The Concierge Angel Team is always globe trotting looking for the hottest places around, searching for delicious food and exhilarating events. We are passionate about celebrating and hope to inspire you with everything from perfect gifts, fashion, lifestyle and unique experiences. We have exciting ideas for weddings, inspirations for honeymoon destinations, tips for restaurants for a special birthday, and celebrating an anniversary in style. We hope you enjoy swooning over photographs of our escapades.
Syon Park’s Enchanted Woodland
21 November 2019
Syon Park House and Garden’s annual Enchanted Woodland is back, and it is just as magical as it is every year. In it’s fourteenth year, it’s becoming our annual tradition to explore the beautifully illuminated trail, which marks the start of the run up to Christmas. Whilst most winter nights we’d rather be snuggled up indoors, we are always excited to embrace the crisp, cold evening, for the twinkly lights and music, that bring the woodland to life. There are numerous glistening light installations, including sparkly disco balls, flickering candle lights, with tiny rabbits in tipis amongst the quirky displays. The pyrotechnics in the iconic Great Conservatory are rather amazing. There are bubbles floating around, that burst leaving a trail of smoke in the air. It’s a lovely evening for the whole family to enjoy. There are plenty of appetising food trucks this year to make a night out of it too. The trail through the beautiful grounds of Syon Park is illuminated for the next few weekends only until 1st December, so be sure to check it out. http://www.enchantedwoodland.com/ *Concierge Angel were complementary guests however all views remained unbiased.
Alice in Wonderland Themed Tea Party
14 July 2019
Alice in Wonderland has to be our all time favourite theme for a memorable celebration. Its whimsical and ideal for a wedding, birthday party or even a baby shower. We have some simple ideas to put on a magical Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Create a table that will mesmerise and immerse your guests. Coloured papers straws in old fashioned, glass milk bottles are a nice way to serve a fruit punch to guests. Add little labels with “Drink Me” or use little chalk boards. Detailing the bottles with handcrafted butterflies is just a lovely addition to a garden party. Talking Tables have a gorgeous collection of Truly Alice plates, platters, detailed napkins and cute tea cups and saucers and adorable mini cake dome stands. The range has a floral, and sophisticated vintage look and is ever so pretty. Amongst cake stands for the food, the table requires dressing with an assortment of props. Our favourite has to be the miniature, purple door with fairy dust from The Magic Door Store. This is a charming, adorable, detailed fairy door which adds a beautiful touch to the table. For a child this will be a door they can keep in their room and always remember their magical party, and […]
The Enchanted Woodland at Syon Park
16 November 2018
It’s that time of year again when Syon Park is illuminated, showcasing its thirteenth year of the Enchanted Woodland. As the evenings are getting colder it’s definitely worth wrapping up warm to enjoy the magical experience. The mile long route passes through the historic arboretum surrounding Syon House, the London home of the Duke of [...]
James Cochran
30 April 2018
Nestled in Liverpool Street, the James Cochran restaurant provides the perfect spot for a memorable dinner in the heart of busy London. When you first enter, you encounter the bar area filled with young professionals eager to unwind after a hard days work, and the James Cochran restaurant provides the perfect place to do so. The staff are friendly and inviting, whilst the atmosphere is relaxed. The restaurant is filled with pictures relating to James’ past. The dining area and bar are one continuous space, allowing for the lively atmosphere to pass through without disturbing the diners. James Cochran formerly worked at the renowned two Michelin star restaurant, The Ledbury. This certainly comes through in his dishes. The seven course tasting menu provides a feast of flavours, many of which are throwbacks to the chef’s heritage and roots. An unusual fusion of Scottish and Jamaican influences prepared from fresh British produce, with menus changing daily. The dishes are prepared meticulously and are as much a feast for the eyes as the palate. There are some unusual flavour combinations, including strong Asian-British fusion flavours such as the pan fried gnocchi with pickled shimeji and even Cornish cod bathed in a lemongrass and […]
Stecca- Italian Fine Dining in Chelsea
11 December 2017
