Tag Archives: East London

Happiness Forgets, Shoreditch

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Happiness Forgets promises high end cocktails in a low rent basement.

Down a shabby metal staircase past the cartoon-esque entrance sign and you reach the bar. Simple, no-frills decor is found inside, exposed brick and a lack of girly glitz and glamour. This serious cocktail den is mimicking the popular New York prohibition style. This moody ambience is all very well, but please give us a little light, the menus are impossible to read without your iPhone and cocktails cannot be properly admired in such gloomy conditions.

The drinks, many served in icy frosted coupes, remain cold for the duration of their life in the glass. Expertly constructed and perfectly balanced, they are remarkably good. Mikey Rivers is a safe bet for boys, a mix of Elijah Craig 12, clove bitters and maple syrup shaken with fresh-pressed apple and lemon juices and topped with dry apple cider. Artistic and refreshing, it is presented in a tumbler with a ball of ice. Jerezana is a more challenging drink for more daring drinkers: Manzanilla and amontillado sherries stirred with sweet and dry vermouths, a dash of vanilla syrup and orange bitters. Dutch Courage should suit most palates, a delicious combination of Ketel One vodka shaken with overproof rum, creme de cacao, fresh lemon and mint.

The crowd we sat amongst were thankfully not too surly-Shoreditch-pretentious. Without a booking, you are turned away at the door so only those keen and organised enough to book in advance are welcomed inside.

After a few of these cocktails you may forget a lot of things, but happiness is not one of them.

More information here: www.happinessforgets.com

Andaz Liverpool Street Hotel

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The Andaz Liverpool Street Hotel could not be in a more convenient place for commuters and business travellers, adjacent to the great train station. This hotel is not just for work focused guests however; the accommodation is smart, trendy and luxurious, a lovely venue to spend the weekend, certainly not just a place to rest your head.

On a very soggy Friday night I was delighted to step inside the warm and welcoming entrance lounge of the Andaz, to be greeted immediately by friendly staff. We were offered wine and invited to sit in the smart waiting area. The hotel has an intriguing and interesting history dating back to 1884 as one of the original London railway hotels. Formerly the Great Eastern Hotel, this beautiful Victorian redbrick building has a feel of timeless elegance and hidden secrets.

Although classed as boutique, this five-star hotel feels enormous inside; with high ceilings and clever ultramodern design, it is spacious and airy. There are numerous meeting rooms for businesses to use during the day and five restaurants on site connected by street entrances. The Andaz Health Club offers a retreat from the buzz of the city. Guests can enjoy 24 hour complimentary use of the advanced gym equipment and steam room, with massage and beauty treatment bookings also available.

Our room was gorgeous – decorated in sultry black and red, it had a very glamorous edge. With a large living area and huge bedroom, the floor space would have been sufficient for a small yoga class. Every detail has carefully been designed to offer guests maximum indulgence. The Andaz rooms indicate the hotel’s obvious interest in art and design – with quirky furniture and attractive artwork adorning the wall, it is luxury with a creative twist. The bedroom was heavenly, a king-size bed standing regally against the wall topped with a plush duvet and endless plump pillows. Current fashion and architecture magazines were included at the bedside for edification and entertainment.

The bathroom was glorious, a sparkling fast-fill bathtub and power shower and a heated towel rail with endless thick cotton towels and Yukata robes. Plentiful REN toiletries and eco-friendly flushing toilets and large mirrors make this bathroom functional as well as lavish. The endless amenities in our room got lots of use the next morning. A state-of-the-art Nespresso machine and fully adaptable work desk filled with stationery were my favourite extras. We had two huge TVs one by the bed and another in the living area. There is everything you need for a weekend, you need not even leave your room.

It was a real treat to be allowed to use the minibar for free… everything but the alcohol is complimentary for guests, an unusually kind gesture that we made full use of. Mini macaroons and lemon posset were also arranged on the desk, ideal before bed snackettes.

Breakfast in 1901 restaurant downstairs is a banquet of continental and cooked dishes. We were slightly overexcited by the feast and loaded our plates high with appealing crispy bacon, toast, croissants, fruit, cheese amongst other things. The breakfast is made with high quality ingredients and tasted fresh and healthy. We left energised and refreshed and spent a lovely morning wandering down Brick Lane and Columbia Road visiting the independent shops and cute cafes.

A boutique business hotel with style and flair seems like a real impossibility, the Andaz Liverpool Street has accomplished it all. I was impressed and I think you will be too.

More information and book here.

MW Nails, Spitalfields

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The new MW Nails flagship nail salon in Spitalfields Market is one of a kind. The interior is spectacularly decorated with original 1970s AirFrance plane fittings, arranged to recreate the aircraft in true retro style. Following the original branch off Chancery Lane, this sparkling new venue promises to be even more popular.

Aside from making an almost symmetrical logo, MW could stand for a number of slogans. In fact it represents the motto ‘My Way’ indicating that nail treatments here are performed exactly to your specifications. I experienced this concept when I went along for the press day and was allowed to not only have five different colours on my toes, but to also try the fabulous nail art. I was thoroughly impressed with how accommodating they are, I know I can be a difficult customer to please!

The girls are lovely at MW, assisting me with my overflowing bag, and offering me mini macaroons and champagne. The small salon is immaculately designed and organised with thoughtful details everywhere: genuine overhead lockers, lights, trolleys and even a departure sign by the door. I was totally overexcited by the brilliant theme and amazed by how they have pulled it off! Upstairs a departures-esque board shows treatment choices with a rainbow array of OPi and Essie bottles of varnish options. I was taken downstairs to the first class reclining plane seats, complete with adjustable tables, sat back, dunked my feet in the warm soothing water and let myself fully relax.

My nail artist for the afternoon was the lovely Afia, a beauty queen and nail art pro. We chatted about the nail artists she rates and the techniques and tools I would need if I wanted to get involved in London’s nail scene. Speaking about her previous job at WAH, we bonded over our mutual love of nail decoration and she kindly agreed to do leopard print on my toes (secretly needing to get her ‘nail art fix’!) She was a skilled and talented nail artist, that was clear immediately, but it was lovely to see someone really take care of my nails so carefully and efficiently. MW offers a range of express and luxury manicures and pedicures for women and men and has a range of great value bridal and group treatments available too for special occasions. I experienced the MW signature pedicure, Tokyo Toes, where nails are perfectly shaped and buffed with cuticle work, massage, moisturisation, hot towels and a choice of polish. The exfoliating and massage were the best bits, vigorous and energising, stimulating kneading that calmed and released all the tension in my muscles. Then my toes were painted in the daintiest new pastel Essie colours before being adorned with leopard print nail art. They looked incredible!

MW nails is the newest and coolest salon in town. Climb aboard as soon as you can, this nail bar is first class.

Visit the website for more information here.