As usual, I had a wonderful and festive feeling the entire time I have stayed in London, for Christmas and raised a glass to the New Year 2025.
Every Christmas, when I visit this centre of entertainment, great food, and the extraordinary lights hanging high, perfectly from each side on the many streets, I feel there is no better city to be in than ‘olde‘ London.
This year, Bond Street was my favourite, but nearby, Sloane and Mount Street and, of course, Picadilly were a close second and a visual treat.
These areas are bright during the holiday season. Even the major stores, e.g. Fortnum & Mason and Harrods, go all out with their window displays; The atmosphere was magical.
Another seasonal tradition is the classical Pantomime, always spectacular- and not only for kids. There were more adults in the theatre. The lighting and colorations of the background and the fabulous costumes are amazing.
It always sold out, so I purchased my ticket months ahead of time. This year’s theme was Robin Hood, but obviously, there wasn’t enough story, even with the various thieves, so instead, they had small and hilarious skits.
RESTAURANTS
This restaurant was a surprise and our first stop. (Bacchanalia)
Reservations were made weeks ahead of my arrival.
Before even entering the main large room of the spacious restaurant, I was overwhelmed by the unique three-dimensional plaster horses, sheer clothing, and diaphanous dressed Roman men and women seemingly hanging from the ceiling, along with a colourful painting of clouds.
However, the time-lapse showed one Roman holding a cell phone and another sitting on his belly with a computer.
It was a fun start to my magical three-week stay. To make this a complete celebration, a couple became engaged. The entire restaurant stood and cheered them with their well wishes as tears flowed to my eyes.
At Bacchanalia they encourage “sharing”… but we didn’t. The waiters, also in Roman garb, were ever so very polite the menu.
Mediterranean food is their specialty, and the menu changes often. I had that day’s special offering of shrimp on perfectly done homemade wide noodles drizzled with a delicate tomato sauce.
BACCHANALIA (1-3 MOUNT STREET. Tel 44 20 3 61 9720)
Still in eating mode, the next day, we stopped at a brick building from 1890. The Chiltern Firehouse is special.
Owned by American Andre Balazs, who cleverly kept the essence of what it once was, he is also highly regarded for his other top-rated Michelin-rated hotels and restaurants. (Yes, there is a boutique hotel attached here.)
When we were seated, my daughter nudged me and whispered guess who was eye-to-eye at the next table?
Sting, yes, that Sting, who looked so handsome, dressed casually in a wonderful coordinated outfit, well groomed and with his great-looking blond wife,
I didn’t dare snap a photo, although I was tempted, but I was sure to be tossed out if I did.
This restaurant is not well known to foreigners but famous to the famous who prefer anonymity and superb food using contemporary ingredients and seasonal offerings. Of course, it is expensive.
For example, the attached hotel rates start at $1073 per night.
And the food? It’s so wonderfully original, and also VERY expensive, BUT THIS IS LONDON!
The Chiltern Firehouse (1 Chiltern St. Tel 44 20 7073 7676)
(A SAD INCLUSION. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CHILTERN RESTAURANT AND HOTEL BURNED DOWN IN 2025 AND THIS FAVOURITE DESTINATION HASN’T DECIDED TO REBUILD OR JUST CLOSE DOWN.)
It’s a tradition when I visit. My decades-old friend, Lady T. and I always meet at THE WOLSELEY RESTAURANT.
It has been years since we thought the food and service were great. Besides, they recognize Lady T. She’s a regular.
But it seems everything good eventually comes to an end.
It was a freezing day, and, snowflakes were falling.
All I wanted was to be warm and have a very hot bowl of soup for starters. I ordered the onion soup and said I would decide what I wanted afterward.
The large bowl arrived, lukewarm, a clump of still semi-frozen cheese that seemed to settle on the only good essential, the onions. It was a bad starter, and I didn’t want anything else.
However, it was nearing Tea Time, and the sandwiches and pastries looked pretty edible on the tri-level display tray ordered at the near-by table.
The next day, I decided to give this established restaurant another chance and take my daughter for tea at The Wolseley Restaurant, thinking that when you are next to the Ritz, you have to try harder. Not so.
The bread was stale and far too thick with little stuffing between, the crumpets were heavy and flavourless, the pastries were, well, awful. They were far too sweet and mostly filled with flavoured whipped cream.
As an aside, on my trip home on Air Canada, in Business Class, their Tea was superb versus Tea at The Wolseley. ( 160 PICCADILLY next to the Ritz Hotel) Tel 44 20 7499 6996)
THE CADOGAN HOTEL CAFE
Either you’re tired of shopping, this being the centre of great fashion names, your legs need a rest, or you want a great ‘nosh’.
The Cadogan Hotel Cafe is most reliable every time I’ve eaten from appetizers to small meals.
The space isn’t large, and you may need reservations, but you can drop in and take your chances.
Because London was so cold, we reserved and asked for a table far from the cafe’s door.
I adore the pleasant atmosphere. And the food is absolutely and always good and served by the most pleasant and friendly staff. But don’t leave by the door you entered. The lobby of this famed hotel is stunning,
(75 Sloane St, Tel 44 20 7048 7141).
There is no place like THE RITZ HOTEL (London). From the tea to the theatrical, stunning atmosphere, the most pleasant doormen to the gracious waiters.
The Christmas tree decorations this year (and also last year), were certainly at the top of my list of the creative best.
We sat in the cocktail area for our usual flute of champagne.
If your pockets are deep and your wallet full, do go ‘Ritz-y’ for any or all their offerings from tea to dinner.
And this is the ultimate place for toasting in the New Year. (NO ADDRESS NEEDED….Just tell the cabbie, TAKE ME TO THE RITZ, PLEASE.. And DO make reservations)
EVERYONE, HAPPY NEW YEAR.
