Design Restaurants Loves…

1. Gordon’s and Temperley

London based designer Alice Temperley has created these exquisite special bottle labels for Gordon’s Gin. The ‘Ten Green Bottles’ set draws on her personal collection of vintage clothing and jewellery and her own British heritage and features the brand’s signature leopard print and lace, as well as feathers and jewellery. We love gin, and we love Alice Temperley so this ticks all the boxes for us – drinking gin has never been so stylish!

2. Oka’s Isabella Dining Table

Oka can barely put a foot wrong in our book and as thoughts turn to Christmas dining the lovely people there are offering 20% off of some of their most popular dining sets. We are super impressed by the fantastic extending Isabella table. With two additional leaves, the table seats up to 10 when fully opened out. The styling is simple and rustic and has a solid oak top. They have a large selection of chair options which means the set can be tailored to kitchen or dining room and you won’t need to worry if the family descend unexpected for Christmas lunch this year! For more info go to http://www.okadirect.com/blog/save-20-on-our-dining-sets/.

3. GAP’s response to Racist Vandalism

Arsalan Iftikhar, senior editor at The Islamic Monthly and founder of TheMuslimGuy.com, posted a picture to his Twitter and Facebook wall of a defaced subway advertisement for Gap featuring Sikh actor Waris Ahluwalia. The caption had been changed from “Make Love” to “Make Bombs,” and the writer had also scrawled “Please stop driving TAXIS” onto the poster. The next day, Gap tweeted back at Iftikhar to find out the location of the ad, which is part of its holiday “#MakeLove” campaign featuring a wide variety of diverse models. But that wasn’t all. The company proceeded to change its Twitter background to the picture of Ahluwalia, to show solidarity and support. Their action was applauded by Sikhs and Muslims alike, as Iftikhar shared their speedy response. Smart response GAP (and the ad has now gone viral).

4. British Curry Awards

Now so high profile that the Prime Minister was in attendance, The British Curry Awards were founded in 2005 by Bangladeshi-British entrepreneur Enam Ali. Winners this year included Karma in Whitburn (Scotland); Raval, Gateshead (North East); Mem Saab, Leicester (Midlands); Bokhara, Pen-y-Fai (Wales), Benares in London (Central London and City) and Myristica, Bristol (South West). We love that they even have a ‘Best Takeaway Gong’ (The Polash Tandoori in Dartford, Kent incase you are over that way).

5. Stapleford Park Country House Hotel and Sporting Estate – New DR Inclusion

We are thrilled to bits that the magnificent Stapleford Park in Leicestershire has joined Design Restaurants as a club property. We have long coveted the impressive Georgian stately home and its splendid restaurant, The Grinling Gibbons dining room. The estate is surrounded by 500 acres of Capability Brown landscaped grounds and its 18 hole golf course is now home to the PGA’s newest tournament, The Handa Senior Masters. Members exclusively dine complimentary when enjoying dinner from Sunday to Friday with one or more guests. Stapleford are also offering our members an incredible luxury stay offer of just £140 per room per night including full English breakfast and spa entry. The 55 bedrooms are highly unique – all lovingly designed by renowned interior designers ensuring your stay will be unforgettable. Click here for more details or call 01572 787000. (Room offer valid Sun-Thurs excludes 24/12/13 to 2/1/14).

Not a member? Go to www.designrestaurants.com to join now and enjoy the season by dining in some of the best restaurants in the country including Stapleford Park complimentary!