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Belgravia
A P R I L 2 0 2 0 # 1 6 0
Tom
AIKENS
The top chef
on his new
restaurant
Muse
Also Inside: Beulah London's CEO talks sustainable style
Sasha Gusov's compelling street scenes
Meet Belgravia's pub landlords
4 34
April
Welcome & top three Health & beauty
Three workout essentials you Renowned Italian skincare
can buy in Belgravia, including expert Pietro Simone opens a
Silou's Coco leggings luxury salon on Lowndes Street
6 36
Upfront Made in Belgravia
Bespoke jewellery and luxury Grab a slice of the action at
homeware take centre stage at Pizza Pilgrims' new venture on
two new pop-up shops Buckingham Palace Road
24 8 38
What's on Style
Belgravia in Bloom, London Acclaimed photographer Sasha
Craft Week and the Belgrave Gusov gives us a glimpse into
Square Barbecue return his fascinating career
10 41
Craft Business
Flower-arranging guru Judith Beulah London's new CEO Nicki
Blacklock shows us round her Lynch says sustainable style is
north Belgravia studio more in demand than ever
16 44
Pubs Food & drink
10 Four beloved Belgravia boozers The Gentlemen Baristas
that are at the heart of the prepare to launch; plus weekend
community brunching at Wild By Tart
24 47
Food & drink Easter gift ideas
Eccleston Yards wine bar From chocolate eggs to simnel
Bâtonnage is a hit with the cake, celebrate Easter with these
locals gourmet goodies
29 50
Spotlight A day in Belgravia
Mauro Sanna honoured; plus the Tom Aikens, chef and owner of
6 members' club that's catering for
canines
new restaurant Muse, shares a
typical day in his life
7
36
3
W
elcome to our April/ Produced for Grosvenor by
Welcome
Publishing Business,
May issue, a time when 3 Princes Street,
London, W1B 2LD
Belgravia is blooming with
the return of the annual Editor Cally Squires
020 7259 1058
flower show - a topic that cally@pubbiz.com
Deputy editor
longstanding local flower Jonathan Whiley
020 7259 1057
school founder Judith jonathan@pubbiz.com
Blacklock knows all about. Sub-editor Kate White
Designer Andy Lowe
In this edition we have Easter goodies galore, Commercial director
Caroline Warrick 020 7259 1051
from hot cross buns and chocolate treats to a Advertisement manager
Bridget Rodricks 020 7259 1059
bottomless Sunday roast. Circulation manager Julie Ward
Gastronomy is a theme we’re wholeheartedly Publisher Adrian Day
020 7259 1053 adrian@pubbiz.com
embracing, as chef Tom Aikens talks about the Cover image Chef Tom Aikens
photo by James McDonald
concept for his new fine-dining restaurant Muse,
While we always do our best to
and Pizza Pilgrims co-founder Thom Elliot tells us ensure that firms and organisations
about the secret to the perfect dough. appearing in the magazine are
reputable, the editor can give no
We’ve got the drinks covered too, as we sit down guarantee that they will fulfil their
obligations in all circumstances.
with our favourite pub landlords and the founder of Readers must therefore deal with
them at their own risk.
Bâtonnage wine bar in Eccleston Yards.
Plus Beulah London’s new CEO chats about the Printed in the UK on ECF (chlorine-free)
paper using fibre sourced from well-
business of ethical fashion, while local resident and managed forests. All inks vegetable
based. Our printers are certified to ISO
famed photographer Sasha Gusov gives us a look at 14001 environmental management.
life behind the lens.
Publishing Business is a member
of the Professional Publishers
Association and observes the PPA
Code of Publishing Practice.
Top 3 workout essentials
Grosvenor Britain & Ireland
Re:Mind creates and manages high quality
Crystal water bottle, neighbourhoods that are great places
£48.50, to live, work and visit. Our diverse
25a Eccleston Place property development, management
and investment portfolio includes
Grosvenor’s London estate of
Mayfair and Belgravia and other
developments in London, Oxfordshire
and Cambridgeshire.
Sainsbury’s We are part of the Grosvenor Group,
Huel salted caramel one of the world’s largest privately
owned property companies, which
vegan nutrition bar, £1.30,
develops, manages and invests
14-20 Elizabeth Street in property in more than 60 cities
around the world.
Silou As of December 31, 2018 Grosvenor
Coco leggings, £169, Britain & Ireland had assets under
management of £5.3bn.
by appointment at
52 Eaton Mews West grosvenor.com
4 Belgravia — April 2020
Upfront
Dressed to
impress
Scarves and Style columnist and brand consultant
Feet first
surrealism Isabel Spearman is set to return to
Contemporary footwear brand Harrys of
Belgravia with her popular Instagram
London is set to arrive in Belgravia.
Luxury scarf atelier and pop-up shop.
The company, which sells men’s and
art studio Alba Amicorum Isabel, who partnered with
women’s shoes and a range of accessories
has launched a limited- Grosvenor last year to launch a store
edition scarf collection in based on her account, @dailydressedit,
from belts to socks, will base its flagship
collaboration with the Man will be popping up on Elizabeth Street store at 14 Motcomb Street. Subject to
Ray Trust. for two weeks in May. planning, it will open its doors this summer.
The trust was established Based on her account, the store will
by the wife of photographer
Man Ray, a significant figure
Pop-up perks showcase a curation of dresses Isabel
has selected from her favourite brands.
in the Surrealist and Dada
movements. He was known Two pop-ups have landed
for his varied body of work in Belgravia for six-month
from fashion photography for residencies.
magazines including Vogue Bespoke handmade jewellery
and Harper’s Bazaar, to and custom lockets – where
portraits and still-life pieces. shoppers can add charms – are
The four scarves are based available at 73 Elizabeth Street
on his original paintings and courtesy of Loquet.
photographic works with Meanwhile, luxury tablewear
the collection available at brand Bonadea will showcase a
Alba Amicorum’s base at short-term pop-up at 22 Pimlico
12 Kinnerton Yard. Road with an inviting array of
home accessories.
