Review: Christopher George

London is full of the most fantastic restaurants, serving truly international cuisine, and across London from north to south, you are never short of many a dining experience. The city is known especially for its new restaurants popping up all over the capital, and equally closing not long after in many situations due to the high competition. 

That is why we were intrigued to visit Simpson’s in the Strand, as it is far from a pop up newbie restaurant, with well over 150 years of fine dinning under its silver serving trolly!

Simpson's in the Strand has now unveiled a new body of illustrations by the restaurant's Artist in Residence, the satirical cartoonist Zoom Rockman. Rockman first generated interest at The Beano which published his comic strip ‘Skanky Pigeon’ when he was just 12-years-old. At 16 he became the youngest contributor to Private Eye. Now eighteen, Rockman has produced a series of six new artworks celebrating the Simpson's in the Strand's most eminent patron, Sir Winston Churchill, which are displayed throughout the historic building. 

All this activity happening at Simpson’s ‘drew’ us down to the fine location to experience 170 years of dinning and ambiance. 

Simpson’s opened in 1828 originally as a gentleman’s chess club, with dining beginning a little later in 1848. The restaurant has now been serving the finest cuisine for 170 years, so If that’s isn’t a reason to make a reservation at this land mark restaurant and location, then here are some other reasons.

Simpson’s is in the heart of Londons entertainment district The West End: home to the global theatre business and central for a night out, or days shopping and strolling around London Town. Simpson’s is not as stuffy as you would possibly expect it to be. In fact, I was extremely surprised by its relaxed nature, informal ambiance and helpful staff.

The waiting staff are incredibly helpful and are knowledgable about the menu and wine list, without making you feel intimidated as you stumble over the impressive choice of wine. And while the menu is advanced, it is by no means pompous or stuffy. In fact it is quite a simple harty menu with dishes to leave you full, and not famished wanting more.

Within Simpson’s there is also the Knights Bar on the 1st floor where you can enjoy cocktails before your meal, beautifully decorated in a traditional sophisticated style, you can loose yourself in a large soft sofa with that special friend, or hold a private conversation surrounded by the idea that many an influencer has enjoyed a private drink here long before the internet was even considered. In fact, before the TV was even invented. Imagine that for a moment…

One of the endearing points of Simpson’s is the ability to find some privacy while not being isolated. After all, a night out is supposed to be social to a certain degree, it just depends how cluttered you want that evening to become. And it is not going to become cluttered at Simpson’s. 

We have become big fans of Simpson’s for its inclusive exclusivity!! So much, we may just start to hold out meetings down there over a bottle of wine. 

Simpson's 
For reservations please call 
+44 (0)20 7420 2111
​Simpson's in the Strand
100 Strand, London,
WC2R 0EW
savoy@fairmont.com

Review: Christopher George

Cafe Forty One launches its new Christmas Vegan menu, and not being much of the Christmas fan myself, but a fan of Vegan-ism; this was all the excuse I needed to get a little bit festive and take a long lunch of yummy health and fabulous Vegan food and some mocktails. 

Londons first Vegan French Patisserie offering seasonal and delicious breakfast and lunch menus, just 3 minutes walk from Bayswater Tube, means here is a great excuse to be good to your body, as during the Christmas season we can all take too much intake of the naughty foods and drinks!!

Cafe Forty One will be cooking up a feast of vegan winter foods in the heart of London, with an alternative to the traditional Christmas menu being served. This lunch menu will be launched on the 1st December, just I'm time for the Christmas shopping runaround, and available untill the 24th December, when I do all my Christmas shopping, and still find time to take in a Vegan lunch. 
Win Win!!

Also during these dates Head Chef Clarisse Flon will be adding French Patisseries to the popular afternoon tea menu. So from me, Happy Christmas Shopping !!! 

Reservations +44 20 73138484
La Suite West Hotel. 41-51 Inverness Terrace. London W2 3JN
www.contactus@lasuitehotel

In the daytime, the hotel restaurant, Due East focuses on locally sourced East End products: smoked salmon from Forman’s in Hackney, beers from Redchurch Brewery and gin from the East London Liquor Co. It is also a great spot for people-watching, and you could stay there all day chewing the fat! Breakfast is a la carte, and offers a range healthy options such as porridge with berries, a range of fresh juices, but I plumped for the most delicious avocado bagel I have had this week! I forgot to ask if it came from the local bagel bakeries on Brick Lane, but as the rest of the produce is sourced locally, I can only presume it is.

