Marcus Wareing's My London

Best thing a cabbie has said to you?

‘You look like that bloke off the telly who makes people cry.’

Building you’d most like to buy?

Battersea Power Station. It was designed by Giles Gilbert Scott — I named one of my restaurants after his grandfather.

What would you do as Mayor?

Make cyclists go through training like you have to do with the CBT for mopeds.

Favourite outlets?

I love Hackett for its simple classicism and fit. Savile Row for tailoring from British brands Richard James, Gieves & Hawkes and Kilgour. Oliver Sweeney for shoes. Timberyard in the West End for coffee and Dishoom for a bacon and egg naan.

Best piece of advice?

David Nicholls from the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation told me never to make a decision based on emotion but to sleep on it and then decide.

Best place to let your hair down?

At home, it’s where I can relax.

Building you’d most like to be locked in overnight?

The Houses of Parliament. I’d spend the night taking in the architecture, looking through the amazing books and at all the art.

Ever had a run-in with a policeman?

I did literally run into one while running in Hyde Park. I nearly floored the poor fella. Thankfully he was pretty relaxed about it.

Favourite discoveries?

Gymkhana, The Dairy in Clapham and The Colony Grill Room.

Who do you call when you want to have fun?

Heston [Blumenthal]. He knows how to have a good time and always leaves me feeling inspired.

Most romantic thing someone’s done for you?

For my 40th my wife Jane organised an amazing day, starting with breakfast at Cecconi’s, then a suit fitting at Pogson & Davis in Mayfair, followed by a haircut, shave and massage at Gentlemen’s Tonic. For dinner she had booked the private dining room at Scott’s and invited all my friends. Afterwards we spent the night at The Connaught.

Last album you bought?

The LP Soft Cell by Marc Almond when I was a kid.

At the moment you are...

Developing new spring menus and dishes. Spring is my favourite season for produce. At the moment I’m into asparagus, Bianchetti truffles from Italy and Herdwick lamb.

Who’s your hero?

Muhammad Ali. He has the ability to make a passing sentence into a quote that turns into a life lesson and inspires me to be the best I can be.

What do you collect?

Animal hair! My house has become a zoo with two cats, a puppy and a few goldfish.

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