So I recently escaped to Londontown, the second city I ever called home and the place that I always dream of running back to (soon to happen I hope!) and I thought I would share some of my favourite things to do in the big smoke. To make a rough guide to London would be impossible and outdated the moment it is completed, in a truly vibrant and alive metropolitan city like this we all find our little corners, flavors and scents and make up our very own experience of this magically chaotic place. This is mine.
London you may be harsh and fast-paced and ridiculously expensive but you always keep me on my toes make me feel like I never know what might be waiting for me just around the corner. A love letter to the city where everything seems to be happening!
Life in the West
For Brunch:
Truc Vert: Eggs Benedict royal have become our Sunday ritual, really cozy cafe/delicatessen located in the heart of Mayfair
For your afternoon tea:
Sketch: easily my favourite cafe in the whole wide world, delicious sandwiches and cakes and the coolest toilets I have ever seen! You can also enjoy a cocktail after hours but stay away from the restaurant at night, overpriced disappointing food!
Laduree: a good excuse to enjoy those delicious macaroons
For Lunch and Dinner:
Aubaine: five lovely french restaurants scattered around West London, perfect for a relaxed dinner, the lobster spaghetti and the beef fillet are delicious! They also make their own bread!
Beach Blanket Babylon: I used to live just around the corner in lovely Notting Hill so I ended up going there for a quick drink on a regular basis, beautiful people and a lovely kitsch decor. I am sure the food must be decent too!
Bob Bob Ricard: Lovely retro aesthetics with baby pink details,delicious lobster burgers, and ample champagne along with a special "PRESS FOR CHAMPAGNE" button. Love it!
Randall & Aubin: Absolutely adore this Soho Brasserie, the oyster platter is a real treat!
Momo: for delicious Lebanese food and fresh mint tea
For movies:
Electric Cinema: Reserve an old velvet couch, lay back and enjoy some pumpkin hummus and a glass of good wine during the nights feature presentation
Curzon Cinema: Absolutely adore the one in Soho, excellent programming, you get the chance to enjoy a lot of indie gems and a beer before the movie whilst you browse through their DVD collection is a must!
For a real treat:
Hakkasan: an amazing culinary journey and spectacular exotic cocktails
NOBU: simply the best sushi in the universe
Yauatcha: amazing dumplings, crispy duck salad and cocktails!
Gordon Ramsay: enough said!
Asia De Cuba: for the decor by the one and only Mr Stark
To shop till you drop:
Selfridges: It simply has it all! And the best store windows ever!
Browns: Love love love their selection of the beautifulest clothes around!
Dover Street Market: get lost in the asymmetrical world of Comme des Garcons, amazing brands and items!
Fortnum & Mason: for some delicious luxury grocery shopping
Top Shop: The best high street has to offer
Bond Street for all the boutiques!
I can never resist visiting
Foyles to catch up on my reading and HMV for the amazingly cheap DVDs and to get up to date to what the kids are into today in terms of music!
The Hummingbird Bakery in Notting Hill after a Saturday stroll through Portobello Market
I have also established another London ritual champagne with Stan the moment I set my foot in the City at the Champagne Bar at St Pancras can't think of a better welcome
Life in the East
To shop:
Beyond Retro: Vintage gems to be cherished
Absolute Vintage: another treasure chest for the lovers of vintage clothes
Columbia Road Flower Market: all those beautiful flowers can make anybody's day! The perfect Sunday activity!
Spitafields Market: mainly for the delicious food but for also for everything else your heart desires every Sunday!
To eat and drink and dance:
The Old Blue Last: for hipster fun, gigs and Vice parteys
Hawksmoor: for the deliciously cheap burgers, the perfect drinks and the great atmosphere!
The Big Chill Bar: For the music!
Cafe 1001: for the unexpected concert fun, the good music and the Sunday BBQs
Favela Chic: for the mojitos and the fun (though the one in gay Paris is way more fun!)
Jamie Oliver's Fifteen: strongly recommend the lunch menus! A delicious bargain!
and last but not least the open 24 hours 7 days a week Brick Lane Bakery, for the best beigels in town!
Other essentials
Efes Pool Club & Bar: where all the indie kids stumble drunkenly at the end of the night to smoke some fags, play some pool and enjoy a can of beer for 1,50! Open until 6 in the morning!
White Heat: put on your dancing shoes and have some fun.
Tate Modern: One of my favourite museums! Love the late night visits on Fridays and Saturdays!
National Portrait Gallery: they usually have amazing exhibitions, and are currently hosting the super popular portraits by Lucian Freud (expect a review after my visit at the end of April!)
V&A: for their exhibitions
The Old Vic: for some culture! Kevin Spacey is the Artistic Director of this lovely theater!
Ronnie Scott's: for all that jazz!
All those lovely baby pink details at Bob Bob Ricard
Cool Britannia
Toilets at Sketch
Sketch
Sommerset House: where you can ice skate during winter and enjoy exhibitions and art fairs all year round!
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