If you’re looking for all the essentials at a competitive price, this hotel does exactly what it should. You even check yourself in and activate your own key card- you can’t get much more Shoreditch than that! ​

Article: Christopher George

With a huge student population bringing a youthful energy to the city of Toronto, there is a vibrant and active coffee culture, a myriad of multicultural restaurants, edgy music and art scene; Fashion is also a major past-time with high street and high end shops located around Queen Street West, and secondhand/ vintage stores in the West Queen West area. 
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The West Queen West district has been tipped as one of the coolest hoods on the planet by Vogue magazine, meaning by now many artists have been priced out of the area and are creating that new cool hub yet to be exposed. However, Toronto is a city of diversity, creativity and modernity that has ensured it as a destination, not only for the global traveller, but for settlers looking to broaden their life ambition and cultural development. 

Architectural fans will have some footwork to cover the city, which showcases excellent examples of brutalist architecture, alongside more traditional early 20c urban streets, and a clash of a modern skyline towering above in glimmering steel and glass. This is an impressive city to explore!
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Renting a bike on a sunny day is an excellent way to really see the main central part of Toronto, with the roads being flat, and relatively free of heavy traffic compared to many cities. It is an easy and practical way for any level of cyclist to get around. There is much to soak up, from City Hall during the day, to the CN Tower, taking in some lunch or visiting some of the many museums and galleries.

As if this area is not iconic enough as a architectural landmark, this vision of utopia is transformed into what is almost a dystopian setting during the evening. After dark, the central corporate power seemingly collapses during the night events, and a festival carnival atmosphere replaces the general corporate way of life. Activities from an installation video projected within City Hall almost criticising capitalism and government, to the 12 hour long performance art and poetry within a church, narrating the struggles of the ethnic minorities, are representative of contemporary art. While in the basement carpark of City Hall a DJ is playing dance music, while an installations reporting the progression and trauma of the LGBT community over the past 50 years, has been pasted on the walls.​

The art itself throughout the city during Nuit Blance, however impressive becomes the side show, and the actual city of Toronto is the major attraction as an art piece in itself. 

Wondering through its busy streets and around the open buildings late at night is quite bizarre, and seems totally alien. Throughout the night, the city is full of activity with thousands of people bustling around as if at a huge festival set amongst this concrete electric jungle.

Many of the art events are interactive, such as Inversion by Simoni + Kilty held in the foyer of the Drake One Fifty tower block. This multimedia interactive installation captures on large screen the movement of your feet, however you want to do the self performance is it to you, but I did get a few claps from spectators watching me hopping back and forth across the 20ft projection. Always one to entertain! The installation is questioning the differences we have as humans, but at the same time referencing the similarities we all share. 

One of my favourite items was a video work shown at the Laurier Tower titled ‘From Toronto with Love’. 24 vintage suite case, each one uniquely transformation by individual artists. Ashley Bowes creation involved a film camera strapped to her case and wheeling it around the streets of Asia. Its a griping, fun, brilliantly edited and really engaging short video. All the artists involved in these works reflecting on the idea of journeys and destinations, with the privilege and limitations of health care at home and abroad. ​

With over 70 art installation throughout the city of Toronto during the Nuit Blance, it is about doing your research to see a selection of artists works, and take a cross section to move around the city. Part of the fun is just being in the crowds of people late at night and mulling around.

A huge part of the event and fun for me was getting lost in the city and discovering items without the conservative guide and map system, however this is really useful as a starting point and information guide. 

At one point I turned my back to see something catching my eye, and in that 2 seconds I had lost everyone… This is however where the fun began for me. I then spent the next 2 hours just wondering amongst the thousands of strangers late at night discovering a small section of the city, this being City Hall and its square. 

My absolute favourite piece of work was a sound and video installation by artists Tal Rosner and Christopher Mayo titled Lament. The huge installation was placed in the darkened City Hall itself, where bodies were scattered around the floor watching a double sided screen. The piece was inspired form a 1969 poem by renowned Toronto artist bpNichol. ​

Incorporating music, spoken word and video projections, the project illuminates and animates a style of writing know as concrete poetry, which celebrates visual images created in written text.
Consisting of a basic “you are city hall my people” the sounds and vision investigate civic politics and the responsibility of each citizen for the actions of their government. An item and statement we should all be extremely responsible and aware of in the present times that we live!!

