The Villager - The Portman Estate

The Villager
AUTUMN
2013
THE NEWSLETTER FOR PORTMAN VILLAGE • THE PLACE TO EAT OUT, SHOP IN AND TALK ABOUT •
FREE
Issue nine
PORTMAN
VILLAGE
SWINGS
INTO
AUTUMN
FIND FINE FASHION AND BEAUTY
SEE OUR VINTAGE TREASURES
SAMPLE AN AUTUMN MENU
EXPLORE OUR HISTORY
RELAX, ENJOY
FASHION • FOOD • LIFESTYLE
www.portmanvillage.com
Contents
P2-3
Welcome
P4-5
Game, Set & Match
The Portman Village Street Party
P6-7
Autumn Food
Let’s do lunch the Portman Village way
P8-9
Fashion
What are you wearing?
WELCOME TO THE AUTUMN ISSUE OF
The Villager
Autumn is a great time to stand back, re-assess your
lifestyle and return into the swing of things, with mind
cleared by summer breaks and batteries re-charged
And where better to come for this
than Portman Village? You can feel
the energy pulsing through our
numerous boutiques, restaurants
bars and hotels. Every trader plans
to finish off the year in style, and
they’ll fill the next three months with
fashion, beauty, food and fun.
Here, small is truly beautiful, the
streets are inviting and elegant and
personal service is the norm. Life
proceeds mostly at walking pace,
with nothing speedier than a gently
moving taxi.  So please join in, share
our secrets, make some memories
and take a little piece of Portman
Village home with you.
P10 -11
Beauty
Specialists at Portman Village
P12-13
Upwardly Mobile
Recycling and up-cycling go upmarket
P14-15
Village People
Donostia
P16-17
Out & About
P18
Choosing a Scent
Pay a visit to Les Senteurs
P19
Diary Dates
for all the details of Portman Village’s
Log onto www.portmanvillage.com
out the latest news on our blog.
shops, bars and restaurants, and check
e
Follow us on Twitter @portmanvillag
st
Like us on Facebook and Pintere
Contact: [email protected]
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and share with
us any thoughts and ideas you might have to help
us improve the things we do. We’d love to hear
from you!
two
All information and prices provided are current and accurate at time of print.
EDITOR’S
LETTER
Returning as guest editor for the Autumn
issue of The Villager is Barbara Chandler,
who writes regularly for the London Evening
Standard, and has a column in Homes &
Gardens magazine. She is an accomplished
photographer, whose latest exhibition
“Celebration” was shown in Shoreditch
last summer.
Barbara’s recently published book, Love
London, has 180 photographs of the capital,
matched with over 100 literary snippets, from
a snatch of 15th century poetry to lines from
“I’ve now had the honour to guest edit (and
largely write) The Villager for four issues – this
(can I really believe it?) is the fifth! During this
time it has been my huge pleasure gradually
to explore this fascinating area. At the heart
of Portman Village are the shopping streets
of New Quebec Street and Seymour Place.
But the interest and atmosphere flows out
into the surrounding streets, which feature so
many fine houses, garden squares, clubs and
sophisticated hotels, with parks and galleries
in easy reach. Portman Village has so much
to offer, to residents, of course, but also to all
Londoners who want to up their quality of life,
with fashion finds that are different from the
chains and specialist treatments for beauty
and/or hair. Then there are the numerous
cafes, bars, restaurants and hotels on
permanent standby for a warm welcome.
This is the real deal – shopping and eating
at its most friendly and personal, where you
meet owners not managers, and people
quickly learn your name. Thank you for
reading The Villager – it’s a group effort with
all of us eager to share our news, views and
secrets.  
 
With love from Barbara”
@sunnyholt
The Villager
Issue Nine / Autumn 2013
A LITTLE BIT OF
PLASTIC
GOES A LONG WAY
JOIN PV CLUB AND
BENEFIT ALL ROUND
The little black book of boutique shopping
and eating has its very own club member’s
card, offering exclusive discounts and special
offers to customers.
The PV club card is waiting to be picked up
and pocketed at shops, pubs and restaurants
on New Quebec Street and Seymour Place or
go on-line at www.portmanvillage.com.
TM
Twitter keeps you up to date at home or
away in short sharp bursts of 140 characters.
Portman Village traders are sharing all their
news – events, promotions, offers – on social
media such as Facebook and Twitter. Here’s
our updated twit-list – follow them NOW!
 
