   Knightsbridge
 
The district of Knightsbridge is a small area to the south of Hyde Park, sandwiched between Kensington, Belgravia and Mayfair. Along with these, Knightsbridge oozes with luxury and prestige. The story goes that the name is literal - coming from a fight to the death between two knights that took place on a bridge over the Westbourne river (which now runs underground near the present Albert Gate). Harrods doesn't have its reputation as the place to shop for nothing - it is everything you expect it to be: extravagant, sumptuous, dazzling and expensive. No visit to London would be complete without a visit to the Food Hall of Harrods - recognised as the finest food hall in the world. It is claimed they are even able to obtain goods from the depths of the Amazon rainforests if ordered in advance! One word of warning: make sure you've eaten before you go or you may end up exceeding your baggage allowance on the way home! If it's fashion you like, your first stop should be Harvey Nichols. The grand store brims with every name known to the fashion world from small couturiers to huge, successful concerns. Just off Knightsbridge you will find Sloane Street, home to such famous names as Katherine Hamnett, Lalique, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Prada and Gianni Versace. Surrounding the streets of fine shops are quiet roads containing some of the most expensive real estate in the world. Handsome Georgian and Victorian houses provide homes for super wealthy aristocrats, film stars and musicians while some even act as embassies and consulates. Despite a vast number of visitors to the main shopping areas, Knightsbridge remains one of the most exclusive areas of London. KNIGHTSBRIDGE RESTAURANTS Emporio Armani Caffe - 191 Brompton Road, London SW3 - Tel: 020 7584 4549This upmarket cafe perched above the Emporio Armani clothes shop comes with a sleek black, white & grey colour scheme that complements its sharply dressed clientele. The Fifth Floor Restaurant - Harvey Nichols - 109-125 Knightsbridge, London SW1 - Tel: 020 7235 5250 It’s the latest fashion for the big department stores to upgrade their culinary offerings but, ever the trendsetter, The Fifth Floor at Harvey Nichols has been serving up top-notch food since 1992 Mr Chow - 151 Knightsbridge, London SW1 - Tel: 020 7589 7347The kitchen is still at the top of its game, churning out Beijing cuisine: top choices include velvet chicken pepped up with fresh chilli, drunken sole (cooked in wine) & Shanghai glazed pork One-O-One - 101 Knightsbridge, London SW1 - Tel: 020 7290 7101 Pascal Proyart joined One-O-One, based in the Sheraton Hotel in Knightsbridge, eight years ago, which has since built up a formidable reputation as a seafood destination. Ranoush - 22 Brompton Road, London SW1 - Tel: 020 7584 6999It’s easy to see why the Maroush empire, which includes branches of Ranoush, Randa & Beirut Express, has grown so rapidly: fans love the friendly service & range of Lebanese specialities. Signor Sassi - 14 Knightsbridge Green, London SW1 - Tel: 020 7584 2277Signor Sassi covers all the Italian classics with favourites including lobster, scampi & prawn cocktail, tortelloni stuffed with Gorgonzola & asparagus, & main courses of veal stuffed with ham in a tomato & mushroom sauce or baby chicken grilled with rosemary, chilli & garlic. Staff balance full-on Italian gusto with polished service. The Capital - 22-24 Basil Street, London SW3 - Tel: 020 7589 5171This two Michelin-starred hotel dining room continues to purvey the finer things in life with the utmost professionalism. The experience includes a cheese trolley that’s judged ‘out of this world’. The Rib Room - Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Cadogan Place, London SW1 - Tel: 020 7858 7250Looking for the best roast beef in town? The Rib Room at Jumeirah Carlton Tower is up there at the top. It serves high-quality meat with generous side orders in a spacious dining room of gilt furnishings. Zuma - 5 Raphael Street, London SW7 - Tel: 020 7584 1010Choosing from the menu is no easy task – ‘everything is amazing’ – but there are a few recommendations we’re happy to make: sublime tuna tataki with shards of crisp garlic, first-rate sushi (including the must-try dynamite roll), terrific spicy beef with red chilli & sweet soy from the robata grill &, possibly the standout dish, lobster tempura with spicy ponzu.
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