Hot dim sum, cold shoulder at Jade Garden in London

May 2, 2012

LONDON, UK – When it comes to dim sum, what’s on the inside (of the steamed bun, dumpling, or what have you) is way more important than outside appearance (who can tell one bao from another, really, until you bite in?).  The same might be said about restaurants that serve… (more)

Smashing sushi at Chisou in London

April 29, 2012

LONDON, UK – At first glance, Chisou might seem a touch under-accessorized.  The interiors at this Japanese izakaya (tavern) style eatery are notably spare:  black floors, plain wooden furniture, and a small sushi bar are the only adornments to the room.  It seems the equivalent of wearing a plain black… (more)

Keeping the Asian-fusion flame alive at E&O

April 28, 2012

LONDON, UK- No matter where I am in the Western Hemisphere, I’ve realized that pan-Asian menus (well done, of course) always seems to spell “hotspot.”  In London, that’s spelled with only two letters:  E&O. At the epicenter of stylish Notting Hill, E&O first appeared on the scene in 2001, when… (more)

Sunrise to Sunset at Cecconi’s in London

April 23, 2012

LONDON, UK- Being consistently glamorous from sun-up all the way through afterhours is a distinction that few can claim, with the possible exceptions of Heidi Klum and Cecconi’s, a classic Italian eatery in London’s moneyed Mayfair that serves the well-heeled from omelets to aperitifs.  Where most restaurants of its caliber… (more)

Get grilled, Indian style, at Amaya

October 15, 2011

LONDON, UK – Calling a restaurant “hot” is almost a cliché these days, overused as the adjective is to describe any of-the-moment darling of the culinary scene. But there’s no way to sidestep that descriptor when it comes to Amaya, a contemporary Indian spot in Knightbridge that’s hot through and… (more)

Happy as a clam at chic J Sheekey

May 16, 2011

LONDON, UK – One of the great things about London is its abundance of pleasures both high and low.  If you’re craving seafood and a show, you could be perfectly satisfied by a bite at a chippie and the £1.50 first matinee at the cinema.  But if you’re aiming for… (more)

Building a better mousetrap (or two) for the pub set at The Thomas Cubitt

May 8, 2011

LONDON, UK — “If you build it, they will come” seems to be the guiding spirit at The Thomas Cubitt.  First off, the popular gastropub is named for London’s legendary 19th century master builder (the East front of Buckingham Palace is one of his credits).  And second, the pub has… (more)

36 Hours in London: A Jetlagged Gal’s Guide to Shopping

October 24, 2010

LONDON, UK- Beijing-Dubai-London-New York in a week. It may sound like the gal-about-the-globe itinerary par excellence, but by the time I landed in Heathrow for the London leg of my adventure, suitcase hauling, jetlag, and one too many in-flight rom-coms had left me dazed and bedraggled…not exactly the jet-set chic… (more)

Test your Italian know-how at Bocca di Lupo

May 14, 2010

LONDON, UK – If one was to go by typical American notions of Italian cuisine, you’d think they were eating chicken parm and meatballs in every corner of the country.  Of course, food sophisticates (like all you Purple Passport readers) know better, appreciating the nuances of regional Italian cuisine from… (more)

“Dame” Dorchester: always ready for its close-up

April 27, 2010

LONDON, UK – I tend to think of The Dorchester as the Judi Dench of London lodging:  a Grand Dame who’s classy, elegant, inherently British, and scene-stealing in every role it plays.  This doyenne has certainly earned its stripes, having first opened in 1931, with refurbishing in 1990 and a… (more)