@portmanvillage
@homemadelondon
@ABoutiqueUK
@lessenteurs
@BuyMyWardrobe @mountainvalleyw
@DaisyGreenFood
@LockhartLondon 
@DonostiaW1
@PaolitaBeach
@eliskadesign
@portmanpub
@HyattChurchill
@RonenChenUK
@iBrowsEtc
@suzannahfashion
@boroughbarista
@Vinoteca
@PerfecTressHQ
GAME,
SET
& MATCH
For the famous Portman Village street party…
The banners and bunting said “I Love PV”
And, on the evening’s evidence, it was clear that everyone did.
On a fine evening at the beginning of July the
Portman Village street party was pulling in
the punters like never before. You could hear
the music from streets away, emanating from
the Trio Manouche gypsy band and the jazz
musicians on stilts. The owners of the chic
boutiques and businesses of Portman Village
turned out to let their hair down a little and
celebrate a Wimbledon tennis themed party
with artificial grass, Pimm’s, strawberries and
cream and a very popular tennis comedy act.
Local offices competed fiercely at table tennis.
Joining in as hosts were PV’s numerous
speciality restaurants and bars, with support
from the area’s sophisticated hotels, all
offering tasters from their brasseries and
kitchens. Everyone came, including PV’s much
treasured oldest resident, the glamorous
author and ex-actress, 96 year-old Mrs
Nielson. Locals, of course, were out in force,
and many other Londoners had made special
journeys to be there.
The area was thronged with families with
children, and at one point as many as 50
boys and girls were watching Punch and
Judy. Designer Eliska’s splendid Great Dane
Louis graciously permitted petting, and even
the Daisy Green “cow” was in attendance.
Shops excelled themselves. You could meet a
magician at Alterations Boutique, enjoy facepainting at Homemade London, and admire
Paolita’s gorgeous models bravely parading
in swimwear. The banners and bunting said
“I Love PV”. And, on the evening’s evidence,
it was clear that everyone did.
FOUR
The Villager
Issue Nine / Autumn 2013
“SEASON OF
MISTS AND
MELLOW
FRUITFULNESS,
Cheers!
For an Indian summer, Craig Styles, general
manager at the Portman, suggests homemade
iced tea. “Make a large strong pot – we use
Assam second-flush leaf. Then add a squeeze
of fresh lemon juice, and a dash of sugar syrup
(optional).” Or mix a peach bellini. “Put 20 ml
of peach puree in a champagne flute and very
slowly top up with prosecco – don’t let it bubble
up. Just stir gently and enjoy!”
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun”
To Autumn, 1820, by English Romantic poet John Keats (1795 –1821)
cial menus
Fresh produce tingles the taste buds as spe
of Portman Village
celebrate autumn in the abundant eateries
Portman Village’s new eaterie, The Lockhart,
serves “homespun cuisine” from the
American South West, with a lyricism worthy
of Keats indeed. “Think autumn, think rainy
days, frosty air, and summer gone. But if the
sun’s not out, find warmth inside.” So says
Lockhart bar manager Emilie CampesatoMouragne. Head chef Andrew Justice is busy
combining brilliant seasonal flavours; serving
new season fruits, with apples and pears,
of course, but also gorgeous deep purple
sweet plums, dark and juicy blackberries and
fragrant raspberries.
 
On the veg menu is squash, cabbage and
chard. “At its prime is seafood such as
scallops, mackerel and seabass,” adds Andy.
“Also watch out for game meat like grouse,
venison and wild duck.”
 
New for autumn is the restaurant’s brunch,
where Andy is using dark berries as a
The Lockhart, 22-24 Seymour Place
020 3011 5400
www.lockhartlondon.com
The Portman, 51 Upper Berkeley Street
020 7723 8996
www.theportmanmarylebone.com
topping for pancakes and fresh
buttermilk biscuits.
 
Back at the bar, with Emilie in charge, try
an expresso martini – with maple syrup
and bourbon (Emile’s own apple wood
chip infusion) plus a teaspoon of frangelico
hazelnut liqueur and two drops of dark
chocolate bitter. Who could resist? 
 
Or on the softer side, sip a dulce de
leche martini with vanilla bean infused in
vodka, vanilla pod, sweetened condensed
milk, semi-skimmed milk and a sprinkle
of cinnamon, inspired by Andy’s apple
cinnamon doughnuts.
Next door at The Portman, chef Eddie
Kouadio is also busy with all things fresh.
Expertly, he ticks them off: “peaches,
gooseberries, runner beans, sweetcorn,
beetroot - but there’s so much more”.
 
Yes, the game season is truly back in swing
and, as ever, Eddie is ringing the flavours with
a Portman Village favourite of venison loin
with parsnip and sweet potato puree, green
beans and – wait for it – chocolate sauce.  
 
Vinoteca, too, are ahead of the game, with
grouse and wild venison. The wild mushroom
season is at its peak, with Scottish girolles
at their best. Stone-fruit – plums, damsons
and sloe berries – plus figs make delicious
homemade meals. Vinoteca serve seared
venison fillet, blackberries, watercress and
Vinoteca, 13-15 Seymour Place
020 7724 7288
www.vinoteca.co.uk
The Borough Barista, 60a Seymour St.
020 7563 7222
www.theboroughbarista.com
Daisy Green Food, 20 Seymour Street
020 7723 3301
www.daisygreenfood.com
crisp shallots as a starter; followed by roast
grouse, grilled red onion, those special
girolle mushrooms and bread sauce; then
to finish, baked figs with honey, thyme and
mascarpone. Don’t forget the wine – one
with “an intense red fruit” is what’s needed,
say Vinoteca (whose wine shop incidentally
stocks a full list to take away). Go for
“bernabeleva (biodynamic) Vinos de
Madrid Navaherreros 2009, from Castilla
y Leon, Spain”.
 