This project placed in the vast City Hall of Toronto and over a loud speaker system, with the only  light from the video piece its self was just incredible. The atmosphere was hypnotic and dystopian within the chambers of this iconic government building. It was hard for me to leave not only for the sound and video installation, but also being in the City Hall late at night was a real trip!!

During the day and running throughout the year you can take a free graffiti tour with the ‘Tour Guys’ from 3pm for an hour or so (donations recommended please!) If you’re lucky you’ll get Jason who is an expert on graffiti art and extremely informative and energetic. He will guide you through the graffiti scene of the Toronto’s Queen Street area, and provide the historic narrative around the whole graffiti movement form its early days in New York of the late 1960s. 
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It's a very enjoyable few hours walking around the streets. ​

Around the Queen Street area you can grab some lunch at the many diners or just meander around the easily accessible shops. With low level buildings in the Queens Street area, on a good day, the view is spectacular of the surrounding high-rise buildings towering above.

Away from central Toronto, the district of Scarborough and Lawrence Avenue is a mix of diversity where you can explore global cuisine. The closet tube station to Lawrence St is Lawrence East and around 30 minutes from St. George station in Toronto. Here you can find a vast choice of cultures and historic recipes preserved by the immigrant population laying roots in this area. 

This community is extremely supportive of all nationalities, and you really feel the love and independence in the food shops. A very relaxed environment worth the excursion for a few hours. I would recommend GHADIR serving Lebanese and Middle Eastern food which you can find in a market area. And for deserts, take a 5 minute walk to Crown Pastries serving traditional Syrian baklava deserts from the 100 year old recipes passed down by the owner's grandfather who was killed during conflict in Syria. Crown Pastries is potentially the best place for deserts on the planet, let alone Toronto. And this is coming from a non sweet eater. I couldn't fill my mouth or pockets enough!

Although a train journey away, it is worth a visit to get out the city and buy some deserts- the sweets really are that good. This whole area is preserving the history of culture via foods, and lessons should be learned across the globe how Toronto’s diversity and respect for all cultures is a proven method of success. ​

With Scarborough’s huge immigrant population and explosion of housing, downtown Toronto has begun to span its arts scene to involve this diverse community and interact further with them.

This season during the annual Nuit Blanche Toronto, Scarborough has been opened for the first time with its own arts installations around the town centre. This area is a version of the planet, having every nationality happily working, shopping and eating together. The exhibition is asking questions on the emerging immigrant population and neighbourhood, and the positive effects it has on Toronto's culture and art scene.

However, may we never forget, Canada is a country who’s population is generally immigrants, with the indigenous people paying a huge price during the colonisation of the country from the 15th century. Canada is at this time making positive steps to embrace the new immigrant population and should be extremely proud of its diversity, especially in Toronto. ​

FACT BOX

NUIT BLANCHE TORONTO 
Art Gallery of Ontario  AGO GALLERY 
​Tour Guys TOURGUYS
​Restaurant TOUHENBOKU
Restaurant Mira 
Restaurant GHADIR
Pastries CROWN PASTRIES 

 BY SARA DARLING

Belgian born artist, Bert Houbrechts creates urban images with an underground edge.

With a background in fashion, he graduated from the prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. This led to many collaborations with  the city’s cosmopolitan creative scene in the 90s, and since then he has dabbled in photography, fashion and art. 

By Sara Darling

And I don't just mean the roof top pool view! 
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Visiting Madrid is like visiting any European capital city. Spacious boulevards, expansive manicured parks, and neo classical facades which exaggerate the humility of the patrons.

However, there is deceptively modern structure in the centre of a historical city. The latest offering from the VP family is a welcome addition to the traditional classic builds which surround the Debod Temple and Royal Palace in central Madrid. Set in a prominent location, it is ideal for shopping, sightseeing and exploring the best of what Madrid has to offer, and the bonus is, you can do it by foot!

The VP Plaza España Design 5-star hotel is located at Plaza de España, and is luring local and international hipsters to this progressive new social hub. Perfectly proportioned with 214 rooms, it is not too big and not too small (however some suites are bigger than others if you are looking to impress). The rooms have everything you need for a seamless long weekend break and blend together tasteful art, design and architecture- including works from contemporary Spanish artists such as Dario Urzay and Fernando Palacios.​