Opera Review: Verdi, Un Ballo in Maschera, Royal Opera House
I have a love/hate relationship with the Royal Opera House at the moment. Their latest Mozart offering, Idomeneo (one of…
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David Williams-Ellis’ sculptures are poetry in motion
Above the courtyard of C Hoare & Co, a serene space inside the Fleet Street bank, a majestic bronze eagle,…
ByDavid Williams-Ellis' sculptures are poetry in motion
You can find the lively leaping sculptures of David Williams-Ellis in corporate headquarters and boardrooms from the Bund to Bond…
ByThe world's most exclusive winter retreats
Four of the most exclusive winter retreats in the world, where privacy is paramount and exceptional spa treatments revive guests…
ByThe exceptional wines of the Rh’ne valley are deliciously unknown
The Rh’ne Valley, one of the world’s great wine regions, is criminally under-appreciated – says Jonathan Ray It occurred to…
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Is this the most complex watch ever made?
Complex watchmaking can be… well, a time-consuming business. In 1782 the virtuoso French watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet was commissioned to build,…
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Inspiring British tailoring in your dressing gown and fez
I have lately toyed with the idea of retaining the services of a coffee man. I recall Mark Birley once…
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Spear’s Year In Review 2014 – Food
For most of us, a large proportion of the joy of Christmas comes from the feasting. From mulled wine and…
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Restaurant review: Kouzu
My favourite thing about Kouzu is that every single staff member greets you with a cheery shout on both arrival…
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A few chocolate treats before Christmas
The lovely folk at The Providores have rustled up a spiced hot chocolate to make sure you are nice and…
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A taste of Basque in Belgravia
In 1932 an Italian Futurist called Filippo Tommaso Marinetti published a series of recipes in a book called The Futurist…
BySpear's Year In Review 2014 ’ Food
From sushi to sumptuous sausages, Emily Rookwood shares the restaurants and recipes that spoiled us in 2014 For most of…
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Is Iran the next big luxury tourism destination?
It was thanks to the impeccable timing of Ramita Navai’s 2014 book City of Lies, which offers a portrait of…
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Hubert Zandberg explains what inspires his interior designs
If there is one figure who filters through late-20th-century design for the chic set, it’s Mark Birley. Hubert Zandberg, no…
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Spear’s Year in Review 2014: Art
It’s been a substantial year in art, not least in the continued growth of the market: sales from Christie’s and…
BySpear's Year in Review 2014: Art
We review the year in art as the market grows and galleries adapt, as well as who had the stand…
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Fresh food made from scratch at the Crown & Garter
First there were pubs. British pubs in the traditional sense served beer, ale, spirits and the food offering usually consisted…
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Festive treats from truffles to pop-ups
Now that December is in full swing you are officially allowed to embrace Christmas. That means it is time to…
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Hidden Gems Restaurant Review: Don Alfonso 1890
The Amalfi coast has a range of glorious, if at times scary, coastal drives and gorgeous scenery. Given the number…
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Three scotch whiskies to whet your palate
Scotch has taken a beating recently. The home of whisky seems to have passed its crown to the likes of…
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