LFW Pick – Brasserie Zédel

Blinged out Belle Epoque

Fashion Week in London brings many events to look forward to, but by our count, these two take the cake: the Mary Katrantzou show, if her last effort (and most recent Topshop collab) was any indication, and a visit to Brasserie Zédel. From dynamic duo Jeremy King and Chris Corbin (of LUXE faves The Wolseley and The Delaunay), this incredibly atmospheric three-in-one diner/bar/cabaret captures the core of Paris and transports it to the heart of London – specifically, to the former ballroom of a Piccadilly Circus hotel constructed almost a century ago. The deco interiors have been restored to their former glory, so that upon crossing the threshold into the foyer you might feel as if you’ve stepped into the roaring twenties, and out for an evening of jazz at Crazy Coqs, a Mint Julep or two at Bar Américain, and a choucroute alsacienne or boudin noir in the main dining room. It should go without saying that if ever there was a reason to don the fabulous flapper dress stashed in the depths of your wardrobe, this is it. Amusez-vous bien, chéries!

20 Sherwood St. T: +44 020 7734 4888. W: brasseriezedel.com

London Restaurants – Little Social

Little Social, big style

There’s no doubt about it, celeb chef Jason Atherton has lately been busier than a paisley nightie. In addition to a slew of international openings, most recently Hong Kong’s 22 Ships and Shanghai’s Commune Social, the Brit chef has headed back to where he started, or just across the street anyway. Opposite his Michelin-starred  Pollen Street Social, Atherton this past March debuted Little Social, a velvet-curtained, low-ceilinged, booth-and-banquetted vintage throwback offshoot of the beloved original, offering Franco-inflected, Anglo-centric comfort dishes all elevated by Atherton’s deft hand. Pork head and foie gras terrine is sweetly sliced with a tea and prune purée, braised Irish ox cheeks are crumbed with sourdough and punctuated with sharp horseradish mash, and true to Atherton style, the desserts don’t disappoint – the pink peppercorn meringue with lemon and lime curd is nothing short of triumphant. And clever cocktails like the Ooh La La-tinez (Chateau du Breuil Fine calvados, Pierre Ferrand dry curacao, Dolin rouge vermouth, orange bitters) simply add to the fun. Pas mal, monsieur!

Paris Hotels – Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré

Ooh-la-looovely

We have so much to thank the French for, whether it be Chanel, French kissing, or le fromage bien fort, but not quite so widely-acknowledged are the number of pretty French words we’ve appropriated into the English language, ‘boutique’ being one of them. Now, if ever a hotel merited – nay, demanded – such a fetching descriptor, it is the Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Formerly the C.18th private mansion of Marquis de Lafayette, nestled into Paris’ 8th arrondissement, it has recently been refashioned into a 15-room luxury boutique hotel under the gimlet eye of architect and interior designer Michele Bönan. Alors, on y va!

Ding dong!

The suites are so amply dotted with historically-sensitive features like Grecian busts and urns, chaises longues, and Carrara marble bathrooms, you might wonder if the old Marquis ever moved out – but the addition of mod cons (40-inch flatscreens, free WiFi, Hermès bath products, all-important Nespresso machine, et al.), as well as contemporary canvasses and the occasional splash of bright colour will assure you that indeed, this is a thoroughly C.21st abode.

Le petit dej, with a difference!

But as is typical of a boutique hotel, Marquis Faubourg wastes no time with fussy restaurants or thumping cocktail bars as there’s plenty of both to be had in the surrounding area. They’ve kept it simple and discreet with private lounge Le Gilbert, serving breakfast and only light meals and drinks after that, as well as a gym tucked away in the cellar and a neighbouring spa that offers in-room treatments. Mais, what more could you possibly want, chérie?!

