The Big Smoke Ain’t No Drag…
BY VERITY DOUGLAS
While it’s argued that London lacks the shine of New York and the polish of Paris, this rough diamond has more facets than any Cartier confection. From Hampstead to Hackney, Hoxton to Hammersmith, once you scuff aside the city grime you may still find the streets of town are paved with gold. After all, “all that glitters…”
On Saturday mornings, I invariably need to recover, so I haul myself out of bed and head for Angel. A world away from the throngs of Oxford Circus and Portobello, the Elk in the Woods on Camden Passage, is the perfect place for a recuperative coffee or the bloodiest of Marys. And, if breakfast is actually lunch, then I recommend their scrumptious cheesy, leeky toast. It’s comfort food for hungover souls without the guilt of a full English. (Although, if it’s a full English you’re after, then challenge yourself to demolish Mario’s ‘Big Breakfast’ – it’s breakfast to the power of ten and if you manage to plough through all 5000 calories within twenty minutes, it’s free…and then you die. After all, according to the British Heart Foundation, “eating this amount in one sitting is not a good idea”. No s**t Sherlock). Still, if you’re content not to carry the weight of a small person around in your stomach all day, then stick to Camden Passage and enjoy a non-competitive snack, whilst scoping out the wares of the various market sellers, who congregate on this narrow street to flog the contents of their battered suitcases. Don’t be perturbed by the hotch-potch of jumble, for one man’s tat is another man’s treasure and on a good day, fashionistas can get their hands on everything from vintage lace to Judas Priest t-shirts. Just be equipped with cash, a keen eye and a level head. It’s dangerously easy to get carried away.
A London Guide for the Man About Town
BY VERITY DOUGLAS
“Behind every successful man, lies a very surprised woman” but with this guide you can leave her astonished for all the right reasons…
10. JAMES SMITH & SONS UMBRELLAS LTD.
Every man about town, especially London town, knows that travelling without an umbrella is about at logical as wearing a white shirt to an Italian restaurant. With British weather the mainstay of London small talk, rain constitutes almost 90% of chat within the city and as such, it is far more pleasant to conduct these conversations from under the shelter of something other than a soggy ‘London Paper’. James Smith & Sons Umbrellas Ltd., have been in the business since 1830 and specialise in those quintessentially English, ’stiff-upper-lip’ confections, that have been on the arms of bankers since banking began.
A classic city umbrella costs from £135 but cost per use will be virtually zero. I, and the rest of London, guarantee it.
9. SMYTHSON OF BOND STREET
“Look at that subtle off-white colouring, The tasteful thickness of it. Oh my God, it even has a watermark!” American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis
For a business card that would make Patrick Bateman cry into his cocktail, Smythson of Bond Street is the place to go. With a personalised stationery service you can order anything from 50 to 500 cards, depending on your popularity (and your bank balance). Just be careful who you show it to…
Visit Smythson for more information, or pop into any of their bespoke stationery salons.
8. FOX OF ST. JAMES
Being in the ‘Big Smoke’ sometimes calls for a ‘big smoke’. JJ Fox have been providing the finest cigars to the smokers of London for over 200 years. Plus, as one of the very few places in London to be excempt from the smoking ban, you can spark up inside to try before you buy.
7. GEORGE BESPOKE TAILORS
While the name might not be up there in the Savile Row hall of fame, it is certainly worth be-friending George and his team of Bespoke Tailors. Lurking streets away from London’s “golden mile of tailoring”, this tiny basement workroom offers made-to-measure, without the made-to-measure price tag. Starting from £460 for a fully canvassed two piece suit, you can select every detail from the lining to the buttons. It’s a snip at twice the price!
George Bespoke Tailors, 143, Cleveland Street, London, W1P 5PH. Tel: 0207 388 6886
6. INTELLIGENCE SQUARED
Now you’ve got the style you need the substance. Intelligence Squared organise regular debates and lectures with some of the most high profile political and scientific figures from around the world. There are controversial topics up for discussion, from the (weird and wonderful) world of the male psyche, to arguments about the Catholic church. It’s food for thought. (more…)
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