Changing
places
Celebrating Earth Day Two of Belgravia’s best-
known businessmen stepped
As Earth Day marks 50 years this year, New into each other’s shoes for
the day in a quest to discover
residents and visitors in Belgravia can
enjoy a new immersive installation.
manager if the grass is that bit greener.
The Cycle, Halkin joins the Andrew Coney, general
manager of The Hari hotel,
Arcade’s thought-
provoking and Jumeirah swapped roles with Ross
Borthwick, branch manager
interactive display, of Waitrose on Motcomb
will allow visitors The Jumeirah Lowndes, Street, last month.
to relax in “urban one of Belgravia’s landmark Andrew, who spent time
nature” and, should luxury hotels, has appointed a new behind the fish counter as
they wish, plant their general manager. part of his duties, said: "It
own seeds. Michael Purtill, previously general was such a fun exercise and
The installation will manager of the Jumeirah Nanjing based allowed us to see how each
run from April 20 in China, joins with extensive experience other's operation works.
until mid-June with in the hospitality sector having previously "Although both companies
Earth Day falling on worked at the Four Seasons in Istanbul and are in different sectors, the
April 22. Canary Wharf. backbone is very much the
same."
6 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 7
Elephant Study by Sophie Walbeoffe
What’s on
April & May
May 19-June 6
Birdsong
Elephants roaming in
Amboseli National Park in
southern Kenya are brought
to life in the paintings of
artist Sophie Walbeoffe at the
May 18-23 Osborne Studio Gallery.
Belgravia in Bloom The mother-of-two’s solo
This year’s theme has been christened exhibition draws on her 25
the Future of Flowers and will explore the years living in Kenya with
relationship we have with the natural world. elephants, birds and lush,
The annual festival, which coincides with vivid landscapes dominating
the Chelsea Flower Show, will once again see many of her paintings.
Belgravia transformed with beautiful displays
taking centre stage in partnership with
Bompas & Parr.
Eccleston Yards will bloom and glow with
visitors entering an interactive pavilion, the
Floral Imaginarium, which takes inspiration April 21-May 7
from research looking at how plants can be bio- Argentine Visions
engineered to be used as a light source. The work of three artists celebrating equestrian life
The festival will also invite artists to enter in Argentina takes centre stage at the Osborne Studio Coming soon:
their interpretation of what the future of Gallery. The abstract vision of Adriana Zaefferer, June 18
flowers is, with the winning entry picked by a ceramic work of Hernán Alvarez Forn and methodical Belgrave Square Barbecue
panel of industry experts set to go on display techniques of Florencia Fernandez Alonso will be on The popular annual event returns
on Elizabeth Street. display at the Motcomb Street gallery. for its 10th year in Belgrave Square
Shops across Belgravia, from Motcomb Garden.
Street to Pimlico Road, will also exhibit their
abundant floral arrangements for residents
and visitors to enjoy.
Old Harry Rocks by Martin Yeoman
Until April 4
Martin Yeoman
It’s your last chance to see the work
of former royal tour artist Martin
Yeoman at Sibyl Colefax and John
Fowler’s showroom on Pimlico Road.
The first solo exhibition of his work
by Jenna Burlingham Fine Art, the
showcase – titled Over Three Decades
– features 30 years of work from his
studio archive.
Martin, considered one of the
best draughtsmen in Britain, has April 27-May 3
travelled extensively – accompanying London Craft Week
Prince Charles on royal tours – and A city-wide celebration toasting craftsmanship, the June 20
was commissioned to draw the Pimlico Road Series will see a host of events, with Belgravia Dog Show
Queen’s grandchildren, with the master craftsmen from Chelsea Textiles demonstrating Pampered pooches will be paraded as
work subsequently displayed at the the art of hand embroidery to tassel making workshops the seventh canine competition takes
National Portrait Gallery. at Robert Kime. londoncraftweek.com to the catwalk once more.
8 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 9
Craft
L
isten up, Tyson Fury – Judith and then I was asked to be editor of another
Blacklock has a message flower magazine where I stayed for 13 years.
for you. “Tyson, I’m a huge “I retired and then three-and-a-half years
admirer and I love the fact later, the publishers of Flora came to me and
you are six foot nine and I said, ‘Would you like it?’ and I decided to take
think you show all the skill it on.”
of being one of the best flower Juggling it all simply means “going to bed
arrangers ever. Come and late and getting up early”, she says matter-of-
join me!” factly. “I started at seven o’clock this morning
Judith, who has been running her and did a couple of hours [work on the
renowned flower school in a pretty little mews magazine] and then I drove in from Barnes.”
off Kinnerton Street for 20 years, thinks the Her family roots lie much further north.
heavyweight boxer could be persuaded should She grew up in a village in Cumbria, before
he spot the invitation in Belgravia magazine. being sent away to a sixth form college and
“I think he would, I think he is man finishing school in Oxford aged 16. “I had a
enough,” she says. “He is only one foot nine wonderful time, but perhaps didn’t work as
inches taller than me; it would be a great hard as I should have,” she says.
picture!” After Oxford, she made her way to London,
Refreshingly straight-talking – though working in the City for three years. Fate
conscious not to reveal too much (particularly would dictate that she moved into Parkside in
juicy nuggets of conversation are gently Knightsbridge, barely five minutes’ walk from
consigned to “off the record”) – Judith’s the school that would later bear her name and
charm and expertise have been attracting an where we are now sipping tea.
international clientele to Belgravia for two “I only came back to this area once [during
decades. that time],” she says. “I think it was at the
As well as offering classic and weekend and there was nothing happening,
contemporary floral arranging courses – so I went away and never came back until all
she is the only school in the UK to hold those years later.”
accreditation by the British Accreditation After 12 years living abroad – six years in
Council and the American Institute of Floral Brussels and six in Paris – she moved back to
Designers – Judith has found the time to England when her husband, working in the
write 17 books and also edits a quarterly pharmaceutical industry, started a new job.
magazine called Flora. Cultivating a career with flowers only
“I was editor over 20 years ago for three began when Judith was looking for something
years, but I couldn’t change it because it was she could do with the children after moving
owned by somebody who wanted to keep it back to the UK. “My mother exhibited at
as it was,” she says. “Her husband was the Chelsea and got many medals – she is a
designer and it was her baby really, so I left better arranger than I am – but she always
Flower power
Since opening her renowned flower school 20 years ago, Judith
Blacklock has worked with famous faces ranging from actors to royalty
w o r d s : j o n at h a n w h i l e y p h oto g r a p h s : a n dy low e
10 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 11
Craft
The fact that you
“ Famous faces
can find a billionaire From creating bouquets
for members of the royal
having a pint with family to appearing
on reality show Made
the postman, isn’t in Chelsea, Judith has
given her expertise to
that wonderful? an eclectic selection of
famous faces.
