Theatrical sensibility
Carbone, best East London bakeries, The Barbary Notting Hill, Hampstead properties, Brooklands by Claude Bosi, Pentreath & Hall, Castlemartyr Resort, MORE
RESTAURANTS • First Word
Super-sized
The Skinny: London’s buzziest new restaurant is New York import Carbone, famous there for its impossible-to-get tables and celebrity clientele. It debuted here in Grosvenor Square mid-September, as part of the restoration of the former American Embassy, taking up a coveted corner space alongside the Chancery Rosewood hotel. It’s more scene than restaurant, and the initial reservations vanished within seconds.
The Vibe: You know you’re in Mayfair when two doormen usher you inside Carbone’s ground floor bar, an indoor-outdoor space for walk-in guests. Underground, it’s even more extra, with an ornate, expansive dining room and bar evoking a vintage sophistication that combines New York glamour with British pretension. Like the Greenwich Village original, the service is about theatricality – several dishes arrive via trolley – and the art of the upsell. Before I was even offered water, my server (a “captain”) proudly displayed an enormous truffle that could be shaved onto any dish for an extra £100. The crowd is a mix of wealthy locals, curious American tourists and wannabe influencers flummoxed by the impossibly low lighting. The scope of the service requires a lot of coordination, which is still being worked out – incorrect dishes arrived twice, and the flow seemed off.
The Food: Carbone is known for overwrought presentations and large portions, which prompted an immediate warning from the server. The menu is nearly identical to the New York outpost – a lobster risotto is original to London, but wasn’t available when I dined – and there’s plenty from which to choose. The tableside Caesar salad, topped with buttery croutons and Spanish anchovies, was memorable. The spicy rigatoni vodka, Carbone’s most iconic dish, was satisfying. But the off-menu meatballs are what really bolstered the pasta. The meat and fish options are overwhelming in scale, so it’s best to order thoughtfully, especially since every table is given bread, pickled cauliflower and salami to start. As a final theatrical touch, desserts are carried to the table on a tray rather than listed on a menu.
The Drink: The classic cocktail list, with six martini variations, befits the nostalgic sensibility of Carbone, as does the Champagne, which is eagerly offered the moment you sit down (another upsell). Wines are primarily French and Italian, and there are a few non-alcoholic options, as well as beer and tea.
The Verdict: Aggressively expensive, difficult to access, and yet. With its compelling menu and atmospheric throwback elegance, Carbone manages to captivate and might just be worth the trouble. –Emily Zemler
→ Carbone (Mayfair) • 30 Grosvenor Sq • Tue-Sat 4-10p • Book.
RESTAURANTS • Intel
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND: As it celebrates a year since opening, The Barbary Notting Hill has named New Yorker Ian Coogan as its head chef. Freshly moved to London, Coogan has two decades of experience in US kitchens, including Eleven Madison Park. He will bring his unique vantage to the restaurant, which highlights the culinary traditions of North Africa’s Barbary Coast. Book.
WHAT JACKSON DID NEXT: Having transformed Orasay into Dove earlier in the year, Jackson Boxer has finished renovating the cellar bar underneath Brunswick House, reopening it as a state-of-the-art cocktail bar and wine cellar. The Black Duke is named after the Duke of Brunswick, for whom the original foundations (now lovingly restored) were laid in 1758. Expect 300-year-old fireplaces, vintage leather seats and comforting bar snacks. Opens 08/10. Book. –Laura Price
LONDON RESTAURANT LINKS: In Bloomsbury, St. John and London Review Bookshop opening new café today • Bonheur by Matt Abé replacing Le Gavroche • Chef Ivan Tisdall-Downes prepping Field Notes for late Oct opening in London Fields • London’s wine scene is cool now • The martini is back, the martini never went away.
REAL ESTATE • First Mover
Three for-sale 4BR houses in Hampstead that came to market in September:
→ Willoughby Road (Hampstead, above) • 4BR/3BA/2R, 141 m2 semi-detached house • Guide price: £2.95mn • open floor plan with Crittall-style doors onto private patio • Ownership type: freehold • Agent: Goldschmidt & Howland.
→ Gayton Road (Hampstead) • 4BR/3BA/2R 245 m2 terraced house • Asking price: £4.4mn • high-spec with large rear garden • Ownership type: freehold • Agent: Goldschmidt & Howland.
→ Denning Road (Hampstead) • 4BR/3BA/1R, 257 m2 detached house • Asking price: £4.95mn • off-street parking, 2 private patios, and air-con in south-facing bedrooms • Ownership type: freehold • Agent: DDRE.global. –AC Kienbaum
WORK & PLAY LINKS: London’s first surfing lake gets green light • The Trocadero could be transformed with casino and new restaurants • Inside a jewel-box flat in Islington • 15 coffee trends from the world over.
