The world's most fashionable restaurants
Gucci opened its first restaurant, the Gucci Osteria in Florence. Here, in its honour, we list the rest of the best restaurants the fashion world has to offer and what to eat when you visit them.
1. The Polo Bar, New York
The storied uptown building that houses The Polo Bar was originally home to La Cote Basque in the Sixties and counted Jackie Kennedy and Truman Capote among its regulars. While La Cote may have closed its doors some years ago, you could imagine the same clientele visiting this Ralph Lauren-branded iteration. Forget faddy fashion food, this is a restaurant where serious steaks, $1,000 bottles of wine, and fierce helmet blow dries rub shoulders in waspy excellence.
Order: Hands down the 16oz New York strip steak ($55). Go heavy or go home.
2. The Cavalli Club, Restaurant & Lounge, Dubai
Nothing about this ode to opulence is understated or, indeed, discreet. Perhaps one of the campest places we've ever visited, last time we swung from this particular chandelier it was to Donna Summer's ''MacArthur Park'' while two full-grown men dressed in a glittering horse suit delivered a magnum of vodka complete with sparklers to our table. True story.
Order: The grilled lobster (320UAE) is one of their signature dishes. It's locally sourced and also available as sashimi or in a pasta or risotto.
3. Thomas's Cafe at Burberry, London
Named after the British fashion brand's founder, Thomas Burberry, Thomas's coffee shop offers a calm oasis in London's hectic West End, serving traditional classics such as a souped-up afternoon tea and fish and chips. Breakfast at Tiffany's? Pah. We'd much rather have breakfast at Thomas's.
Order: Thomas's Afternoon Tea, including finger sandwiches, English cakes and your choice of scones, crumpets or tea cakes. It might not be breakfast but it's old school, and at a much more civilised hour.
4. Armani Nobu Milan
The sophisticated philosophy of Armani goes hand in hand with Nobu, so it makes sense that the brand partnered with the sleek, minimal restaurant for the Milan outpost. First opening its doors in 2000 it was given a redesign by Mr Armani himself in 2018. Raw fish was never more fashionable.
Order: If you're lunching then go for the lunch box. It might not have the most glamorous name but with black cod, shrimp tempura, miso soup and sushi rolls it ticks every, er, box, on the Nobu menu.
5. Rose Bakery at Dover Street Market by Comme Des Garcons, London
For a home-baked slice of fashion cool you could do worse than head to the Rose Bakery cafe at the top of London's Dover Street Market. What was originally a popular Parisian fashion canteen specialises in buttery scones, square quiches, juices, earthy salads and, of course, English teas.
Order: Fried seabass, desiree potatoes and curry leaf rasam broth. The fried fish adds enough to keep this dish away from the completely clean-eating crew, but if you are feeling virtuous then opt for the spiced cauliflower, beluga lentils and salsa rossa.
6. Bar Luce by Prada, Milan
Where does the fashion pack head for a quick panini in Milan? Bar Luce, of course. Designed by film director Wes Anderson, Bar Luce is set out like a typical Milanese cafe, with colour-blocked seats, Formica furniture and wood-panelled walls. You'd struggle to find a more stylish place to eat.
Order: Opt for the Reuben panini with prosciutto cotto, mozerella, brie, acciughe capperi and salsa rosa, and remember that classic is not a dirty word.
7. Beige Alain Ducasse Tokyo by Chanel
It's a long way to go for even the hardiest Chanel fans, but should you find yourself in Tokyo be sure to check out this Alain Ducasse restaurant on the top floor of the Chanel Ginza Building. It's elegant, minimal, beige and very, very Chanel.
Order: Opt for the Haute-Couture Menu. Amuse-bouche, a four-course menu, including lobster bisque, grilled kinmedai fish and seared beef with Kyushu mignardises and tea and coffee. Best for best, right?
