| LIFESTYLE |
BON VIVEUR
Our man-about-town, Innerplace’s Nick Savage, gives you the insider lowdown on LONDON’S most hedonistic haunts
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The Victorian Era
hen Londoners think of sought-after produce, ranging from Ibérico Victoria, it’s not often with bellota-cured ham to Iberian caviar. You’ll fondness. Sandwiched between find the main dining room upstairs, where Westminster, St James’s and Whitehall, it’s Michelin-starred executive chef Nacho Innerplace more of an area that’s passed through Manzano’s menu is served. is London’s personal than a destination. However, the lifestyle concierge. Membership capital being a protean city, things Quilon Sriram Aylur is a brilliant provides complimentary access to the finest nightclubs, the best change, and with developments chef, having garnered a Michelin star restaurants and top private members’ such as the Zig Zag Building and the for his inspired Keralan cooking in clubs. Innerplace also offers priority Nova Food Quarter, everyone from 2008 at the Taj Hotel on Buckingham bookings, VIP invitations and Jason Atherton and Jamie Oliver to Gate. The restaurant continues insider updates on the latest openings. Bone Daddies, Franco Manca and to attract a devoted clientele with innerplace.co.uk D&D London is getting in on the action. its enlightened culinary artistry and There’s a lot to recommend it already. The seductive design: dimly lit with a colour following are Victoria’s strong suits. palette of amber and jade, with dark wooden jali screens and tea lights recessed M Victoria ST Martin Williams made in the walls. For anyone who wants to his mark in the City with the opening of experience the elegance of southern Indian M Threadneedle Street. Whilst his newest cuisine without booking a 12-hour flight, opening shares common DNA, it’s an Quilon is the ideal destination, serving a evolution from its predecessor – beefed raft of delicacies such as mini masala dosas, up, so to speak. The concept remains the ginger and green chilli crabcakes, and the same: there’s M Raw, M Grill and M Den ineffably delicious signature fish curry. (a private members’ club). However, the latter accommodates up to 50 people Kouzu Situated in a converted Grade and includes a six-person private cinema. II listed mansion with a grand columned There’s also a beautiful wine shop attached, entrance, Kouzu is a hidden Japanese in alabaster white, where you can sample gem perched on the corner of Grosvenor everything up to Opus One and Pétrus. Gardens. The mezzanine level offers a great Different dining rooms have unique vantage point from which to view the sushi personalities. M Raw is darkly lit with a bar, where head chef Kyoichi Kai has put lively din, whilst M Grill is pure opulence, together a crack team of sushi itamae. For spread over two levels with grand yet a restaurant with such splendid trappings intimate alcoves perfectly suited for and high quality Japanese fare, the prices tucking into Wagyu. are surprisingly reasonable.
Ibérica Victoria Walk 50 paces south from M along the Zig Zag Building and you’ll find Ibérica Victoria, which is spread across two levels with a striking Moorish-inspired design. The ground floor bar boasts a boisterous ambience. During my last visit it was thronged with locals drinking wine, beer and sherry. There’s also a delicatessen stocked with Spain’s most
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TOP LEFT TO RIGHT Ibérica; Quilon ABOVE FROM TOP Boisdale, M Victoria St, Kouzo
Boisdale Ranald Macdonald’s Caledonian-inspired restaurant doesn’t require an introduction. Since 1988 he has been catering for aficionados of all things Scottish, including its smoked salmon, beef and whisky, not to mention jazz enthusiasts. It’s difficult to place a restaurant that exudes northern hospitality and tradition as much as Boisdale.
THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2016
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