Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s. My girlfriend Camilla [Kerslake] and I went there for an anniversary and the beef Wellington was hands down the best I’ve ever had.
Who’s your hero?
My mum. She tends to be at all the games and particularly enjoys the pre-match picnics.
Favourite discoveries?
Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in Shoreditch. It’s a cat café and I got dragged there by my other half, but it turned out to be a great little place.
Where do you go to let your hair down?
Richmond Park, where we take the dog out and relax on a nice day. We haven’t done the whole ‘Fenton the Labrador chasing the deer’ thing yet.
Biggest extravagance?
My coffee shop, Black White Red, in Winchester. I do some work there when I can, whether that’s roasting beans, packaging, or serving the odd coffee.
First thing you do when you arrive back in London?
Relax on the sofa with the American version of The Office or Modern Family. When you’ve been on tour it’s nice to get back to the comforts of a boxset.
Best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Former New Zealand rugby international Sean Fitzpatrick used to say, ‘Always train as if you’re number two trying to become number one.’
Building you’d like to buy?
One Hyde Park. I’d take the penthouse if money was no issue.
More My London
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Best thing a London cabbie has said to you?
‘Are you James Haskell?’
Who do you call when you want to have fun in London?
Haskell or Danny Care, who both love pulling pranks on nights out. Dan Cole has also got a great dry sense of humour.
Favourite pub?
The East Hill in Wandsworth. They do great food and a good pub quiz as well. I’m usually a safe bet on the rugby questions.
Building you’d like to be locked in overnight?
Buckingham Palace, just to have a good old nose around.
What do you collect?
Rugby jerseys. One day I’d like to set up a memorabilia room and put [Ireland forward] Seán O’Brien’s and [Wales captain] Sam Warburton’s in there.
