London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Love the 50ies? Elvis fan? Have a walnut-maple sirup or peanut butter-chocolate milkshake at the Milky Way (28 Camden Passage, Islington, N1 8ED London). This tiny ice-cream parlour lives in a different era, from music to decoration (looks right out of a magazine!) via the King’s memorabilia. The counter is loaded with cupcakes, British and American sweets. Share the moment with kids or friends. Sadly, pictures are not allowed. For more ideas for your week-end in London, scroll down.

That’s art, baby!
* The open air theatre in Regent’s Park is reopening so book your tickets!
* See quite a large collection of Picasso’s etchings at the British Museum.
* Beautiful, beautiful London illustrations here.
* Leonardo da Vinci gets a royal touch at Buckingham Palace.

Yumme time ahead:
* Make a detour via London Fields for the summer pop-up, from this week-end on. Fab barbecue, salads with fresh products from the market, DJ.

The fashion touch:
* Have a look at Marc  Jacob’s pop-up at Selfridges: 15 versions of the cute mouse ballerina shoes are on show.
* Add a touch of red to your day with the Louboutin exhibition at the Design Museum.
* Fall for the collaboration between Dr Martens and Liberty.
* Shop in red, blue and white at Selfridge’s Big British shop.

Take the little ones along:
* Sing Oliver Twist.
* Sunday, Shrek the musical is one. Meet the cast, visit the theater, join the craft workshops…

Out of the ordinary:
* On Thursday, play bingo while listening to Indie music.
* Go to Little Venice and see the canal boats festival. It’s free and there will be Morris dancers too.
* Every Friday, the rolling bridge unfolds at Paddington. Worth seeing!
* On Sunday, celebrate free comic book day at Gosh in Soho.
* Or see the crowning of the Pearly king of London. Quite something.
* Sunday still, make a detour vis Trafalgar Square to enjoy the Sikh New Year. Colour, music, dances guaranteed.

Spending a night in London is always a treat. But staying at the Cavendish in Jermyn street -  the gentlemen’s street – right behind Fortnum and Mason is, mmmh, royal. What a luxury to just cross the street to fill up on the most fantastic teas, sweets, elegant biscuit boxes and the most amazing collection of marmalades you have ever seen. You could then have a macaron at Laduree in the Burlington Arcade and its gorgeous boutiques. And you still would be 2 minutes from the hotel. Priceless. You are at the heart of the capital. Piccadilly and Regent street are 5mn away, Hyde Park 15mn walk. Less time in traffic, more time for you to enjoy the city.

The hotel offers many lounges to have a chat, an afternoon tea, a cocktail or just relax. There also is an amazing art collection, including some pieces of Diego Riviera’s paintings, a piano, rich flower arrangements.

And, in the cocoon atmosphere of the room, you will suddenly feel like kicking off your heels, make yourself a coffee form the Nespresso machine, pile the mountain of cushions high and leaf through the magazines on the side. Heaven. Or maybe run a bath, try the selection of fragrant Taylor of Bond Street products and wrap yourself in the fluffy towels warm from the electric holder. All this in lovely toffee colours, wooden notes, pure lines and large windows pouring natural light in.

Get up and you will realise there is no need for this huge plasma screen. From the fourth floor, London seems all yours -  you can see so much of it! BT Tower, the City, the London Eye, Westminster… An extraordinary postcard. Even on a greyish day, the contrast of the clouds with the bronze roofs is just fascinating. A very privileged view indeed.

Just imagine breakfast in your room, still in your robe, steaming cup of tea in hand. Eggs with an hollandaise sauce or English breakfast, fresh fruit juice, croissants, a card with the quote of the day, the morning papers. What a dream, right?

Verdict: Fabulous. Very friendly and helpful staff, elegant rooms, extra-comfortable bed and the best location you can dream of. One of those hotels you can go to with your eyes closed, knowing everything will be perfect… Take the time to try their restaurant, the Petrichor, who prepare British seasonal product deliciously.

