London
I need to update my list of restaurants in London. On paper , London is not the capital of Gastronomy it is Tokyo with 11 , 3 star Michelin restaurants , then it is Paris with 10. However, London is a city where there is always something is happening and a lot of new restaurants , they just pop up.
So far my favorite restaurant is UMU, a Japanese michelin star restaurant. Eating at the bar is always more fun, you can enjoy the talent of the sushi chef. Do you know thee guys need at least 7 years of study to be a master sushi chef , as much as a doctor ! This is art on the plate, I never have enough of it. They also offer cooking classes on Saturday...on my list of things I want to do
Since Joel Rebuchon opened his restaurant L'Atelier , the big trend in London is the tapas type of food served at the bar. An excellent one surfing on this trend , located in Soho is Barrafina. Which I will define as fine Spanish tapas.
From the same owners Sam and Eddy, in the same district you should also try QUO Vadis, an excellent restaurant. The menus change often. The dishes are fresh, tasty and delicious! If you know the right people you can enjoy a cocktail upstairs at their private club.
Cipriani is still on the circuit of rich and famous. Scotts and Cecconi's are on the list also. Scotts is good for seafood and Cecconi is a good place for breakfast.
Hix just opened in Soho, good service, good english food...good place for oysters.
Aqua from Hong Kong just opened two restaurants , but I have not be there yet.
Despite the financial crisis there have been many new openings in Canary Wharf area: Roka just opened another place there and Jamie Oliver opened an Italian restaurant also.
What to do in London:
Don't miss Anish Kipoor at the Royal Academy of Art (until december 11) especially is work on wax!
National Portrait Gallery: Beatles to Bowie exhibition
Saatchi Gallery
Also some very interesting private galleries near Bond Street
and of course the Xmas lights !
Nails & Amp; Nail and eyebrow Champagne bar at Harvey Nichols: try this Indian technique a bit painful but quick and efficient.