Sake no Hana, St James’ Street Restaurant Review

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Paloma Kubiak

Cherries are one of my favourite fruits. As a child I loved picking the ripe, deep-red pearls from my grandparents’ garden as I continued to practice handstands on the same patch of fading green grass.

So when hearing of the new menu at Sake no Hana (part of the Hakkasan group) to celebrate the Japanese cherry blossom season, I was very much looking forward to the experience.

The evening promised a meal under sweet-smelling cherry blossom trees and behind the somewhat ordinary exterior, we were seated in the bar area, which was alight with blossoming pink flowers.

We would be dining from the new Sakura Gozen menu (£32) and to get our evening started, we sipped on the violet risshun two-part cocktail, with its fruity and sour blend that got the juices ready for the main.

It consisted of a carafe with jinzu gin, green chartreuse, grapefruit juice, shiso, burlesque bitters and in a miniature jug which accompanied the gin, there was belsazar rose vermouth, maraschino cherry, cranberry and lemon juice.

Oliver, the charismatic bar manager advised us to start with the jinzu gin before adding the vermouth and the combination stirred both a sweet and sour taste on the palette.

The white miso soup was steaming hot with slithers of spongy tofu and specks of spring onion. It was wholesome, with a hint of garlic and it was a pleasant starter to the evening.

Next, our waitress, Manon bought over the sesame spinach with cassava chips. The spinach was wonderfully slimy and the nutty sprinkle of sesame seeds contrasted with the texture of the wood flavours of the crispy cassava chips.

As it made its way to our table, I couldn’t help but wait in anticipation. The Sakura crystal box was simply beautiful. It consisted of kuro kampachi, salmon, seabream sashimi otoro, chu toro, akami nigiri, spicy tuna, salmon avocado and California maki.

The translation – succulent strips of prime, fresh fish encasing mouth-size nodules of rice, accompanied with strips of ginger and a green ball of hot wasabi.

The raw salmon and sea bream slithered on the tongue and both mine, and my fiancé’s favourite was the spicy tuna slice.

We thought the evening was over, until our waitress bought over the baked Sakura cotton cheesecake with fresh cherries, cream cheese and cherry sorbet (£8).

Just like the crystal box, the cheesecake was alluring with specks of sweet cherries, slices of crunchy pavlova and it was accompanied by the tangy cold taste of the cherry sorbet.

It cleansed the palette while the cherry blossom and vanilla macarons, with cherry blossom tea ganache, (£1.80 each or 5 for £8) was the perfect ending to a fine dining experience in the heart of Mayfair as each bite oozed a rich chocolate flavour in the mouth.

At the end of our meal, Oliver showed us around the Grade II listed restaurant just upstairs which boasts a £6 million renovation project.

Diners enter via a single escalator and as it’s considered bad luck to go back on yourself, the exit is via an escalator which loops around the other end of the restaurant.

I was impressed by the sheer number of customers on a Friday night and by the authentic Japanese decoration that included walls lined with bamboos.

The bar area where we dined was quieter and more intimate than the restaurant and we enjoyed a very fine meal in Mayfair (it’s also very reasonably priced), just around the corner from The Ritz.

Icebar London celebrates its 10th anniversary

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Frost Magazine, left the sunshine of Heddon Street Food Quarter off Regent Street to step into an environment where the walls, bar, tables and even one’s own personal hand-carved glass is made of the purest ice. Best not to slip one into your handbag as a memento. But absolutely best to go.

So what’s it all about?

ICEBAR LONDON is the UK’s only permanent bar made of ice and is kept at -5°C all year round but if that sounds a bit close to the bone, it isn’t. There are warm cloaks you can wrap around you, whilst you see London’s equivalent of Tom Cruise (in Cocktail), doing his stuff behind the bar to produce perhaps a Lavender Margarita at £8.70 or maybe a Walk in the Green at £9.50.

40 mins is the optimum time allowed in the Icebar, after which you can slip out and warm up in the Lounge Bar, move on to the theatre or club, or try the newly opened Restaurant downstairs offering great cocktails, a light snack or sit-down meal with a wide selection of modern British dishes.

The menu looks interesting: spring lamb belly with Jerusalem artichoke puree, gordal olives, tomatoes and preserved lemon at £18 sounds just the job for warming the cockles.

ICEBAR LONDON, which celebrates it’s 10^th anniversary this year, is designed by ice artist Jens Thoms Ivarsson and created by a team of skilled ice designers and sculptors, using fresh ice from the Torne River, Northern Sweden, a source highly regarded for its unique purity. It truly is extraordinarily clear. Within the ice are flowing lines which are artistic features in their own right. I assumed these lines were a reaction to the artists and craftsmen wielding their chainsaws and other glinting tools but no, they are natural contours.

