London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Even with the Royal Wedding behind us, London is in the mood for a party:

Just opened today! The boutique is pure Ladurée style, pastel hues, wooden arabesques, very 18th century. The idea of course, is that no matter to which address you stop by for a treat in the world, you will find the same atmosphere.

So what’s new in the macaron empire? Not much -  the menu and cake selection is common to the other tea rooms. The new twist are the terraces – one on the ground floor, another on the first with a great view on the piazza. Inside, choose between the Napoleon-era room (we love it), the other remnding of conversation rooms. Small rooms they may be but what a cute doll house effect!

In the neighbourhood and fancy a treat? Don’t be reasonnable. Order a floral Oolong (they do a violet or a ornage blossom one). Then go decadent and have a rich pistachio-griotte Saint Honoré cake. the textures are wonderfully complex -  airy flavoured chantilly, profiteroles, biscuit base hiding a layer of pistachio cream and a heart of cherry compote. Scones will have to wait!

The shop opens till 23.00 Monday-Saturdays, 22.30 on Sundays. Why not go for a post-theatre-macaron?

Ladurée
Covent Garden piazza
London

When you have lived in London a while and taken quite a few friends on the London Eye, the view on the Parliament and Big Ben lose a bit of their charm. But with summer days, look the other side: the park lawn is invaded for pinics, reads in the sun, chats… Zoom and find fun details – like this group of friends suddenly jumping into a choregraphy! A great way to keep the little ones smiling as they sometimes find the ride a bit long:

The countdown to the Royal Wedding has started and streets are getting ready to party…

Regent Street

Swallow street (Stop and have a dulce de leche ice-cream there)

Monmouth Street ( There is also wonderful coffee to be found in that one)

Blenheim Crescent (Cup of tea, anyone? Ask Teanamu to tell you about Chinese Wedding teas!)

Have you seen any more? Send your pictures to chocoralie@ttiw.co.uk and we will add them to this post. Each participant will be sent a little surprise.

1951. A very austere time. So many fathers, brothers, sons, friends , fiancés did not come back from the war. It takes time for the wounds to heal., for the country to rebuild what was lost. To redefine itself too. After fighting for their values, the question is left unanswered: what does “Being British” mean? Think about it – many are under two flags: Ireland/Scotland/Wales/Commonwealth and England. Great melting pot of traditions.

That year is launched the Festival of Britain, meant to help turn a page. By celebrating Great Britain and its inhabitants, it will bring optimism and creativity back. Southbank builds up, the efforts are comparable toth – ththose of a universal exhibition – look at this video to get an idea! The most famous was the skylon a rocket/cigar kind of tower. The telekinema was partocularly successful – at that time TV was still very young… Of all this only one thing remains: the Royal Festival Hall. This concrete building makes so much more sense when you think of it as an exhibition space: many entrances for maximum access to the public, many glass windows to make a visual link with everything happening outside.

Southbank opens this Friday a new version of this festival. Smaller, the space around is of course more limited, less grand too but the idea remains: bring forward meeting spaces, bring friends and family together, give them a chance to learn, discover something new on their way. The list of happenings is long and will last until September 04, 2011.

A few ideas we particularly loved:

- The museum of 1951: many people loaned their memorabilia of the event. Programs, posters, merchandising… Quite fascinating. The film projections give you a better understanding of it too – this is so different from the views we know it felt like seeing an old sci-fi movie to me!

- The festive feeling along the Thames: the longest bunting, 14 beach huts decorated by artists, an appearing-disappearing fountain, 70m of beach for the kids and deckchairs for the parents, retro vans selling ice-creams, fish and chips, pop-corn… Dishoom, London’s Bombay café will even have a pop-up there soon. On the program too: a mini fun fair and the Udderbelly, this concert and show space in the shape of an overturned lilac cow.

- Here and there, photographies, art, sculptures… that take you to floors you usually ignore.

- A Market will also be there every week-end behing the Royal Festival Hall. A modern bandstand is in place and will be welcoming musical groups for everyone pleasure.

- Many British artists will join in. Our favourite will be 0n May 09th, Heston Blumenthal will tell us all about afternoon teas and the 1950ies sherry parties. he ticket is a bit expensive but will include a sherry tasting.

- We loved the Queen Elisabeth hall garden roof – open to the public for the first time. The Eden project team has just finished adding lawn, vegetable patches, flower sets near the mini-bar. Very relaxing and a nice view too. Believe me, it is lovely to sit there in the sun with an ice-cream.

- Each week-end will be themes differently. Guitar, litterature, traditional music… We are quite looking forward to the vintage one which will cover fashion, films, danc, music from the 20th century (July 29-31)

And so many other things! Summer will definitely be under the Festival of Britain sign.

Although not London based, if you do have a car, take your kids to Legoland: they’ll be fascinated.

It is of course a theme park with numerous rides but my favourite part remains the cities of the world made of those bricks. Of course, our favourite milestones are there: Gherkin, St Paul, Piccadilly, Big Ben… Even the famous wedding scene to come has been anticipated!

Legoland
Winkfield Road
Windsor
Berkshire, SL4 4AY
You can bring your own picnic.

If those picture wake up the Lego architect in you, go for the Tower Bridge set!

There is nothing more enchanting than stepping high to see London. Unfortunately, visiting the most magnificent milestones may not be whithin your budget, especially if you are going with the kids!

Just take the lift to the 6th floor of the new shopping center One New Change. The access is free, 7 days a week and offers a gorgeous view on St Paul’s and the neerby towers nearby:

One New Change
Terrace on the 6th floor – free
A step aside from St Paul
London EC4M 9AF

A different take on Big Ben from those strange chairs, just a few minutes walk from Waterloo…

First Floor
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
London, SE1 7UT
Gratuit Free

If the sun’s on your side, try this view from the other side of the street…