Poetry in motion
Alfie’s, Mayfair listings, best arts and design bookstores, Irene Forte, Sumi, Cepages, Beaverbrook, MORE
RESTAURANTS • First Word
The lord’s work
The Skinny: Opened last month above popular Belgravia pub The Alfred Tennyson, Alfie’s takes a more refined approach than its downstairs sibling, with an emphasis on British and French classics.
The Vibe: Posh-but-casual, as underscored by the location on quiet pedestrian row Motcomb Street, not far from Harrods. The dining room is chic without being pretentious, as suits the neighbourhood. It has a lively atmosphere, bolstered by the colorful, maximalist wallpaper and trolley service. The decor pairs antiques with contemporary gastropub aesthetics, embodying a quintessential charm that codes more country than city. On a recent Wednesday evening, the crowd was groups of professionals and young couples, although the ambience suits a broad range of diners, particularly on weekend afternoons.
The Food: The menu from executive chef Ben Tish and head chef Stevie Phillip is seasonal elevated British with French flourishes. Dressed Cornish crab garnished with fresh herbs and brightened with lemon and tarragon is a standout, as is the burrata with lovage oil, an apt showcase for peas and asparagus. But it’s the tableside steak tartare, which arrives via trolley, that gets the dining room buzzing. Made to order and presented with toasted sourdough bread, the tartare is well balanced with a zing of capers, hot sauce, and critically, fun. The main dishes emphasize British meat — the roast chicken with morels is rich and comforting — and fish. For dessert, rich chocolate mousse, drizzled with Cubitt House’s own olive oil will hasten your imminent return. On Sundays, Alfie’s has a smaller menu highlighting a sirloin roast and the aforementioned trolley.
The Drink: Although you can opt for a pint from the downstairs pub, Alfie’s drinks menu emphasises wine, champagne, and cocktails. There’s an array of martinis, and the gin list is notably impressive, featuring both British brands and international offerings like Japan’s Ki No Bi Kyoto. The low and no alcohol selection is equally strong, with multiple zero-proof cocktails and a non-alcoholic sparkling wine. The digestif list, curated with Harris Vintners, offers a discerning selection of Armagnac, Calvados, and more.
The Verdict: The Cubitt House hospitality group’s latest is an immediately pleasing addition to London’s pub dining scene, perfect for a casual weekday evening out or a celebratory group outing. –Emily Zemler
→ Alfie’s (Belgravia) • 10 Motcomb St • Mon-Wed 12-11p, Thu-Sat 12-1130p, Sun 12-1030p • Book.
LONDON RESTAURANT LINKS: NoMad London debuting new brasserie Twenty8 NoMad this Friday • Shoreditch’s pioneering Lyle’s to shutter 05/18 • All-day Vietnamese cafe Lai Rai readies June opening in Peckham • Harry’s plans King’s Cross outpost in former Vinoteca space • Australian dynamic restaurant pricing platform EatClub comes to the U.K.
REAL ESTATE • First Mover
Three for-sale, four-bedroom properties in Mayfair that recently came to market:
→ Green Street (Mayfair) • 4BR/3BA/2R, 167 m2 flat • Guide Price: £4.5mn • direct lift access, potential for expansion in loft space • Ownership type: leasehold (with 109 years) • Agent: Keiron McGill, Harding Green.
→ Chesterfield Street (Mayfair, above) • 4BR/4BA, 318 m2 house • Ask: £12.5mn • 6-floor townhouse with roof terrace • Ownership type: freehold • Agents: James Gubbins & Simon Burgoyne, Sotheby’s.
→ 95 Mount Street (Mayfair) • 4BR/3BA/2R, 429 m2 flat • Ask: £20.0mn • private entrance, backs onto Mount Street Gardens • Ownership type: leasehold • Agent: Alastair Nicholson, Knight Frank.
WORK & PLAY LINKS: Inside Renzo Piano’s Shard Place, 27-storey tower with highest swimming pool in London • Wes Anderson unboxes his wonderfully weird archives for first London show • Stella McCartney set to give up flagship Bond St store • Inside Walthamstow’s stunning new Soho Theater • Topshop launching one-day popup in Shoreditch this Saturday • Inside the new Oxford St Ikea • The new wave of London chocolate shops • How to build a modern wardrobe • Clothes fit for an Edwardian.
GOODS & SERVICES • The Nines
Bookstores, arts and design
The Nines are FOUND's distilled lists of London’s best. Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or email found@foundldn.com.