A new theme is created annually, and each new design is built on the tradition of the ground- breaking innovation and style for which ICEBAR LONDON has become famous. This year’s theme is‘Frozen Food’.

Jens Thoms Ivarsson and his team are obsessed with using ice to transform everyday products into something extraordinary. As well as creating this amazing bar and the world’s largest ICEHOTEL, Jens has even worked with ICEHOTEL to create catwalks for Chanel.

Matthieu Bourgogne, General Manager of ICEBAR LONDON says, ‘10 years from first opening its doors and ICEBAR LONDON is now firmly established as a permanently frozen feature on any list of iconic London venues. During this time we’ve created 14 incredible themed bars with the talented team from ICEHOTEL, imported and displayed over 1000 tonnes of beautifully pure ice from the Torne River in Northern Sweden, and welcomed over 1.8 million guests through our doors for a -5 ̊C ice cocktail experience.

Our current Frozen Food theme is one of our most popular ever, with crystal clear cupcakes, frozen fruit sculptures and a full-sized hipster food truck bar all carved from ice, and our newly refurbished restaurant and team of expert mixologists behind the bar means that, whatever the temperature, we’re more than ready to offer a warm welcome to our next 1 million guests.’

Minors are welcome to join during our daytime sessions (last entry at 17:45) accompanied by an adult, after that the age limit is strictly 18 and older. Children five years and over will require a separate ticket. Valid ID may be required. Management reserves the right to refuse entrance if guests are intoxicated or underage.

The nearest underground stations are Piccadilly Circus (on the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines), Oxford Circus (on the Victoria, Central and Bakerloo lines) and Leicester Square (on the Northern and Piccadilly lines). The nearest rail station is Charing Cross.

@ICEBARLONDON Please see http://www.icebarlondon.com/ to book tickets

Photos courtesy of Peter Kindersley

Tis The Season…. For Jersey Royals

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Christian Gott

If you love your potatoes, your mash, your roasties and your chips then now is the season to celebrate. The first or early potato crops are being lifted in Cornwall and the South West, but for the real connoisseur there is only one option, the Jersey Royal. Now you lucky folk can get them in every high street in Britain, every good green grocer, every supermarket sells the most tasty potatoes you will try. Quite often at a better price than on the island of Jersey itself. So I hold my hand up here, I live on the island, I could always just go dig up a bucket load I guess, if the farmers didn’t guard them so highly.

Right now across our fertile fields you can see acres of plastic sheets covering the wonderful Jersey main season potato crop. The earliest and hardiest growers would have been planting in November for the early season potatoes. Visitors to the island are often amazed by the land that is turned over to potato growing, virtually vertical pockets of soil on rocky outcrops are planted carefully suspended by ropes. The potato harvest lasts from early April through to June depending of course on the climate conditions. The above average temperature of the island, its easy draining soil and the use of the abundant local seaweed as a fertilizer all helps to shape the flavour of this perfect potato. The islanders would swear to the fact the secret is all in the use of abundant amounts of the pungent seaweed.

We need however to go back to 1878 ( fear not this is only a minor historical digression and an essential part of our tale ) for the origin of the Jersey Royal or to be more precise the Jersey Royal Fluke and it’s unique taste. A pair of abnormally large potatoes were purchased and later cultivated by Hugh de La Haye becoming the fore runners of the modern jersey potato industry. Today at its peak 1500 tonnes a day are exported during the seasons peak and the Jersey Royal enjoys EU protected status.

So what do I suggest you do with the lovely little tubers, on the island they are consumed simply served in a bowl with golden Jersey butter. I have a taste for freshly boiled Jersey Royals with some cold smoked Jersey butter and coarse sea salt if I’m feeling a little culinary inclined. You can served them with Spring Lamb, they as you would expect excellent with simply grilled fish, but here is my favourite, a nice early summer recipe to look forward to, healthy, full of flavour and texture and very easy to make.

Roasted Jersey Royal, Chickpea and Sweet Red Pepper Salad

serves 4

The wonderful sweet flavour of the potatoes are complimented by the rosemary, the slightly smoky charred peppers, the salty olives and the crunch of the chickpeas all bound in a simple but fragrant vinaigrette.

