After hearing so many good things about the fashionably, arty French restaurant and bar Sketch. I decided to try it for my birthday.

When I booked my reservation, I explained it was my birthday so the waitress suggested that I ate in the Gallery because it would more appropriate with a younger vibe, for a celebration. I gladly accepted and was very impressed by the colourful décor, furniture and lively spirit. Before my friend and I ate, we sat for a drink in the bar. The bar had a wonderful French café vibe with un-matching furniture which stood out because it was so antique. The food was lovely, I recommend the sea bass, but it was a pricey evening so prepare your self for the glamorous prices that come with the glamorous venue.

Book your reservation with Toptable online. Sketch is situated at 9 Conduit Street, London, W1S 2XG, telephone: 0870 777 4488. Visit www.sketch.uk.com to view the full menu.

You may have heard of the Kensington Roof Gardens, probably whilst reading the celebrity gossip pages in either newspapers or magazines. With a huge celebrity and business entrepreneur clientele it’s definitely worth a look.

With spectacular views of London, the Babylon restaurant sits 100 feet above Kensington high street displaying both elegance and luxury. The food is lovely, unique as you would expect and the décor is smart and sophisticated. I tried the smoked salmon fish cake … to start and then the fillet of plaice … for my main. They were both delectable and I would definitely eat there again.

You can find The Babylon restaurant at the Kensington Roof Gardens at 99 Kensington High Street (entrance on Derry Street), London, W8 5SA. Toptable, an online restaurant booking website is offering a 2 course lunch for £16 per person available Monday to Friday 12pm-2.30pm. Visit www.toptable.co.uk to register and book.

Bath is a stunning city at any time of the year but now is the time to visit if you want to experience Jane Austen’s town in its full splendor. The beautiful walk between the roman baths and the abbey has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland with 123 traditional wooden chalets selling all sorts of unusual Christmas gifts decorations and food items.

Many of the products are sourced locally from small suppliers and local artists in the South West. Whilst in the city you can catch the choirs singing carols at bath abbey and street entertainers will be performing tricks and playing music. Visit the Bath Tourisum website.

This holiday season, visit Madame Tussauds in London for its exclusive glittering winter wonderland called Blush.

The transformed Madame Tussauds winter premier party will see some of the most famous celebrities we all know and love in the world such as Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman and David Beckham as wax figurines that look so realistic, under mistletoe, dining at a Christmas meal and in a giant snow globe. The festive spirit will be kept up with snow and ice effects.

Tickets are priced at £22.50 for adults between 9am and 5 pm and £18.50 for children or between 5pm and 6pm tickets cost £12.50 for adults and £10 for children. Visit www.madame-tussauds.co.uk for more information.

Party this Christmas with some delectable champagne, better yet taste it before you purchase your wide selection to find you’re favourite. Sample some of the finest Vintage Champagnes brought to the UK from some of the most famous champagne houses in the world.

Hosted by Selfridges & Co. own sommelier, Dawn Davies the evening will cost £50 which will include plenty of champagne and canapés.

The Vintage Champagne Tasting event will be held on the 12th of December 2007, starting at 6pm till 8pm at the Wine and Spirits department on the Ground Floor in Selfridges & Co. London. To book your places simply send an email to wineshop@selfridges.co.uk.

Avid fans of Gordon Ramsey, get excited now, the fabulously, successful chef will be signing copies of his book ‘Recipes from a 3*** chef’ in store at Selfridges & Co. in London.

The famous chef, better known for his TV shows rather than recipes is often described as one of the best chefs in the country, so this book should hopefully back the statement. The book contains a various amount of recipes, with step-by-step guides to recreate and add to your cooking list and help fulfill the “I will learn to cook more this year” resolution.

Get yourself to Selfridges & Co. on Oxford Street in London and find Gordon Ramsey on the Lower Ground Floor on Wednesday 28th of November 2007 starting at 12.30pm till 2pm. More information at Selfridges Online.

Out of all the Christmas lights events Bond street has to be the most glamorous. Oxford street had Leona Lewis and Westlife, but Supermodel Sophie Dahl will be flicking the switch in bond street on the 22nd of November.

The bond street lights are usually more classy and subtle than the Regent street and Oxford street lights but there will be plenty of Christmas atmosphere at this event. Fir trees and snow showers will turn bond street into a winter wonderland. There will be a festive street party with mince pies and mulled wine. Santa Claus will be in town and hopefully his bag will be full of Swarovski crystals and Channel Jewellery! The event is free and starts a 6pm.

The most beautiful outdoor ice rink in London is back again for another year. Tiffany & Co. presents Skate at Somerset House. From the 21st of November 2007 to the 28th of January 2008 you can enjoy ice skating in cosmopolitan London.

Take up this offer during the day or in the evening where the beautiful Somerset House will be sparkling. Other than the normal skating sessions there are special sessions available such as, DJ nights, Children’s hour and Student skate on selected dates, at selected times too. Tickets cost £10 between 10am and 5.30pm, £12.50 between 6.45pm and 9.15pm and £15 for the 10.30pm session for adults and children cost £7 for any session.

Book through Ticketmaster on the website or over the phone by calling 0844 847 1520 and for more information visit www.somersethouse.org.uk.

The best place to go shopping for original and authentic Christmas gifts and decorations is a Christmas Market.

On our Dates For The Dairy blog we talked about the fantastic markets in Germany and Austria where you can buy hand made tree decorations, traditional Christmas food and sweets, and original toys and gifts. But you don’t have to travel all the way to Austria or Germany to experience the excitement of a Christmas fair. This year Covent Garden’s Delux Christmas is promising to be just as good as the overseas fairs.

Covent Garden market will be bustling with people exhibiting and selling everything from gourmet mince pies to hand knitted jumpers. There will be different events taking place every day during the fair. These include nativity plays with the choir of St. Pauls church and performances from Acrobatics Company Cirqu U Arial, and there’s even a Couture gift wrapping service so you can present your unique gifts in style. Visit the Covent Garden Delux Website to find out exactly whats on on the day that you visit.

Finding a good fish restaurant is actually quite a challenge, so when I stumbled across one in Portsmouth I was extremely pleased. Loch Fyne restaurants are home to excellent sea food and shell fish, definitely worth a trip.

The restaurants in Portsmouth and Guildford have smart décor, a pleasant atmosphere and delectable food. Although the menu is extensive I recommend the shell fish platters, perfect for sharing. Enjoy either Crab or Lobster complimented by Oysters, crayfish, scallops, prawns and muscles to name a few.

There are many Loch Fyne restaurants so visit www.lochfyne.com to find out if there is one near you and check out the delicious menu. The hot and cold shellfish platter with crab is £34, the hot and cold shellfish platter with lobster is £44 or the hot shellfish platter with lobster is also £44.