Attend : Armani / Deli

Armani/Deli @ Armani/Hotel, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, UAE

 I had a fantastic lunch at Armani/Deli when I was in Dubai recently. Ever since the world's first Armani/Hotel opened here in 2010, I've wanted to visit and see what all the hype was about.

Armani/Deli is situated in the lower floors of the hotel, at the base of the Burj Khalifa (The world's tallest building at 829.8m) The interior is as slick and stylish as you would expect from Armani, a black and cream minimal place.

The menu was traditionally Italian with a modern twist - we both had our 'go to' signature dishes - 'Spaghetti Lobster', and 'Black Truffle Pappardelle' - needless to say they were absolutely delicious.

Armani/Deli is, naturally, set out like a deli, with a large seating area. The seated section has beautiful calm views over the Dubai fountains along to The Address hotel. The deli section features freshly prepared dishes, cold cuts, deserts, and a bar / coffee counter.

 We had a great lunch here, it was a cool place to chill, away from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Dubai - The service was immaculate and the prices surprisingly reasonable.

 I'd now love to visit some of the other food and beverage outlets in the Armani/Hotel, maybe next time I'm in Dubai!

Armani/Deli - Website

Burj Khalifa - Website

Attend : Woburn Coffee House

Woburn Coffee House, 21 Market Place, Woburn.

 Bank holiday weekend calls for a day out in the countryside : we visited historic Woburn, a perfect Georgian village. We were visiting to take afternoon tea at Woburn Coffee House.

 Situated in a 400 year old house on Market Place, Karen and her team have created a beautifully fresh boutique coffee house: a modern traditional interior, combining mix match crockery, and a beautiful walled garden to sip Pimms in the summer months.

 We were presented with an amazing 5 tier platter of finger sandwiches, scones, slices of cake, brandy snaps, Mille-Feuille and beautifully crafted cream profiteroles in the shape of swans.
 Whatever you can't manage can be taken home in a goody box...

Woburn Coffee Shop features a tranquil walled garden, opened up in Summer months for afternoon tea and Pimms.

 Woburn itself is a quintessentially British village - dating back to Saxon times. It's even been listed in The Sunday Times as one of the 'best places to live in Britain'
 The village has lots of cool antique shops, restaurants, gift shops, a farmers market and great scenery - all this, and only an hour from central London...

Woburn Coffee House
21 Market Place,
Woburn,
Bedfordshire.

Reservations : 01525 290050
Web : Woburn Coffee House 
Web : Woburn Village 

Attend : 'Fish & Chips', Prague

Fish and Chips, 21 Dlouha Street, Prague

 After a long weekend break in Prague, I stumbled upon a restaurant that was a pure case of right time, right place - there was nothing I fancied more on that Sunday afternoon than a good old English Fish & Chips.

 Quintessentially British in design, a rarity in the gothic architecture of Prague, this simple, stylish and modern Fish & Chip shop was both a 'take away' and a sit down restaurant.
 The simple design was paired with a simple menu, made modern with the additional serving of mini bottles of Veuve Clicquot.  

 The cod was perfect in beer batter, the chips were just the right 'chippy' chips - Gourmet Fish & Chips! The interiors had quirky takes on all things traditionally fish and chips - newspaper wallpaper, red phone boxes, soho writing and quirky 'Save Water - Drink Champagne' slogans.

 The dining area was reminiscent of London tube tiles with 60's pop art and an opulent glass chandelier centre piece. The swinging glass doors opened directly onto the street, ready for some people watching...

 Fish and Chips,
 21 Dlouha Stret, Prague
 Facebook page : Fish and Chips

Instagram : The last month

Photo Update

April - A busy month again, well I did run The London Marathon this month!
I did manage to get some other stuff in other than running and training. This is what I've been up to:

L-R: Driving over Tower Bridge, the next time I would cross this would be during the Marathon; Sweetie Darling, It's Patsy and Eddie's house, my training helped me rediscover my local neighbourhood; Registration Time, the big day finally came!

