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contents Feature Spotlight on St John’s Wood Take a stroll around the neighbourhood

Maverick Monsieur Raymond Blanc talks candidly about the simple gastronomy and idyllic home cooking

Concierge 22

The

MaveRick MonsieuR Inspired by the idyllic home cooking of his youth, Raymond Blanc brings authentic French flavour to the heart of Maison Blanc. Oliver Balcazar meets the chef supreme to learn why wholesomeness and simplicity embodies real gastronomy just as much as haute cuisine

Stranger on the third floor

aymond Blanc is possibly the most humble celebrity chef ever to have cracked an egg on British television. The Michelin-starred Frenchman, honoured with an OBE in 2007, is completely self-taught and “arrived in Britain with absolutely nothing” to become one of the most revered chefs in the country. He is still recovering from his fall at his Oxfordshire home in February, where the lively 60-year-old broke his leg in three places. “I’m from good stock,” proclaims Blanc, who has used the time convalescing to finish two books, one to accompany his celebrated BBC show Kitchen Secrets broadcast earlier this year. Blanc is unashamedly a mummy’s boy, admitting the inspiration for his success is the formidable Maman Blanc, still “the greatest cook I know!” It was she who instilled in Blanc the importance of cooking with fresh, local and seasonal produce to create a meal of true quality and love. “My mother only taught my sisters to cook, as was the way in most French families, but I learned so much by acting as her dogsbody – cutting, chopping and peeling. She spent her whole life cooking simple local dishes full of flavour for our family. The dinner table was the centre of the house – there would be arguments, but also tremendous closeness and conviviality.” It’s nostalgia for his rural French childhood, spent potting vegetables with his siblings in the family garden in Besançon near Dijon, and gathered round his mother’s stove, which makes Maison Blanc so simple yet strikingly evocative of France and the French way. Maison Blanc, Raymond and his first wife Jenny’s bakery and patisserie, opened in Oxford in 1981 and was soon supplying Harrods and many top London restaurants with authentic French bread and patisseries. “We serve a choice of breads, viennoiseries, savouries and world famous pâtisseries, as well as a delicious selection of irresistible cakes. There are over 15 varieties of the best French bread including the iconic baguette, a real taste of home.” The son of a working class family, the chef came to Britain as “a culinary exile” after being punched in the jaw by a chef who took unkindly to Blanc’s (then a mere waiter) suggestions for improving his dish. In 1977 Blanc risked everything to start his own restaurant Les Quat’ Saisons in Oxford alongside Jenny. They put together all their meagre savings and mortgaged their house to raise the cash. “That is how most young people start their business risking everything in order to achieve their dream.” “Our kitchen was a humble place on the wrong side of the city on the wrong side of the road within a dreary concrete shopping precinct between a ladies underwear

Photographer: Sacha Schweda, mail@sachaphotography.com

xxxxx feature

xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx shop and Oxfam. We bought second-hand equipment, decorated the restaurant with simple red and white tablecloths, and a plastic cockerel outside. Cheap maybe, but also charming and very French!” Les Quat’ Saisons was an overnight success, winning him Egon Ronay Restaurant of the Year, prestigious Michelin stars and a host of other distinctions. Now relocated to a sumptuous small country house in Great Milton and renamed Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, the luxurious hotel and restaurant is thriving, as is his chain of Brasserie Blanc restaurants and a cookery school. He affectionately describes the first time he sampled the nation’s beloved fish and chips, and his cheer disbelief when presented with a breaded square fish fillet drowned in mulled vinegar. “I come from France where a fish is a fish! Food was class-led in the UK- working class people would never think of going to a French restaurant”. After this disappointing taste of popular English cuisine, one wonders if Blanc ever felt compelled to improve the public’s perception of food a la Jamie Oliver? “I didn’t come to England to conquer. I was never a reborn Napoleon. I’ve always had the greatest respect and admiration for English culinary heritage and tradition. I just wanted to add the unique quality I know and love.” n

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Sorbets and pastels in designer womenswear

Sitting comfortably Create the perfect mix of modern and traditional in your living space

CAPE

Ahead of this summer’s World Cup, Kate Harrison spends some time in Cape Town, hunting down the very best in luxury hotel hospitality, gourmet dining and must-see local attractions

Gifts for dad

ape Town has always been a beautiful destination, attractive to foreign visitors for the striking silhouette of Table Mountain, the world-famous sandy beaches and its laid-back and cosmopolitan atmosphere – and in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup, the city is seeing tourism boom even more. I decided to check out Cape Town before the rush. Travelling to Cape Town for the first time, I wanted a hotel that would take care of everything, from a beautiful room with excellent facilities, to top restaurants and luxury spa treatments. The solution was One&Only Cape Town which has been open for less than a year and offers the very best hospitality on the famous V&A Waterfront. As I enter the hotel, my first view is one of the majestic Table DON’T MISS: Mountain, framed perfectly in into a huge picture window. My THE BEACH which is split or Clifton, etc second view one of bold design Camps Bay families, couples for four areas and Capetonian style which TAIN – trek or continues through to the rooms routes TABLE MOUN diﬀerent and suites, all of which boast Choose from car cable fantastic panoramic views of the take RIUM S AQUAfancy Table Mountain. The rooms don’t TWO OCEAN here are the most spacious those who Perfect for rooms in the city (with a ng cage-divi minimum size of 60 sq m); and SHOPPING nt market think dark woods, rich Waterfro At the V&A rket Square coloured fabrics, a view Greenma mall, and of the resort’s landscaped ‘island’ below, a balcony and fullsize free standing bath. Of course, it’s not long into a hotel stay that thoughts turn to food – and after a twelve hour journey from London to Cape Town, I was totally focused on the evening meal. South Africa is renowned for its famous wines, but the food is delicious too and the choice within the resort is outstanding; Africa’s first Nobu restaurant and a Maze restaurant by Gordon Ramsay Above: are both housed within the hotel, each Table Mountain Suite bath offering an incredible dining experience. Far left to right: Before dinner we stop at the Maze restaurant Vista Bar for an ‘evolution’ cocktail Hotel pool Nobu restaurant under the ever-watchful eye of Table

Calibre Lock, stock and two smoking tyres The Holland & Holland Overﬁnch Range Rover gets put through its paces

Who wants to be a millionaire?

Stranger on the

Andrew Castle predicts the winners of Wimbledon this year

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Daniel Ward

Connoisseur 58

Third Floor White chiffon and pink linen dress, £937

Alberta Ferretti, 205-206 Sloane St, SW1 020 7235 2349

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Cosmopolitan Cape Exploring Cape Town before the World Cup

Entertaining Dining A Parisian restaurant delivers delicious delights and pursuits of pleasure

Property 76

Property insight Property prices in your area

State of the market Our sales and lettings experts comment on the current trends

For more information, visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com

Find the perfect present this Father’s Day

Mountain. Popular with Capetonians and visitors alike, each drink can be made in three different ways: as it was made when first invented, as you expect it to be served today, and how it will be made in 50 years time! Our first meal, at Nobu combines the renowned innovative Japanese cuisine with indigenous spices and organic regional produce. The result was the high standard that you would expect and it was really lovely to see the South African influence (I can definitely recommend the crispy pork belly with spicy Miso). We were also lucky enough to dine in Maze, well known for serving tapas-sized dishes bursting with the bountiful flavours of authentic South African recipes, including seafood and game. My particular recommendation is the delicious Wagyu fillet, served with a crisp local white wine. We returned to Maze for breakfast each morning, where the outdoor terrace offered a serene environment to start the day – in an environment like this, it’s easy to feel a million miles from the stresses of London. One of my favourite memories was the hotel’s wine experience; an educational, interactive, multi-faceted tasting, this was a brilliant introduction to the region’s vineyards and perfect for connoisseurs and amateurs alike. There are a mind-boggling 5,000 bottles in the Wine Loft (ranging from prestigious older vintages of Cape classics to newer wineries in emerging terroirs) showcased in a regal glass library – it seemed to me like the very essence of South Africa’s spirit, bottled and in one room – everything was there. After a heady class of ‘wine appreciation’ the spa was definitely calling; the Spa Island features the most comprehensive and expansive spa in Cape Town, surrounded by water and dense vegetation – a real hideaway. I opted for the signature Essence of Earth and Ocean Experience (120 minutes). As a regular traveller in Asia (and a big fan of the Thai Massage), I usually find hotel massages too soft, but the therapists here had the perfect pressure for ultimate relaxation. Don’t miss the spa’s heat experiences, which include a vitality pool, sauna, crystal steam room, experience showers and an ice fountain – I felt thoroughly cleansed and intensely relaxed, both inside and out. And when I wasn’t out exploring the city, I spent almost all my time by the pool – a triumphant success for the hotel, they’ve really got it right, and I honestly never wanted to leave. The resort’s main pool area – located on one of two private islands linked by bridges – features a 350-square metre freeform, infinity swimming pool, a private sitting area with double chaise longues for sunbathing, and shaded trellis pavilions. With a cocktail in hand, a good book and a very attentive waiter, I could certainly envisage coming back for the World Cup this summer, even if I don’t make it as far as the stadium... 

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Homes, interiors, interviews, gardens, food, family, fashion and travel: Every month VANTAGE:NW delivers the definitive lifestyle guide boasting the best life has to offer. With carefully selected lead interviews and stories, every month our team of writers brings to life the people, personalities and places that are both relevant and inspirational. VANTAGE:NW is the latest publication from dynamic, independent publishing house Runwild Media (RWM). The ethos of high-quality and intelligent editorial combined with a stylish aesthetic has helped them carve a niche in the field of luxury publishing. Specialising in bespoke, luxury titles with exclusive partnerships (including Canary Wharf Group, British Land, The Royal Exchange, Visit London, The O2 and many more) the company is rapidly expanding its portfolio with an estimated 20 titles over the next three years.

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COVERING ST JOHN’S WOOD, PRIMROSE HILL, HAMPSTEAD & THE SURROUNDING AREA

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MAVERICK M O N S I E U R R AY M O N D B L A N C

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from the editor...

elcome to the very fi rst issue of a brand new title created especially for your neighbourhood in North West London, VANTAGE: NW. A lifestyle magazine that aims to keep you updated on the latest happenings in your area VANTAGE: NW will also keep you up to date with all things lifestyle. From local interviews to the latest trends for your home and your body beautiful and from what’s hot and what’s not in the world of wheels and gadgets to a look behind the façades of some of the best properties on the market, this is the ultimate guide for living life well.

