From Your Personal Shopper in London: 45 Park Lane Hotel, truly a wonderfully British experience

Dorchester Collection’s latest hotel 45 Park Lane in exclusive Mayfair, London opened in September 2011 with Wolfgang Puck’s first venture in Europe, CUT at 45 Park Lane.

Throughout the hotel, luxurious and contemporary interiors  provide a club-like feel. The chic hotel will offers London’s in-crowd and the most seasoned of jetsetters a smart but discreet hotel from which to enjoy London. Each of the spacious 45 rooms and suites offer views of Hyde Park, as does a spectacular Penthouse Suite featuring a spacious balcony with panoramic views over Hyde Park and Mayfair.

A striking central staircase leads to the first floor featuring Bar 45, a library and a private media room.

The master behind the interior design of 45 Park Lane is Thierry Despont; New York based architect, curator, artist and designer.

Taking inspiration from his own idiosyncratic world of art, curiosity cabinets, astronomy, history, technology, and design, Despont has created a deeply personal living environment that provides the canvas for a collection of constantly evolving contemporary art.

Despont believes that every aspect of a living environment is a reflection of the personality of those that inhabit it.  This philosophy extends to his vision for 45 Park Lane, which he designed as if it were a private residence.

The London location and intimate size of the hotel define the overall character, while interiors are decorated in a deeply sophisticated, glossy masculine style of intense, dark colours, contrasting with light and sensual textures.

CUT at 45 Park Lane

In September 2011, world-renowned chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck made his restaurant debut in Europe opening CUT at 45 Park Lane, a modern American steak restaurant featuring great food in a contemporary and dynamic environment.  Located in Dorchester Collection’s new Mayfair hotel, CUT at 45 Park Lane mirrors the award-winning original CUT in Beverly Hills offering outstanding steaks, a superb wine list and impeccable service.

From prime dry and wet aged beef to salads and succulent pan-roasted lobster, sautéed and roasted whole fresh fish, the menu provides wide appeal.  A carefully crafted wine list complements the menu with distinct international selections.  The restaurant occupies the ground floor with seating for 70 guests, while a striking central staircase leads to the first floor featuring a library and Bar 45, with bar-dining for 30.

From Your Personal Shopper in London: Alain Ducasse enlightens Dorchester Hotel

In the world of glitzy hotel restaurants, Alain Ducasse and his work at Plaza Athene and Le Louis XV at Monaco’s Hotel de Paris reign supreme. Ducasse’s latest undertaking is at London’s prized Dorchester located on Park Lane overlooking Hyde Park.

Alain Ducasse is one of the world’s most decorated chefs. Known not only for his incomparable French cuisine, Alain Ducasse has created innovative dining concepts reflecting international influences, and consequently has earned a reputation for phenomenal cuisine.

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester offers contemporary French cuisine along with a professional bespoke and friendly service.

Experience creativity, generosity and impeccable cuisine at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. Guests are taken on an unrivalled culinary journey starting with beautifully presented amuse-bouche served in a delicate porcelain egg and finishing with classic ‘Chamonix’ cakes gifted at the end of the meal. The restaurant’s four bespoke trolleys provide the perfect ending to an enchanting dining experience with offerings ranging from Mignardises to fresh infusions.

The jewel of the restaurant is the stunning ‘Table Lumière’, a private room surrounded by 4,500 shimmering fiber optics which drop dramatically from the ceiling and adorned with specially selected sets of Hermès china, Puiforcat silverware and Saint-Louis crystal.

Designed by Patrick Jouin (Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, Le Jules Verne in the Eiffel tower) the restaurant draws inspiration from British traditions, Hyde Park and even the cuisine of Alain Ducasse himself. Patrick Jouin has succeeded in merging tradition with modernity. The dining room is contemporary, soft and elegant, showcasing the unadorned beauty of natural fabrics such as leather, wood and cotton to amazing effect, in a palette of tan, cream and taupe. The design includes quirky elements such as walls studded with thousands of silk buttons in different shades of green.

An exceptional selection of tableware has been chosen by Alain Ducasse, in complete harmony with the restaurant. It highlights traditional French craftsmanship and an interesting variety of materials. From Coquet porcelain to hand-made butter dishes in pink marble, to French artist Jean-Paul Gourdon unique vegetable ceramics, the finest tableware has been created exclusively for the restaurant.

