One great place to admire beautful Easter eggs is restaurant and nightspot Shaka Zulu, whose pastry chef will be making a gorgeous display (similar to the one pictured above) out of giant ostrich eggs. It’s bound to make you peckish, so fortunately the South African restaurant will be serving a special three-course feast from 12pm-5pm on Easter Sunday to satisfy your appetite.

London’s top hotels are also getting into the Easter spirit. Claridge’s is selling distinctive art deco eggs that are inspired by the hotel’s black and white marble lobby. Created with three types of fine Valrhona chocolate, the limited-edition eggs are filled with chocolate quail eggs and covered in art deco foil wrapped with a satin bow. They’d make great gifts, but you’d better be quick – there are only 100 of the £45 eggs available. If you’re planning to spend the Easter weekend in London, the Landmark Hotel’s Easter Delight package could be a great option. Not only will you get a large Easter egg – specially prepared by the hotel’s chef – delivered to your bedroom, but inside you might find a golden ticket that grants you one of several special treats provided by the hotel.

One of London’s most unusual Easter eggs can be found at tongue-in-cheek bar and pizzeria Bunga Bunga, where you can sip specially-created cocktails out of large chocolate Easter eggs. Two indulgent ice-cream based drinks are available during the Easter Weekend: a seasonal twist on the espresso martini and a chocaholic’s dream combination of chocolate ice cream, strawberry puree, white chocolate liqeur, vodka and chocolate bitters. If you’re looking for something more savoury, Cinnamon Soho is doing  a special Easter Egg Flip cocktail and an egg-inspired menu, which turns the traditional Easter Egg idea upside down through a series of Indian ball-shaped dishes.

London’s department stores have a reputation for doing everything with panache and this Easter, their eggs don’t disappoint.  At Harrods in Knightsbridge you can marvel at their behemoth of an egg, which is several feet high and – if you’re feeling flush – can be yours for £795. Fortnum and Mason have created ‘the ultimate Easter egg‘ (£90), a Russian-doll-like structure comprised of five different Easter eggs that range from white to very dark chocolate.  Selfridges has solved the age-old chicken and egg problem with a cute dark chocolate easter egg (£59.99), which has been decorated to look like a chick. For truly quirky eggs, head to branches of Artisan du Chocolat for their ‘egg and soldiers‘ masterpiece (£45), which is a cross between delicious chocolate egg and salted caramel fondue kit, or pick up a macabre Rococo ‘day of the dead’ egg from Harvey Nichols (£64.95).

If reading about all that chocolate is making you queasy, fear not: some of London’s most dramatic eggs are inedible. Head to Covent Garden from 22 March – 1 April for the Lindt Big Egg Hunt, which raises money for Action for Children. Giant fibreglass Easter eggs, which have been designed by leading artists, fashion designers and architects, will be hidden around the area for visitors to find – simply pick up a Hunt Book and get cracking!

Some of London’s top restaurateurs are opening new eateries this month, from Alan Yau’s Bangkok-style café Naamyaa to Bodo’s Schloss, an Alpine-themed venue from the founders of Mahiki.

Naamyaa

Alan Yau, the man behind Wagamama, Hakkasan and Yauatcha, launches a new restaurant in Islington next week. Naamyaa will serve classic Siam dishes, Bangkok street food and Western café staples. The restaurant is named after a sauce cooked in traditional terracotta pots and served with kanom jin (fresh rice noodles), a dish that will be a core offering on the menu.

Coya

Peruvian restaurant Coya has just opened in Mayfair, serving ceviche (a traditional dish made from marinated raw fish) and Pisco Sours alongside a range of other Peruvian dishes. The “sumptuously distressed” interior is decked out with antique Peruvian furniture, while live bands and DJs add to the atmosphere. Coya is the latest venture from Arjun Waney, the restaurateur behind Zuma, La Petite Maison and The Arts Club.

