Johnnie Walker Blue Label & David Gandy

Johnnie Walker Blue Label and David Gandy hosted a intimate drinks reception down the road from The Chartwell offices at Annabel’s, Berkeley Square, to celebrate their new partnership.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label has appointed international style icon David Gandy as its new brand ambassador.  A trailblazer in the men’s fashion industry, the partnership with David celebrates Johnnie Walker Blue Label's new ‘Game Changer in the World of Whisky’ brand campaign.

                 

 Guests enjoyed Johnnie Walker Blue Label ‘Blue Highland’ cocktails and fabulous canapés whilst mixing with David Gandy and other leaders in the business, fashion and luxury arenas including Yasmin and Simon Le Bon, Sir Stuart Rose, Lord March and Perry Oosting.

Luke Evans, Mischa Barton, David Gandy & Yasmin Le Bon

David Gandy

Yasmin Le Bon, David Gandy & Masha Markova

Laura Whitmore &  David Gandy

David Gandy & a look alike Fluffy!

Oliver Cheshire

Lord March, Mischa Barton & Sir Stuart Rose

 A commitment to recognising true game changers, those who achieve progress for themselves and the world around them.

Banca Ristorante Italiano

Acclaimed Italian restaurant Banca is bringing the romance and glamour of Milan to their prestigious Mayfair locale this February, with the launch of its luxurious Valentine’s Day menus. 

Diners can choose from a three or four course traditional Italian set menu, which fuses fresh, seasonal and authentic ingredients including oysters, caviar and truffles - ingredients that have long been associated with aphrodisiac properties.   

On arrival, guests will be presented with a glass of champagne, followed by oysters, and can then expect dishes including Warm Fassona Beef Carpaccio with Norcia’s Black Truffle or Grilled Beef Fillet with Aged Balsamic of Modena, and a dessert choice of Chocolate Fondant with Raspberry Heart and Madagascar Vanilla Sauce or Coffee and Petit Fours.

Banca is offering guests the choice of two seatings: 7pm (three course menu at £80) or 9pm (four course menu at £110).

Seven Park Place

 STYLE AND SUBSTANCE AT SEVEN PARK PLACE

A stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly and the boutiques of Mayfair is Seven Park Place, the deliciously small, but perfectly formed 26 covered Michelin- Starred restaurant by William Drabble. 

Located in the St James's Hotel & Club, a proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Seven Park Place was award a Michelin Star and Four AA Rosettes.

William Drabble has created his own unique menu at Seven Park Place, influenced by classic French cuisine but made using the best local, seasonal British ingredients, which are at the heart of his sublime cooking. Signature favourites such as poached lobster tail with cauliflower purée and lobster butter sauce; best end of Lune Valley lamb with garlic puree and rosemary jus; marinated hand-dived scallops with Dorset crab and blood orange; braised stuffed oxtail, celeriac mash, wild mushrooms and bone marrow.

Seven Park Place have an exceptional value for money lunch menu that offers two courses for £24.50 and three at £29.50 and with afternoon tea from £19 it would simply be rude not to. 

For a truly memorable dining experience, opt for the outstanding six- course menu at £69 or paired with fabulous wine £123 in the gorgeous private dining rooms available.

Hedonism Wines in Mayfair

Hedonism Wines is London’s newest wine and spirits boutique, which has already become the most talked about wine project of recent times. Located in the heart of Mayfair on Davies Street and unlike any other fine wine shop in the UK, Hedonism Wines has created a contemporary, innovative space to showcase their produce, yet offering an easy to browse environment with an experienced team on hand to recommend and advise, many of whom are former sommeliers from London’s finest restaurants.

Specializing in the world’s finest wines and spirits, the owners have employed the UK’s top buyers to source 1,500 spirits and 4,500 wines from each region of the world, whilst carefully checking the provenance of every bottle. As a result Hedonism Wines is now home to some of the world’s classics including Macallan 50 year old 1928, Taylors 1945, a Courvoisier 1976 Baccarat Decanter and The Laird 2006 27 litre bottle.

Aside from the exquisite fine wines and spirits, Hedonism Wines has generated a name for itself in terms of design. Exposed brick walls, floor to ceiling glass cabinets and the most unique feature of all, the live vines growing up the walls which hold bottles of wine at all angles. Highlighted by an assortment of spotlights, up lighting and hanging wine glasses to reflect light. Hedonism Wines is not just about buying wine it is about the experience and the learning process. Customers are encouraged to sample the various bottles and currently they have 40 of the world’s finest wines and 5 champagnes to taste on the Enomatic machines.

