Tuesday 14 October 2025.

Tuesday 14 October 2025. I went to two great events at the former American Embassy in Grosvenor Square , Mayfair, London W1. 7.30pm to 10pm BRITISH VOGUE - FRIEZE ART WEEK /LONDON FILM FESTIVAL - party at CARBONE Around 200 guests are here, including EMILY ATACK, DANIEL LISMORE, SIR OZWALD BOETENG, RYAN SEACREST, HELEN FIELDING , ELIZABETH McGOVERN and others . The renowned New York restaurant Carbone has opened its first European outpost in London. Located at 30 Grosvenor Square, within the former American Embassy and now part of the Chancery Rosewood Hotel, it officially opened on September 17, 2025. The Mayfair location offers the brand's signature glamour and is known for classic Italian-American dishes with tableside theatrics. Signature dishes: Expect to find classics like spicy rigatoni vodka, veal parmesan, and lobster fra diavolo. Atmosphere: The restaurant is designed to be glamorous and theatrical, with tuxedo-clad captains, plush seating, and classic mid-century Italian-American aesthetics. We had complimentary prosecco , four different cocktails, wines , beers , pasta dishes , canapes and desserts then 10pm to 1am CHANCERY ROSEWOOD - Grand Opening Party - Around 300 guests are here . Guests included PRINCESS BEATRICE, RICHARD E GRANT, JACKIE ST CLAIR , HANS ULRICH OBRIST, LADY VICTORIA HERVEY, STEPHEN MERCHANT, DAVID REMFY, TAMARA BECKWITH, JAY RUTLAND, ROSE McGOWAN , DAVID LINLEY, SIR OZWALD BOETENG ( he also did both events) and others . Originally built in 1960 by Eero Saarinen to house the US Embassy, The Chancery—and the gilded eagle sculpture that presides over its Portland stone façade—is one of London’s most notable architectural masterpieces. In a new chapter with Rosewood, this Modernist icon and Grade II-listed building now opens its doors to reveal a warmly inviting interior—alive with creativity, exceptional exchanges and unique collaborations. It costs over £1000 per night to stay at this luxury five star hotel. It was certainly a bit more livelier than Carbone earlier as MARK RONSON was the main DJ until midnight. Complimentary drinks and food included Pol Roger champers , several different cocktails , wines , beers , bowl food, canapes and desserts. Guests got a goodie bag with a four inch square fragment of the buildings own Portland limestone and a copy of the recently released Mark Ronson biography. -------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Monday 13 October 2025.... 6.45pm to 10.15pm..... 11th TRAVEL MEDIA AWARDS at The Pan Pacific Hotel,83 Houndsditch, Liverpool Street , London EC3. Around 300 guests in the basement ballroom of this luxury five star hotel. We found a nice sofa to sit down for the entire event. The Travel Media Awards launched in 2015, and is widely recognised as the premier awards event in travel media, and the only UK national awards exclusively recognising editorial excellence and achievement across all forms of media. From 7.25pm for an hour the 24 awards were given out. Great to see travel journalist and presenter SIMON CALDER ( now aged 69) pick up the Special Contribution Award. He gave an amusing speech. He works for various news and travel publications as well as being travel correspondent for The Independent since 1994. Simon started out at Gatwick Airport cleaning British Airways planes in the 1970s. Simon could get swamped with travel freebies but is known as ' the man who pays his way',as he doesn't accept any free travel or accomodation from the travel trade. Complimentary Taittinger Champers , wines, beers, different bowl foods, canapes and desserts. See their website for the list of winners.

Posted 13th October 2025