This mini guide is for anyone visiting London this summer 2017 or beyond !
Friday :
Taqueria in Notting Hill !
Start your early night with the best tacos in town, a few (excellent) Marguerites together with some IPAs ( Sierra Nevada) -the best combo for Mexican food .
Then head to Casa Cruz which is nested in a beautiful Victorian building in the heart of Notting Hill on the border with Holland Park.Stop here for a drink or two and request a table at the terasse – it is so well done , you forget you are in a city, it feels like in someone’s garden with views on Notting Hill rooftops – ever so dreamy !
Head to E&O to end the night with a few cocktails and to be seen !
Saturday:
Start your day at the Notting Hill new vegan stop : Farmacy
I can’t recommend this place enough , from the lay out it feels like you ended up in a tropical garden, very airy space due to the high ceiling and big windows, with bamboo and wood throughout, banana and palm trees, a bar in the middle, experienced staff and super yummy food . They offer drinks like Tumeric latte ( approved !), alongside Macha latte, the menu is short and great, you can have your eggs florentine , or pancakes here , like in any favorite brunch places but everything is organic and vegan – I highly recommend this place for both vegan and non vegan people ( like myself ) you will be surprised !
A first wine stop in Chelsea at Pavilion Wine on the pedestrian Pavillon road , they have a good selection of wines to take away and to drink in , bear in mind that they are more of a wine store which offer tasting events so the price will differ considerately if you want to drink your wine in their terrasse. They also offer a few natural wines ( in bottles only ).
After that, jump in the circle or district line all the way to Embankment , and walk your way up to Strand to reach Terroirs , I can’t come back to London without stopping here, my favorite wine spot ever !
Here indulge trying different wines by the glass and don’t hesitate to ask – the terrine is also a must !
After that, jump again in the tube this time take the barkerloo line from Charing Cross all the way to Baker Street and have a wonderful walk far from the tourist big street near Madame Tussauds , take the Chiltern Street and get lost in Marylebone Village.
Pass the iconic Chiltern Firehouse until you get to this lovely new wine spot called Clarette, here is the only place in London you can try a Chateau Margaux by the glass, price ranging from 19 pounds the glass for a Chateau Margaux 2009 to 100 pounds the glass for the 1999 vintage.
The bar is beautiful from the outside, as it is built in English Tudor style architecture type, similar to the Liberty’s of London facade or the hut located in Soho Square . The service is “too French” for me , as in too dry and not warm or genuine enough but the location and the drink will make you forget the service.
The location is ideal, sit outside while savouring your exceptional glass of wine and relax people watching .
The bar is just opposite a very good Indian restaurant called Trishna, which has a Michelin star since 2012. We couldn’t make it as reservations are needed for such a treat.
However, we went to another Indian restaurant The Rajdoot as eating indian is a must when one visits London, and it was very satisfactory. We had the chance to find spontaneously a place outside and we could enjoy the views and the food .
Sunday :
Wake up to a beautiful morning at Colombia Road Flower market , wonder around and stop for a coffee when you can . When you got all the flowers you needed, head to Hackney Road for a yummy and unpretentious brunch at Long White Cloud in the heart of Hoxton at 151 Hackney Rd, very good food and very well priced !
After a beautiful morning, jump in a bus all the way to St Paul’s where you can cross the Thames using the magnificent Millenium bridge until you reach the Tate Modern. I have been fortunate enough to be there for the biggest retrospective of Giacometti in London since 1965. It is very much worth the visit and it is taking place in the old aisle of the Tate.
After filling your eyes with beautiful Art carrying to Soho for an afternoon glass of wine. Bear in mind that most of London’s wine bars are closed on Sunday.
The only I found to be opened was La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels by Neal’s yard . They have a good selection by the bottle and quite limited one by the glass to my taste but it was still refreshing to pay them a visit.
Then head to China town for some Sunday Dim Sum , the best day to experience Chinese dumplings is definitely on Sundays !
Walk then to Firth Street in the heart of Soho for a pisco sour at Ceviche , sit at the bar and enjoy watching the bartender preparing your pisco sour in front of you .
The head back East from Tottenham Court road newly refurbished station to Bethnal Green , which is getting hyper and hyper with the years . Go to Sager and Wilde on the hidden Paradise Row , the place changed name , it used to be called Mission, where the focus was on Californian wines but the owners who are the same , quickly realised that natural wines were more popular than Californian ones . You can also visit their initial branch on Hackney Road . Great wine and food here ! I love this place !
Head to Kingsland Road for some Vietnamese dinner ! that’s the place to go for authentic viet .
If like me , you leave London via King’s Cross St Pancras International, I urge you to go a little earlier to be able to enjoy a wander around this amazing area which has undeniably transformed into the main London design hub. It is here that students from all over the world go to study at the famous St Martin College of Art and we now know why !
You can combine it with a stop at my favorite Japanese restaurant in London , Tajimatei
Until next time London ! x
tongue&cheeks 