1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn coupé by Pininfarina that inspired the design of the current Wraith model heads to auction
A one-off 1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn coupé by Pininfarina was the most expensive car in the world when built in 1951 and more recently it inspired the design of the company’s popular Wraith model. The vehicle is due to be auctioned at The Salon Privé sale by Silverstone Auctions on the 4th September. (more…)
A drill used in the Knightsbridge Security Deposit robbery on display at Christie’s is a reminder of the world’s biggest bank heist
Former banker David Gainsborough Roberts has amassed an extraordinary collection of items owned by famous and infamous individuals. A selection of them are currently on display at Christie’s in South Kensington and amongst them are a parliamentary robe worn by Lord Lucan, Lawrence of Arabia’s white silk headdress and a drill used in the Knightsbridge Security Deposit robbery in 1987. (more…)
The Rib Room dedicates a cocktail to Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez will go down in history for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup and in his honour Knightsbridge’s The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant have created a cocktail with a bite. (more…)
EXCLUSIVE: Antonio Carluccio involved in car crash in Walton Street, Chelsea
At 5.30pm today, the well-known chef Antonio Carluccio was involved in a car crash in London’s Walton Street in his Mercedes-Benz. (more…)
The mother of the Academy Award winning film director Anthony Minghella CBE (1954 – 2008) was a matriarch who lived by the philosophy: “You put in what you can, no matter how little that is, you don’t know how far the ripples will go”. Dedicated to community service and charity, Minghella herself was famous for introducing exotic flavours of ice cream to the Isle of Wight and even named one “Ripley’s Downfall” in honour of her son’s masterpiece The Talented Mr Ripley.
Lamborghini LM 002 4×4 heads to auction
The Lamborghini loving Arabs who frequent Sloane Street could save themselves from having to purchase a Range Rover for their entourage by bidding on a baby blue Lamborghini LM 002 at Bonhams’ 28th April sale at London’s RAF Museum at Hendon. (more…)
A round up of the moves of the newsworthy in the world of hospitality
Too expensive to run?
Financier Adrian Burford once told a court: “I make no apology for being quite expensive to run”. He invested some £1.1 million buying shares in the Sushinho Japanese-Mexican restaurant on the Kings Road. The company’s website now states: “We are sorry to inform you that our restaurants have closed” and their former premises are up for rent for £185,000 per annum through Miles Commercial. Plainly Burford’s mantra wasn’t that appealing.
An institution that should have been
The Brompton Bar & Grill should have become a Knightsbridge institution but sadly it closes on Friday, 21st March. Owner Francois O’Neill and his personable team ran this consistently excellent bistro for six years and announced its demise in an email to customers. O’Neill stated: “We are currently working on a new project that we aim to launch in the Spring of 2015”.
Hawking Frankie
Round the corner, the former Frankie’s site in Yeoman’s Row is being transformed into a fifth site for the popular Hawksmoor restaurant group. A press statement from the company tells diners to expect: “A bit of old school glamour and atmosphere and another menu that revolves around what we do best – amazing steaks from ethically reared British cattle and a few surprise dishes and cocktails which we’re currently perfecting”. The restaurant is expected to open in June.
Firing a 50th
Daphne’s in Draycott Avenue remains closed after its extraction system went up in flames on the 25th February. The Richard Caring owned Italian plainly now requires significant renovation. For at least a week after the fire, the smell of smoke was apparent to anyone passing by. Given that 2014 is the 50th anniversary of Daphne Rye opening this popular Chelsea haunt, the timing of the fire was certainly most unfortunate. Where will the ladies of SW3 lunch in the meantime?
In Toto
Toto’s on Lennox Garden Mews looks set to reopen shortly. Though the building workers wouldn’t tell us exactly what will be on the site, we could spot a substantial granite bar in the entrance. The firm who own the premises are named Walton Hospitality.
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Frankie Dettori’s triumph at Lingfield marks a great start to his return to racing
Frankie Dettori’s win at Lingfield on Wednesday is to be celebrated and marks a most welcome return for Britain’s favourite jockey. (more…)
The daughters of a convicted Italian kidnapper were cleared of defrauding Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi at a trial at Isleworth Crown Court in December 2013. These “kitchen confidantes” stated that they were “treated worse than Filipino slaves” and added that they’d “rather go to jail” than live in Battersea. There’ll be no more cupcakes for this duo.
20 questions with photographer Giacomo Brunelli
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Adrenaline.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“If you are going through hell, keep going” – Winston Churchill.