Category Archives: General

The Nadler, Soho

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My Sunday sleepovers at local London hotels are becoming more regular as I discover more and more promising establishments in my home town. Despite spending several evenings a week wandering the restaurant-packed streets of Soho, I have never noticed the Nadler before. Brilliantly located near to some of my favourite food outlets, the Nadler provides reasonably priced, stylish but simple accommodation for travellers wishing to stay in London’s most popular district.

Visitors to the Nadler are welcomed by the powerful sculpted angel overlooking the entrance. The venue seemed quiet and contemplative when we arrived late on a Sunday afternoon. After a speedy check-in, we zoomed up a few floors to our room – it was slick and swish, spacious and spotless. The room felt well thought through: a grand four-poster bed topped with a furry soft blanket instantly giving a luxurious feel to the room. A mini-kitchenette with microwave and sink, kettle, coffee machine was neatly concealed behind cupboard doors, it would be of great use for those choosing to create their own in-room dining. To accompany our stay, the Nadler team sweetly left champagne on ice, and Paul A Young chocolates.

The bathroom was large, classic and covered in marble, featuring all the necessary essentials. Gilchrist & Soames provide all the toiletries, his and hers sinks sat below a huge mirror, and there was a large bath-shower and plenty of soft towels. It was a lovely treat to indulge in the bath and then sit wrapped-up in a towelling robe to watch Sunday night TV on the huge flatscreen hanging above the end of the bed.

The Nadler decides its own rules. The lack of restaurant could limit the hotel, but fun alternatives are provided by the neighbouring eateries. Breakfast, for instance, is fetched for you (by Nadler staff) from Italian hit cafe Princi, and guests are encouraged to seek out dinner from the nearby establishments (we grabbed takeaway pizzas from the super boys at Pizza Pilgrims and treated ourselves to a pizza picnic in bed with glasses of bubbly).

This popular Soho hotel has four stars but our room was certainly deserving of five. With other branches in Kensington and Liverpool, the Nadler has a winning recipe for success.

More information and book here: www.thenadler.com/soho

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.

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.