London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Ah, Paris. Two magic syllables. Sit at the terrace of a café, order a grand crème, a croissant, a stereotype maybe, but life is made cheerful by enjoying such simple pleasures. Follow me – here are some detours in the city to inspire you…

* At Gals rock (17 rue Henry Monnier, 75009 Paris), step into the back room and sit for a while in the sofa. You will fall in love with the music being played, again and again. There is a flask of tea, the deco is vintage inspired and you will find many treasure here.

* Look for deco ideas in the famous concept store Merci (111, boulevard Beaumarchais – 75003 Paris) – so much more there than just a shopping expedition, such as how to turn any crack in the floor or wall into a clooming poem.

* While you are at Merci, have breakfast at the Used Books Café, leafing through romance or devouring whole chapters of adventure  stories. Do come early to avoid having to wait -  they open at 10.00 and are closed on Sundays.

* How could you resist Judith Lacroix (3 rue Henry Monnier 75009 Paris) kids collection? Clever work on geometry and assymetry in pop colours.

*  Nearby, the gorgeous Rocket Ship (13 bis rue Henry Monnier, 75009 Paris) will make you nostalgic of the 70ies. You will want to buy everything. Or you could just sit at their counter and order one of their fab chai lattes.

* There is more to Paris museums than the Louvre – the city has many adorable cultural centers and a lot less expensive too. You may not know Gustave Moreau but do go and visit his house/workshop (14, rue de La Rochefoucauld  75009 Paris). Some of the rooms are still as he used to know them, filled with his ecclectic and fascinating collections. Others are filled with his paintings from floor to ceiling – so much to take in you will sit down and admire endlessly. Oh, and don’t miss the fabulous spiral staircase, worth coming for on its own. Entrance fee is only 5€.

* As always, keep an eye out for street art. We loved the stencils by The Dude Company.

* Buy tea and coffee from Daval (12 rue Daval, 75011 Paris), the tiniest shop you could imagine in an artist’s courtyard right at Bastille. Very old France. Shelves threaten to curve under the weight of huge tea tin boxes with charming names (chimney fire, Valentine’s day, angel, everglad…), the coffee bags perfume the air, you cna glimpse cooking recipes cut out from magazines, local stop by, have a chat and leave their second hand books to be sold for a couple euros. A very simple place, one that makes you feel all warm inside.

* Take your fiancé to Alain, one of the very rare barbers in Paris – the French experience will leave his skin so soft he will be the one wanting to go back.

* No space left in your suitcase for souvenirs? Indulge in the sweetest gift to yourself at chez Bogato, a boutique-pastryshop all in candy like colours.

* The French love a cartoon called Shadoks, based on the absurdities of life. The creator Jacques Rouxel, used to live a few minutes walk from Bastille. The courtyard (71 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011 Paris) is now dedicted to him. So very cute in summer with lots of flowers around, a pleasant detour – one you will not find in your guidebook.

* Fancy a real espresso? Try a syphon one at Café Coutume (47 Rue de Babylone 75007 Paris). Splendid to observe, really. The staff speaks English and can advise the perfect roast depending on whether you like it spiced, strong, fruity, cocoa tinted… Their brunch is lovely too with yummy potatoes and sweet chilli sauce. And they serve amazing treats from the Pâtisserie des Rêves.

* And if you are a movie fan and speak a little French, in the same street to this amzing cinema in a Chinese Pagode (57, rue de Babylone, 75007 Paris). It does need renovation but it is worth having a look!

More ideas this way:
* Parisian delights 1
* Parisian delights 2
* Parisian delights 3

Sweet dreams are guaranteed at One Aldwych. A gourmet breakfast too!

As for dinner, children have their own menu to choose from with more adapted portions – scrambled egges with ham & cheese (whether mixed or on the side), eggs and soldiers, English muffins with bacon, warm vanilla scented milk, gorgeous Valrhona hot chocolate… You will not hear a word form them, they will be too immersed in their own private feast.

Steaming cup of coffee in hand, newspaper in the other, you can take your time to wake up -  no rush here. The windows frame amazing bouquets – delicate sunny orchids on that day. Choose from on of the set menus (English Breakfast, healthy option…) or like me, select everything à la carte. The muesli is absolutely perfect – moist, generous in a wide variety of nuts, seeds, fresh fruit. Order two at once. No you will not want to share. The eggs royales are an absolute must-have – slightly toasted muffin, tasty smoked salmon, eggs with a golden yolk, a slightly lemony sauce, very unctuous – I still dream about it. It is all in the elegance, the presentation, down to the honey comb touch…

I can easily picture inviting a work team here, having a good brainstorming: the atmosphere is so quiet, soothing, the food inspiring. Feel like coming with friends? Indigo proposes at week-ends, from nooon, a sensasional brunch. Or you could enjoy one of thei Moet movies – recent films projected in their own private, cosy cinema. the price also includes dinner, a glass of champagne and popcorn, quite a celebration indeed. And a good excuse to come back…

One Aldwych
London
WC2B 4BZ

Teatime in Wonderland was a (very spoilt) guest of One Aldwych

Scrambled eggs, pancakes, brioches, all kind of French cakes, fruit salad , everything you can dream of. Of course, there also is a nice collection of jams, honey, lemon curd. Everyone is free to experiment, mix or layer as they wish.

