London: Tea Time in Wonderland

An Italian classic, revisited by this brand new restaurant.

Pretty wooden decoration, carefully decorated table with pure lines, classy touches, a very attentive team, adorable with kids, anxious to make sure you liked everything and get you anything you might need.

A mouthwatering menu with interesting association: chicken-caper-lemon… cougette-curry… pork-rosemary-parmesan… All very tender and fragrant. Each week welcomes a guest recipe. How cruel -  you definitely cannot order everything not can you really share: one the plate is in front of you, it seems all promises are suddenly broken! A solution is to go for the sliders served in yummy brioche bread as you can choose three different flavours. The sauce is generous too and bingo, the dishes are available to take away (we decided to upgrade our pack lunches for the following day).

You can also decide on your side dish – spaghettis, homemade mashed potatoes, risotto, delicious honey and thyme carrots. To be fair, you do not need them but it sounds (and is!) so good together. Same goes for the desert -  why would you resist the idea of a passionfruit pavlova – crunchy meringue, velvety whipped cream and tangy, exotic sauce?

All is is at such affordable prices too: £3.95 for 3 meatballs, £2.95 max the side order, £4.95 max the dessert.
Bonus points for having organic and biodynamic wines on the list too.

Meatballs
at The Quality Chop House
92-94 Farringdon Road
London, EC1R 3EA

Lego had the fun idea, for the London Design Festival, to build this greenhouse entirely with their transparent bricks… Even the ground is covered with some of the brand’s little cubes to create this illusion of earth. Only the plants are “real”.

It will still be in Covent Garden till tomorrow evening – this should give quite a few ideas to your little ones!

Lego Greenhouse
Covent Garden
Until Sept 25 2011, free

Part of the London Design Festival, the installation by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec at the V&A really is worth stopping by – this is the ideal way to see a museum a different way. Or angle. The room is sumptuous architecture wise -  very church like, long with high ceilings – yet the two Bretons brother succeeded to give it a touch of tenderness. On the ground is a matress like carpet, very comfy, elevated on the left and right, offering a palette of blues like pixelised sky. It looks incredibly inviting and visitors waste no time, quickly take their shoes on, first sit, then lay down whithin a couple of minutes. Kids happily race each other, roll around, jump, try all kind of pirouettes. A great way to absorb everything the room has to offer, noting details while dreaming away.

Well done to the creators -who have worked with Issey Miyake, Ligne Roset, Alessiand so many more. By making this space less sacred (the shhh, don’t make a sound instinct) they reminded us there are a thousand way to learn and they need not be boring.

Textile Field
V&A
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
Until Sept 25 2011, free

It may be part of the Merlin Group (think London Eye, Legoland…) but Warwick Castle remains one of the best conserved casled in England. look out for one of the 2 for 1 vouchers often available on the web and take the whole family there. There is something for everyone, really. It is a dream come true for children – let them put on their knight and princess disguise to make it even more magical. They will love the medieval scenes, the archers, the various demonstrations… Boys will remain fascinated by the giant catapult being set up. Toddlers will look, amazed, at the peacocks walking free in the park. Adults might prefer the beautiful views on the region or the walk around the mill. A great family day out.

Bonus points:
- .The parking is only a few mn walk from the entrance and cost £5 per day. buy your token on arrival than at the very end to avooir facing queues when the kids will be exhausted.

- Picnic tables are available whithin the park. Wander close to the Orangery, the trees are amazing around there.

Warwick Castle
Warwick
Warwickshire
England
CV34 4QU

I keep looking at my Filofax -  September? Summer has gone so fast.  Only one solution can balance this: shop. New work clothes, bags, accessorie, killer shoes. Autumn leaves will not slow me down. Alernatively, try those ideas to keep a sparkling mood!

* Make yourself all beautiful at this gorgeous vintage evening.

* Enjoy a crafty night market.

* Meat balls are the new trend and frankly, our mouth waters at the thought of those.

* Our youth video games music will be played by a classical orchestra on Southbank -  a great way to rediscover them.

* Start knitting and be part of a work of art at the Tate.

* Discover the smallest cathedral in London.

* Try those miniature games on Southbank for the biggest fun.

* Marvel at these childhood inspired posters at the London Transport Museum.