WORK • Wednesday Routine
Collaboration mindset
JACQUES ALVERNHE • director of operations • Brooklands by Claude Bosi at The Peninsula London
Neighbourhood you work in: Hyde Park
Neighbourhood you live in: Vauxhall
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Mornings at the restaurant always start with a little ritual: an espresso shared with the chef. It’s our way of grounding the day – checking in not just on how the kitchen and floor performed the night before, but also on how the team is feeling. From there, we review the guest list, spotting familiar faces, celebrating regulars and noting any special occasions coming up. Once that’s done, I dive into emails and join the hotel’s morning briefing to align with the broader team. By 11:30, we gather for the pre-lunch service meeting, where energy really begins to build. The shift from calm preparation to the lively hum of the restaurant coming to life is always my favourite moment; it’s a reminder of why I love this work.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Right now, a big focus is planning upcoming chef collaborations. These projects are incredibly rewarding but require a lot of coordination – aligning schedules, shaping creative concepts and making sure the communication around them feels just right. It’s a balancing act of logistics and imagination.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
For midweek dining, I always find myself recommending Trivet. Whether for a casual glass of wine and a few light bites on a Monday or a full dinner later in the week, it’s consistently excellent. Their sweetbread dish is particularly memorable. Another spot I love is The Parakeet. It has that rare ability to make you feel instantly at home. The team combines genuine warmth with a relaxed but polished atmosphere.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I love escaping into nature. The walk from Seaford to Eastbourne, with its sweeping views over the Seven Sisters cliffs, is unbeatable – peaceful, invigorating and a reminder of just how beautiful the English coastline can be. For evenings in London, I’m drawn to two extremes: the carefree fun of a pint and a night of comedy at the Top Secret Comedy Club, or the more contemplative, immersive experience of a performance at the National Theatre. Both leave you with that sense of having really made the most of your evening.
Any weekend getaways?
I recently took a trip to Ireland, and though it was brief, it felt incredibly restorative. I stayed at the Castlemartyr Resort in Cork, a five-star hotel that perfectly balances understated luxury with tranquility. The highlight of the trip, though, was dining at Terre, the restaurant nestled inside the resort. The experience was exceptional on every level. It reminded me how powerful a destination meal can be – it’s not just what’s on the plate, but the journey and sense of discovery that surround it.
What was your last great vacation?
Japan. It’s a country that constantly surprises and delights, whether you’re caught up in the electric energy of Tokyo or wandering through quieter towns off the beaten track. The culinary experiences alone made it remarkable: from the refined elegance of Sézanne in Tokyo to a hidden gem in northern Kyoto near Kyotango, Nawaya Tango. The latter was so remote it felt almost like a pilgrimage, but the reward was a meal that captured the essence of place and tradition in a way I’ll never forget.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
During my time off, I love playing tennis, and my most recent big-ticket purchase was a full week at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. It was an incredible experience – world-class coaching, great facilities and a chance to immerse myself in the sport I enjoy most.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Bread Ahead Bakery. They’re famous for their crème brûlée doughnuts, incredible sourdough and a buzzing Borough Market location that really captures the city’s food culture.
GETAWAYS LINKS: At Crazy Bear hotel in Beaconsfield, Bear by Carlo Scotto sets 15/10 opening date • The future of the Margate’s brutalist high-rise • The Hoxton readying new 129-room hotel in Dublin for opening next month • Apricity chef Chantelle Nicholson opens Fjora restaurant at 1 Hotel Copenhagen.
CULTURE & LEISURE • 69 Love Songs
Dom Dolla • Alexandra Palace (Haringey) • Fri @ 630p • GA, £65 per
The Magnetic Fields • Union Chapel (Islington) • Fri @ 7p • GA, £310 per
Browns v Vikings •Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Tottenham) • Sun @ 230p • sec 103, £199 per
GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Shop
Fresh nostalgia
Tucked away in one of Bloomsbury’s most charming streets, Pentreath & Hall offers a carefully curated selection of homewares, fabrics and diaries, and a gallery of postcards you’ll want to frame rather than send.
Known for its mix of classic and contemporary design, Pentreath & Hall showcases a palette of soft, inviting tones and rich, natural materials that feel both nostalgic and fresh. Every corner of the space is a celebration of British craftsmanship, with big names like Ravilious and Morris, alongside up-and-coming national treasures such as Alice Pattulo.
Whether you’re after a softer-than-soft handwoven throw or wrapping paper that you could only justify using for the love of your life, this is the place to find items that elevate without overwhelming. A reflection of the very spirit of Lamb’s Conduit Street itself, it’s timeless, elegant and effortlessly stylish. –Amy Rose Holland
→ Shop: Pentreath & Hall (Bloomsbury) • 7 Lamb’s Conduit St • Tue-Sat 10a-6p.
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GOODS & SERVICES • The Nines
Bakeries, East London
The Nines are FOUND’s distilled lists of London’s best. Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or found@foundldn.com.
Pophams (London Fields, above), coffee from Ozone, sweet-and-savoury pastries like custard-filled tarts topped w/ roasted fruit