Pollen Street Social, West End

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Jason Atherton seems to be in-charge of the London restaurant scene at the moment, last month he opened his third restaurant of the year, and the reviews are just getting better and better. I visited his original London eatery Pollen Street Social recently to understand why his food is so sought after.

The set lunch menu has to be one of the best value michelin-star choices on offer in London (two courses for £26, or three courses for £29.50). They don’t skimp on extras either, we enjoyed the pre-starter nibbles and the palette cleanser enormously.

On a Friday lunchtime the large west end dining room was full to the brim: jolly business lunches, family catchups and romantic couples surrounded us.

Pumpkin and Parmesan velouté was a comforting and intriguing starter served with chunks of pickled apples and pears (tangy and surprising), and brioche crumbs (seriously moreish). The meaty mosiac game terrine was a less creative recipe though the plate looked beautiful, decorated with elderberries and cobnuts.

Our mains were exquisite. I must admit I was sceptical about the chocolate and orange roast partridge but it exceeded all my expectations, one of the best main courses I have had in a while. The Red-legged partridge was cooked to perfection, amazingly tender white meat with a delightful crisp edge. Celeriac, kale and game chips (more like crisps) complete the dish. My only complaint, it arrived luke warm. My guest loved the braised Lake District lamb neck with “haggis, neeps & tatties” – a modern take on a classic British dish. It was a large portion but he seemed to have no trouble polishing it off.

We decided to try just one option from the dessert menu, opting to share passion fruit sorbet with vanilla sable, meringue and coriander foam. Taste wise it had a strong fruity flavour but was the least exciting of the courses. We were more impressed by the super thin shards of sweet meringue.

Pollen Street used to be a dingy, dark, damp alleyway but never again will it be seen that way. Jason Atherton turns every site he touches to gold and from now on Pollen Street will be forever glorified by his fine cuisine.

More information and book here: www.pollenstreetsocial.com

Everything Everything, Nokia Lumia Live Sessions

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I have always loved the music of Everything Everything. The first time I saw them was at Hop Farm Festival where I was standing amongst a crowd of frenzied fans, including a middle aged group of enthusiasts who seemed to know every lyric to every song. I later found out they were the band’s parents, who had come along to support! This quirky group specialise in obscure lyrics, unlikely cross-rhythms and catchy choruses. Both their first and second albums have received critical acclaim.

Nokia picked this original rock-pop band for their final Lumia Live Sessions gig, to be held at a secret location. We were picked up from London Bridge pier at 6.45 pm and loaded onto a private clipper boat. Journalists and competition winners alike traveled down the river to London’s only surviving lighthouse, The Chainstore, in Trinity Buoy Wharf. Darkness had fallen and the venue was surrounded by the silhouetted London skyline; guests shuffled up the ramp from the boat, ravenous and excited.

Food was complimentary from three food vendors: we opted for Asian cuisine at Rainbo Food, delicious fresh chicken and coriander gyoza with a colourful salad, cooked in a 1948 ford pickup. It was tasty but the portion size was a little mean. For dessert we indulged at the Meringue Girls stall, beautiful rainbow-coloured handmade meringues in an assortment of flavours served with thick whipped cream and spiced fruit compote – wow they were good.

Inside the Chainstore, support acts Nick Jackson and Dora Martin played enthusiastically through their sets. It was only at 9 pm that the room became crowded as the audience pressed towards the stage ready for the main show. The Everything Everything set was electrifying, very affecting and powerful with songs like ‘My Kz, Ur Bf’ clearly thrilling the audience who sang along loudly.

The gig was the seventh and final event in Nokia’s Lumia Live series with three hundred lucky competition winners joining industry personalities and celebrities to attend this intimate session, the first gig of Everything Everything’s much awaited tour.

Marriott Park Lane

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Location, location, location. Marriott’s Park Lane Hotel is ideally placed for tourists visiting London. A few steps from Marble Arch station and round the corner from shopping heaven on Oxford Street, it is just about the most central location you could desire.

Just down the road from the JW Marriott, this hotel feels smaller and more boutiquey with a less prominent entrance and a quieter, subtler ambience. Staff are incredibly helpful welcoming us to the hotel and taking us swiftly upstairs to our smart Club Room. Decorated in a quintessentially British style and with a view of the iconic Marble Arch itself, our room evoked the spirit of London.

To further emphasise the central location, our room had a copy of Timeout London and Mayfair Magazine should we want to peruse the pages for city ideas while nibbling the beautiful cakes and fruit the hotel had kindly laid out for us.

The small living area was a pleasant place to relax and unwind before bed. The bathroom was rather more glamorous, a black marble sink, L’Occitane toiletries and a big bath.

I can’t remember much about the bed as I fell asleep instantly lying amongst the plush pillows and silky bedsheets. I woke up feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead. Considering the busy road outside, it is amazing that the hotel rooms remain so quiet.

A big buffet breakfast is served downstairs. Cinnamon French toast with bacon and berries arrived promptly at our table along with a cappuccino. We also helped ourselves to a selection of buttery pastries and fresh orange juice from the counter.

Those coming to London to experience a “Best of British” weekend will find a lovely room for the night at the Marriott Park Lane.

More information and book here.