Last Sunday, I added these new chocolate spreads by Sainsbury’s whcih quickly became the central talk:

This was quite a benchtasting. Each guest had its own technique: some divided their slice of bread scientifically, others just liked spoons, others yet made triangular little sandwiches and added layers to see what the taste alliances would be like.

The kids’ absolute favourite (and mine) was the popping candy. To be fair, I am not sure chocolate mattered much in that one. It was all about the sensations, the firework on the tastebuds, the crackling noise. So much fun you take a little bit more, a little bit more and the jar is finished in no time. Use it as icing for mini-cupcakes.

Terry’s chocolate orange fans will fall for this one. Smooth texture and what a citrus aroma as soon as you open the jar! I really would love to see a tangerine version of it.

Coconut won every adult’s heart (and stomach). One of my best friends took the jar with her… but it never made it home, she finished it in the traffic jams. Not surprising – stronger in cacao, nice texture with real coconut pieces, this is like spreadable bounty. Try putting a spoonful in a mug of warm tea or freesze some to make mini ice-creams!

Peanut Butter lover? You have not been forgotten. If you like to do nutella-PB sandwiches, try this choc-chip version instead. We saw quite a few guys giving up on bread and just eating spoon after spoon of it.

Verdict? At £1.69 each chocolate spread and £1.59 the choc chip PB, why would you resist? This puts fun back into breakfast and actually makes you feel like sitting down rather than eating  piece of toast on the go. Hopefully some seasonal limited editions will follow.

I miss, from Paris, going for a brunch on week-ends. It made waking-up easy, breakfast was to be a feast, you would meet up with friends and chat forever. From one place to another, the menu would be different, exotic, poetic, home-made, so much to choose from. It gave Sundays a touch of holiday feeling.

I found a similar atmosphere at Dishoom who does open for breakfast too. The very first Bombay café in London looks like a Parisian brasserie tinted with bollywood touches. Colourful posters, fun recommendations (No running away, no bare feet…), welcoming niches downstairs – you smile as soon as you enter. Victim of its success, the address often is full in the evening so mornings are a great time to enjoy it with no buzzing conversations intefering with yours.

Forget English Breakfast! We love this Indian twist, much more fun to the palate. Bacon, yes, but served in the most tender naan with a touch of chilli jam (£3.50). Enjoy every bite of the aromatic omelette (£4.90), a bit spicy (but you can ask for a milder version) with its roasted, juicy vine tomatoes. Sweet tooth? Go for the roomali (£4.90) a thin bread with vanilla mascarpone and extra fresh fruit, mango, raspberries, blueberries… Very refreshing a great way to stock up on vitamins for the day. Add some chai, served in transparent glasses or go for the chocolate version of the drink, great on a rainy day.

You’ll also find their ssummer pop-up on Southbank as they are taking part in the festival of Britain. Walk through the corridor framed by blue ribbons finished with tiny bells and singing softly in the breeze. Nice recyling deco – a wall is entirely made of rolled-up newspapers, overturned barrels with bright colours serve as stools…. The Dishoom favourites are on the menu from sausage naans to daal via calamaris. Anf of course some nice cocktails, including a Bombay Pimm’s. Open till minight Sundays to Thursdays and 01.00am Fridays-Saturdays.

Dishoom
12 Upper St. Martin’s Lane
London WC2H 9FB
Breakfast served till 11.00 weekdays, 13.00 week-ends

Chowpatty Beach Bar
Queen Elisabeth Hall Terrace
Southbank Centre
London SE1 8XX
Until October 04, 2011

This week-end is all about hot chocolate and vintage shopping for me. What about you? Need a few ideas? How about those:

- Celebrate the week-end with a ti-punch kit…

- Have a girl’s night @ Bea’s – beauty and champagne!

- It’s the week-end. Linger over breakfast…

- Are you a Speedy Graphito and Anatassios fan? Have a look at their show at Opera Gallery…

- Do you have a minute?

- Create your own street art…

- Travel through time @ the Wallace Collection…

- Revamp your clothes collection with Tatty Devine…

- Sing The show must go on…

- Shop vintage, it’s trendy!

- Find a Masonic temple in a hotel…

- And Monday, hop, magic pancakes with Bompas & Parr!

Somedays,  I look sadly at my English Breakfast. My tastebuds  feel like something more festive.

Strolling through Islington,  Elk in the woods saved my morning (and waistline, it would have taken quite a long walk to get rid of the calories a croissant contains). Quirky decoration, a little crazy sometimes, a little hunt in the forest themed.

I grab the day’s newspaper, laugh with the waitress, order a pomegrenate juice with lime, chat with the near table of the ongoing festival…

… before gulfing down the duck egg with asparagus, sausage and toast dippers (£6). And who could resist the idea of pancakes with cinamon pears and goats milk yogurt (how different and so fitting), maple syrup on top? (£5.5)

To be enjoyed on a Saturday morning, before the crowds wake up. Once it gets buzzing, the place really loses its quiet charm.  Such a lovely walk around on that day with the antique market and stalls…

The Elk in the wood
39 Camden passage
Islington
London N1 8EA
Tube: angel