From designer airline food, the Mad Hatter at the Dorchester to beautiful cocktail rings and iconic watches, Hetty Chidwick reports from the front line of luxury.
Airline food, even on private jets, can leave a lot to be desired, but all that looks set to change, thanks to Mayfair restaurant Novikov. Now, restaurant-quality meals can be ordered online and delivered to the airfield in time for take-off. Diners can choose from a selection of Asian- and Italian-inspired dishes, priced from £5 each.
(020–7399 4330; www.novikovrestaurant.co.uk)
In 1963, Jaguar made just 12 of the 18 planned models of its iconic Lightweight E-Type. Now, the company is completing the run and, to celebrate the event, Bremont has created bespoke watches for the owners of the six new vehicles. In homage to the E-type’s classic lines, the timepieces feature an alloy-spoked steering wheel with a wooden rim that is part of the rotor and each car’s chassis number.
(0845 094 0690; www.bremont.com)
This October, The Dorchester will be transformed into a scene from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Its Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea Party (£55, including a glass of Champagne, or £31 for children) includes treats such as coffee-tonka top hats and coconut-lime playing cards. Guests will be entertained by the English National Ballet School and the Mad Hatter himself will be putting in an appearance.
Available from October 27 to 31 2014
Telephone 020–7629 8888 or email: restaurants.TDL@dorchestercollection.com
Barbour and Land Rover are teaming up to create a collection of classic clothing and accessories— expect traditional country detail twinned with clever shapes inspired by those of the vehicles. Barbour for Land Rover jackets start at £149.
(0800 917 3000; www. barbour.com)
(0800 096 0493; http://landrover.co.uk/ shop)
A fusion of old and new: William & Son has joined forces with jewellery designer Sarah Ho to create a collection of four cocktail rings (£4,800 each) inspired by the engraving on the shotguns in its archives.
(020–7493 8385; www.williamandson.com)
The Vineyard, a five-star hideaway near Newbury, is a little piece of California in Berkshire. The deluxe suites are a treat, but the restaurant, which has more than 30,000 bottles of wine in its cellars, is the real draw. Go for the Judgement of Paris dinner, named after the 1976 tasting in which Californian vintages trounced Continental ones: a seven-course feast with two wines per course and a blind tasting thrown in for good measure (£184 a head). The following day, you’ll want to take things quietly in the spa. From £235 per night, based on two sharing.
(01635 897560; www.the-vineyard.co.uk)
Chiara Vania subscribes to the Oriental philosophy of the five elements: according to her, everyone is dominated by one of wood, fire, earth, metal or water and, when your ruling element gets out of balance, it shows in your skin. Her five KITA beauty serums are designed to address each imbalance, giving you your glow back.
(£95 for 50ml, 0844 873 7366)