June

In our inaugural issue we meet maverick chef, Raymond Blanc about being inspired by the idyllic home cooking of his youth, the massive influence of Maman Blanc and the authentic French flavours that he brings to the St John’s Wood high street with Maison Blanc (p.16). We take a stroll around St John’s Wood village and environs to learn a little more about where we live (p.12) and take a look into the latest trends in property prices thanks to the latest figures released from the Land Registry (p.78).

For her, there’s shoes to die for, although I’m not sure just how comfortable they will be (p.19), the latest pastel shades that designer womenswear has to offer (p.22) and a relaxing visit to one of the newest salons to hit the street, Tillie’s Nail Lounge in Little Venice (p.39). For him, there’s the ultimate Range Rover from Overfinch, decked out in true Holland & Holland style, lock, stock and four smoking tyres (p.46), a selection of the must-have gadgets (p.49) and some stylish gifts for Father’s Day (p.44). For everyone, there’s holidays and homes to inspire and not to miss things to do, see and eat. So, as the sun sneaks out from behind those clouds, glass of Pimms or ice cold beer in hand, we hope you enjoy the read. And if there’s things we need to know or more you’d like to see, please do get in touch. Happy reading...

SPOTLIGHT ON:

St John’s Wood Steeped in history and home to some of London’s most famous landmarks, St John’s Wood is a diverse and chic area. Jenny White takes a closer look

ere is a little random trivia for you; St John’s Wood is the answer to the popular brainteaser, “which tube station is the only one with no letters in common with the word mackerel?” Now there is something you didn’t know. However, St John’s Wood is much more than a quiz conundrum. With a history that goes back to the fourteenth century and with many famous modern musical references to the area, the north-west district in the City of Westminster is a lively and vibrant borough.

Now home to some of the most expensive properties in the world, St John’s Wood was once part of the Great Forest of Middlesex. The name is derived from the area’s mediaeval owners, the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, an Augustinian order who took over the land from the Knights Templar in 1323. The Forest was an ancient woodland which covered much of the county of Middlesex, north of the then City of London, (now the northern part of Greater London). A path was cut through the forest to allow for the creation of Watling

spotlight

also a popular location for tourists, thanks to its abundance of famous residents and locations, such as Paul McCartney (a resident since the 1960s) and his erstwhile hang-out Abbey Road Studios. Famous for the millions of visitors’ signatures on the Abbey Road street sign, the studios became renowned thanks to The Beatles, who lay down around 90% of all their recordings there. In April 1969, they came together for their final album recording as a group and titled it Abbey Road (Let it Be had been recorded the previous January). The album artwork

All images by Sacha Schweda, mail@sachaphotography.com

Street - an ancient trackway which came to run between the modern cities of Canterbury and St Albans. The forest was also said to be the hiding place for Anthony Babington, after it was brought to light of his plan to murder Queen Elizabeth and replace the thrown with Mary Queen of Scots. After the reformation and dissolution of monastic orders in the sixteenth century, the area became Crown land. Henry VIII established the forest as Royal Hunting Grounds in the areas that are now known as Marylebone Park and the area continued to be Crown land until 1688 and remained in agricultural use beyond the end of the eighteenth century and residential development only began in 1809, in Alpha Road, on the southern boundary of St John’s Wood. The development of a residential St John’s Wood saw the first part of London, and indeed of any other town, eschew traditional terraced housing (the norm in London up until the nineteenth century) and opt for low density ‘villa’ housing. These houses created the valued charm of living in rural calm but still close to the bustle of the city; and this is still one of the main reasons that St. John’s Wood has remained such a soughtafter address. Large gardens surround the various styled villas, helping to create a deliberately planned suburbia; and although some parts of St John’s Wood have been rebuilt at a higher density, and many of the original houses and gardens disappeared during the twentieth century – through bomb damage and the building of roads and railways - it retains its original character and is still a highly desirable residential area. The green spaces of Regents Park and Primrose Hill are also close by, creating a neighbourhood where homes cost upwards of £3 million; this includes Avenue Road which is one of the most exclusive addresses in London with properties that sell for more than £40 million each. St John’s Wood High Street is a stylish tree-lined street littered with cafés and delis, as well as a mixture of boutique shops and top-end high street chains. Cosmopolitan and exclusive, St John’s Wood is now

feature

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and featured Abbey Road Studios and the now iconic image of the zebra crossing marking a place for this area in international music history. Not only a mecca for musical pilgrims St John’s Wood is also the revered home of the ancient Lord’s Cricket Ground, which has been the site of many a historic victory and many more England batting collapses. Seen as the game’s spiritual headquarters, Lord’s is situated close to St. John’s Wood tube station, and although not much can be seen over the high surrounding fence, the best free view of the ground is from the top floor of double decker buses that go up and down Wellington Road. Founded by entrepreneur Thomas Lord and originally a private cricket ground, Lord’s established its current ‘rural’ location previously the site of a duck pond - in St. John’s Wood in 1814. This followed a short stay at Marylebone Bank, Regent’s Park, between 1811 and 1813. This imperial relic still plays host to the first Test of every international tour, as well as being the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the MCC Museum. Other notable establishments in the area are The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery whose barracks are based in St John’s Wood and are also home to 111 horses. The King’s Troop can regularly been seen exercising their horses through the streets and although primarily a ceremonial unit (they are responsible for firing the gun salutes on state occasions), the troop holds an operational role as part of the territorial defence of the United Kingdom. Another sight to behold is the breath-taking golden dome of London Central Mosque. Also known as the Islamic Cultural Centre, ICC or Regent’s Park Mosque this place or worship is located at Regent’s Park and Lords cricket ground. Designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd and completed in 1978, it was built to cater for

St John’s Wood is the answer to the popular brainteaser, “which tube station is the only one with no letters in common with the word mackerel?” Now there is something you didn’t know

the increasing numbers of Muslim residents and visitors in London. The main hall can hold over two thousand worshippers, with room for women to pray on overlooking balcony. Unmistakably vibrant, the mosque has become a prominent landmark to the London skyline. One cannot forget that St John’s Wood is also home to a large Jewish community, and is itself home to Europe’s only dedicated Jewish Museum of Art, as well as St John’s Wood United Synagogue, which is situated in the largest post war building in London. A vivacious and diverse area, in spite of the passage of time, St John’s Wood has retained the perfect mix of bustling city life, quiet residential streets and assorted green spaces, the status of St John’s Wood as one of London’s most chic boroughs does not look set to change. n

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The

Maverick Monsieur Inspired by the idyllic home cooking of his youth, Raymond Blanc brings authentic French flavour to the heart of Maison Blanc. Oliver Balcazar meets the chef supreme to learn why wholesomeness and simplicity embodies real gastronomy just as much as haute cuisine

interview

Photographer: Sacha Schweda, mail@sachaphotography.com

feature

Blanc is unashamedly a mummy’s boy, admitting the inspiration for his success is the formidable Maman Blanc, still “the greatest cook I know!” shop and Oxfam. We bought second-hand equipment, decorated the restaurant with simple red and white tablecloths, and a plastic cockerel outside. Cheap maybe, but also charming and very French!” Les Quat’ Saisons was an overnight success, winning him Egon Ronay Restaurant of the Year, prestigious Michelin stars and a host of other distinctions. Now relocated to a sumptuous small country house in Great Milton and renamed Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, the luxurious hotel and restaurant is thriving, as is his chain of Brasserie Blanc restaurants and a cookery school. He affectionately describes the first time he sampled the nation’s beloved fish and chips, and his cheer disbelief when presented with a breaded square fish fillet drowned in mulled vinegar. “I come from France where a fish is a fish! Food was class-led in the UK- working class people would never think of going to a French restaurant”. After this disappointing taste of popular English cuisine, one wonders if Blanc ever felt compelled to improve the public’s perception of food a la Jamie Oliver? “I didn’t come to England to conquer. I was never a reborn Napoleon. I’ve always had the greatest respect and admiration for English culinary heritage and tradition. I just wanted to add the unique quality I know and love.” n

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he world’s first stiletto to be made entirely from gold and diamonds has been launched by its award-winning British designer, Christopher Michael Shellis, attracting international orders from celebrity A-listers. Each pair of Eternal Diamond Stilettos is painstakingly handcrafted from solid gold, then lavishly encrusted with 2,200 brilliant cut diamonds, totalling 30 carats, by the visionary goldsmiths and stone setters at bespoke jewellers, the House of Borgezie. One of the many patent-pending design

features of the Eternal Diamond Stiletto is the exquisite stamen fluted heel, which draws its inspiration from the elegant stamens of a lily. Reflecting the flawless symmetry that can only be found in nature, the stamen heel gives a delicate purity to the entire shoe. Retailing from £100,000 the Eternal Diamond Stiletto comes with a 1,000 year guarantee, representing a genuine fashion investment that lasts a lifetime. Each pair is as individual as the person for whom they are created. For further information visit, www.borgezie.com

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EASTERN EDGE Let Chanel shanghai you into exotic yet elegant eastern style. Inspired by Coco’s dream of visiting the fabled orient, this year’s Metiers D’art collection focuses on the ever-evolving metropolis of Shanghai. The collection takes inspiration from Chinese-style sensibilities, ancient artefacts and traditional crafts. Conjuring up China’s decadent past, from the lavish luxury of the Imperial Court to the iconic style of the 1930s elite, the Paris-Shanghai collection features vibrant Imperial yellow, sumptuous scarlet, rich ethnic embroidery and heavy Chinese coins. Highlights include pearl-adorned dragons in jade coloured metalwork, like the aged copper of an ancient treasure, and heels elaborately carved like the most intricate of Imperial wax seals.

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This season, Oscar London’s spectacular collection of maxi dresses promises to provide fashion’s needle in a haystack: comfort that is both luxurious and stylish. The beautiful Grecian draping, created with fluid jersey fabric, will flatter all figures, giving an elongated silhouette and will make you look and feel like a goddess. The collection has a range of styles and on trend colours that will take you away from the stress of the urban jungle, transporting you to the turquoise of halcyon shores or the violet haze of lavender fields. If the glamour of these simple, understated silhouettes is anything to go by, for maximum impact this summer, simplicity is key.

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THE MISSONI ESPADRILLE Featuring Missoni’s signature zigzag pattern and a feminine ribbon tie, the espadrille wedges will weave a little style and sun into your day. Exuding the laid back glamour of lazy days on the Riviera, these shoes will make the perfect addition to your holiday wardrobe, wherever in the world they take you.

Beautiful as they are, it is only fair to treat your latest Lanvin or Louboutin in the manner to which they have become accustomed. Counting fashionista Elle MacPherson amongst their famous fans, Total Wardrobe Care oﬀers all manner of stylish wardrobe accessories, to care for your own collection and let your wardrobe rival the chicest of boutiques.

