Despite its unreliable transport system and vertiginous property prices, London is still viewed by many as centre of the cultural and financial worlds. Come 2012, let's hope that City Hall will have fulfilled a few promises to transform the metropolis from lurching anachronism into rightful capital of the world.
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01
Essentials
| 01 |
London's black cabs are still the best taxis in the world. |
| 02 |
Buy an Oyster card - you'll find the savings on public transport far outweigh the delays. |
| 03 |
Go green - London's parks are some of the most extensive and well-kept in the world. |
| 04 |
Bypass Whole Foods on Kensington High Street and head instead for Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Natural Kitchen on Marylebone High Street. |
| 05 |
For lesser-known cashmere pop down to one of the independent suppliers on Savile Row. |
| 06 |
Secure a membership at the new Shoreditch House for post-ban rooftop smokes. |
| 07 |
The Nag's Head on Belgravia's Kinnerton Street is still the quintessential old London boozer. |
| 08 |
For an eccentric stay in the heart of Notting Hill, book a room at antiques heir Martin Miller's Residence. |
| 09 |
Should the sun shine, fill a basket at The Natural Kitchen, grab a cab and head for Hampstead Heath, one of the world's best urban green spaces. |
| 10 |
There are very few cities in the world where you can see so much for so little: most museums are free, the newest bands play for a pittance and walking is the best sport of all. |
02
Hotels
Independent and easy
Durrants Hotel
26-32 George Street, W1
+ 44 20 7935 8131
durrantshotel.co.uk
Dependable chain
Mandarin Oriental
66 Knightsbridge, SW1
+ 44 20 7235 2000
mandarinoriental.com
Premium
Claridge's
Brook Street, W1
theclaridges
hotellondon.com
03
Dining
Fast breakfast
St John Bread & Wine
94-96 Commercial Street, E1
+ 44 20 7251 0848
stjohnbreadandwine.com
Business breakfast
17 Berkeley Street
17 Berkeley Street, W1
+ 44 20 3157 7000
Mid-morning coffee
Daniela's Lounge
49 Shirland Road, W9
+ 44 20 7289 0008
Working lunch with colleagues
Barrafina
54 Frith Street, W1
+ 44 20 7813 8016
barrafina.co.uk
Need-to-impress-clients lunch
Gaucho Richmond
The Towpath, Riverside, Richmond
+ 44 20 8948 4030
gauchorestaurants.co.uk
Lunch on your own
Fernandez & Wells
43 Lexington Street, W1
+ 44 20 7734 1546
fernandez
andwells.com
Afternoon tea/drink
Skylon
Royal Festival Hall,
Southbank Centre, SE1
+ 44 20 7654 7800
danddlondon.com
Dinner on your own
Cigala
54 Lambs Conduit Street, WC1
+ 44 20 7405 1717
cigala.co.uk
Dinner with colleagues
Cocoro
31 Marylebone Lane, W1
+ 44 20 7935 2931
Big dinner with partner clients
Galvin at Windows
28th Floor, Hilton, 22 Park Lane, W1
+ 44 20 7208 4021
galvinatwindows.com
Drink after dinner
Soho Japan in Noho
52 Wells Street, W1
+ 44 20 7323 4661
sohojapan.co.uk
Late drinks
Shoreditch House
Ebor Street, E1
+ 44 20 7739 5040
shoreditchhouse.com
Late bite
Maroush II
38 Beauchamp Place, SW3
+ 44 20 7581 5434
maroush.com
On the tiles
Cousin Jill's Karaoke Lounge
42 Albemarle Street, W1
+ 44 20 7499 9969
cousinjills.com
04
Reading
Bookstore
Daunt Books
83 Marylebone High Street, W1
+ 44 20 7224 2295
dauntbooks.co.uk
Newsagent
Rococo Newsagents
12 Elgin Crescent, W11
05
Thank yous
Flowers
Harper & Tom's Flowers
15 Elgin Crescent, W11
+ 44 20 7243 8510
06
Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Perfume by Ormonde Jayne
The Royal Arcade
28 Old Bond Street, W1
+ 44 20 7499 1100
ormondejayne.com
Lost luggage - where to buy dress shirts, socks and undies
Designworks
44 Broadwick Street, W1
+ 44 20 7434 1968
Something for the kids
Toys from Honeyjam
267 Portobello Road, W10
+ 44 20 7243 0449
honeyjam.co.uk
Something for someone you love
Monogrammed stationery by Smythson
40 New Bond Street, W1
+ 44 20 7629 8558
smythson.com
Something for yourself
Clothing from Folk
49 Lamb's Conduit Street, W1CN
folkclothing.com
07
Two hour tour
| 01 |
Everyman Cinema Club
+ 44 870 066 4777
everymancinema.com |
02 |
Gagosian gallery
4-24 Britannia St, WC1X
gagosian.com |
03 |
Alfies Antique Market
113-25 Church Street, NW8
+ 44 20 7723 6066
alfiesantiques.com |
08
Limousine/car
Executive First
+ 44 20 7561 5003
executive-first.com
09
Transport
Buy a pass
An Oyster card will get you all across London for less than a fiver a day. And although black cabs are excellent, you can save on surcharges by joining the city car club which allows you to pick up cars anywhere across the city for a nominal fee.
10
Fitness
Good Gym
KX Gym
151 Draycott Avenue, SW3
+ 44 20 7584 5333
kxgymuk.com
Running route
Anywhere in Regent's Park