London: Tea Time in Wonderland » Trafalgar http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk The magic of London Thu, 24 May 2012 22:43:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 A week-end in London: May 04-07, 2012 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2012/05/02/a-week-end-in-london-may-03-06-2012-un-week-end-a-londres-03-06-mai-2012 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2012/05/02/a-week-end-in-london-may-03-06-2012-un-week-end-a-londres-03-06-mai-2012#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 22:48:13 +0000 Chocoralie http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/?p=12486 Love the 50ies? Elvis fan? Have a walnut-maple sirup or peanut butter-chocolate milkshake at the Milky Way (28 Camden Passage, Islington, N1 8ED London). This tiny ice-cream parlour lives in a different era, from music to decoration (looks right out of a magazine!) via the King’s memorabilia. The counter is loaded with cupcakes, British and American sweets. Share the moment with kids or friends. Sadly, pictures are not allowed. For more ideas for your week-end in London, scroll down.

That’s art, baby!
* The open air theatre in Regent’s Park is reopening so book your tickets!
* See quite a large collection of Picasso’s etchings at the British Museum.
* Beautiful, beautiful London illustrations here.
* Leonardo da Vinci gets a royal touch at Buckingham Palace.

Yumme time ahead:
* Make a detour via London Fields for the summer pop-up, from this week-end on. Fab barbecue, salads with fresh products from the market, DJ.

The fashion touch:
* Have a look at Marc  Jacob’s pop-up at Selfridges: 15 versions of the cute mouse ballerina shoes are on show.
* Add a touch of red to your day with the Louboutin exhibition at the Design Museum.
* Fall for the collaboration between Dr Martens and Liberty.
* Shop in red, blue and white at Selfridge’s Big British shop.

Take the little ones along:
* Sing Oliver Twist.
* Sunday, Shrek the musical is one. Meet the cast, visit the theater, join the craft workshops…

Out of the ordinary:
* On Thursday, play bingo while listening to Indie music.
* Go to Little Venice and see the canal boats festival. It’s free and there will be Morris dancers too.
* Every Friday, the rolling bridge unfolds at Paddington. Worth seeing!
* On Sunday, celebrate free comic book day at Gosh in Soho.
* Or see the crowning of the Pearly king of London. Quite something.
* Sunday still, make a detour vis Trafalgar Square to enjoy the Sikh New Year. Colour, music, dances guaranteed.

]]> http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2012/05/02/a-week-end-in-london-may-03-06-2012-un-week-end-a-londres-03-06-mai-2012/feed 2 Boyd’s brasserie – a hidden gem http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/11/26/boyds-brasserie-a-hidden-gem http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/11/26/boyds-brasserie-a-hidden-gem#comments Sat, 26 Nov 2011 20:41:55 +0000 Chocoralie http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/?p=9427 Trafalgar Square. The night has wrapped the city in a dark coat, garland of light are being switched on here and there. Hands in my pockets, chilled, I hurry towards Boyd’s brasserie where I am meeting a friend. I picture a very classical place, white tablecloth, waiters coming back and forth, the clinking of cuttlery.

I push the door open. I stop right there, amazed.

In front of me opens a beautiful room, high ceiling, wals and columns of marble, diamond-like chandeliers, heavy velvety curtains, old style mirrors reflecting the scene, comfortable armchairs and sofas.  Luxury meeting contemporary design.

Just after the lounge is the restaurant – large round tables circled by Starck’s famous Ghost chairs. A softer, more intimate space, quiet enough to have a conversation without raising your voice (so rare in London!). The decoration is wel balanced -  the richness is not overwhelming and brings a reassuring atmosphere. Service is very kind indeed and it is a real pleasure to ask for advice an recommendations.

What’s om the menu? British tapas as starters and we love the idea. Choose from the 16 miniature choices (2 each are enough and will only cost £7.90) and share. We decided to go “all fish”: a crab macaroni gratin (creamy and very refined, an idea to try an home), a velvery lobster soup (sublime – immediate flashback of seaside holidays and traditional French fish soup and croutons), extra-tender skate cheeks croquettes with a lemony sauce (a must-try) and, more classical, a crayfish salad with a slightly sugary sauce. Let me tell you -  the forks never stopped moving from one dish to another.

Fancy a wine match? The white Sauvignon 2009 by Katnook was a lovely surprise -  tropical, lemongrass notes, very fruity. It definitely brings a festive touch to all fish-based dishes.

The ultimate test for any Froggie in London is red meat. You probably know that we love ours rare and it seems difficult in Britain to get it that way, it generally arrives too cooked for our taste. The Scotch rib eye steak may cost £23.90 but my, was it tasty and juicy, pefectly prepared.  did I mention you get almost 300g – this alone should be enough to make all the carnivorous readers drool. The Dauphinoise potatoes (£2.70) we ordered were tasty, yet could have been cooked a little longer to our taste.

