Patrick Dunne

1 week ago | thehandbook.com | Patrick Dunne

London is packed with great restaurants and bars, but sometimes you need something just a little out of the ordinary. Be it a birthday, hen-do or ice-breaking team socials, immersive experiences are all the better when there’s some food and drink involved. From dining in the dark and taking part in a murder mystery to living it in a moonshine saloon, here are some of London’s best immersive dining and drinking spots to book.

1 week ago | thehandbook.com | Hamish Powell |Patrick Dunne

Spring is firmly in bloom in London, and we’ve been taking in all the cherry blossom, wisteria and jasmine we can find. But the parks aren’t the only places you can find some floral displays – luxury Marylebone hotel The BoTree has unveiled a stunning immersive flower installation in collaboration with renowned florist and artist Hamish Powell. About the installationThe six-week installation features Powell’s signature style, an interplay between structure and wildness.

1 week ago | thehandbook.com | Patrick Dunne

The most important meal of the day, they say – though I’ve never really known who ‘they’ are – but for Londoners, breakfast is a meal you’re least likely to eat out for. We’re talking about breakfast here, not brunch, 10:30am at the latest. It’s a shame, because London has such good and varied options you could just as happily eat breakfast out and dinner in, rather than the usual inverse. You’d probably save money too.

2 weeks ago | thehandbook.com | Patrick Dunne

There aren’t many chefs in the world who sign on the bottom line of a contract to open a restaurant and it gets the fanfare of a football transfer, but Mauro Colagreco’s takeover at Raffles London at the Owo was one. The hotel opening itself was already a big deal, a first London outpost from the historic Singaporean luxury hotel group set within the old war offices.

2 weeks ago | thehandbook.com | Patrick Dunne

May has a strong claim to be the best month to travel in. The first of the good weather without the melting heat of July and August, bank holidays to keep annual leave in your pocket, lower prices than peak season and fewer crowds. Almost everywhere in Europe is at its best in May, but if you’re eyeing up that late bank holiday weekend and still not sure where to go, we’ve rounded up a list of places you should consider, from crystal clear beaches and hiking to historic cities.