Tea Time in Wonderland

Posts Tagged ‘South Kensington’

Just like Alice’s white rabbit, I’m running after time this week… But, still, here are a few ideas for the week-end!

- The Natural History Museum proposes each year a splendid collection of wildife pictures.Always moving, funning or amazing. And great with kids! £9, though.

- Like religious art? Then stop at the  National Gallery see The Sacred made real: Spanish Painting and sculpture 1600-1700. Already in your boring section? Think again -  have a peek on the website. Sometimes incrediby real.

- Halloween’s coming your way: why not try ghost hunting @ the ghost festival?

- Or see live-painting and street-art at this bar…?

- On Sunday, have fun on Southbank. The Autumn Harvest Festival offers games and storytelling for kids but also a parade: a berryman, walking fruit and vegetables and even a corn queen whose dress will be made of  vegetation… Free, starting @ 12.00 in front of the Shakespeare Globe.

Me? I’ll be having a finger-licking chocolate fondue @  the’Artisan Chocolat bar close to Portobello Market…

I have recently mentionne the tsone animal world of Trafalgar Square and the Natural History Museum. The latter still hides a suprise – outside, this time, just before the Wildlife Garden:

A huge bronze sculpture, mysterious, no lable nor signature. The museum archived, when asked, admitted they barely had any information. The architect of the building, Waterhouse, designed it. End of story.

This is a marvellous piece of work, really. Great for kids, tactile, miniatures water basins where birds come to drink after the rain, every centimeter reveals a new animal. I counted more than 70, ideal for a game of “I spy…”

Natural History Museum
Cromwell Rd
London SW7 5BD

London really hides a stone jungle (See here and there)…
Take the Natural History Museum, for example. The one my daughter calls The dinosaurs’ house.

What an extraordinary place! The stones are marbled with blue, pillars carved like lace, sculptures absolutely everywhere, let alone the fab gargoyles outside… The architecture is mouthgaping too. You expect the stairs to change directions, as if you had litteraly stepped into Hogwarth.

Picture this. We’re in the 19th century. Sir Sloane is a fascinated collector of anything to do with natural history. Towards the end of his life, he decides to sell everything to the government for a low price, in order to protect the collections. The deal is done and the lot transferred to the British Museum.

Unfortunately, the curator at the time has…mmmmmh… peculiar ideas. Such as having regular bonfire parties. Hence some entire parts of the collection disappearing. It seems the staff was as light minded. Stealing labels from a rival’s preparation. walking through a yard, in a gale, with a fragile collection.

Richard Owen jumps in. He has a vision of what a Natural History Museum should be. Splendid, a cathedral dedicated to nature, to its glory, open and accessible to the general public. The architect, Alfred Waterhouse prepares hundreds of sketches, representing existing or disappeared species, which will becomes sculptures and gargoyles all over the place. the ceiling is covered with botanical drawings. Pillars designs are copied from fossilised wood.

A little surprise on the choice of material: terracota tiles! Yep, the one you would expect in your garden. Why? First for its great resistance to fire but also to the acidity of London pollution!

Before taking the kids to the dinosaur gallery, why not try a safari race around the museum? Will they find the dodo (mineral gallery on the first floor)? And the pterodactyl (east aisle, on the outside)?

And don’t forget the Darwin Gallery for even more oooohs!

Natural History Museum
Cromwell Rd
London SW7 5BD

Get your umbrellas out this week-end to go and see…

- The new street art by Mutate Britain near Portobello Rd

- Discover the favourites for the Turner prize @ the Tate (including Roger Hiorns who likes to see life in blue)

- Shop fort art @ the Somerset House craft fair…

- take the kids to Saddlers’ Wells family week-end – an excellent dance show with workshops where 5+ can experiment with dance and shapes… There’s even one for toddlers!

- Dream of exotic India with the Maharaja exhibition @ the V&A..

- Rethink your house with the eco home exhibition at the Geffrye Museum…

- Be very brave and try a nudist flashmob on a London rooftop…

- Or simply, join me in my winter blues fight. I’m having an oriental afternoon tea @ Yauatcha – how could I resist grean tea and coconut scones?

