In my recent trip to London, I’ve discovered many new jewels, as is expected from this city. One of these new jewels speaks directly one of my ultimate passions; dark chocolate… Actually, mouthwatering-gourmet dark chocolate.

I was walking around and shopping for magazines amongst other things in Selfridges, and I see these very simple and chic looking chocolate bars on display around the corner, with names such as Wild, Smoke, Love, Orange, Wine, Chili, Blackberry & Cinnamon, Organic, Ultimate, Mint, Popcorn… (are you salivating yet?!)

Read the rest of this entry »

For those of us regulars of Chelsea’s vibrant social map of restaurants, bars and clubs, we always appreciate the opening of new venues, especially when these feature fabulous food, an exciting concept, and an all encompassing offering from restaurant, bar and nightclub to a series of private luxury serviced suites.

Read the rest of this entry »

While this week unfolded as an exceptional birthday week for me, I could be in perfect contentment of having tasted some of the finest things in life, particularly after the prestigious Moët Hennessy & Financial Times Club dinner three nights ago at Mosimann’s, one of the most prestigious private dining clubs in the world, located in the heart of Belgravia, London.

The dinner, to which I was looking forward to since receiving the invitation about two months ago from the Financial Times, is a once in a year occasion for a lucky selection of business people in the city. Since 2002, there has only been a handful of these events, aimed at gathering some of the most influential profiles in business, particularly it seems in finance, media and luxury, along with some of the industry’s new entrepreneurs. I must admit it felt rather like a privilege and what an occasion on my birthday week. Read the rest of this entry »

Being born and raised in Paris, if there is one thing that remained somewhat remote to me so far in London, it was the pub culture. Perhaps this is because I prefer the more French choice of wine or champagne to the traditionally British beer mugs. But in the interesting case of Geronimo Inns, we are speaking of a highly talented ex Veuve Clicquot executive launching a refined pub group with an ethos ranging from its truly refined food menus, a unique warmth and service and a strong sense of community to the highest standards of quality in every detail of their 27 venues.

I had the pleasure of discovering it all for myself through a delicious dinner at the group’s new “Geronimo-revamped” pub which just popped up down the stairs from our office: The Elgin in Notting Hill. Read the rest of this entry »

In her Crosscurrents column in T Magazine, Suzy Menkes begins with her passion for precious wrappings. Tiffany, Lanvin, Chanel and Prada are some of the few brands that have developed the way they present their products into an art of sophisticated packaging. Only one more box is on Menkes’ list, and this one is of a different kind: the Ladurée macaroons.

This weekend, as always when spending time in the South of France, while I took the time to appreciate the unique natural setting, another proven indulgence certainly has been the food. Today’s discovery for that matter were the “Macarons De Nancy“, a species which is no less than the very original kind of macaroons, inspired by a pastry imported from Italy, and made by the Maison des Soeurs Macarons since 1793. Read the rest of this entry »

With reality TV shows as Master Chef and Gordon Ramsey’s ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ popping up – the world of cooking and fine dining has become an absolute phenomenon and a great medium in mentoring and educating the likes of home cooks to aspiring chef’s to be.

Recently, in my spec to become one of those people who appreciate fine dining and culinary excellence – I had visited a world, fused together where the delights of eastern influences of simplicity & color meets the western style of beauty and refinement. This restaurant known to the very few is called the ‘Monkey Magic’ which is located on the trendy strip of Crown Street, Surry Hills in Sydney. Read the rest of this entry »

The ‘Aphrodisiac Chef’ and resident Brit in LA, Patrick Drake, goes pro with his romantic cooking skills with the newly recorded ‘Dinner with Patrick’ series. Guys who are a bit slapdash with the saucepan and lacking lustre in the kitchen, might well learn a few tricks with the new video footage, exclusive to SQUA.RE. Eating in is the new dining out and what better way to be romanced than having luxury food prepared in front of you by a guy thats also very easy on the eye!