Marina & The Diamonds at Baroque

Hasan and Marina

On Thursday 15th November, singer and fashionista Marina and the Diamonds performed her new single‘How To Be A Heartbreaker’ and 5 other tracks at luxury champagne lounge and live music venue Baroque. Wearing two Hasan Hejazi dresses which were inspired by the Baroque style and created especially for the evening, Marina wowed the crowd with a powerful vocal display.

In the sumptuous settings of newest jewel-in-the-Mayfair-crown; Baroque, the crowd really responded to Marina’s performance, with everyone hitting the dance floor, as she lit up the stage in a long maroon embroidered dress. After a quick wardrobe change, Marina joined the party in a short blue version of the dress, and mingled with the crowd and friends and even indulged in one of Baroques trademark champagne coupette towers.

Marina & The Diamonds with Hoxton Gin in Baroque

Originally from Manchester, London based womenswear designer Hasan Hejazi specialises in sexy, playful and glamorous eveningwear.  Having graduated from the London College of Fashion in 2010, Hasan has already amassed a strong celebrity following dressing the likes of Kylie Minogue, Jessie J, Leona Lewis, Nicola Roberts and he has even designed one of Cheryl Cole’s stage outfits for her current stadium tour. His work is also championed by popular photographer Rankin who has shot Hasan’s previous look book and fashion video. Hasan is currently working on his new Ready to wear collection for Autumn/winter 2013 launch next year.
Guests drank Hoxton Mojito and Hoxton Clover.

Finally Aperitivo in Mayfair

Acclaimed Italian restaurant Banca is bringing the convivial Milanese dining tradition to their prestigious Mayfair locale, with the launch of Aperitivo, from November 2012. Aperitivo is a ritual deeply rooted in the Italian dining culture. A relaxing preamble to dinner, guests enjoy an early evening drink served with a complimentary range of freshly prepared snacks at the bar in buzzing and sociable environs.

From 5pm - 7:30pm on Tuesday to Friday, classic Italian aperitivo will be laid across Banca’s impressive long bar that spans across the entire length of the restaurant. Guests can enjoy one of Banca’s expertly crafted Italian cocktails, such as the Negroni, Aperol Spritz or Bellini, as they graze.

The Aperitivo menu stays true to Banca’s ethos of fresh, seasonal and authentic dishes, designed by Executive Chef Marzio Zacchi and Head Chef Gabriele Milani. All dishes are bite-sized, designed to be easily consumed in the early evening, standing and socialising at the bar.

Sorry you missed the 60's

The Iconic Playboy Club London, on 14 Old Park Lane, Mayfair is launching ‘The Gallery at Playboy’ on March 20^th with an art exhibition, appropriately titled ‘Sorry You Missed the Sixties’. The club will then play host to a number of famous artists and photographers spanning the decades courtesy of Chester’s famous Watergate Street Gallery, each exhibiting their finest work in this intimate gallery space immersed within the hub of the club’s Players Lounge.

Art lovers will have an exclusive chance to see (and purchase) the selection of iconic photographs taken by internationally acclaimed photographer Philip Townsend, being exhibited at the Playboy Club London from Tuesday March 20^th through to the end of April.

The photographs date back to the 60’s when Townsend, THE famous celebrity snapper of the sixties captured screen icons and household names alike across this magical decade. As the Sixties swung, photographer Philip Townsend was there to record all the prime people of the time, beautiful and ugly alike. He encapsulated the debs and their beaux, lords and club owners, press barons and business moguls, stars and socialites, royals and ruffians, and above all the new aristocrats of pop and rock, spearheaded by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

Grab the opportunity to see the fabulous nostalgia filled collection – an art exhibition not to be missed. Non-members are welcome to visit the exhibition from March 21^st- April 30^th, Monday-Saturday between 12 and 9pm, and anytime Sundays. Playboy Club London is a 24 hour venue. For information email: art@playboyclublondon.com

For launch night guest list please contact Victoria Sheppard victoria@chartwellmagazine.com

Novikov Mayfair - the Italian side

Late 2011 Mayfair welcomed the unique dining concept of Novikov - a unique mix of authentic Italian and Asian food under one roof.
We visit the Italian restaurant...
The menu's are mouth watering and it is hard to know what to look at first - the beautiful fresh roses that adorn the tables, the vast amount of deserts on offering or the fresh italian meats that hang by the chefs. It's hard to believe that you are not in italy in the light and airy courtyard setting, oh and the italian waiters. The delicious mountain of italian breads, followed by anti-pasti, baby roast chicken and the vanilla cake... all left us wanting more. We can't wait to return to Novikov to experience the Asian infused menu.

http://www.novikovrestaurant.co.uk/