I am a lover of fish pies and Boyd’s is famous for theirs. Very generous in fish, impeccable texture of the cream – I just had to pour all the peas in my dish to wrap them in the sauce. Very filling too. The menu also proposes a pie and pint (of claret, not ale) to be shared for £37.20.

The duo of British cheese is worth leaving a space for. Served on a slate, it comes with celery sticks, grapes, home made chutney and walnut bread -  a savoury way to finish the meal. If you are more a sweet-tooth person, go for the chocolate tart, dense, extra-thin pastry (£6.50) and alternate with the lightly sour dark cherry sorbet…

Verdict: a great selection of classical British dishes at a reasonable price for the heart of London, especially is such a gorgeous place. Theatreland is nearby and you could have an early 3-course dinner for just £18.90. Oh, un afternoon tea y est également disponible… A fabulous place to meet friends for a cocktail, far from the toursity restaurants of Covent Garden, have a quiet meal with them. Oh, and they do afternoon teas too…

Boyd’s Brasserie
8 Northumberland Avenue
London, WC2N 5BY.

Teatime in Wonderland was a guest of Boyd’s Brasserie.

]]> http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/11/26/boyds-brasserie-a-hidden-gem/feed 6 A week-end in London: Sept 23-25, 2011 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/09/22/a-week-end-in-london-sept-23-25-2011-un-week-end-a-londres-23-25-sept-2011 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/09/22/a-week-end-in-london-sept-23-25-2011-un-week-end-a-londres-23-25-sept-2011#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:36:29 +0000 Chocoralie http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/?p=8193 Well, that’s it. I have taken my woolen scarf out. I’m chilled to the bones. And I had so much hope for a lovely Indian summer. Wave if you know a pub that would already have lighted its chimney and would serve grogs.

Don’t forget…

* Friday evening, celebrate Malaysia on Trafalgar.

* Come and listen to the waves crash on Euston Rd pavement.

* Look out for Ludo.

* Cheers, my friends!

* Beware -  gorillas around!

* Greenwich market plays the green card.

* Admire Elizabeth Taylor’s jewels.

* Hello Kitty plays hide and seek in Liberty’s delicate fabric.

* Try Oh La La Bakery‘s strawberry tarlets with a little lemon zest. They are just divine.

* Amazing opportunity – the Royal Opera House will be selling some of their costumes at affordable prizes…

* Yummy German treats this way – forget the diet.

* Celebrate Eid, the end of ramadan, with a twirl of festivities on Trafalgar Square.

* Festive apple day this way.

* Tea, vintage cups and cute cakes, right here, on your doorstep.

* A dose of whisky, another of music, mix, enjoy.

* Open day for the whole family at the famous Wiltons Music Hall.

]]> http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/09/22/a-week-end-in-london-sept-23-25-2011-un-week-end-a-londres-23-25-sept-2011/feed 7 London postcard – living wall painting on Trafalgar http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/06/18/london-postcard-living-wall-painting-on-trafalgar-carte-postale-de-londres-peinture-vegetale-sur-trafalgar http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/06/18/london-postcard-living-wall-painting-on-trafalgar-carte-postale-de-londres-peinture-vegetale-sur-trafalgar#comments Sat, 18 Jun 2011 20:57:38 +0000 Chocoralie http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/?p=6719 Fabulous initiative of the National Gallery and GE to have recreated one of Van Gogh’s painting as a vegetal wall -  the palette counts 8000 plants of 25 varieties.
Passers by stoop, carress the leaves, check day after day whether blooms have apppeared.
An idea we hope will be reproduced each summer…

Trafalgar Square
London
Until end of October 2011 – free

Go and see the original painting at the National Gallery, room 45

]]> http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/06/18/london-postcard-living-wall-painting-on-trafalgar-carte-postale-de-londres-peinture-vegetale-sur-trafalgar/feed 5 Ideas for a week-end in London: May 20-22, 2011 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/05/18/ideas-for-a-week-end-in-london-may-20-22-2011-idees-pour-un-week-end-a-londres-20-22-mai-2011 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/05/18/ideas-for-a-week-end-in-london-may-20-22-2011-idees-pour-un-week-end-a-londres-20-22-mai-2011#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 23:22:43 +0000 Chocoralie http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/?p=6154 Life is full of simple joys. One of mine is reading a poem on the tube, you know those published between two ads? It’s always soothing finding one, like a little gift. I never have enough time to write them down but I found out the underground website actually lists them.

Another blog brought a smile – the authors post pictures of strangers (only guys) met on their commuting journey, add a few lines, guess their thoughts, their story. Hey, maybe you’re one of them, check it out!

