An outdoor activity that’s worth doing? A Thames boat trip from Westminster – 40 minutes through the most historic part of London to Greenwich.
An unmissable piece of architecture? Tower Bridge, with its lifting bascules weighing 1000 tons each. The bridge houses a museum and you are able to walk over the walkways.
What’s on at the theatre? Memphis, King Charles 111, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, The Scottsboro Boys.
A new, high-end restaurant? Dabbous – modern English/European cuisine, fresh herbs, vegetables and wild foods. Book as early as possible.
London | Toni Verri shares his top tips
Architecture, fine dining and the Tower of London
In the JW Marriott stable, Grosvenor
House is located in central London. Head concierge Tony Verri has worked at the hotel for 25 years and believes that accuracy and rapid response to queries are what makes his concierge desk the best in London. His team work as one “machine”, so speaking to one is speaking to all.
Where’s the party? DSTRKT, Rupert St, Gilgamesh, Camden. Radio Bar, Aldwych.
Best secret eatery loved by the locals? Dock Kitchen, Ladbroke Grove – international. Tayyabs, Aldgate – Punjabi.
An outdoor activity that’s worth doing? A Thames boat trip from Westminster – 40 minutes through the most historic part of London to Greenwich.
An unmissable piece of architecture? Tower Bridge, with its lifting bascules weighing 1000 tons each. The bridge houses a museum and you are able to walk over the walkways.
What’s on at the theatre? Memphis, King Charles 111, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, The Scottsboro Boys.
A new, high-end restaurant? Dabbous – modern English/European cuisine, fresh herbs, vegetables and wild foods. Book as early as possible.
Any events we shouldn’t miss? Trooping the colour, in June.
A local band you should definitely listen to? Where? More a case of where rather than who! The Roundhouse Camden has bands varying from Public Service Broadcasting to Robert Palmer.
Any markets you should visit? Columbia Road’s flower market packs a Victorian cobbled street with bargain blooms every Sunday. Camden Lock Market comprises stalls and shops selling everything from vintage clothing, handmade jewellery and artwork to gifts and music. Columbia Road is London’s principal flower market, and Leadenhall is a beautiful covered market in the City of London. Also head for Spitalfields Produce Market and Covent Garden Market. For more of an alternative scene, Shoreditch is the best place to explore as it is in constant evolution. This is due to the abundance of popup shops and events such as the Box Park Shoreditch for shopping and the Urban Food Fest, which is a combination of outdoor food stall markets and live music events.
What’s the best locale for shopping for authentic local products? Camden Market, Greenwich, and foodies can try Borough Market.
What is the signature dish of the country and where can the best example be found? Sea Shells on Lisson Grove or Geales on Farmer St for fish and chips.
A great spot for a business meeting? Pullman Bar at St Pancras or Le Deux Salons in Covent Garden.
The best contemporary art gallery in the city? The Tate Modern.
You can’t come to London without seeing...? The Tower of London and the Crown Jewels – 1 000 years of history – a fortress, a prison, a zoo and a place of execution where people lost their heads on the block.
February 2015