Could life get any better for someone whose teenage dream was to be People Magazine’s star reporter?

King’s Cross is London’s new foodie heaven, and if you don’t believe me, read this article in Indagare (written by, well, me). Here’s a starter from my lunch at Grain Store: Baked beetroot carpaccio, fermented beetroot dressing and spiced labneh. Don’t let mystery ingredient ‘labneh’ discourage you, the dish was delish.

How about some grilled octopus with green tomato, miso, chilli & lime?

Grain Store is just one of many terrific places to eat in King’s Cross. From Hanoi Kitchen street food  to Europe’s longest champagne bar to the ornate and very British Gilbert Scott restaurant, King’s Cross has your taste buds covered.

Next up is Marylebone (again more detail in Indagare) where I fell in love with the utterly chic, eccentric and affordable Zetter Townhouse. Below is an onyx lit bathroom.

Chinoiserie peacocks anyone?

Marylebone has some one-off boutiques worth visiting. Here’s Jose Urrutia, founder of leather goods shop La Portegna.

These men’s suede travelling slippers come in forest green, tan and navy. Pretty nifty.

Below is Urrutia’s grandmother with Ernest Hemingway on a  boat trip between Plymouth and Bombay in 1933. The two were great friends and keen travellers, an inspiration for this travel accessories shop.

From Marylebone we move west to village-y Fulham where the locals couldn’t be  friendlier.

Live like a local and get your heartbeat going at Ride Republic.

You’ve earned that Michelin starred meal at gastropub…

Bon Appétit!

November, 2015

The post Hots Spots in King’s Cross, Marylebone and yes, sleepy Fulham appeared first on Elena Bowes.

The block-long lane is a great place to wander and browse. Don’t miss sexy eyewear and swimwear boutique Prism. Their waffle bikini’s are very cute, especially the 1950’s style flattering high-waisted  bottoms (Rihanna models them on Prism’s site, but you’ll have to just make do with the bikini on mine.)

Tinie Tempah and futuristic Japanese designer Toga Archives have collaborated (separately) on some new frames, coming out soon. The snakeskin espadrilles  are quite tempting, a new wardrobe gap to be filled?

Follow your nose to Cire Trudon, the world’s oldest candle maker who a few years ago chose Chiltern Street to be its first permanent shop outside of France. Think of Havana when you sniff Ernesto with its heady overtones of leather and tobacco. Or get surreal with a whiff of Dada’s chamomile and eucalyptus blend.

Heading for the seaside soon? Then the vivid blue pineapple swim trunks at native New Yorker Archer Adam’s menswear shop might appeal. Or for the friend who has everything (or lives in rainy London or Seattle) – what about a statement “brolly”  with a “Damien” crystal skull or a silver-plated bulldog head?

Across the street Mouki Mou is an eclectic women’ clothing and home wares boutique. Definitely go downstairs where the shop meanders into several smaller side rooms, with brands stocked originating mostly from Japan (Fog Linen, 45 rpm, and Arts & Science) or the US (Dosa, founders of J Brand Krippen, and Coral & Tusk in Brooklyn.)

And for sustenance stop in at design consultant and publisher Tyler Brule’s Monocle Café, or go for a shot of something stronger at Cadenhead’s Whisky.

See the shopping article I wrote in Indagare in March 2014, mentioning Chiltern highlights.

March, 2014

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