One of the most convenient places in South Ken to catch up with friends. The food is so so, but the croissants and other viennoiseries are tasty (and buttery). It's also an fun place to catch up with London's Eurotrash and Middle Eastern scene (not sure that's what you want though).

Part French brasserie, part American diner (with a good Sunday brunch), Automat is a really good restaurant choice smack in the middle of London. Nice crowd and nice surrounding.

New York's Bliss spa is doing very well in London. If you want a manicure and don't want to leave South Ken, than book at Bliss, but make sure to do so in advance, these guys are always booked. Their products are excellent.

Bumpkin is a cozy yet trendy Notting Hill eaterie, which serves up yummy hearty dishes. Don't count the calories here!

This is the typical kind of new restaurants you find in London. Located in the up and coming Shoreditch area, Canteen offers a new interpretation of classic British food (they seem to love that these days). Canteen is worth the trek be it only to check out Spitalfields Market, a rehabilitated area sandwiched between City bankers and the nearby artsy. Spitalfields market is also designed by Sir Norman Foster, one of England's most famous architects.

Claridge's might equate with 1950s chic, but it also knows how to keep up with its time, most notable with a Gordon Ramsey restaurant (Ramsay, has become a celebrity chef in the UK). Alternatively, for a perfect shopping break, step in for afternoon high tear, the Claridges does it like no other. You might even run into Kate Moss.

If you just walked all the King's Road or you're about to do so, then stop at this relaxing cafe. You can have a latte or a light lunch, and frankly, you'll feel more like you're in a spa than anywhere else.

Lebanese cuisine has never been so chic! Beautiful decor and view on Saint James Park. Also nice and serene atmosphere (quite un-Lebanese in fact!)

Probably one of our favorite places to have breakfast or lunch in London, especially when the weather gets nice. Inn the Park is quite a chic/cool park restaurant and the food is excellent (simple yet refined British cuisine).

London's first stand alone Nobu. A glam decor, but slightly impersonal (it's big) and a bit touristy.

This is the second hotel in London designed by Ian Schrager and Philippe Stark. Quite an amazing decor - a mix between modern office space and glitzy Philippe Stark bits and pieces. The floor to ceiling glass windows and the ability to change the color lighting in each room, makes for a fun stay.

It's all about style statements here. Ian Shragrer and Philippe Starck's Sanderson hotel is their take on "British cool": imagine funky furniture and transparent glass showers in the bedrooms. The hotel boasts the famed Long Bar and French chef Alain Ducasse's restaurant Spoon.

Designed by Mourad Mazouz (the French Moroccan restaurant owner behind Momo's), Sketch was the place to be a few years ago. We're not that impressed with the food or the scene but we do like the cafe at the entrance for breakfast or afternoon tea.

The pool is not the only great thing at the Berkeley. Check outrestaurant Petrus run by chef Marcus Wareing, the Blue Bar and Pret-a-Portea for, well tea.

A popular American bakery selling pink and blue cupcakes, muffins and cheesecake. The Portobello store was such a hit, they opened a new branch in South Ken. Both are owned by Tarek Maalouf, the son of Lebanese novelist Hanan el Sheikh.

Thank decorator Kit Kemp for redefining hotel cool in London after the minimalism of the early millennium. The Soho has 91 uniquely decorated rooms. A very cute hotel, part of the Firmdale hotel gourp, which owns six other hotels in town, including the Covent Garden Hotel.