This Wednesday saw the opening of the Somerset House Ice Rink, an annual mark of Christmas cheer, this year sponsored by the glittering legend of Tiffany & Co.

The beautiful eighteenth-century outdoor venue is this year offering numerous events and sessions to Londoners of all ages and abilities, from “Late Skates” evenings accompanied by DJ beats to the “Breakfast with Tiffany” Saturday mornings planned to cover the needs and wishes of parents and children alike, with complimentary Tiffany cupcakes, hot drinks, and a post-skate glass of champagne for the chaperones.

The sparkling launch party was attended by Harry Potter starlet Emma Watson. The 18 year old actress turned on the Christmas lights on the Tiffany tree, adorned with ice skates in the classic turquoise shade, and took a turn around the rink with her family. Needless to say, she wore a fine array of Tiffany jewellery, including a platinum diamond bracelet reportedly worth £61500. Dear Santa…

www.somersethouse.org.uk/ice_rink/default.asp

�

After 18 months of refurbishment London’s historic Home House, the exclusive private members’ club, has opened its stunning extension to general acclaim from critics and members alike. The building – a grand Georgian town house – was designed by James Wyatt in 1773, but with its new cutting edge minimalist interiors it has been brought into the 21^st century with a vengeance.

The iconic female architect Zaha Hadid is responsible for the transformation. Well known for her fluid approach to design she has created installations for the futuristic new bar  which feature her trademark sci-fi-esque style. With its sculpted metallic surfaces finished with car paint or with silvered leather she has produced an edgy bar and reception area with an almost classical fantastical appeal, and laid down a marker for super chic environs.

The Home House expansion also boasts two new boutique styled bedrooms, as well as a gym and a spa offering treatments from Urban Retreat.  The ultra-contemporary House Bar and Lounge is Hadid’s first interior design project for over two decades and offers members a stylish and uber modern destination. Well worth a visit, if only  to try out the limited edition sculptural furniture, and to take a glimpse at what might be the look of the future.

The first ever Martin Miller’s Gin Masters Competition brought together the best mixologists from UK and the US at Death & Co for a head-on clash to see who could mix the most creative cocktail and steal the coveted trophy – a 1930’s silver cocktail shaker, used during Prohibition.

In a fun-spirited competition UK legends such as Jake Burger, Giles Looker and Ben Reed pitted their skills against the likes of US bartenders Jamie Boudreau, Daniel Shoemaker, Thad Vogler and Guiseppe Gonzales. Each contestant had to create an original recipe using Martin Miller’s gin and were judged by a veritable who’s who of cocktail experts.

The winner with the Best Original Cocktail was Sam Ross from New York’s famous Milk and Honey Bar, but perhaps the most popular prize of all  - the Best Bar Banter award – went to Team UK for their chat behind the bar. Now why isn’t that a surprise?

If you feel you need a little extra sparkle in your life then head for the Collections designer jewellery show to discover the highlights of next year’s trends.   Filled with innovative and stylish jewellery the show will feature exhibitors such as Nina Ricci, Lola Rose, Dower & Hall and Djadji Platinum among many others, and is out to showcase the creative talent available in the industry right now.

Newly launched this year, Collections is also introducing the “New Designer of the Year Award.” Sponsored and judged by headline exhibitor Stephen Webster, as well as  Jose Skeates (ECone) and jewellery editor Carol Woolton (Vogue),  this is a first for the UK jewellery market and is aimed to encourage the development of new talent. The winner will be offered a showcase of their work at the Garrard flagship stores both in London and L.A.

This year’s show will also include an exclusive feature from groundbreaking jewellery designers Johnny Rocket. Some of their most iconic pieces from their design archive – as worn by pop princess Kylie and Justin from Darkness – will be on display. The showcase will emphasise how designers have broken the barriers of creative jewellery and will underline the exceptional direction of jewellery design over the past ten years.

The Collections show will run from 18^th – 20^th January 2009 at Earls Court, London.

World Press Photo is an independent, non-profit organisation which aims to support press photographers on a wide and international scale. Based in Amsterdam, the foundation has expanded massively since its establishment in 1955, and now takes its annual photography exhibit around the world, promoting the works of the press across 45 countries.

The photography shown is definitely a step-up from the typical paparazzi press we are so accustomed to in Britain - no celebrity scandal or salacious gossip here. The first ever image to win the prestigious prize of World Press Photo of the Year was a mid-action shot of a motor-cross competitor taking a fall in 1955 - since then photo journalists have gone on to document some of the greatest, and most tragic, global situations, evoking poverty, depravity and war in ways which cannot compare with political speech and diplomacy.

Although haunting, the photography exhibited is a striking depiction of global affairs, and will be on show at Royal Festival Hall fro November 13 until December 8. The foundation also collate an annual yearbook to coincide with the show. See the website, www.worldpressphoto.org, for details, and an interactive feature on this year’s prize winner, Tim Hetherington.

Currently at Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, London, 020 79210600

Following in the footsteps of the hugely successful Sterling Stuff II, held in 2002 at its in house gallery, Pangolin has finally been brought to London and has commissioned more than 60 artists to exhibit their works for a 2008 follow up exhibition.   

Pangolin London is one of the few London galleries that caters specifically for sculpture and the gallery emphasises that it aims to display works that otherwise might never get shown. What’s even more interesting is that Pangolin Editions has collaborated closely with every sculptor so that the finest end result is achieved. 