Its always exciting when there’s a new restaurant in town. Stecca opened just a few months ago, and is a lovely fine dining Italian restaurant in the heart of Chelsea. Whilst a Monday evening won’t necessarily be a night for celebrity spotting, it’s definitely buzzing with approving local Italians. Award winning chef Stefano Stecca is serving up authentic Italian cuisine inspired by his hometown Rimini in Emilia Romagna, without a pizza in sight. Service is friendly and attentive, with a generous basket of rustic basket of bread arriving promptly just as we sat down to savour over the menu. Aubergines are clearly best enjoyed doused in a tomato sauce and topped with layers of cheese as in the starter of Aubergine Parmigiana. The grilled Calamari, served on a bed of rocket with sweet chilli was delightfully fresh and delicious. The creamy Burrata, topped avocado and Sicilian Tomato and was simple, yet perfect. The Black Truffle Risotto main course was rich and creamy and aromatic with scattered shavings of truffle. The classic Bolognese Ragu Tagliatelle was cooked to perfection, with handmade fresh egg pasta, with a rich meaty sauce. Spoilt for choice for dessert, the Crema Mascarpone and Sicilian Cannoli came […]
Flip Out
31 August 2017
Flip Out trampoline parks boast some of the largest trampolines in the U.K and is flipping awesome. As soon as you enter the huge arena, there’s an overwhelming number of neon trampolines. There’s an unmistakable sound of excitable children and adults jumping up and down. Starting at the beginning is best to get warmed up, because as as you delve in deeper, and discover the advanced areas, with high towers to jump on and off; this area is for adults only! Until you actually climb the towers, you don’t fully appreciate how scary it is jumping from such heights. Flip out invites you to conquer your fears and explore your daring side. Heading out of the adult only area, there are a pair of trampolines that see you diving into a giant pool filled with spongey cubes. This was an absolute blast. It doesn’t get better than this. Climbing out of the pool was a bit of a struggle but it’s definitely worth it and we couldn’t resist jumping right back right in again. Or rather falling back in at the gladiator arena after a duel. Once you are well acquainted and warmed up, there is a competitive, timed ninja warrior course, to test your ninja […]
A night at The Trading House
11 August 2017
Behind a rather ordinary façade, inside The Trading House, it’s unexpectedly quirky. The restaurant is rather intriguing, stylish and unique. The dark wood panelled room is ornate, adorned with the most beautiful lights and interesting murials on the wall, and a variety of stuffed animals. The scene set is that of exotic trade and travel and leaves one expecatant of an interesting culinary journey. Whilst there’s a traditional feel to the restaurant there is modern vibe, with lovely live music, which set the tone for the evening. As the night went on the DJ took over and played some great classics, and the restaurant and bar were buzzing with city folk. Whilst muddling through the menu, we nibbled on the chipolata and olives which arrived promptly. The refreshing peach and ginger mojito was the perfect choice for a cool, summery drink. The menu is an interesting assortment of hearty, comfort food from across the globe. Starters were our favourite, especially the crusty roll stuffed bursting with a hot, creamy, cheesy truffle mushroom centre. The Calamari served with a charred lemon was light and crispy and cooked to perfection. The pulled pork burger topped with jalapenos was packed full of juiciness and spiciness. The Trading House is famous for their hanging kebabs so we had to try it out.The […]
A Retreat at the New Hilltop Reserves at the Isle of Eriska
14 July 2017
As you arrive over the clickety clackety bridge, to the impressive private island of Isle of Eriska, nothing can prepare you for what awaits. Passing through woodlands, the “Relais Chateux” property of Eriska, is a charming building set amongst 300 acres. It’s located close to a private air field if you’re lucky enough to own a private jet. For most its a picturesque three hour scenic drive through Loch Lomond from Edinburgh. Eriska boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant, a nine-hole golf course, the Stables Spa, a casual Deck Restaurant and even a private beach as well lots of lovely nature trails. The Isle of Eriska is truly magnificent. The main house is welcoming and homely, with a quintessentially British charm, and roaring fires, even in the midst of the unpredictable Scottish Summer. In contrast, the new Hilltops are really modern, beautifully appointed and immaculate. It’s a nice feeling being the first to stay in the Hilltop Reserves. They have a Scandinavian hygee feel to them. They are furnished luxuriously, with everything being quite sleek, stylish and rather plush. The lodges have been designed with attention to detail. The kitchen is well stocked with Joseph and Joseph accessories and there’s even some fresh milk waiting in the fridge. It’s […]
