Why Orange?

Surveys show that orange is the colour most associated with amusement, the unconventional, extroverts, warmth, fire, energy, activity, danger, taste and aroma. Apparently it is both physically and mentally stimulating so it gets people thinking and talking and hence stimulates conversation so how could we have picked a different color!

Aqua Shard, London Bridge

Aqua Shard, London Bridge Shard, the tallest building in European Union needs no introductions. It hosts several good restaurants, and as I spotted a lunch deal with Aqua Shard, I had to give it a go! The views may be good – but is that what you mainly pay for? Aqua Shard is a British…

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MAG Café – Milan

MAG Café – Milan Looking for an intimate place with a curated drink? This is the place. Close to the speakeasy culture – there is some real attention paid to the drinks as well as the general atmosphere. I went for a Valentine’s day date with my husband and it was perfectly cosy, the drinks…

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Dandelyan, Mondrian Hotel – South Bank, London

Dandelyan, Mondrian Hotel – South Bank, London Long overdue review for an absolutely fabulous place! We went for an anniversary celebration in September – a well overdue night out without kids! Voted as the best bar in the world in 2017 (Spirited Awards) – so no need maybe for further celebration of the skills of…

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Roast – Borough Market, London

Roast – Borough Market, London A breakfast catch up with a friend as we both have such busy calendars these days and that was the only time that worked for both. The early morning walk through the Borough Market is an experience in itself – all the stands setting up and the smells of fish,…

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Biancolatte – Milan

Biancolatte – Milan Biancolatte is a delightful place in Milan that has been going strong for about 10 years now. This time I was there for lunch with a friend with whom we were planning some new business ventures so it was great that the place had good acoustics. Even if the tables were very…

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Valentino Vintage – Milan

Valentino Vintage – Milan I went for a lunch to catch up with a good friend. The place is…vintage – almost old fashioned – a bit like comfort food with a slight modern twist but not enough to outright love it. The service is very welcoming and the menu traditional. Personally I think I just…

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Contraste – Milan

Contraste – Milan Contraste is the evolution of my previously favourite place in Milan (Al Pont de Ferr) where the still young chef (Matias Perdomo) and his team have taken a step forward to gift the experience of creativity and thinking to the guests in an environment properly thought through. It has taken us a…

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Coya – Mayfair, London

Coya – Mayfair, London Coya in Mayfair is a Latin American venue with a modern Peruvian restaurant. Based on a tip from a friend it was my turn to sample their lunch menu – and as it happened their express lunch for £28 was express in name, but not a shortcut in flavours.… So, how…

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Japan Centre – Piccadilly, London

Japan Centre – Piccadilly, London Another meeting in London and a quick lunch. Would that experience be worth a short review? Perhaps, as I was surprised to find out that a bar stool and take away lunch in a middle of a store can bring back great memories! Japan Centre has moved to new location…

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Nopi – Soho, London

Nopi – Soho, London Nopi is Ottolenghi’s Middle Eastern and Asian inspired restaurant in Soho. With white and brass interior it looks like a nice place to stop for a lunch – so I did! And here is how my experience turned out. As I usually don’t eat lunch the menu looked light and about…

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Harvey Nichols – 5th floor café – Knightsbridge, London

Harvey Nichols – 5th floor café – Knightsbridge, London Harvey Nichols’ 5th Floor restaurant needs no introduction. But what kind of atmosphere does it offer for customers as the area is now mainly occupied by the café? Well, my recent visit to the café happened during the peak Christmas shopping period and sure it was…

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Nobu – Mayfair, London

Nobu – Mayfair, London Nobu is an intercontinental award-winning restaurant chain, originally founded by master chef Nobu Matsuhisa. After celebrating a friend’s Birthday party at the place, I realised why it is acclaimed to be one of the most fashionable restaurants in the world. The food was brilliant in all aspects and the atmosphere was…

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Corinthia Hotel – Westminster, London