The Borough Barista – our very own PV coffee
connoisseur – promises a gorgeous “autumn
duet”. How about a ginger-cinnamon latte
with homemade banana cake straight out
of the oven?
At the Daisy Green corner café, with its funky
“secret garden” basement, a new autumn
menu is warm and welcoming with fresh
homemade soups, gourmet toasties and
hot rice porridge. There’s a new “full Aussie”
brunch menu, served all day at weekends –
with organic free range eggs and lots of fresh
seasonal produce. Meanwhile lunchtime
wraps and super salads are popular for both
eat in and take away. Watch out for fresh fig
with gorgonzola, and caramelised onion!
Their staple frozen yoghurt toppings are
ever-evolving – caramelised bacon is a
naughty favourite, and how about Eton
mess and lychee bobbles?
Vinoteca
SIX
The Portman
The Villager
Issue Nine / Autumn 2013
WHAT
ARE YOU
WEARING?
Style insider-info from Portman Village experts
Always on trend – and often ahead of it – is
award-winning Kal di Paola, who set up
her first fashion label 15 years ago. Now her
shop, Buy My Wardrobe in Portman Village,
is showcase for an innovative website selling
“pre-loved” fashion. Kal’s key looks this
season are prints in dark hues mixed with
plaids and houndstooth, as seen at Prada,
Alexander Wang and Christopher Kane.
Shades of green are also strong, including
khaki (Gucci, Philip Lim and Mulberry).
Turtlenecks are big for sweaters and beanies
are once again the official winter warmers.
 
“We’re also loving slouchy pants and the
more rounded shoulder silhouette for tops
and dresses,” Kal adds. 90s grunge is also
back – so exciting! - “because this absolutely
is best done with pre-loved fashion from our
site and store.”
satin. For the ultimate winter coat Suzannah
turns to her favourite fifties look. In wool
cashmere, this has a longer length with a
demure collar and “the perfect amount of
ballerina swing.”
Ronen Chen, 23 New Quebec St
020 7723 1973
www.ronenchen.uk.com
Buy My Wardrobe, 17 Seymour Place
020 7258 7548
www.buymywardrobe.com
EIGHT
Perfectress, 20 Seymour Place
020 7569 7170
www.great4hair.com
Zoki Couture, 3 Seymour Place
020 7724 0125
www.zokicouture.com
Suzannah, 3 New Quebec Street
020 7258 0782
www.suzannah.com
‘1
3
Au
tu
m
n
Fifties Graphic Print Silk Dress, £750, Suzannah
Over on New Quebec Street is Portman
Village’s Ronen Chen, where well-cut styles
particularly flatter. A new print mixing swirls
of cheetah print with green and khaki stripes
captures the current mood, on long-line
tops with a silk front.
 
Come back for couture across the road to
Suzannah’s boutique. A lover of Parisian
and American vintage couture, Suzannah
describes two key pieces from her new
collection: “I’m feeling so inspired by floorlength dresses,” she confides. The result is
the lace Gatsby – long, sleeveless, chic and
simple in layers of French lace on slipper silk
Zora at Zoki Couture is also harking back to
the 50s with mid-length skirts, and a sharp
silhouette. “Feminine and chic – these are the
keynotes,” she adds. Couture is evolving, she
says, as an option for women of all walks of
life, who demand clever tailoring in subtle
colours to enhance their figures and their
lifestyle. “It’s no longer just a question of a
party dress for the rich.” Then a typically-Zora
afterthought: “You don’t have to be a great
beauty to be stylish and elegant.”
 
How about the hair? Adam Lakchine,
heading up a team of hair experts at PV’s
Perfectress salon, favours the “low pony tail”
– as seen on catwalk models for Alexander
Wang and Jil Sander, whose low pony tails
nestled at the nape of their necks. At Chloe,
show models added a deep side parting.
“All lovely and low-maintenance,” muses
Adam, “and ideal for fine hair as there’s
no volume needed.” Use a little serum to
enhance the look in the evening and leave
out a strand or two to wrap around the
holding hair band. As for colour, the ombre
look continues to be huge. Adam suggests
cinnamon ombre for dark hair, with vibrant
red tips instead of blonde ones.
The Villager
Issue Nine / Autumn 2013
THAT
SPECIAL
TOUCH
Portman Village has a clutch of specialist beauty
and hair boutiques, which can make a big difference
to your looks this autumn. Here are the people to
listen carefully to your needs and aspirations, and
then tailor treatments accordingly. They’re not part
of big chains, but small and dedicated businesses
with a loyal clientele.
 
