When it comes to high-quality hotels, London does not mess around. Particularly in the food and beverage industry. The luxury lodges in the hotel are home to dozens of bars and restaurants that are consistently ranked among the best in the world. So, when Beaverbrook Town House, Chelsea’s newest fancy boutique guesthouse, opened earlier this year, it brought with it an F+B program that aims to impress.

It’s also impossible to ignore. The alluring Art Deco stylings of Sir Frank’s Bar beckon you immediately upon check-in at the 14-suite property. It’s a whimsical space with a well-curated back bar lit up by stained glass paneling. The turquoise-accented walls are lined with a collection of vintage ephemera.

Fancy Japanese Cuisine

Although the bar snacks here are inspired by Japanese cuisine (as a prelude to the dining experience in the adjacent room), the signature cocktails are inspired by live theater. Bank Heist is the standout, combining peated scotch with Frangelico and chocolate wine in a jar with smoked oak chips. Its title is a play on the title of About A Bank Robbery, which premiered in London’s West End in March of 2016. You won’t have to guess the reference for whatever preparation you prefer; the menu spells it all out under each description.

Head up the steps into the cozy confines of the Fuji Grill for the main course. The pale green walls of the hotel room, which are covered in woodblock prints of sakura and other Japanese landscapes, hint at the food that will be served. Despite this, it is still full of surprises. The red bream is served with a white truffle ponzu jelly, and the Scottish langoustine is dusted with English bergamot. Even the miso has been transformed into a cappuccino with a tofu foam topper.

Special Wine & Sake Pairings

If you arrive in the days between Wednesday and Saturday, you can reserve a counter space at chef Goemon Ishikawa’s innovative omakase experience. The two-hour dinner in the hotel restaurant costs $267 per person, not including special wine and sake pairings from head sommelier Giovanni Tallu’s extensive menu.

Beaverbrook Hotel Offers World-Class Luxury

Of all the attributes to appreciate at Beaverbrook hotel, one of the most commendable is that it somehow feels like it’s been a part of London for years. It’s a key asset in the market where world-class luxury has been a mainstay for centuries, and yet some of it is starting to feel stale and tired. Fresh and nostalgic, all at once, this property is poised to stand out as an instant classic.

While Eric Daman, the original costume designer, and stylist for the event, returned to pick the over 200 costumes for the relaunch, the new show is more youthful, diverse, and street style-inspired than its predecessor. The Gossip Girl reboot, like the original series, has already made an impact with its fashion choices, with characters wearing Balenciaga, Fendi, JW Anderson, and Louis Vuitton.

What Are They Wearing?

The wardrobe in the remake is reminiscent of the original, particularly the characters’ private school uniforms, which have long been a staple of the series. Audrey (Emily Alyn Lind), Luna (Zión Moreno), and Monet (Savannah Smith) have used Burberry’s trademark plaid, statement purses from legacy brands, and expensive brooches to channel the preppy image of the original Gossip Girl for their school uniforms.

Julien Calloway (Jordan Alexander), the show’s main character, has given her school uniform a street-style makeover, accessorizing with a JW Anderson cap leather crossbody purse, crocodile skin knee-high boots, and clunky sneakers.

From the first episode of the reboot, it’s evident that fashion will be just as important as it was in the original series. Calloway, a social media celebrity, ended the show wearing a black and white dress from Christopher John Rogers’ spring 2021 collection, which he also had a minor cameo in.

Designer cameos were common in the original series, with Tory Burch, Cynthia Rowley, and other fashion industry stalwarts like Rachel Zoe, Hamish Bowles, and Karlie Kloss all making appearances throughout the six-season run.

Gossip Girl Was Quite Popular Back in the late 2000s

The original Gossip Girl series was one of the most popular and fashionable shows on television in the late 2000s and early 2010s, with then-up-and-coming stars Leighton Meester and Blake Lively fast becoming style icons for their characters, Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen.

With eight episodes left in the first season of the reboot, expect more high-fashion moments – and cameos.