Where else would
Keeley Hawes
that happen? I think “She was fantastic, the
most lovely
this area is incredibly person. In
fact, she
special wrote a
review on
”
one of my
books.”
James May
did it as a hobby. I decided to do flowers and Judith “completely stripped it out” and “He was very good. He
only then, once I started did it become a found the first year tough. “I got a £1,000 was that typical chap; so
passion.” grant from the government and it really many come
Her career really began to blossom once helped, it made all the difference. Grosvenor and think,
opportunity knocked at the turn of the have been very good to me; they are not soft ‘What am
millennium. “I was approached to see if I or pushovers, but I think they are fair.” I doing
wanted it [the Kinnerton Place South site] Times have certainly changed. Judith says this for’,
and it was the right time, simply because my that when she started out there were only two and yet
father had died and I had a little bit of money. flower schools in London – Jane Packer being they get
Not a lot of money, but some money and I was the other – and now the increased competition into it and
able to do it. I wouldn’t have been able to do it tends to “nibble at the market”. absolutely
otherwise. Nonetheless, her stellar reputation love it and he
“My husband was working at the time and continues to attract people from far and was very good.”
financially it wasn’t such a big commitment wide and she continues to adore Belgravia
and the children were at a sufficient age – I – singling out Anton Mosimann, The Fine Gordon Ramsay
think they were 16 and 18 – that they didn’t Cheese Co and Mayhew newsagents for “I taught on The One
need me that much.” particular praise – and counts herself Show and he was awfully
The characterful corner plot was previously incredibly lucky to be part of such a nice. It’s all a big act
home to another flower school run by Mary community. isn’t it really?
Adams. “She was working here until she was “I’ve got the best location, not only in He made a
over 80,” says Judith. “She contacted me to London, but in the country. Could it be the hand-tied
see if I wanted it and I knew I would never world? The fact that you can find a billionaire bouquet
have an opportunity like that again.” having a pint with the postman, isn’t that and he
When she first arrived, there was much wonderful? Where else would that happen? I was
work to be done. “It was very rundown,” she think this area is incredibly special.” good;
says. “It was full of dried flowers, the whole Tyson, if you’re reading, the invitation is clever and
place made you sneeze. And yet, full cycle, very much on the table. It’s your move. quick.”
dried flowers are now back in after 20 years
of not being anywhere in the UK as they have 4-5 Kinnerton Place South,
been passé.” judithblacklock.com
12 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 13
Food & drink Business
D
owntown Toronto, 2009. An old,
large house. A French landlady
called Eva. And a man in his
mid-30s who is soon to change his
career.
As if honouring centuries-old stereotypes, the
French innkeeper was a woman who enjoyed
her wine. “She would leave the remainder of the
bottles after she had enjoyed her evening glass or
two at the bottom of the stairs,” recalls Richard
Cavagin-Carey. “She would encourage me to try;
Chinon, Cahors, Beaujolais, Sancerre, Rhône. I
recall the excitement when she would shout up
the stairs. I remember thinking, ‘What wine will
it be this time?’”
It would prove more than just a fond fleeting
memory; it was the catalyst for Richard – then
working in audio post-production and music
composition for film and TV – to embark on a
career with grape (sorry) expectations.
“I hit the books, enrolled on courses and never
looked back,” he says.
He took what he calls “tentative steps” in
Toronto – a job in a wine shop, a position in a
wine bar – but it was moving to London five years
ago when things really began to take off.
“I was given a sommelier opportunity in
Jason Atherton’s organisation,” he says. “Their
executive head sommelier, Laure Patry, is still my
true mentor and introduced me to a more natural
A lot of
approach to wine and winemaking.
“Around the same time I became a certified
sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers
and from there I headed into natural wine for a
period, managing a wine bar in east London.”
bottle
After becoming head sommelier at Michelin-
starred pub The Harwood Arms in Fulham –
sister restaurant to The Ledbury – Richard would
open his very own wine bar and shop, Bâtonnage,
in February last year.
The cosy, characterful site in Belgravia is part
of the new Eccleston Yards development with its
Bâtonnage offers a wealth of wines by the glass
raft of trendy new restaurants and bars. “It was a
good opportunity to become part of this collective and the bottle, as well as regular tastings and
venture in Belgravia/Victoria – it’s an area with a
lot of exciting new businesses popping up.” events. Owner Richard Cavagin-Carey shows us
Richard hopes he has created a welcoming
place for people to socialise with evenings
round the Eccleston Yards bar and shop
candlelit and although music is important – w o r d s : j o n at h a n w h i l e y P h o t o g r a p h s: a n dy low e
expect jazz, soul, funk – you will never compete
with it to hold a conversation.
In the vino stakes, you will find classics from
Burgundy to Bordeaux, but Richard says that he
24 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 25
Pubs
Meet the landlords “I
used to run the Man in the Moon on the
King’s Road, and I got to know Poly Styrene
and The Clash. Malcolm McLaren was
starting with the Pistols, and in the dive bar
We don’t do fries, we do a good sandwich and
today a venison pie, homemade. Was there ever
a good story told over a plate of lettuce?