Corinthia Hotel – Westminster, London Corinthia is one of the finest hotels in London with a combination of old heritage and modern edge. Located next to River Thames and a few minutes from West End, it is an ideal location for someone who prefers to stay close to all parts of the city. Whether you…

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Hush – Mayfair, London

Hush – Mayfair, London The Perfect Place for Truffle Hunting Discover the hidden courtyard and the beautiful outdoor dining space with changing seasonal decoration. Once you step into the restaurant, you will find the Aviator Bar that reminds you of 60´s glamour and provides you with delicate, bespoke cocktails. The bar was awarded as a…

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The Reform Club – St James’s

The Reform Club – St James’s Not a restaurant or coffee place review but worth noting for event organizers. I have been to the club in a number of occasions for events in particular and have to say the acoustics are fantastic. The food has been slightly old fashioned when proper meals were served but…

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The Egerton House Hotel Bar – Knightsbridge

The Egerton House Hotel Bar – Knightsbridge I must admit the original reason behind going to this place was that they advertised on facebook they would give free tickets to the nearby Pink Floyd Exhibition at the nearby V&A with drinks at the bar. I called twice to check it was for real – just…

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NAC – Mayfair, London

NAC – Mayfair, London NAC – A Perfect Lunch Place on 41 North Audley Street NAC is a French bistro that offers a great range of healthy options including fresh halloumi salads, avocado toasts, and smoked salmon. The atmosphere is European and the design is minimalistic. I would also recommend their dinner and brunch downstairs,…

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Cecconi’s – Mayfair, London

Cecconi’s – Mayfair, London An Italian Restaurant in the Heart of Mayfair Cecconi’s is situated in the heart of Mayfair and is famous for its delicious risottos and pasta. The customer service is impeccable every time I have visited the restaurant, and the price and quality of food match each other perfectly. Let it be…

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Emmeline’s Lounge, Conrad – St. James, London

Emmeline’s Lounge, Conrad – St. James, London A Cosy Afternoon Tea in St. James The Emmeline’s Lounge, situated inside Conrad Hotel, offers Traditional Afternoon Tea for £35 per person, and with Champagne £49. Children are charged at just £19.95. The afternoon collection is broad and the food is excellent. Especially, I liked the calm atmosphere…

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Sketch – Mayfair, London

Sketch – Mayfair, London Sketch is a one-of-a-kind place in Central London for everyone who has a penchant for food, art, and music. Sketch consists of five different areas: “The Parlour” cocktail lounge is quirky and has 90’s atmosphere, which is an ideal option if you are looking for a place where to have pre-cocktails…

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The Ritz, St. James’s, London

The Ritz, St. James’s, London The Traditional English Afternoon Tea Being one of the most famous afternoon tea places in London, a reservation is required preferably at least a month in advance. The Traditional Afternoon tea is served in Palm Court that is an elegant tea room, with gold details and glittering chandeliers, the ambiance…

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Sake no Hana, St. James, London

Sake no Hana, St. James, London Part of the Hakkasan Group, Sake no Hana is a perfect choice for dinner when you want to ensure that the standards and cuisine are exceptional. The à la carte menu is made of finest ingredients, starting from signature sushi range to deep-fried mains. Sake no Hana offers also…

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The Ivy Chelsea Garden, Chelsea, London

The Ivy Chelsea Garden, Chelsea, London The Ivy Chelsea Garden serves modern British food and delicious cocktails and is a perfect place for a lunch date with a friend or colleague. The décor is visually pleasing with opulent colours, including dark red and green. In addition to the restaurant, it has a 3,500 square foot…

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Portobello Ristorante Pizzeria, Notting Hill, London

Portobello Ristorante Pizzeria, Notting Hill, London A very pleasant place with an amazing terrace in the heart of Notting Hill. One of the few places in London with authentic, delicious Italian food and a wide variety of Italian meals and wines. The ambiance is more relaxing on the terrace and the service is excellent. Locals…