The Cavendish London
81 Jermyn Street
London SW1 6JF

Pssst!

Love vintage style? You will fall for Abilu Creations. The designer, Abigail Lucy Bruford, collects the most amazing charms and makes them come alive under her skilled fingers. All jewels are hand-made, a richness of small details that will hypnotise you for hours. Impossible not to play with those and you will be asked a hundred times a day about them by complete strangers. A little nostalgic, very poetic and a touch of rock’n'roll too!

Abilu Creations

When in search for the perfect restaurant, hotels rarely spring to mind. And yet, they offer a much quieter and enjoyable atmosphere than the Soho or Covent Garden ones where they will be so much buzz and coming and going it is hardly comfortable. My latest discovery is the Petrichor on the first floor of The Cavendish. You are in the most famous gentlemen street after Saville Row – Jermyn Street – and the windows overlook Fortnum and Mason. Decoration is in sober and cheerful reds and gold, a few lines here, tables with a mirror effect, flowers here and there, cushions on the banquettes. Even on a busy night with soft music in the background, there was no need to raise my voice to be heard. After a day rushing all over town, this is so soothing indeed. I arrived at dusk, when candles get lit, bringing a lovely romantic atmosphere.

My waitress proved adorable -  butterflying form one table to another, checking on everyone, explaining the focus on British products, the ingredients of a sauce, sharing a few words on London, making the experience friendly and personal rather than just a service. Seeing that I was still absorbed in the menu, she gently placed a selection of bread on the table: very meridional, one with black olives, another enhanced with dried tomatoes, both gorgeous with the creamy butter.

The week-end was starting and this just called for celebration -  a glass of Cuatra Rayas Verdejo “Vinedos Centenarios” was in order. Rich but crispy, a touch of lime and green apple on the tip of the tongue, a longer grassy note, a little bit of fennel on the finish. Gorgeous wine for an apéritif but also for salads and fish dishes. This on oysters must simply be glorious. Bonus points for adding organic, fairtrade, bio-dynamic choices on the list, as well as three British selections (yes! British wine, too long ignored has improved so much in the last few years it is coming back on the map) from Chapel Down.

Another pleasant touch -  mineral water is from Blenheim Palace rather than the French or Italian usual choices. It proves as refreshing, slightly sweeter and adds a royal touch to the experience. The story says that Henry II pleased his mistress by adding a pleasure pool, fed by an ancient spring which never went dry…

The starter was an ode to spring: perfect asparagus (a must in this season), slightly crunchy still. Cured ham, very fragrant, almost floral, so very tender, the kind you want to fold in a flower shape and take to picnics with you, perfect with the peppery rocket salad. On the side,  a port wine reduction, beautiful fruity and complex notes. And a wonderful discovery – raise your hand if you already knew this – Cornish Yarg cheese. This creation by Lynher Dairies is wrapped in nettle leaves when ageing, adding a very unique and delicate flavour, soft and hard at the same time. Another version exists, wrapped in wild garlic leaves. Have a look at their website, as beautiful as their cheese is good. Convinced, intrigued? You can order it online or simply stop at Paxton and Whitfield, in the same street, to buy some.Mains offer Welsh lamb, organic chicken from Devon, Irish beef fillet… and trout from Wiltshire which won my heart straight away. The flesh is so less oily than salmon and so more refined too. Cooked with its skin, each forkful was deliciously crunchy on top. The fish was served on a bed of Anna potatoes (thin creamy and melt-in-the mouth slices) with a bunch of samphire (splendid with the trout), glazed carrots and a beautiful herb sauce. Divine.

In the list of desserts, one particularly caught my eye – the chocolate and elderflower mousse. Now, these two flavours, separate, I can picture. I have seen chocolate with basil, ginger, lavender, jasmine, rose, wasabi even but this is very unusual. Curiosity wins. The ganache is particularly unctuous, rich, velvety, wraps the inside of the cheeks. This is topped by an elderflower jelly, thus giving two textures. Very surprising, they match perfectly yet remain very distinct on the tongue. And so you study the alliance, spoonful after spoonful and realise you have finished the plate. remains the buttery shortbread (just like I like them, pure indulgence) topped with popping candy: a fireworks finish.