Bodo’s Schloss

Bodo’s Schloss is a new bar, restaurant and disco from the founders of Mahiki. The Kensington venue is designed to look like a lodge in the Austrian Alps, with snow-covered pine trees at the entrance. Drinks include Austrian wines and beers, homemade schnapps, champagne served in milk urns and shots served on antique skis. The signature cocktail comes in a carved ice castle.

Disney Café at Harrods

Looking for somewhere new to take the kids? Harrods has just opened a Disney Café, the first Disney restaurant outside its theme parks. On the menu you’ll find Mickey-shaped toasted sandwiches along with ravioli, soups and salads, a range of hot dishes, and desserts including a family-sized knickerbocker glory. The fun interior features a Big Ben that chimes twice an hour, sculptures of Disney characters and screens showing Disney films.

More New London Restaurants

Lupita – The Mexican eatery has launched a second London branch in Spitalfields, serving tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, enchiladas and churros con chocolate

Hawksmoor Air Street – The steak chain has opened its biggest restaurant to date in Air Street, just off Piccadilly, serving seafood alongside its famous steaks

Mash – Danish steakhouse Mash has chosen London’s Soho as the location for its first overseas restaurant

Bone Daddies – A new Japanese ramen noodle bar from Australian chef Ross Shonhan, former head chef of Zuma London and Nobu Dallas

Zoilo  – New restaurant and bar bringing a taste of all regions of Argentina to Marylebone

Disney fans are in for a festive treat at Harrods, where Disney Princesses are the stars of its magical Christmas window display.

The Knightsbridge department store has asked internationally renowned designers such as Valentino and Versace to create new gowns for some of Disney’s best loved characters, and the results are fantastic in every sense of the word. In each of the store’s main windows you’ll see spellbinding scenes that feature princesses such as Cinderella dressed by Versace, Snow White by Oscar de la Renta and Mulan by Missoni. Modern yet true to the Disney films, these captivating dresses really bring the characters to life, and it’s easy to lose track of time as you stand in front of the magical display. The gowns will be on view throughout the festive season, after which they will be auctioned for charity.

Those inspired by these sparkling windows can then head up to Harrods‘ first floor, which is home to equally beautiful gowns by the world’s leading designers. Budding princesses will also love the Disney pop-up shop on the fourth floor, as it contains everything children need to recreate their favourite films. There’s even a treat for mums at the Cinderella Slipper salon, which carries a sparkling selection of shoes in both child and adult sizes.

Burberry and McQueen Open Menswear Stores in London
There are two exciting new openings for the stylish men about town this week. Today, Burberry has opened its long-awaited standalone menswear boutique in Knightsbridge. You’ll remember reading about all the techie additions in the label’s Regent Street Store: the Brompton Road offering is no different with more than 100 screens and 50 speakers creating the audio-visual wow factor in store. As well as the technology, this shop stocks Burberry’s largest selection of tailoring in the UK. And if you’re after something really special, you can indulge in their fantastic new tailoring service. There’s a choice of three fits (slim, modern and classic) and more than 40 seasonal fabrics: make your choice and a suit can be measured, tailored and delivered in just 48 hours. The Burberry Menswear store follows hot on the heels of the new Alexander McQueen menswear store on Savile Row. For the first time in the label’s history, this shop stocks the full menswear collection in one place, from ready-to-wear suiting to accessories. Look out for the funky design features – skulls, claws and military chic in the shop – and don’t miss the bespoke area downstairs when it opens next year. London lads now have no excuse for looking anything less than super-smart.

The Best A Mo Can Get, 1-30 Nov
Just in time for Movember, The Best a Mo Can Get Barbers is opening at 10 Newburgh Street in Carnaby this week. The barber will be open seven days a week throughout the month of Movember, offering free ‘tache touch-ups for chaps taking part in the charity moustache-growing month. The pop-up shop is styled on a 1940s club, with a traditional barber upstairs, and a bar decked out with leather seating, poker, backgammon, dominoes and chess sets, plus ping pong and pool downstairs. There’s live entertainment planned throughout the month, including gigs, DJ sets, whiskey tastings and cocktail nights. Visit Facebook.com/GilletteUK for the latest updates.