1 lb Early season Jersey Royal potatoes, thoroughly washed 2 large sweet red peppers
4 oz ripe on the vine cherry tomatoes
a small tin ( around 4 oz ) of chickpeas, washed and drained 8 tlbsp quality olive oil

2 tlbsp sherry vinegar 1 tsp clover honey
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 cloves of garlic

1 small chilli, seeds removed

a large sprig of rosemary
a small bunch of flat leaf parsley, washed and picked mixed salad leaves
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

a heavy duty plastic food bag

Preheat the oven to 375F / 190C / Gas mark 5. Place your peppers on an oven proof dish and bake until the skins to blacken. ( You can achieve the same results under a salamander in a shorter period of time ). In a medium sized sauce pan place the Jersey royal potatoes and cover with cold water. Add half a teaspoon of salt place on the hob and bring to the boil, simmer gently for five minutes. Remove from the heat and drop into a bowl of ice cold water. Drain thoroughly and place in an oven tray. Toss with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, one crushed clove of garlic, the rosemary sprig broken up and plenty of salt and pepper. Roast for 30 – 40 minutes until the skins are crispy.

In the meantime place the charred peppers in the food bag, seal and allow to cool. As the peppers cool the self generated steam will loosen the blackened skins. When cool remove from the bag and on a chopping board scrap off the skin. Do not worry if you cannot remove it all a few blackened pieces add a smoky flavour to the salad. Remove seeds and any membranes and slice. Slice tomatoes in half.

Wipe a medium sized glass bowl with the second piece of garlic that has been cut in half. In the bowl dissolve a good pinch of the salt into the sherry vinegar then add a good grind of black pepper, the honey and mustard. Whisk in the oil. Immediately before serving toss the chickpeas, tomatoes, pepper slices and parsley in the dressing. Place over 4 bowls of mixed salad leaves drizzling with any remaining dressing, top with crisp roasted potatoes and enjoy.

https://about.me/cgott

Alfresco Dining Helped Along by Hardy’s Wines By Margaret Graham

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Thank heavens Thomas Hardy travelled from Devon to the south of Australia in 1850, because, within a short while, he began to work with John Reynell, South Australia’s first winemaker and learned the skills of winemaking. Soon Thomas had moved on to become his own master, beginning within a long blink of an eye to create wines that ‘would be prized in the markets of the world’.

Summer is coming. So, what about a few ideas for recipes and some Hardy wines to go with them. Try them and see how Thomas’ efforts have borne fruit.

Alfresco entertaining is a quick and easy way to gather groups of friends and family in an informal setting to enjoy the long summer evenings. Whether you’re hosting a Bank Holiday BBQ, heading out for a picnic or enjoying the weather with some outdoor dining, Hardy’s has a summer wine to match any occasion. Here are some tips to help you whip up a fuss free night of entertaining to make the most of the summer months.

For alfresco entertaining in the garden with friends, complement the longer evenings with tea lights in jam jars and add to the atmosphere with your favourite summer soundtrack, but keep it low, or you’ll have the neighbours joining you.

Simple bite size appetisers are a good idea, such as smoked salmon canapés. Serve on blinis with crème fraiche and pair with a delicious glass of Hardys Stamp Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay (Asda, £8,99RRP). This medium-bodied wine delivers fresh lime with hints of nectarine and apricot and a fresh, zingy finish

Freeze summer berries to use in place of ice cubes – add some frozen berries to your Hardys Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay (Asda, £9.75RRP) for the ultimate summer tipple

Prepare in advance and whip up fruit based dessert the day before. For the perfect wine pairing, serve with a glass of Hardys Stamp Shiraz Rosé (Tesco, £7.99RRP

This wine… We came, we tried, it conquered. You can see from the photo that we chilled, sipped, and drank..

So, the scent: Full of the summer fruits – strawberry, cherry & citrus aromas, with hints of spice.

Palate: the fruit flavours continue, true and rich, smooth and creamy, with soft tannins & excellent fresh acidic finish. Perfect for alfresco dining.

For something a bit special, serve up a classic Antipodean surf and turf dish to really wow your friends. Try Lantana Café’s onglet and mackerel recipe that can be paired with both red and white wine, in a nod to the meat and fish flavours. Match with Eileen Hardy Pinot Noir (www.hardys1853club.com , £34.99) and William Hardy Adelaide Hills Chardonnay (www.hardys1853club.com, £11.99)

Onglet with baby gem lettuce, smoked mackerel, popped wild rice and gochujang dipping sauce

Ingredients

6 x trimmed Onglet steaks (approximately 200g each), seasoned well with salt and pepper 200g x boneless smoked mackerel fillets, flaked2-3 baby gem lettuces separated into whole leaves (approximately 4 leaves per person) 30g wild rice. Sunflower oil for popping the rice. Gouchugang dipping sauce (recipe below)

Preparation

1. To make the popped rice, add enough oil to a heavy bottomed pan to just cover its base and place over a high heat. When the pan is hot, add the wild rice and shake the pan vigorously to coat the grains thoroughly. Cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat to medium high, and shake the pan until you can hear the rice popping.