Mastering Bread Making with Ma Baker
28 June 2017
Coming up with ideas for a unique gift can be quite challenging. However to gift an experience is sure to be more memorable than any other present. A day in the kitchen, even for the culinary inept, is a welcome gift. Who doesn’t love the smell of fresh bread? Award winning, Ma Baker has some amazing bread making courses. Bread Angel, Liz Wilson welcomes you into her Fulham kitchen and shares her priceless bread secrets, learnt from years of experience, mastering bread. Her passion and enthusiasm are infectious and you are sure to leave with a new found respect for bread. And more importantly a huge bag full of fresh sour dough treats. Ma Baker’s class for sour dough provides the perfect opportunity to demystify sour dough making, in an intimate group of four. Sour dough is absolutely delicious, but if you pick up a recipe book, it can seem rather daunting to try and make it. Ma Baker, Liz, simplifies the process in a little over six hours, ensuring you learn essential kneading, folding, proving and shaping techniques. An appreciation emerges for gluten formation, and all the lovely bubbles that appear as the yeast starts working. The wealth of knowledge and tips, Ma Baker shares are so helpful. Who knew that all the […]
A Scenic Flight over Dubai with Seawings
19 June 2017
Dubai is a city that has clearly been designed to be appreciated from above. You really can’t say you have seen Dubai until you have seen it from the sky. Seawings offer a unique experience to fly over Dubai and enjoy sensational, aerial views over the city. We couldn’t quite contain our excitement for this trip, as it’s been on our bucket list for a long while. The scenic seaplane journey starts from Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. It’s a plush plane that glides through the water and before you know it you’re up in the sky. The seaplane has comfortable leather seats and is fully air conditioned, with complementary bottles of water provided for the journey. As the seaplane circles over Dubai, one can quickly spot the iconic buildings that make up the Dubai skyline. The Arabian Gulf shimmers in the sun and the views are utterly breath taking. Dubai is totally magnificent anyway, but the perspective from Seawings is just spectacular. The Burj Khalifa stands proud in downtown Dubai, as the tallest building in the world. The scenes are simply awe inspiring. The man made island in the sea, The Palm is to be marvelled over. The Palm is so perfectly formed, and the unmistakable silhouette of the […]
The Allure of Enigma at Palazzo Versace Dubai
5 June 2017
The five star Palazzo Versace Dubai is utterly stylish and sophisticated. The Palazzo Versace boasts some charming, fine dining restaurants including Vanita’s and Enigma. As the name suggests there’s an element of mystery to Enigma, that’s rather alluring. A dining concept that presents the “Inside Story” with award winning chefs, creating transient, unique menus for limited periods of time. At present, acclaimed Chef Yunus Emre Aydin takes centre stage, with a multi-sensory culinary journey, celebrating Turkish cuisine. It’s a rather modern take on traditional Turkish cuisine. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful and the elegant décor is perfectly complimented by the plush Versace cushions and the gentle glow from candle light. Starting with a refreshing lemongrass drink with ginger tea, this felt like a drink for a spa, and set the tone for the relaxed evening ahead. The warm breads arrived straight from the oven and were light and fluffy and delicious when dipped in the refined pomegranate and tomato salsa. The starter Shakshuka, was an impressive combination of eggplant cream, tomato espuma and red pepper marmalade served in rolls of vegetables, on a sleek white stone. The dishes just make you smile, as they have clearly been arranged with precision and finesse, adorned with micro herbs and edible flowers. The Aegean Shrimp, were marinated in mandarin and served with lemon […]
A Night at the Opera at TWID
24 May 2017
Constantly in search of the next novel experience in London, we just found the first of its kind at TWID, in Battersea.”That’s What I do,” is a fun, dining experience that sees you immersed in live opera. Behind the facade of a converted pub, a peek through the curtains, and you are transported into what appears to be an almost, traditional theatre. There’s something rather exciting about going up the small set of stairs to the private opera boxes. There are interesting stone statues scattered around the restaurant, and clearly a lot of thought has gone into the décor, at first glance. By light of day, the décor is a bit rough around the edges, but as night falls it’s easier to look past the chipboard ceiling and appreciate the romantic booths, and the atmosphere that’s been created. The menu has a nice selection of small plates to choose from, that are ideal to share. They are actually far from small, and rather substantial dishes, and probably no more than five would suffice for two. There’s a call bell on the table, which is genius- if only every restaurant had this. It allows the experience to be private and intimate whilst maintaining attentive service. Sipping on a mojito is always the best way to start the evening. Following the a […]
