Connaught Bar
There are times that any old bar will do, and there are times — special occasions, promotions, a need to feel more civilized than you can surrounded by drunks at the local pub — that a more elegant venue is called for. The Connaught Bar is one of the latter. Located inside the storied hotel of the same name, this luxurious house of drink features an interior inspired by English Cubist and Irish 1920's art, and is known far and wide for its Martini Trolley, from which the journeymen bartenders serve up the signature cocktail with great flair. Not in the martini mood? You might try the summertime refreshment known as the Mulata Daisy with Bacardi white rum, lime juice, sugar, and Galliano, or opt for their new whiskey and bespoke chocolate tasting, which is every bit as decadent as it sounds.
Tayyab's
Traditional English food can be great when done right, but it can also get a bit boring after a while. Spice up your trip to the Isles with a stop at Tayyab's. Family owned and operated since its opening in 1972, this Whitechapel spot was originally a complex of four eateries that have since been combined into one sophisticated space offering fantastic Punjabi cuisine. Highlights include the wonderfully spicy dry meat, lamb chops, and naan flatbread; also worthy of note is the fact that the place is unlicensed and doesn't charge a corkage fee, meaning you can enjoy a far better bottle of wine for far less money than if you had to order it off a house wine list. [via]
Filson London
No longer must our friends across the pond lust longfully after our rustic outdoor apparel — Filson London just opened. Located in SoHo, the shop is the brand's first outside of the Pacific Northwest, and stocks a variety of Filson products, with a special focus on jackets, leather goods, bags, and luggage. Authentic vintage luggage will also be on offer, alongside store exclusives, and at least a couple items in safety orange.
Monocle Cafe
We've already told you about their amazing stores — and now they're getting ready to feed both your body and mind. Opening April 15, the Monocle Café is an equally cozy space offering freshly roasted coffee from the team at Allpress Espresso in Shoreditch, treats from Masayuki Hara's Lanka, including macarons, green-tea roll-cake and strawberry gateau, and other goodies like Swiss-inspired bircher muesli, a Monocle toasty and a Midori salad made from seasonal ingredients. Seating for approximately 15 guests is available on the main floor — along with some magazine racks displaying current and back issues of Monocle — but if you happen to be a subscriber, you can book the downstairs space, which offers vintage Ercol chairs, a projector and screen for presentations or screenings, and a comfy couch for listening to live broadcasts of Monocle 24.
Ceviche
It's no where near Latin America, but that doesn't stop Ceviche from serving up authentic Peruvian cuisine. This SoHo spot stands out for its clean appearance and its place as the city's only Pisco Bar and cevicheria. Beyond the aforementioned drink and dish, it also offers up a variety of tapas-like small plates, including cancha, a crunchy corn treat, ensalada de quinoa, with tomatoes, avocado, butter beans, and coriander, and grilled skewers of beef heart, chicken, amazonian fish, or octopus. In fact, nearly everything about the place is 100% Peruvian, from the art on the walls to the music, some of which comes from the founder's own label, Tiger's Milk.
Artesian at The Langham Hotel
Yes, they serve straight spirits and wine, but if you're ordering anything but a cocktail at the Artesian at The Langham Hotel, you're doing it wrong. Renowned as one of the — if not the — best cocktail bars in the world, this chic cocktail bar's interior is rivaled in opulence only by the drinks themselves. See, for example, the Halloween special Box'o'Bones, a drink presented in an antique box, poured over bone marrow to enhance the flavors and experience. Like we said: cocktails.
Nightjar
Named after a nocturnal bird, Nightjar is a great place to enhance your evening in The Smoke. This high-end cocktail bar takes drink making to a whole new level with art gallery-worthy presentations and spectacular flavors. The menu is divided into four sections, focusing on Pre-Prohibition, Prohibition, Post-war, and Signature drinks, respectively, and they also offer metal straws, hip flasks for taking your drink with you, collapsing shot cups, wine, and vintage spirits and liqueurs. The only downside? It's table service only, so if you were planning to belly up to the bar, you'd best look elsewhere.
The Hideout
There are plenty of legendary men's stores in The City, but if suits and dress shirts aren't really your thing, The Hideout will be more than happy to oblige. Founded in 1998 under the moniker "Hit and Run", this interesting store offers the best in Japanese streetwear, alongside selections from brands like Stussy, Norse Projects, and Palace. Of course, you might be interested in more than just clothing, so the store also offers a selection of lifestyle goods including toys, Apple accessories, and incense.
La Suite West
Nestled on a quiet street near Hyde Park, La Suite West might not look like an ultra modern hotel — but its ornate exterior belies the clean lines inside. The creation of renowned designer Anouska Hempel, the interior of La Suite celebrates minimalism with a stark black and white color palette, modern furniture, and Asian details. The guestrooms offer four-poster beds, Molton Brown amenities, a minibar, UK & US power sockets, and free Wi-Fi, while the in-house restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a similarly clean interior that spill out into the meticulously trimmed garden.
