The American Bar at The Stafford - St James, London

The American Bar at the Stafford in St James's is both a rite of passage and a home away from home for Americans. Since the 1920s it's been a bolthole for our brethren across the pond, exuding the same ambience as east coast members' clubs and servicing American infantrymen during World War II. However, even the most cherished antique occasionally needs to be dusted down, and both the new interiors by Rosendale Design and the new dining menu by Ben Tish have accomplished just that.

The room still retains a lot of its USPs, as the Yanks would say. First and foremost are the memorabilia donations, featuring signed photos, pennants and other upscale bric-a-brac from a menagerie of famous patrons. Otherwise, Rosendale has literally spruced up the design with evergreen-hued upholstery, a marbletop bar with an emerald green glass and brass gantry and mahogany wall panelling. The result is as buttoned-up as an Ivy League secret society.

Mr Tish (Salt Yard, Opera Tavern) has done a fantastic job updating the bar snacks. The stuffed Gordal olives with goat's curd, orange and pistachio as well as the spring pea croquettes with truffle aioli are flirting with cult status. Bar Manager Benoit Provost has done the same with the drinks list. A visit to the American Bar wouldn't be complete without a dry martini, however if you'd like to go off-piste The Oppenheimer is a spectacle in itself, crafted with Beluga vodka, Italicus, St Germain and lemongrass syrup and served in an illuminated diamond-shaped glass sat on its edge and rotating on a platform.

Suffice to say, this well-buffed diamond has kept its twinkle.