My Seven Dials

This week we caught up with Jason Phillips, Restaurant Manager at the Covent Garden Hotel's Brasserie Max, where he gave us his ‘Slice of Seven Dials'. 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN SEVEN DIALS TO SHOP?

Neal’s Yard Dairy because they have some of the best local British cheeses available and even if you’re not shopping for anything specific they’re so helpful inside that you leave with something really satisfying. They have a cheese for every occasion. My favourite is the Colston Basset Stilton.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE EATERY OR WATERING HOLE IN SEVEN DIALS?

Of course it would be Brasserie Max because that’s where I spend most of my time, but really because it’s charming and always atmospheric at any time of the day. In the morning it’s leisurely with guests reading the papers, sipping coffee and foraging around the breakfast table that’s piled high with pastries, fruit and preserves. By lunchtime it’s really quite frenetic; power lunches, actors from the local theatres, ballet dancers, keen shoppers and sight see-ers. This is followed by afternoon tea-time which soon turns into dinner, by which time candles have been lit, the light has been dimmed, the bar fills up and the atmosphere is altogether subdued and romantic. Away from the hotel I like to grab Spanish tapas at Pix, it reminds me of the casual eateries in Barcelona, it’s vibrant and the crowd is always good.

WHAT MAKES SEVEN DIALS SPECIAL FOR YOU?

It’s like a little village in the heart of a big city. Everyone that works in this area knows or recognises each other which makes for a very friendly place to work. You see staff from the different shops outside talking and catching up at all times throughout the day. It has everything you need from a great selection of restaurants, bars and shops and has its own unique vibe that attracts so many tourists. A trip to Seven Dials isn’t complete without a visit to one of the many resident theatres such as the Donmar.