48 hours in London
The US has New York, Asia has Tokyo and Shanghai and the Europeans? Well, we have London, the epitome of urban energy. With a striving art scene, endless shopping opportunities and a fast paced culinary landscape, London is at the very pulse of time. Once every so often La Bonne Vivante returns to refuel on artsy trends, fashion and the latest culinary fad. While you don’t really travel to London for the weather it is particularly pleasant when the weather is in fact nice and warm and you can take a long stroll through Hyde Park or have a drink in the many restaurants and cafes around Covent Garden.We spent a weekend in London and can’t wait to bring you the very latest must do’ sand see’s.
Restaurants:
The Palomar – This a relatively new restaurant. It offers Israelian cuisine in the bustling neighborhood around Leicester Square and is therefore ideally located for a post-theatre dinner.The space is limited and most guests are placed at the kitchen bar where they can watch the chefs in action. Further in the back of the restaurant, there are a few tables. It is loud, it is convivial and trending. When it comes to the food now you either love it or you don’t. We have to go with the latter. The ingredients are interesting however the combination of all of them together is requires some getting used to to say the least. The Palomar caters small plate cuisine and prices are moderate. thepalomar.co.uk /34 Rupert St, London W1D 6DN, Grossbritannien, +44 20 7439 8777
The Chiltern Firehouse – As the name suggests a former fire station, this hotel which also hosts a restaurant has become the hottest place to be. Celebs and Politician and of course Kate Moss stream in and out and the restaurant has been highly acclaimed by foodies and bloggers. Why, you ask? Well, partly because of the huge hype around its self created cult but also because the interior and the terrace are simply lovely, warm and very inviting and the atmosphere is jovial. The service is friendly with a hint of sophistication. Naturally it is fairly difficult to score a table at short notice (although we were lucky) and it is advisable to book well in advance.
The menu consists of light, innovative dishes however the size of the dishes is very small and unless you are a Victoria Secret model on a diet you might want to order some snacks to start with. It is not cheap however considering that the place has reached its pinnacle of culinary fame we might go as far as calling it reasonable for London standards. Dinner tables are hotly sought after and are therefore double or even triple booked. The service is therefore very “efficient” and you might feel a little rushed through your dinner. http://www.chilternfirehouse.com/
The Delaunay- The Delaunay is a brainchild of Jeremy King and Chris Corbin owners of the Wolseley which has become an institution in London. The interior represents Old Europe of the 30s and emanates the cool elegance of a Viennese cafe . It caters predominantly Germanic, hearty, comfort food such as “Frankfurter” . We were particularly intrigued by the “Berner Würstel” which according to my Swiss Lunch Companion should have been called “Würstli” Oh well, details we say. What’s important is that it tastes well and it sure does. While it is an upmarket restaurant you can get away with a moderate bill – it really depends on what you order. The Delaunay serves brunch, lunch and dinner. It at short distance from Covent Garden and can therefore be combined with a shopping tour if you are heading here for lunch. A last advise to my dear Vegetarian readers; this place will make you cry. The central theme is the sausage in all its variations but none are made of Tofu. https://www.thedelaunay.com/
Shoppng: Shop till you drop and then some more…We simply can’t get enough of the endless shopping opportunities in London. La Bonne Vivante’s favorite high street brands include:
- LK Bennet – great for office attire and shoes. Their black pumps are comfortable and last for ever
- Ted Baker: Great for classic Etui Dresses with a twist
- Top Shop: Not much needs to be said here. A huge selection of affordable fashion. The largest Top Shop Store is close to Oxford Circus and even hosts their own vintage selection, a mani & padi salon and hair dresser.
See a show: There is always a huge variety of shows taking place in London and you’ll be spoilt for choice. We loved George Orwell’s 1984. Admittedly this is not your light hearted musical however we were impressed by the cast and creative stage design. If you want to see it, you better hurry as it closes on September 5th
Some art: Most tourists will visit the British Museum and Tate Modern. Tate Britain often gets overlooked although it is a worthwhille trip to Pimlico as it hosts the world’s largest collection of British art showcasing some fantastic works by Francis Bacon and David Hockney amongst others. The building itself is stunning and in the summer there is a garden bar where you can rest those tired legs on a blanket on the grass and indulge in a glass of something sparkling. www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain
Where to stay:
The Pelham offers comfortable rooms, a cute interior, super friendly staff and great concierge service. The location just steps from South Kensington Station is very convenient. http://www.pelhamhotel.co.uk/