From Your Personal Shopper in Paris: Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc teams up with Eurostar

French celebrity chef Raymond Blanc  unveiled the new menu he has devised for Eurostar, with dishes inspired by the rail network’s French, British and Belgian destinations.

Poached pollock in an English white wine sauce and an apple, celeriac and Belgian pas de bleu cheese salad are among the courses available from Wednesday to passengers travelling in business premier class.

“Food on trains has got a bad reputation, so my role here is to bring the quality up,” said Chef Blanc, whose television shows have made him one of Britain’s best-known cooks.

The self-taught chef, whose restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in southern England holds two Michelin stars, has developed a menu based on seasonal ingredients from the three countries connected by Eurostar.

Passengers departing from Paris will find mainly French food on their trays, such as salmon pate with horseradish and cauliflower — while those leaving London will be served mainly British fare, including English camembert cheese.

On journeys from Brussels, dishes will feature Belgian ingredients including the pas de bleu cheese.

“The food is going to be prepared in advance and the main course is going to be reheated — it’s quite challenging. I’m removing all the delicate food to concentrate on stronger food with a lot of personality, like cheese, sardines and apples,” said the Frenchman, who has lived in Britain since the 1970s.”

“I want simple food,” he added. “You have less chance of messing it up.”

The meals will be prepared in Eurostar’s three kitchens, in Burgundy in eastern France, Sussex in southeast England, and Brussels.

Blanc acknowledged there were considerable challenges in attempting to serve high-quality food on a mass scale.

“I cannot compete with restaurants, of course I can’t,” he said. “But I will compete with business class and first class airlines.”

He insisted: “I’m not afraid to be criticised by my peers, because I do it with my heart, with my intelligence and with my ethics.”

Blanc said he hoped his collaboration with Eurostar would make him better known in his homeland, where he is considering opening a restaurant.

From Your Personal Shopper in Geneva: Chopard, Happy Fish Collection

A must-have from Chopard’s famous Happy Sport collection, the Happy Fish watch is appearing this year in two new versions, which transcend the multicoloured magic of the ocean depths with its delicate little moving clown fish.

Like a precious aquarium, the new Happy Fish watches are each home to three little clown fish in 18ct rose or white gold, set with yellow sapphires, tsavorites, rubies and onyxes. Swimming in a dial painted in tones of blue and depicting the bustle of a lively coral reef, the little residents of these new quirky time-keepers from Chopard invite you to explore the silent world.

Available in steel or in 18ct rose gold with a bezel set with diamonds, at 36mm in diameter the Happy Fish is of a size suitable for all occasions. The crown is set with a blue sapphire in both versions. Water-resistant up to 30 metres and powered by a quartz movement, it is rounded off by a strap in blue satin.

From Your Luxury Lifestyle Consultant in London: CLARIDGE’S, Mayfair’s Art Deco Jewel

Mayfair’s Art Deco jewel is the last word in London’s luxury hotels.

In the heart of Mayfair, Claridge’s luxury hotel in London is perfectly placed for the city, the shopping districts and leafy Hyde Park.

Claridge’s Mayfair hotel is a sumptuous retreat for the business traveller, or a luxurious indulgence if you want to spoil yourself or a loved one.

Claridge’s is a key part of London’s history. Stars, socialites and the crowned heads of Europe have enjoyed this 5 star hotel for over 100 years.

Step into Claridge’s, a luxury hotel in Mayfair and experience a world of stunning design and flawless service unmatched in London. Five-star luxury and over a century of glamour combine to create a world of sophistication in the heart of London.

• Claridge’s Bar– a celebrity playground in Art Deco splendour
• Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s –world-famous fine dining
• Afternoon tea in London– a time-honoured indulgence, not to be missed
• Claridge’s Reading Room – intimate and relaxed dining with a contemporary menu du jour

Glamorous, elegant and alive with laughter, Claridge’s hotel in Mayfair attracts the true connoisseur of luxury.

Voted Top UK Business Hotel in Condé Nast 2009 Reader’s Travel Awards.

Claridge’s is the “Best UK Hotel for Rooms” in Condé Nast Traveller Gold List 2010, chosen by magazine editors and travel experts.

A stay at Claridge’s is an unforgettable experience!

CLARIDGE’S Brook Street Mayfair London W1K 4HR T: +44 (0)20 7629 8860

http://www.claridges.co.uk/

PLEASE FOLLOW US www.vipluxuryservicemag.com