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Afternoon Tea at The Ritz, London
27 September 2015
The Ritz, London is one of the finest five star establishments in the world. It is renowned for being quintessentially British. With refined opulence, you are made to feel rather special at Afternoon Tea. In the heart of the bustling city, it’s pure luxury. The banquet room is grand, with beautiful music from a harpist. The afternoon tea is served with towers of cakes and sandwiches. Warm scones followed by an assortment of hot cups of tea from the Orient. The Tea menu is rather vast and the precision of timing for brewing ensures the perfect cup of tea every time. It makes for such a lovely afternoon celebration, or even a perfect gift experience. If there’s one Afternoon Tea to make time for when you are in London, it has to be The Ritz. The Ritz London 150 Piccadilly London W1J 9BR
Samsung Galaxy Virtual Reality Gear #10minbreak, London
25 November 2015
If your are fortunate enough to catch the pop-up Samsung #10minbreak bus by Southbank, you may find yourself mesmerised by their virtual reality demo. Hear about their new products and how NFC (near field communication) is all the rage. After years of virtual reality technology not really hitting the mark, Samsung Galaxy has revolutionised it. Simply slot your Samsung Galaxy phone in, and be marvelled by the most amazing experience ever. Mount a surf board and take a ride. Look up and it’s sunny, look down and you are riding the waves surrounded by beautiful scenery in high definition. It’s definitely the gadget to get your hands on and top of our Christmas wish list. Imagine it’s a grey, rainy day and you fancy a holiday, just pop on your virtual reality portal and you could be anywhere from the comfort of your own home. We are complete converts to virtual reality now and you will be too Samsung Galaxy VR
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxford
3 September 2015
Raymond Blanc’s Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is a lovely manor set in 30 acres of picturesque grounds in Oxford. As you walk through the gates you feel like you have entered a secret garden. Fresh herbs and vegetables being grown amongst Japanese gardens add to the charm. The hotel and restaurant atmosphere is lovely and relaxed. The seven course lunch is rather indulgent and spanned a whole afternoon. With the finest ingredients, each dish is intricately presented, with divine flavours and attentive service. We would agree it is rather deserving of its two Michelin stars. Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Church Road, Great Milton, Oxford, OX44 7PD, UK
Dominique Ansel Bakery, Tokyo
6 November 2015
Imagine the excitement when I heard Dominique Ansel had opened a bakery in Tokyo. With years of visiting the New York bakery to be deterred by the mile long queues, there was a chance I could could finally savour an infamous Cronut. Or so I thought. Cronuts are a hybrid combination of donut and croissant, and I can’t imagine anything better than that. Donut on the outside and layers of heavenly croissant on the inside. As a self confessed foodie, travelling thousands of miles across the world just on a whim of what I fancied eating is not unheard of. So when already in Tokyo popping down to Shibuya to get my hands on a Cronut was top of the agenda. Tucked away behind a Louis Vuitton store, I was surprised to stroll straight in. Not a queue in sight. The smell of sweet pastries diffused through the bakery with displays of amazing looking pastries. Walking straight up to the till I requested my Cronut. The smiling staff gestured a cross and said “Sold out.” I knew it had been too good to be true. If they are so popular why not make a few more I wondered. So I […]
The Hairy Pig Deli, Stockholm
16 October 2015
We stumbled across The Hairy Pig Deli, Stockholm in the rustic Old City Gamla stan. It was quirky with hog’s head and cured meats and dried spices hanging from the wooden beams. With just a handful of tables it’s rather quaint. The appetising menu of sausages and spectacular hearty, sharing boards of delicious tapas was a feast for the eyes. Salt and vinegar potatoes, garlic bread, olives, spicy chickpea and spinach, mushroom, and interestingly a moose lasagne. As a delicacy in Sweden, we took our chances with the Moose Lasagne. It tasted like a red meat and was actually quite pleasant. A Gamla Stan gem, a stone throw from the Royal Palace, that makes for a memorable feast.