The Natural History Museum has just opened their Darwin branch, sheltering an impressive 8 storey high cocoon. Impossible to have it in just one picture!
Inside, reaserach labs, 17 millions insects and 3 millions plants. To visit it, you can apply for free tickets here…

Meanwhile, do go and see the conservation branch on the side. The shelves are loaded with incredible jars filled with formal and specimens. You’d swear they’re just asleep… Shells and fish are particularly refined. So very quiet, a surreal atmosphere. At the back, you can glimpse thousands of other jars.

Not to be missed if you love the Hunterian Museum or the Wellcome Trust. Or keep it for Halloween!

Note to parents: the kids seem to just love it, asking more and more questions, feeding on every little detail… Don’t hesitate!

Pssst: The V&A museum and the Science museum are nearby and free. Feeling peckish? Try the Hummingbird Bakery or a Snog if you want something sweet. Or maybe tapas – Casa Brinsida is fab. Still have some energy? Hyde Park is just a 15mn walk away…

Natural History Museum
Cromwell Rd
London SW7 5BD


Tube: South Kensington
Free

Back to school, to work, to coats, to adding an umbrella to your handbag wherever you go, carry a mufg of tea at all time, this wonderful transportable heat source… Another reason to enjoy week-end before winter comes in!

It’s Open House week-end – sone buildings will only be open to the public these two days. Order tickets and program on this web site and have a look on Time Out for a few advice. Fancy visiting the Olympic stadium? Or Tower 42?

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Walking along Southbank? Have luch at the Slowfood market!

The Natural History Museum has just opened its new Darwin branch. Go and see the 8 storey-high-cocoon it shelters. Inside? 17 millions insects and 3 million plants. Impressive collection!

Many events linked to the Design Festival. Including a giant chess game on Trafalgar square… Liberty also has an exhibition underlining the British design strengths.

Asia-fan? Then the Japanese festival @ Spittafield is for you. Best way to travel whithin London!

Cycling? Why not join the skyride (free but do register in the website) -a number of  London’s famous streets will be closed to the traffic. Ideal! Kids are welcomed.

Le V&A est connu pour son immense collection cote design.

Sa boutique ne fait pas exception, c’est une mine lorsqu’on est en manque d’idees cadeaux pour copines betes de modes ou si l’on cherche LE detail qui fera baver les copines.

Ou pour des surprises gourmandes…

Et vraiment fabuleuse pour les trouvailles hors du commun…

Seul Hic? Plus c’est beau, plus c’est cher.

On ne parle pas ici d’un petit souvenir pour la collegue de bureau mais plutot d’une trouvaille pour ses amies cheres, sa belle-mere, etc… Pour faire classe, choc, unique.

Mais rassurez-vous, une bonne partie de la gamme reste accessible. Vous y trouverez egalement toute une selection enfant et des reproductions d’affiches anciennes magnifiques…

V&A
Cromwell Road
London
SW7 2RL
Boutique en ligne / On line shop

The V&A museum is know for its wide collection of designs.

Its shop is no exception either. What you will find here! It’s the perfect place for THE detail that all your friends will envy, a T-shirt, a brooch, a delicious necklace, even the perfect hat for a wedding.

But also very design decorative items, fun objects, splendid reproduction posters, great ideas for kids. You will be spoilt for choice

Of course, the smarter, the higher the price. We’re not talking of a souvenir here, something for a work colleague. this would be more for a dear friend, a mother-in-law to impress, etc… But be reassure, most of the range is accessible in price and really worth every penny…

Here’s a great address if you’re in need of sunshine.

It all started for them with an address at Borough Market Tapas Brindisa then a second, Tierra Brindisa close to Oxford Circus. After such success, they’ve lauched a third restaurant in South Kensington.

I never think of tapas. But the weather was so fine, sunny and 25 degrees and the terrasse looked so welcoming… I learnt this way that this part of exhibition is about to become pedestrian – so lucky for the myriad of restaurants around.

We first order a tomato juice – a kinf of test for me as most often the waiters raise an eyebrow in wonder. But here we’ll get salt, pepper, tabasco and a smile!

The menu is mouthwatering… We’ll choose the crispy white bait (£4.20),  the fried potatoes with aioli (£3.50), the mashed potatoes with olice oil and roasted almonds (£5) and the omelet with chorizo-potatoes-peppers (£4.65).  The portions are generous, I can taste all the spices, everything melts in the mouth and is quite addictive, you never know which dish to start with and end up ordering some bread not to leave anything in your plate.  Presentation is perfect – I  just loved the mashed potatoes in a creuset dish.