Hair
Skin
Eyes
Body
At Greenhouse hair salon, Jo Green has
a 30-year career in hair that started in his
own Soho salon. Then he moved to Portman
Village, and loves its atmosphere and
intimacy. Currently, there’s a trend towards
rich chestnut hair colours. “Yes, this will the
autumn of the brunette,” Jo says. “But colour
will be soft and translucent, not heavy and
dark.”  Men are now happy to be silver or
even white, Jo adds, “but no woman loves
grey hair – colour is a big part of what we
do.” As with all Portman Village’s boutiques,
celebrity clients abound. “But it’s not who
we do but what we do that counts.”
Descend the stairs at the back of the
Greenhouse hair salon to find the popular
Beauty Rose salon and Katja Falinski, a
well-trained, skilful and friendly beautician. 
Her treatments are based on proven science
and technology for maximum and immediate
benefit. For example, her amazingly effective
“green peels” and “lifting” programmes were
devised by dermatologists at a German
family firm, who supply their products only to
specialists. Nails are another speciality, using
advanced methods of Bio Sculpture.
iBrows etc is the trendy name for a friendly
boutique offering an innovative range of
beauty treatments for brows and lashes
from well-trained staff. “HD Brows” are the
specialty here, to define and re-shape your
brows in seven steps. Or you could get a
“lash in a flash” – extra length and thickness,
taking from 5 to 20 minutes. Longer lasting
are Nouveau Lashes semi-permanent
extensions. Alternatively choose LVL (length,
volume, lift), which makes lashes look longer
without the need for lash extensions, or
harsh perming techniques.
Lemongrass is one of the only Thai boutique
spas in London, and fittingly they will
welcome you with a cup of lemon tea.
The charming trio of Natda, Nang, and
Supattra have between them over 38
years of experience in Thai massage and
beauty therapies. “We are bringing the
ancient wisdom of Thai health and wellness
techniques to our Western clientele,” says
Natda. Their intimate spa is spread over two
floors, with a beauty treatment room on the
ground floor, During September and October,
Thai massage is on offer for £35 an hour
(down from £49) from 11am to 4pm. The price
rises to £39 an hour from 4pm to 11pm, with
last bookings at 10pm. There is also 15 per
cent off waxing.
Adam Lakhchine, heading up a team at
Perfectress, specialises in treatments for
thinning hair and hair loss, offering private
consultations in your own personal cubicle.
Their unique “hair volumiser” combines with
your own hair to restore a fuller, natural
look. For men, there are non-surgical
hair-replacements, which are fixed so
securely they can be washed and styled
like ordinary hair. This salon is also expert in
hair extensions, using new “transformation
connections,” using secure heat and solvent
resistant aluminium rings instead of glue.
You can also have volume, length and high
or low-lights added to your natural hair. 
Lemongrass Boutique Spa
8 Seymour Place
020 7258 7997
www.lemongrassboutiquespa.co.uk
Greenhouse, 21 New Quebec Street
020 7724 4600
www.greenhousesalon.co.uk
Perfectress, 20 Seymour Place
020 7569 7173
www.perfectress.co.uk
TEN
Beauty Rose
21 New Quebec Street
020 7724 2114
www.beautyrose.co.uk
iBrows etc
16 Seymour Place
020 7725 5791
www.ibrowsetc.co.uk
The Villager
Issue Nine / Autumn 2013
Y
L
D
R
A LE
I
W
B
P
U O
M
Optometrist Viren Jani has a stash of vintage
frames, carefully laid out in custom-made
shallow drawers. This is one of the best-kept
secrets in town. Choose your style and he will
fit your new lenses into one of his glamorous
designer frames, for an unmistakably
exclusive piece of eye-wear.
Viren Jani Optometrist
15 New Quebec Street
020 7724 7788
www.virenjani.com
Recycle and up-cycle are buzz words
around town but the Village gives
this trend a sophisticated twist
Pre owned Chanel bags from
£1,000 at Buy My Wardrobe
The Alterations Boutique
14 New Quebec Street
020 7724 4147
www.alterationsboutique.co.uk
Miu
0, and tch,
0
1
£
,
s
dres
de clu
Copineage grey sue rdrobe
p
o
C
int
Wa
rs a
w) wea 140, with a v hop Buy My
o
l
e
b
(
Kal atforms, £ website/s
Miu pl ; all from her
£20
Alterations Boutique are up-cycling at the very
top end of the trade. Go to them for glamour,
style and high couture. Here a dedicated
team of expert professional seamstresses
and tailors can remodel and alter clothes for
any occasion. Check out their Facebook page
to see some of their amazing transformations.
An exquisite beaded knee-length dress was
shortened to a fashionable and flattering
length for its young owner. For another client,
the team created an infill organza back panel.
A bridal gown had a sumptuous train which
its owner thought a tad OTT. AB simplified the
lines, and used the excess fabric to make a
matching bolero.
as Chanel, Alexander McQueen and Isabel
Marant for up to 75% off the original price.
Then there’s the regulars, popping into the
store on Seymour Place to check what’s new.
Founder/director Kal di Paola is passionately
committed to sustainability. “Recycling is a
new responsible approach to fashion,” she
says. “Our customers are concerned about
waste and over-consumption. And through
digital technology we can connect with them
as never before.” Just launched is a new 
Buy My Wardrobe blog (www.styl.sh) with
member bloggers, staff bloggers and guests.
Here women can exchange their news, views
and tips on fashion and lifestyle.  
Buy My Wardrobe sells designer clothes that
their owners no longer want – some items
have only been worn once. The UK’s most
fashionable women, many connected with
the industry, as models, say, or stylists or PRs,
are selling – and buying – top labels such
Buy My Wardrobe
17 Seymour Place
020 7258 7548
www.buymywardrobe.com
TWELVE
Eliska, Portman Village’s very own interior
design guru with a chic interiors boutique
on New Quebec Street, is up-cycler par
excellence. She tracks down beautiful
but possibly battered pieces at auctions,
antiques shops, junk merchants and markets
worldwide, and then has them repaired,
re-finished and re-upholstered in her own
choice of exquisite fabrics and finishes,
as appropriate. Then there’s her antique
silver, so perfect for a gift. Shelves are laden
with cutlery, salvers, serving dishes, cruet
sets, cake stands and more, all polished
daily. Eliska will source a special piece for
you and arrange the upcycling, whether it be
upholstery, lacquering, adding a leather top,
replacing handles or any number of
charming changes.
 
