LOCAL LIFE
very little, and very definitely black. Set up by Tamara Beckwith, Lindsey Carlos Clarke and Ghislain Pascal, in recent months we’ve seen the works of Terry O’Neill, Yul Brynner and Mike Figgis within its four dinky but very stylish walls. 020 7349 9332; thelittleblackgallery.com
LUIGI’S DELICATESSEN
For 35 years, Luigi’s has been bringing the very best of Italian olive oils, home-made pastas, cheeses and salume to Fulhamites, along with a hearty helping of Italian charm, and – for the girls - never anything less than a cheeky wink. Quite the best place to grab a delicious lunch and a slice of la dolce vita. To complete the picture one really should have a Vespa waiting outside. 020 7352 7739; luigismailorder.com
MANDARIN BAR AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL NAG’S HEAD Previously voted the no.1 hotel bar in London (and quite rightly so), this stylish hangout ticks all the boxes. It’s beautiful (leather armchairs, mohair, marble etc), it’s drink-fi lled (the cocktails are colossal) and, what’s more, its service is flawless. 020 7235 2000; mandarinoriental.com/london
Just one red and one white wine on offer, a no-mobiles policy, a roaring fi re and lots of ale being taken by old boys propping up the sunken bar, this 300-year-old curiosityfi lled pub is about as Dickensian as it gets. Who knew that a pair of ice-skates, a carpet beater and a pewter beer engine dotted around would so vastly aid the experience… but somehow they just do. We also love the landlord Kevin Moran who rubbed the ‘Free House’ off his pub sign, insisting that he can sell whatever beers he so chooses. Cue applause all round. 020 7235 1135
NAM LONG
When it comes to cocktails, Nam Long on the Brompton Road is where it’s at. There are crazy ones (Pink Panther), classic ones (mojito, of course) and then the just plain exciting ones (Flaming Ferrari). And there’s fine oriental cuisine to boot. 020 7373 1926; namlong.co.uk
MOSIMANNS
The bold and the beautiful flock to this 30-year-old private dining club in Belgravia. Founded by Dorchester doyan Anton Mosimann – who cooked for last year’s Royal wedding – the food’s naturally scrumptious, the private rooms fantastic (plump for Montblanc) and there’s even a cookery school for fi red-up customers. 020 7235 9625; mosimann.com
MOTCOMBS
No round-up of Chelsea’s finest would be complete without a nod to Motcombs, the area’s ultimate gastronomic grande dame. A terribly British affair almost throughout, (though the red neon sign belies the notion), the wine is French all the way. The ultimate antidote to experimental young pretenders, the Philip Lawless-run operation is Chelsea through and through. 020 7235 6382; motcombs.co.uk
NEW KINGS ROAD VINTAGE GUITAR EMPORIUM
Serious guitar shop for serious players. But an equally cool hangout as well. Jam away amongst Gibsons, Fenders and Gretsches while salivating over the beautiful and rare instruments on offer. 020 7371 0100; newkingsroadguitars.co.uk
since the hotel provides for them a 24hour concierge service. 020 7590 2340; onehydepark.com
THE PARSON’S NOSE
‘Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name…’ and that they do at the Fulham Road’s wittily named Parson’s Nose. And no wonder – so proper and old-fashioned is it (despite opening in 2007), that the majority of the customers are regulars. During shooting season there’s pheasant, partridge, teal, woodcock and pigeon a-plenty. For the really keen, there are even classes run by a Master Butcher. 020 7736 4492; parsonsnose.co.uk
THE PHENE
Yes, the food’s great, and the bar very cool, but it’s The Phene’s Garden, just off the King’s Road, which really takes the jackpot. Twinkling with fairy lights and outdoor fi replaces, it’s a screamingly perfect urban escape with retro hanging basket chairs, cosy sofas and a long line of cocktails. 020 7352 9898; thephene.com
THE PIG’S EAR
Lovingly scruff y gastro pub on Old Church Street – and a favourite of Prince
ONE HYDE PARK
Though we rather miss the view across the park afforded in the early days of construction, love it or loathe it, One Hyde Park has swiftly become a Knightsbridge icon. But then, a triumvirate of architect Richard Rogers, developers Nick and Chris Candy were never going to do things by halves. We mostly enjoy catching its residents darting out amidst a whirl of security in cars with darkened windows while we’re en route to cocktail at next door’s Mandarin Oriental – a jaunt that One Hyde Parkers need rarely make 57
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