2. Reduce the heat to medium low and keep shaking the pan until the popping slows. Note that wild rice will not make as much noise as popcorn does so listen closely. Tip the popped wild rice onto a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain.

3. To cook the steaks, place a fry pan over a medium to high heat and when hot, add a couple of teaspoons of oil. Depending on the size of your fry pan, place 2 or 3 pieces of onglet into the pan (don’t overcrowd the pan) and cook each side for 5 minutes until nicely browned. Repeat until steaks are cooked and then transfer to a plate and allow to rest for 5 minutes.

4. When ready to serve, place the flaked mackerel fillets under a grill for a couple of minutes to warm slightly. Arrange the gem lettuce leaves on a serving platter or board. Slice the onglet on the diagonal into 1cm thick slices and place these over the gem lettuce leaves- a couple of slices per leaf. Scatter the flaked mackerel over the top of the steak and place dollops of the dipping sauce on top. Finally, scatter the popped rice over the platter. The idea is that people help themselves with their hands and create little parcels with the gem leaves.

Gouchugang dipping sauce

This will make more than you need for this dish but it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week and used as a condiment with other meats or noodle dishes.

Ingredients 1/4 cup kochujang (red pepper paste)* 1/3 cup daenjang (soybean paste) or miso paste*5 cloves garlic, minced. 1 green chilli, deseeded and chopped finely. 2 spring onions, finely chopped2 tablespoons rice wine*1 tablespoon honey1 tablespoon sesame oil. Black pepper to taste. Water to thin, if needed *Available from Asian supermarkets

Preparation: Mix the ingredients well and chill. Depending on the type of kochujang and daenjang you use, your sauce may be too thick. You can thin with water or sesame oil. Credit – Lantana Café, Shoreditch

All that’s needed is the sun, and it’s breaking through…

Visit The London Gin Club – Go On – Dare Ya By Michael Rowan

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Margaret Graham

With ice cubes capable of sinking the Titanic, I could only be in one of my favourite watering holes, The London Gin Club.

This gin lover’s paradise is situated 100 metres off Oxford Street, equidistant from Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road tube stations, essential knowledge, as driving is not an option following a visit.

Reminiscent of a discreet 1920s speakeasy, it hides behind the facade of a typical London boozer named The Star, on the corner of Great Chapel Street and Hollen Street. People scurry by without a second glance, but when this temple to gin opens its saloon doors, the London Gin Club signs are put in place, to alert those of us in the know.

Despite its name you don’t need to be a member, but you do need to love gin, which fortunately for your reviewer is no hardship. Booking whilst not essential is advisable, particularly Thursday to Sunday and you will be asked for how long you wish to reserve the table. A weeks’ notice is sufficient for small groups and 2 weeks’ notice for larger gatherings would be my top tip, but I have been known to pop in alone, on the off chance of finding a seat.

Being faced with a choice of 190 different gins can be intimidating, but the friendly team behind this venture are on hand to guide you through the menu depending on your tastes.

For the less risk averse, there is the Gin Wheel of Fortune which purports to take the angst from ‘Gindecision.’ A spin of the wheel will decide the type of glass and another, the type of gin.

Inside the ground floor continues the typical London boozer look, wooden tables and chairs and walls covered with enamel advertising signs from the 1930s and 40s, but walk down the spiral staircase and you are presented with a modern basement area replete with clean lines and modern seating.

The staff dressed in black, bustle between tables delivering drinks and advice on gin in equal measure amidst the hubbub of conversation and the jazz playing in the background. The enthusiasm for gin is infectious and it is difficult not to covet the gin being brought to neighbouring tables.

Gin in all its botanical, spicy glory comes in a huge balloon glass, imported from Spain, big enough both to allow flavours to mingle and to swirl satisfyingly in the hand. Garnished with orange peel, thyme or a myriad of other colourful additions and sparkling with carefully selected tonic water, at £8.00 to £9.50 a glass, this is gin to be savoured.

Some food is available, but this is more to soak up the alcohol. Here gin is the thing.

My favourite? Well I haven’t had time to sample them all, but a man should have an ambition.

To date I’d choose the ‘Sacred Cardamom’ which comes replete with a thick slice of blood orange, though I am told that this is an acquired taste.

Thankfully I seem to have acquired it.

