Insider: John Seilis
You're not very likely to find many people who would know their way around the nuances of London life better than John Seilis, the New Zealand-born Londoner, entrepreneur, Latvian and citizen of the world who has recently visited his 191st country. John Seilis is also a member of several elite London clubs. The following list of London spots and addresses can be considered practically essential: all of them are John's favourites.
Breakfast Places
Among his favourite breakfast places John lists The Wolseley (160 Piccadilly, W1; phone 020 7499 6996, www.thewolseley.com ); it shares its owners with Ivy; The Wolseley is on Piccadilly, just opposite the Ritz. "Fantastic atmosphere. It used to be Wolseley's motor showroom, and they kept the cars right on the marble floor."
If you are planning a shopping trip to Harrods or a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum, an ideal place for breakfast (or lunch) is the Brompton Quarter Café (223-225 Brompton Road, SW3 EJU, www.bromptonquartercafe.com). "Excellent patisserie and organic cuisine." Or perhaps the Emporio Armani Café (191, Brompton Road, SW3 1NE, phone 020 7823 8818, www.emporioarmani.com), a small Italian bistro above the Emporio Armani store, "normally not crowded at all since many people don't even know it exists. Excellent food and great service."
Among other places unknown to most people John also names Sotheby's Café (34-35 New Bond Street, W1, phone 020 7293 5000; www.sothebys.com). „Most people simply haven't thought of looking for a café in this place. Sotheby's Café is located on the ground floor of the auction house and is an excellent spot for your morning coffee, afternoon tea or even a light lunch. Excellent snacks that go well with a glass of wine." Sotheby's is London's most prestigious auction house, founded in 1744, twenty-two years before its rival, Christie's.
Restaurants and Bars
John's favourite London restaurant is still Le Caprice (Arlington House, Arlington Street, SW1A, phone 020 7629 2239, www.caprice-holdings.co.uk), a place that celebrated its 25th birthday in 2006. "This is a sort of eternal value in this ever-changing world. A very reliable place, it has never disappointed me - neither with its food nor service. Dinner at Le Caprice is always an experience and always a perfect one. It's a hangout for interesting media and show business types."
Another of John's old favourites, a place that has managed to last without losing its popularity, is Cecconis (5a Burlington Gardens, W1 3EP, phone 020 7434 1500; www.cecconis.co.uk). An elegant and expensive Italian restaurant, a popular rendezvous spot for successful banking and real estate professionals as well as for people from the art and fashion circles.
San Lorenzo (22 Beauchamp Place, SW3, phone 020 7584 1074), is already something of a legend. "Most people who know their way around London life know San Lorenzo. It is a family-owned Italian restaurant in Knightsbridge - since 1963 - and used to be one of Princess Diana's favourite dining places. Should you ever notice a crowd of paparazzi swarming in front of its entrance at around tenish, you can be sure that someone or other from the Hollywood, media, sports or show business elite is having dinner there. Impressive little scenes are not a rarity at San Lorenzo, for example, Mara Berni, the owner of the place, takes the liberty of joining the diners in the hall while wearing home slippers once in a while; and yet all the glamour types at the tables immediately tear themselves away from their plates and do their best to pass themselves off as the lady's best buddies. One thing is absolutely clear: the owner can afford to look any old way she chooses because she owns something very valuable - the keys to one of the most desirable places of status in the western world. At San Lorenzo they do not accept credit cards - simply because they can, what with being such a famous and unique restaurant."
On the other hand, if you are interested in the latest and hottest venues in London, you have to go to St Alban (4-12 Lower Regent Street, SW1Y 4 PE, phone 020 7499 8558; www.stalban.net), also owned by the Wolseley. Just like at all trendy places, do book your table well in advance.