With this, try the Rioja Crianza, Castillo di Clavijo which alternates juicy cherries and cacao notes. Rich in tannin, give it a few minutes to breathe and open up. A ruby coloured jewel wine. Very glamorous on the lips too.

Verdict? One of those London hidden gems that needs to be shouted about. Ideal to catch up with friends, romantic dinners, bring parents-in-law (I defy them to find anything to criticize). The menu adapts easily to all gourmets: creativity, top-quality products with a few surprises, classics mastered to perfection. A great address to discover British flavours in refined environment. I am very curious to see their menu evolving with the seasons.

Petrichor
The Cavendish
81 Jermyn Street
London SW1 6JF

Pssst!
20% off total Petrichor bill when ordering from a la carte when booking through Facebook.

Pond’s is a cherished name, one of those brands you have always seen your mother and grandmother using and have adopted as well. Did you know it has seduced entire generations of women since 1846? Even Kylie Minogue is a fan of their cold cream and if you try it just once, so will you. Probably your make-up removal routine, like mine meant a first cleanser, possibly a toner then a night cream. Clean, tone, nourish – we know the motto by heart. But, this, my friends, is a like a miracle product. The texture feels a little mousse like, the fragrance a reminder of English roses. You just need to apply a little on your face – it seems to melt with the warmth of the skin and gives you this lovely “essential oils” feeling. primer, foundation, eyeshadows, waterproof mascara: it all gets it at once, leaving the skin richly hydrated and very supple. I have no need to apply any additional product anymore. Even my lips were nourished in the process, so much softer. I even use it on the neck and shoulders – this is that soothing.

The range is of course larger -  day creams, cleaning wipes… Another favourite is the eye contour, velvety, satin like, enriched in vitamins and elastin. A life-saver when your night has been way too short. By the time you have drunk your first coffee, the puffiness will have gone, the skin smoothed. Magic.

Ask around you : you will be amazed by the number of friends or colleagues being fans of the brand, having fond memories of the fragrance or anecdotes about  other women in their family using it. And who wouldn’t? It is such a comfort product and affordable too that it immediately becomes a beauty essential!

Hexen 2.0 is a fabulous collection of works by Susan Treister. I have just devoured the book but those also are on show at the Science Museum until April 30 and at the Work Gallery until May 12. And believe me -they really are worth seeing those life-size.

Through tarot cards, we discover the story of technologies through military programs, American news, the evolution of web 2.0, the search engines, mass manipulation through modern medias…  Whether or not you know the references used, you will fin this utterly hypnotising. So very up to date, such a level of detail -  you want to google madly to know more about each page. The interpretation is all yours: are we doomed? Being played? Or are the card actually in our hands?

A new generation kind of art which can be summed up with one of the artist’s slides: WW1. WW2. WWW. See this. At the Science Museum or get the book or both.

Suzanne Treister
Hexen 2.0 at the Science Museum until April 30, 2012. Free.
Suzanne Treister: HEXEN 2.0/Literature, until May 11, 2012 at the Work Gallery, free

Suzanne Treister: HEXEN2.0/Literature

Delicious by DS5. A must see/taste pop-up. From May 16 to May 20, Citroën and Chef Tim Anderson (BBC Masterchef winner in 2011) team up for a delicious multi-sensorial experience. On the menu? 5 extraordinary dishes, each dedicated to one of our 5 senses. All this for £5 per person, the money going to the Fareshare charity. Wow. Trendy, top quality food and so much more fun than a restaurant.

Follow me. I joined one of the previews last week, presented by Tim Anderson. We discovered the recipes between two creations… and now are incredibly curious about the three remaining ones!