Center Parcs, Woburn Forest
15 October 2015
A holiday usually consists of sun, sea, sand, and sipping mojitos by a tropical beach on the other side of the world at a five star resort. So when we booked a summer break in England, we could only cross our fingers and hope for the best. However we were pleasantly surprised by Center Parcs, Woburn Forest.
Northern Lights, Iceland
1 January 2016
To catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights we booked a trip to Reyjkavik. We had our fingers and toes crossed to see the Northern Lights. The phenomena arises from charged particles from the sun reacting with the earth’s atoms causing electrons to move to a higher energy state. The drop of electrons energy state emit a photon of green light-the Aurora Borelias. It’s a cold time of year, with plenty of snow and chasing the Northern Lights requires patience in the cold. We packed in base layers which are a great way of keeping warm, fleeces, thermal legging, socks, hats and double layer gloves, and snow boots. We thought we would give the new WOW airline a go but there’s something that makes us resent having to pay extra for luggage. So after meticulous weighing by jumping on and off scales, subtracting the weight of our bags, determined not to exceed our allowance, we decided to wear our snow boots and ski jackets. We felt like silly, overdressed snowmen at the airport, but were relieved to see many others had done the same. With a six day trip booked in December we eagerly sat on the right side of the […]
Tried & True, Putney
6 September 2015
Fancy an indulgent breakfast? Pulled Pork Benedict is a must have at Tried & True, Putney. Pulled pork tossed in a hickory hoisin sauce, served on a unique jalapeno, cheddar cornbread and fully loaded with poached eggs. It is a delightful breakfast treat. Tried & True, 279 Upper Richmond Road, Putney, SW15 6SP
Valentine’s Day: Luxury Gift Guide For Her
20 January 2016
Choosing the ideal gift for the lady in your life can be extremely difficult. After years of birthdays, Christmas and anniversary’s finding the “wow” present can be challenging. Every man wants to spoil his lady with luxury whatever your budget. Take inspiration from our luxury gift ideas she is sure to love. Christian Louboutin Nail varnish Every woman would love to own something Christian Louboutin. Pop into Harrods or Selfridges to pick up this nail varnish she will want to cherish and is sure to be pretty impressed with. We recommend the “Rouge” as it is a gorgeous deep red that your special lady will love. Love Umbrellas These are so pretty, she will absolutely love these. She will be wishing for more rainy days to take this out, as a must have accessory. Mon Dessert Mon Dessert are delightful “make your own” macaron kits that are perfect for the sophisticated foodie, as seen at Fortnum & Mason. She will be even more delighted if you volunteer a hand to help her make them. Chins Kitchen Handmade Artisan, modern, Indian inspired cakes, infused with a perfectly balanced blend of spices, and will be a wonderful gift for the refined palate. Their new online shop launches on February 1st and […]
The Blue Lagoon, Iceland
5 January 2016
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland was a surreal experience. In -2 degrees Celsius the thought of braving the elements in swimwear was slightly daunting. The changing rooms are well equipped with heated floors and sophisticated locker systems. We were impressed with the well maintained, pristine, luxury facilities, given this is a tourist hotspot. You can rent towels, slippers and robes for a comfortable spa day. You can also take advantage of massages, face masks to enhance the experience. The geothermal spa is warmed naturally to 38 degrees Celsius. Fortunately you can wade through from an indoor pool into the outdoors. This is a great way to get you acclimatised to the temperatures. As the cold air hits your face the warm water embraces you. Surrounded by mountains snowed in its one of the most amazing places we have been to. It is unimaginable that you could be relaxing in naturally hot lagoon whilst it snows. The 6 million litres of water is enriched with silica, algae and minerals and takes 48 hours to replenishes itself. We were truly marvelled by this experience. The snow falling whilst we bathed made it even more exhilarating. Somehow your face is resilient to the […]
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