I have jazz here every first Sunday of the
downstairs I was doing a punk night. When month. I’ve got my 80th birthday coming
Belgravia's pubs are more than just a place to have a pint - they also play a the Man in the Moon ceased, I was looking for up, and I’m having a big jazz concert. The
something for me. We’d all like that in life, to musicians I know who have all now grown up
pivotal role in the community. Four local landlords tell us more be independent. I took this place on and got to and stopped being lunatics, they’re going to
Words: Alex Briand P h o t o g r ap h s : A n d y L o w e
know there’s only one place in London like it. come and play for me here.
The clientele’s mostly workers in A good landlord is there to put his personality
Knightsbridge, from insurance offices, or on the pub. It’s my gaff, and I put my stamp on
embassy staff. But it feels local. When I was it. I have that privilege of saying to people the
starting to drink, there were publicans. You way I want to run it. Phones aren’t allowed in
don’t see them now, unless you go to the here; I want people to talk to each other. I’m
countryside. In the inner cities we’ve lost that still trying to be in the last century I think, and
knowing voice saying, ‘Behave’. This pub is still I’m enjoying that. The old character of a pub I
run as a proper boozer. think still lives here, with me.
Dee Dean
The Fox & Hounds
29 Passmore Street Kevin Moran
The Nags Head
What’ll it be? Glass of wine 53 Kinnerton Street
In charge since: 2002
Claim to fame: Writer Tony Warren What’ll it be? Half of bitter
lived on the street, and his script In charge since: 1982
about his local pub was picked Claim to fame: Former Doctor
up by Granada and became Tom Baker is a friend of the
Coronation Street pub, as is boxer David Haye
“T
his pub is a community. It’s a place houses up in Belgrave Square. It always had
where people have always come to a good community.
meet friends and have company, which The pub didn’t actually have a spirits
I think is extremely important. If someone licence till 1998 – the duke at the time didn’t
who usually comes in for a half-pint every want people who worked for him getting
afternoon hasn’t turned up for a day or two, drunk on gin during the day.
then we make sure we send someone to find I refuse to modernise too much. When I
out why. It’s all about looking after people. first came here 18 years ago the brewery,
It’s always been associated with the arts. who I pay my rent to, wanted to make it into
Once upon a time the Royal Court Theatre a modern-looking pub, but because I’m the
didn’t have a bar, and all the actors would tenant I have control over the decor.
call this their green room. We’ve always been I decorated it when I came here the way I
big on musicians as well, and it’s a kind of felt it should look, which is very traditional.
base for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It kind of went against the grain at the
It was built as a working man’s pub in time, but now we’re nearly 20 years on and
1864. The people who lived in this particular old-fashioned Victorian-type pubs are back
area were workers who serviced the big in fashion.
16 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 17
Pubs
Ema Harker
The Star Tavern
6 Belgrave Mews West
What’ll it be: Pint of Frontier
In charge since: 2019
Claim to fame: One of only a handful
of pubs to feature in every edition
of the Good Beer Guide, which has
been published for almost
50 years
“R
unning a pub is always about the or four decades ago. My favourite part of
people, both those who visit and those the building is definitely the Library Room
who work there. A pub should be a fun, upstairs. It’s such a beautiful room with
relaxed place to be, and that starts with a chandeliers, a fireplace and some really cosy
team who take pride in what they do. Every seating. Especially at Christmas, when it’s
day is a team effort. You have to care about covered in fairy lights, it’s the kind of place I
everyone feeling at home and having a lovely could sit for hours. We’ve started doing jazz up
time in your pub. there on Sunday afternoons, and the setting is
I hear more and more about the history of perfect for it.
the pub every day. It has quite a colourful The clientele is a wonderful mixture of
past, being where the Great Train Robbery people who like a friendly atmosphere, a
was planned, and it was one of the first pubs decent pint of beer and homemade food. We
that Fuller’s took over 150 years ago. I really have people who visit regularly and tourists
enjoy hearing stories that customers tell me who only come in once, and they all add to the
from when they used to drink here three story of The Star.
18 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 19Pubs
“E
very pub is unique. It’s the layout, the into an old-fashioned pub, like going back in
location, the history, the team, the time. There’s so much history in this place,
manager. You’ve got to be welcoming to plus it’s a grade-II listed building so you can’t
everybody. This is a cosmopolitan pub and we change a lot.
get customers from all over the world. People It was built in 1720, as the officer’s mess
from America and the Far East and Russia all to the grenadier guards, and a watering hole
have different personalities. for the Duke of Wellington. A soldier was
Owing to the location we also get a lot murdered in the cellar over a game of cards.
of celebrities – Brad Pitt, Burt Reynolds, Now they say it’s a haunted pub.
Harrison Ford, Nicole Scherzinger – the list is I’m a sceptic, but I clearly remember seeing
endless. a man dressed as a soldier – I went towards
We have a reputation of being a country him, and he vanished. I never told anyone, but
pub in the middle of chaos. It’s 300 years old a week later my deputy manager said, ‘I saw
this year, but we try to keep up with people’s somebody last night’, and what he saw was
expectations. We need the mod cons, but we exactly what I saw. That’s when the hairs on
don’t change it too much. They want to come the back of my neck stood on end.
Tony Whitehead
The Grenadier
18 Wilton Row
What’ll it be:
Pint of Camden Hells
In charge since: 2010
Claim to fame: Cedric the
ghost, who’s haunted the pub
since the 1800s
20 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 21Food & drink Business
D
owntown Toronto, 2009. An old,
large house. A French landlady
called Eva. And a man in his
mid-30s who is soon to change his
career.
As if honouring centuries-old stereotypes, the
French innkeeper was a woman who enjoyed
her wine. “She would leave the remainder of the
bottles after she had enjoyed her evening glass or
two at the bottom of the stairs,” recalls Richard
Cavagin-Carey. “She would encourage me to try;
Chinon, Cahors, Beaujolais, Sancerre, Rhône. I
recall the excitement when she would shout up
the stairs. I remember thinking, ‘What wine will
it be this time?’”
It would prove more than just a fond fleeting
memory; it was the catalyst for Richard – then
working in audio post-production and music
composition for film and TV – to embark on a
career with grape (sorry) expectations.