The first one is all about sight -  making it a visually striking dish. On the side, the beef was cooked sous vide, then rubbed in belachan – a concentrated shrimp paste – then seared. In a  separate pan, blanched romanesco is mixed with a delicious cashew butter while a Thermomix blends the most umptuous mash, made with blue cheese and shiitake mushrooms. The last touch? A sauce using stock, a rich Merlot, fragrant coffee and plum juice. Amazing. Tender. Unusual flavours. Velvety on the palate. The best compliment probably was the silence around the table, noone wanted to waste on words, way too delicious.

Time for dessert. A masterpiece. First, create a ganache infused with spices – star anise, drum tobacco,, liquorice, cinnamon, black pepper. In an iced glass were placed pealed grapes then the cream. Add a square of grape jelly, a spoonfull of tobacco and syrah mousse and syphon a touch of port and rosewater foam. Then , the genius touch: a smoke gun to infuse this with a lapsang-like flavour. Served in sealed pots, it is like having a little cloud of your own… Very intriguing as tastes are enhanced and totally transformed, making you want ot smoke everything in your kitche, just because you can.

Lunch concluded on a bunch of roses. Smoking too, thanks to dry ice and Syrah fragrances. Floral and poetic -  can you imagine this in an evening atmosphere?

We could not resist testing the new Citroën, the DS5. Officially to go on a scavenger hunt and pick up essential ingredients for the recipe, of course. Very futuristic, smooth driving, an amazing collection of options (leather seats, first class sat-nav, heated leather seats, even a massage program for the driver… Oh and even a SOS button. We ALL wanted to press it, so very James Bon like!) *envy sigh*

Seduced? Mouth watering? Fancy a fabulous meal for the best price ever while helping a good cause? You have only seen two of the dishes -  another three remain to discover:
* Touch – playing with textures with a lacquered duck skin, thin like glass, crunchy in the mouth, rich in butter. Velvet too with duck pâté in a dark chocolate shell. And duck jerky reminding of jasmine and souchong.
* Sight – 5 varieties of beetroot, including my favourite, the golden one for a most striking plate. In the beetroot, a heart of goat’s cheese and wasabi.
* Sound – this one will get you hooked. A bacon lollipop in bacon candy and Szechuan pepper. Caramelised, spiced and so, so much fun!

500 tickets will be available: just enter your details on the Citroën Facebook pace. The lucky winners will receive a confirmation email between May the 07th and May 09th.

It is bluebells time, blue waves swimming under the trees, magical sights indeed. For London, go to the Osterley house and enjoy the most poetic walk. Looking for more ideas for the week-end? Scroll down!

That’s art baby:
* Visit a unique architect house. Thursday night, the National Trust offers a late opening there.

* The Cutty Sark reopens to the public -  a good excuse to have a stroll in Greenwich!

* Have you been looking for the 7 noses of Soho but never found them all? (Maddening, I know). Well, this walk will take you around them all.

Yummy-time:
* Hoorray – a fabulous bake off hits Brixton market on Saturday.

* Have your dose of espresso at the Coffee festival.

* Love Meatliquor? So do we. We’re dying to try Fattburger too – has anyone been?

* For a magical night of whisky, chocolate, pop-up dining and theatrical experience, click here.

Out of the ordinary:
* Pssst! On Thursday evening, it is shopping night at Seven Dials. Get 20% off here.

* You could also try a very zen flashmob at The Scoop.

* On Saturday, take your bike and enjoy the roads closed to cars. Why so? To push the mayors-to-be to take the two-wheels more in account.

* Discover the stories behind the neighbourhood names of London.

A few minutes walk from Richmond Park is The Victoria, the most delicious place created by restaurateur Greg Bellamy and chef Paul Merrett. The perfect escape on a sunny week-end. This address has seduced many palates and guess what? It was awarded best Greater London region gastropub in 2011. Now why would you miss tasting this?