A desert? We can’t eat anymore! Oh, maybe something very light then… the pear vichyssoise (£5) – splendid, you could almost drink it, a touch of vanilla, a nd the dark chocolate is crunchy enough to make you sign in pleasure. The perfect finishing touch…

Bravo to the team who was kind and efficient – great advice, sense of humour and they really took pleasure in helping us. So rare!

Products are UK sourced when possible but you’ll also find a splendid Jamoneria inside and a deli dowstairs. Do try their selection of Spanish cheese!

Note to parents: the restaurant does now propose a kids’ menu, week-ends only. The content will change from one week-end to another to keep a little surprise. warm welcome guaranteed!

Casa Brindisa
7-9 Exhibition Road
London
SW7 2HQ
Metro/Tube: South Kensington

Articles in magazines presented it as a jungle adventure land. Mmmh, this is exaggerated. But kids certainly love the experience! You can obserbe a few frogs, chameleons, snakes. My 3 year old wasn’t impressed – she’s seen too many in zoos already. However, the lemon tree with real lemons was a surprise to her (what, they do not grow at Tesco’s?!).

You’ll find plenty of information along the way – all presented as games, puzzles, ropes to be pulled, happy colours, windows to be opened. 5+ are interested, younger ones love the flexibility of the suport and play happily with them. Parents will learn a thing of two along the way…

There is an outside playground where children can run, crawl, climb. Brilliant idea, parents can just sit down, relax, have an adult conversation for a while.

But it’s further on that the magic really begins -  a tropical room with exotic vegetation and so many butterflies flying free. So many species, colours, patterns on the wings, ways to flap their wings… You will not know where to start looking and won’t stop taking pictures. Everyone, no matter their age, can resist this.

A table is covered with fruit and sugary water – the kids gaze in awe at the butterflies drinking there…

And maybe, maybe,  a butterfly will land on you?

Only negative point? You’re going to hear about butterflies for a very long time…

Note to parents: fabulous. Little ones will react to it from 18 months. My advice? Forget bright clothes if you want a chance of a butterfly on your shoulder as red is a sign of danger to them. The shop proposes thematic books and toys,  including a lot of 10 plastic butterflies for £8. one of the best things I have ever bought: my 3 year old recreated the visits countless times, spies on butterflies in the garden, draws the wings pattern sof her butterflies on paper… There is a buggy parkins at the entrance. Oh, the nearest toilets, however are in the museum.

Butterfly jungle
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London
SW75BD

Jusqu’a / Until September 27, 2009
10.00-17.00
£6/adulte £4/enfants-child, gratuit pour – 3 ans/ free for under 3s.

One of my favourite places!

Scrumptious cupcakes in an explosion of colours, twinkled with sweet stars, silver pearls, rainbow decorations… The sugar icing is so soft – obviously your diet will disapprove but who cares when it’s that good?!

You’re not a cupcake fan? Just look on the right side of the till – don’t ven try to resist the absolutely splendid cakes: red velvet, carrot cake, New-York Style cheescake… And huge slices, you will not be able to finish yours…

Think it’s way too girly for the man of your life? Try going there during the week, right after work. I often see gentlemen of all ages, with designer clothes or a suit and tie, chosing a few cakes… I never dared, however, to ask whether those were for them, their children, or just a romantic gesture, a nice change from a red rose…

The Hummingbird Bakery counts 20ish seats inside, maybe 15 outside. However, the address is very well known, the place usually full. you’ll need a little patience, especially as you will not be able to order if you cannot prove you already have a table… Not very easy with a pushchair either, it will be better to fold it before coming in.

But don’t despair – juste ask to take it away: the boxes are lovely, and same advice than for the nearby Snog: just enjoy them in the wildlife garden near the Natural History museum a couple streets away… (even better as the kids will run happily around)

It’s also possible to order the cakes in advance. This is how I tasted the Red Velvet Cake for my daughter’s birthday and believe me, my guests’ tastebuds still remember how good, moist and satifying it was…!

Hummingbird Bakery
47 Old Brompton Road
South Kensington
London
SW7 3JP

2 other branches in Notting Hill and Soho