For details of booking and opening time please visit http://thelondonginclub.com

Gaucho presents… Seven days of Malbec

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Kesh

The iconic restaurant Gaucho, famed for capturing the essence of Argentinian food, wine and passion are about to embark on a very special week of events celebrating the very wine that put Argentina on the map, The Malbec. Gaucho popularly known throughout the Capital as being known for their delicious steaks and decadent decor are also UK home and champion of the Argentine grown grape, making it all the more apt that a number of the restaurants across London and the North will be home to Gaucho’s wine tasting events coinciding with Malbec World day on April 17th.

Frost were fortunate enough to get a little taster of the weeks events hosted by Gaucho’s Director of Wine, Phil Crozier, aka, Mr Malbec. Not only were we lucky enough to have him talk us through a number of the fine and exclusive Malbec’s but they were served to us in a bespoke new wine glass designed for optimum drinking by Mr Malbec himself.

Seven days of Malbec is due to commence on Monday the 13th April with a whole host of Malbec tasting sessions appealing to any wine taster from novice to connoisseur. As I soon realised as we began the wine tasting, my wine knowledge was almost non existent compared to the others in the room not to mention the passionate musings of Phil who went into a lengthy and extremely informative lecture about the legacy and intricacies of the history of Malbec and current Malbec production just one of the things, aside from the wine, expected from one of the value for money tastings. There really is something for everyone here as I was keen to know top tips and boy did we get more than a few as well as dispelling a few myths that a lot of wine drinkers would be shocked to hear themselves. For example, the fact that red wine should be served at no higher than 16c in fact Phil suggested, popping the wine in the fridge for an hour beforehand. Or the fact that Malbecs are best enjoyed young going against the old adage that the older the wine the more refined.

With Malbec quickly becoming one of the most important and popular wines in British Culture, Seven days of Malbec cover the following;

The Pioneers – Monday 13th April at Gaucho Piccadilly; covering the range of Malbecs from the pioneers that bought Malbec to the international market.

The New Generation– Tuesday 14th April at Gaucho Richmond; giving you a chance to try the new, super cool wine makers that are causing a stir in Argentina.

Old Vine Malbec – Wednesday 15th April at Gaucho Smithfield; for those of you wanting to try some Malbecs from the oldest vineyards in Mendoza.

Malbec Blends – Thursday 16th April – Gaucho Leeds; A chance to taste the blends which add a new dimension.

Extreme Malbecs – Friday 17th April – Gaucho Chancery Lane; A chance to look at Malbecs from the extreme high altitude regions in the north of Argentina on Malbec World day itself.

Super Malbec – Saturday 18th April – Gaucho Charlotte St; The creme de la creme of Malbecs straight from the ‘uber’ special, single vineyard Malbecs.

Vina Patricia – Sunday 19th April – Gaucho Hampstead; A chance to taste Gaucho’s very own Malbec grown in Lunlunta, Mendoza.

In addition to the exclusive tasting events, guests of Gaucho will be given a chance to try two Malbecs with their steak choice throughout the week.

Seven Days of Malbec begins on Monday 13th of April with all tastings priced at £20 per person, bookable through the Gaucho website;

http://www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk/events/

An evening fit for a foodie! L’atelier des Chefs launch Mobile Kitchen

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Kesh

One of the best things you’ll find about being a writer is the occasions when you get to review a restaurant or get invited to an event which involved food and drink but unlike the usual, L’atelier des Chefs wanted us to cook our own dinners and what a treat it was!

L’atelier des Chefs are the guys that want you eat well but learn while you’re doing all the eating. Their service have two static Kitchens located in the West End of London where they offer events a public cooking classes. ‘Mobile Kitchen’ is now L’atelier des Chef’s latest offer with a chance for you to bring your kitchen to a venue of your choice be it a hotel, outdoor space or your workplace making it an ideal team building or party opportunity. With no limit to how many guests you can have, this is also perfect for a super special date too. The highly trained chefs well then teach you to make a variety of dishes and cocktails too! All abilities welcome, you can get as interactive as you want and with the chefs providing everything you need, this takes the stress out of possibly having to cater your own dinner party! Your guests will be blown away and very very jealous.

We checked out the launch which was hosted at the iconic Oxo building. With St Pauls in the background as the sun was setting, It was such a perfect and unique ocation for a cooking event and not so daunting for those who would feel a cold sweat at the thought of being in a professional kitchen. On the menu was something with everything from Sushi to Seabass Ceviche, there was even a mixologist who taught you to make your own cocktails which was followed by a desert menu which featured, Crêpes, Chocolate Truffles and Mille Feuille to name a few. A personal highlight was actually getting to make the Sushi and finding out all the tricks from the pros something I will definitely be trying out at home and that’s exactly what made the experience so versatile and great value, you get to utilise those skills back in your own kitchen and you might surprise yourself and find that you could be the next Gordon Ramsay… well not quite but by the end of the night, you will definitely feel like a pro.

