London has a new private members’ club to compete with the best. The Devonshire Club opens its doors this month after a renovation of a former East India company warehouse and adjoining Georgian house in the City financial district. The cost is put at £25 million (about $33 million.)The club’s CEO is Brian Clivaz, the boss of L’Escargot, who previously opened Home House and reinvigorated The Arts Club in Dover Street. The Devonshire provides a new alternative to City workers who previously had limited choices or had to travel to Mayfair and the West End for relaxing havens.Clivaz tells Blouin ARTINFO about his London picks for residents and visitors.What projects are you currently working on?I have just opened Devonshire Club with my business partner Harry Harris. I also have L’Escargot in Soho, which is London’s oldest French restaurant.What are your favorite restaurants in London?I love Wilton’s in St James - it’s almost a club. Also La Petite Maison, just behind Claridge’s.What you be your recommendation for best bar?I love the bar at Balthazar - my fired Brian is the head barman and he always has a new concoction to try; also the Library Bar at the Lanesborough where my friend Brian is the pianist - there’s a Brian in all the best places !What about a good place for a nightcap?5 Hertford Street is always good at night - and the cigar terrace is amazing.What’s the best place for a first date?L’Escargot - of course - otherwise the Dandelyan Bar at the Mondrian is very romantic and you can have a walk by the Thames afterwards.Best hotel in London? The Goring is always great. The staff are tremendous, the food is excellent, and the bedrooms have that quintessential English good taste.What’s the best club?Apart from Devonshire Club, it has to be The Arts Club. The food is delicious and they have a great program of cultural and music events.Name a few must-visit places for people visiting London.Just a few? Can I have five? Ok, they are: Sir John Soane’s Museum, the Royal Academy of Arts in Piccadilly and the Wallace Collection of course. Then The View from the Shard – and the Tower of London.How would you spend a free morning? I would start with a good breakfast at the Wolseley, read The Telegraph and then go to an exhibition. Morning coffee and a bun at Maison Bertaux watching the world go by - then a good lunch!What favorite shops would you recommend?Fortnum & Mason for its grocery; Santa Maria Novella in Piccadilly Arcade for perfume. JJ Fox for cigars, Heywood Hill in Curzon Street for books and Androuet in Spitalfields for its cheese.What’s your favorite building in the capital?There are two, both very close together! For the exterior, the Houses of Parliament. Inside, Westminster Abbey.Your home is where in London?I live in Brixton, South London - I bought there as the property had a large garden and I have always kept dogs.What was the last play, book and exhibition you can recommend?For the show, “Aladdin” at the Prince Edward - it was magical. For the book, “Authenticity is a Con” by Peter York, published by Biteback: it is one of their series of “Provocations” - the whole series is stimulating.  Finally, Hockney at the Royal Academy and the Summer Exhibition of course.What’s the outlook for the catering industry post Brexit?We British are very resilient and innovative. I have no fears for our future success. In fact, I believe we will rise to the challenge.The 58,000-square-feet, six floor Devonshire Club has a brasserie with Kobe beef and much else on the menu; three bars; an internal winter garden with cigar terrace; gym; beauty salon and valet parking. The 68 bedrooms and suites for members and others vary from £200 to £1,200 per night. Membership is £2,400 per year, with a 10- year Debenture membership at £24,000.     Read more