Federico Ciampi
When someone has chosen to live in a city, they’re often more vocal about their love of it than someone who was born there. When you’ve actively chosen the place you live in, it’s because you truly feel at home. Federico, is General Manager at The Trafalgar St. James, originally from Italy he now calls London his home.
Where did you grow up?
Cigliano, Italy
Why did you chose to live where you do? .
London is such a Multi-Cultural Melting Pot, a city that can give and take a lot from in individual. From a career prospective, the opportunities available here are endless, but they do come with a cost, living a frenetic and expensive life, but totally worth it! I met so many people from different countries and got to learn so much about other cultures, something that I would have not be able to do in any places in the world, and I have been lucky enough to live in the middle east and Caribbean.
What’s your favourite thing about the city?
The differences that you can see from one borough to another, in terms of style, people, offering. Take Westminster for example, one moment you are in one of the most famous landmarks in the world, Trafalgar Square, few minutes later you are in a Chinatown or can get to Mayfair! There is no other place London!
Where’s your favourite place to go out:
…with friends? Camden Market on the weekend. There is always something new to see, from vintage to retro or something funky, you can easily spend hours there. To top this, there are so many food stalls that offer great choices from all over the world. My favorite is Chin Chin, which serves Liquid Nitrogen ice cream, strongly suggest trying the Burnt Butter Caramel, just thinking about this makes me want it!
…on a date? Southbank. Having the chance, after dinner, to go for a walk along the river, seeing all the London eye lighten up or Tower Bridge, is magical. For dinner, only one choice, Oxo Tower! Really a London landmark, really enjoy their Scottish scallops.
…to celebrate? Savage Garden at Hilton Double Tree London Bridge. Another great roof top option (like the one at The Trafalgar St James), with amazing views over Tower Bridge and great cocktails. It is really easy to have a great time there, the service is super friendly and there is a great buzz on the weekends.
…to relax and unwind? Hampstead Heath. I really like their small streets with quirky cafes and shops, whilst still central, it is tucked away just north of Camden, and on a summer day, the park, is one of my favorite places to relax with superb views over London skyline. Any coffee shops there are good choices, a nice sponge cake and espresso is my idea of relaxing.
Where’s your favourite place to eat and why?
Apart from our RoofTop…. of course…..Zafferano. This Italian restaurant, in Lowndes St, is a rustic trattoria and it is simple and authentic. I do love their risotto, that is what Italian food is, simple and full of flavor, nothing complicated
What’s your favourite food or drink memory of London?
The first time I tried afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason. It is a tradition, so many places do it, but the overall experience there is of another level, you really feel that you are part of history there..
If someone was visiting London, what’s the one place you think they should go to, that will make them fall in love with the area?
Buckingham Palace during changing of the guard. I know that it might sound strange, but I find this quintessentially London and Britain at is best. The fact that this tradition has been kept for so many generations is fascinating, and if you ask anyone what they know about London and the UK, they will say The Queen.
What food or drink captures London, and why?
I would say fish and chips. Anyone who has come to London or lives here has tried fish and chips, can’t be more British than that! So many places around, I would always suggest to go to the “chippy”, as it is known here, that serves only that and nothing else, you won’t regret it.