“I hit the books, enrolled on courses and never
looked back,” he says.
He took what he calls “tentative steps” in
Toronto – a job in a wine shop, a position in a
wine bar – but it was moving to London five years
ago when things really began to take off.
“I was given a sommelier opportunity in
Jason Atherton’s organisation,” he says. “Their
executive head sommelier, Laure Patry, is still my
true mentor and introduced me to a more natural
A lot of
approach to wine and winemaking.
“Around the same time I became a certified
sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers
and from there I headed into natural wine for a
period, managing a wine bar in east London.”
bottle
After becoming head sommelier at Michelin-
starred pub The Harwood Arms in Fulham –
sister restaurant to The Ledbury – Richard would
open his very own wine bar and shop, Bâtonnage,
in February last year.
The cosy, characterful site in Belgravia is part
of the new Eccleston Yards development with its
Bâtonnage offers a wealth of wines by the glass
raft of trendy new restaurants and bars. “It was a
good opportunity to become part of this collective and the bottle, as well as regular tastings and
venture in Belgravia/Victoria – it’s an area with a
lot of exciting new businesses popping up.” events. Owner Richard Cavagin-Carey shows us
Richard hopes he has created a welcoming
place for people to socialise with evenings
round the Eccleston Yards bar and shop
candlelit and although music is important – w o r d s : j o n at h a n w h i l e y P h o t o g r a p h s: a n dy low e
expect jazz, soul, funk – you will never compete
with it to hold a conversation.
In the vino stakes, you will find classics from
Burgundy to Bordeaux, but Richard says that he
24 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 25Food & drink Business
D
owntown Toronto, 2009. An old,
large house. A French landlady
called Eva. And a man in his
mid-30s who is soon to change his
career.
As if honouring centuries-old stereotypes, the
French innkeeper was a woman who enjoyed
her wine. “She would leave the remainder of the
bottles after she had enjoyed her evening glass or
two at the bottom of the stairs,” recalls Richard
Cavagin-Carey. “She would encourage me to try;
Chinon, Cahors, Beaujolais, Sancerre, Rhône. I
recall the excitement when she would shout up
the stairs. I remember thinking, ‘What wine will
it be this time?’”
It would prove more than just a fond fleeting
memory; it was the catalyst for Richard – then
working in audio post-production and music
composition for film and TV – to embark on a
career with grape (sorry) expectations.
“I hit the books, enrolled on courses and never
looked back,” he says.
He took what he calls “tentative steps” in
Toronto – a job in a wine shop, a position in a
wine bar – but it was moving to London five years
ago when things really began to take off.
“I was given a sommelier opportunity in
Jason Atherton’s organisation,” he says. “Their
executive head sommelier, Laure Patry, is still my
true mentor and introduced me to a more natural
A lot of
approach to wine and winemaking.
“Around the same time I became a certified
sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers
and from there I headed into natural wine for a
period, managing a wine bar in east London.”
bottle
After becoming head sommelier at Michelin-
starred pub The Harwood Arms in Fulham –
sister restaurant to The Ledbury – Richard would
open his very own wine bar and shop, Bâtonnage,
in February last year.
The cosy, characterful site in Belgravia is part
of the new Eccleston Yards development with its
Bâtonnage offers a wealth of wines by the glass
raft of trendy new restaurants and bars. “It was a
good opportunity to become part of this collective and the bottle, as well as regular tastings and
venture in Belgravia/Victoria – it’s an area with a
lot of exciting new businesses popping up.” events. Owner Richard Cavagin-Carey shows us
Richard hopes he has created a welcoming
place for people to socialise with evenings
round the Eccleston Yards bar and shop
candlelit and although music is important – w o r d s : j o n at h a n w h i l e y P h o t o g r a p h s: a n dy low e
expect jazz, soul, funk – you will never compete
with it to hold a conversation.
In the vino stakes, you will find classics from
Burgundy to Bordeaux, but Richard says that he
24 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 25Zxzxzxzx Food & drink
Richard’s top five misconceptions…
hopes to encourage guests to try more unusual Riesling is always sweet wine where additional usage will be Bag-in-box wine is
grapes, styles and regions. “We offer a daily wine It is disappointing how many guests lower or nonexistent. universally dreadful
flight so you can sample from a variety of bottles,” reject the very idea of exploring Riesling There was a time when I would have
he says. based on the fact they assume it will Screw caps mean poor agreed with this statement. But
Richard says that building clientele over the always be a sweet wine. A result of quality wine how times change! There are some
past year has been “an organic process” and says the market being flooded with cheap, While in their early days [they were] a lovely quaffable wines out there now
that many of his regulars appreciate a new wine sweet bottles many years ago, it has signifier of poor wine – they have been that are packaged in this way. The
bar in the area, particularly following the closure unfortunately left a lasting impression. around since the late 1950s – the fact packaging has environmental benefits
of Ebury Wine Bar. As a versatile grape, Riesling can is that there are increasingly many too of course, is more portable, and
For Richard, the most important element – produce wines across the spectrum wines today with screw caps that are will preserve the wine longer if not
given the fact that wine isn’t always thought from bone-dry to yes, sweet, unctuous of very good quality. It’s more a choice consumed at one sitting. While the
of as accessible or inclusive – is to make people dessert styles. But for dry options look for the winemaker to make and they world’s fine wines won’t ever find
feel comfortable and enthused about wine. “And for ‘trocken’ on the label. are commonly used, particularly with themselves in a box, that’s no reason
if they are interested, educate them,” he says. wines from the New World. They have to dismiss this rejuvenated trend. Try
“I have very little time for the old-school elitist Sulphur in wine gives me the added benefit of factoring out cork the excellent Burgundy and Beaujolais
approach to wine and see it as a barrier to many a headache taint – that damp cardboard smell, offerings from Le Grappin, or seek out
people being able to enjoy wine.” It is not sulphur that is giving you combined with a lack of fruit, which you the range of natural wines in-box from
There are at least 20 wines by the glass that headache! Sulphur is present in should look out for when you sample Vinnaturo.