Harrods Christmas Parade, 3 Nov
Finally for this week, are you ready for Christmas in London? Harrods certainly is, with its famous annual Christmas parade taking place this Saturday. The streets of Knightsbridge will be filled with Father Christmas and his amazing helpers; this year’s theme is Disney, so look out for your favourite Disney Friends plus giant teddy bears, street dancers, and real reindeer taking part. The parade starts at 8am, and will weave down Brompton Road before culminating in the opening of the famous Harrods store at 9am. Don’t miss it!

London’s famous double-decker buses are an ideal way to see the city if you’re on a budget. Buy a Travelcard for the day and take a self-guided city tour on London’s best bus routes. These five cover most of the major sights in the city. Their routes are described from west to east and the return journey passes the same sights in reverse.

Number 74
Starting in Putney, this route travels past London’s museums hub in South Kensington where the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum sit side by side. It then passes luxury department store Harrods and the boundary of one of London’s largest green spaces at Hyde Park Corner. You can catch a glimpse of The Dorchester hotel just after, followed by the famous haunt of public rhetoric – Speaker’s Corner at Marble Arch. The final stop is Baker Street, home to both the Madame Tussauds waxwork museum and the Sherlock Holmes Museum, at the site of the fictional detective’s residence.

Number 9
The number 9 is one of only two routes operating the old-style Routemaster buses on part of its route. Leaving from Hammersmith, it passes Kensington Palace (you’ll have to get off to see it) followed by the beautiful Royal Albert Hall and the monument to Queen Victoria’s husband which sits opposite it. Like the number 74, the 9 passes the museums in Kensington, Harrods and Hyde Park corner. It takes a different route afterwards to visit St James’s Palace, Trafalgar Square, The Savoy hotel and arts and cultural centre Somerset House.

Number RV1
The RV1 is a favourite route for us here at VL Towers! Despite being a single decker, it still passes through some of the best parts of London, giving you a great cultural tour of the city. Soak up some shops and street theatre at Covent Garden before taking the RV1. Hopping on it will take you to the South Bank where you’ll see the London Eye and Royal Festival Hall. The London Bridge stop is metres from the London Dungeon and City Hall is the next sight on the route, which crosses Tower Bridge to finish up at the Tower of London.

Number 24
The 24 sets off from Camden Town which offers alternative fashion and food. The bus then heads to the more mainstream Leicester Square in the centre, calling in at Trafalgar Square and Horse Guards Parade. The political heart of London is next as the bus passes Parliament Square where you’ll find Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, as well as the nearby Westminster Abbey where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were married last year. The final site is the city’s policing headquarters at the iconic New Scotland Yard building.

Be aware that some bus routes might change during the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games – read our top tips for Olympic travel here

Travelcard Cushion

In celebration of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, graphic designer Ashley Allen created a fantastic travelcard-inspired cushion. Lined with royal purple and representing a travel ticket to Buckingham Palace, this trendy piece will ensure you can relax like royalty.

Selfridges Pantone 109 Spork

If you miss hanging out in Selfridges‘ many cafés and bars, perk up your mealtimes with this handy spork, coloured in the department store’s signature yellow. Not only does it make forks, knives and spoons redundant, but  its vibrant colour means that you could probably use it to eat in the dark.

Lulu Guiness Phone Box iPhone Case

Available from Fortnum and Mason, this patent leather iPhone case  is a stylish replica of London’s iconic red phone boxes. Don’t leave it lying around, however, lest you return to find it full of tourists cramming themselves inside to take photos.

Samuel Johnson Cufflinks

Carnaby Street’s Things British shop sells these cute cufflinks, which display Samuel Johnson’s classic quote: “when a man is tired of London..he is tired of life.” Sure to be a great ice-breaker at parties!

London 2012 Olympic Games Wellington Boots Pin Badge

While wellingtons are lamentably not part of the Team GB kit, this fun pin badge will ensure you get a gold medal for style.

