Affinity

TRAVELyour breathaway, as doesthe food withM i c h e l i n -s t a r r e dExecutive ChefJason Athertonputting a twiston traditionalBritish cuisinewith ar e s t a u r a n tmenu that ise n t i r e l ysourced in the UK, prawn cocktail with lobsterjelly, avocado and crispy shallot, roasted loin ofrabbit, Alsace bacon, carrot and rabbit Bolognese,BBQ turbot T-bone, summer vegetables,Escabeche broth and tarragon, flaming Alaska andstrawberry éclair, mascarpone cream andchocolate sorbet, are just a few of theenticing dishes on offer. A meal here is areal occasion, food is impressive, service issecond to none, décor elegant anddelightful and the ambience is just perfect. After dinner The Lobby Bar proved tootempting for us to not try one of the iconiccocktails which included ‘Room with aView’, ‘Vintage Vesper’ and ‘Sloe LongSweet-Tart’ – Cocktails drunk we retired toour room for a restful nights sleep.Back in Berners Tavern for breakfast wasjust as enjoyable a dining experience as thenight before, buzzing with residents,corporate meetings, family breakfasts - therestaurant caters for everyone, though this doesn’t meanthe service or taste is compromised, with the freshestmost delicious breakfast choices, mine being a banana,granola, honey and milk smoothie and a full Englishbreakfast that was mouthwateringly delicious (in fact, mymouth still waters thinking about it). Other menu choices

include hazlenut waffles,berries and cream, Severn &Wye cured smoked salmonand scrambled eggs,Lincolnshire Poacher cheeseand smoked ham omlette plus avast selection of juices andsmoothies to accompany the manytasty breakfastchoices – you cansee why thisplace is a hit withcelebrities andthe London Elite,proving whateveryone saysthat once you’rehere you won’twant to leave, it

is a pure escapisim, with its luxurious décor, absolutelyoutstanding dining, warm friendly service, personal andmodern touches we can see why.Rates from £335 per nightwww.editionhotels.com

Imposing

The lap of luxury

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Unique, luxurious and wonderfully invigorating arenot usually the words used to describe a couple ofdays in London in the middle of the schoolsummer holidays, but that was exactly what we found atThe London EDITION Hotel which blendsgroundbreaking innovation, great design, outstandingdining with a personal, friendly, modern service. Located in Fitzrovia on the edge of London’s Sohoneighborhood, it’s no wonder the likes of Angelina Jolie,George Clooney and Cara Delevingne like to pay thisexqusite boutique hotel a visit.Doormen usher you in through a doorway that is lit fromabove by rows of lightbulbs into a magnificent lobby thatmixes old and new effortlessly. With it’s huge mirroredegg hanging from the high ceiling to the snooker table androaring fire all blending together to create a public spacethat wouldn’t look out of place in a combined countrymanor and classic London private gentleman's club.After traipsing from one press show to another onovercrowded tube trains and fighting our way throughOxford Street shoppers we returned to our room with its

soft white linens, warm walnut tones that are echoed inthe wood panelled walls, oak floors and fur throws to finda delightful fresh Gin Cocktail made by the Lobby Bar’sMixologist waiting for us, a lovely touch after a hectic day. Refuelled and refreshed we headed down to Berner’sTavern, one of the hottest places to eat in London, anelegant work of art from floor to ceiling. The lighting isgentle and subdued, walls are filled with numerouspaintings, the icing on the cake being two hugechandeliers, hanging overhead modelled on those foundin NYC’s Grand Central Station, in fact the décor takes

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