available on a rotating list, with “recent hits” all wine at low levels to a greater or wine in a restaurant.
including a bold red from Madiran in south-west lesser degree as a natural result of the
France, a red blend from the Bekaa Valley in fermentation process and so cannot Red wine is best with cheese
Lebanon and orange wines (white wine made be avoided entirely. Beyond that, In fact the high tannins in big reds are
with a period of maceration on the grape skins). winemakers can choose to use (or not) no friend of the milk proteins found
The on-site kitchen is run by an Italian further sulphur at various points in the in cheeses. Consider, also, that the
chef and daily fresh pasta is served alongside winemaking process. It is useful in fact, delicate flavours of cheese can often
sourdough pizzas and charcuterie and cheese stabilising, preventing oxidisation and be masked by these wines. A better
boards. protecting against bacteria. Cheaper, choice is a dry white wine – Riesling,
“We also have a rolling programme of themed mass-produced wine may indeed have Chenin Blanc, an unoaked Chardonnay
wine-tasting events,” says Richard. “It could high levels. If you are concerned about perhaps. Or, for the ultimate pairing,
be an evening exploring rare indigenous grape sulphur – perhaps an intolerance – and blue cheese with a sweet white wine
varieties of Italy or an intimate event with are looking for wines with lower sulphur such as Sauternes or better value
winemakers presenting to a group. In April, levels, consider organic or biodynamic Monbazillac.
we are having an exploration of South African
wines.”
“
It’s all a far cry from Richard’s earliest memory
of wine, viewing it as “a complete mystery and
quite intimidating” when it was on the table
every Sunday to accompany lunch.
For his five-year-old nephew, there may be a
The old school elitist approach to more vivid recollection. Celebrating Richard’s
mother’s birthday recently, he opened a bottle of
wine is a barrier to many people Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé 2006 – a special
gift after visiting the champagne house.
being able to enjoy it “I asked young Jack to put his nose in the
glass and tell me what aroma he smelled.
‘Strawberries!’ he said. He nailed it and I
was thrilled. Now that is a special early wine
”
memory.”
23 Eccleston Place
26 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 27Spotlight
Social
Our regular round-
up of all the latest
Belgravia events
and parties
violet visions
at jo malone Emma South, Jo Malone
london event London’s fragrance and
lifestyle expert
Perfume brand Jo
Malone London held a
special scented event to
celebrate the launch of
its new limited-edition
Lavenderland collection.
Over breakfast at Wild By
Tart in Eccleston Yards,
Hannah Britt guests discovered a trio of
takes on the timeless note,
each offering a different
twist on natural lavender.
Wild By Tart was filled
with lavender
28 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 29Spotlight
DOGGY
DELIGHTS
Ashlea and Mauro
Sanna
Alex Meyers
Amber Le Bon and
James Middleton Yasmin Le Bon
PAMPERED
POOCHES restaurateur
honoured
Mount Street members'
club George launched the Mauro Sanna, owner of the
George Dog Committee Olivo shops and restaurants,
in February, to cater for its was honoured with the
canine guests. Bespoke Cavaliere of Stella d’Italia for
dog menus, beds, bowls his work promoting his home
and more will be available of Sardinia. After a ceremony
to visiting pooches. The at the Italian Embassy
launch event supported in front of his family and
Belgravia florist Nikki friends, everyone headed
Tibbles’ Wild at Heart back to Olivocarne for a
Foundation, a charity that celebratory meal. Sasha
helps stray dogs. Gusov was behind the lens.
mauro's
moment
Nikki Tibbles and
Fiona Leahy
India Langton, Lily Fortescue
and Amanda Sheppard
30 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 31Spotlight
CHAPEL
TALKS
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To celebrate International
Women's Day 2020,
Grosvenor organised drinks
and a panel discussion in
the stunning surroundings
You and the Law of the chapel at Chelsea
Barracks. Hosted by Country
and Townhouse magazine's
interiors editor Carole
UK Residence through the Investor Visa Annett, tales were told by
female creative directors and
The UK are continuing to attract One of the biggest benefits is that the investor can bring their
founders from the Pimlico
international investors for immediate family members with them to reside and subsequently
Road Design District, with
investment opportunities. As settle in the UK. This includes their spouse/ partner and any children money raised going to
May PA A4 & MT ad NEW Feb20.indd 3
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24/02/2020 15:04
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Carole Annett (right)
part of the investment, investors under 18PAyears
MAYFAIR old. There is also an option for an accelerated route
AD 2.indd 34 24/04/2017 16:19
charity Smart Works.
are seeking ways in which they to settlement for the investor and their family. If the investor invests
can reside in the UK with their £5million, they can settle after 3 years continuous residence. If they
families. The Tier 1 Investor invest £10million, they can settle after 2 years continuous residence.
visa, has been a popular option
for a number of high net-worth Child & Child’s Immigration team have a wealth of
individuals. experience and success with assisting with this
This visa is for investors visa and all UK immigration matters.
who wish to make a substantial Should you have any queries, please contact
financial investment of at Nishil Patel at Child & Child.
least £2million in the UK. The
investment must be made in
share capital or loan capital in
active and trading UK registered companies. It is not possible to invest
in property for the purpose of the application. 21 Grosvenor Place
The main requirements of the application, is that the applicant must London SW1X 7HN
have access to £2million held in their control, which is regulated by a
financial institution and must be transferrable to the UK. The applicant Tel: +44 (0)20 7235 8000
must also have a UK bank account for the purpose of the investment. www.childandchild.co.uk Cally Squires and
Marilyn Squires
32 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 33Health & beauty Health & beauty
Bijoux
A hydrogen facial has launched at Bijoux
Medi-Spa on Ebury Street. The treatment,
which can be turbocharged with a session
under the LED light therapy machine,
has no downtime and costs £85 for 50
minutes. During the facial, the skin is
deeply cleansed and exfoliated before
being infused with hydrogen water along
with vitamin C. A faradic lifting current
is used to sculpt the cheekbones and
jawline, giving visible results immediately.
