Last weekend I jetted off to London for a short, yet very sweet, visit to celebrate theoutnet.com‘s fifth birthday party. Instead of heading straight back to Dubai, I decided to stay in the vibrant capital for an extra few days to discover the latest haunts with my girlfriends. Shopping aside, this is what I discovered – you can thank me later…
A snip and shape at Daniel Hersheson’s new place
First and foremost, book a good hair appointment so you’re preened and ready to wine and dine.
Any trip to London town isn’t the same without an experience with top stylist Premlee at Daniel Hersheson’s new salon on Conduit Street just off New Bond Street.
After a vigorous wash, massage and rinse, Premlee tamed my Dubai-damaged hair by, in his words, “chopping off the cobwebs”, taming my voluptuous locks and transforming it into retro-soft waves. I stepped on to New Bond Street feeling like a million dollars, if only I had the million dollars to spend at the shops opposite.
Cocktails at The Punch Room
Hidden away, this cosy little gem is the perfect place to catch up with the girls. Settle down on plush seats, crowd around a small table, order a punch bowl, and ladle the delicious concoction in to cut-glass tumblers and start gossiping. We can see why this secret spot is reservations only, so make sure to plan in advance. For reservations, email punchroom.ldn@editionhotels.com
Classy dinner at Berner’s Tavern
Ignore the deceiving name. This Michelin-starred restaurant is in no way, shape or form a ‘tavern’. Inheriting the name of a previous tavern from where it now stands, the glamorous eatery is the place to be and be seen. Situated in the new Editions hotel on Berner’s Street, the impressively vast Berner’s Tavern is filled with booths and decadent decor – all fours walls are covered with framed artwork.
With dinner scheduled for 9.30pm (note late reservation due to our pit-stop at the Punch Room), the dining room was a bubbling hub of top-notch guests; some snooty, some suited and booted and some intrigued tourists – I’ll take the latter.
We dined on roasted Cornish sea bass with brown shrimp, roast rump of Romney Marsh lamb and pan-braised Atlantic halibut served on a bed of squid ink risotto (avoid this dish at all costs on date night, unless your date likes black lipstick). We quaffed a Dhs300 bottle of grape, shared a toasted coconut Crème brûlée and stayed chatting until the waiter practically cleared us away with table linen at midnight. What can I say? We didn’t want to leave. reservations@bernerstavern.com
The hidden gem at Coya
We found ourselves on Piccadilly High Road peckish and ready for another cocktail. Naturally we headed to the new Peruvian hotspot, Coya.
Set in a restored Georgian house you’ll find a loud and large restaurant/ bar downstairs but what you really want to do is nab a table in the member’s lounge. Complete with approximately 10 tables, a two-man live band, a well-stocked bar and dim lights – it doesn’t get much more ambient than this.
Allow the waiter to select your sharing plates that include ceviche, quinoa and marinated beef while you soak up the atmosphere and the Peruvian-style cocktails.
With the zany restaurant manager, Cédric, making sure your hand is never empty, you’re guaranteed a good time.
Coya is set to come to Dubai at the new Four Season’s Resort Dubai at Jumeriah Beach Residence, opening in November 2014.