Artwords (Broadway Market), contemporary visual arts and culture with classic Hackney scene on weekends, statutory tote
ICA Bookstore (St James’s), radical art, design, and cultural studies; zines galore, no-frills decor
RIBA Books (Bloomsbury), Royal Institute of British Architects, curation follows function
Design Museum High Street Shop (Kensington), best of contemporary design, plus homeware and prints
November Books (Cecil Court), subcultures paradise featuring rare and secondhand editions; appointment only
Tenderbooks (Cecil Court), artist books, including hard-to-find and out-of-print runs
TPG Bookshop (Soho), photography book selection par excellence, fitting its location in The Photographers’ Gallery basement
IDEA (Soho, above), proclaimed ‘coolest bookshop in the world’; ring bell for vintage gems
Reference Point (Temple), post-War radical art, architecture, design, fashion, and culture in 180 The Strand, library/bookshop/bar
WORK • Wednesday Routine
Beauty regimen
OLIMPIA FRANZAN • director of strategy • Irene Forte Skincare
Neighbourhood you work in: Chelsea
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
The office is buzzing with energy — only women, all focused on different projects, and beauty packages scattered around. We're in the midst of catching up on the latest tasks and to-dos. In a few minutes, we're heading out for a coffee run to Lift, just across from the office. It’s the perfect way to get a little break and recharge before diving back in.
What’s on the agenda for today?
A pilates class first thing in the morning before heading to the office. Then, catching up on emails and jumping on calls with the team to discuss our exciting 2025 projects. For lunch, I usually swing by Sally Clarke or Whole Foods to grab a bite, and we always bring back a few snacks for the office (the Ombar Coco Raspberry organic raw chocolate is our favorite!).
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Tonight, I’m planning to go to Sumi for dinner after our drinks — it’s a great Japanese spot. I also love Josephine or Julie's for dinner with friends or Cepages for a romantic date night. On weekends, we like to get out of the city when we can and go to Petersham Nurseries in Richmond for lunch or brunch — it’s so peaceful. Otherwise, if we’re in the mood for something a bit more dynamic, we head to Angelina or Brat in East London. For the best martini in London, it would be Duke's.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I recently visited the Van Gogh exhibition at the National Gallery, which was truly stunning. I also spent time exploring the rest of the museum — every time I go, I’m more amazed by its collection. This weekend, we’re off to watch the UTS Final Tennis Tournament — my husband is a massive tennis fan.
What was your last great vacation?
Last year, I took an unforgettable trip to Japan — it was extra special because it marked the end of my maternity leave before I returned to work. The entire experience was incredible: the rich history, breathtaking landscapes, the warmth of the people, and of course, the food. I also loved exploring the vintage shops and soaking up the unique energy of the cities.
CULTURE & LEISURE • Dear Life
Kevin Hart • Royal Albert Hall (South Kensington) • Fri @ 730p • stall O, £207 per
Andre Rieu • OVO Arena (Wembley) • Fri @ 6p • A4, £170 per
David Gray • Palladium (Soho) • Sat @ 6:45p • stalls, £163 per
GETAWAYS • Surrey Hills
The lord giveth
There’s an undeniable sense of awe as you approach Beaverbrook, a sprawling English country estate in the Surrey Hills that’s hosted travelers and spa guests since 2011. The manor home still retains its classic sense of glamour, although you can also stay in one of several buildings around the grounds, each with its own quirky charms. (I stayed in the Garden House, a leisurely stroll from the main house and the Coach House Spa.)
While at Beaverbrook, there’s as much or as little to do as you please. The estate shares space with the exclusive Beaverbrook Golf Club, where guests can also partake in tennis, fencing, and croquet — I skipped these for a walk through the woods, which I’d recommend particularly if you visit in summer or fall.
The spa is a top attraction, especially the serene outdoor pool, where servers arrive with water and towels as soon as you sit down. I opted for a sound bath massage in the recently opened shepherd’s hut, a remote spa outpost in the middle of a grassy field.
The allure of an English country house hotel is that you never have to leave, not even for meals. Beaverbrook’s culinary offerings range from high-end Japanese dining to British comfort food. My favourite meal was breakfast at the Garden House Restaurant, served outside on the patio with views of the surrounding hills. –Emily Zemler
→ Beaverbrook (Leatherhead) • Reigate Rd • weekend rates from £806.
GETAWAYS LINKS: LGW braces for new disruptions from strikes • Appreciating Île d’Yeu off the coast of Western France, slightly more known but still hors du temps • Banyan Tree’s first European residences will be in Madrid • The artisans of Northern Italy.
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