After a long walk, cheeks all pinked by the fresh spring air, d. Between town and countryside, you will immediately be seduced by the wooden counter, the dark wood, the brick walls, the homey feeling. Tables for two, other nestled along the windows, bigger one to welcome friends, a leather sofa near the fire, a collection of Penguin books, a selection of 25 wines by the glass. Ideal, right?

On summer days, step out to the terrace to bask in the sun or shade under the huge parasols. At the back is a play area that parents will love – kids having fun in a secure place, a children menu, smoothies and a little bit of peace for you.

If you are after a romantic dinner, choose the conservatory instead. Charming indeed, beautiful patterned wallpaper, a gorgeous light, especially as dusk falls and the first stars start to shine. Candles will be lit up and it will feel like you have a little world of your own.

The Victoria believes, together with skilled cuisine, in the quality of  their ingredient. A page of the menu explains in detail the origin of meat, fish, eggs… but also includes anecdotes, the love for British product. They even use a forager. Recycling is a must too, even cooking oil will help to make bio-fuel.

A look at the starters list and I am very intrigued. If I have already tried Jersey rock oysters, they were always raw, with maybe a drop of tabasco sauce. But those -  and aren’t they pretty too? – have been opened then cooked straight away in the lightest batter you can imagine, encapsulating the sea flavours. amazing. The texture reminds of mussels, more refined, more melt in the mouth. Beautiful presentation in the oyster shell on mushed-spring-peas. There is, in fact, no need for the tartar sauce, each bite is close to perfection. The magic of this restaurant is also the friendly feeling and the possibility to get chatting with complete strangers. And so I couldn’t resist sharing one of those with the next table, one of the guest having been a chef. We dreamt together, him picturing it with a little touch of lime, me nodding and imagining it.

In wines, I am very unfaithful. Malbecs and Malboroughs will always steal my heart, but I like to match wines to my mood as well as the dishes. Tonight called for a cheerful Viognier, a Jean d’Alibert sept saisons. Its peach, pear, apricot notes wrap the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, bring a tonic side to the meal. Crisp and refreshing, it is a lovely choice from aperitif to dessert.

After an extraordinary starter, I prefer a more classical main. And for a froggie, meat is sacred, the cooking must be just perfect, the ultimate test. The Victoria meets the challenge and wins it easily. Such fantastic quality, still a little fat on top, adding to the tenderness, pink a heart, juicy. The green beans have been wrapped in bacon, infused by it. On the slice a spoonful of root vegetable purée and fondant potatoes, crunchy on the outside. So, so comforting. The perfect balance.

Dessert was -  how could I say? Exceptional. A blood orange salad in orange juices, caramel and campari, sprinkled with splendid pistachios. Refreshing, exhilarating. Wait – there is also marmalade, caramel and fresh mint, very unctuous ice cream. And doesn’t it look like a painting, beautiful colour, the red catching the golden of the candle flames? And in your mind, a single word prints in capital letters: WOW. You want this for breakfast, lunch, dinner. Every day. Possibly till the end of your life. Believe me: it is that good.

Fancy enjoying the experience fully, not having to rush back? Well The Victoria offers seven bedrooms too, with all the comfort of a hotel but in a more human size building. I just need to warn you. You will need to step by the kitchens and it is impossible not to stop and get a glimpse. Which means you will stop in your tracks. And no matter how festive your dinner was, appetite will come back.

On this side of the gastropub, the atmosphere is softer, almost zen. Difficult to think that a minute from there, there are laughs and glasses clinking. Decoration is modern but warm, the rooms surprisingly spacious. More than an imposing cupboard, a shelf hides a number of hangers, completed with a separate mirror. Are you here on business? There is a desk, free wifi, everything you need for coffee and tea. The bathroom is small but very well thought, no need for more. We loved the bath products by Percksniff’s, which essential oils just enhance your mood, relaxing you instantly. Happy smells of rosewood and angelica and guarantees you sweet, sweet dreams.

