LONDON

DINING & NIGHTLIFEWOK TO WALKGreat-value Chinesetakeaway in Soho. Mixand match noodles, riceor vegetables with extraingredients such as beef,tofu or broccoli. Thereare more than 400 freshlypreparedcombinationsavailable. £.4 Brewer Street, W1F 0SB(and branch). 020 72878464. woktowalk.comË Piccadilly Circus.Map C5.Vegetarian & VeganINSPIRALA planet-friendly caféspecialising in the mostnutritious of foods,free of additives andpreservatives. Dishesinclude raw lasagne, Thaigreen curry, spelt-crustedvegetable ratatouille andedible flower salad. It’sgreat for healthy eating,vegans and anyone on aspecial diet. £-££.250 Camden High Street,NW1 8QS. 020 33703797. inspiralled.netË Camden Town. Off map.WOODLANDSRESTAURANTFine authentic north andsouth Indian vegetariancuisine, such as lemonrasam soup, mushroommasala dosa crêpes,a great selection of tastythalis and much more.Team your dishes witha delicious range oforganic, vegan orvegetarian wines, cocktailsor mocktails. £-££.37 Panton Street, SW1Y4EA. 020 7839 7258. woodlandsrestaurant.co.uk Ë Piccadilly Circus.Map C5.Bars& ClubsHere are some of thehighlights of London’srich nightlife. Most barsopen from 18.00-00.00and most nightclubs from22.00-03.00 (some stayopen as late as 06.00).Please check in advancefor opening hours, anyadmission charges, andin case there is a specificdress code.Information is correctat time of going to press,but can change at thelast minute, so do checkbefore visiting. The UK’slegal drinking age is18-years-old, but someestablishments havea minimum age of 21.For advice on late-nighttransport and more, turnto Travel & Accomodation.BarsBAR ITALIAThis friendly 24-hour cafébar,open since 1949, isa Soho institution, servingcold beer and steamingespressos. Great forpeople-watching dayor night.22 Frith Street, W1D 4RP. 020 7437 4520. baritaliasoho.co.ukË Tottenham Court Road.Map B5.ICEBAR BY ICEHOTELA bar made entirelyof ice. Book a slot, slip ona thermal cape and mittensand enjoy tasty cocktailsin a glass fashioned fromice. An adjacent restaurant,Belowzero, offers modernEuropean food in muchwarmer surroundings.31-33 Heddon Street, W1B4BN. 020 7478 8910. belowzerolondon.com Ë Piccadilly Circus.Map C5.SEARCYSCHAMPAGNE BARThe longest champagnebar in Europe offers ahuge choice of varieties,under the glazed-roofspendour of VictorianSt. Pancras station, whichopened in 1868.The Grand Terrace,St. Pancras InternationalStation, N1C 4QL. 020 7870 9900. searcyschampagnebars.co.uk Ë t King’sCross St. Pancras.Map A6.Albert Hall Afternoon Tea TourWorld-famous for its concerts, which include theforthcoming BBC Proms classical music festival, theRoyal Albert Hall has an amazing pedigree that visitorscan learn about on one of the guided Afternoon TeaTours. They offer a fascinating glimpse behind thescenes and into more than 140 years of history, whichbegan with the hall’s opening by Queen Victoria in 1871.The tour’s guide provides a wonderful insight intoone of London’s most iconic buildings with fun factson everything from the venue’s development andrennovations, to notable celebrity visitors. Meanwhile,you get to explore a range of areas including thestunning auditorium, the lofty gallery, the Queen’s privatesuites and the Royal Retiring Room.With lots to chat about, a delicious afternoon tea isthen served in the elegant Coda Lounge. The lunchis made up of a wonderful selection of teas or coffee,sandwiches, cakes and scones with jam and clottedcream. However, if you want to make your experienceeven more glamorous, there’s the option to upgrade toChampagne Afternoon Tea. This month Afternoon TeaTours take place at 14.00 on 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 May.Review by David G. TaylorRoyal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP. 020 7589 8212. royalalberthall.comË South Kensington. Off map.ClubsCAFÉ DE PARISExtremely glamorous1920s interiors make anyoccasion special. Headhere for dance and cabaret.3-4 Coventry Street, W1D6BL. 020 7734 7700. cafedeparis.comË Piccadilly Circus.Map C5.HEAVENA world-famous gay venue.It’s home to dance nightslike G-A-Y (Thurs-Sat).Expect a young crowd andchart tunes.Off Villiers Street, WC2N6NG. 020 7930 2020. heavennightclublondon.comË t CharingCross. Map C6.MINISTRY OF SOUNDVast dance club boastingfour dancefloors in fiverooms. Top DJs spin soundsfrom electro to techno.103 Gaunt Street, SE16DP. ministryofsound.com/club Ë t Elephant& Castle. Off map.RONNIE SCOTT’SThis famous Soho jazzinstitution first opened in1959. Dine on Europeancuisine while listening tolive music. It’s not just jazzthese days, but funk, souland other musical genres.Booking is essential.47 Frith Street, W1D 4HT. 020 7439 0747. ronniescotts.co.ukË Tottenham Court Road.Map B5.IMAGE © STEVE FRAK96 | visitlondon.com|LONDON PLANNER|May 2013