TREND: DENIM This season has seen underrated denim return to the forefront as a major trend. Cute, sassy, playful and chic; denim has taken on every guise imaginable and no summer wardrobe would be complete without at least one well chosen item. Joseph’s Donegal linen kiki jacket has all the indigo charm of denim, with a simple, sophisticated shape and slightly frayed detailing for a touch of the rustic glamour of the catwalk looks. JOSEPH, 020 7722 5883

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Third Floor

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ACHICA Be sure to join what is set to become the best online shopping destination of 2010. ACHICA, the original online private members store for luxury brands, will be the first to introduce flash sales across homeware, including Jamie Oliver products, gardens and luxury accessories online. Co-established by one of the founders behind one of the UK’s most successful fashion brands, ASOS, ACHICA is set to follow in its sister brand’s footsteps. As well as exclusive prices, members can expect advice on seasonal trends, interior design tips and even access to exclusive private sales! An absolute must for interiors aficionados, be sure to get online this month...

Trudon is the oldest French manufacturer and produces candles of the best quality according to its time-honoured traditions having supplied Napoleon during the Empire, Hermes, Guerlain and Dior. La Grande Bougie collection stands in a 22cm black glass vase engraved with gold lettering and is available in the range of scents. La Grande Bougie, La Marquise, £300 www.ciretrudon.com

www.ACHICA.com

Lalique This year, Lalique has launched the ‘Hommage à René Lalique’ collection to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his birth in 1860. In a re-interpretation of Lalique’s iconic creations, the collection has been reinvented for a modern audience. These crystal works hark back to one of the founding philosophies behind the brand, the artisan. Famous for his homage to nature and the female figure, it doesn’t get much more Lalique than the new edition Languedoc vase. Originally created in glass in 1929, the Languedoc has been re-issued in a vibrant limited edition green crystal. If you’re after something really special, this is a true showstopper! Languedoc vase, £4,200, Lalique 020 7292 0444 www.cristallalique.fr

Must visit: INTERVARI

A new name in luxury interiors launched last month with the opening of the Intervari flagship showroom in Wigmore Street. Specialising in bespoke design and manufacture of handcrafted kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and freestanding furniture Intervari responds to the growing trend for individually designed kitchens and bathrooms. The new retail showroom provides a relaxed environment for clients to meet with the Intervari specialists to discuss requirements, review interior options and view sample ranges of furniture and appliances. The Intervari showroom is open six days a week: Monday to Friday 9am5pm and Saturday 9am-3pm. Late night opening is available by appointment only. INTERVARI, 16A WIGMORE STREET MARYLEBONE, W1 020 7637 1900 WWW.INTERVARI.COM

the trend Janine Murray-Smith successful mixes a recipe of styles to create the perfect contemporary elegant look for your living space

Grace ﬂoor lamp, £180, Lucca medium sofa, Sherlock £1,100, Mia coﬀee table, £395, Harlequin Venezia rug, chocolate/teal, £695 ALL JOHN LEWIS, WWW.JOHNLEWIS.COM

Large White Wooden Letters can be hung on the wall using the nail hole on the reverse or they can stand up as they have ﬂat bottoms. They measure 18cms high and are 2cms thick, £5.99 JONNY’S SISTER, WWW.JONNYSSISTER.CO.UK

Missoni Home lobos cushion, £104 AMARA, WWW.AMARA.CO.UK

Contemporary sofa upholstered in fabric or leather with buttoned detailing, slender feet in chromed metal and left or right chaise longue, £4,616

Over two centimetres thick, hand-made 100% wool rug, available in three sizes, £219.99

MAC&MAC INTERIORS, WWW.MACANDMACINTERIORS.COM

SHEERHOME, WWW.SHEERHOME.CO.UK

interiors

concierge

Soft and luxurious mohair throws, made in the UK (approximately 135cm x 175cm and are made from 75% mohair, 23% pure wool and 2% nylon), £45 FUNKY OLIVE, WWW.FUNKYOLIVE.CO.UK

A beautifully smart piece of lighting, the Agatha Table Lamp features a ribbed solid glass base with chrome detailing, and a black silk shade with co-ordinating metallic interior, £155

Floor lamp (120cm height), £598 HOUSE COUTURIER, WWW.HOUSECOUTURIER.EU

THE FRENCH BEDROOM COMPANY, WWW.FRENCHBEDROOMCOMPANY.CO.UK

Cool grey velvet chair and matching footstool with subtle carved detail and aged frame, £755 SWEETPEA & WILLOW, WWW.SWEETPEAANDWILLOW.COM

Magnetic candle holder in stainless steel and resin, £39.50 MODE 21, MODE21.CO.UK

concierge gardening

S YOU ALIKE IT

It has become something of a cliché to describe your outside space as an extra ‘room’ but that is just what it is – whether you see it as a place to entertain friends or family, or whether it simply becomes a sanctuary for you to escape to with a good book and a glass of wine or the papers on a bright Sunday morning. Janine Murray-Smith suggests that it can be all of the above

he style of garden you choose may reflect that of your house or be a complete contrast. It can be clean lines and modern materials or be something altogether more random. Some of us need our patch to be low maintenance and less time consuming whilst those of us who have the time can take a more hands-on approach with prolific planting and it’s necessary ‘house- keeping’. In this, the first of a series looking at exactly what you can achieve in your extra ‘room’ we take a look at some of the components to create a stylish, simple space. Whether you need your garden to be tidy and pristine or you are happy with charming disorder every one requires underlying structure. Boundaries of fencing, walls, trees or existing structures are important for privacy, for light and in creating the initial ‘feel’ of the garden. Before deciding on these though, and I link this to seating areas for eating al fresco, put your feet up to see where the sun and shade prevail, dream a little dream of colour and light and whatever you like, whatever mood you feel inspired to create it can be achieved. For stylish, striking flowers take a look at the elegant white forms of of Longiflorum lilies, explosive Agapanthus (African lily) or the barely black Superstition flag iris. n

CUTTINGS The Controversial Daffodil Can a daffodil cause controversy? It would seem so. Go to www.ihatedaffodils and see why environmental campaigner Andy Tasker thinks they are gaudy and have no place in our hedgerows.

Keep your Cut Flowers for Longer Always cut the stems under water. This stops air blocking them. Strip off any leaves which would be under the water. If left they will not only begin to decay and look unsightly but will create bacteria. Put a 2p coin in the water, as a fungicide, add lemon juice, to kill bacteria, and sugar, as a feed. Use lukewarm water and change regularly.

Pot now for a Summer Show Pop a lily into a pot now and it will reward you with beautiful flowers and scent in July and August. Try Lilium Triumphator.

Intervari specialise in bespoke design and manufacture of beautiful handcrafted k i t c h e n s , b e d r o o m s , b a t h r o o m s a n d f r e e - s t a n d i n g f u r n i t u r e o f e x q u i s i t e q u a l i t y. I n t e r v a r i â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s d e s i g n t e a m h a s t h e e x p e r t i s e t o c r e a t e i n d i v i d u a l a n d u n i q u e s o l u t i o n s for luxury residential environments.

I N S P I R E C R E AT E D E L I V E R

16 Wigmore Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 2RF

Te l : 0 2 0 7 6 3 7 1 9 0 0 F a x : 0 2 0 7 6 3 7 1 9 8 6 www.inter vari.com

design@intervari.com

www.oysterbrokerage.com

Oyster Brokerage are the definitive brokers for all pre-owned Oyster yachts worldwide. If you are in the market for a high quality blue water cruising yacht, visit our website to see the opportunities that we currently have on offer. Make the world “your Oyster”.

Oyster Brokerage Ltd Fox's Marina Ipswich Suffolk IP2 8SA UK T: +44 (0)1473 695100 F: +44 (0)1473 695120 E: brokerage@oystermarine.com Oyster Marine USA Newport Shipyard One Washington Street Newport RI 02840 USA T: +401 846 7400 F: 401 846 7483 E: info@oysteryachts.com

OYSTER brokerage

Specialists in Pre-Owned Oyster Yac hts

health & beauty

concierge

MUST HAVE ITEM:

health & beauty

news MAKE THE CUT Providing a cutting edge take on this season’s elaborate lashes trend, Marylebone’s hottest boudoir-cum-boutique, Apartment C is launching an amazing range of fake eye lashes, inspired by the ancient Chinese art of paper-cutting, designed by Chinese artist Ting Yu Wan. Intrinsic as the link between fashion and art is, many believe the origins of paper-cutting lie in beauty rituals, when woman as early as the sixth century used to paste golden and silver foil cuttings into their hair. In turning this refined and complex art form into a beautiful means of self-embellishment, Ting Yu Wan’s inspiring designs bring this ancient art form full circle. Using traditional techniques, each of the designs depicts an image that has symbolic meaning in Chinese culture: horses for success, peonies for happiness and good fortune and peach blossom for love and romance. Whatever talisman you are most in need of, each of these designs is guaranteed to symbolise serious style prowess. WWW.APARTMENT-C.COM

TREATMENT OF THE MONTH: Equilibrium Verbier

BI MÂY CÂY . .

Packaged in a cute kaleidoscope of colours, BI MÂY CÂY is a new set of . . four delicious looking pots of different balms designed to soothe the aches and anxieties of day-to-day life. Influenced by traditional Asian medicine, the balms contain a secret recipe using natural ingredients and come in a perfectly portable size. SPACE NK, ST. JOHN’S WOOD HIGH STREET

MUST HAVE COLOUR: PURPLE

From intense violets to icy lilacs, spring sees eyes enveloped in a purple haze. A key component of this season’s chicest catwalk looks, purple eye make-up appeared in varying shades and effects at Versace and Marios Schwab. Try Yves Saint Laurent Ombres Duolumières N°25 in Turquoise Blue and Hazy Violet, for an intense indigo-hued impact. AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE

MUST HAVE TREND:

Weight loss, stress management or endurance training; whatever you personal goals Equilibrium’s fitness retreat in the stunning Swiss Alps can help you to achieve it. Run by a team of experts with small groups of only six to eight people, Equilibrium tailors each retreat to your needs to ensure that you receive all the support and attention necessary to help you achieve your goals. In addition to regular yoga sessions and a carefully

devised nutritional programme, Equilibrium’s fabulous location in beautiful Verbier provides the perfect conditions for getting into peek condition. 1500m above sea level, daily mountains hikes provide a great physical challenge and invigorate body and soul. With the serenity of the Alps and the clean mountain air, breathe easily and embrace a new and improved you. WWW.EQUILIBRIUMVERBIER.COM

Ostentatious updos, ballerina buns and dishevelled chignons; wherever you looked on the spring summer catwalks, it was clear that buns were back with a vengeance. Perfect for easy office to evening glamour, choose maximum shine with a defined shape or artfully distressed, frothy volume, for minimum effort and maximum style. From sleek twisted topknots at Marc Jacobs, to the voluminous beehives at Lanvin, a bun in one of this season’s many guises is the hottest hair trend around.