What was all the more special and brilliant about this event like was that it was such a social and interactive experience giving us a chance to fully revel in our good efforts! I found myself quite the Sushi making master but equally having a laugh at a failed Mille Feiulle after a few cocktails was definitely a good talking point. So swap the sadly catered food at the Christmas Party for a Mobile Kitchen event and who knows who you’ll bond over a burger with… one that you’ve made yourself!

All of the recipes we made can be found at http://www.atelierdeschefs.co.uk/en/recipes.php as well as details on their other cooking classes at the cookery school with prices starting from £15

And if you’re running to your phone to book a Mobile Kitchen event contact Veronica Suess on 020 7659 9961

Happy Cooking!

Harvey Nichols (Knightsbridge) Presents A 4-day ‘Festival of Style’ Event Featuring Jessie Ware…

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

Harvey Nichols is kicking off the Festival Season in style by celebrating some of the most iconic festivals across its landmark luxury shopping mecca.

Customers are invited to indulge in seven fabulous festivals over four days, culminating in the coolest money-can’t-buy gig from the hottest artist of the moment Jessie Ware.
Each of the floors have been transformed – immerse yourself in Field Day fashion on the Fourth Floor, channel cool Coachella vibes on Third, take respite amidst the mystical Secret Garden Party surroundings on Second, dazzle amidst the elegant Serpentine Summer party on First, discover the best Bestival buys on Ground, and experience a Wilderness world on Lower Grounds 1 & 2. To avoid festival fatigue, take the Express Lift up to Fifth for a celebration of Taste of London summer indulgence; spread over every floor, Harvey Nichols’ Festival of Style runs from March 26-29 exclusive to the Knightsbridge store.

The four day Festival of Style offers an extravaganza of festival activity from exclusive pop ups, in
store theatre, DJs across every floor, and a wealth of promotions and services from Womenswear,
Menswear, Beauty and Food & Hospitality. Experience the exclusive House of Peroni Vita Al Fresco
summer terrace, indulge in a Bottomless Brunch, be styled to perfection with the Style Concierge
Stations, drop by the braiding station and showcase within the Slow Motion Hair Flick Photo Booth,
or learn the art of packing the perfect picnic from their Concierge team, all surrounded by the latest
tunes and must-have brands. Anything is possible once you step inside the wonderfully stylish
Festival of Style.

Harvey Nichols says of launching Festival of Style: “Renowned for our perfect blend of insouciant
style, exclusive designer edits and ever-playful spirit, Harvey Nichols is offering customers a fully
immersive festival experience, celebrating style in all its glory for the coming season. We are bringing
summer style to our flagship store early this year, culminating in an unforgettable night of music with
Jessie Ware to say thank you to our fearlessly stylish and loyal customers.”

Coming to Harvey Nichols from Thursday March 26:
FIFTH FLOOR – TASTE OF LONDON INDULGENCE
The Money-Can’t-Buy Gig
For one spectacular night only, the Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Restaurant will be transformed into an
intimate gig venue with an exclusive performance from smoking hot singer of the moment Jessie
Ware. Tickets to this money-can’t-buy event will be available to win exclusively with any purchase
made at the flagship store and, with only 150 pairs up for grabs in the prize draw, it’s sure to be the
hottest ticket in town. The exclusive gig will mark the pinnacle of the four day Festival of Style
celebration; hotfoot it down to their flagship store from March 26 to be in with a chance of winning
your pass to a truly unforgettable evening.

House of Peroni Vita Al Fresco
Kicking off Festival of Style, Peroni Nastro Azzurro brings a taste of stylish contemporary Italian life
to Harvey Nichols as the Fifth Floor terrace is transformed into a stunning al fresco veranda.
Customers can kick back and relax after an afternoon of shopping as they enjoy Peroni Nastro
Azzurro infused drinks and the most delicious plates of Italian aperitivo influenced by classic Italian
street food and created by critically acclaimed chefs from Bottega Wapping. This culinary indulgence
will take place amid a stunning flower garden haven, filled with the sounds and scents of Italy in
springtime.

Bottomless Brunch
Celebrate the new season in style with an indulgent all-you-can-eat Bottomless Brunch up on the
Fifth Floor. With your choice of ten summer sharing dishes specially created by the Head Chef,
unlimited own label champagne and fresh fruit bellinis, take your pick from dining within their café,
restaurant or champagne bar and enter the draw to be in with a chance of winning tickets to the
exclusive gig with Jessie Ware.

