Dear Askhat.com,
I want to check out London--any suggestions on where to go or not to go?
Yours,
Karen, San Francisco
Dear Karen,
Blimey! Now this is a bit of a wide open question on first glance, but I do know you are a writer, so I'll try and get some literary delights in, but frankly this is a perfect chance to list some of my favorite London things! In fact, I'll have to split this post otherwise I'll give away all my favorite places in one go. So I'll start with food/drink and entertainment - culture, shopping and oddities as well as places to avoid to will follow soon...
Food:
Canteen (any branch) http://www.canteen.co.uk/
I love this modern british all day restaurant. Friendly staff, lovely designed spaces and the simple but wide ranging choices make this a winner for me. Pop in for a bacon sarnie in the morning, or a pie of the day at lunchtime or a toasted muffin and pot of tea tea for teatime!
Morgan M: http://www.morganm.com/
This is my very, very favorite and extremely special restaurant. The chef used to work at Admiralty at Somerset House, which I have a soft spot for on account of it being where I met the husband, on an ice rink. Anyway we had such an extraordinary meal at Admiralty that when I heard the chef had moved, I stalked him. Obviously. So when he opened his own place, in Islington, we went there for the husband's birthday. It was fantastic - each course a delight, the matched wines just right and the ambience and service incredibly special. If you're in the mood for a wondrous splurge then this is the place.
Patisserie Valerie and Konditor and Cook :
http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk/
http://www.konditorandcook.com/
Pat Val is a Soho stalwart - windows of elegantly tiered cakes to ooh and ahh over and the home of many a gossip filled, calorie laden half hour. Pat Val wins on the proper French pastries and old fashioned waitresses. I personally prefer the cake from Konditor and Cook (it's the only place I've bought a cake for a family birthday if I didn't have time to make my own) but there aren't so many sit down versions of K and C...
Drinks and Dancing
Claridges Bar. (Bond St tube) http://www.claridges.co.uk/
Now this I love, partly because the staff are SO charming, and partly because the glorious art deco toilets are marvellous. I began a rather elegant hen night for a friend, at the bar here, and by the time we left the delightful bar man had given us all one of the Claridges velvety red roses and fended off the overexcited hotel guest who'd tried to give us his room number. The drinks are good too, but that's not the main reason for going there for me. Wear your best "oh this old thing" understanded glamour, grab a table and watch the eurotrash and mayfair locals while drinking a perfect champagne cocktail.
Also does a great afternoon tea
Gordon's wine bar (Charing Cross) http://www.gordonswinebar.com
Whatever your intentions are, I've never ever left here and not been roaring drunk. Great fun in summer and winter and unlike anywhere else.
"Ain't nothing but the blues" Kingly Street, W1B (nearest tube Oxford Circus)
Don't go here if you want to stay sober, avoid strangers or have an aversion to standing so close to strangers that you can smell the soap powder they use on their underwear. Do go here if you like live blues music, enjoy meeting new people and discovering the special time shift which a good night has - of turning 10 pm into 3 am in a mere nano second.
Rivoli Ballroom:
This is a place rather than a night and with it's red and gold decor, properly sprung dance floor and ladies powder rooms you'll feel like you're in a film. And the Rivoli has been on screen more often that most - music videos, films, photoshoots and tv series have all used the Rivoli's athmospheric glamour as a backdrop.Nights include swing dancing, salsa and all kinds of dressed up, super ott nights which are great for imagining yourself in a different era.
Classic Pub:
I like a pub with a fire. I like anywhere with a fire really but for a classic pub I think you need one. Also wood panelling and slightly ropy looking bar stools and an old man and a dog in a corner. Now most god pubs have become gastro pubs, which are nice, but not the same, so trying to give you a classic pub is hard. So here are two good options - and dear readers , do please add your own suggestions.
The Angel, Rotherhithe. http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=263
A pub with a view over the river thames, in a slightly unsalubrious part of London and a whole heap of history (the mayflower left from hereabouts) has got to be a london classic. Fire? Check. Wood Panelling? Check. Tiny rooms, tiny balcony over river and large beer garden on the riverside? Double checked...
The Coach and Horses, Greek St:
This is a true Soho pub - a mix of anyones, no-ones and well knowns all squashed in together to have a drink. The fun is in the crowd - don't expect bar snack, or great drinks but enjoy the people watching.
I know there are lots more that I'll remember as soon as I've posted, but hopefully these will do for now.
Yours in Londonness,
AskHat
