As Samuel Johnson famously said, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”. As true today as it was in 1777, the fascinating and vibrant city of London offers as much variety and excitement that one could desire.

While new, revived pockets of the city are raising the stakes when it comes to unusual and fabulous places to eat, sleep and play in, today we’ve chosen to pay homage to the old school classics that retain a uniqueness and exceptional quality that makes us love them so dearly.

Eat

Relais de Venise L’Entrecôte, Marylebone, London

 

 

While the Brits may reminisce over childhood summers by the seaside eating superbly fresh fish and the perfect chip…which, by the way, is down to the correct ratio of crisp exterior to moist, fluffy centre, the gastronomic scene in the centre of London has blossomed over the years into a diverse, spectacular display of culinary skill. Fear not, chip lovers, it still includes ye old English classics, but our focus today is steak.

The French disdainfully call the English ‘Ros bif’ for their alleged love of roast beef, yet judging by the number of high quality steak houses opened in recent years in the capital, I’d say all things ‘cow’ are in high regard this side of the pond.

Insulted or not, folk in the capital flock to this wonderfully old school French steak house in Marylebone. So confident are the owners in their signature dish – steak-frites in a secret recipe sauce – it’s the only dish on the menu! If they were ever worried about this strategy, they needn’t have been, as the queue for this little eatery starts even before it opens, curling right around the corner most days.

We especially love how a third of your steak is held back to keep warm. When you’re ready, it’s served alongside yet more freshly prepared frites.

Decent wine and surprisingly good deserts, make this one of Edulge’s fave haunts.

Relais de Venise L’Entrecôte 120 Marylebone Lane, London W1U 2QG Tel: +44 (0)20 7486 0878 

Sleep

Claridges, Mayfair, London

 

 

Gone are the days of stuffy chintzy establishments and tired old staff, London is unequivocally the epitome of cool, stylish, understated luxury. Media types might prefer the contemporary, slightly retro feel executed so effortlessly by East London hotels, but there’s no substitute for the old school decadence of a historic hotel when you’re looking for a little glamour.

On the corner of a sophisticated street in Mayfair, stands this quietly elegant 1920s and 30s art deco hotel. So beautiful and well-maintained are the original features, you could mistakenly believe you had travelled through time as you passed through the iconic revolving doors.

Greeted by the scent of Cire Trudon’s exceptional candles, the lobby impresses with its glossy chequered marble floor, decadent chandelier and grand sweeping staircase.

The reverie slowly, but pleasantly ends as you start to notice a gentle, tasteful modernity has been injected throughout the rooms without taking from its history.

This timeless glamour experienced throughout the hotel is preserved by painstaking, considerate restorations throughout the years by well-respected designers from Diane Von Furstenberg to David Linley.

Loved by fashionistas, dignitaries and anyone with good taste here’s where to revel in British heritage at its best.

Claridge's, Brook Street, London W1K 4HR Tel: +44 (0)20 7629 8860 

Play

Nightjar, Shoreditch, London

 

 

We love a good cocktail here at Edulge so the burgeoning trend in truly authentic, specialist bars with superbly trained and experienced mixologists in recent years is definitely music to our ears. Every once in a while though, you stumble across something truly special and that’s how we feel about this little place.

One of the original speakeasy style bars to open in the capital, it has racked up a host of awards and accolades without losing its unique character or charm.

The antithesis of overcrowded West End bars and flashy nightclubs, Nightjar combines the old school glamour of live vintage music with rare, revived and original cocktails. With its intimate mood, attentive service and surprisingly good bar food, you’ll find it hard leave. We recommend booking though (or it will be equally hard to get in).

Nightjar, 129 City Rd, London EC1V 1JB