Oh, if you think you’re the chap of the year, click this way.

* It’s shopping time on Carnaby Street this Thursday with 20% off.

* Love gardening? Tomato plants will be given for free on Trafalgar on Friday.

* Love is what you want, says Tracey Emin – a comforting thought.

* Find your favourite food vans at the Rye Pub – from the Choc Star to the Meat Wagon.

* The Andipa Gallery brings the language of flowers to an art.

* Nude Espresso just opened on Soho Square but forget the coffee. What you want to try is their Lamington cake, an Australian treat made of sponge cake in a layer of chocolate and coconut. Just don’t count the calories.

* Love acrobatics, martial arts, parkour? Rush or jump to the Udderbelly this week-end.

* Fortnum & Mason celebrate refined crafts.

* Tango and afternoon teas -  just jump in those dancing shoes and grab a few scones…

* Med-tea-tation with Teanamu at Holland Park -  a zen moment in a marvellous garden.

* Nothing is free in life, they say. Well wait: join those ecclectic workshops to learn a few skills for free: car mechanics, burlesque dancing, self defence…

]]> http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/05/18/ideas-for-a-week-end-in-london-may-20-22-2011-idees-pour-un-week-end-a-londres-20-22-mai-2011/feed 2 Ideas for a week-end in London: May 13-15, 2011 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/05/12/ideas-for-a-week-end-in-london-may-13-15-2011-idees-pour-un-week-end-a-londres-13-15-mai-2011 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/05/12/ideas-for-a-week-end-in-london-may-13-15-2011-idees-pour-un-week-end-a-londres-13-15-mai-2011#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 06:52:17 +0000 Chocoralie http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/?p=6049 In my handbag, I have just added some heart-shapes sunglasses. At the first sign of grey sky this week, my colleagues sighed: well, that’s it, summer is over… I much prefer a pinky vision of life.

* And why not start with a rainbow of sweetness? The new Ladurée shop is opening in Covent Garden today. You know where to find me!

* Did you know the Waldorf Hilton serves the most luxurious cocktails?

* Friday will celebrate Museums at night.  There is plenty going on but our favourite is the (free) Renaissance evening at the National Gallery: themed tours, music with candelight and kids can com in their favourite costume to listen to a storyteller. Churchill War Rooms offer a 1940ies party (£15.95) with makeovers, the chance to pause with accessories in front of the original 10 downing street door… Quite atmospheric.

* Don’t you love the atmophere in village fetes? This one will have bales of hay, a farmers’ market, a beer tente, traditonal dances…

* Another traditional touch: Morris Dancers take London over for a day!

* Relax on Trafalgar Square for the Asian Vaisakhi festival – this should be a lovely musical afternoon.

* The amazing Marawa will make you discover the fun world of hula-hooping. We have met and she is the most sparkling girl!

* Not a minute to loose – summer means lido-time!

* You won’t remain of stone at Tom Stogdon’s exhibition.

* Cheers to natural wines.

]]> http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/05/12/ideas-for-a-week-end-in-london-may-13-15-2011-idees-pour-un-week-end-a-londres-13-15-mai-2011/feed 4 Post-it for the week-end: April 15-17, 2011 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/04/13/post-it-for-the-week-end-april-15-17-2011-post-it-pour-le-week-end-15-17-avril-2011 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/04/13/post-it-for-the-week-end-april-15-17-2011-post-it-pour-le-week-end-15-17-avril-2011#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:45:49 +0000 Chocoralie http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/?p=5592

Tick-tock, tick-tock, the countdown to the week-end has begun…

* Stop by the Scoop, the Open Air theatre close to London Bridge, for a dose of modernised Shakespeare. It’s free, every evening till April 18.

* Knitting has become so trendy it is now the perfect occasion for a tea party… There is even a funny word for this new fashion: a crafternoon. Even Liberty follows!

* Saturday is Queen’s day in Holland -  a national public holiday. Trafalgar Square will have a dedicated market with music and the National Gallery proposes to discover the masters of this colourful country.

* The artist Chantal Powel got inspired by Alice in Wonderland and is recreating this magic on Saturday. Come and have a look – there will even be a Mad Hatter Party!

* Flutter by the Natural History Museum – the Butterfly House is back for the summer!

* Easter’s just arounf the corner. Come and make your own gourmet chocolate eggs and enjoy a cocktail.

* Go ad-Mire the colourful Miro exhibition at the Tate.

* The Royal Wedding has a Marmite effect: love it or hate it!

* Did the London Cooking Club win your heart (or stomach)? Well, it’s time for desert!

* We love the nostalgic touch of The Carter Steam fair, with retro style rides… A few pics from last year this way.

