WORD OF MOUTH
Coffee pit stop ALLPRESS ESPRESSO
55 Dalston Lane, E8 2NG uk.allpressespresso.com You’ll find New Zealand-owned Allpress across England’s capital – including its original espresso bar in Shoreditch – but the capacious café-roastery in trendy Dalston is the place to head. Occupying two floors of an old joinery factory, it has a Scandi-chic wood-furnished interior and a front terrace and garden that are perfect for nursing a flat white or cold brew when the sun’s shining.
Breakfast meeting DUCK & WAFFLE
110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY duckandwaffle.com Kickstart the day at London’s highest 24/7 restaurant, on the 40th floor of the 230-metre-tall Heron Tower. The duck and waffle (confit duck leg, waffles, fried duck egg and maple syrup) is the signature dish but to “go local”, plump for the English-style house breakfast that includes Scottish black pudding. Reserve a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Dining alone DISHOOM
5 Stable Street, N1C 4AB dishoom.com Set in a converted railway transit shed in King’s Cross, Dishoom is a stylish modern twist on the old Irani (Iranianstyle) cafés of Mumbai. Take a stool at the marble-topped bar
Flight path LHR
Qantas flies to London from Sydney and Melbourne, with direct flights from Perth commencing in March 2018. qantas.com beneath whirring ceiling fans and a replica of the clock in Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and tuck into fragrant dishes such as lamb biryani, masala prawns and spiced chickpea salad.
Business dinner CÉLESTE
The Lanesborough London, Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA oetkercollection.com Hidden inside the lavish Lanesborough hotel is one of London’s most discreet finedining restaurants. Expect glittering chandeliers, white tablecloths and impeccable service, with exquisite modern European and British cuisine from chefs Eric Frechon and Florian Favario, who collectively hold five Michelin stars. Paired with classic wines, Céleste’s tasting menu includes native blue lobster, grilled lamb chops and halibut with Green Zebra tomato tartare.
Drinks with clients THE NIGHTJAR
129 City Road, EC1V 1JB barnightjar.com Shabby from the outside (you enter through an unmarked door), The Nightjar is all basement speakeasy charm inside, with low lighting, live jazz and blues, and killer cocktails. If you haven’t had dessert, try the Banoffeescotch, a creamy muddle of whisky, granola milk and banoffee curd in a chocolatey wafer cup. The Nightjar seats just 90 so book a table in advance.