wellington for two from this English and Russian menu. And yes, give into that urge and push the champagne button. Post-dinner head downstairs to the club room (it's only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings) and from there Soho awaits… (Bob Bob Ricard, 1 Upper James St, W1F 9DF. Tel. 020 3145 1000)