* Have mojitos and pizza aboard a double decker.

* Try urban gardening.

* Those nails of your could be masterpieces, you know.

* See London from above. Through fab drawing here. While sipping a cocktail here.

* We all have stoped at cafés just to use their free wifi. Well. now, we can go for a pint too.

* Mary Poppins might have been right about a spoonful of sugar but these days it is all about a spoonful of London honey…

Pssst:
* Be on the lookout -  Terry Pratchett will stop in London to talk about his new book in October. Tickets will be on sale soon.

* Harry Potter fans will want to book those tours organised by Warner too -  you will get closer to the sets.

* Is you company installing of those free hives? let us know! We’d love to write about it.

* Already dreaming of your next holidays? Have a look at www.AFerry.co.uk. This website is a fab way of finding the best ferry prices to France, Ireland and even Holland. Have a look here for ferries to France, my home country.

Canary Wharf is more than just a forest of imposing towers. This urban jungle is rich in green oasis, fountains, fantastic sculptures. Walk a little further and you will reach cute little houses and gardens, lilac trees growing happily, lavender blooming fragrantly under the sun. Quite a contrast!

Nestled right along the Thames with an amazing view on the O2 is A Grehla, which has now reopened for the summer. This pop-up belongs to the nearby pub, the Gun, a lovely address which has balanced traditional and contemporary notes and is quite loved by the locals. Most people walk or cycle here. Sitting on the terrace will of course be weather dependant but what a pleasure to be outside, feeling the breeze in your hair, listening to the soft sounds of the river and sipping on a glass of wine. Seagulls dance over the water at a distance, a few boats drive past, you cannot hear any siren or traffic noise – you can let go of the daily routines and worries here and just breathe.

Listen - exotic music is playing in the background giving a little salsa or rumba groove. The O2 may be right in front of you but it feels like you have left London far, far behind. It feels like you are on holiday.

The barbecue is already on and your mouth waters – it just smells so good. All fish come from the famous local Billingsgate market – 54 fishmongers offer the largest and freshest choice in the UK. Have a look at the board when coming in to see today’s specials…

The menu is inspired by the grilled specialties of the Algarve, a little escape to the South of Portugal. What will you have? Cataplana, a seafood stew cooked in a copper pot? Salted cod croquettes? Tender brochettes? Portuguese cheese? I decided on the gambas after spying them on a nearby table. Those are cooked in a gorgeous tomato and red pepper sauce with just a touch of parsley. Refined, fragrant without hiding the fish taste, perfect on  a sunny day, so tasty you would easily believe they have just been caught.

I followed with a perfectly grilled seabass. The meat had been slowcooked and could be separated with just a fork, it almost melted in my mouth. My one year old son, who had already had his lunch, ate a third of the plate! It makes you realise than when a product quality is excellent, it really does not need anything -  no seasoning, no lemon, it is just perfect on its own. Restaurants compete so much on creativity than you end up forgetting what real, simple tastes are.

It is also nice to have separate portions of new potatoes with a touch of garlic and salad with tomatoes, onions and herbs.Very refreshing and it also allows you to focus on each taste separately. Never understimate how happy simple dishes can make you! The whole lunch proved particularly soothing. Time just has no value here -  you could stay the whole afternoon.

For the sweet touch, stay on the Portuguese side and try a pasta de natel. This cake is made of a very buttery pastry filled with a beautiful, vanilla custard then sprinkled with cinnamon. Have it with an espresso – just divine.

Verdict? One of those heaven-like places that you will hesitate to share or keep a secret. Such an escape fom the normal London while still being only a 15mn walk from Canary Wharf station, therefore pretty easy to go to. If in doubt, ask for your way, all the locals seem to know it! Go there in the evening or for a week-end lunch with friends. With a glass of sangria, you will reinvent the world and… lick your fingers.

A Grelha
27 Coldharbour
Docklands
London E14 9NS

Well, this week-end, I will be sitting on a beach in the South of France with a glass of Sauternes in my hand. Heaven. If you are staying in London, here are a few ideas to make life sweeter, to tip your hat off, to travel in time… and many more!

* Dance in a very French atmosphere at the V&A.

* Have a look at a real space capsule.

* Try hoola-hooping again.

