1
Busaba Eathai
£20
(
319
Old Street, tel: 020 7729 0808
)
Thai food has become so ubiquitous that it’s increasingly
difficult to be impressed. Thank heavens then for the east
London branch of Busaba Eathai, where dishes such as
crispy thai calamari and red curry with lychee and lime leaf
are – like the stylish urban décor – a cut above the norm.
2
New Street Grill
£40
(
16
A New Street, tel: 020 3503
0785
)
The opulent décor may feel like a trad Parisian steak
house, but this is a thoroughly modern take on grill cooking,
with locally sourced produce, all charred to pink perfection.
Meander on the oysters, then head straight for USDA-
certified rib eye, and cancel all afternoon appointments.
3
Hix Belgraves
£60
(
Belgraves Hotel, Pont Street, tel:
020 3189 4850
)
Chef Mark Hix has a formula he has long
honed to perfection: combine a cracking British menu
(
we loved the delicious grilled poussin with pomegranate
molasses) with quirky decor and top-notch service. The
denizens of Belgravia should be very happy indeed that he’s
extended his empire to these reaches.
London
4
Churchill Bar & Terrace
(
30
Portman Square, tel: 020
7299 2035
)
This new bar attached to the Hyatt Regency
London – The Churchill hotel - has been designed to subtly
celebrate the relationship between Winston Churchill and
his wife. In practice this makes for a charming hangout
filled with their shared enthusiasms, such as locally made
bespoke gin, fine cigars and travel mementoes.
5
TokyoBike
(
87-89
Tabernacle Street, Shoreditch, tel:
020 7251 6842
)
Even in this increasingly two-wheel-happy
city, this cycle shop – which arrived from its native Japan six
months ago – is something special. With its customisable
bikes, minimalist decor and art from Japanese cult figures
such as Momoko, you don't have to be a cyclist to love it.
6
More than 60 years since it first appeared on Broadway,
Cole Porter’s seminal musical
Kiss Me Kate
is as much
fun as ever, combining 1930s gangsters with characters
from Shakespeare. Now in the hands of Trevor Nunn for a
new run at the Old Vic, it’s sure to be the winter’s hottest
ticket. Runs until 2 March.
oldvictheatre.com
1
3
2
4
6
5
Regent’s Park
Hyde Park
Green
Park
Marylebone Road
Oxford Street
The Mall
River Thames
Shoreditch High Street
Gracechurch Street
Farringdon Street
Upper Street
New Street Grill's
opulent décor
T
HE
H
EART
-
BREAKING
,
P
OWERFUL
S
TORY OF
A
B
OY
S
OLDIER
AND HIS
M
ESSENGER
D
OG
OUT NOW IN PAPERBACK
Read the first two chapters now at
panmacmillan.com/soldierdog
135
T H E G U I D E S
