mayfair neighbourhood guide

Jennifer Chamandi’s guide to Mayfair

24 Feb 2023 | | By Zoe Gunn

The shoe designer takes us on a tour of London’s most glamorous neighbourhood

Home to Bond Street, Burlington Arcade, Savile Row and Berkeley Square, Mayfair needs no introduction. Home to some of the capital’s best restaurants, bars and designer boutiques, the neighbourhood is synonymous with luxury and refinement. So, when it came to finding the perfect location for her own high-end shoe business, there was nowhere else designer Jennifer Chamandi would consider.

jennifer chamandi

Now occupying a prime position on Old Bond Street, Chamandi’s by-appointment-only showroom is a serene millennial-pink haven from which to take in her Meghan Markle-approved range of heels, sandals, boots and bags – each featuring the designer’s signature eye-of-the-needle detail. And when Chamandi isn’t ensconced in her Aladdin’s cave of accessories? Well, you’ll find her enjoying the hospitality of her high-end neighbours.

From manicures at Selfridges to croissants at The Connaught, Chamandi gives us her insider’s guide to Mayfair.

The restaurant: Arts Club

dover street arts club

Jennifer says: The Arts Club really is my home away from home and my go-to for every event, from casual to special occasions. My baby shower was hosted there and I also held my daughters’ Christening lunch here. The food is amazing – they only use the freshest ingredients and the Mediterranean-inspired cuisine is light but delicious and flavoursome. 

We say: With no fewer than five restaurants and bars, members of the Arts Clubs are spoiled for choice at breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the Brasserie, head chef Jean Luc Mongodin serves up delectable Mediterranean feasts while Japanese fusion is the order of the day at Kyubi. The members’ lounge is ideal for more relaxed meals and, after dark, Leo’s and Oscar serve up some of the best cocktails, spirits and cigars in the city.

Visit theartsclub.co.uk

The bar: Bar des Prés

Jennifer says: This place opened up about a year ago and I have been regularly visiting since launch. It’s a short walk from my office so I love to meet friends and clients here for a delicious cocktail. The head chef is Cyril Lignac and the concept is fantastic, it really feels as though you are in the middle of Paris!

We say: The London transplant of Lignac’s original Saint-Germain bar and restaurant, Bar des Prés is a deeply chic space specialising in elegant cocktails and fine wines, each of which is carefully selected from a list of over 250 bottles hailing exclusively from France. The food is exquisite too, featuring Lignac’s signature Franco-East Asian flavours in dishes that are simultaneously refined and playful.

Visit bardespres.com 

The hotel: 45 Park Lane

Jennifer says: I have always been a lover of the Dorchester Collection hotels and try to stay in one whenever I am travelling. 45 Park Lane is modern, contemporary, beautiful and the perfect location. The restaurant, Cut, is my mum’s favourite, so whenever she visits it’s the first place we stop. 

We say: Situated on one of London’s most famous addresses, and so close to its sister hotel, The Dorchester, that the two share spa facilities, 45 Park Lane provides a seriously opulent place to rest your head. Every room boasts its own dedicated host and views of Hyde Park, while its bars and restaurants are headed up by some of the capital’s finest chefs and mixologists, including Wolfgang Puck – the man famed for catering the Oscars.

Visit dorcherstercollection.com 

The salon: Nails Inc at Selfridges

selfridges beauty concierge

Jennifer says: I recently discovered this nail bar after a dear friend, Leila Kashanipour, hosted an event with Thea Greene, Nails Inc’s founder, for the launch of its vegan nail polish collection. I love to visit the salon for a manicure or pedicure, the team is so skilled and the atmosphere is really fun. I love to use Nails Inc products at home between visits and the 45-second drying top coast is genius, a real lifesaver for busy women on the go.

We say: A brilliant nail bar to have in your back pocket, Nails Inc’s express In And Out service will have nails looking tidy, clean and cared for in just 20 minutes. Broke a nail on the way to a big meeting? Its Fix Up offering allows you to pop in and have just one nail repaired. Plus, there’s a whole array of full-service manicures and pedicures all using the brand’s highly-regarded vegan polishes.

Visit nailsinc.com 

The boutique: Boghossian

Jennifer says: Located right beneath my showroom, the windows at the Boghossian boutique are mesmerising and feature some of the most exceptional jewellery on Bond Street. My husband gifted me a pair of the Merveilles hoops when my daughters were born and they are one of my most treasured pieces of jewellery. 

We say: Swiss jeweller Boghossian has been creating world-class high and fine jewellery for more than 150 years and its Bond Street boutique is a cornucopia of all things precious and sparkly. The house specialises in white diamond pieces and its signature collections – Halo, Icicle and Sphere – offer a masterclass in gem setting.

Visit boghossianjewels.com

The hidden gem: The Connaught Pâtisserie

connaught patisserie

Jennifer says: In the pandemic, The Connaught Pâtisserie was truly a saviour for me. It was one of the only places open for coffee and it became a highlight to take a short walk from my showroom to the pâtisserie for a coffee and something sweet. I love to host meetings here, everything is pink and so feels very on-brand for me! 

We say: Nestled next to The Connaught hotel on Mount Street, The Connaught Pâtisserie is not your average coffee shop. As well as top-notch coffee and tea, champagne is available by the glass or bottle to be served alongside chef Nicolas Rouzaud delectable pastries, while large cakes for up to eight can be made to order. The pistachio Paris-Brest is a must-try.

Visit the-connaught.co.uk

The spa: Lanserhof at the Arts Club

Jennifer says: For me, running my own business and having young twin daughters, the best form of entertainment is truly some relaxing me time! A few years back I visited the original Lanserhof spa in Austria and it was the most wonderful experience. Now, I like to visit the Lanserhof in London for a relaxing treatment whenever I can. I always recommend this to my friends as you don’t need a membership to visit the spa so it is a great spot for restoration and regeneration in a city as busy as London.

We say: Lanserhof is known across the globe for its medical-grade treatments and high-tech approach to wellness. Forget cosmetic facials and gentle Swedish massages, the list of treatments here promise serious results. Think immune-boosting cryotherapy, vitamin infusions, functional analysis and tailor-made personal training. You’ll never have felt better.

Visit lhtac.com

The cultural hotspot: Royal Academy of Arts

royal academy of arts london
Image: Shutterstock/Roman Babakin

Jennifer says: A famous landmark for good reason, the Royal Academy of Arts really does host the most beautiful exhibitions and incredible artists. It is within walking distance of my showroom so I will often go visit and find myself becoming inspired for future collections. I can easily get lost and spend hours here without even realising. 

We say: This grand gallery, sitting between Piccadilly and Burlington Gardens, is best known for its Summer Exhibition but makes for a fantastic cultural experience year-round. The permanent collection is free to visit and features works by the likes of Michelangelo, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Mary Moser.

Visit royalacademy.org.uk

The park: Green Park

green park london

Jennifer says: On a beautiful, sunny day there really is nothing better than going for a mindful walk in the park. I like to go for a jog in the morning before work to set me up for the day and, in summer, I often walk from my showroom to Harrods’ Shoe Heaven via Green Park – it really is the most beautiful, convenient shortcut from Mayfair to Knightsbridge!

We say: One of London’s eight Royal Parks, Green Park is a 40-acre haven of lush lawns and towering trees, and a fantastic place to retreat for a moment of quiet. Unlike its neighbouring parks, you’ll notice that there are no formal flowerbeds in Green Park. Rumour has it they were removed in the 17th Century when King Charles II’s wife caught him picking flowers for another woman there.

Visit royalparks.org.uk

Read more: Theo Fennell’s guide to Chelsea