Pietro
Italian facialist Pietro Simone
has opened a luxury salon at
Treat
28 Lowndes Street, offering fully
bespoke facials using his signature
thread technique. The clinic also
sells Pietro’s own skincare brand,
yourself
including the essentials collection,
which is formulated without volatile
silicones, parabens, sulfates,
phthalates, synthetic fragrance and
synthetic colour. Products include a plant-
based cleanser (£55), balancing toner (£50),
From bespoke facials to Tempus' new anti-aging serum (£150) and eye contour
cream with avocado oil (£110).
flagship clinic, we bring you the latest
beauty news from Belgravia
w o r d s : c a l ly s q u i r e s
Brow bar
l o n d o n at
SMU K
Brow Bar London is now
offering brow and lash Tempus
services at Danish beauty
hub SMUK in Eccleston Tempus has opened a flagship clinic on West Halkin Street,
Yards. The team offers taking over and completely transforming the space that
specialised services like previously housed Grace Belgravia. The aesthetics and
brow lamination, tinting, wellbeing brand has pulled together an international team
lash lifts and eyelash of dermatologists, aesthetic doctors, plastic surgeons,
extensions in a dedicated nurses, physiotherapists and beauticians to offer a broad
space at 20-21 Eccleston range of treatments.
Yards. tempusbelgravia.co.uk
34 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 35Made in Belgravia
Pizza Pilgrims
Thom and James Elliot were inspired to launch Pizza
Pilgrims after completing an epic foodie road trip across
Brothers Thom
Italy. Thom tells us about their new Belgravia branch and James
Elliot, founders
a s t o l d t o : c a l ly s q u i r e s of Pizza Pilgrims
“T
he new pizzeria has seen a really to make sure the flavour is bang on. Each
busy start, which has been pizza is hand-stretched, topped and baked
fantastic. It seems [Belgravians] to order in a 500°C oven. It is a very skilled
are traditionalists because process and many of our guys have tens of
the margherita and bufala are years of experience as pizza chefs.
leading the charge [as the most popular The vast amount of our ingredients come
toppings] at the moment. direct from Italy, and more specifically
We have always really loved the area but Naples. Our mozzarella and tomatoes are
struggled to find a location that had a nice, both sourced from suppliers in and around
traditional feel rather than a more modern Naples who we also meet with at least a
feel. We were so excited when Buckingham couple of times a year to ensure we are
Palace Road came up, as it really felt like getting the best quality we possibly can.
somewhere we could call home. Then – pepperoni, for example. People in
Two things essentially make our dough Naples have no idea what pepperoni even
special. Firstly we import the best flour from is. We tried a British cured pepperoni, and
the Caputo mill in Naples, visiting them at some stuff from Italy, but actually, it turns
least twice a year and working really closely out that the country that lives and dies
with the owners. by the smoked, paprika-based sausage is
Secondly, the team and ensuring we have Hungary. So, we get that from Hungary.
the best guys and girls in our kitchen to We change our specials once a month
make sure the dough is perfect every time. and in March we had a Mimosa pizza in
To that end we don’t have a rigid, set in stone celebration of International Women’s Day.
dough recipe. Instead the teams tweak from My own favourite on balance is probably
our basic version based on weather, moisture still a traditional Neapolitan margherita.
content and yeast etcetera. When done right it is impossible to beat.
Our dough is made fresh in store every
day using just four ingredients: flour, water,
yeast and salt. It’s then proved for 48 hours
My favourite is still a
traditional Neapolitan
margherita. Done right
it’s impossible to beat
36 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 37Style
Life through a lens
Acclaimed photographer and local resident Sasha Gusov's subjects
have ranged from the Bolshoi Ballet to Belgravia
w o r d s : C a l ly S q u i r e s
Far left: Sasha Gusov
Below and right: local life
L
ongtime Belgravian Sasha Albert Hall,” he says. Sasha somehow
Gusov can often be found talked his way inside, pretending to be a
sipping and snapping from well-known snapper. Amazingly, “they let
his favourite coffee spot at me in to take all the backstage pictures
good friend Mauro Sanna’s and when they [the company] left I had
Olivo restaurants on taken 350 rolls of film. I took the pictures
Elizabeth Street. to the British Journal of Photography, and
The acclaimed photographer has the editor published a spread and used my
worked with the likes of Jude Law, Ewan image on the cover.”
McGregor, Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian After showing the magazine to EMI,
McKellen, Minnie Driver and Pavarotti to Universal and other recording companies,
name just a few of the famous faces to have a career taking portraits of famous singers
appeared in front of his lens over the years. and musicians quickly began.
His love of London began when he His training was by no means formal.
arrived here from Russia in 1988. “I was “My parents didn’t have time to look after
working in the restaurants making drinks me as my father was always travelling
when in 1992 the Bolshoi Ballet came to around Russia building nuclear power
London for a special show at the Royal stations. When I was 13 years old I was
sent to stay with my uncle one summer. He
was a photographer in a small town, and
although he wasn’t very creative, he was a
good technical photographer. I learnt from
him how to process films – and how to lie!”
Having already published several books,
from The Bolshoi to People Like Us, his
real passion now lies in candid shots rather
than celebrity portraits. “For me as I get
older the most interesting thing is to shoot
obvious things you see every day, but to
find something unusual about them. Maybe
it’s time for me to do a tribute book to
London, now I’ve been here 30 years.”
You may well spot him out and about,
camera in hand. “I always carry a camera
with me wherever I go, with extra lenses
and film in my pocket, because candid
shots on the street is still my favourite
subject.”
Interestingly, he still prefers to shoot
on film. “I love it because it’s much more
38 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 39Style Business
disciplined than digital. You have 36
Ethical
frames in a film and you have to know
exactly what you’re shooting. This is what
makes you a good photographer. You’re like
a sniper, you can’t make a mistake!”
When he’s working there is no such thing
fashion on
as a typical day, given he could be shooting
anywhere from Spain or Peru to Russia.
However back home in London, routine and
ritual are key.
