A Weekend in London

Earlier this month I visited London. I love an injection of the vibrancy that is found in London. There is always so much going on and so much to see. On Saturday afternoon I had lunch at Japanese Restaurant Roka http://www.rokarestaurant.com/ on Charlotte St.. The restaurant is centred around a central open kitchen with rustic benches looking in on the action. The food is cooked right there - both sushi and barbequed dishes. Large plate glass windows let in plenty of light and merge the outdoor & indoor seating.
That evening I went to one of my favourite spots for an apperitif - the Electric Brasserie in Notting Hill http://www.electricbrasserie.com/, before heading to a dinner party with friends.
The next morning I had brunch in the most amazing little cafe Lantana, in Fitzrovia www.lantanacafe.co.uk. Though small and crowded, the menu was amazing and I would have eaten anything and everything it offered!
That afternoon was spent browsing through Heals, which is celebrating 200 years of furniture design. My favourite piece at the moment is their 'Tipple' American Walnut Drinks Cabinet which may be finding itself in my living room very soon! As the rain poured down, there was only one way to spend the afternoon - at the very stylish Charlotte St. Hotel for a cocktail.

The next day I called to The Botanist http://www.thebotanistsloanesquare.com/ in Sloane Square for tea. I love this place. Inspired by the works of the botanist after which Sloane Square is called, this bar/restaurant is filled with sketches of plants in interesting presentations. The decor is light and airy, and incredibly fresh despite being open a few years.

Later, I visited the Irving Penn Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, and had lunch at their 'Portrait' Restaurant http://www.npg.org.uk/ with rooftop views of London. A very styish restaurant with muted grey walls and clean lined furniture giving a crisp finish. That evening was spent at Tom Aikens in Chelsea, which was designed a number of years ago by Anouska Hempell. While the design is still very fresh, the seating is a little formal and the service could do with being a little more relaxed. The food was outstanding though, and certainly deserved of it's two Michellin stars! http://www.tomaikens.co.uk/

On Tuesday I called to Pizza East in Shoreditch for lunch http://www.pizzaeast.com/. Located in an old tea warehouse, and a converted nite-club, this space has a raw, industrial feel. I particularly liked the bar, which is more like a large kitchen counter and you feel that you could pour the drinks yourself. After that I called to Terrace Conrans The Boundary for a coffee on the rooftop terrace. http://www.theboundary.co.uk/

Thanks to volcanic ash, I found myself in London for a little longer than anticipated. And so, as The Ledbury was recommended to me, I made my way there for lunch. As we were the first there for lunch it took a little while for atmosphere to develop, not helped by the absence of any background music. The food however, did not disappoint. The decor, again, is a little formal but perhaps this is the aspiration of Michellin-starred restaurants? While I like the ceremony of the service and the matching decor, personally I prefer a more relaxed environment. http://www.theledbury.com/

A fantastic few days sampling the best of Londons cuisine & decor!! My bank account and I are off to go on a diet....