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

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Dedicated urbanites can still smell the roses amidst the diesel. Below are a few of my London summer-time picks. Kensington Gardens and the Serpentine Pavilion are easy green options.

Shoppers can catch some rays at Q, Selfridge’s pop-up terrace restaurant.

For something a bit buzzier visit Granary Square at King’s Cross where daily street vendors sell everything from Mexican tacos to Mumbai meatballs to Falafel wraps. It’s the edible U.N. here, otherwise known as Kerb street food collective.

You can watch the boats pass by.

Or follow the tennis.

And for a special garden treat outside central London –  Petersham Nurseries near Richmond Park is unbeatable. Its bohemian glasshouse restaurant (dirt floors, sublime food, cool staff) and the chic garden shop make the journey well worth it.

Fragrance maker Jo Malone believes in the power of gardens to provide solace and lift the spirit. Jo Malone Urban Community Garden Project  supports gardens in deprived areas in Edinburgh, Liverpool and Bristol. Buy a Silk Blossom Home Candle in the UK to help this cause, and bring a little piece of garden home.

July, 2014

* Petersham Nursery photo courtesy of Keiko Oikawa

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They  alternate daily which keeps things interesting and judging by the busy queues are very popular with locals. “Good & Proper” sells custom brewed tea and crumpets. The tea is brewed for the right time and temperature from a charming 1974 Citroen van. No scalding builder’s tea here.  Moto Yogo scoops up organic frozen yogurt, while Mama Wang’s serves up a fresh, healthy take on regional Chinese dishes. The Grilling Greek and Miss P’s (southern-style) Barbecue were feeding the masses. Sadly, I missed Meringue Girls and Mussel Men. I’ll be back.

November, 2013

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