London: Tea Time in Wonderland

A theme park that does more than rides with a fascinating zoo part, just outside London.
The view on animals is gorgeous and they happily play stars in front of the camera. Meercats are the best!
A day out that ends up being as fun for parents than for little ones.

Chessington World of Adventures
Leatherhead RD
Greater London
KT9 2NE

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I feel like colouring the sky with the highlighters I keep at work, don’t you? Meanwhile, we can always paint the town red…

* Every Thursday in October, taste beer in a micro-brewery.

* (Re)discover Brixton village, who has its own currency.

* There will be dancing on the squares.

* Art shine in neon colours.

* Get your bike out -  there is a cake tour on!

* Step into a magical world.

* Learn a little something about a legend of Brick Lane.

* Get a slice of Boris.

* Harrods adds a Swedish touch to Xmas treats.

* Even if you are not planning to marry, go and admire those sublime vintage dresses.

* Calling all the honeys…

* You can love knitting AND be a bit of a rebel.

* Oh, that should really get you dancing  if you are a Tina Turner fan.

Pssst: Lazarides is lauching their second artistic edition in the Old Vic Tunnels. The theme will be the Minotaur and this should also be quite a gastonomic experience too. Have you got your ticket yet?

The entrance of this pub is just magnificent. Look at those pillars, the ceramic tiles, the sculpted top. Not very often do you see any like these. I can’t help but wonder what its history was.

Inside, there are two atmospheres to choose from -  the inviting leather sofas close to the bar or a few steps up the gastropub side, more meal oriented. Large windows bathe the room in natural, golden light. The wallpaper was created from hundreds of pictures from yesteryear and I guarantee you will find yourself wandering around to get a closer look and might even realise your dish had arrived a few minutes ago without you noticing. Here and there frames show past publicities and engravings. Your gaze will inevitably be drawn to the chimney with its collection of rainbow-like butterflies. Recently refurbished, its decoration finds inspiration in the past -  both a simple and complex comfortable feeling and it will feed conversations for quite a while.

Step outside -  the summer garden surrounds the building, teak tables and benches under red parasols. We love that it is kid friendly with a play area at the back, a plastic house and floor puzzles. The locals know it well and come to enjoy a quiet family time there. The children menu offers a nice selection of dishes (always nice to see more than pasta!) and dessert even includes fairycakes to be decorated with chocolate buttons and hundreds and thousands -  a real hit with little ones. On a sunny day, it is ydillic and you could easily stay from lunch to dinner. Although you might want to go for a stroll in West Dulwich to burn a few calories in between!

I originally visited during the week and was seduced at how peaceful it was. There were a few other guests near my table but no one rushed, it had this take-your-time feeling to it. I nestled close to a window to enjoy a ray of sunshine while escaping the autumn breeze. Rather than proposing pages of choices, the menu focuses on 13 options, all cooked to perfection (yes, I spied the other tables’ orders). Why not try the Moroccan chicken skewers (£8)? The tabouleh was moist and fragrant, beautiful texture with shallots, tomatoes, coriander. The meat was marinated in hot paprika, each mouthful yummier than the precedent. And what a great idea to have added saffron and cumin to the raita, such a different note! The sauce was generous too -  enough to wrap the chicken in and flavour the tabouleh. Add a plate of olives and you might pretend you are on holiday.

Another nice suprise – the pub has a selection of Meantime beers. My favourite micro-brewery. Their London Lager just goes with any kind of food – give it a try!

Now - I never, ever resist an Eton Mess. There is something so sweet about it. This one is succulent with a home made fruit syrup and gorgeous raspberries whithin each spoonful. Needless to say it disappeared in no time…

Such a relaxing atmosphere that I took my family back there on Sunday. The kids were so busy playing with others that we barely saw them -  if you are a parent, you know how precious this is. We devoured huge hamburgers with a touch of spicy salsa, nibbled on home made chips that make you forget what ketchup is. The sky turned slowly pink above us and my 5-year-old daughter had the perfect conclusion “Can we come back here soom? It’s soooo great!”.

The Rosendale (part of The Renaissance group, more beautiful places to discover)
65 Rosendale Rd
West Dulwich SE21 8EZ

Teatime in Wonderland was a guest of The Rosendale

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