Mr Fogg’s, Mayfair

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Whimsical and wacky, Mr Fogg’s in Mayfair has all the makings of a great bar. It certainly doesn’t conform to the classic standards of its neighbours!

Based on the wild adventures of the eccentric Phileas Fogg, the bar is decorated with dusty books, vintage globes and intriguing artefacts. Hidden behind an unassuming black door, the secrecy of the place makes the interior all the more wonderful when you step inside. The soundtrack, designed by DJ and music guru Rob Wood and his company at Music Concierge, helps set the scene.

A huge bar holds hundreds of glowing bottles of spirits and liquors, all waiting for their turn off the shelf. The menu is long and rather laborious to search through. After explaining our preferences, we let our waiter choose us suitable drinks.

The drinks are well mixed, and attractively presented with raspberries and cucumber slivers. I fail to recall the names, and I wasn’t allowed to keep a menu. I do remember however, mine was a little too sickly sweet but my friend’s had a refreshing citrus kick. The bill amounted to £30 which for just two drinks is definitely too steep for the good but not spectacular drinks. If you are going for the experience Mr Fogg’s is a fun bet, but for the best cocktails save some money and wander into Soho or Marylebone where the real mixologists are at work.

More information here: mr-foggs.com

Things to do in Florence

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Florence is filled with fantastic food and staggering art; much is still the same hundreds of years after the masters lived and worked here. From the top of the startlingly huge Duomo, the city seems quiet and calm but, down on the cobbled streets, tourists flood the cafes and galleries, everyone eager to get a glimpse of authentic Italian life and history. Everything is within walking distance and in just one weekend I managed to see many of the main attractions, and tried at least six gelato shops!

To stay

Residenza d’Epoca in Piazza della Signoria: this charming little B&B is perfectly located for a weekend of sightseeing… just at the corner of Piazza della Signoria. The rooms are spacious and grand, bathrooms are filled with Etro toiletries and breakfast is served at a lovely communal table with the other guests.
Il Salviatino: this heavenly five star hotel is just outside the main city, but is so worth the fifteen minute drive. A 15th century villa perched on a hilltop – the views are beautiful and the facilities are divine. Memorable and magical.
JK Place: this is the ideal small boutique hotel for those hoping for a place with both five-star luxury and character. A few minutes walk from the main train station and the main attractions, it is as convenient as it is lovely.

To eat

Il Palagio, Four Seasons: The hotel is in the Santa Croce area slightly removed from the main city centre. It is one of the most special Four Seasons I have ever visited, with huge private garden and a top notch Michelin star restaurant serving wonderful Italian dishes and wines.
Il Pizzaiuolo: hands down the best pizza in town, this little eatery is always packed. Locals and the odd tourist huddle round tables gorging on the freshest Neapolitan pizzas. Opt for a glass of Prosecco to wash it all down.
Ice-cream at Grom, Perche No! and Emporio: we tried all the gelato we could find, indulging in several cones a day. Every shop is slightly different, offering their own special flavours and using particular secret techniques. For luxury creaminess Grom is the place to go, Perche No! offers incredible flavours and Emporio is a lovely stopover on the south side of the river.

To drink

Rivoire: this busy café is a landmark chocolatier and pasticceria. Enjoy your coffee while watching the chaos of Florence’s most popular square, Piazza della Signoria.
Volume: sit at the bar and observe the weird and wonderful surroundings while enjoying a fruity cocktail or a calorific crepe. Located in the hip area of Piazza Santo Spirito.

To see

Michelangelo’s David – housed in the Academia, expect giant queues for this famous statue. For express entrance invest in a Firenze card which will get you in super fast!
The Uffizi: holding perhaps the most famous collection of art in the world and it should be the first stop on your Florence to do list. Room 10 holds the most familiar paintings, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera.

To do

Climb to the top of the Duomo:  You will be quite taken aback when you first see the great Duomo, an amazing architectural feat. Climb to the top (prepare for several hundred steps) and enjoy the views of Florence.
Wander across the Vecchio bridge: The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone “closed-spandrel segmental arch” bridge over the Arno River. Try to visit early in the morning to avoid the painfully slow dawdling tourists, and grab a bargain from one of the numerous gold jewellery shops. If you are very lucky you may be able to arrange a walk though the special passageway from the Duomo across the bridge.
Take a photo: much to my delight we stumbled across this vintage black and white Fotoautomatica machine on Via Dell Agnolo. For just 2 euros you can take four different shots, which appear a few minutes later in retro black and white. Strike your best Italian pose!