Hermes Foot from the British Museum

Entering the British Museum’s shop is like stealing into a Pharoah’s tomb: it’s full of wonderful objects but you just can’t take them all at once. We particularly love their plaster cast of Hermes Foot, taken from an unknown statue and which – according to the Museum – makes an excellent door stop.

House of Commons Port

After a tour of the Houses of Parliament, you can check out the gift shop that contains dozens of quirky souvenirs. Grab a bottle of House of Commons port for a delicious taste of power.

Wimbledon Net Measure with Pouch

If you can’t fit Andy Murray in your suitcase, you can at least take your tennis game to the next level with this pretty net measure (used to measure the height of the net from the ground) from the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum.

Do you have any quirky souvenirs of London?

You’ll see bunting, flags and special displays everywhere, and by the weekend London will be festooned with colour and buzzing with a festive atmosphere that will be remembered for generations. The capital has a long tradition of making a magnificent effort for Jubilee celebrations – check out this photograph of Selfridges preparing for George V’s Silver Jubilee in 1935.

We’ve put together a gallery of some of our favourite Diamond Jubilee decorations so far, but if you’ve spotted other great displays around town please let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to stock up on Jubilee merchandise if you’re planning your own celebration!

If you’re feeling brave this Halloween, there’s plenty of ghoulish food and drink to try in London.

At Artesian bar, you can enjoy a scary Vieux Carre cocktail, containing cognac, rye whiskey, vermouth, bitters and herbal liqueur, plus two special ingredients: Columbian giant ants and mopani worms!

Or perhaps you’d prefer The Living Room’s spine-tingling Zombie, Corpse Reviver or Blood & Sand cocktails? (These cocktails are a little tamer: despite the names there are no creepy ingredients.)

Over at Gelupo in Soho, you can enjoy a Sanguinaccio gelato, made from chocolate, pigs’ blood and Marsala. Or head to Harrods for some more traditional treats: chocolates in the shape of witches, ghosts, pumpkins, skulls and eyeballs.

Even cupcakes are going spooky this Halloween. There’s a devilishly delicious selection available at The Hummingbird Bakery, topped with spiders’ webs, monsters, ghosts and pumpkins.

AAGGHH! It’s Alive! comes to Fortnum & Mason’s Demonstration Kitchen on 27 October. You can find out how to make scary Halloween dishes, from finger pies to worm cakes, perfect for Halloween parties.

Or pop into Carluccio’s for some terrifyingly good gifts for trick-or-treaters, including pumpkin lollies, ghost and pumpkin biscuits, ghost meringues, bat biscuits, Halloween jellies and chocolate pumpkins.

Happy Halloween!

Last night I had a look round the recently-opened Corinthia Hotel.

The hotel is dripping with five-star touches, from the huge bathrooms, to the walk-in wardrobes to the soon-to-open on-site Harrods store.

What I’d really like to show you is the beyond-luxurious ESPA Life spa which is due to open this month, but it’s all top secret until then. Take a look at the CGI images on The Corinthia’s website and you’ll start to get the idea.

Other points to note are the hotel’s two restaurants, The Northall serving up modern British cuisine and seafood restaurant Massimo (where Cameron Diaz, Hugh Grant and Johnny Depp have all been spotted).

And should you want to leave the hotel, it’s handily located within a few minutes of Embankment and Charing Cross station and is flanked by Boris bike docking stations.

We’re celebrating the Royal Wedding with a whole host of cool competitions, offering you the chance to win the best of Royal London!

Looking to indulge in honour of Wills and Kate’s big day? Then enter this competition today!

The Harrods Bespoke Hamper will be made up of a range of exciting treats and luxury products from the world’s most celebrated department store.

In addition to this fabulous prize, the lucky winner and a guest will receive a glass of wine in the dei Frescobaldi restaurant in Harrods, acclaimed for its exquisite food and wine pairings.

Enter now for your chance to win this Harrods Bespoke Hamper