Top Places to Visit in London: A Guide for Frieze Visitors
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With more than 160 participating galleries showing works from more than 1,000 of today’s leading artists, Frieze London in 2017 promises to be an exciting combination of emerging and classic art. The art fair is being held at Regent’s Park from October 5Top Places to Visit in London: A Guide for Frieze Visitors
With more than 160 participating galleries showing works from more than 1,000 of today’s leading artists, Frieze London in 2017 promises to be an exciting combination of emerging and classic art. The art fair is being held at Regent’s Park from October 5 through 8. But when you’re not ogling interesting art or experiencing the critically acclaimed Frieze Projects and Talks programs, you’ll want to get to know London better, find the best meals and take home some memorable souvenirs. We bring you a quick guide of the best places to eat and drink, relax, shop or soak in the city’s vibes. To discover the British capital like a local, it helps to know some of its secrets too.WINE AND DINEL’Escargot On Greek StreetLondon’s oldest French restaurant has just turned 90 years old and continues to serve classic cuisine. Its founder, Georges Gaudin, who started a restaurant in 1896, moved to a Georgian townhouse dating to 1741, once the private residence of the Duke of Portland, and in 1927 renamed after his most famous delicacy. He had a snail farm in the basement. Over the decades L’Escargot has been visited by Coco Chanel, the Beatles, Mick Jagger, the Princess of Wales, Adele and Dame Judi Dench among other luminaries. Now refurbished under the ownership of Brian Clivaz, it has an upstairs private club, and the all-day menu includes lobster bisque, salade Niçoise, and coq au vin. It is one of London’s most romantic restaurants as well as one of the best and therefore top of this list.Address: 48 Greek Street, London, Soho, W1D 4EFReservations: 020 7439 7474Hours: Monday-Saturday all day; breakfast 9-12p.m., lunch 12-3p.m., dinner 5p.m.-11:30p.m. Claude Bosi At BibendumA restaurant with a storied history and a bright future, Bibendum calls the historic Michelin House, originally the tire company’s British base, home. Sir Terence Conran and Paul Hamlyn opened Bibendum in 1987 as an unapologetic celebration of effortless luxury and fine French cooking. Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi has now taken over, and the current menu features dishes such as veal brains, tripe and cuttlefish gratin and wild strawberry vacherin. The restaurant’s interiors are infused with natural light and a stained glass window in shades of sapphire.Address: Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, Chelsea, London SW3 6RDReservations: 0 20 7581 5817 Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, lunch 12-2:15p.m., dinner 6:30p.m.-9:45p.m.TramshedMark Hix is known for creating restaurants where art meets funky food. Tramshed by Mark Hix is housed in a former tram-generator building in the heart of Shoreditch, featuring the famous Cock ‘n’ Bull installation by Damien Hirst. Appropriately, poultry and steak is on the menu: Swainson House chicken and Peter Hannan’s beef, carved at the table and ideal for guests to share, are among the highlights. It’s also worth visiting Mark’s Kitchen Library in the Tramshed building to look at his vast collection of cookbooks, artworks and curiosities. HIX ART, an “industrial-chic” event space below the restaurant, often features curated exhibitions by emerging artists, parties and receptions. Hix’s other establishments include Pharmacy 2, a restaurant with more Damien Hirst art.Address: 32 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3LX Reservations: 020 7749 0478 Hours: Monday and Tuesday: 11:30a.m.-11p.m., Wednesday-Saturday: 11:30a.m.-midnight, Sunday: 11:30a.m.- 9:30p.m. Sexy FishThis Asian-inspired restaurant and bar on the corner of Berkeley Square, Mayfair, is another art-destination place. It is known for its sushi, sashimi, seafood and meat cooked on a Robata grill. There is art by Damien Hirst again, as well as Frank Gehry and Michael Roberts. A DJ entertains guests from Wednesday through Saturday. The Coral Reef Room, a private dining space on the lower ground floor, hosts two of the largest live coral reef tanks in the world.Address: Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square W1J 6BR Reservations: 020 3764 2000Hours: Monday-Sunday, 12 noon to 2a.m.J SheekeyThe finest fish, shellfish and seasonal game find a place on the menu of J Sheekey, situated on Saint Martin’s Court between Covent Garden and Leicester Square. It is one of the capital’s finest fish restaurants, along with Bentley’s. The restaurant was founded in the 1890s when stallholder Josef Sheekey was given permission by Lord Salisbury to serve fish and shellfish in Saint Martin’s Court, on the condition that he supply meals to Salisbury’s after-theater dinner parties. The restaurant is set up for pre- and post-theater meals and is very close to Garrick, Duke of York’s, Noel Coward and Wyndham’s venues. The National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, St.-Martin-in-the-Fields and the cinemas of Leicester Square are also close. Try the main restaurant, slightly more casual Oyster Bar or sit outside in good weather.Address: 28-32 St Martin’s Court, London WC2N 4AL Reservations: 020 7240 2565Hours: Monday-Sunday, lunch 12-3p.m., dinner 5p.m.