Eliska Interiors
16a New Quebec Street
020 7723 5521
www.eliskadesign.com
The Villager
Issue Nine / Autumn 2013
Donostia is the Basque name for the coastal
city of San Sebastian, one of the top tourist
spots in the Basque Country, that fiercely
independent area that straddles the borders
of South West France and North East Spain.
It is home to several Michelin-starred
restaurants as well as the distinctive Basque
bars that serve traditional tapas and pintxos
cooked on skewers – the name literally
means a thorn or a spike.
 
Owners Melody and Nemanja don’t have any
Spanish roots or indeed any past restaurant
experience – they share a background in
finance. She is very British and he is Serbian
by birth. They met at a friend’s wedding in
Pakistan. Later, they went on a wine sourcing
trip together to the Basque country and fell
in love with the atmosphere in general and
the food in particular, with its fresh locallysourced ingredients, distinctive recipes and
bars and piquant flavours.
 
“Quite honestly, the idea of opening our own
restaurant started as a bit of fun,” Melody
confides. “But then we saw these appealing
premises in Portman Village, where we
already live. We love the area and thought,
well, why not?”
 
So they set about recruiting a specialist chef
and staff, and sourcing the unique Basque
foodstuffs and drinks that foodies are
crossing London for.
 
The Basque language is a bit of a tongue
twister, but beside those pintxos, expect to
find Pil Pil (cod cheeks in a special Basque
sauce), txipirones (crisp fried baby squid with
lemon), txuletillas (lamb chops) and Kintoa
chorizo from the native Basque pig – served
perhaps with txakoli, a slightly-sparkling,
dry, low-alcohol white wine.
Then there are patakat triple-cooked chips,
and the more mainsteam Spanish dishes
like croquetas and tortilla.
VILLAGE
Dining at Donostia has a touch of theatre
about it. From the street (with tables
outside) you can peep into the kitchen
and once inside see food being prepared
and cooked. Nemanja could be carving
slivers off a huge specially-imported side of
Iberico ham (aged for three years), or pouring
Basque cider from a height in the traditional
fashion. Melody is never happier than when
welcoming the many regular customers
– “our job is so rewarding.” They can fit in
around 40 people upstairs at tables and
along the bar -downstairs is also a
popular room for private parties.
people
Do it like
Donostia
“Quick meals sacrifice flavour. Invest in an
inexpensive slow cooker. Before you go to work
pop in your meat (anything on the bone works
well), add a couple of carrots, leaks and onions,
plus red wine and season well.
You’ll have a gourmet meal on return! Oh, and
we suggest chilling lighter red wines like Pinot
Noir, Mencia, Beaujolais, and Gamay – try this
at home for refreshing flavours.”
 
Now just into their second year of trading,
this charismatic couple can relax a little as
their commitment and hard work pays off.
It’s evident they run a tight-knit and focused
team – who were rewarded this summer
with a mini-bus works outing to…well,
San Sebastian of course.
Donostia
10 Seymour Place
020 3620 1845
www.donostia.co.uk
Fourteen
Good-looking and very
friendly, Nemanja Borjanovic
and Melody Adams, partners
in business and in life, happily
pose in front of the exotic
“mushroom wood” panelling
that lines their chic Donostia
bar and restaurant in Seymour
Place. “It’s imported from
America,” explains Nemanja,
“and the wild graining is
where fungi was actually
growing.”
The Villager
Issue Nine / Autumn 2013
Woman Doctor
WHAT’S
THE
STORY?
re steeped in
a
e
g
la
il
V
n
a
tm
Por
Details around troll and see them for yourself
s
history. Take a
Great Leader
The terrace of The Hyatt Regency London –
The Churchill elegantly sports a speciallycommissioned life-size bronze of a young
Sir Winston Churchill, called “In Conversation”. 
It’s so realistic you do a double-take, and has
been cast by renowned sculptor Lawrence
Holofcener who also created “Allies”, the
much loved statue of Sir Winston and Franklin
D Roosevelt on a bench on Bond Street. 
Bar staff delight in adding a freshly-picked
buttonhole to “Britain’s greatest Briton,” to
celebrate the love that Winston Churchill and
Clementine had for roses. Their diaries record
meeting in the rose garden at Blenheim
Palace the day after they got engaged, and
the story also goes that Clementine would
put fresh roses on Winston’s desk throughout
the Summer months. But now with winter
looming, the Churchill terrace is planning a
November garden, with silver birch trees, fur
throws, cow hides, and, of course, heaters.
A winter wonderland indeed.
SIXTEEN
Hyatt Regency London
The Churchill Hotel
30 Portman Square, London
020 7486 5800
www.london.churchill.hyatt.com
SEE FOR YOURSELF
 
 
Brave
Saviour
In the crescent of Great Cumberland Place,
outside the Marble Arch synagogue, is the
arresting bronze statue of the courageous
Swede Raoul Wallenberg, depicted pensively
standing against a wall.  It is by British artist
Philip Jackson and was unveiled in 1997.
This life-sized figure has a poignant air.
Wallenberg saved thousands of Jews from
Nazi death-camps in Hungary. He pretended
that they were under Swedish control and
nationality, and the Nazis didn’t dispute
it.  Later he was imprisoned in Russia, and
sadly his fate and the date of his death are
unconfirmed. The rear of the statue is draped
with the Swedish flag and made from
100,000 Schütz passes, the documents
Wallenberg issued.
 