Another relatively new place where you will have to book a table in advance is Cipriani (25 Davies Streer, W 1K 3DE, phone 020 7399 0500; www.cipriani.com). "That's a really expensive Italian restaurant, located in Mayfair and owned by the same people who are the proprietors of the legendary Harry's Bar in Venice. And, of course, they do serve their equally legendary Bellini cocktail (peach juice plus Prosecco). Watch out for the "limousine parade" every night before closing time."
Claridge's Bar (Brook Street, W1, www.claridges.co.uk) is also one of the trendiest places of the day. It's particularly popular among young bankers who arrive after 6 pm to wet their whistle with a spot of rosé champagne.
And don't forget Hush (8 Lancaster Court, W1, phone 020 7659 1500; www.hush.co.uk), co-owned by Roger Moore's son Geoffrey. "The small street in which Hush is located is getting more popular by the day, and yet you are not likely to stumble upon it by accident. You will also find the Hush-Up Restaurant there.
Look for some of the best steaks in London at Mews on Mayfair (10-11 Lancashire Court, New Bond Street, W1S 1EY, phone 020 7518 9388; www.mewsofmayfair.com), also at all restaurants of the Argentine Gaucho Grill chain (89 Sloane Avenue, SW3 3DX, phone 020 7584 9901; www.gaucho-grill.com). Each one of them is worth a visit. An ideal proportion of price and quality."
The best fish cuisine in London is definitely at Scott's (20 Mount Street, W1K 2 HE, phone 020 7495 7309; www.scotts-restaurant.com). The restaurant is located in the prestigious Mayfair district and owned by the same people who are also the proprietors of La Caprice and Ivy.
"My favourite Italian restaurant in London is Zafferano (15 Lowndes Street, SW1X 9EY, phone 020 7235 5800; www.zafferanorestaurant.com). Excellent Tuscan cuisine." Zafferano is also considered one of the three best truffle places in London during the season.
The best foie gras can definitely be found at Club Gascon (57 West Smithfield, EC1, phone 020 7796 0600) - ten different versions of foie gras at that. Club Gascon is located near the old Smithfield meat market, well hidden and practically unnoticeable from the street. The service staff wear Miyake, the house is always full and you will definitely need to book your table in advance.
„If Maze (10-13 Grosvenor square W1K 6JP, phone 020 7107 000; www.gordonramsay.com) still remains unsurpassed in London for its kitchen, then the best French and continental cuisine can be sampled at Tom Aikens (43 Elystan Street, SW1W 9PA, phone 020 7318 8747; www.tomaikens.co.uk). Aikens is an English chef, the restaurant is located in Chelsea and was designed by Anouska Hempel. "Sophisticated cuisine and an interior in which the tiniest detail has been given thought."
John says his favourite Chinese restaurant is Yauatcha (15 Broadwick Street, W1F ODI, phone 020 7494 8888). "Contemporary minimalist design by Christian Liaigre, youthful and trendily dressed service staff, excellent 21st century Chinese cuisine. An outstanding dim sum." Excellent Chinese food is also served at the Dorchester Hotel restaurant.
Perfect Cuban rum daiquiris, lobsters brought live form Cuba each week, DJs from the Latin countries and live Cuban music till the wee hours - all of that you will find at Floridita (100 Wardour Street, W1F OTN, phone 020 7314 4000; www.floriditalondon.com).
Boisdale of Belgravia (13-15, Eccleston Street, SW1W 9LX, phone 020 7730 6922; www.boisdale.co.uk) could be rated as a "slightly eccentric" restaurant. Located on the border of the Belgravia district near Victoria Station, it remains true to the best traditions of Scottish cuisine (think marinated salmon from Scotland). Live jazz every night. The interior is markedly old fashioned, nothing to do with the 21st century.
A shining example of the "slightly off the wall" London restaurant scene is Borscht 'n' Tears (4-6 Beauchamp Place SW3, phone 020 589 5003), originally opened by a Latvian émigré. Since his death the place is run by his widow, a Serbian, and their son. "Perhaps the kitchen is not really among the best, but the ambience is colourful. They play Russian music every night, lots of Russians and Serbs among the customers. You may meet a Latvia-born Russian or two among the staff there. A good place to come for your vodka fix."