Brought to you in association with The Wellington Hospital, one of the world’s leading private hospitals. www.thewellingtonhospital.com

BETTEr, FASTEr SErVICES 5863 WELL Vantage Mag Ad.indd 1-2

The Wellington Hospital is expanding its successful GP Liaison service, which gives GPs and patients easy access to the hospital’s medical services and outpatient facilities and makes the referral process easier. The Wellington Hospital is one of the world’s leading private hospitals offering acute medical services. It is part of HCA – London’s No 1 private hospital group. Diagnostic, imaging and treatment technology Medical teams at The Wellington Hospital are supported by the very latest diagnostic, imaging and treatment technology, enabling fast and accurate diagnosis of complex conditions. State-of-the-art facilities include 64-slice CT scanners, the latest MRI scanners, plus the full range of general X-ray, ultrasound, angiography, fluorocscopy and a cardiac research centre. Innovative techniques Working at the forefront of surgical and medical innovation, our teams of dedicated and highly trained professionals ensure that patients receive the best possible care, attention and treatment. The Wellington Hospital now offers a range of minimally invasive surgical procedures that are performed through one incision in the belly button, which is virtually scarless surgery. The single port approach is a new and innovative way of performing keyhole operations via the belly button that previously

required patients to have multiple scars. The SILS technique also known as single incision laparoscopic surgery or scarless surgery can be utilised to safely manage common surgical conditions including: ◆ Removal of appendix ◆ Removal of gall bladder for gallstones ◆ Hernia repair ◆ Colon operations ◆ Other operations on the stomach. The majority of single port operations are performed as a day case and the patient will only have one scar which is concealed in the belly button, the pain will be less and the recovery period is quicker. Most people can have single port laparoscopic surgery, it may however be more difficult for patients who have had previous or multiple operations where the abdomen is very scarred. A personal service for everyone The Wellington Hospital is determined to ensure that the scale of its operation doesn’t stop it from delivering a firstclass service to its private patients and to GPs referring people to one of the 400 consultants who work there. The dedicated GP Liaison service assists doctors and self-referring private patients to access quickly and efficiently its medical services and extensive outpatient facilities.

This means that one phone call is all it takes to arrange a convenient appointment with any of the hospital’s consultants. Where referring GPs do not have the name of a consultant, helpline staff will direct their enquiry to the most appropriate person. And if none of the hospital’s own consultants are qualified in the required specialty, helpline staff will be pleased to transfer the enquiry to another hospital in the HCA network.

Major specialties include ◆ Acute neuro rehabilitation ◆ Bariatric surgery ◆ Cardiac surgery ◆ Critical care ◆ Dermatology ◆ Interventional cardiology ◆ ENT ◆ Gastroenterology ◆ General surgery ◆ Gynaecology ◆ Liver and Hepatobiliary medicine ◆ Hip surgery ◆ Knee surgery ◆ Neurology ◆ Neurophysiology ◆ Neuropsychology ◆ Neurosurgery ◆ Ophthalmology ◆ Orthopaedics ◆ Plastic surgery ◆ Speech therapy ◆ Spinal surgery ◆ Urology ◆ Vascular surgery

www.thewellingtonhospital.com

For more information contact the Helpline: call 020 7483 5148, fax 020 7483 5618, email Wellington.enquiryhelpline@hcahealthcare.co.uk Opening hours: 08.30–18.00 Mon-Fri Visit: www.thewellingtonhospital.com Address: Wellington Place, St Johns Wood, London NW8 9LE

18/5/10 13:29:28

declare your

independence

Small independent luxury hotels. Memorable experiences.

Small Luxury Hotels of the Worldâ&#x201E;˘ Book your summer beach escape at www.slh.com/beachescapes

SLH Beach ad 210 x 297.indd 1

25/5/10 17:29:08

health & beauty

concierge

Nailed

Jenny White discovers the latest beauty addition to Little Venice not only offers a luxury nail lounge but a unique shopping experience and a place to relax

he beauty of Tillie’s Nail Lounge is that it makes you feel like you are just popping around to a friend’s house for some girly pampering. As soon as you walk into the spa, in the heart of Little Venice, the home-from-home feel is instant. Upstairs has the sense that you have just walked into someone’s kitchen with complimentary lattes, Primrose Hill Bakery cupcakes and fresh flowers on the large countrystyle kitchen table; while downstairs oozes the same kind of French rural charm and elegance that you are greeted with but has the feel of being in a friends sitting room with plush sofas and sumptuous cushions. Launched by 25 year old Tillie Fredricks in March, the bubbly and welcoming owner decided to go it alone and open up her namesake luxury nail boutique after she felt that London didn’t provide anywhere relaxing which offered the rural homely feel that can often be found at country health spas. Giving up a career in construction, Tillie’s mission was to create a unique space that offers much more than the usual impersonal service that all of us have witnessed at some point in London salons. Carefully conceived to provide a range of beauty treatments which include manicures, pedicures, touch-up maintenance as well as Gel Lacquer, CND Nail Enhancements, and the popular MINX nails, it seems Tillie has hit on a simple yet much needed notion. The team at Tillie’s are made up of perfectionists, or at least that

linger, relax and enjoy some much needed ‘me time’, in what feels like the comfort of your own home

was the impression I got from my Tillie’s Manicure. Encouraging you to linger, relax and enjoy some much needed ‘me time’, in what feels like the comfort of your own home, Tillie and her highly trained staff are chatty and entertaining, however also realise that some clients just want to zone out from their hectic lifestyles. Provided with magazines and with a wall-mounted TV playing it DVDs, it was easy to unwind. The signature manicure lasted for a blissful 50 minutes and not only aimed to give me stylish nails in a stunning shade of Strawberry Margarita but to replenish and moisturise my hands and nails by using OPI’s Avoplex range. My technician paid great attention to the condition of my hands and gave me advice on how to prevent my flaky nails. Catering for everyone from ladies who lunch, busy mums to bridal parties and businesswomen on-the-go, Tillie’s also offers some delightfully discrete retail opportunities. With shelves of artisan treasures dotted around the spa, everything from jewellery, to linens and even the furniture is available to buy. So, if you were particularly taken by the sofa you were pampered on, or the rustic mirror you glanced in or perhaps noticed the cushions would match your bedroom décor, then you could be going home with more than just stunning looking nails. A variety of beauty products are also available to take away including a full range of OPI’s dazzling nail colours, cuticle oils, and hands creams to help keep up the good work of the highly qualified beauty technicians. Despite this being Tillie’s first venture into the beauty world it seems she and her team have a created a spa, which already popular with the locals, combines a bespoke service for

the hands and feet while offering an intimate oasis that will make having your nails done a necessity for every modern woman. n 5 Formosa Street, W9 1EE 020 7266 2620 www.tilliesnaillounge.com

WELCOME TO THE WELLINGTON HOSPITAL At the very heart of London’s medical community, we find out more about The Wellington Hospital and their reputation for medical excellence

Throughout history, London has been at the very centre of medical research and scientific discovery. Spend some time in the capital, and you’ll notice references to London’s medical past all over the place. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the corpses of criminals executed at Tyburn were taken to the Surgeon’s Hall in the Old Bailey for public dissection and medical teaching; in 1854 a London doctor,

John Snow, discovered the cause of cholera from a water pump on Broad Street; and in 1928 the most important antibacterial drug ever, Penicillin, was discovered in a lab at St. Mary’s Hospital by Alexander Fleming. These are just a couple of examples, but as a centre of world-class education and research, London has always been home to some of the most important medical advances.

THE HEART OF THE CITY Today, London is proud to continue to uphold its reputation as one of the world’s leading medical centres, in both medical research and world-class treatment. One of the world’s foremost private hospitals, The Wellington Hospital is London’s largest private medical facility upholding London’s reputation by offering an unparalleled quality of care with the latest technology and access to the country’s leading medical experts. The Wellington Hospital is always improving and by utilising investment in the newest equipment and technologies, the expert staff can deliver outstanding Imaging services which speed up the time from diagnosis to treatment. Internationally acknowledged in several fields including cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, liver and gastro-intestinal medicine, gynaecology, orthopaedics and rehabilitation The Wellington Hospital is quite simply, one of UK’s best private hospitals. OUTSTANDING CLINICAL CARE The Wellington Hospital is owned by HCA, the largest private hospital group in London, with six world-class acute hospitals and HCA Laboratories. Working in association with medical teams at London’s finest teaching hospitals, The Wellington Hospital makes use of the very latest equipment

THE BREAKDOWN: • 266 Registered Beds • 46 Neurological Rehabilitation Beds • 20 Intensive Care Unit Beds • 4 High Dependency Unit Beds • 11 Operating Theatres • 3 Cardiac Catheter Labs • 2 Endoscopy Theatres • 3 Angiography Suites • 27 Consulting Rooms

THE EXPERIENCE Patients enjoy luxury accommodation, complemented by the latest technologies, together with a warm and friendly service, all of which create a caring environment and a comfortable hospital experience that promotes fast return to normality in your everyday life. Every patient is cared for as an individual and is treated with compassion and kindness.

and medical techniques and also supports research in a number of important areas of medicine. From the latest cardiac imaging equipment (which shows heart disease developing long before symptoms occur), to real time 3D-imaging of babies in the womb, HCA is constantly striving to provide the newest technology and training for the benefits of their patients, nurses and doctors. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Here at The Wellington Hospital, the Diagnostics and Imaging Department is one of the most modern in the country – so in short, this means no waiting-lists or cancellations, no confusion over results and most importantly, no delays. Constantly updated, and the largest of its kind in the UK private sector, The Wellington Hospital’s state of the art equipment includes a 64-slice CT scanner, two MRI scanners, a full range of X-Ray machines using a Computed Radiography (CR) system, Ultrasound equipment and Interventional Radiology facilities. All of these services are linked via a Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) which allows Consultants to view images anywhere in the hospital. Twenty consultant radiologists work with the hospital to interpret and report on the results of scans, X-Rays or Ultrasounds. Working alongside highly qualified specialist radiographers and nurses (and a back office team who prepare reports of each diagnostic investigation), there is no waiting around. The satellite unit – The Wellington Diagnostics & Outpatient Centre – on Golders Green Road boasts another 64-slice