Elizabeth
“I live on Eccleston Street and I come to
my favourite places on Elizabeth Street for
coffee – Olivocarne and Olivomare – and
I always take the same table outside. It’s
“
funny because I travel all over the world,
Street
but when I’m in London I don’t travel
anywhere at all – I stay right here on
Elizabeth Street! All the famous politicians
and actors come here to Olivo because it’s
quiet and Mauro has the best food.” A photographer is like a sniper, –
To view Sasha’s work on Instagram follow
@sashagusov
you can’t make a mistake New Beulah London CEO Nicki Lynch tells
how the brand is scaling its social impact
” to work with more vulnerable women
a s t o l d t o : c a l ly s q u i r e s
“O
ur online business has grown can business provide these people with the
more than 100 per cent year on choice and freedom to work in meaningful
year for the last couple of years, employment?
so it’s great that the business is In the beginning we very much focused
scaling, but what we’re trying to on trafficked women, and now we work with
figure out now is scaling the social impact of victims of domestic abuse and women who
what we do. were widowed during civil war in India,
There are two ways that Beulah supports Bangladesh and Nepal.
vulnerable female communities, and actually Essentially we’re working towards scaling
now the communities that we support are a bit most of our production to involve these
broader than when the business first started. women at some point during the supply chain.
Originally the focus was on the issue of They all have a specific local skill or craft.
modern day slavery and the fact that there are For example in Bangladesh the ladies are
Left and above: Sasha three times as many people in slavery today very much hand weavers and embroiderers,
enjoys taking candid shots as there ever were during the transatlantic whereas in India it’s more about block printing
on the street slave trade. The question I guess is how and working with silk. At the moment they
40 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 41Business Business
are involved in raw material production and
the garments are put together in a more
commercial factory, but our aim is for every
single garment to be touched by those women.
So over the next five years it’s about scaling
the production with those partners.
At the same time we have our freedom
model, so our designer will actually create
pieces that she knows those women can make,
and then we donate 10 per cent of profits back
to those impact partners. So in training more
women, of course [that] means we can do more
production with them.
We’ve just funded a great project in
Bangladesh in a rural community where sadly
during the war of independence all of the adult
males were lined up and massacred, leaving
“
a community of women and children. The
women said that all they wanted was work,
in order to provide for their kids themselves
in the way their husbands had. So we’ve just
sponsored putting in place a silk-printing
facility, and we’ve trained 30 women to be able
to do that. We’ve just sponsored a silk-
We’re really making great progress in terms
of making more of our product following that printing facility in Bangladesh
model. [Beulah co-founder] Lavinia goes out
there several times a year, and we’ve also and trained 30 women
hired a team on the ground to make sure there
is no forced labour or exploitative practices in
”
the more traditional factories that we work
with.
I feel as a consumer that people are really consumer-facing brands from retail banking
beginning to question the ethical supply chain through to department store brands, and I
of products. then went on to work for two consumer start-
This year we’ve just introduced a new ups, where I figured out how to help them
scheme where every garment we make has to grow.
reach a certain level of sustainable criteria. So I thought that if I was going to do that
anything from having a low carbon footprint, [process] again I’d like to do it with a brand
meaning it can’t have travelled to more than where you love what you sell, otherwise I feel
two countries, to working with only top like you go to work every day and don’t really
certified organic cotton or bio-viscous which believe in the end goal. I also wanted to do
is sustainably forested. I do think that even something that had a bit of purpose other than
in the next couple of years consumers will profit and growth.
actively not buy from brands who don’t have Beulah is a great fit because it has this
transparency in the supply chain. social goal, and we want to be a big business
Prior to joining Beulah I was a management and sell women beautiful products that make
consultant for five years, working with them look and feel amazing.
42 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 43Food & drink Food & drink
boozy brunching
Wild by Tart will be opening for
weekend brunching from March 21.
Founders Jemima Jones and Lucy
Carr-Ellison have planned a brand
new brunch menu, with seasonal
dishes like spicy crab crumpets with
fermented chilli and smoked cheese,
basil and asparagus croquettes
sure to be washed down well with
the accompanying brunch cocktail
menu. Daytime tipples include a
rhubarb Bellini with champagne and
Peychaud’s bitters, or the house special
gin o'clock Bloody Mary with rosemary and pink
peppercorn vodka.
The Hari hotel’s hidden garden
terrace will be welcoming the
start of summer with a pop-up tea for two
by 44°N, a premium gin brand
distilled in Grasse. The pop-up While Belgravia is blooming during the Chelsea Flower
terrace takeover will run from Show, newly opened Chucs on the corner of Ebury Street
the start of May until June 26, and Eccleston Street will be serving an afternoon tea
and three cocktails designed menu for £28. The tea includes traditional sandwiches,
especially by the Hari’s bar team cakes and scones, plus a glass of bubbles. Bookings can
will be served. be made for sittings between 18 - 23 May.
courteous coffee
An artisan coffee
company which regards
“manners as key” is set
to open in Belgravia.
Gentlemen Baristas,
which has a small
selection of coffee columbia
shops across London,
calling
All the
is a new addition to
Buckingham Palace
Road and aims to Founded by two Colombian sisters,
“recapture the spirit of Juliana and Valentina Beleno, Morena
foodie finds
coffee houses of old” coffee house and all-day restaurant
when it opens in June. is set to open in Eccleston Yards in
Each of the shop’s April. The site will serve freshly roasted,
coffee blends are single-origin Colombian coffee from
eccentrically named 8am onwards.
after a different type On the food-front, the all-day brunch
The latest launches from a Columbian coffee of gentleman’s hat, menu has dishes like waffles with
like the unique Kenyan guava sauce, while in the evening
house to Tart's weekend brunch menu Bowler, which has expect to dine on ceviche with yuca
hints of cherry cola, fries and a kombucha margarita, while
w o r d s : c a l ly s q u i r e s
blackcurrant and white enjoying the relaxed Latin American
grape. atmosphere.
44 Belgravia — April 2020 Belgravia — April 2020 45You can also read
