Hot on the Highstreet Week 195: Fashion Week Ready

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For all those fashionistas out there in need of a beauty fix during Fashion Week, I have compiled a little black book of helpful contacts and beauty bars who will primp and preen you ready for another day of catwalks and couture chaos.

Blow dry – After back to back shows and after parties you will be feeling drab and drowsy. Blow dries are the perfect pick-me-up, a quick and glamorous solution to tired limp locks. Blow Bar in Islington is a lovely little boutique, closer to the catwalk try Hersheson blow dry bars in Westfield Shepherd’s Bush or New Change in the city.

Mani-Pedi – For stand-out nails, WAH Nails is the best of the bunch. Located downstairs in the Topshop flagship store on Oxford Street, here you can mimic the trends from the designers or select a design from the colourful Wah inspiration board. If you are hanging around the Notting Hill area I urge you to try Sophie Gass, this stylish salon will prettify your fingers and toes whilst you sip a cappuccino and browse on their ipads.

Speedy Facial – The Bliss brand is brilliant for quick and revitalising treatments. Visit the Sloane Avenue venue and try the 30 minute Oxygen Blast facial, which I found had amazingly relaxing and glowing effects.

Roots refresh – FOUR salon is just off Regent’s Street and specialises in hair colour treatments. The charming girls will lighten and brighten your roots, so you’ll be ready fabulously fast.

Mini massage– Stiff from carrying too many lookbooks and squeezing into uncomfortable heels? Treat yourself to an indulgent mini massage, best found at the Space NK Spa. I can recommend the 30 minute Reviving Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage.

Hopefully after these little luxuries you will look and feel like a supermodel, and will be ready to watch the pros strut down the runways all day long.

The Hind’s Head, Bray

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When Heston bought the last remaining traditional pub in Bray in 2010, locals complained that the small village was being turned into “Hestonworld”. This self-taught British chef now has three establishments in Bray, The Fat Duck, Hind’s Head and The Crown, alongside his more metropolitan eatery in London’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Dinner. Despite the odd grumble no one can deny that Heston Blumenthal has single-handedly revolutionised the UK restaurant scene and transformed our perceptions of cooking and eating.

Unable to afford the time and money needed to secure a table at The Fat Duck, I travelled to Bray for a weekend in December to enjoy a breath of fresh air and some Heston food at the Hind’s Head instead. It is a 15th century pub in the heart of the picturesque village of Bray, conveniently located just five minutes from Maidenhead in Berkshire. Here Heston combines his unique approach to cooking and seasonal produce with good old English culinary traditions offering historic dishes with a twist of innovation and creativity. Head Chef Kevin Love creates lovely looking plates of wholesome and delicious food in a menu that focuses on British favourites. Locally sourced ales and sublime cocktails provide an impressive drinks menu.

Locals love to meet here, whilst visitors travel far to experience Heston’s food without the fuss and mortgage sized bill. When I visited this homely pub, I couldn’t help wondering about Heston’s acquisition of the property, why a quaint little pub in Bray? The world-renowned chef explains that this pub has always been special to him… it was where he enjoyed a much-needed pint after a stressful service on Sundays in the Fat Duck. When the opportunity arose in 2004 to take it over he jumped at the chance eager to pay homage to the pub’s 500 year history with recipes inspired by Britain’s rich culinary heritage. Initially sceptical, I was amazed by the Hind’s Head… a venue which manages to sustain all the atmosphere and history whilst showcasing Heston’s faultless food.

Homemade crusty brown bread with crushed sea salt butter was in danger of filling us up all too soon. We abstained from a second piece, the main courses deserved our full appetite. Roast meals are nearly always a disappointment when you eat them anywhere but home… aside from when Heston is cooking of course. Roast Turkey with chestnut and prune stuffing, roast potatoes and green beans, cabbage and curried parsnips was the perfect plate, each component cooked and seasoned beautifully. I was particularly amazed by the vegetables which were coated in a subtle creamy sauce, and the roast potatoes which were so crispy-edged they tasted as if they had been triple cooked like chips. Free Range Pork Collar with Butternut Squash Puree and Spinach was equally divine. The lean cut of pork was full of flavour, and the sauce (it tasted like a red wine reduction) was sweet and smooth and so tasty I considered licking my plate clean. My only quibble? The plates could have been a little hotter, as the food turned cold too quickly… and believe me I could not have eaten any faster!

For dessert we took a gamble and tried the highly recommended Treacle Sponge with Lemon Sauce and Cream and Whipped Chocolate with Hazelnut Ice-cream and Orange. Both had a Christmas theme, but I found the citrusy flavours a bit contradictory and preferred the sponge without the lemon sauce. Whipped chocolate is for cocoa lovers, a dense mousse decorated with satisfyingly crunchy nuts. The sponge was wonderfully light and airy and the sweetness was nicely cut by the cool cream.

