Zoomer recently set out a long Christmas weekend in Mayfair, London W1, built on a simple idea: rather than trying to do all of London in the festive crush, pick one neighbourhood and slow down. Here is what the publication recommends.
Where to stay
Zoomer highlights a boutique hotel on Half Moon Street, just behind Shepherd Market, which occupies a collection of historic Georgian townhouses dating back to 1730. Footmen greet guests at the front doors, with an umbrella ready if the weather turns. Breakfast in the Club Room might be Eggs Royal, the hotel's take on eggs Benedict with hollandaise and smoked salmon. The Dandy Bar, just beyond reception, serves classic cocktails, afternoon tea and bites such as game and prune terrine with apple brandy chutney and toasted brioche.
Fresh air in Hyde Park
Zoomer suggests escaping the shopping crowds in Hyde Park, one of the city's eight Royal Parks. It points to the Rose Garden, the Serpentine lake and gallery, Speakers' Corner and Rotten Row, the sandy bridleway on the south side of the park. Rotten Row dates back more than 300 years and was a riding route linking Kensington Palace with Whitehall.
Dinner at The Cocochine
The Cocochine is an intimate restaurant with wood-burning fireplaces and Picassos on the walls. Chef and co-owner Larry Jayasekara arrived in London from Sri Lanka as a teenager. Most ingredients come from the 1,100-acre Rowler Farm estate in Northamptonshire, which emphasises regenerative farming, while seafood comes from the waters around Tanera Island, one of the Summer Isles off north-west Scotland. Caviar, truffles, dairy and some Sri Lankan herbs and spices are brought in as well.
Dishes Zoomer singles out include:
- the Rowler Farm garden salad, with 56 ingredients
- Ceylon crab, served with a chilled consommé inspired by Sri Lankan crab curry
- beef tartare rolled in a nasturtium leaf with confit egg yolk, chilli and Oscietra caviar
- hand-dived scallop with pandan, lobster rice and sika deer
- Jayasekara's signature crème caramel, topped with more caviar
Shopping on Bond Street
Zoomer describes Bond Street, about a 15-minute walk from the hotel, as a place where holiday shopping is "practically a spectator sport". Brands along it include Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, Dior, Gucci, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Jimmy Choo and Hermès. Selfridges on Oxford Street adds Christmas windows, lights and a department devoted to the season.
Fish and chips and a martini
The Mayfair Chippy opened in 2015 and has Michelin Guide recognition and an AA Rosette. Zoomer advises booking to avoid a long queue. The menu centres on responsibly sourced, seasonal cod and haddock, served with thick-cut chips, slow-cooked mushy peas and house-made sauces including tartare and chip shop curry sauce.
For a drink, Zoomer recommends the Connaught Martini Trolley at The Connaught. Guests choose gin or vodka, then a house bitter such as lavender, coriander, cardamom, tonka bean or the signature "Dr. Ago" ginseng and bergamot blend. The bartender stirs the martini at the table and finishes it with a high pour to aerate the drink.
Photo: Soham Banerjee from Pune, india, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