The 2008 exhibition has blended famous names with artists of the future and works from the previous exhibitions from Damien Hirst and Anthony Gormleyalso alongside new artists such as Marcus Harvey and Dorothy Cross to name but a few.  All the sculptures are cast in Sterling Silver and as many of the artists have never worked with this medium before the result is an extraordinary diversity of styles which move from abstract to figurative.

Polly Bielecka, Gallery Director at Pangolin London reveals: “We are incredibly excited to bring Sterling Stuff II to London. The support from contributors – new and old – has been huge, and we are very proud to be offering these highly original and arresting sculptures, all of which are officially hallmarked.”

Prices for works will range from £1500- £25,000

STERLING STUFF II

17 November - 18 January

Pangolin London

Kings Place, 90 York Way, N19Ag

Opening Times

10.00am to 7:30pm Monday to Saturday

11:00am to 6:30pm Sunday

020 7014 4121

www.pangolinlondon.com

If the thought of Valentine’s Day seems too far in the distance to even think about, then this might get your attention a little more. Chocolate addicts may not even last the wait when they learn that the notoriously rich Gü chocolate makers have created a tempting new treat called the Love Pot especially for Valentines Day.

With ingredients designed to lead astray even the strong minded, the Gü Love Pot contains 53% cocoa chocolate and whipped cream. Yet, if this still isn’t enough for the chocolate aficionado, perhaps NÜ Gü Chocs may contain the extra rich factor you need for satisfaction, with 70% cocoa chocolate truffles and liquid caramel in the centre.

While Gü has specifically designed Love Pot for couples to give to each other on Valentine’s Day, if that idea makes you wince but you still want to sample the decadence, Gü’s Love Pots are available in Sainsbury’s and Waitrose and priced at £2.99. The Nü Gü Chocs can be bought at Waitrose and Tesco and are priced at £3.49. Both available from December.

This Indian restaurant, set in the heart of Mayfair has just entered its 14^th year. With endless praise on their website, the Michelin starred restaurant has been hailed as one of the most sophisticated Indian restaurants in London. So how did it measure up

Alfred Prasad, their head chef is renowned for his ever-changing Southern and North-West Indian menu. However, despite there being ample choice available the result was still nothing different. To start with we ordered the Jhinga Ajwaini Tiger prawns and the Lasooni Pasliyan Grilled lamb cutlets marinated in olive oil with spiced aubergine. While nothing was dissatisfactory at all about the food, it lacked that ‘star’ quality that one expects from a Michelin star restaurant.

For the main, we were recommended a wide variety and sampled a few of their other specialities. Again the meat was good, the lamb tender and the chicken and beef highly recommendable. However, where I think Tamarind sadly slips up is in their sauces. Doused in cream and spices, your taste buds are overwhelmed to such an extent it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what you are supposed to be sampling. Although in India the use of heavy sauces is commonplace, I feel the richness detracts rather than adds to the experience in some dishes and sometimes the subtlety of the spices are lost.

Yet, although the food may not be outstanding there is an extensive wine list and the attentive staff means the service is great without being intrusive. Despite the fact that it is in the basement, the restaurant is also surprisingly cosy and elegant.

Tamarind is a tad overpriced for what it offers but with the menu constantly changing if you’re a devotee of Indian Cuisine then it is worth a visit to try the extensive menu. Tamarind offers a range of set menus for lunch, dinner and pre-theatre dining. Food lovers will be keen to know that it was the first Indian restaurant in Europe to receive Michelin recognition and has held its star for more than seven years.

Average price: £45-54

Tamarind
20 Queen Street
London W1J 5PR

www.tamarindrestaurant.com

From December 3rd, Moët will be opening a temporary store on New Bond Street offering the chance to personalise a bottle of champagne in true celebrity style, just in time for the Christmas shopping rush.

The champagne giant has collaborated with Swarovski in their latest venture, allowing customers to have a name, monogram, or special date emblazoned upon a bottle in sparkling crystals. Moët held a similar event in New York last December as part of their “Be Fabulous” campaign, and now for a limited time only, Londoners can join the celebration. Sally Warmington, brand director at Moët & Chandon, said the company were “thrilled to offer this unique gifting idea to consumers who want to give their loved ones and friends something a little different to celebrate this year”.

And for those who want to go for something more than a little different, check out the full range of bottles available - prices run from £50 for a standard 75cl bottle to a rather more significant £1500 for the party-sized Nebuchadnezzar, definitely worthy of a toast.

Atelier Moët, 70 New Bond Street, from 3rd - 28th December, www.ateliermoet.co.uk

When this French brand opened up in Sloane Street two years ago, there was a sigh of relief. At last a slice of Paris had been brought to London. Now with successful retails in Westbourne Grove, St John’s Wood and Richmond, Zadig is aiming to build on that reputation and plans to open a handful more this autumn.

Branded as the “affordable luxury” line with their chic and subtle, yet easy to wear collection, Zadig &Voltaire have managed to cater for a wide spectrum of ages. Founder Thierry Gillier is the reason behind the success, her approach of adapting to the customer’s lifestyle as opposed to the other way round means that the clothes are targeted towards an “industrial chic” market and her use of cashmere, wool and silk only adds to her popularity.

This Christmas will see openings in Selfridges, Hampstead and new retail centre Westfield. With effortless glamour and style constantly created each season, from Elvis winged waistcoats to simple yet elegant jumpers, Zadig & Voltaire looks set to extend its firm London following.

www.zadig-et-voltaire.com