For the ultimate, unrivalled pub lunch there is nowhere better than the Hind’s Head. Get yourself to Bray pronto.

More information and book here: www.hindsheadbray.com

A New York Itinerary

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My itinerary for this year’s trip to New York was packed as tightly as my suitcase. With the winter season underway I set out to check out the top new places to go in this marvellous metropolis.

Sleep

The Nolitan – for downtown hipster accommodation, this hotel ticks every box. With cool design and detailing, I fell in love with everything about this place.

60 Thompson – classically understated, this luxury-driven lifestyle hotel in SoHo offers stylish rooms, the exclusive A60 rooftop bar and an elegantly exotic Thai restaurant, Kittichai.

Eat

Il Buco – A charming Italian restaurant where locals eat in the NoHo area. The homemade pasta is simple but irresistible.

Momofuku Noodle Bar – David Chang’s Momofuku restaurants are a revelation. The must-try Noodle Bar is Chang’s first venture, where the famous pork buns were once created. It is walk-in only, but the food is worth queuing for.

Minetta Tavern – Opened in Greenwich Village in 1937, this long established eatery serves up the most prestigious Black Label burger. The pampered patty is perfected and placed in a bespoke bun with caramelised onions, it is like no other, served with the finest homemade skinny fries.

Dominique Ansel –  Imitation cronuts are appearing in bakeries all over the world… and we have pastry chef Dominique Ansel to thank for this genius donut and croissant hybrid. On my first morning in NYC I awoke at 5.30 am to queue for the unique trademarked treat, I can understand why Ansel has been named “the Willy Wonka of NYC”!

Drink

Apotheke – Inspired by the history of apothecaries in Europe and influenced by Paris’ Absinthe dens, Apotheke is really special. Hidden down a damp and dingy street in Chinatown, this magical cocktail bar serves up creative concoctions in this eclectic emporium.

Bowery Coffee – This café is the epitome of the cool coffee culture in New York. Strong and creamy espresso is pulled from a Marzocco Strada and served to your specification. A must for caffeine lovers.

Shop

Madewell – An all American shop for casual comfortable clothes. It started out as a jean company in 1937 and has now expanded, offering anything and everything a NYC girl could need from boots to bags, accessories, dresses and cashmere jumpers, of which I was particularly fond.

Kiosk – A frenzy of fabulous objects carefully selected for their aesthetically pleasing designs from all over the globe. Enter through a graffiti-ridden doorway and make your way up the stairs to discover the world of Kiosk.

Creatures of Comfort – Showcasing a collection of cutting-edge, innovative, independent designer clothing from around the World. I spotted quite a few of my favourite brands including Acne, Repetto and Isabel Marant.

See

Kinky Boots – The hottest ticket in NYC, this flamboyant show will brighten up your day with its upbeat songs and unexpected storyline. With music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, it is based on the 2005 film itself inspired by a true story. Glitz, glamour and gorgeous shoes!

The Met Opera – This grand theatre produces magnificent productions of promising new work as well as the operatic classics. Tosca was beautifully interpreted and presented, a spectacular rendition of this popular Puccini tragedy.

Glasslands – See a band at this hip Brooklyn venue. We witnessed the quirky and shambolic Beets who produce a passionate, dramatic sound.

Basketball – Invest in a foam finger and head to the Barclays Center to support the local team, Brooklyn Nets. Be prepared to clap, shout and stamp your feet as the giant athletes roam the court.

Do

Whitney Museum – This museum has a focus on 20th and 21st century American art. The contemporary and trendy building is currently home to the bold and patriotic artist, Robert Indiana. His dazzling pop art pictures address those fundamental issues: love, death, sin and forgiveness.

Empire State Building – Climb this edifice to see the best views of the city. Terrifyingly high and amazingly exhilarating,  I recommend visiting at sunset as the queues decrease.

Jin Soon Nails – Renowned as one of NYC’s best nail salons, Jin Soon now resides at three different locations. I visited the West Village spa and was impressed with the selection of colours on offer, the efficient and kind service and the speedy and thorough mani-pedi I received. Slump in a sofa chair and sip your fruit tea while your hands and feet are simultaneously pampered, total bliss.

Brooklyn Flea Market – Found at two venues each weekend, in Williamsburg and at Fort Greene, this popular market satisfies the keen vintage scroungers of New York. Pick up some retro clothes, a one-off trinket or just wander and observe the intriguing collections. Foodies will delight in the scrumptious offerings like coconut chunky bonbons and Porchetta chicory salad with garlic dressing.

On Location Tours – Those interested in seeing New York’s most familiar film and TV locations will love the On Location bus tours. Join the bus for a three hour trip round the city with a fun informative guide and feel like your favourite screen star for a day.

Many thanks to NYC GO for their help with this trip and organising the CityPass (a necessity for any NYC tourist), and Virgin Atlantic for flight assistance.