The Berkeley

Koffmann's Opens at London's Luxe Berkeley Hotel

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Berkeley (above), London's luxurious and beloved five-star Knightsbridge hotel, has just opened Koffmann's, a new restaurant from legendary French chef Pierre Koffmann. Overlooking Hyde Park, the historic hotel has long been the destination of choice for stylish travelers including Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Naomi Campbell. Chef Koffmann, whose name has been synonymous with some of the UK's finest French cuisine for over 35 years, counts Gordon Ramsay among his protegés. The opening of Koffmann's marks the chef's return to The Berkeley, where he was at the helm of the celebrated La Tante Claire until its closing in 2003. The Koffmann's menu features several of the chef's signature items, such as a braised pig's trotter with morels, which guests may recognize from La Tante Claire, but on the whole Koffmann has moved into a more relaxed, informal style while still embracing his classic, provincial, French culinary roots. The menu offers hearty, robust, seasonal dishes, many influenced by his Gascon heritage, which can be enjoyed seven days a week for both lunch and dinner.

Gallery: Koffman's and The Berkeley

Tags: Berkeley Hotel, chef, French cuisine, Gordon Ramsay, Gwyneth Paltrow, hotels, Hyde Park, Knightsbridge, London, luxury hotels, Madonna, Naomi Campbell, The Berkeley, UK

The Berkeley's Roof-Top Midnight Movies, Martinis and Manicures

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

One of the chicest boutique hotels in London has just added a little more glamor by transforming the spectacular roof-top terrace of its spa into a midnight movie theater, complete with home-made popcorn, mini ice cream cones, martinis from its famous Blue Bar and even manicures.

The Berkeley, which is located in fashionable Knightsbridge, is offering the latest fashion documentaries on a big screen under the stars. On Friday nights until the end of August, hotel guests and Londoners alike are invited to The Berkeley to enjoy mini ice cream cones and home-made popcorn as they sit underneath beautifully lit palm trees watching documentaries that offer a behind-the-scenes look at some of the world's leading fashion houses. Featured documentaries will include: Le Jour D'Avant, featuring Karl Lagerfeld, Sonia Rykiel, Proenza Schouler and Jean Paul Gaultier, Signe Chanel, Valentino: The Last Emperor, The September Issue, Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton, and Lagerfeld Confidential.

As guests enjoy the featured presentation, therapists from The Berkeley Health Club & Spa will give manicures that feature a choice of Chanel's latest Les Pop-Up nail varnish. If you feel a chill in the air, mulberry blankets are on hand.

The Berkeley's Midnight Movies, Martinis & Manicures packages start at £485 ($725) plus VAT based on double occupancy and include an overnight stay with access to the roof-top cinema. A special Midnight Movies, Martinis & Manicures package is also available for Londoners for £85 ($127) per person which includes full access to the movie theater between 10 pm and midnight, two signature Blue Bar cocktails per person, snacks and a mini-manicure with Chanel's latest summer colors.

The package is subject to availability and is available on Fridays in June, July and August, weather permitting. Reservations can be made online or by calling the following toll-free numbers: (866) 599 6991 in the United States and 0808 238 0245 in the United Kingdom.

Tags: awards-main, Chanel, hotel, hotel deals, jean paul gaultier, karl lagerfeld, Knightsbridge, London, Louis Vuitton, luxist-awards, Marc Jacobs, The Berkeley, Valentino

Pierre Koffmann to Open New Restaurant at London's Berkeley Hotel

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Award-winning chef Pierre Koffmann to open new namesake restaurant at The Berkeley hotel in London in June 2010

In June, legendary French chef Pierre Koffmann, whose name has been synonymous with some of the finest French food in the world for the past 35 years, will open Koffmann's in The Berkeley hotel in Knightsbridge, London.

Encouraged by his rave reviews and enthusiastic welcome back into the London culinary scene with his Selfridges pop-up restaurant in October 2009, Koffmann, a Michelin star-winning chef, is excited to embark on this next stage in his distinguished career.

"I have been searching for the perfect new restaurant site for several years," says Koffmann. "I am thrilled to be returning to a place I know and love."

This new venture will see Koffmann move away from his much applauded haute cuisine menu, and into a more relaxed, informal style while still embracing his classic, provincial, French culinary roots. His greatest passion is to be behind the stove, cooking the dishes he loves, many inspired by his maternal grandmother Camille, and this new restaurant will give him the freedom to express this vision.

Tags: haute cuisine, Knightsbridge, London, Marcus Wareing, michelin guide, michelin stars, Pierre Koffmann, restaurant, The Berkeley, The Berkeley Hotel

Continue reading “Pierre Koffmann to Open New Restaurant at London's Berkeley Hotel”