Photographs by www.barbarachandler.co.uk
 
The Villager
Issue Nine / Autumn 2013
A round blue plaque is dedicated to Elizabeth
Garrett Anderson (1836-1917), on the façade
of  20 Upper Berkeley Street, which shows she
lived here. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was
the first female doctor to qualify in England.
She had been baulked by the male medical
establishment at every turn and had to go
to Paris to get her degree. Later, inspired by
Dr Elizabeth Blackwell (the first female doctor
to graduate in the United States), Anderson
opened a school of medicine for women,
and paved the way for women’s medical
education in Britain.* London’s blue plaques
scheme, founded in 1866, is believed to be
the oldest of its kind in the world and has
inspired many other schemes across the UK
and even further afield. 
www.english-heritage.org.uk
AND
ANOTHER
THING...
Autumn diary notes
for Portman Village
Two new fragrances from the sophisticated By
Kilian collection. This perfume house was founded
only six years ago by Kilian Hennessy, whose
grandfather founded Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy
– “so I like to say that luxury is in my blood.”
Straight to Heaven is a masculine fragrance of
rum, nutmeg, cedarwood, patchouli all warmed
by a dark vanilla. Think cocktails and cigars
in a gentleman’s club. By contrast Liaisons
Dangeureuses is deeply feminine and sensuous.
An inviting scent of rose and plum has
an evocative heart of ambrette and
sandal wood, softened with a
vanilla base.
How to choose a scent from Portman
Village’s very own perfumer
Les Senteurs in Seymour Place will happily
guide you to the perfect perfume this
autumn. Go and have a chat with their
friendly staff who are extremely helpful and
knowledgeable about the world of perfume
and scent.
 
Explore the shelves, with their rows of
tempting bottles in the prettiest of colours
and shapes, then do a little preliminary
smelling and perhaps select a few samples
to take away and consider at home.
 
Do visit on a day when you feel relaxed and
when you have a bit of time to browse the
many collections available. Don’t go if you’ve
got a cold – obvious advice which surprisingly
many people ignore.
 
Set your mind in order, think about scents you
have enjoyed in the past and the mood you
are aiming for. Are you happy with a variation
on an old favourite or do you want to break
new ground?
 
Ideally try one scent per visit – though most
people can handle up to three.
 
Lots of things may alter your sense of smell
on any one day: the weather, your health,
your mood, the temperature, season and so
on. Perfumes always smell subtly different
when in your own space, so perhaps spray
on a perfume and then take a short walk
down the street to think about it. Or ask for
a sample to take away.
 
Finally, trust your instincts, keep an open
mind and above all take your time. Perfume
is a pleasure, not a race. It is the pursuit of
a lifetime.
EIGHTEEN
Hyatt Regency London
The Churchill Hotel
30 Portman Square, London
020 7486 5800
www.london.churchill.hyatt.com
Lampshade Lovers
Top Picks
NOSEY
BUT
NICE
the lobby of the Hyatt Regency London (The
Churchill) from 7 to 13 October 2013. Visitors
can watch her at work, share her inspirations
and vision, and maybe even take a piece
away. Born in East Germany in 1981, SFK
studied at Chelsea College of Art and Design,
and now lives in London. Her colourful style
blends pop, myth and fantasy into a truly
magical mix.
Les Senteurs
2 Seymour Place
020 7183 5842
www.lessenteurs.com
During autumn, Homemade London will hold
two-day millinery and two-day lampshademaking workshops, plus leather bag and
perfumery sessions. You can also make “a
dress in a day”! For Halloween there’s mystery
craft workshops full of seasonal surprises. Get
in touch for dates – schedules vary from week
to week.
London Landmarks
Borough Barrista hosts a collection from
London artist Jayson Lilley this Autumn. His
illustrative approach and bold palette turn
iconic London landmarks into extraordinary
screen prints. Popular works include London
skyline, OXO tower, Trellick Tower and his well
known Battersea Power Station. Limitededition screen prints signed by the artist are
50 x 50 cm on 410gsm paper. Unframed,
£110; framed, £165. www.jaysonlilley.com
Homemade London
21 Seymour Place
020 8616 0771
www.homemadelondon.com
 
The Borough Barista
60a Seymour Street
020 7563 7222
www.theboroughbarista.com
Taste the Foods
Halloween
Choose pecan or pumpkin pie for dessert
– with alcoholic ice-creams!
Traders in fine foods from all over the
Marylebone area gather on the second
Wednesday of every month in the atrium of
55 Baker Street (with welcome cover if the
weather is bad). Also at this lively market are
an invited selection of London traders from
further afield. Enjoy homemade treats to eat
on the spot, and take food home for your tea,
dinner, fridge, freezer and/or store-cupboard.
www.bakerstreetquarter.co.uk
 
Spooks, pumpkins, cobwebs and maybe
even the odd witch: watch out for Halloween
shenanigans around PV at the end of
October, with trick-or-treat and special
window displays. The eliska design boutique
will host their usual fancy-dress tea party
for children with cupcakes and sweets on 31
October, from 5.30 to 6.30. Please contact
the store direct for an invitation.
The Lockhart, 22-24 Seymour Place
020 3011 5400
www.lockhartlondon.com
A Journey Through Portugal is a lavish “wine
dinner” in the private room of Vinoteca on
Seymour Place on 19 September. Head chef
Dan Richards has concoted a special threecourse menu to partner this intimate tasting
event, where people get to know each other
as well as the wines. Book through
www.vinoteca.co.uk and check out more
upcoming events.
 