CT scanner and an ‘open’ MRI scanner plus Ultrasound and x-ray services. The team of consultant radiologists and radiographers provide excellent support to this unit which is also linked to the main hospital via the PACS system. As part of the HCA Group, The Wellington Hospital has roundthe-clock access to the group’s Diagnostic Laboratories, with 30 biomedical scientists and 12 consultant pathologists – this results in rapid analyses and instant results sent straight back to the wards. MEDICAL PRACTICIONERS All the doctors at The Wellington Hospital are at a consultant level, many of whom hold senior positions at London’s leading teaching hospitals – there are over 600 consultants practicing at the hospital at present. The hospital is a multi-disciplinary institution, with specialists in all the major departments. Keith Hague, CEO Wellington Hospital says, “To attract the best doctors, you need the best facilities, you need the latest state of the art equipment, and you need the best staff. And we have that here.” Dr Duncan Dymond, Consultant Cardiologist agrees saying “It’s bright, it’s clean, it is well lit, the equipment is great, the staff are of a very high calibre – and you come here with your patients and you can practise medicine as it should be practised, without the restrictions that are imposed elsewhere. For us as healthcare professionals [...] you cannot put a price on that”. For more information, call the Enquiry Helpline on 020 7483 5148 or visit www.thewellingtonhospital.com

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19/5/10 12:28:37

family

concierge

ofYOGA

the power Jenny White discovers the power that yoga can have on children and all the benefits that carry through from birth to adulthood

n a quiet mews in Primrose Hill, just off Regent’s Park is the building where Triyoga fi rst started, ten years ago. The culmination and realisation of principal founder Jonathan Sattin’s vision, was to create a high quality centre for true wellbeing; a place that is dedicated to looking after you and where the three key elements of yoga, Pilates and treatments are combined. The ethos of Triyoga has always been to have the best teachers, passing on a broad range of truly authentic styles of yoga in a great environment, enabling everyone who visits the centre to be able to find a class suited to them, regardless of age, size, gender, fitness, diet or lifestyle. A unique aspect of Triyoga is that it runs classes for children ages two to 13 years old. “The benefits differ depending on the age. The eldest group from 9 to 13 years old are really into strengthening and relaxation. They are totally open to more esoteric subjects and love to learn,” explains yoga teacher, Susannah Hoffman, who runs the children’s classes. “With toddlers it helps with their balance, their co-ordination and general motor skills, as well as helping them to express themselves.” Having studied yoga as a child (“I started when I was nine years old”) Susannah grew up within the yogic tradition and with years of dancing behind her, as well as training in holistic and herbal medicine, she has a true understanding of the power of yoga, especially on children. “I know from my own experiences of having a lack of confidence and the feeling of not being good enough, that these insecurities develop from an early stage,” explains Susannah who has been teaching yoga for over fifteen years, as well as a CV which features teaching ballet, art, drama and creative movement to children. “I think every single adult is marked by how we perceive things as a child and how we were treated and there are so many things that shape the way we become and limit what we can do. Everyone has the right to reach their full potential.” Inspired by the Viniyoga System with its one-to-one approach, and an emphasis on connecting the breath with movement, Susannah enables her students to work with their bodies, get to know them and to take responsibility for their personal wellbeing. For toddlers the practise helps them to gain confidence in their own ability and

have fun, while for teenagers it helps them to focus and escape from things such as exams and peer pressure. “By the time the children reach the eldest grouping the focus is on sharing and non-competitiveness; so when they do breathing exercises they are trying to improve their own breath and not trying to beat the person next to them. Breathing is related to the mind and it helps erratic thinking, helping the children to become more focused,” says Susannah. Triyoga also runs pre and post natal classes, also taught by Susannah who aims to teach the foundations needed for the mother to give her baby the best start in life. “I have met so many women who years down the line are still crying about the way in which their child’s birth went and feeling like a failure because of it. No one has control over the birth of their child but what I try and do is empower women enough to know their choices and accept what happens,” says Susannah who also teaches baby massage and is a birthing partner. “I love what I do and working with children has really helped heal parts of my own self; you learn a lot more from children than you do adults.”  Triyoga has branches in Soho and Covent Garden as well as Primrose Hill. For further information call, 020 7483 3344 or visit www.triyoga.co.uk

concierge family

Great Gifts for

DAD

A SOUND INVESTMENT

Jenny White compiles the ultimate gifts for dad this Father’s Day

Geneva Sound M unit is a complete, multi-function stereo system in a lacquered wood cabinet. Its tabletop size belies its phenomenal power, capable of room-filling sound with four speakers and a 100 watt digital amplifier. Comes in black, white, red and walnut, £699. W36.6CM X D24.0CM X H18.7CM WWW.ARIASHOP.CO.UK

DIVE IN

Launching this month, Molton Brown has designed an effective three-step regime that requires minimum fuss but gives maximum results. Wash, Shave, Moisturise with these fabulous luxury products just for men, from £10.

The Oyster Perpetual Submariner is the quintessential divers’ watch perfectly at home on land or at sea and the long awaited new steel version of the latest generation watches, recently launched at BaselWorld 2010, is here, £3,820

WWW.MOLTONBROWN.CO.UK

WWW.ROLEX.COM

WELL GROOMED

BULLETPROOF BODY Inspired by icons of power, strength and performance, the new Vertu Ascent phone combines sleek design with enhanced features to complement a fast-paced lifestyle and the latest handset is now engineered from aerospace grade aluminium, 4,200 WWW.VERTU.COM

PROJECTION POWER Imagine being able to project your videos, photos, podcasts or whatever you’ve got on your iPhone onto any convenient wall. Compatible with both the iPhone and the iPod, the MiLi Projector is the only portable media viewing device you’ll need. It’s a bit like having a cinema in your pocket and with a maximum projection of 70 inches you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into a very comfortable multiplex, £229. WWW.IWANTONEOFTHOSE.COM,

motoring sport gadgets

THE OVERFINCH ALL ENGLAND ................................... latest & greate & st ..............................................

..........................................................................

THE NEW FOURPLAY

The Rapide not only epitomises Aston Martin’s core values of speed and performance, but also offers practicality alongside its unmistakable poise

ston Martin’s first four-door production car for two decades, the Rapide project began life as a dramatic show car in 2006. Since then, Aston Martin’s designers and engineers have faithfully translated the concept into a stunningly statuesque sports car that is long, low and elegant. Developed from the V/H Architecture, the same platform of Aston Martin’s critically acclaimed DBS, DB9 and Vantage ranges, the Rapide features an impressive hand-built 6-litre V12 engine which develops 470bhp and 442lb/ft

of pulling power - enough for this ‘family car’ to accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.1 seconds. Fitted with the 1,000W BeoSound Rapide - a bespoke sound system tailored to the car, the fifteen speakers optimally located throughout the cabin deliver the finest sound quality naturally associated with Bang & Olufsen. A sporting coupé with real heritage, the Rapide is a practical choice that expresses Aston Martin’s unique excellence. n For more information, visit www.astonmartin.com

LOCK, STOCK

four smoking wheels When is a Range Rover not a Range Rover? When it’s an Overfinch, discovers Matthew Carter. And the ultimate Overfinch is the Holland & Holland edition, a hand-built gun carriage that’s the ultimate accessory for the shooting set

t looks like a Range Rover and it drives like one, too. But this is a long way from the machines that roll off the Midlands production lines. One look at the sumptuous interior tells you that. In the back, for example, there are two rather than three seats, and they are divided by a hand-veneered rear console. This glorious example of the cabinet maker’s art comes complete with integrated fridge large enough for two full-size bottles of champagne. The drinks cabinet is ‘self-replenishing’... run out of the Pol Roger, the Balvenie single malt, Hendrick’s gin, Ivan the Terrible vodka or Willow Spring water during the first year of ownership and a quick call will have replacements winging their way over. There’s more evidence of craftsmanship in the cabin, where the standard (but by no means shabby) wood veneers and leather had been dumped in favour of fine hides more usually found in private jets and special veneers for the dashboard, consoles and door inserts. Open the boot and there’s yet more. In the rear is a handcrafted gun cabinet with fitted drawers for crystal glasses, a pair of guns, cartridges and all the other paraphernalia that goes with shooting as a leisure activity. The whole thing has been blessed by gunsmiths Holland & Holland. This, then, is not a normal Range Rover, a fact confirmed by a glance at the bonnet, where the familiar script has been replaced by a bold Overfinch badge… and that, to the aficionado, says it all.

Overfinch has been around for more than three decades. It was back in 1975 that, as an engineering-led company, it turned its attentions to the Range Rover, producing its first high-performance derivative. Over the years the company worked closely with Land Rover on a number of projects, and Overfinch actually produced the first automatic Range Rovers for the factory. These days, engineering has taken a back seat, though it still offers mechanical upgrades for some older Range Rover models. The trouble is, dynamically, the current Range Rover does pretty much everything an owner could want, so there’s

its own unique alloy wheels and small styling changes for the bumpers, side vents and grille. There are specially cast exhaust outlets, too, to finish off the rear end while running boards, which automatically fold away when the car is being driven, add style and practicality. Inside, the hides are available in any of seven exclusive tones with contrasting colour Holland & Holland signature strip; the latter are cut from individual hides and trimmed to sit almost flush with the main leather. The veneer kit – 31 pieces in all – is available in one of five special finishes, including a matt Gunstock Walnut. And to remind the owner of the Holland & Holland link, there’s a shotgun grade steel plaque on the dashboard, engraved by Holland & Holland’s craftsmen. Just 100 of the Holland & Holland editions will be made each year, with most going for export. Exclusivity is therefore guaranteed. From behind the wheel, the effect is remarkable. The standard Range Rover is a great place to be, but the Overfinch iteration takes things up to the super luxury level. The craftsmanship is wondrous and the attention to detail superb – especially if you’re sitting in the back, next to that impressive centre console. The gun cabinet is a piece of art, beautifully constructed and thoroughly practical at the same time… well, practical if you regularly go off to shoot. And the thing is, you just know with a Range Rover you’ll get where the game is without any worries about getting stuck.