Afternoon Tea
The best afternoon tea in London is served at the Ritz (150 Piccadilly, W1, phone 020 7493 8181; www.theritzlondon.com). It is strongly advised to book your table well in advance. The same goes for the Conservatory restaurant at the Lanesborough Hotel (Hyde Park Corner, SW1, phone 020 7259 5599; www.lanesborough.com), named as the best place to have the afternoon tea by the British Tea Council in 2005. The hotel itself, a real gem of neoclassicism, is located in the building that used to house St George's Hospital. The room where afternoon tea is served from 3.30 pm to 10 pm has a glass ceiling in the literal sense of the phrase.
Hotels
You can't really taste the flavour of London unless you visit at least some of the city's old hotels, traditional to the bone. The Dorchester (53 Park Lane, W1), the Berkeley (Wilton Place, SW1), Claridge's (Brook Street, W1), the Ritz (150 Piccadilly, W1), the Savoy (5 Maddox Street, W1), the Connaught (Mayfair, W1 K 2AL)."You will never get it wrong if you ask someone to meet you there, if you simply drop in for a cup of coffee or a drink at the bar. Besides, all of these hotels have been recently renovated."
The Metropolitan (Old Park Lane, W1, www.metropolitan.co.uk) is a modern and popular hotel. "They have a really flexible pricing policy, and sometimes you can get a room for a very good price indeed. Metropolitan has two other strong points: it is housing the well known Nobu restaurant and also the Met Bar, popular among Londoners; the latter is otherwise available for members only. Actually, what you are paying for when you stay at the Metropolitan is the Met Bar, the ambience and the public. The hotel is a favourite among the music and fashion business circles."
A hybrid of the traditional London style and a modern five star hotel is the Mandarin Oriental (66 Hyde Park, Knightsbridge, SW1, www.mandarinoriental.com/london). This building used to host the Hyde Park Hotel where Queen Elizabeth II learned ball room dancing and all sorts of high society balls and cocktail parties used to be held. The hotel restaurant offers a fabulous view on Hyde Park.
"A hotel and restaurant many Londoners have no idea even exists is the Goring Hotel (www.goringhotel.co.uk) not far from Buckingham Palace. Politicians and business people hold discreet meetings there."
The Halkin (5 Halkin Street, SW1) is a smaller but very chic hotel, one of the most stylish and comfortable in London. It is located in Belgravia district and owned by Christina Ong, a well-known figure in these circles, and she has no shortage of loyal clients, including fashion personalities. The staff wear uniforms designed by Armani and you will find products by Bvlgari in the bathroom.
The Knightsbridge Hotel ( 10 Beaufort Gardens, SW3, www.knightsbridgehotel.com) is not quite so expensive and yet very elegant; it is situated not far from Harrods. So is Sydney House (9-11 Sydney Street, Chelsea, SW3 6PU, www.sydneyhousechelsea.com).
It's hard to believe that anyone would pay much attention to a hotel like Hilton while in London, and yet, thanks to Galvin at Windows (22 Park Lane, W1K 1BE, phone 020 7208 4021; www.hilton.co.uk/londonparklane), the London Hilton now should be considered a style destination. There was a time when Hilton's 28th floor "window to the world" was only a tourist attraction but since the Galvin brothers, well known figures in the London restaurateur circles, have taken over, the interior (minimalist, staff in black and white) is not the only thing that has changed here: now the place attracts different type of restaurant-goers.
„A good choice within its locality is the Charlotte Street Hotel (15 Charlotte Street, W1, www.charlottestreethotel.com), a small hotel frequented by film studio, advertising and recording business types. The interior is a nod to the Bloomsbury Group formed by Cambridge graduates in the early 20th century, and several works of art created by members of this group are a part of this design. The Oscar Bar of the hotel is also quite popular."
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