8 rue d’Anjou, Paris. T: +33 1 4480 0000. W: marquisfaubourgsainthonore.com

Amsterdam Hotels – Mayer Manor

Copper load of this tub for two

With Valentine’s Day drawing ever nearer, it’s time to secure the all-important romantic getaway, if you haven’t already. If you are totally wooed by the idea of a weekend spent luxuriating in rustic European grandeur, and nothing short of the ultimate in opulent accommodation will do, you’ll want to book quicksticks for the exclusive, exquisite one-bedroom apart-hotel Mayer Manor in Amsterdam. A three storey manse painstakingly restored to former glory (it was originally built as a convent in the C.15th), it boasts a handy situ smack bang in the historic old centre and yet offers all the privacy you could need to rekindle a romance. Come on in…

From Blauw to bed, easy

While the Mayer Manor’s ground level is home to the ‘Ten Club’, an Art Deco events space offering everything from song and dance to yoga and meditation, the top two floors are an intimate, old world oasis built for two: fluffy queen bed, freestanding vintage copper bathtub and rain shower, hardwood floors, original beamed ceilings, working wood fireplace and record player. It’s the perfect flopspot to retire to after a post-prandial canal-side stroll – how’s that for some right royal romance?

Sweet serenade spot

Nes 116-118, Amsterdam. E: for bookings email sleep@mayermanor.com. W: nes116.nl

For more romantic rendezvous points in Amsterdam, check out LUXE Amsterdam or download thefab app with maps!

London Hotels – citizenM Bankside

InSPIRALed

While visitors flock to London’s West End, savvy locals will tell you that South of the Thames boasts a far more offbeat and quintessentially London scene. It’s no surprise then that cutting-edge hotel group citizenM has hung its fashionable hat in Bankside, just a pork pie’s toss from foodie mecca Borough Market, Tate Brit’s hip little sis the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s iconic Globe theatre, and buzzy South Bank. But ssh! Don’t tell Tonya Tourist…

Not exactly your trad fireside situ!

The oh-so-mod experience begins upon arrival, with sleek touchscreen check-in terminals replacing the soooo last decade front desk concept. Come breakfast time, don’t bother calling room service, instead make your way to the ‘help-yourself’ canteen to rub shoulders with the city’s most stylish trendsetters, then kick back in common areas strewn with books, needlepoint cushions and colourful contempo art.

Go green!…or red, or blue

In the spirit of democracy, there’ll be no more ‘suite envy’ either: all rooms are identical in size with white walls, wooden floors, king-size beds and crisp linen sheets, with everything from the electric blinds and temperature, to the flatscreen TV and even the hue of light (blue, green or red) controlled via a touchscreen from the comfort of your own bed. Pah! Who needs people anyway?

Far from the madding crowds

20 Lavington St, London SE1. T: +44 20 3519 1680. W: citizenm.com/london-bankside

New York Shopping – The Armoury

Get sartorially sorted in this one-stop dandy shop

Dapper dudes of New York, listen up: Hong Kong’s finest artisanal one-stop men’s shop The Armoury has taken its top tailoring stateside – to Duane Street, to be precise. A stylish Tribeca menswear mecca, Armoury NY offers the same exquisite craftsmanship and meticulously-curated collection that first catapulted it to the top of the HK ladder, with the roster of tailors including Florence’s Liverano & Liverano, Japan’s Ring Jacket, and HK’s own Ascot Chang among renowned others. Silk ties by Drake’s London, handmade shoes by Saint Crispin’s, Fox umbrellas, and bespoke bags by Ortus round out the discerning offering, and it’s clear that whether it’s RTW, MTM, or fully bespoke service you need, TANY is the final stop for gents dressing to impress.

168 Duane St, New York. T: +1 646 613 7613. W: thearmoury.com

THE LUXE LIFE: CARLO PAZOLINI FALL CAMPAIGN

Luxe Campaign: If for nothing else it was the “lifestyle” projecting off these pix that drew my attention. How fabulous would it be to be whisked off into the glorious sunset on a private jet? Yes, my loves I’m already making arrangements and rushing the housekeepers to pack my vintage LV luggage in my imaginary life. LOL! Don’t judge me, please. Carlo Pazolini’s Fall 2012 campaign oozes luxury and I absolutely love it. Where will you jet off to given the opportunity?