Hot on the Highstreet Week 198

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The fun sweetie Swatch watches initially caught my eye in Paris, when I was browsing through the design pieces in concept heaven Colette. Here they stood out as cheap and cheerful amongst the luxuriously expensive jewellery.

Switzerland is renowned for watches, and Swatch has always been a popular brand with an accessible price mark and collections to suit all ages. When I was younger I loved my Flik Flak Swatch watches, which were available in varying endearing designs, often decorated with sparkling gems. For adults the colours and styles are endless, some are classic others very unique.

The current ‘Pastry Chefs’ special collection features 11 watches. This series is particularly nice for Spring and Summer, filled with the soft, sweet colours and illustrations of a candy shop. The designs are bright and tantalising, using favourite sweet treats like macaroons and liquorice to entice you. My favourite is the Sprinkled watch, in which the clock face and the plastic strap are covered completely in a photo of hundreds and thousands. This multi-coloured accessory will brighten up your wrist

The ‘Sprinkled’ Watch costs £44.50 and is available online here.

Brasserie Chavot, Mayfair

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Eric Chavot is a French legend, and the Michelin stars have followed him to every kitchen he has stepped foot in. Following stints in various hotels and renowned restaurants in London he has opened his own brasserie, in his own style, on Conduit Street W1. Previously critic AA Gill has proclaimed his cooking “as good as you can eat in London” and Marco Pierre White described him as “the best in London without a doubt”. So I guess it is hardly surprising that his newest venture, Brasserie Chavot is such a success. I eagerly antipated the culinary excellence, counting down the days to my visit.

To start we opted for the bizarre but intriguing, Snails Bouruignon with meatball and potato espuma and the less complicated Charcuterie selection. The snails arrived in a magical steaming pot of foam, wondrous layers of meaty goodness and creamy sauce, ideal for a cold winter meal. The feast of charcuterie was a challenge to finish, prettily presented on a newspaper covered board, every kind of salami with cornichons and terrine. I couldn’t help thinking what good value this array was for just £11.50.

Brasserie Chavot offers delicate and delicious recipes, the kind of dishes I tear out of magazines and put up on my notice board in the hope that one day I might make the effort and try them out in my own kitchen. Poussin for instance, why have I never tried this dainty little bird at home? It is such a treat… I relished the garlic and lemon drenched meat and the crispy, crunchy, salty skin. The star of the show though, as our waiter had subtly pointed out, was the rump of Oison venison with honey glazed root vegetables. This dish was cooked to perfection, and I am still regretting not choosing It myself. My guest was silent as he devoured the soft rich caramelised meat and vegetables. My regular mouthful stealing caused a Jackson Pollock-esque mess on the white tablecloth, but it was worth it. Creamy mash, pomme frites and broccoli were all just as scrumptious, as I’d expect from a French master of cooking, if I had to choose one it would be the mash which was impressively smooth and silky.

Chavot offers classic French puddings that are executed immaculately. My crème brulee was aromatically flavoured with hundreds of specks of real vanilla, whilst the chocolate-caramel ice-cream was a childish delight with a touch of sophistication.

No-one is pretentious or pompous in this restaurant… a bustling beautiful dining room filled with foodies enjoying faultless creations. Deservedly Michelin starred food in a blissfully casual environment, Brasserie Chavot is my kind of restaurant, I can’t wait to return.

More information and book here: brasseriechavot.com

David Almond and Franz Ackermann, White Cube Bermondsey

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When in London I like to spend Saturdays discovering new brunch menus and visiting art exhibitions. Bermondsey is an ideal area for weekend strolling, there are numerous cafés offering every cuisine and the prominent White Cube Gallery always offers something thought-provoking. With free entrance it is easy to drift in and wander through the tall clinically white interior.

Currently White Cube Bermondsey is exhibiting two very contrasting collections, both exhilarating in their own way. Darren Almond is an adventurous artist whose diverse work incorporates film, installation, sculpture and photography. In this instance he has produced an evocative series called ‘To Leave a Light Impression’, showcasing his mesmerizingly serene ‘Fullmoon’ series of photographs, depicting every continent in the light of the full moon, taken over a period of 13 years. The picture of Patagonia is particularly memorable, though each shot has its own eerily beautiful quality.

Franz Ackermann’s brightly coloured wall murals are completely different visually but just as impressive. The explosive spontaneity of the pieces is a joy to experience. The pictures are like complicated mind maps, vibrant layers of diverse materials. When you first encounter them the canvases look like a confused mess of neon hues. Walk closer, and a whole network of ideas becomes visible, to be interpreted differently by each viewer.

At the end of the art appreciation, pop into the shop to peruse the books. Next time you are wandering down Bermondsey Street in search of food, take ten minutes out to discover the imaginative world that the White Cube offers.

Continues until 13 April, more information here.