Tag Archives: St James

Cafe Murano, St James’

Posted on by

Murano has received rave reviews since opening… Angela Hartnett’s irresistible Italian style dishes are so very delicious and the design and ambience of the restaurants encourage diners to relax and indulge. To cater for a younger crowd, in November 2013, Angela opened Café Murano in St James’ – it is a delectable and sophisticated little eatery serving up less complex dishes but similar in style to the original Murano.

Hartnett says of her newest venture: “I wanted to create a restaurant that you could drop in and eat in every day. The menu takes a simpler approach to Northern Italian cooking and we print it every day.” No two days have the same menu, although I guarantee you’ll want to return and eat the same meal you tried on your first visit.

Don’t be deceived by the word café in the title, this restaurant is gorgeous and stylish with glossy wooden tables and romantic flickering candles. The bar buzzes with quiet excitement, as guests scoff truffle arancini whilst slouching elegantly against the pale marble surface. Parched from the walk down Piccadilly, we swiftly ordered a carafe of refreshing house white. Everything we tried was exquisite, but the pasta particularly impressed. I can still recall the indulgent rabbit risotto, and the delightfully springtime Farfalle with ham and peas, a colourful bowl of joy.  Side dishes are equally appetising, a range of seasonal fresh greenery and rich treats. For dessert we opted for a boule of ice-cream which is always available in an assortment of imaginative flavours like sour green apple sorbet.

If you have never been the type to lick your plate clean, you will be now… the creamy sauces, tasty marinades and addictive seasoning are irresistible. I can’t think of a restaurant in London where I have tasted such scrumptious Italian cooking.

More information and book here: www.cafemurano.co.uk

On Set Off Set photo exhibition, cocktails, afternoon tea and manicures, Sofitel London St James

Posted on by

The Sofitel in St James immediately evokes happy memories of Paris, it is a very sophisticated and stylish hotel. Although part of a huge chain, this branch has its own character and atmosphere, with immaculate tasteful decor and an understated sense of luxury.

To celebrate the current On-Set Off-Set Cinema Photography exhibition in association with Polka Galerie, a group of bloggers were invited to indulge for the afternoon and appreciate the photographs.

Arriving at 2pm we were directed through the opulent reception to the spacious SO spa where we chatted away and tried fruity cocktails. In turn we were treated to gorgeous mini manicures at the spa choosing our shades from the selection of lovely rich OPI colours. I chose a summery shade of coral.

The “pretty in pink” tearoom is an idyllic setting, with a musician playing gently on a harp and the iconic portrait photographs watching down from the walls. It was a glorious place to spend the afternoon sipping tea! Appropriately named the Rose Lounge, it is themed with girly features, and has an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ vibe. At the Sofitel ‘Tea en Rose’ is served daily between 2.30 and 5.30pm offering a selection of French inspired treats: finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and a variety of unique tea choices. For further luxury there are Parisiennes Pastries and Rose and Litchi Champagne cocktails on offer. I thought the scones were particularly good, arriving warm straight from the oven. I also loved my whole rose bud tea, light and sweet-edged, perfumed subtly with rose.

We were so preoccupied with the delicious food, I didn’t spend as long as I would have liked perusing the striking photos on display. Celebrating cinema in Europe, these photographs by Stefano De Luigi, Derek Hudson, Alain Loison and Emanuele Scorcelletti capture famous faces from Woody Allen to Johnny Depp, Jane Birkin to Penelope Cruz; moments caught on camera of the young and beautiful.

The Cinema exhibition finishes at the Sofitel St James at the end of May but I would highly recommend visiting either the So Spa or Rose Tea Room for a very memorable afternoon at this sensational hotel.

Visit the Sofitel website here for more information. More information on the photo exhibition here.