Thanksgiving
Meet the Artist
The female artist enigmatically known only
as Super Future Kid, and tipped for the top
by Saatchi, no less, will set up her studio in
Taste the Wines
Eliska, 16a New Quebec Street
020 7723 5521
www.eliskadesign.com
 
The Lockhart is sporting a special menu for
Thanksgiving which will run from Thursday 28
November to Saturday 30 November. Starters
are served on a platter to share, “family
style”. Then there’s smoked heritage turkey
with trimmings that include cornbread and
sausage dressing and green bean casserole.
The Villager
Issue Nine / Autumn 2013
 
Art for Free
Just five minutes or so from Portman Village is
The Wallace Collection, a national museum of
fine art in an historic London town house. It’s
open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm,
and admission is free. There are collection
tours or themed talks in the galleries on every
day of the week –  weekdays at 1pm, and
weekends, 11.30am & 2.30pm. Opening on
24 October is The Male Nude: Eighteenthcentury Drawings from the Paris Academy,
an exhibition of nearly 40 drawings, also
with free admission.
The Wallace Collection
Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1
020 7563 9500
www.wallacecollection.org
PV Club Members: 10% discount unless specified
BUY MY
WARDROBE
18-20
THE LOCKHART
JAMES BERNARD
FLORISTS
GEORGE ST
IBROWS ETC
PARK
SQ
UNDER OFFER
7
10
SUZANNAH
PARK LN
HYDE
AVAILABLE
PORTMAN
OXFORD ST
MARBLE ARCH
AVAILABLE
6
C ST
OLD QUEBE
1
DONOSTIA
4
UNDER OFFER
R PL
ST
ESTE
GLOUC
9
SEYMOUR
SQ
PORTMAN
ST
EBEC ST
NEW QU
BERKELEY
ERLAND PL
GT.CUMB
PL
UNDER
DEVELOPMENT
R
SEYMOU
D
ER
AR
GW
ED
UNDER
DEVELOPMENT
UPPER
PAOLITA
3
2
5
8
DAISY GREEN
20
CAFÉS & RESTAURANTS
FASHION
HOMES & INTERIORS
Arabesque Mediterranean café.
12 New Quebec St. / 020 7724 3848
20% Discount.
The Alterations Boutique Clothing
alterations and boutique.
14 New Quebec St. / 020 7724 4147
10% discount on alterations & dress
making services only.
Carlos Remes Lighting Bespoke
interior lighting.
10 New Quebec ST. / 020 7262 9963
the Borough barista Crafted coffee
extracted fresh every day.
60a Seymour ST. / 020 7563 7222
Carpenters Arms Traditional English pub.
12 Seymour Pl. / 020 7723 1050
DAISY GREEN Gourmet Frozen Yogurt.
20 SEYMOUR ST. / 020 7723 3301
DONOSTIA Tapas restaurant.
10 Seymour Pl. / 020 3620 1845
Free glass of house red or white wine with
any tapas dish. Valid lunch times Tuesday to
Thursday.
THE grazing goat Public house & hotel.
6 new quebec st. / 020 7724 7243
10% off lunch & breakfast Monday to Friday.
10% off hotel rooms.
The LOCKHART Restaurant.
22-24 SEYMOUR PLACE. / 020 3011 5400
A free glass of house wine (red or white)
during lunch for parties up to 6 people.
Marble Arch News Authentic British café.
24 New Quebec St. / 020 7724 7527
La Masseria Puglian delicatessen
and patisserie.
69 Upper Berkeley St. / 020 7535 8575
10% off shopping basket items only.
THE Portman British pub and dining room.
51 Upper Berkeley St. / 020 7723 8996
10% off your final food and drink bill for
restaurant bookings up to x 4 guests.
Red Sun Shanghai cuisine.
2A New Quebec St. / 020 7723 5350
ROTI CHAI Indian Street Kitchen & Dining Room.
3 Portman Mews South / 020 7408 0101
10% OFF LUNCH MONDAY TO THURSDAY.
Sandy’s Pizza Corsican pizza restaurant.
14 Seymour Pl. / 020 7723 8833
10% off lunch time only.
VINOTECA Bar & wine shop.
13-15 SEYMOUR PL. / 020 7724 7288
ENJOY A GLASS OF VINOTECA’S BIB (BAG IN BOX)
WINE, WHEN ORDERING ANY MAIN COURSE
DURING LUNCH - FOR ALL PV CLUB CARD
MEMBERS.
ZAYNA Fine North Indian & Pakistani
restaurant.
25 New Quebec St. / 020 7723 2229
25% off lunch TIME A LA CARTé MENU.
WINE MERCHANTS
Philglas & Swiggot
Specialist wine merchant.
22 New Quebec St. / 020 7402 0002
BUYMYWARDROBE Preloved
designer fashion.
17 Seymour Pl. / 020 7258 7548
Free standard entry to all London events.
HomeMADE LONDON Craft
boutique workshop.
21 SEYMOUR PL. / 020 8616 0771
2 hours sewing cafe for the price of 1.
Nigel Rayment Mother of the bride outfits,
occasion wear.
13 New Quebec St. / 020 7258 3331
PAOLITA Luxury swimwear and lingerie.
