/ 17 November 2025

My Little Black Book With Amanda Kyme

Amanda started her career in the music industry in the early 90s, working with stars like Tina Turner, Paul McCartney, Wham, Queen, Kate Bush, Pet Shop Boys, Duran Duran and David Bowie, to name a few. Following this, she set up the celebrity relations arm of Halpern PR, a lifestyle public relations agency in London, where she spent eight years running campaigns for clients like Burberry, Tiffany & Co, Love Kylie, Gerard Darel and Tom Ford. In 2012, Amanda started her own consultancy and now specialises in celebrity relations, influencer marketing, event planning and brand collaborations for top fashion, beauty, lifestyle, travel and interiors brands. We couldn’t wait for Amanda to talk us through her Little Black Book…

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Jak’s Café

What are your top three favourite restaurants in London right now?

Daphne’s on Draycott Avenue – I have been going there for years. I love the atmosphere, the food is authentic Italian, the service is impeccable, and I have so many fabulous memories of eating there over the years. Another old favourite is Nobu Park Lane. When I worked in the music industry, we hosted fabulous dinners there with artists. I have been a vegetarian since I was about 15 years old, and the veggie selection is so delicious. I have a signed cookbook given to me by Nobu himself at a dinner there on 10th July 2002, which I treasure.
I have also had many fun birthdays at Langan’s Brasserie! There are some fabulous images of celebrities there that date back to when the restaurant was owned by Michael Caine and Peter Langan – such as Jack Nicolson, Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall and royalty including Princess Margaret and Princess Grace of Monaco.

What’s your go-to spot for a casual brunch or lunch with friends?

For deliciously fresh, home-cooked food, fresh juices and a huge selection of wonderful hot and cold dishes, I go to Jak’s Café on Walton Street. It’s light and spacious, with lovely staff and packed with lots of Italian pastas, biscuits, olive oils and sauces to buy.

Is there a hidden gem that you think more people should know about?

It may not be so hidden, but it has to be a tiny Japanese restaurant called Chisou on Beauchamp Place. The food is absolutely delicious, not expensive and very authentic. I’m also a member of Mark’s Club, which is like stepping into another world. Impeccable surroundings and staff, and fabulous food.

What do you love most about your neighbourhood?

I’ve lived in Chelsea for about 25 years. It has so many great shops and restaurants, I can walk everywhere and there’s something so lovely about the familiarity of knowing and being remembered by the staff in restaurants and shops. I’m near Chelsea Green which is lovely at Christmas when the shops hold a big carol concert with mulled wine and minced pies. All the locals come out to sing and support.

Daunt Books

Do you have a favourite food shop or deli in your neighbourhood?

Jak’s Café, as mentioned above – everything is so fresh, and they have these fabulous salads you can take away as well as eat in (best mushroom salad ever). I used to go to Partridge's on the King’s Road for their salads, delicious fresh veggie pasta and US grocery bits but, sadly, they recently closed down. There is still one on Gloucester Road in Kensington though.

When you have a day off, where in London do you love to spend it?

I love going to John Bell & Croyden on Wigmore Street, W1. I am a beauty and wellness fanatic, and they have so many great brands for skincare, supplements, hair care and candles, and the amazing staff can help with any queries. I can spend a good couple of hours there, which I don’t often have the time to do. I also like a good bookshop such as Hatchards on Piccadilly or Daunt Books Marylebone. And Fortnum & Mason is another place I love, but I never have much time to browse these places.

What’s your favourite gallery, museum or cultural spot in the city?

My friend Tim Jefferies owns Hamilton’s Gallery on Carlos Place, W1 – they always have wonderful photography exhibitions. I live near the V&A and they too have wonderful exhibitions –currently they have one called ‘American Photographs‘ which I plan to see, and I’m hoping to catch the new Versace exhibition at the Arches London Bridge.

Where do you go when you need a creative recharge in the city?

I’ll meet up with colleagues or friends to brainstorm new ideas at one of London’s fabulous hotels such as The Dorchester or The Ritz. We come with a pile of magazines for inspiration. I also visit stores like Soho Home on the King’s Road, wander around the Bond Street area to see what the big brands are doing or pop into Fortnum’s as their perfume and beauty floor is amazing and always inspires ideas.

What are your favourite brands and stores in London?

I love Self Portrait on Duke of York Square and the Zara there is particularly good. Fortnum & Mason is such a beautiful store and they have so many original small perfume brands. I absolutely love Santa Maria Novella for its scented terracotta Melograno balls and beautiful smelling Melograno soap and cologne. I have been a fan for many years, and the terracotta balls make great gifts.

How about your go-to florist?

Petals at Bibendum is just fabulous, with huge displays come rain or shine. I could happily spend all day there! When I am buying flowers just to put around my home, which I do all year round, I go to Marks & Spencer in the King’s Road. They last so well and are not at all expensive.

Petals; Hatchards; Versace exhibition at the Arches London Bridge; Hamilton’s Gallery

What’s your favourite interiors destination?

Nina Campbell on Pimlico Road has so much inspiration and so many ideas for gifts for friends and family for all budgets, and her new shop is absolutely stunning.

What’s your day-to-day uniform when you’re off duty?

Jeans and a crisp white shirt or t-shirt.

Where do you get your hair done?

I have to confess I rarely go to the hairdresser; I never get it cut (I need to!) and always let it dry naturally. It’s pretty long and very thick. I am so impatient and hate sitting still having it done but, for the odd blow dry if I’m going somewhere special, it’s Harrods Dry Bar.

What’s your go-to fragrance at the moment?

Always Mitsouko by Guerlain and Virgin Island Water by Creed. I was recently given a bottle of Teint de Neige by Lorenzo Villoresi, and I love that too.

Where are you booking for your next holiday?

I really want to go to Scotland, so I need to find a friend that won’t care about the weather! I love England and prefer to spend time here in the summer. I would go back to Capri, it’s just so stunning and feels nostalgic to me, likes it’s in another era.

This winter, I’m hoping to stay with my friends who live in Montecito – I have been going there for about 25 years; then, while I’m over there, I want to visit my friend Martyn Lawrence Bullard at his beautiful home in Palm Springs, a place I love so much. It’s so spiritual and calming and I feel as if I’m in Frank Sinatra’s era.

What are you listening to on repeat?

I’m a huge music person and used to do a bit DJ-ing! I make my own playlists on Spotify, so I have various ones such as dance, LA road trip, Palm Springs vibe, disco... I am a massive Prince, Michael Jackson, George Michael and Sinatra fan. I am lucky to have seen them all in concert.

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