To shop

Mio Concept Store: this shop is designed by Lenotta Studio and sells a fun collection of bits and bobs, ranging from designer gifts and jewellery to unusual kitchenware.
Il Papiro: is the one of the oldest stationery shops in Florence and is so popular with British tourists that they are soon opening a branch in London. Offering personalised alphabet stationery and beautiful hand marbled paper, it is very easy to spend a fortune in this beautiful shop.
Pharmaceutia: Opened in 1612 by Dominican friars this pharmacy is certainly one of a kind. Here you will find ornate bottles of colognes, oils and elixirs all concocted from historic formulae. If you want one souvenir I’d recommend the Acqua della Regina perfume.

To visit

Gucci Museum: A stylish and slick alternative to the work of the great masters, for fashionistas this museum is a must. See all the fashion triumphs and admire the leather bags, gorgeous accessories and Gucci frocks, all arranged beautifully.
Museo di Palazzo Vecchio: This massive, Romanesque palace is among the most impressive town halls of Tuscany. Overlooking the Piazza della Signoria with its copy of Michelangelo’s David as well the gallery of statues in the adjacent Loggia dei Lanzi, it is one of the most significant public squares in Italy.
San Marco Monastery: This lovely convent is free to see but is open at odd times. Admire the Madonna and Child alterpiece by Fra Angelico and light a candle for a loved one.

Out of Town: Conquer two cities by flying in to Pisa and pop over to see the leaning tower before travelling home.

Many thanks to Firenze Cards and the Florence Tourist board for their help with this trip.

Pipero Al Rex, Rome

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Eager to discover the best food on the streets of Rome, I headed to a small, intimate restaurant in the centre of the city, Pipero Al Rex.

Hidden in the unlikely home of the Hotel Rex, the restaurant-dining room is sleek and chic. With stylish minimalist decor and intriguing contemporary lighting, it is an attractive room but simple enough to let the food be the focus. For its commendable food it has been awarded a Michelin star.

Chef Pipero prepared us the perfect Italian lunch. We were the only visitors so had all the attention of the staff and consequently, exemplary service.

Settling down with a glass of chilled white wine from Tuscany, we anticipated the feast before us. With no menu nor information, we had no idea of what we would be presented with.

The palest mini roll of ham with thick balsamic dressing was first. Wonderfully simple and delicious. Pork crisps with yoghurt were a textually satisfying next course. Each plate was delivered and removed with staggering speed, replaced with the next surprise. Soon a leaf-like rubber plate was placed down containing a selection of homemade bread, of which the intensely flavoured lemon focaccia was my favourite.

Then we moved onto the more traditional three-course meal. I struggled a bit with the first course, raw duck sandwiched in a thick crisp with diced apple and mustard. The flavour was nice though the cold and chewy texture made it difficult to forget what we were eating.

The famous Pipero Carbonara was spectacular. A pile of canary yellow strands with wonderful salty, thick chunks of bacon and a sprinkling of Parmesan. The homemade pasta was cooked al dente and coated in the creamiest of egg-yolk sauces, seasoned with coarsely ground black pepper. The bacon was devilishly indulgent, it crackled in your mouth and tasted deep-fried… I want to eat it again now!

Before dessert we devoured mini strawberry meringues with chocolate mousse and apple jelly. A strong combination of sweet and tangy flavours.

A well-balanced dessert wine was served next. And then the proper pudding arrived, an obscure white ball of foam in a big white bowl. Our waiter explained it to be white chocolate mousse with cherries, crumble and hazelnut ice cream hidden underneath. It was as good as it looked and thankfully light.

Pipero creates artistic dishes that remain true to his country’s culture whilst also showcasing his personality and culinary flair. This is no ordinary hotel restaurant, but a foodie destination in its own right.

More information and book here: www.hotelrex.net/restaurant

Many thanks to Rome Tourist Board for their help with the trip, more information here: www.turismoroma.it