This, then, is not a normal Range Rover, a fact confirmed by a glance at the bonnet, where the familiar script has been replaced by a bold Overfinch badge… and that, to the aficionado, says it all little room for improvement. It’s not too bad from a luxury point of view, either, but here the Overfinch treatment reaches new heights. From its small factory in Farnham, Overfinch transforms the standard offering into what the company reckons is the ultimate off-roader, a luxury all-season supercar. Think of it as a 4x4 Bentley and you won’t be too far off the mark. Creating the interior alone takes more than 150 man-hours, while painting and hand-polishing the exterior – in one of four unique bespoke colours – adds another 130 man-hours to the bill. There are visual changes made by Overfinch to the exterior, too, notably

motoring

On the road, the Holland & Holland Overfinch drives as well as any Range Rover, especially the company’s own demonstrator, which is based on the 510 bhp supercharged V8 petrol model. In the UK, the default Range Rover choice is the V8 diesel – no problem with that, it’s a fine engine – but flooring the throttle on the big petrol V8 is just a glorious experience. It’s just as good when it’s parked. The Overfinch Range Rover manages to be imposing and understated at the same time, blending in just as easily outside a stately home or an apartment block in E14. You can get much of that appeal even if you’re not a marksman. Overfinch

perform visual makeovers on all Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models, allowing the customer to pick as little or as much as he or she wants from a long menu of upgrades. But this edition is the daddy… which brings us to the price. Prepared to be surprised. Things start at a smidgeon under £140,000, but the final bill can be as expansive as your imagination. Against the £77k Land Rover asks for the diesel Autobiography version, that might sound costly. But it’s not – it’s actually about the same price as a pair of new ‘Royal’ Over and Under shotguns from Holland & Holland. n

calibre

IN BRIEF CaR: Holland & Holland Overfinch PRICE: from £139,650 ENgINE: 5.0-litre V8 petrol PowER: 510 hp DRIvE: Four-wheel drive

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Canary-Wharf&City.indd 1

5/26/2010 2:23:45 PM

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gadgets

Jamie Carter presents the month’s hottest gadgets

A NEW CHAPTER? The ebook might be infiltrating the public’s consciousness quite slowly, but make no mistake – it’s the future for the publishing industry. Having largely been left out of the internet revolution, the big publishers are now shifting their business strategies to address a market fueled by a burgeoning number of ebook readers. And the iRex DR800S is one of the very best around. Its 8.2-inch screen is, like all ebook readers (save for the new iPad from Apple), based around a super-efficient e-Ink screen. Only using power to turn pages – it’s completely inert when displaying a book – the DR800S is capable of around 16 hours of reading on a single charge. It’s a vastly different device to Amazon’s Kindle – probably the most famous ebook reader out there – and distinctly more highbrow than Sony’s range. Hailing from the Netherlands, iRex aims its ebook readers at the business market, though its large screen also makes it a luxury device for literary types, and it’s hard to beat. Essentially the high cost of the DR800S is down to its screen, though in most other areas this is a polished device. It sells with a faux leather cover and a stylus pen, though the latter isn’t really needed; skipping through menus and pages of books and documents is most easily done using a flip bar on the device’s left-hand side. It’s a very natural way to read, a feeling that’s reinforced by a top quality screen that can be read for hours in total comfort, just like paper.

new gadgets Philips MCD909 micro hi-ﬁ with DVD player, £600 www.philips.co.uk

Able to be swapped between portrait and landscape mode, the DR800S is at its best when displaying ePub ﬁles – the most common format for ebooks, and one that isn’t blighted by restrictive and confusing digital rights management, as is the case with all books bought via the Kindle’s 3G connectivity. There will be a version of this unit later in 2010 that will contain a 3G card to link to an online bookshop for both e-paperbacks and newspapers, but for now the DR800S is still worth investing in. A software update available shortly will introduce annotations and scribbled notes – using the stylus – to the experience, though its skilled and fast handling of ePub, image-heavy PDFs, and virtually any digital photography format you can think of – should give the DR800S a great reputation amongst business users or anyone after an ebook reader extraordinaire.

iRex DR800S digital 8.2-inch ebook reader, £449 www.libresco.com

Undercover ‘padded envelope’ laptop sleeve, £15.99 www.totallyfunky.com

Yamaha YSP-5100 digital sound projector & wireless iPod dock, £1,300 uk.yamaha.com

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BUY IT:

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THE DELICIOUS ROUXS Already world famous for its quintessentially English glamour, this year, Royal Ascot adds some fine French taste into the mix. Held from 15-19 June, for the first time Royal Ascot will be welcoming the renowned French chef Michel Roux and his son Alain Roux to delight the discerning dinners at the racecourse’s Panoramic Restaurant. Owner of the Waterside Inn in nearby Bray, Berkshire, Michel Roux his been awarded an impressive three Michelin Stars as well as numerous other culinary awards and distinctions. The father and son team will be offering a special menu, specially created for the Royal Meeting. The menu will showcase their signature style and modern updates of delicious French classics. Amongst the delights on offer, highlights include cold tomato gazpacho garnished with basil flavoured mozzarella cannelloni and pistachio flavoured crème brulée. Finish your meal with a trio of British and French cheeses for a classic taste

THE WARM UP If your zest for tennis means you can’t wait until summer returns, and with it weeks of champagne and strawberries at Wimbledon, then the prestigious Boodles Challenge is the perfect way to whet your appetite. Set in the spectacular grounds of Stoke Park, the Boodles Challenge will take place from 15–19 June, where players come to fine-tune their game before the main event. The list of previous players is impressive, including Djokovic, Murray, Agassi and Ivanisevic.

To celebrate the 2010 South African World Cup, FIFA has teamed up with luxury shirt makers, Grosvenor Shirts, to produce a stylish and highly collectible range of souvenirs for discerning football fans. The collection features limited editions of men’s and ladies’ shirts with stylish designs representing each of the 32 competing countries. Each of the shirts from this exclusive range is discreetly embroidered with their individual number, and can be made to measure at no extra cost. WWW.GROSVENORSHIRTS.COM

SAY WHAT?

I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok LANCE ARMSTRONG

of two stylish cultures, encapsulating the spirit of this unique French turn at a traditional English event. FOR INFORMATION VISIT WWW.ASCOT.CO.UK

FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW... WILLIE CARSON

His full name is William Fisher Hunter Carson

His best season was 1990 when he rode 187 winners

He is the only jockey in the 20th century to have ridden a horse to victory which he also bred, Minster Son in the St Leger Stakes, 1988

In 1983 he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to horse racing

He was chairman of Swindon Town FC from 2001 to 2007

OR CALL 0870 727 4321

WWW.THEBOODLES.COM

Who wants to be a

Millionaire? I

Lee Brooks talks to former British number one Andrew Castle about Wimbledon, the world’s most famous tennis tournament, where this year’s winner will walk away with a cool £1million

f there was no money at Wimbledon, everybody would still be there and they’d still want to win it,” says Andrew Castle, who will be commentating for the BBC at this year’s tournament. But for the lucky man and woman who manage to win seven successive singles matches during the Wimbledon fortnight, they will be walking away with a cheque, and a tasty one at that – a record-breaking £1 million. When Australian Rod Laver won Wimbledon in 1968, the first time prize money was awarded for winning the title, he picked up a cheque for just £2,000. In 1999, that figure had increased to £455,000 and now, 11 years later, it has more than doubled,

despite the global recession. And it seems that while the world is tightening its belt, people will still fork out for a day at the All England Club; in 2009, the tournament generated a surplus of £29.2 million and goes some way to justifying how it can warrant offering such huge prize money. Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is generally considered the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club since 1877, and is the only Grand Slam tournament still to be played on the game’s original surface – grass. While there are three other Grand Slams that are on par with the tournament in terms of ranking points, there’s something extra special about Wimbledon that

sport

makes it the tournament everybody wants to win. “For me, it’s the number one title and the most distinctive of the Grand Slams,” says Castle. “I played there for the first time in 1986 and, since then, they’ve managed to improve the standard of facilities without losing that element of tradition. As a brand, Wimbledon is just phenomenal and it’s the one tournament every player wants to win.”

FEDEDER’S TOURNAMENT In recent years, Roger Federer has made this tournament his own. The world number one and winner of 16 grand slam titles is at his effortless best when he steps out onto the famous Centre Court – the venue which has seen him win seven of the last eight finals – and is showing no signs of letting up any time soon. “It may be a little boring for some people, but not for me,” says Castle of Federer’s utter dominance of the men’s game. “Every time he comes on court, you just don’t know what he’s going to do next. I first saw him when he was 15 and, like a lot of people, I saw a talent that was just phenomenal. I can watch him all day long. I know he lost to Rafael Nadal in 2008, but he came back strongly last year and I just can’t look past him for a winner this time round. “You always have to pick a Federer v Nadal final. Generally, they’re on opposite sides of the draw and, to beat them, people have to step out on court and find something they generally can’t.” On the British front, Andy Murray still represents the best chance of success since Fred Perry triumphed in 1936. The Scot had his best season on the ATP Tour last year, where he reached a career high number two in the rankings, and then reached the final in Australia earlier this year, only to meet Federer in imperious form. “Murray’s had a great return for his efforts and his talent,” says Castle. “He’s been in two Grand Slam finals and the semis at Wimbledon. I think Murray will win Wimbledon one day, but you have to think of Federer and Nadal first because they’re just the two best players in the world at the moment.”

