Rachel Blackmore

International Managing Editor at Bespoke Black Book

International Managing Editor @TheBespokeBook, travel enthusiast, teacher, freelance and fiction writer. Contact me [email protected]

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Articles

Shakara: A Show-Off Brunch That Will Impress

1 month ago | bespokeblackbook.com | Rachel Blackmore

23 Decorated with foliage on the pavement outside its Marylebone location, Shakara sets itself apart from the usual brunch haunts with something far more theatrical: a traditional Sunday roast wrapped in an unapologetic celebration of West African flavours. Designed as a space to flaunt, feast, and feel, it’s less “bottomless prosecco and avo toast” and more “pass the Prekese Yorkshire pudding and keep the cocktails coming!” There’s drama in Shakara’s dining room, but the good kind.
Ixchel: An Exciting Mexican Ritual Of Food

1 month ago | bespokeblackbook.com | Rachel Blackmore

20 Named for the Mayan goddess, Ixchel is more than a restaurant – it’s an offering. This authentically modern Mexican spot invites guests into a warm, almost rustic space that reminds me of the hidden gems of Mexican beaches and jungles. From the moment you step past the carved goddess at the door, it’s clear this is a space designed for reverence – to Mexico’s culinary heritage, yes, but also to ingredients, to artistry, and to the joy of shared food.
Mazi Delivers Bold Greek Flavours That Pack A Punch

2 months ago | bespokeblackbook.com | Rachel Blackmore

15 Mazi means ‘together’ in Greek. As will become clear, the concept of togetherness, of bringing ingredients and traditions together, of sharing food and conviviality, is at the very heart of the modern Greek restaurant Mazi, located in Notting Hill.
A Bold Journey Of Peruvian Flavour And Artistry

Mar 20, 2025 | bespokeblackbook.com | Rachel Blackmore

10 Tucked away on Throgmorton Street, COYA City is a firm favourite among the sharp-suited city crowd looking to impress over a business lunch or let loose with a few pisco sours. The extensive cocktail menu and South American spirits selection certainly encourage the latter, but there’s also a recently launched Express Business Lunch with a set menu for those wanting to impress their clients for less than £50 a head.
A Hidden Gem Serving Indian Fusion Cuisine

Mar 13, 2025 | bespokeblackbook.com | Rachel Blackmore

2 Tucked away on a quiet residential street in Paddington, behind an unassuming front door rather than the usual restaurant facade, lies Jamuna, a dining experience that is as intimate as it is refined. This is not your typical Indian restaurant, nor is it a European brasserie; Jamuna is something entirely unique.
Kickstart 2025 With Kaiseki

Feb 4, 2025 | bespokeblackbook.com | Rachel Blackmore

5 Tucked away near Marble Arch, Roketsu is a portal to Kyoto hidden in the heart of London. Chef Daisuke Hayashi, a master of traditional kaiseki cuisine, has brought his meticulous craftsmanship and deep respect for seasonality to this intimate dining space. Trained at Kyoto’s three-Michelin-starred Kikunoi and entrusted with curating menus for Japan Airlines’ first-class dining, Hayashi is a custodian of Japan’s culinary heritage.
The Yards Covent Garden: A Pre-Christmas Treat

Nov 24, 2024 | bespokeblackbook.com | Rachel Blackmore

2 Every year, as the holiday season rolls in, London transforms into a festive wonderland. This year, one of my favourite places to soak up the spirit(s) of the holiday season is The Yards Covent Garden. Unlike the typical crowded shopping areas, The Yards Covent Garden has an intimate, almost tucked-away feel, blending historic charm with modern chic.
One Wild Weekend

Nov 15, 2024 | bespokeblackbook.com | Rachel Blackmore

1K One of the joys of revisiting a gorgeous city like Bangkok for a second time is to take in the sights you missed, reconnect with places you loved and maybe find the time to venture a little further from the obvious paths. When we arrived at W Bangkok on this trip, I had to think very hard about how many times I’ve been to the city.
Ultimate Luxury And Comfort

Oct 27, 2024 | bespokeblackbook.com | Rachel Blackmore

6 Coming back to an IHG hotel, such as the InterContinental Osaka, is a little like coming home. There is a familiarity with the efficient service and the quality of the facilities, but the InterContinental Osaka also has a unique character, which makes it stand out amongst the other IHG hotels I’ve visited, and imbues it with a sense of the city that surrounds it. Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city, is a dynamic urban center with deep historical roots and a significant modern-day role.
An Exclusive Experience

Oct 20, 2024 | bespokeblackbook.com | Rachel Blackmore

15 Not everyone is lucky enough to receive an invitation to Mauro’s Table, the chef’s table experience offered by Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London. Nestled in one of London’s most prestigious addresses at The Old War Office (where we recently ate at Cafe Laperouse), the ambiance of Raffles Hotel London is glamorous, decadent and refined, an elegant blend of history and modernity.