A while ago a friend had asked for a guide to London and obviously, the list was overpopulated with food-related entries. If you like stuffing your face just like me, find below a few of my favorite places to do just that.
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| So apparently The Wolseley has a strict no-photo policy. Oops. |
AA Gill wrote a lovely book on the history of this place and what goes on behind the scenes. Check out Breakfast at the Wolseley.
Sketch
Sketch is like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. But I'm a fan; it's uber hip, filled with beautiful people and amazing decor. The whole place has this cool, Damien Hirst vibe to it. Do not forget to check out Galliano's bathroom, fully decked out in swarovski crystals!
Sketch consists of a tea room, a gallery, a bar and a formal restaurant with 1 Michelin star that is the Lecture Room and Library. Personally, I believe the LRL isn't worth the hefty price tag. I bring friends visiting from abroad here for drinks or tea, solely based on its novelty value.
Sketch is like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. But I'm a fan; it's uber hip, filled with beautiful people and amazing decor. The whole place has this cool, Damien Hirst vibe to it. Do not forget to check out Galliano's bathroom, fully decked out in swarovski crystals!
Sketch consists of a tea room, a gallery, a bar and a formal restaurant with 1 Michelin star that is the Lecture Room and Library. Personally, I believe the LRL isn't worth the hefty price tag. I bring friends visiting from abroad here for drinks or tea, solely based on its novelty value.
A little bit of Paris in London. Come here for steak frites and their famous secret sauce. Divine!
Their Scotch eggs is my crack. Charming little deli, very very British.
I love their hearty salads and lemon tart for take aways since seating space is practically non-existent :(
Micky's Fish and Chips
A traditional fish and chips shop, minutes away from where I used to live. Was told that Heston Blumenthal's a regular customer, it's even been featured on his TV show, 'In Search of Perfection'.
St. John Bread and Wine
Micky's Fish and Chips
A traditional fish and chips shop, minutes away from where I used to live. Was told that Heston Blumenthal's a regular customer, it's even been featured on his TV show, 'In Search of Perfection'.
St. John Bread and Wine
Incredible English food, unusual cuts of meat and great bread.
Hmmm.. Bone Marrow.
Hmmm.. Bone Marrow.
Browse around the independent shops around Spitalfields Market/ Brick Lane pre or post meal.
Afternoon Tea:
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| Inside The Orangery on a cold, snowy day |
Skip the Ritz and come here instead for a truly English tea experience.
Situated inside the Kensington Palace grounds, you are surrounded by large green grass ala PGA tour.
Have your tea and scones with clotted cream and jam inside this grand establishment. The month-long queue and the strict dress code at the Ritz is ridiculous. Skip it!
Situated inside the Kensington Palace grounds, you are surrounded by large green grass ala PGA tour.
Have your tea and scones with clotted cream and jam inside this grand establishment. The month-long queue and the strict dress code at the Ritz is ridiculous. Skip it!
I'm completely obsessed with their macarons and their Jardin Bleu tea but to be honest, I loathe coming to their branch at Harrods due to the long queue.
Only come if you have a lot of patience and some time to kill.
Alternatively, visit the one at Burlington Arcade for some macarons and souvenirs to go.
Only come if you have a lot of patience and some time to kill.
Alternatively, visit the one at Burlington Arcade for some macarons and souvenirs to go.
Why choose between haute couture or haute cuisine when you can have both! Well, kind of. Handbag-shaped petit gateaus, Louboutin cookies and other fashion inspired delicacies.
Markets and Specialty Food Shops:
La Fromagerie
Love this cheese place. If you have some time, sit down at their cafe; I highly recommend their goose rillettes.
Alternatively, Regent's Park is only a few blocks away; grab some cheese, bread and a little something from Ginger Pig right next door and voila - a picnic!
Alternatively, Regent's Park is only a few blocks away; grab some cheese, bread and a little something from Ginger Pig right next door and voila - a picnic!
Also nearby but not food related, Comptoir des Cotonniers for understated, casual French clothing and Matches for everything from Acne Jeans to Yves Saint Laurent. You're welcome!
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| You could fondle mini pumpkins just like me! |
I would typically arrive at about 8am on a Saturday, have some light bites while browsing around. It's hard not to get inspired just by seeing the array of quality produce. The market gets crowded at around noon, so come early if you wanna get the first pick!
In the many years that I lived in London, I had never actually been to Vinopolis. It's a stone's throw away from the market and as the name suggests, is a place dedicated to wine lovers.
Michelin Dining:
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester (***)
It's Alain Ducasse... Need I say more? Never disappoints and worth every penny. Exceptional food, service and atmosphere.
I'm a sucker for sparkly things and their table lumière always gets me distracted.
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| This low quality picture does not do the dish justice. Just saying. |
I love the ground floor, which is dedicated for casual dining. I lie in bed some nights thinking of their veal sweetbreads...
Le Gavroche (**)
Ordering their soufflé suissesse is a must!
Perfectly executed classics and impeccable service.
Chef Michel Roux is my personal rockstar.
Perfectly executed classics and impeccable service.
Chef Michel Roux is my personal rockstar.
Other Food Related Stuffs:
Yes you can buy your cookbooks at Borders but Books for Cooks is just an absolute food porno mecca. They test out recipes from the books they sell and you can enjoy them at their little cafe on the back. The people here are super friendly and knowledgeable, double thumbs up! While you're there, don't forget to stop by the famous Hummingbird Bakery for a red velvet cupcake or walk down to Electric Cinema and enjoy a movie in the oldest working cinema in the UK.
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| The ever so glam sidekick had to don a plastic apron that afternoon. |
I've been here once with my sidekick and we had a very fun afternoon making what else, macarons!
I hope this list could be of use to some people.
Londoners, I would love to hear your own personal guide to eating in the city.
Have I missed out anything? What else would you add to this list?
10 comments:
Love your blog!!
Keep up the great work! ^^
I'm looking forward for your next one =)
Oh wow, thank you so much for taking the time to comment!
I was just wondering whether anyone actually reads this blog or am I just ranting to myself haha thank you x
I read it and it's pretty good, Fifi!
I was massively disappointed at L'atelier de Joel Robuchon NYC about 3 years ago. I need to go visit another branch so I can understand why so many people rave about his food... (Perhaps it might be a better idea to go with peeps who are willing to order degustation and not scrimp over prices!)
Also, if you're still hanging around SG, the concept of Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecote has popped up in Duxton Hill! It's just titled L'Entrecote, though, and is experiencing a few teething problems, but the steak is splendid. Not having tasted the original one in Paris, though, I have to ask - is the secret sauce supposed to remind me of Indonesian green curry?!?!
love it.
now i'm reminiscing the good old le cordon bleu time :)
BK - The secret sauce is somewhat greenish, yes. I've been meaning to try that place, will let you know how that goes. And as for the bad experience at L'atelier NYC, well... once you've tasted Per Se, nothing else quite compares :D
Jose - Look who's decided to come out from Nobu's dark dingy kitchen and say hi!
Jen - That picture of my eggs benedict was taken on your birthday breakfast shindig!
nice blog! i was about to do the same on my own blog! we can share ideas! the problem is i have a list of 350 restaurant o/w 60 i need to comment on!!
Hey, how are you? Most definitely! This is only the tip of the iceberg, just a concise guide for the first-timers in London.
i used to live around the corner from ottolenghi on upper street... i used to love that place for a weekend lunch :)
Love reading your blog Fiona!
You should try to keep on writing!
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