* Indulge in a Tolkien night.

* Rediscover the treasures of St Paul.

* Chiswick park turns symphonic.

* The best response to riots? A lot of love and a little art.

* London really is the home to strange but fun museums.

* Discover a secret garden in Spitafields.

* Beach souvenirs from London-on-sea.

* How would you recycle routemasters?

* Cycle through the city.

* Ping-pong and cocktails. Or vice-versa.

Psst: from August 24 to the 26th, Soho Square will be deliciously Swedish. Come and discover the sweetest pop-up, enjoy a cup of real coffee with one of the amazing traditional treats!

London is fascinated by empty, wasted spaces. Rooftops welcome cinemas, parkings become gardens or art spaces, deserted buildings wake up for a few days or weeks through a pop-up shop or restaurant…

A different kind of recycling, when you think of it. Crazy little ideas that bring an old room alive again.

The latest in town is an urban garden, inspired by medicinal plants. A really passionate team decided to create a bubble of quietness in the city. Don’t wait too long -  this is only for the summer!

Each part of the garden is themed by hopital ward and present herbs and flowers that can be used in treatments. If your phone can read QRs, just scan the codes to know more about them.

We loved the recycling ideas and twists on daily objects like saucepans for flower pots or turning a skip into a ping-pong table.

Always in the therapy-theme, pour the seeds of your choice in a transparent pill-capsule and plant it once home – the kids love it.

Feeling hungry? Stop at the mini-café, called Rambulance. You can even brunch there at the week-end. Long sharing table, free wifi. On chilly day, a camp fire is lit. Bring your marshamallows… The atmosphere is ever so friendly here and you will end up talking to strangers about gardening, homeopathy, organic products, cooking with herbs… Have a look on their program to know more about workshops.

Urban Physics Garden
100 Union Street
London
SE1 0NL
Until August 15, 2011 – Free
Come on the very last day to adopt the garden plants.

Streets around Spitafields prove fascinating. Adorable brick houses. Glossy doors and window panes. Homes sweet homes.
We know the neighbourhood rich historically. In its own way. Waves of immigrants, each culture adding its print. We know little else, really. Tourist come for Brick Lane, for the buzz.
19 Princelet Street litterally is a museum of life.
Not one of those grandiose historical houses. This one hasn’t been renovated. It is much better this way.

You will learn how the past created the present. How this part of London always was an extraordinary melting pot. It all started with a hospital for travelers, surrounded by fields. Spita - fields.
Evidemment. Later Huguenots left France to escape pesecution of their faith. 50 000 will take refuge in London, bringing little but their skills. Many are silk weavers and develop that trade, proving very successful. They compensate poverty with the cutest houses, colours, flowers. This market doesn’t last, sadly.

Then is the terrible potato famine. Irish men leave their country to get work elsewhere and send the money home. As all minorities, they are accused of stealing the locals’ job. they do however dynamise England’s economy, work hard long hours.
Come the Jews, their wonderful skill with textiles. Everywhere can be heard the rattle of sewing machines. Hard work, suffocating heat, sweat shops.

More people followed. Fascinating to discover them.

And this house – pictures are not allowed, you will have to imagine it – shows bothe the fragility and strength of those communities. The confusion, the mix of languages, rejection, the impression of never being at home. But also the richness of being together, no matter what, never break no matter how tired and demotivated, the support, the memories. If you forget where you come from, someone will help you remember. Daily strength. keeps you going.

The walls have lived and seen so much. The stairs are erroded by millions of steps taken. The glass roof colours are disappearing in places. But it’s the most vibrant place. The volunteers all fell in love with it and it is easy to see why. It was, a time, a synaguoge too. Look up – you’ll see the names, written in hebrew in golden letters. Each detail just touches you to the heart. Here and there, drawers, suitcases you can open, evoking in simple words fear and hope. Music too that makes a tiny room come alive.

19 Princelet Street only opens a handful of days a year because of limited funds – this week-end included. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity. Entry is free but donation is welcome. Leave a few coins, buy a postcard. Weve your story with this house’s.

19 Princelet Street
19 Princelet t
Shoreditch
London E1 6QH

Want to know more about the Spitafield area? Read this amazing blog. It is the first thing I do every morning.