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Articles by Daphne Colthard

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About Daphne Colthard

After graduating at RADA but finding no roles Daphne went into magazine journalism with Good Housekeeping. Widely recognised as one of the country's leading restaurant and hotel reviewers, particularly by herself, Daphne is the author of "Bedded and Breakfasted", a light hearted chick novel and Grand Hotels DC: the Daffers Dictionary. Daphne lives in West London and is married to an investment banker Oliver. They have 2 boys Humphrey and Tarquin. More Posts

a la Colthard/The Spread Eagle Midhurst

There was something reassuring about this traditional hotel in Midhurst, West Sussex, where my room had a proper key – not a card – the service was friendly but professional and there were floral china cups. Upon arriving last Sunday I ate smoked salmon and egg sandwiches with a glass [...]

November 2, 2022 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard/The Black Horse, Binsted

A taxi driver and a Rust colleague who lives locally had both recommended The Black Horse at Binsted near Arundel and after going there yesterday for lunch I can see why. It’s a country pub which has built onto it a dining room/conservatory with fine views over the South Downs. I ordered a [...]

October 22, 2022 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard/River Cafe & Ivy Asia

One restaurant that has stood the test of time is the River Cafe, Rainville Road Fulham. It’s not in a particularly convenient nor accessible part of London and not at all cheap but it’s still there, you need to book and it’s always full. It was launched by architect Richard Rogers and his [...]

October 11, 2022 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard: London hotels post Covid

I was shocked – when seeking to book a hotel in Mayfair for the first weekend in September – to be quoted over £1,000 a night for Browns in Albemarle Street. I imagine hotels are making up their Covid losses in the summer when occupancy is much higher and Browns is uber posh but [...]

August 22, 2022 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard: Ivy Asia & Sam’s Riverside

In the past 2 weeks I have had 2 memorable experiences at the above restaurants. There was a feeling that the Ivy Cafes were becoming tired and formulaic. Ivy Asia was created and I heard good reports. They opened in Brighton this summer and I went with a girlfriend and occasional visitor to the [...]

August 9, 2022 // 0 Comments

Soho House Brighton

Nick Jones has extended his Soho House Group to Brighton but, despite an attractive decor and a terrace with parasols overlooking the Pier, I am doubtful whether it will succeed. To go there you need to be a house member which costs a mere £2,000 annually. I opted for the Friends of Soho House for [...]

August 2, 2022 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard/Haar

Whilst the gents of The Rusters were hacking round the Fairmont Course, we girls (Nancy, Alice and Daffers ) decided to explore St. Andrews and have lunch at its best restaurant Haar. The chef and owner Dean Banks from across the Tay Bay from Arbroath reached the final of Masterchef. St. Andrews [...]

July 16, 2022 // 0 Comments

Estiatorio Milos

Milos is a Greek fish restaurant at 1 Regent St which I visited for the second time on Wednesday. Like Imperial Treasure (Chinese cuisine), which is opposite, it has raised the bar of ethnic cuisine. Fresh fish is flown in daily. I ordered grilled octopus over Santorini fava  which – in my [...]

July 1, 2022 // 0 Comments

Problems at the Hotel du Vin Cannizaro

Readers will recall my distrust of restaurants with fine views. The same applies to hotels. The Hotel du Vin Cannizaro is a fine white palatial stucco mansion set in parklands by Wimbledon Common. Wimbledon has many amenities: the Common, the All England tennis championship, theatre, a picturesque [...]

June 12, 2022 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard/restaurant wrap up

Last weekend’s visit to Sanary and Cannes on Monday meant for some visits to some fine restaurants. At Sanary we always go to the Hotel de la Tour whose signature dish is sea bass baked in salt. It’s delicious but leaves you thirsty. Mireille does not hold back on ordering and the final bill [...]

April 28, 2022 // 0 Comments

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