Picnic Concierge
Need help pairing the crispest Sauvignon with the finest smoke salmon? Create your perfect picnic
feast with Harvey Nichols’ new Picnic Concierge located on the Fifth Floor. Our team of advisors will
provide tips on how to prepare the most stylish of hampers with matching wine pairings and
complimentary tastings throughout the festival.

Havana Club Cocktail Masterclass
Calling all budding mixologists – Harvey Nichols invites you to come and create the newest in season
summer cocktails courtesy of Havana Club at their Fifth Floor Champagne Bar. Become the perfect
hostess with the help of expert mixologists who will be holding complimentary 15 minute
masterclasses, showcasing the latest cocktail trends for SS15.

FOURTH FLOOR – FIELD DAY FIERCE
Summer Style Concierge Stations
To celebrate the launch of Style Concierge, an expert team of stylists will cut a stylish dash to their
pop up Style Stations to attend to your every fashion want and need for the duration of Festival of
Style. The team will be on hand to talk through their SS15 buy and discuss the latest trends to ensure
you are summer ready right now. Daily fashion shows modelling the latest mens and womenswear
collections from will also be taking place within the flagship store throughout the day.

Festival Hair Style Stations
Keeping your hair festival-ready throughout the summer festivities is an art form in itself. Learn the
tricks of the trade for style longevity with a SHOW Beauty bar and Kesh Braids bar and master the art
of minimal effort for maximum show-stopping style.

Slow Motion Hair Flick Photo Booth
Capture your festival mane in all its glossy glory with the Slow Motion Hair Flick Photo Booth.
Created using the latest advanced high speed technology, the booth is designed to showcase your
most stylish swish in high definition. Create a 6 second slow motion video in the specially-designed
booth, record, review, upload and share using #HarveyNicholsHairFlick and watch admirers swoon
with each flick.

THIRD FLOOR – COACHELLA VIBES
EXCLUSIVE Hook LDN Launch
London-based premium eyewear brand Hook LDN launches exclusively into Harvey Nichols on March
26 with a pop up on Third Floor. The unisex brand of the moment will showcase their new line of
opticals and sunglasses in time for the festival season.

Selfie Style Snaps
Perfect the art of the Selfie whilst shopping in store to be in with a chance of winning tickets to the
exclusive Jessie Ware gig. Simply snap a picture of your fabulous self with your new season
purchases, upload via social media using #FestivalofStyle and be entered into a prize draw to attend
the one-off Jessie Ware performance on Sunday March 29.

Hunter Pop Up
What would a festival be without the now iconic Hunter welly? Put your most fearlessly stylish foot
forward with the Harvey Nichols Buyers’ edit of the latest Hunter offering for SS15.

Nails Inc Blossom Bar
To celebrate their new SS15 collection, Nails Inc will be positioned on Third Floor offering
complimentary manicures with any purchase from the new Blossom and The New White collections.
And, to get your tootsies tingling, they are also offering £10.00 off a Nails Inc pedicure with any
purchase made within the ladies shoe department from March 26 – end May 2015.

Beauty Concierge
New to Harvey Nichols, Beauty Concierge offers customers an impeccable, unbiased service for
every beauty want and need. Whatever the query, the finest Beauty Advisors will be on hand to
ensure you receive unrivalled expert advice and an unforgettable beauty experience. Their new
Custom Blend Lipstick service is available exclusively through Beauty Concierge.

Joe & Seph’s Pop Up Popcorn & Snowflake Gelato
Get into the festival spirit whilst shopping the latest Leisurewear edit with pop up gourmet popcorn
and luxury gelato stations located across the Third Floor.

STYLondon Tattoos
Add a fun finishing touch to your festival styling with STYLondon metallic transfer tattooing station.

SECOND FLOOR – SECRET GARDEN PARTY
Nestled within the exotic climes of the Second Floor, step inside the summer garden party and take
respite from the hustle and bustle with a refreshing summer Pimms from the Pimms Bicycle paired
with delicious scones and delicate cucumber sandwiches.

The Flower Appreciation Society
Independent Hackney-based florists The Flower Appreciation Society will be stationed in store
offering beautifully handpicked complimentary bouquets with any purchase made in store to the
value of £200 or more.

FIRST FLOOR – SERPENTINE SUMMER PARTY
Jonathan Saunders SS15 Q&A
Celebrated designer Jonathan Saunders arrives in store on Thursday 26, 2-4pm to host a one-off
style seminar to coincide with his latest SS15 collection.

Live SS15 Fashion Shows
Showcasing the SS15 style offering, models will walk the floor throughout the event with four daily
fashion shows presenting their Buyers’ picks of the new collections for Spring Summer Womenswear
and Menswear.

