THE JOURNAL
The Connaught Bar at The Connaught Hotel. Photograph courtesy of The Connaught
If you’re bored of London, then you’re bored of life. This is a saying about MR PORTER’s home city that we very much agree with. But that doesn’t mean we don’t need a new perspective every now and then on a city constantly in flux. Recommendations are always welcome. So today we are turning to Style Council Member Mr Alexander Lewis to refresh our London “to do” list. And, as the brand and business director at Norton & Sons on Savile Row, we trust him to have an interesting tip or two up his (well-tailored) sleeve. Here’s where he drinks, eats and hangs out in his home city.
Dim Sum at Royal China. Photograph courtesy of Royal China
Where to eat
Royal China
“On Sundays you can generally assume I’ll be eating dim sum. Royal China is the old favourite, sometimes I switch it up and if I feel like heading west I go to Shikumen in Shepherd’s Bush.”
The Garden Terrace at Annabel’s. Photograph by Mr James McDonald, courtesy of Annabel’s
Where to drink
Annabel’s
“When I go out for a drink I like to be somewhere with a great martini or tequila selection. So I usually pick Annabel’s and its tucked-away garden bar, or I always like the Coburg Bar at The Connaught.”
Exterior of The Connaught Hotel. Photograph courtesy of The Connaught
Where to stay
The Connaught
“If I was visiting London I would stay at The Connaught for its location, the dark bar, and grand staircase.”
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Ms Rosalie Craig as Bobbie in Company. Photograph by Brinkhoff/Mogenburg, courtesy of The Gielgud Theatre
What to do
The Gielgud Theatre
“Right now, I would go and see Company at the Gielgud in Shaftesbury Avenue. The original writer Stephen Sondheim has given his blessing to flip the story of the 1970s musical on its head – recasting Bobbie as a woman played by Rosalie Craig. Patti LuPone, the godmother of Broadway, brings the house down with her rendition of ‘Ladies Who Lunch’, and Mel Giedroyc is unexpectedly wonderful in an incredible line-up and production.
What to wear
“At this time of year I am usually found wearing a variation on a theme. I prefer trousers more often than jeans, a mid-weight sweater and oversized drop-shoulder overcoat if it’s cold for the day, and by night I’ll wear a bomber jacket or leather jacket. I like to wear NikeCraft Mars Yard by Tom Sachs sneakers or Lucchese boots.”