When it opened in 2021, Brixton Market's Temaki quickly became a hit with the city's sushi aficionados. The restaurant, which was London's first dedicated to handroll sushi, received a Time Out reviewer's praise for its 'triple whammy of expertise, exceptional produce and classy execution'. Alas, the south London Temaki wasn't to last. The California-style sushi joint shut its Brixton outpost last summer. Now, however, Temaki has announced a grand return to the city - this time in central London. A new location will open on Mayfair's Maddox Street
Mazarine opened quietly at the start of December. Located on Hanover Square, in the same building as the new Mandarin Oriental (but unconnected to the hotel), the restaurant sits in the more understated end of the Mayfair design scale, with gentle curving walls and ceilings and a sleek neutral colour palette. It's cosy and quietly fancy without being overly flash.
The walk begins at Bond Street Station. Step out onto Davies Street and you're immediately in the heart of Mayfair, where the first festive showstoppers appear: Claridge's and Annabel's. Claridge's is known for its classic, glamorous Christmas tree and elegant facade, while just down the road Annabel's delivers one of the most extravagant decorations in London each year. Both are unmissable and set the tone for the festive journey ahead.
El Pirata, a few steps from Shepherd's Market, black-beamed as a galleon with white walls heaving with Miro and Picasso prints as if raided from Athena, has a refreshingly non-corporate, non-Instagram atmosphere. Seating is intimate and candle-lit at small tables. If you've not booked (although to do so is wise), there are stools to sip and snack at the mirrored bar as you wait. A timbered spiral staircase drills down to a terracotta tiled basement able to host larger groups.
The international dealer Almine Rech has announced she is opening a first-floor space in Mayfair as she transitions "to a more private way of working" in the UK capital. The new venue, near Sotheby's on George Street, is around a quarter of the size of her former London gallery, which she closed in August after putting the UK business into voluntary liquidation.
The acquisition connects London's heritage with Wynn's expansive portfolio, emphasizing how key Mayfair has become for global gaming strategies.
The building, once an elite members' club frequented by celebrities, has devolved into a derelict squat, attracting antisocial behavior and neglect.
"Homes lived in by Sir Winston Churchill always generate significant interest, reflecting not just his historical impact, but also the unique character of each residence."