-midnight PLACES TO VISITChelsea Physic GardenOften referred to as “London’s secret garden,” it is the oldest botanic garden in the city and was founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in order to train apprentices in the identification and use of medicinal plants. Nestled beside the Thames, it is a peaceful oasis with about 5,000 different edible, medicinal and historical plants. The garden is also home to the largest outdoor fruiting olive tree in Britain, and the world’s most northerly outdoor grapefruit tree. Enjoy afternoon tea at the Tangerine Dream Café.Address: 66 Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4HSHours: Monday-Sunday, 11a.m.-5p.m.Royal Academy Of ArtsMany people know that the Royal Academy of Arts is independent, privately funded, and has eminent artists and architects at its helm. Some teach in the R.A. Schools and decide on the exhibitions program.Come here to see a wide array of exhibitions ranging from ancient sculptures to modern-day masterpieces and large-scale installations. There is a private members’ club in Keeper’s House, but the basement, garden, bar and Peyton & Byrne restaurant there are open to all. They are not widely advertised so these places are often beautifully quiet and relaxing.Address: Burlington House, Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0BDHours: Monday-Sunday 10a.m.-6p.m.Granary SquareThe choreographed fountains with 1,080 water spouts are an eye-catching feature of the King’s Cross site, which has rapidly become a must-visit location with numerous bars, cafes and restaurants and shops nearby. The fountains look particularly beguiling in their myriad colors at night. Visitors to the area can sit on the wide, south-facing steps and watch the boats float by. The House of Illustration, a gallery and education space, is also worth a visit.Address: 1 Granary Square, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AASir John Soane’s MuseumSir John Soane, one of the greatest English architects, built and lived in this extraordinary home which is now Sir John Soane’s Museum, preserved as it was when he died around 180 years ago. The house contains the architect’s collection of antiquities, furniture, sculptures, architectural models, paintings and more than 30,000 architectural drawings. Exhibitions are also held from time to time. Admission is free.Address: 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3BPHours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10a.m.-5p.m.The Orangery at Kensington PalaceKensington Palace is the only royal palace in central London where one can take a traditional afternoon tea. Its restaurant, open all day, is set amidst beautiful formal gardens, offering a tranquil and graceful setting. At one time, Queen Anne’s elegant court entertainment would take place at the Orangery with its loft ceilings and classical 18th-century architecture. Other afternoon tea places include Browns, the Ritz, Hush and Claridge’s.Address: Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PXReservations: 020 3166 6113Hours: Monday-Sunday 10a.m.-6p.m. GO SHOPPINGFortnum & MasonThe food hall can get packed with tourists, but this historic shopping emporium is worth a visit. F&M gift hampers, loaded with delicacies, are much sought after gifts. Also enticing are the picnic baskets, wine, Champagne, Florentines, biscuits, chocolates, tea, condiments, jams, curds and marmalades. On the upper floors Fortnums sells much more, from jewelry to homeware. It has a range of restaurants including the upmarket 45 Jermyn Street.Address: 181 Piccadilly, London, W1A 1ER (also atSt. Pancras and Heathrow T5)Santa Maria Novella in Piccadilly ArcadeOne of the oldest fragrance-makers in the world, Santa Maria Novella is one of the first shops one encounters in Piccadilly Arcade, which rivals the Burlington Arcade for its luxury shopping. Here you will find moisturizing face creams, body milks, tonics, shampoos and conditioners, bubble bath, tanning products and fine home products such as scented candles, potpourri, liqueurs, honeys and compotes. Nearby is Floris, another fragrance maker.Address: 1, Piccadilly Arcade, 175 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9ENJj FoxThis 225-year-old shop’s customers have included Sir Winston Churchill, Oscar Wilde, British and foreign Royalty. While it is known for its imported, handmade, machine-made and budget cigars and cigar accessories, it also has jewelry and gifts. It is in another shopping area without equal: nearby are Jermyn Street stores and wine merchant Berry Bros.Address: 19 St. James’s Street, St. James’s, London SW1A 1ESHeywood HillThis renowned bookstore occupies two floors of a Georgian townhouse and has an unbeatable collection of old, new and antiquarian books. Its staff members, all bibliophiles, are all ready to help. This makes it an enjoyable experience visiting or browsing — and therefore a recommendation above some of the larger London bookstores. Heywood Hill, which has a Royal Warrant, can also help in building private collections of books.Address: 10 Curzon Street, Mayfair, London W1J 5HHAndrouetSplurge on seasonal cheese at this shop that is run by two French brothers. Their stock changes regularly, and not all the cheese is French. The shop is a favorite of gourmet Brian Clivaz, chief executive of the nearly Devonshire Club and hotel.Address: Spitalfields Arts Market, 10 Lamb St, London E1 6EA Read more