18 NEW QUEBEC ST. / 020 3620 5806
Ronen Chen Women’s designer clothing.
23 New Quebec St. / 020 7723 1973
SUZANNAH Women’s fashion boutique.
3 New Quebec ST. / 020 7286 8280
10% off own label products - excluding
millinery, shoes & jewellery.
Zoki Couture Couture women’s fashion.
3 SEYMOUR PL. / 020 7724 0125
Health & BEAUTY
Amir HAIR Men’s grooming.
17 New Quebec ST. / 020 7724 6990
Exceldent Aesthetic & general dentistry.
22 Seymour St. / 020 7724 3742
Offer 10% off tooth whitening
and cleaning.
Greenhouse / beauty rose
Hair & beauty salon.
21 New Quebec St. / 020 7724 4600 /
020 7724 2114
IBROWS ETC Boutique brow & lash bar.
16 Seymour Pl. / 020 7725 5791
LEMONGRASS Thai Boutique Spa.
8 SEYMOUR PL. / 020 7258 7997
10% off treatments over £25.
Eliska Luxury Interiors.
16a New Quebec St. / 020 7723 5521
SERVICES
Aristocrat Dry Cleaning
Household and business dry cleaning.
8 New Quebec St. / 020 3441 6410
Change Associates Limited
Change management consultancy.
18a New Quebec St. / 020 7101 1979
Copperfields Accountants
Business accountants.
19 Seymour Pl. / 020 7723 6337 &
020 7723 6338
HOME fullstop Estate agents.
30 Seymour PL. / 020 7402 4455
free inventory & check in for
landlords; £500 DISCOUNT ON
conveyancing costs for vendors.
jAMES BERNARD Florist.
9 new quebec st. / 020 7723 9802
James Taylor Residential property consultants.
7 New Quebec St. / 020 7724 4777
20% discount to all vendors & landlords
on residential sales, lettings & management
services.
Marble Arch Paints DIY, paints & hardware.
23 Seymour Pl. / 020 7723 1553
Overseas Business Travel
Worldwide travel specialists.
26 Seymour Pl. / 020 7723 6999
10% discount on service charge only.
Seymour Laundrette Laundrette services.
11 Seymour Pl. / 020 7402 1371
Totos Newsagent Newsagent.
28 Seymour Pl. / 020 7723 9935
Walrus Systems Real hi-fi specialists.
11 New Quebec St. / 020 7724 7224
les senteurs Perfumerie.
2 seymour pl. / 020 7183 5842
HOTELS & ENTERTAINMENT
Perfectress Hair styling & extensions
specialists.
20 SEymour Pl. / 020 7569 7170
20% discount.
1
Carbon Late night bar at The Cumberland.
OLD QUEBEC ST. / 020 7479 5050
20% OFF ALL DRINKS for up to 4 people
(EXC.CHAMPAGNE).
Viren jani Optometrist Optometry &
eyewear fashion.
15 New Quebec St. / 020 7724 7788
2
Club Twenty Two Radisson Blu
Portman hotel.
22 Portman Sq. / 020 7935 3099
10% OFF ALL MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES,
PERSONAL TRAINING & MASSAGE
TREATMENTS.
3 HOME HOUSE Private members club.
20 Portman Sq. / 020 7670 2000
25% OFF JOINING FEE.
4 HYATT REGENCY LONDON 5-star luxury hotel.
30 Portman Sq. / 020 7486 5800
10% discount in The Montagu and
The Churchill Bar.
1 Momentus champagne bar
Late night bar at The Cumberland
OLD QUEBEC ST. / 0871 376 9014
Buy 1 bottle of Champagne and get
a free food platter for 2 people.
5 THE ARCH HOTEL Luxury 5 Star hotel.
50 GT. Cumberland Pl. / 020 7724 4700 10% OFF FOOD IN HUNTER 486 RESTAURANT.
1 The brasserie restaurant
at The Cumberland
OLD QUEBEC ST. / 020 7616 5930
Free desert when you order a starter
and main per person.
6 THE LEONARD Homely 4-star hotel.
15 Seymour St. / 020 7935 2010
10% OFF ROOMS; £10 AFTERNOON TEA;
FREE BOTTLE OF HOUSE WINE WITH LUNCH
OR DINNER.
7 Thistle Marble Arch Luxury 4-star hotel.
Bryanston Street. / 0871 376 9027
20% OFF THE MARMOR GRILL.
THE grazing goat Public house & hotel.
6 new quebec st. / 020 7724 7243
10% off lunch & Breakfast Monday to Friday.
10% off hotel rooms.
8 The New Cavendish Club
44 Great Cumberland PlacE.
020 7723 0391
FULL RECIPROCAL USE OF THE CLUB FACILITIES (BAR, RESTAURANT AND
FUNCTIONS ROOM).
9 THE MONTCALM HOTEL 5-star luxury hotel.
34 Gt. CumBerland Pl. / 020 7958 3200
10% OFF SPA TREATMENTS.
2 Radisson blu Portman hotel.
22 Portman Sq. / 0800 374 411
20% OFF AT THE PORTMAN BAR &
RESTAURANT.
10 THE SPORTSMAN CASINO Casino, bar
and restaurant.
OLD QUEBEC ST. / 020 7414 0061
JOIN PLAYERS REWARDS PROGRAM &
COLLECT AN ADDITIONAL FREE £5 GAMING
CHIP EACH VISIT.
Details & offers correct at time of print.
See www.portmanvillage.com for full
details and Terms & Conditions.