NEIGHBOURHOOD

A day and night in Knightsbridge

DRINK: MANDARIN BAR

Pat Riddell checks out the

finer establishments in

Knightsbridge, one of London’s

most salubrious areas

The luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is home to the highly-rated Foliage restaurant, where Chris Staines’ Michelin-starred food
is as exquisite as it is expensive. The equally glamorous Mandarin Bar is more affordable for a drink and is decked out with leather armchairs, mohair, marble, glass, mirrors and wood. The bottles are displayed behind frosted and backlit glass walls.
66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA. T: 020 7201 3724. www.mandarinoriental.com Alternative: Blue Bar. Designed by David Collins, it’s stylish with a good range of cocktails, whiskies, wine and Champagne. Wilton Place, SW1X 7RL. T: 020 7235 6000. www.the-berkeley.co.uk

One of London’s most progressive museums, the Victoria and Albert Museum hosts modern fashion, design, photography and music exhibitions, as well as a collection of artefacts going back 3,000 years from many of the world’s richest cultures. Always worth
a visit, with changing exhibitions year-round. Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL. T: 020 7942 2000. www.vam.ac.uk
Alternative: Science Museum. ‘Bringing science to life, and life to science’, it will keep kids and adults entertained for hours on end with its interactive exhibitions. Exhibition Road, SW7 2DD.

T: 0870 870 4868. www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

Mandarin Bar

Tea at Harrods

EAT: LANGTRY’S

Langtry’s

Named after the actress Lillie Langtry,
who lived in the property from 1892 until 1897, Langtry’s offers classy British cuisine courtesy of head chef Oliver Lesnik. The decor is sophisticated and stylish, while the limitless Champagne lunch and wine dinner both represent very good value.
21 Pont Street, SW1X 9SG. T: 020 7201 6619. www.langtrysrestaurant.com Alternative: Fifth Floor. Harvey Nichols’ top
fl oor restaurant is good for a mid-shopping bite to eat or an evening night out. Check out the roof terrace during the summer. 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ.

T: 020 7235 5250. www.harveynichols.com

SHOP: HARRODS

VISIT: V&A MUSEUM

More than just a shop, Harrods is one of
the world’s most famous department stores and a tourist attraction in itself. Now into its 110th year, the store encompasses seven
fl oors over 4.5 acres and welcomes some 15 million customers a year. From high fashion and homeware to kids’ toys and the spectacular food hall, it’s not to be missed. 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL.

T: 020 7730 1234. www.harrods.com Alternative: Sloane Street. One of London’s most prestigious shopping throughfares, Sloane Street boasts everything from Gucci, Armani, Bulgari and Prada to Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior and Jimmy Choo.

V&A Museum

W2L SUMMER 2009 21

EL GROUP

TAL HOT

S; MANDARIN ORIEN

T

S & RESOR

N HOT

EL

LY

ANK

R

W; F

TAINOVIE

IMAGES: BRI