The Phene

While I was away on holiday earlier this month, some of my biggest followers and personal friends, went out on scouting for new places to write about in my blog. One of them, came from my fellow Greek friend Alex, who visited The Phene on Phene Str, SW3. All credits to him then.
What used to be legendary footballer's George Best favorite pub, has gone under a complete makeover and now has a deli in the back, towering vases of lilies on the bar and a women’s fashion label (Lily London) upstairs. Moreover there is a heated terrace outside which makes it great for the summer and smokers all year round. The food menu is diverse offering your typical gastropub food with a twist. From feeling salads, to sea bass, burghers, steaks, all day breakfast and delicious desserts it can cover all tastes. There is also a very good wine list, nice cocktails and beer! Esquire magazine recently described The Phene as the place where men can "watch sport, drink beer and keep your girlfriend happy". I couldn't agree more!

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The Garden Room at Lanesborough

Since (as I have mentioned before) this is one of the warmest summers in London, we should all make the most out of it and take advantage of every open space. The Garden Room at Lanesborough Hotel is one of the best options, offering one of the prettiest gardens, as well as the opportunity to smoke, housing an extensive collection of Cuban and Pre-Castro cigars. The drinks list is also very impressive and the service equivalent of a 5 star hotel . Once you step in, you will get the feeling that you have stepped into a different era and you are in a drinking gentlemen's club back in the colonial days. If you always wanted to live Robert Redford's and Meryl Streep's 'Out of Africa' romance, this is your chance and your perfect place. Also great for a cigar and Whisky men (or women) night out.

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Frank's Cafe and Campari Bar

Another great place to visit in London during the warm summer days is Frank's Cafe and Campari Bar.
Frank's Cafe and Campari Bar was designed by Practice Architecture's Lettice Drake and Paloma Gormley and built over three weeks with a team of volunteers! Part of the BOLD TENDENCIES SCULPTURE PROJECT in Peckham, an annual sculpture exhibition initiated by Hannah Barry Gallery is held on the top four floors of the disused car park at Cerise Road. The brainchild of Frank Boxer and head chef Michael Davies – both of whom cut their teeth at Southwark institution, The Anchor & Hope – Frank’s will serve up a range of fairly priced seasonal dishes including cured salmon with dill & soda bread and braised cuttlefish with tomatoes, all washed down by bucket loads of Campari.
Both “Bold Tendencies” and Frank’s will be open from Thursday to Sunday throughout the summer. Admission is free, though be sure to carry plenty of cash as Frank’s, rather irritatingly, doesn’t accept cards.

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Circus

For a different night out, you have to visit this innovative combination of West End cocktail bar and London cabaret restaurant set in vibrant Covent Garden. This London performance restaurant boasts a stylish surrealist interior created by iconic British designer Tom Dixon, which transports you into a decadent world of glamour and escapism from the moment you enter. As day turns into night this Covent Garden cabaret restaurant really comes to life and the spectacle begins as diners sip exotic punches and cocktails. After dinner, the adventures continue with the distinction between performer and audience blurring as the stage opens to the brave. The friendly staff will encourage you to dance on a large communal table or try your luck at pole dancing. Circus the late night cabaret bar means diners and drinkers alike can relax for an entire evening, with a seamless transitions from bar to dining room to dance-floor. Best time to visit Circus...Friday night! Hope you enjoy!

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Summer Brunch at Sanderson and St Martins Lane

To celebrate summer in London, Morgans hotel group will be serving brunch at their hotels Sanderson and St Martins Lane every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am until 3:00 pm. Asia De Cuba at St Martins Lane will be featuring an a la carte Cuban fusion menu and a Latin jazz trio, where at Sanderson there will be a traditional British brunch fixed price menu served in the courtyard garden.

PS. The courtyard garden (pictured above) is also a classic for sexy summer nights out.

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West End Girls Going East End

A lot of you must be familiar with Beach Blanket Babylon in Notting Hill, a famed institution in West London. However, the group has now launched a sister venue in Shoreditch, East London, which in my opinion is much cooler and hip. If I haven't impressed you yet, "BBB" in Shoreditch is also the official venue for London Fashion Week. I would recommend it for a "Sex and the City" night out with the girls, drinking the night away with fabulous cocktails. My all time favourite BBB cocktail has to be the "Porn Star Martini", a classic but with a new twist: Vodka, juicy mango and vanilla sugar, shaken hard and served with a shot of bubbly for an added touch of glamour just this side of decadence. Also since you are going to be in Shoreditch, try to make the most of the British summer with "A Walk in Shoreditch":
Santa Teresa rum, Amaretto, coconut, passion fruit juice, orange juice, fresh lime and a dash of pineapple, not quite the tropics, but close enough. Bottoms up!

Beach Blanket Babylon East: 19-23 Bethnal Green Rd, Shoreditch, London E1 6LA

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The Boundary in Shoreditch

Stuck in London for the summer? Boundary Rooftop is the best place for a "summer in the city" night.
Including a large bar with seating arranged around an open fireplace, a 48-seat grill restaurant and a garden designed by Nicola Lesbirel, the rooftop is accessible by a direct lift and is served by its own kitchen. There are 360-degree views from Canary Wharf to the City's Gherkin and Barbican to the rooftops and spires of East London. The space is replete with a large sail-like canopy, heating, festoon lighting and Welsh blankets. Just heaven!

For details and further information, check out its website: www.theboundary.co.uk

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