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Aster – Victoria, London

Aster – Victoria, London Aster – a new star in the Victoria area. Part of the D&D Group and in the new development of Nova Victoria which is bringing finally some new options for restaurants in the area. Not sure why the review has taken so long to write – I have been there probably…

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Mews of Mayfair – Mayfair, London

Mews of Mayfair – Mayfair, London One of the very few places in Mayfair where one can have a drink in the open air sitting comfortably at a table. As the name suggests, it’s a mews corridor between bricked buildings, not a spot flooded with light. Drinks are good, but awfully expensive and ridiculously sized.…

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Brown’s Hotel, private rooms first floor – Mayfair, London

Brown’s Hotel, private rooms first floor – Mayfair, London The place is a traditional British hotel, high ceilings with stuccos and fluffy carpets everywhere. Feels like it needs some refreshing but remains a classic. Been there for a private event recently. The food is decent/good but I have mixed feelings about the service: kind although…

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Hai Cenato – Victoria, London

Hai Cenato – Victoria, London The “pizzeria” of the Jason Atherton group, just opened at the new Nova Victoria development. The place is a typical modern-style venue, neutral décor, high ceilings, large glass windows, not very interesting from a design point of view: seen a hundred times before. Can be noisy when crowded, some tables…

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The Roasting – Pimlico, London

The Roasting – Pimlico, London A very pleasant place, all whitey, in a corner spot full of light, tables available on the outside for the sunny days. One of the few places in London with a proper Italian espresso. Some great pastries too. Giulio, the owner, is passionate about coffee and food in general and…

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Ostuni – North London

Ostuni – North London It was a nice summer day to go out for lunch at a recommended Italian restaurant in Highgate London. it was 12noon and the restaurant was still waiting for diners. We were warmly welcomed by the staff and the service continued be great during the whole meal. After finding a suitable…

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The Trout Inn – Oxford

The Trout Inn – Oxford A pub lunch in charming Oxforshire was called upon on the way to Warwickshire from London. After studying the various options provided in Googlemaps en route. We decided to stop by at The Trout Inn that is a waterfront gourmet pub with a promising online menu and interesting picture gallery…

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The March Hare, Guildford

The March Hare, Guildford This is one of my favorite pubs in the whole UK. It is located next to the rather attractive Guilford Castle and its flower beds. The name of the pub, The March Hare is one of the loony characters of Alice in the Wonderland. The writer resided merely a few steps…

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Café Nespresso – City, London

Café Nespresso – City, London Sometimes you just have to admit defeat and say out loud: the Swiss do it better! Many years ago I was working for a private equity firm with a focus on aspirational luxury and while we were topped up with champagne we really struggled to find a decent coffee machine…

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Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – Westminster, London

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – Westminster, London We are really focussed on doing reviews of restaurants and bars but I thought to make a special mention of a location for events that has really thought about their acoustics: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Their headquarters offer magnificent views of Parliament Square and…

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Pharmacy 2 – Vauxhall, London

Pharmacy 2 – Vauxhall, London Interesting….from a lot of points of view. Pharmacy has an exciting and controversial past but if one forgets about it – it still comes across as a striking place! First and foremost – the acoustics are just perfect. They have made great use of acoustic paint on the ceiling so…

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Coburg Bar, The Connaught – Mayfair, London

Coburg Bar, The Connaught – Mayfair, London The Coburg Bar is located at the ground floor of the Connaught Hotel. Beautiful traditional décor and very good service as well, a nice place to relax with a great drink or for informal business meetings. The barman, Enrico Gonzato, is excellent and able to produce any kind…

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Workshop Coffee – Marylebone, London

Workshop Coffee – Marylebone, London This unassuming coffee place is in the sweet St Christopher’s Place setting but might go unnoticed as it sits in a corner and there is nothing that really tells you to come in. However it really is worthwhile a visit and why not, a longer stay. Simple “workshop” design leaves…

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Strut & Cluck – Shoreditch, London