*Uniform is all the chic at Selfridges.

* You know summer’s just around the corner when open air cinemas start popping up again…

* Get on Dickens’ tracks.

* Get some fresh air and have a walk in the Lea valley.

]]> http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/04/13/post-it-for-the-week-end-april-15-17-2011-post-it-pour-le-week-end-15-17-avril-2011/feed 6 Post-it for the week-end: March 04-06, 2011 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/03/02/post-it-for-the-week-end-march-04-06-2011-post-it-pour-le-week-end-04-06-mars-2011 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/03/02/post-it-for-the-week-end-march-04-06-2011-post-it-pour-le-week-end-04-06-mars-2011#comments Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:48:32 +0000 Chocoralie http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/?p=4961

Each day brings a few more minute of light – don’t you love it, makes you feel so alive! Camelia are blooming like little fireworks, cherry trees will soon be covered in sweet cascades of white and pink. And if we arlucky to have a little sun this week-end, I might go and enjoy spring with a Jasmine tea and a good book in the Phoenix Garden. Want alternative ideas?

- Wold book day soon with a give-away on Friday evening on Trafalgar Square!

- Hey girls, fancy a free makover?

- Have a musical time in a pub…

- Explore the Barbican center -  two days of creative workshops -  great ones for kids too. Symphomic music and even a free nail bar for grown upsor why not the strangest Barbican tour ever?

- Discover secret galleries…

- …or a theatre play in the most unusual place…

- Marvel at a new version of Alice in wonderland -  all in elegant danced steps…

- Sail away!

- Letter posting just turned musical…

- Yes, royal weddings can be ever so fun!

- Remember Slinkachu’s small but ironic world? The artist’s back…

- Enjoy your Sunday Russian style!

- Or have a perfect family Sunday…

Pssst:
- March the 08th is pancake day: race it!

- Why not try to win a Royal Wedding street party, hey?

]]> http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/03/02/post-it-for-the-week-end-march-04-06-2011-post-it-pour-le-week-end-04-06-mars-2011/feed 3 Post-it for the week-end: Feb 04-06, 2011 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/02/02/post-it-for-the-week-end-feb-04-06-2011-post-it-pour-le-week-end-04-06-fevrier-2011 http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/02/02/post-it-for-the-week-end-feb-04-06-2011-post-it-pour-le-week-end-04-06-fevrier-2011#comments Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:44:42 +0000 Chocoralie http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/?p=4462 Gosh, so many things coming up you might need to add a few pages to your agenda for the week-end!

- Join me in my week-end celebration: isn’t an afternoon tea with a view ideal?

- Fascinating scientific and robotic creations…

- Kew Gardens turns tropical!

- Brunch in Brixton village…

- The kids will love to learn some Chinese calligraphy… or lanterns…

- Pssst: it’s Nutella world day on Saturday -  get a lovely pancake here!

- Have tea with a legend…

- Where did you put that red nose?

- Frankenstein turns to the theatre stage…

- Meet the new generation of artists… Wait, are those for sale?

- Get hungry @ the V&A Childhood Museum…

- A romantic snowdrop walk…

- Love alternative restaurants? This one can be all yours…

- Come and see dragons dance for the Chinese New Year on Trafalgar! Selfridge’s celebrates it with music…

- Keep it real @ the Whitechapel Gallery…

- Get those little fingers busy…

]]> http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/02/02/post-it-for-the-week-end-feb-04-06-2011-post-it-pour-le-week-end-04-06-fevrier-2011/feed 4 Chinatown’s festive mood http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/01/23/chinatowns-festive-mood-chinatown-revet-ses-habits-de-fete http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/01/23/chinatowns-festive-mood-chinatown-revet-ses-habits-de-fete#comments Sun, 23 Jan 2011 00:30:39 +0000 Chocoralie http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/?p=4391 Tonight, Chinatown was dressing up, choosing bright colours to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. The lanterns will swing joyously upon the visitors and locals for the coming weeks -  a lovely festive touch…

What’s on? Here is a sum up:

Friday January 28:

Sunday January 30:

  • The V&A will propose calligraphy and paper cutting workshops as well as a Chinese show.

Saturday February 05:

Sunday February 06th:

  • It’s party time on Trafalgar Square from noon to 18.00: a giant dragon will dance down Shaftesbury avenue, there will be traditional music, acrobats, food stalls… Chinatown will be at its most lively!
  • The British Museum usually dedicates a whole day to the event (worth stopping by! There will also be a comics workshop where you can imagine the adventures of a rabbit)

Kung Hei Fat Choi!  (Happy New Year!)



]]> http://teatimeinwonderland.co.uk/lang/en/2011/01/23/chinatowns-festive-mood-chinatown-revet-ses-habits-de-fete/feed 7