There is something fantastic in waking up so close to Richmond Park. Gives you a fantastic feeling of freedom. Is  it the fresh air? The village touch of the neighbourhood? The promise of green spaces? You are smiling, feeling refreshed. Breakfast is ready in the conservatory. Choose a seat in the sun, get a bowl of cinnamon fruit salad, open the morning papers. Heaven. The orange juice has been freshly pressed, time is on your side, coffee us steaming in your cup. Luxury? Order a croque-monsieur or a croque-madame: “real” bread, loaded with cheese and cream, incredibly rich, the ham excellent. As fantastic as any English breakfast!

Verdict? Ideal for a romantic week-end. The area, the park nearby, the top-class dinner… All that within train reach, no need to travel for hours, no traffic. Oh, if you could make this your home from home for good!

The Victoria
10 West Temple Sheen
London SW14 7RT

Pssst: On April 25th, a very unusual event is taking place at The Victoria in Sheen. ‘Farm to Fork’  is a commonly known expression – but this event really aims to do just that in one place, in one evening. It will feature an enterprising pig farmer from Suffolk with his Dingley Dell Pork, a ‘brace’ of butchers who will show just how to make the most of the amazing range of cuts the wonderful pig offers. And, no less than five top chefs slaving away in the kitchen to produce a pork extravaganza:

* Paul Merrett (of The VIctoria, London)
* Mark Poynton (of Alimentum, Cambridge)
* Paul Foster (of Tuddenham Mill, Newmarket, Suffolk)
* Ross Pike and Madalene Bonvini-Hamil (of The British Larder, Suffolk)
* William Curley (yes the amazing patissier and chocolatier)

All supported by the RSPCA’s farm animal welfare scheme – Freedom Food. Trotters down at 6.30pm. For more info, click here.

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There are many ways to fight cancer. Being brave, going through it. Holding someone’s hand. Saying a few but loving words. Just being there.  Sometimes the fight is not yours. It is a friend’s friend, someone you have heard of, never met. And still it touches you, through them. You may not know what to do, how to help, play a part, any part. Well, you can race for life and support Cancer Research UK. You do not need to be good at sport: you could choose to do a long walk or a marathon. Any fundraising will help, who knows, this extra penny could very well make a difference.

Many of my friends love to jog and see this as the perfect way to keep their fitness level while raising some money for a good cause. Start as little as you wish, then build it up. As a sponsor of Race for Life, AXA PPP will offer entrants the chance to add to their sponsorship by up to £200 in weekly prize draws. How does this work? If you are supporter or a runner, you just need to raise £50 in sponsorship and hold a Just Giving page. This is all you need: a last click and you can enter the weekly prize draw. Every Friday until the 3rd August 2012, the company will top up one lucky entrant’s sponsorship fund by £100 for an individual runner or  £200 for an AXA PPP healthcare member (either your own or as part of a corporate scheme).

Whether this is your first attempt and wonder where to start or are already an experienced runner but would like improve your routine training, AXA PPP healthcare proposes a dedicated running live chat on the 26th of April. Health experts will be online to answer your whole range of questions (level, diet, nutrition, injuries -  anything you might think of)  and it is a great occasion to share your experience with others. Here are the details:
• 10am – 12 noon - AXA ICAS, sports and exercise science expert John Crudington, who has previously worked as a personal trainer, fitness tutor and physiologist.
• 2pm – 4pm - Personal trainer Lucy Wydham-Read, who has spent the last ten years helping people improve their fitness – even the odd celebrity, and at one point an entire football team!
• 5pm – 7pm - Nutritionist, Dr Sarah Schenker, who is regularly quoted in the national press and is one of the most influential nutritionists in the UK.

To join the chat on April 26, just click here.

If you cannot join on the day, don’t worry: the ‘be healthy’ section of the website also offers a treasure of tips, from healthy recipes to training tips to help runners prepare.

Want more information? Follow AXA PPP Facebook page and AXA PPP Twitter.

AXA PPP can help those affected by cancer in other ways too – with practical, supportive help and advice on the recently launched specialist online Cancer Centre.