Delights of the Albertopolis

September 2nd, 2010

Dine at Bar Boulud, London and explore the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes at the V&A.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has joined forces with the Victoria & Albert Museum to create a perfect cultural day out combining a trip to Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes at the V&A and a meal at its hip new restaurant, Bar Boulud.

Renowned artistic director Serge Diaghilev worked with greats from Stravinsky and Coco Chanel to Picasso, Matisse and Nijinsky – boldly combining dance, music and art to create ‘total theatre’.

French inspired bistro and wine bar, Bar Boulud, sister restaurant to New York City’s Bar Boulud, opened in May at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. The Adam D. Tihany designed interior includes a sleek open kitchen and a general aesthetic inspired by the craft of wine making.

Signature terrines and pâtés are created on site under the direction of Gilles Verot, one of France’s most highly acclaimed charcutiers and an impressive selection of wines focusing on Rhône and Burgundy regions is available by glass, bottle and even jeroboam!

Tickets are a bargain £28 per person and include VIP entry to the exhibition and a 3 course luncheon or early dinner at Bar Boulud.

It’s a cultural match made in heaven.

Exhibition runs from 25 September 2010 to 9 Jan 2011

www.mandarinoriental.com/london

Tata Naka announces pop-up

September 1st, 2010

Exciting news for those fashion followers, Tata Naka has just  announced that the venue for its pop-up shop is 33 Bruton Place W1 with the opening night on the 8th September.  This will be the exclusive outlet for the AW2010 Collection and the chance for fans of the label to buy Tata Naka designs in a central London location until the 21st September.

The boutique will feature Tata Naka’s signature prints and style aesthetic with the design of the shop a visual collaboration with renowned creative consultant Emma Davidge and her team at Chameleon Visual. Highlights for the launch night include a couture bar where three dresses can be ordered in a signature archive print, vodka and caviar bar, and special guest DJ (TBC).

Tata Naka has a great celebrity following, with International ambassadors including  Cameron Diaz, Mina Suvari and Sarah Jessica Parker.

www.tatanaka.com

Trafalgar Rocks

September 1st, 2010

Come London Fashion Week, The Trafalgar Hotel is making the most of its key location (a VERY short cab ride from Somerset House) and will be laying on all manner of cool events from its own Aveda spa for frazzled fashion editors and exhausted models alike to catwalk performances as well.

To celebrate, the Rockwell Bar’s mixologists have devised a new cocktail menu entitled Taste the Trends – a tantalising, fashion-led menu of stylish cocktails and sweet treats.

Taking inspiration from the key looks for A/W10, drinks combine the powerful and dominant flavours of rich brown spirits and an elegant finish, combining textures and tastes.

There’s Nude Lace – a smooth blend of creamy Mozart white chocolate liqueur with a tequila kick and a soupçon of coffee to finish; Pretty Poetess – romantic and bohemian, golden rum, a shot of green cardamom syrup and best of all, The Girl in the Camel Coat. Gran Marnier delivers a citrusy zing to the chocolate dusting around the rim. This drink may look innocent on the outside but conceals hidden tequila temper. Perfect for a certain mobile phone throwing supermodel…

And if you eat nothing else all day, squeeze in the Autumn Winter Assiette. This trio of chocolate, hazelnut and coconut desserts is inspired by the minimalist pieces Aquascutum and Celine!

www.thetrafalgar.com

Pho Soho

August 31st, 2010

Look on the bright side. September may mark the start of autumn but at least it means we’re one step closer to being able to wear our new Shearling.

September also marks the opening of the fifth branch of cool Vietnamese chain Pho in Soho’s Wardour Street.

The company, founded by Stephen and Juliette Wall, back in 2005 has also just hired Tim Mills as its head of operations.

The former executive of pâtisserie chain, Paul, is set to help grow the business to a whopping 20 strong chain over the next five years – both in London and further afield.

“We are approaching a crossroads in Pho’s growth,” Stephen told Caterer Search. “We are assessing the way forward … and how best we are going to achieve that in terms of backers and funding. So we have got some big decisions over the next couple of months.”

The original Clerkenwall branch was followed by outlets in Great Titchfield Street, Shepherd’s Bush and sunny Brighton.

The new site will have seating for 60 diners.

Pho is backed by gastropub entrepreneurs, Tom and Ed Martin, behind venues such as Chelsea’s The Botanist and The Cadogan Arms, The Gun in Docklands and The Empress of Indian in Victoria Park.

www.phocafe.co.uk

Kate Moss Leaves Topshop

August 30th, 2010

According to reports Kate Moss is set to end her lucrative four-year relationship with Sir Philip Green’s fashion retailer, Topshop, with a final launch in October. The company confirmed that the supermodel’s autumn/winter collection, her 14th, would be her last.

However, she may design a number of one-off “capsule” ranges in the future, a spokesman for Arcadia, the owner of the high-street store, said. Sources say the split was amicable, after a relationship that culminated in Moss’s presence alongside Sir Philip at the opening of Topshop’s flagship US store in New York in April last year, reports the Telegraph.

Apparently the range has ended as Kate Moss was un able to spend the large amounts of time that were required on the fashion label,  as there were other areas that she still wanted to pursue.