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WILLIAMS’ DOMINATION While Federer dominates the men’s side, it’s more of a family affair in the women’s event. Venus and Serena Williams have won eight of the last ten Wimbledon titles between them and, while they may not show the same sort of form in the tournaments leading up to the event, as soon as they step onto court at Wimbledon, they manage to find an extra couple of gears. “If you have to face a Williams sister at Wimbledon, it’s going to be tough,” says Castle. “They’re so gifted and remain the ones to beat.” But there are others in the mix that could thwart their chances. Belgian Justine Henin, for example, returned to the sport this year with a set goal of winning Wimbledon – the only Grand Slam yet to elude her. “You may as well pen her in the quarter finals straight away, because she’s not going to lose early,” says the former British number one. “If you’re interested in a bet, Henin would be the one. “Also look out for Svetlana Kuznetsova. She’s won Grand Slams before – the French Open and the US Open – so she’s definitely capable. However, sometimes she sprays a few shots which you don’t expect. Even so, I’d put her towards the latter of the tournament.” But whatever the result of this year’s championships, if you’ve got a glass of Pimms in one hand, a bowl of strawberries and cream in the other, and some world class tennis to enjoy, everybody will be a winner, eh? n

Andrew Castle is the lead commentator for the Wimbledon Championships live and exclusive on the BBC from 21 June– 4 July 2010. Andrew is also the perfect choice for hosting corporate tennis sessions, events and award ceremonies. For further information please contact Katie Lydon on 020 8834 8900

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WILD THEATRE

T July brings the Great Migration of the wildebeest, one of Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most awe-inspiring wildlife attractions and an exhilarating sensory experience

he green grasslands of the Serengeti wither and scorch in the intense East African sun and the scent of rain in the north lures the immense, million-strong herd of wildebeest to fresh pastureland in the Mara. As nature performs its annual renewal of the Masai and, the herd performs the starring role in the greatest show on earth. Rolling thunder approaches, like an immense drum beat, building momentum as the herd explodes onto the horizon and the air erupts with the rhythmic cacophony of hooves pounding the arid earth. Zebras appear like

flashes of lightning in the thundering grey clouds, caught in the tumbling, cascading mass. Lions and hyenas wait on the fringes, ready to pounce on those struggling to keep up with the tidal wave as it rolls on and on. As October rolls around, the herd steels itself to make the same journey southward, pounding through the same plains, returning to the Serengetiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s renewed, green grasslands. And the cycle is complete. n For more information visit, www.magicalkenya.com

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Savour gourmet dishes at the resort’s five speciality restaurants or a refreshing cocktail at the five bars. Be pampered at the Red Lane® Spa† or just enjoy a spot of scuba diving in some of the best Caribbean locations Avid golfers will enthuse with the 18-hole championship golf course†, designed by world famous Greg Norman. This 7,200

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yard, par 72 golf course had won the title of one of the most picturesque and challenging golf courses in the Caribbean, offering great views of the sea. “Here you can do anything you want. You can play your golf, you can chill out, you can jump in a catamaran, you can go scuba diving, you can go fishing, you name it…it’s your choice.”

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A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN

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SICILY ON THE SILVER SCREEN With its sun-drenched countryside, sparkling blue waters and ancient Greek ruins, few places in the world look as good on the big screen as Sicily. So it’s no surprise that film-makers return to the island time after time to shoot among its terraced vineyards and sleepy villages and the Grand Hotel Timeo, newly acquired by the luxurious Orient Express group is offering you the chance to walk the same cobblestone piazzas as Al Pacino, The Godfather. Driven by a local expert, you’ll visit the medieval town of Castelmola, then carry on to Savoca, a pretty hillside village where Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) courts his first wife, Apollonia. You will see the famous Bar Vitelli, an 18th century, stone-flagged building draped in climbing plants, where Michael discusses his proposal of marriage. The bar, one of Coppola’s favourite haunts during filming, has a little display of pictures and mementos from the making of the film. You will also visit the Church of Santa Lucia, where Michael and Apollonia get married. The tour heads on to Forza d’Argo, one of the best examples of village life in Messina, which also boasts an imposing 16thcentury castle and the local church is seen in The Godfather as Michael first sets eyes on his ancestral home of Corleone (the real town, south of Palermo, was considered too developed to be used in the film). The church also features in The Godfather Part ll, when a young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) is pursued by rival gangsters as he flees to America. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT, WWW.GRANDHOTELTIMEO.COM

If you’ve ever longed for more privacy on a flight, but weren’t quite able to indulge in a private jet, then the new First Class Private Suites onboard the Emirates A380 are the perfect compromise. Each is equipped with an electrically operated sliding door, personal mini-bar, 23-inch television, inbuilt massager and wardrobe. It’s the ultimate room with a view, but at £2,225 for a one way ticket from Heathrow to Dubai, it’s a significant upgrade from a business class ticket costing £1,628. WWW.EMIRATES.COM

POCKET ROCKET

Luxe City guides are stylish, succinct and renowned for their hyper-opinionated advice on every aspect of luxury travel. Expertly informed and instantly updated, the chic new mobile guides offer rich content direct to your handset. Initially covering ten popular destinations including New York, Rome, Sydney and Bangkok, twenty more of these essential mobile guides are being developed. WWW.LUXECITYGUIDES.COM

Brought to you in association with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, an unsurpassable collection of over 500 hotels spanning 70 countries, which offer an infinite variety of experiences.

CAPE

Ahead of this summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Cup, Kate Harrison spends some time in Cape Town, hunting down the very best in luxury hotel hospitality, gourmet dining and must-see local attractions

travel

ape Town has always been a beautiful destination, attractive to foreign visitors for the striking silhouette of Table Mountain, the world-famous sandy beaches and its laid-back and cosmopolitan atmosphere – and in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup, the city is seeing tourism boom even more. I decided to check out Cape Town before the rush. Travelling to Cape Town for the first time, I wanted a hotel that would take care of everything, from a beautiful room with excellent facilities, to top restaurants and luxury spa treatments. The solution was One&Only Cape Town which has been open for less than a year and offers the very best hospitality on the famous V&A Waterfront. As I enter the hotel, my first view is one of the majestic Table : IS S D O N’T M Mountain, framed perfectly in H into a huge picture window. My THE BEyAoCr Clifton, which is spelitct second view one of bold design couples Camps Ba s, ie il m s for fa four area and Capetonian style which NTAIN s – trek or U O continues through to the rooms M E L TAB om diﬀerent route fr and suites, all of which boast se o o h C ble car fantastic panoramic views of M take the ca IU R UA Q A S N Table Mountain. The rooms A E TWO OrCthose who don’t fancy here are the most spacious fo Perfect g rooms in the city (with a in iv -d e cag minimum size of 60 sq m); G d SHOPPAINWaterfront market an think dark woods, rich re At the V& rket Squa a m coloured fabrics, a view n e re G mall, and of the resort’s landscaped ‘island’ below, a balcony and fullsize free standing bath. Of course, it’s not long into a hotel stay that thoughts turn to food – and after a twelve hour journey from London to Cape Town, I was totally focused on the evening meal. South Africa is renowned for its famous wines, but the food is delicious too and the choice within the resort is outstanding; Africa’s first Nobu restaurant and a Maze restaurant by Gordon Ramsay Above: are both housed within the hotel, each Table Mountain Suite bath offering an incredible dining experience. Far left to right: Before dinner we stop at the Maze restaurant Vista Bar for an ‘evolution’ cocktail Hotel pool Nobu restaurant under the ever-watchful eye of Table

connoisseur

BOVEY CASTLE YOU’VE ARRIVED

Bovey Castle is history, excitement, glamour and adventure. We offer our guests luxury and indulgence, but this is not a stuffy hotel where you can’t sit on the furniture or let your kids enjoy themselves. Bovey Castle is where you can live out your dreams, then put your feet up.

Featured in the Sunday Times Travel Magazine’s Best 100 Hotels of the World and voted England's Finest Golf Resort 2009 at the World Travel Awards.

www.boveycastle.com

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connoisseur

ITALIAN TWIST TO THE BRITISH SUMMER

food & drink

As picnic season approaches, make your way to Carluccio’s for a hamper filled with everything you need to enjoy (and arm yourself against) the British summer. Packed full of delicious delicacies, specially devised for alfresco enjoyment, the hamper will come complete with sun cream and a limited edition umbrella, so that whatever the unpredictable weather has in store, it need not ruin your picnic. Carluccio’s will be offering a small range of picnics throughout the summer, including a special picnic for children, which can be ordered 24 hours in advance and picked up in store.

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PERFECT PARTNERS

Adding another jewel to its crown, Pommery has released an exclusive case designed by innovative Indian haute couturier, Manish Arora. Available exclusively at the Harrods Wine Shop, this exciting collaboration has been born of a shared love of the avant-garde, making it a perfect addition to the Harrods “Wonderland”, a storewide celebration of eccentric style. The collaboration features Manish Arora’s signature use of whimsical appliqué and embroidery detailing and a palate of hot pink, green and gold, offsetting the bottle’s softer tones of the same colours and complimenting the rich and elegant taste of Pommery’s champagne.

WWW.CARLUCCIOS.COM

CUPBOARD LOVE

Championed by Jude Law and the North London in-crowd, the little Laws will no doubt be buying Dad his Father’s Day present at the Primrose Bakery. Long at the heart of London’s recent cup cake mania, the Primrose Bakery are loved for their vast range of flavours with a home cooked taste in a rainbow of colours. To celebrate Father’s Day on 20 June, the Primrose Bakery will be launching special cakes for dads with a sweet tooth, available to pre-order from 6 June. Choose from one of the delicious flavours such as mocha or or peanut butter and sweeten it up with a personalised message of filial love.

WWW.POMMERY.COM

WWW.PRIMROSEBAKERY.ORG.UK

FOOD LINGO:

From high street favourites to Michelin starred delights, The Gourmet Society offers members half price dinning at over 3,000 restaurants nationwide. With many of Northwest London’s best restaurants onboard, from The Lansdowne to Tandis, VANTAGE NW readers can benefit from an exclusive membership deal, with 12 months being offered for only £39.95.

Quenelle

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.GOURMETSOCIETY.CO.UK OR CALL 0800 043 1978, USING THE PROMOTIONAL CODE ‘2CITY’

Believed to have been introduced to Western Europe by the Romans, quenelles are poached, egg-shaped dumplings. Lyon is particularly renowned for its pike quenelles.

QUOTE:

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Cheese is milk’s leap toward immortality. CLIFTON FADIMAN, AMERICAN EDITOR AND WRITER.

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NEWS:

For generations of gourmands across the globe, a love of food signiﬁes a love of sharing and socialising. With features on everything from beloved relatives’ recipes to a political look at organic farming, there is something for every gourmet to sink their teeth into.

british 10K London Run Sunday 11 July FSID is the official race charity To join Team FSID register at thebritish10klondon.co.uk and don't forget to check the FSID tick box or sign up at Runnersneed, 2 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf on Monday 17 May 5-7pm to receive goodies and discounts on running gear.