GROUND FLOOR – BESTIVAL BRILLIANCE
Louise O’Keeffe Fashion Illustration
Capture your most stylish in store purchases in print with London-based visual artist of the moment,
Louise O’Keeffe. Louise will be stationed in store for four days, offering customers the chance to be
sketched along with their buys across Accessories and Beauty; beautiful hand drawn prints to
cherish – what’s not to love?

Emotional Baggage Personalisation
Blur the lines between art and fashion and customise your festival look with beautiful hand painted
embossing courtesy of Emotional Baggage. The full collection of one-off vintage designer bags
launches into our flagship store for the duration of Festival of Style. Bring in your chosen tote to be
customised or purchase new in store and bag a unique object of desire ahead of the summer season.

LIMITED EDITION Harvey Nichols SS15 Gift with Purchase
Not your ordinary gift with purchase, Harvey Nichols’ now legendary limited edition offering for SS15
arrives this March. Spend just £150 on two or more items across fragrance, skincare of cosmetics in
store or online and receive £240.00 worth of treats from some of the most sought after brands in
the business.

LOWER GROUND – WILDERNESS WARES
The Modern Menswear Wardrobe with David Hellqvist
The epitome of English sartorial style, renowned journalist David Hellqvist arrives in store to host
The Modern Menswear Wardrobe – a series of seriously stylish masterclasses from the best in the
business. Offering styling tips and advice on how to dress to impress, you would be mad to miss such
words of wisdom from a true style icon.

Exclusive John Elliott + Co Launch
The latest cult brand you need to know – John Elliott + Co – has arrived exclusively at Harvey Nichols
on Lower Ground Floor. The future classic menswear collection consists of clean lines and modern
minimalism with an innovate twist; the go-to brand for style-conscious gents.

adidas Originals = PHARRELL WILLIAMS Launch
The epitome of original style and creativity, adidas has paired up with Pharrell Williams to showcase
a range of specially-designed adidas originals, landing at Harvey Nichols this month within the new
adidas shop-in-shop.

Refuel Brands Cap Customisation
Aaron Saunders of Refuel Brands will be in store on Saturday March 28 with a Cap Customisation
station. The premium streetwear brand will be offering a customisation service throughout Festival
of Style to spark an injection of street style to your headwear summer staple.

Shoe Shine Station
Show your shoes a little TLC with a pit stop at our complimentary Shoe Shine Station located on the
Lower Ground Floor.

Haig Club Whisky Pop Up
Smooth, sophisticated and stylish – new scotch whisky brand of the moment, Haig Club, fronted by
David Beckham, has landed at Harvey Nichols. Take respite from shopping the floors at their pop up
station located on the Lower Ground Floor.

#FestivalofStyle

 Tickets to the Jessie Ware gig on Sunday March 29, 8pm at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge will be
available to win exclusively with any purchase made at the flagship store from Thursday March 26 –
Saturday March 28. No minimum spend.
 The House of Peroni Summer Terrace will be open daily from Friday March 27 until Sunday May 24
 Bottomless Brunch is available daily from 11am-3pm, Thursday 26 – Sunday March 29. £65.00.
Available to book online or by phone from Friday March 20. Tel: 020 7235 5250
 Picnic Concierge is available within the Fifth Floor Concierge
 Havana Club Cocktail Masterclasses: complimentary drop-in 15 minute classes will take place within
the Champagne Bar, 12.30pm, 1pm & 1.30pm
 Summer Style Concierge Stations are located across every floor
 To book a complimentary appointment with Beauty Concierge, please email:
beautyconcierge@harveynichols.com Tel: 020 7201 8688 mob: 07860 754111
 Custom Blend Lipstick is available through Third Floor Beauty Concierge. £60.00 for two products
 SS15 Fashion Shows take place four times per day throughout Festival of Style. 12, 2, 4 & 6pm
showings, located on First Floor
 SS15 GWP is available throughout stores Nationwide and online. Spend £150 to receive SS15 GWP
worth £240.00

About Harvey Nichols Group:
Harvey Nichols is the world’s leading luxury retailer, renowned for its exclusive edit of the most prestigious
brands across womenswear, menswear, accessories, beauty, food and wine.
Founded in 1831, today Harvey Nichols has stores in London, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham,
Leeds and a dedicated beauty store Beauty Bazaar, Harvey Nichols in Liverpool. Outside of the UK stores
include Dublin in the Republic of Ireland and in ternationally Riyadh, Hong Kong, Dubai, Istanbul, Ankara and
Kuwait.
Further information on Harvey Nichols can be found on the website www.harveynichols.com.

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