Dating from 1622, the Banqueting House was the first building in London designed in the Classical Palladian style that would redefine the look of the city. Inside is a glorious ceiling by Rubens celebrating Charles I who ironically was executed just outside the Banqueting House in 1649. For history and architectural buffs, there are excellent video and audio presentations detailing the history of The Banqueting House as well as the transition in English history from the Tudors to the Stuarts.

Small men’s shop which sells excellent wool and cotton sport and dress socks.

This London institution, is under the same management as The Ivy and almost as hard to book. There’s a piano player at dinner creating a sophisticated café aura. The modern British cuisine features a range of dishes from roast fish, meats, and chicken as well as vegetarian dishes.  It’s as much about the ambiance and the crowd as the food.  Favorites: char-grilled octopus; loin of yellow-fin tuna with spiced lentil salsa and rocket; Thai baked sea bass; banana sticky toffee pudding with crème fraiche.