 L-R: Stylish times, spring finally came and I still found time to dress up; Cut Throat Shave, you need to look good to run, treating myself to some pampering time; Bob Bob Ricard, you also need to eat lots to run - BBR was amazing.

 L-R: Buddha Bar Prague, time to relax post Marathon; Neon Chandelier in the Buddha Bar restaurant - my first night out drinking in 4 months; Reservé, Our party table!

 Follow me on Instagram : @opulentscrawls
 http://instagram.com/opulentscrawls

Instagram : The last month

Photo update

I realize it's been a month since I've posted - it's been busy. This is what I've been up to:

 L-R: Damien Hirst at The Belvedere, Holland Park; Sunday outfit - A new Tom Ford pocket square and Louis Vuitton Electric boots; Patum Peperium 'The Gentleman's Relish' Ltd Ed porcelain cases at Partridges; Food Heaven at The Belvedere, Holland Park

 L-R: Snowy Days on my Vespa; Snowy Rooftops - A view from my apartment; Goyard on Mount Street - My new shopping destination street; Cable Knit - A new deep green cable knit with toggles from Joules

 L-R: Boulevard - in Paris for trade fairs, watching the sunset from the hotel; Folies Bergere - Stumbling across Art Deco Icons whilst shopping in Paris; Desert Retreat - Some relaxing time at Qasr Al Sarab, Liwa Desert, UAE; Dune Bashing - some adrenaline driving in the desert

 Follow me on Instagram : @opulentscrawls

 http://instagram.com/opulentscrawls

Attend : Milestone Hotel

Champagne Afternoon Tea : The Milestone Hotel, Kensington

 I can't think of a better way to spend a post Christmas afternoon than taking a relaxing festive afternoon tea.
 Whilst everyone else was out battling to the sales to do yet more shopping, I took in the quintessentially English interiors of 'The Park Lounge' at The Milestone Hotel on Kensington Court.

 The Grade II listed building dates back to circa 1880, and the hotel today is named after the original cast iron milestone that still stands in it's original position beside the establishment.

 
The festive champagne afternoon tea menu kept all the important tradition of finger sandwiches but served with a festive twist;

 Mini squares of Christmas cake, and miniature mince pies were served alongside freshly baked scones, only bought to your table at request to ensure they were freshly baked, served with clotted cream and homemade jam.
   Finger sandwiches included a new take on a classic; round cut chicken sandwich rolled in chopped almonds.

 I loved the wooden paneled interiors of this hotel, the beautiful vintage caricatures adorning the walls. The restaurant, Chenestons, looked amazing and I'd love to go back and dine in the adjoining oratory area.

 The Milestone is like finding a hidden gem of tradition amongst all the ultra slick modern hotels in London. Located opposite Kensington Palace it feels stepped in history and definitely opulently English.

 The Milestone Hotel : Website
 1 Kensington Court
 London
 W8 5DL

Hillgate Village

Instagram : @mrpaulcharles

 Hillgate village is best described as the area immediately south of Notting Hill Gate. The are is famous for it's multi-coloured houses, village feel and blossoming restaurant scene.
 The sun eventually came out on Saturday, and walking around I briefing re-discovered this local area. It's definitely an area that I'm going to go back to, re-discover and utilize the local businesses.

  A famous restaurant in the area is 'Geales'- I've heard of this before (apparently having the best fish & chips in London) and it was great to finally find it.
 We're already planning an evening here to sample the menu... (a post on this coming soon)

 Other interesting sights in the area are the quintessentially village style shops & services with a modern twist including hairdressers, sushi schools, antique shops. It's an upmarket area but being close to Notting Hill Gate it has that great mix of established life / street influence / village style.

Geales Restaurant
2 Farmer Street London, W8 7SN
phone: 020 7727 7528
web: http://www.geales.com/