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Entertainment

Penelope M Walsh heads to Alcazar, a Parisian restaurant with a unique take on traditional cabaret, to revel in delicious delights and pursuits of pleasure

ushing open the artfully graffitied doors of Alcazar into the darkly seductive entrance, it was a shock to encounter the fanciful visual effect of fish and other mysterious species, ducking and diving after me, willing me into the grand openness of the room beyond. From the outset of a visit to Parisian restaurant cum entertainment venue Alcazar, there is the distinct feeling of entering a den of sensual and sensory excitement. Spacious and airy yet with a distinct touch of decadence and luxury, the large dining room features a central flower display hanging from the high ceiling, ostentatious in its enormity, filled to bursting with the elegant and delicate pinks and whites of orchids and cherry blossom. Flanked by large projections, screening classic Americana filled with Hollywood’s matinee idols, the dining room is filled with a whimsical (and not a little kitsch) desire to titillate, tease and entertain the senses. Running along the wall is a seemingly unending series of rich red velvet banquets and slanting mirrors, giving the fringes of this otherwise open and exposed dining room, and intimate and enclosed edge. Sitting across from our table, in one of the inviting looking booths sat a lone male diner. Framed by images of Paris’ aesthetic heyday, and reflected in the expanse of mirror above him, the image of him has been burnt in my mind’s eye, a single person, in a single moment in time exactly like something out of a Truffaut film. Overlooking the entertainment on all sides of the restaurant, there is a gallery on all sides, where Alcazar’s mezzanine can be found. The mezzanine offers a lighter, more informal atmosphere and is not only a great place for dinner or cocktails but also entertainment, with regular musical evenings and DJs playing until late. With a wide menu of fine French classics and oh so ‘in’ in Paris right now, Asian French fusion, the choice features a great mix of dishes from light and delicate dances of flavours to those so indulgent they have the power to make you blush and swoon just at the thought of them. The starter of sea bass tartare was a triumphant creation, with a delicate, fresh flavour, offset by the creamy sweet mango and avocado, the crisp piquant contrast of the green apple and sharp baies roses pepper corns, and accompanied with Château Canteloudette, Entre-deux-mers. After such a sophisticated starter, the main course called for a touch of gout inducing gluttony, with the rich and gamy onslaught of quail stuffed with spinach, foie gras and shiitake mushrooms. The dish was deliciously decadent and went well with the Château Mercier, Côtes de Bourg. Offering a good choice of classic French desserts such as rum baba, crème brûlee and a rich, oozing chocolate fondant, the dessert menu also presented the opportunity

to try a less well known classic, oeuf à la neige (or floating islands). Sophisticated in its simplicity, this delectable dessert contains soft, foamy poached meringues resting daintily in a sea of sweet, creamy English custard. Live opera accompanied dinner, performed by slinky, cat like women in glittery evening gowns, singing arresting arias by the likes of Mozart, Bellini and Verdi. Amongst the musical numbers was the Rossini’s Duo des Chats. Listening to this comic and whimsical piece, it is hard not to see that Alcazar does not take itself seriously but aims to entertain with a fun, frolicking assault on all the senses. And that is just what it does. n For more information visit www.alcazar.fr

NIKKI BEACH LAUNCHES SUMMER SEASON IN ENGLAND AT MINT POLO IN THE PARK AT HURLINGHAM

Sunday, June 6 th, 2010 6 pm

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NIKKI BEACH AT MINT POLO IN THE PARK, THE HURLINGHAM CLUB, LONDON NIKKI BEACH CABO SAN LUCAS, CABARETE, KOH SAMUI, NEW YORK, MARRAKECH, MARBELLA, MIAMI BEACH, ST TROPEZ, ST BARTHS, PANAMA

out about Pop Under the Hammer

Own a piece of pop history at the Popular Culture: Rock and Pop Memorabilia sale at Christie’s South Kensington, bursting with objects to cater for collectors of all ages, representing icons of music from 1950s to the 1990s as well as present day superstars. Highlights range from the largest singleowned collection of The Who memorabilia to ever come on the market, an acoustic Yamaha FG-340 guitar once owned and played by George Harrison and a Gibson Les Paul guitar with sunburst finish owned and played by Steve

Jones of the Sex Pistols circa 1975/76. A must for pop culture fanatics or those wanting to spoil a loved one. Christie’s South Kensington 12noon, 24 June www.christies.com

out & about

connoisseur

HOWZAT! With three Tests at Lord’s in 2010; floodlit one day internationals, Adam Gilchrist and David Warner in the FP t20 Cup for Middlesex and much more this season continues to be another feast of cricket at The Home of the all-England sport. 3 June, FP t20 Cup, Middlesex v Sussex (floodlit) 19 June, Middlesex v Australians (50 overs) www.lords.org

Raw Talent First held in 1768, the worldrenowned Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition continues an annual tradition of displaying works of relative unknowns, famous artists and members of the RA in equal billing. The theme for the 242nd exhibition is ‘Raw’, attracting around 11,000 submissions which have been sifted through to make in onto the prestigious gallery’s walls. With the majority of works on sale at varying price ranges, you can even take your favourite piece home. Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly 14 June-22 August 0844 209 1919 www.royalacademy.org.uk

connoisseur out & about

Smoking Hot Your chance to savour Winston Churchill’s favourite Cuban cigars when fifty Romeo y Julieta Piramidos, preserved in pristine condition for almost sixty years, go under the hammer at C. Gars Ltd’s vintage cigar auction at the Boisdale Belgravia. Over 150 lots of the most exquisite aged, rare and vintage Havana cigars will be on offer with Brian Ebbesen, formerly of Christie’s, conducting the auction from 7pm in his own inimitable style. A Champagne and canapé reception from 6pm lets you indulge in some of the finest English Market Selection UK regional edition Havana cigars. Boisdale Belgravia 21 June, www.cgarsltd.co.uk 020 7372 1865

Flavour of London Direct your rumbling stomach to Regent’s Park for four days of al fresco gluttony as over forty of London’s best restaurants, including a flurry of Michelin stars, show off their culinary handiwork. ‘Taste of...’ has become a nationwide phenomenon with events taking place in cities all over the country. Of these the London event in Regent’s Park must be one of the most enjoyable. Work your way through a range of miniature speciality dishes - visitors can sample seven or eight small courses in a meal - hot off the plates from Le Gavroche, Gordon Ramsay’s Boxwood Cafe, L’Atelier du Joel Robuchon and Theo Randall. Regent’s Park 17-20 June, www.tastefestivals.com/london

Uncover The City Each summer the City of London Festival brings the City’s unique buildings and outdoor spaces to life with an extensive artistic programme of music, visual arts, film, walks and talks, much of it free to the public. Inaugurated in 1962 to revitalise the cultural life of the City, the festival has established itself as one of the UK’s leading arts events. This year it opens at the Guildhall Old Library with the Portuguese Chamber Orchestra making its UK debut and with virtuoso Brazilian pianist Cristina Ortiz as soloist in Chopin’s Piano Concerto No 2. This is to be followed by an outdoor performance in Guildhall Yard, specially designed by Luke Jerram, where 21 young pianists will play a newly commissioned work for 21 upright pianos by Richard Causton, drawing on all 21 of Chopin’s Nocturnes. 21 June-9 July, www.colf.org 0845 120 7502

events

ALL

THE FUN

connoisseur

Date Fo

r The D

The M a Sund rylebone Summ ay 13 Jun er Fa 10am yre – 5pm e 2010, Mary lebon e Vill age

iary

T H E F AY R E

The Howard de Walden Estate has been running the annual Marylebone Summer Fayre for six years now and from all accounts, this year is set to be the biggest and best yet

he fayre is a celebration of all that’s great about Marylebone, as well as an opportunity to raise money for a great cause, The Teenage Cancer Trust. Sample the culinary delights on display from the local farmers market regulars, bustling market stalls and local retailers on Marylebone High Street. Satisfy the appetite with food from vast array of hot cooked food stalls pitching up for the day. Then burn off all the calories with some toe-tapping Samba, Jive or cheer-leading or relax to the sound of the Eclectic Bedford bandstand one day music concert with some Pimm’s or Prosecco in Paddington Gardens. And there’s plenty for the kids to do throughout the fayre but be sure not to miss the Orange Zone, where there’s enough to keep children of all ages entertained, from face painting to Ferris Wheels. Bustling market stalls, fantastic retailers, top quality entertainment, some of the best food and drink in London, and the truly distinctive community spirit that makes the area so desirable the Marylebone Summer Fayre truly has something for everyone. 

For more information on the Fayre please visit, www.marylebonesummerfayre.com

TEENAGE CANCER TRUST The Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity devoted to improving the lives of teenagers and young adults with cancer. The Trust understands that young people with cancer require specialist care and work everyday to make that happen through the funding and building of specialist units for young people in NHS hospitals. The aim is to have built enough units by 2012 so that every teenager in the UK will be treated in one. Beyond this, the Trust also provides a family support network, funds research into why young people get cancer and how best to treat it, education and awareness programs as well as medical courses for professionals at all levels. For more information, visit www.teenagecancertrust.org

LONDON HOMES&

PROPERTY SHOWCASING THE FINEST HOMES IN YOUR AREA

covering the city, canary DocKLanDS & Se LonDon COVERING ST. JOHN’S WOOD, PRIMROSEwharf, HILL, HAMPSTEAD & THE SURROUNDING AREA

KnightFrank.co.uk/Sales

The Old Chapel, St. Johns Wood NW8 Grand design in St John’s Wood

A historic former church just off St John’s Wood High Street with planning permission to convert into a truly unique and breathtaking residential house of approximately 14,000sq. ft incorporating reception area with vast triple height ceiling, swimming pool and underground parking. Freehold Guide price £15,000,000

Knight Frank St. Johns Wood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

Hamilton Terrace, St. Johns Wood NW8 Unmodernised detached house

Opportunity to create a beautiful family home. 7 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, office, 2 dining rooms, kitchen, laundry, cellar, guest WC, garden. Approximately 380.9sq.m (4,100sq.ft). Leasehold approximately 38 years Guide price ÂŁ5,000,000

Knight Frank St. Johns Wood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

KnightFrank.co.uk/Sales

Brunswick Place, Regent’s Park NW1

Classic Grade II listed Nash property dates back to 1824 This grand stucco fronted residence is excellently located at the Southern end of Regent’s Park (garden images above are of the nearby park ). 7 bedrooms (4 with en suite amenities), shower room, 4 reception rooms, kitchen/ breakfast room, double garage, original mews house. Approximately 490.6sq.m (5,281sq.ft). Leasehold approximately 147 years and 7 months Offers IEO £4,750,000

Knight Frank St. Johns Wood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

Greville Place, London NW6

Discreet Artists studio onto beautiful communal garden Situated on this attractive street lies this period gem. This property features triple height ceilings as well as many original period features. 3 bedrooms (1 with en suite shower room), bathroom, reception room, kitchen, communal garden. Approximately 156.1sq.m (1,680sq.ft). Share of freehold Guide Price ÂŁ1,750,000

Knight Frank St. Johns Wood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

KnightFrank.co.uk

Fitzrovia Apartments, Marylebone, W1W Manhattan meets Fitzrovia

This beautiful 6th floor apartment with south facing terrace provides a very high standard of living and excellent modern design. 3 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Reception room, Kitchen, Terrace, 24 hour porter, Lift. Approximately 100.8sq.m (1,085sq.ft). Leasehold 124 years ÂŁ1,575,000