Blog Archives
Perfect reflection, London
This photo was posted on Reddit.com and it’s simply stunning! Unfortunately, no photographer was credited, but it is still worth sharing! Happy Wednesday!
The 21 greatest moments in the life of a Londoner
I like Buzzfeed.com’s list of the 21 greatest moments in the life of a Londoner. It makes me yearn to be back in the city a little bit (particularly the joys of number 1, 3 and 21).
32 Things You Might Not Know About London
Think you know all you need to know about London?
Well, check out this list, courtesy of Buzzfeed. Things like …
and
20 London bars you should have been to by now
World’s End
Where has this list been all of my life? Check out Buzzfeed.com’s roundup of the 20 best most interesting London bars, including the World’s End, allegedly the largest pub in the world (not to be confused with the latest movie by Simon Pegg).
J. Crew adds new London stores
Look out! J.Crew is hitting the U.K. hard this fall, with plans to open three new stores in London.
* A men’s boutique will be unveiled Oct. 10 in a 19th Century townhouse on Lambs Conduit Street in Bloomsbury.
* A women’s J.Crew shop will open in Brompton Cross in West London in early November. This store will feature the pricier J.Crew Collection line as well as some of its partner brands like Comme des Garçons and Penelope Chilvers.
* A J.Crew store on Regent Street is also already in the works, with plans to open in November.
These stores are the first J.Crew locations outside North America!
The UK’s 50 best tea rooms
In honor of National Afternoon Tea Week this week, check out The Independent’s 50 best tea rooms! I’m sad to say I haven’t been to any of these (I’ve only ever been to the Ritz Hotel in London for tea!) but will add them to my list for a future visit!
Ever been to any of these? What’s your favorite British tea room?
Eye of Sauron in London
Check out @sarahknapton’s tweet and James Hastie’s pic: “Eye of Sauron appears in London as full moon rises over The Shard.”
Exactly!
A cock(erel) in Trafalgar Square
London mayor Boris Johnson and artist Katharina Fritsch with one big cock(erel). Credit: Ray Tang, Rex Features
What’s 14 feet high, ultramarine blue and standing on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square?
A giant cockerel, designed by German artist Katharina Fritsch!
The cock’s creator Katharina Fritsch told The Guardian newspaper: “I think the English have a great sense of humour. I know they like to play games with language. They like their double meanings. So I wanted to play around.”
I kind of like how blue and bright it is! What do you think?
Jamie Oliver’s Recipeas
When we were visiting Notting Hill this spring, we happened upon Recipeas, one of Jamie Oliver’s kitchen shops. Have you heard of it?
I have nearly a dozen Jamie Oliver cookbooks and am a faithful fan of his TV programs, but hadn’t heard a peep about Recipeas. Taking a walk inside, I was struck by this charming little deli/cafe/cook store that also offers cooking lessons. So many intoxicating aromas! So many wonderful breads, olive oils, wines, cheeses, items perfect for packing into a picnic! Yet it was intimate and cozy, not intimidating or snooty.
I will definitely think of booking some lessons on our next trip over! Some classes center around a specific dish like beef wellington, roast pork belly or Thai green curry, led by cooking pros. Others focus on a technique like bread baking, filleting fish or rolling sushi. It might be the inspiration I need to get back into the kitchen with gusto!
Recipeas, 92-94 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3QB. 0203 375 5398.
The best fish and chips in London
We stumbled upon a truly excellent fish and chips shop on our last trip to London and I have to share … Masters Super Fish on Waterloo Road. It’s not much to look at – a simple hole in the wall that is reputed to be a favorite among black cab drivers. In fact, when we were there, we did see quite a few!
But we were there to get our fish and chips fix, not for the ambiance. We had met up with my sister-in-law for a tour of Parliament, followed by a trip on the London Eye earlier in the day. It was the logical next step.
We started with some whitebait (not for me!) and onion rings. The kids enjoyed the look of the whitebait and my son enjoyed eating it!
But the best bit was their fish and chips, which were accompanied by white bread, prawns and a pickle. I ordered the haddock and it was the best British fish and chips I’ve had in years. Great batter, fresh fish, enormous portions, good price. We will be back!
Masters Super Fish, 191 Waterloo Road, Southwark, London. SE1 8UX. 020 7928 6924
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