Strut & Cluck – Shoreditch, London A good option for grown-ups in Shoreditch. Very decent food, serving turkey-only meat and vegetables, with a Mediterranean twist. Friendly service, nice décor and reasonable value for money. Worth a special mention is the Charred Cauliflower. The noise volume was acceptable and the other guests also seemed to enjoy…

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The Lecture Room & Library at Sketch – Mayfair, London

The Lecture Room & Library at Sketch – Mayfair, London We ascended the pastel coloured paint spilled stairs one floor up to this two Michelin star restaurant. On our way we appreciated the entertaining art around the reception area. At the dining room door we are asked what the occasion is and I mention it…

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Bumpkin – South Kensington, London

Bumpkin – South Kensington, London What could be nicer than a crisp Saturday winter morning and a late breakfast at a British rustic pub? Luckily, one does not need to go to the countryside to enjoy this. Bumpkin, located in South Kensington serves breakfast to passer-by’s from 10am onward during the weekends. The service was…

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José Tapas Bar – Bermondsey, London

José Tapas Bar – Bermondsey, London Jose is a small tapas corner bar located on Bermondsey Street. The ambiance is what you expect – buzzing but not too loud. One can hear each other. It is cosily decorated. A few people were standing to eat their tapas by the tables. We were seated by the…

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Mari Vanna – Knightsbridge London

Mari Vanna – Knightsbridge London It was an international women’s day and I was invited for a late dinner at Mari Vanna, a Russian restaurant based in Knightsbridge. The restaurant’s interior looks like it was a Russian grandmother’s home. It is all very cosy with a lot of crochet, flowers, porcelain figurines and other curiosities.…

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Wright Brothers – South Kensington, London

Wright Brothers – South Kensington, London Wright brothers have a few oyster bars around London. Some of the Oysters are sourced from Prince Charles’ leased oyster farm in Cornwall. For this review, I visited the South Kensington restaurant. I walked into the dining room at 4.30pm. Question is why such an early supper? Easy answer…

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Sartoria – Mayfair, London

Sartoria – Mayfair, London What a great place for conversation! It might be that I was in very good company and just would not want to carry on with the rest of our busy days but it was a very nice overall experience indeed. I had been at the restaurant in other occasions but it…

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Bomaki – Milan

Bomaki – Milan I have been procrastinating on writing a review of Bomaki and in the meanwhile have visited the place (the one in Via Raffaello Sanzio) another three times. The place is fun and exciting and unpretentious and good value. So no doubts about liking it. It is their acoustics that are puzzling. They…

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Lloyds Coffee House – City, London

Lloyds Coffee House – City, London The Lloyds is definitely an interesting place to visit in general but given the acoustics of both their market floors, offices and coffee house are great I thought it would be wonderful to include a review for the Orange Guide as well! There are a number of historical facts…

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Sardine – Old Street, London

Sardine – Old Street, London Sardine is a French restaurant, tucked away in a little street of that no-man land between Angel and Old Street. Sadly, the easy way to spot the street are a petrol station and a McDonald’s; thankfully, the food at Sardine is much better! At the entrance there is a small…

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Caravan – Bankside, London

Caravan – Bankside, London A relatively recent new opening by the Caravan chain, in (yet, another) upcoming trendy area of London. I went there for a Sunday brunch and the restaurant was relatively full, very buzzy. A large room with some windscreens / structures of sorts to create separate dining areas. A long open bar…

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Kiln – Soho, London

Kiln – Soho, London A new Thai grill in Soho. They have no reservation policy for the counter but you can book tables downstairs if you are 4 or more. I did not visit the downstairs so I cannot report on that. The upstairs, where the counter and kitchen are is…cramped. It is a tiny,…

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Afternoon tea at Park Room, Grosvenor House Hotel – Mayfair, London

Afternoon tea at Park Room, Grosvenor House Hotel – Mayfair, London The Park Room is a neatly arranged space serving what could be more known to be British than afternoon tea. On my visit, they laid out a selection of patisseries and sandwiches from their Anna’s Christmas Menu. Besides the usual scones and finger sandwiches…

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