THREE OTHER FRENCH BISTROS December 7, 2009 MON PLAISIRNo one does the classics better than London’s oldest French restaurant, which serves up seriously hearty dishes like French onion soup, entrecote with “pommes allumettes” and coq au vin in quirky, rustic surroundings in the heart of Covent Garden’s theatreland. 19-21 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9DD, tel: 020 7836 7243 LA TROUVAILLEA wine list from [...]
What to drink this Christmas December 6, 2009 Champagne As chosen by Esme Johnston, director of www.fromvineyardsdirect.comPerrier JouetBelle EpoqueCream and honey, brioche and lingering nutmeg notes make this special edition bubbly a delightful classic that’s wonderful with food or on its own. £86.95 at www.thedrinkshop.com Serge Mathieu Superb grower’s champagne, it’s nutty and golden with creamy richness and a light, punchy mousse. Great [...]
The best places in the world to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2010 December 6, 2009 HOGMANAY IN EDINBURGHEdinburgh’s Hogmanay may not be quite the vast free celebration that it was when the city established itself in the Nineties as the New Year’s Eve capital of the world, but it’s still the greatest place there is to celebrate on the night. There’s the rowdy bonhomie of revellers braving the Scottish winter [...]
Copenhagen isn’t just about climate change December 6, 2009 THIS week, the world and his carbon emissions reduction adviser descend on Copenhagen, where they will try to save the planet. In between meetings, though, they will also be able to enjoy the city. Copenhagen is a small, manageable sort of a place, ideal for a city-break. At this time of year, the key thing [...]
TRAVEL NOTES December 6, 2009 Spa retreat in TaiwanSituated in Taipei’s scenic hot springs district of Beitou, Villa 32 is one of Taiwan’s most stylish and modern spa retreats. Offering five deluxe Japanese and European-style suites and open-air public baths overlooking mist-covered hills, Villa 32 is a haven of tranquillity. The resort offers packages including one night’s stay in a [...]
What’s in the box? Not very much December 3, 2009 FilmTHE BOXCert: 12A WHAT would you do if a stranger with half a face offered you a box, and explained that if you pressed the button inside it you could win $1m but a stranger would die? Probably send him packing and check what you’d been drinking, but if you were Cameron Diaz and James [...]
OUT THIS WEEKEND December 3, 2009 FILM ME AND ORSON WELLES Zac Efron stars as a teenager cast in an Orson Welles play. DEPARTURES Charming Japanese film about a cellist who ends up preparing the dead for burial. DISGRACE John Malkovich stars in this adaptation of JM Coetzee’s novel. DVD HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE Harry and co’s darkest outing [...]
Winter warmers with a touch of luxe December 3, 2009 Mohair-blend tartan shawl, Vivienne Westwood Red Label, £330www.netaporter.com Two-tone horizontal cashmere Stole, Denis Colomb, £485 ww.netaporter.com Crochet knit lurex shawl, Missoni, £430 ww.netaporter.com Fairisle cashmere snood, Burberry, £150www.netaporter.com Faux fur Cossak hat, Marks and Spencer, £15 www.marksandspencer.com Cable knitted ear muff, Muji, £12.95www.muji.co.uk Leather ladies cashmere lined gloves, £85 eachwww.williamandson.com Leopard print gloves, Christopher Kane, [...]
EARN YOUR STRIPES December 3, 2009 1. Austin Reed, £35www.austinreed.com 2. Thomas Pink £55www.thomaspink.com 3. Brooks Brothers £59www.brooksbrothers.com 4. Simon Carter £49www.simoncarter.net 5. Gieves & Hawkes £69www.gievesandhawkes.com 6. Eton £54.95www.harrods.com 7. TM Lewin £28.50www.tmlewin.co.uk 8. Ben Sherman Savile Row £45www.benshermanpresents.co.uk 9. Giorgio Armani £84.95www.harrods.com
HOW TO ROCK A SHORT SKIRT IN THE CITY December 3, 2009 Sara HollambyStyle CounselI FIND it scary when the hemlines go up, short skirts filter into the City, and anyone over 45 questions whether they should go with it, or sink into Nora Battyness. While the latter must be avoided, in recent decades women have undoubtedly become more youthful – we’ve had to. When something “new” [...]