Honest Burgers, Liverpool Street

There are very few chains in London which make the successful transition from one-off triumph to multi-branch brilliance. Honest Burgers however, now with fifteen branches across London, has spread from Brixton market to some of the city’s most prestigious postcodes.

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Liverpool Street is a full of suits during the week, but when Saturday dawns the hipsters come out to play. I love visiting this area on a Sunday morning for the colourful Columbia Road flower market, and afterwards I am often in need of sustenance. Honest Burgers Liverpool Street is a large venue, with a pretty white tiled exterior and lots of space for groups inside.

Choose from the short and simple menu… I always go for the classic Honest burger with Dry Aged Beef, onion relish, smoked bacon, mature cheddar, pickled cucumber and lettuce. There are often special varieties of burger to choose from, using extra indulgent ingredients or a different cut of meat. Every burger arrives with an irresistible pile of rosemary-salt dusted fries.

Honest cater for non-meat-eaters with Cauliflower Fritter burger and poultry fans should opt for the Chicken burger. On the drinks list there is a range of tin-cup cocktails and local craft beers, but my favourite is the homemade lemonade, which I find is sharp and citrusy enough to cut through the rich burger.

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For weekenders in the area Honest Burgers now serve brunch too, a lavish list of dishes to get you ready for the day ahead. I’m looking forward to going back to try the avocado with Brindisa chorizo, guacamole and fried egg on sourdough and the Bubble and Squeak.

Read more about Honest Burgers Liverpool Street here.

Shangri-La Vancouver

Every time I walk into a Shangri-La hotel, a sense of calm washes over me, body and mind. The Vancouver establishment is no different, although it is located in the centre of the bustling city, inside there is a quiet and serene atmosphere. It is business-like but always with time for luxury.

We were extremely comfortable in a deluxe one bedroom suite, which felt like a mini apartment. Every detail and amenity is here to ensure you have a seamless stay. The living room area was kitted out with a writing desk and plush sofa, and a bottle of red wine and a platter of lovely cheeses was laid out for our enjoyment.

The suite was decorated in creams and muted greys with accents of red from the oriental artwork on the walls. The kingsize bed looked very inviting, topped with numerous bouncy pillows. For ease and comfort the blinds and curtains are controlled by digital panels next to the bed… perfect for jetlagged customers who want to watch the sun rise over the city.

Next door the en-suite white marble clad bathroom definitely had the wow factor, with a regal bath, glass encased shower, cosy bathrobes and L’Occitane toiletries. I enjoyed several bubble baths during my one night stay!

The Asian influence is evident throughout the building and all its facilities, but there are also touches of international charm, which I noticed particularly in the upmarket eatery, Market run by acclaimed chef Jean-Georges. We ate here for dinner and breakfast the next morning, and on both occasions the food was wholesome and tasty.

In the evening Market has a glamorous feel, the lights are dimmed and everywhere I looked elegant couples or trendy friends were chatting and laughing. We trusted our waiter with the cocktail choices, all of which are made with house-made syrups and fresh ingredients. I would recommend the Ginger Margarita, a spicy, sweet drink with a salty kick. Our dinner was a feast of Mediterranean style dishes. I soon regretted us only ordering one portion of corn ravioli with cherry tomatoes, shallots and basil, as it was a delicate and delicious bowl of pasta, a must for vegetarian diners. For main course we tried a simply cooked beef tenderloin with bearnaise sauce and Parmesan crusted chicken with white asparagus. I found the chicken bland and unexciting, there was too much on the plate and it needed seasoning, but the steak was a faultless piece of meat, tender and rich and cooked to perfection with a crispy caramelised edge.

For breakfast the choices are much more obviously Canadian. The French toast with spiced apple, bacon and maple syrup is unmissable and the omelette was delicious too. Every morning the team offer a complimentary smoothie and we were pleased to taste the pretty purple blueberry special.

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My favourite part of this city sanctuary hotel was the sophisticated Chi spa. I spent a wonderful ninety minutes here totally immersed in a signature Shangri-La treatment. The Chi Aroma Vitality began with a tea ritual, whilst my tired feet were cleansed and massaged. Then I was left to warm my muscles for ten minutes in a private steam room before I lay on the silky soft bed for a full body massage.

Whilst staying at the Shangri-La Vancouver, I was blissfully unaware of the city life outside. Suddenly searching for exciting shops and cafes didn’t seem so important, as I felt so content at the hotel. As a guest in an unfamiliar foreign city, I don’t think you could hope for anything more.

More information and book a stay at Shangri-La Vancouver here.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MAN: Hot on the Highstreet Week 272

5 Men’s Shirts to Wear Into Autumn

For this week’s Hot on the Highstreet my stylish brother has selected men’s shirts at every price point to up your style as the summer weather slowly fades away.

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Under £30

Anyone who has talked to me for any longer than 5 minutes knows that I am a big fan of Uniqlo, which I love for its very reasonably priced, good-quality basics. This striped oxford shirt, available in 3 different colours, provides a little variation to their block coloured varieties and will look great by itself with a dark pair of jeans or under a casual blazer as it gets colder.

£19.90 Uniqlo here.

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Under £60

Change up your regular-collared white shirt for this granddad-collared variety from the Cos X Mr Porter capsule collection. It’ll make you stick out from the crowd without being too loud.

£59 Cos X Mr Porter here.

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Under £100

Brooks Brothers is a classic American brand with a long heritage in classic menswear with solid construction and high quality materials, designed to last. It’s the variation in stripe width and beautiful pastel colours that make this oxford shirt stand out for me. It’s from its Red Fleece line, which is designed with a slimmer, more modern cut.

£99 Brooks Brothers here.

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Under £160

Indigo is an incredibly versatile shade of blue and this Billy Reid patchwork shirt makes great use of it. This piece is tailor made for a blue tonal look, paired with jeans and a navy jacket. Alternatively, treat it as an over-shirt, worn over a basic white t-shirt.

£150 Billy Reid here.

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Over £160

If you are going to spend a lot of money on a shirt, why not make a statement. This stunning patterned shirt from Marni certainly does that and will elevate your entire look. When wearing bold patterns it is best to keep what you pair with it relatively simple to let the design stand out; a slim pair of dark trousers will do the job perfectly.

£310 Marni here.

Written by a Thoroughly Modern Man, Gabriel Kenny-Ryder. See Gabriel’s photos here.