London Calling: Restaurant & Party Edition
Why do I love London? That is easy. It is the perfect combination of tradition, and pomp and circumstance juxtaposed with a cool, hip, rock n’roll vibe that really makes the city come alive. There is truly something for everyone whether you are a history buff, a lover of the monarchy, a rock n’ roller, or a fashionista. You are guaranteed to find something in this majestic city that will strike your fancy. For all of those reasons, and my dear friend’s Helene birthday celebration, crossing the pond was a must!
The Birthday Girl
The Ladies and I at Park Chinois
This wasn’t any old birthday trip. Think a girls extravaganza,, multiply it by 40 women, and enlist the help of Nurit Kahane Haase – known for planning the most fabulous, fun, and over the top trips through Journey Corp. and you have a fab adventure.
Chefs from Chiltern Firehouse
Salt and Pepper Shaker
I managed to show a little restraint – and passed on dessert. I mean it was just lunch after all.
Carrot Salad
After a disco nap, I threw on some heels, red lipstick, and got ready for a night on the town. We had dinner at new Asian restaurant in Mayfair called Park Chinois. It is dimly lit w a sultry jazz singer in the backgound – the Duck de Chine is perfectly prepared, and the dessert? Trust me, you will do yourself, your friends, and your companion a favor and order the chocolate/gold dessert. Gold? Yep. Over the top? Yep. Worth every calorie? 100%
Gold Chocolate
The following morning we traveled by bus to the English countryside to Cliveden House, a Relais and Chateau property. On the way, we visited Hampton Court… more on that later. Cliveden has a very torrid history and looked like it was right out of the Downton Abby TV series except smaller. There were even servants bells in the basement.
Servants Bells
The birthday party that Nurit organized was perfect. Her team did not miss a single detail from the food to the flowers to the entertainment. The dinner was delectable, there was a DJ and dancing, but the piece de resistance was the cake. It wasn’t just any cake, it was an Hermes Birkin Bag cake. Well, when being over the top in an Olde English Manse one can’t shirk their cake duties!
Birkin Birthday Cake
We begrudgingly left our very own episode of Downton to truly experience the London social scene. We were invited to a luncheon at the London Design Center by Niki and Terence Cole. The Design Center has become an international destination for designers and design lovers. It was our group, Niki, Terence, and some of their close friends. This wasn’t any lunch. Terence hired a quartet of singers who sang our favorite Rat Pack songs. Anyone who knows me, knows I can’t resist an opportunity to get on stage and sing! I still can’t believe I did it! I had so much fun. Plus the food and flowers were divine as you can see by the photos.
Design Center Lunch
Beautiful Bouquet
Table set up at Design Lunch
Lemon Tarte
Beet Salad
One of our last nights there we saw the critically acclaimed revival of Miss Saigon. Keeping with the Asian theme we dined at Sexy Fish post show. The hottest ticket in town, followed by the hottest table in town? Yes, please! The show was incredible, and the food post show did not disappoint. I mean look at this dessert tray!!!
Dessert at Sexy Fish
Between the singing, dancing, dining, and celebrating Helene, I would have to say that the Queen Mum herself could not have had a better time in London.
Group Photo
Tune in next week as I tell you all about the rest of my time in London.
If you have any comments, or suggestions on where I should travel next let us know in the comment box below!