Lunch dates are one of life’s great rewards.
When my Mum and sister came to visit, I leapt at the opportunity to book us a table at one of London’s most talked about restaurant openings, German Gymnasium.
Food-nastics at German Gymnasium
Category: United Kingdom
Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason
Having a ‘cuppa’ tea is something of an English tradition. In fact, we drink 165 million cups of the hot stuff every single day and we love nothing more than popping the kettle on in a bid to solve life’s great dilemma. It’s a reason to break away from our desk at work for a natter, it gives us comfort when we wake up in the morning and it only tastes REALLY good when accompanied by a chocolate biscuit (or three!) Continue reading “Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason”
Discovering Thomas’s Café at Burberry
Famous for its trench coats, live streamed catwalk shows and iconic plaid, Burberry has a long history in fashion and a superstar following to prove its worth. Inside their London flagship store at 121 Regent Street, you will find Thomas’s – named after its founder – an all-day chic café serving a British menu of well prepared food and afternoon tea.
As we stepped inside to escape the hectic scenes of central London, we were warmly welcomed by friendly staff members who helped us with our bags and showed us to our table with two tall backed seating benches – a very grand affair!
Interior Design
As you would expect, Thomas’s Café has been carefully thought out in terms of sophisticated interior design. The deep wood furnishings and pretty light fittings suspended over the tables are perfectly coupled with the marble floor and high ceilings. The atmosphere is relaxed with pockets of conversation from hungry shoppers filling the room.
Let’s Talk Food
Much like the Burberry brand, the menu is quintessentially British offering a handful of dishes from lobster and chips to afternoon tea. All ingredients are regionally sourced from local farmers and artisan suppliers in the UK. I decided to have the Sutton Hoo chicken salad and the rest of the gang ordered half lobster and chips, trout salad, and a smoked salmon and scrambled egg from the all-day brunch menu.
Along with the menu came a booklet that details the origins of nearly all the ingredients on the menu.
The trout salad was a great sized portion and received rave reviews.
Thomas’s café offers a wide range of cakes which are beautifully presented on a table close to the entrance. Definitely worth knowing if you’re looking for a quick tea break in between shops.
The Verdict:
Despite its high rolling owners, Thomas’s Café at Burberry was reasonably priced with good service. It’s the perfect lunchtime retreat from the hustle and bustle of Regent Street.
Thomas’s Café 5 Vigo Street, Mayfair, London W1S 3HA. Tel: +44 (0) 207 806 8904
Don’t forget to follow on Instagram.
A New Chapter for Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station has been one of those easily recognisable landmarks of London throughout the ages.
Having laid dormant since 1983, a major project has been under way to redevelop the historical site under the watchful eye of its new Malaysian owners. Despite work continuing on the power station itself (Apple are moving their London HQ into there, apparently) a new entertainment district called Circus West Village is slowly coming to life.
LOCATION
Circus West Village is the first chapter in Battersea Power Station’s unfolding story and as a beady eyed local, I noticed a few openings in the village through the wonders of social media. You can find the entrance on the south side of Chelsea Bridge, opposite the entrance to Battersea Park. Follow the path along the river and there you will find a brightly coloured tunnel with a canopy of fairy lights.
WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?
No 29 is as hip as they come. All design aspects have been carefully considered and inspired by the power station itself. There’s a pleasing mix between industrial heritage and 1920’s glamour. Thick marble surfaces are offset against snug blue velvet armchairs while a bespoke mirrored Crittall shopfront divides the main restaurant floor. Everything you would expect from the Darwin & Wallace Group who also count No 32 The Old Town, Clapham and No 11 Pimlico Road in their ”local bars” family.
GRUB’S UP!
We arrived at midday for brunch and swiftly ordered two glasses of Prosecco at our window seat table. The menu offers a wide range of all-day dining from avocado on sourdough to Sunday roasts. If you’re quick and in the local area, they’re offering 50% off your bill during their opening week, offer closes on August 4th.
There are over 30 wines, 20 beers and a vast menu of seasonal cocktails to drink and the owners of No 29 are actively promoting a friendly neighbourhood feel to the place. It is being dubbed as the local area’s “village pub,” after all!
We ordered two Eggs Benedict but one Eggs Royale turned up in place of the second but it really wasn’t a major worry. We gladly accepted as it all tasted so delicious, eggscellent in fact!
No egg is complete without the money ‘yolk’ shot!
THE LOCAL AREA
Circus Village West will see a flurry of new openings but already in business include a hip Danish pizzeria tucked away in the railway arch and Battersea General Store. Having ventured inside, I got sidetracked by the black truffle oils and much to my delight, our favourite rosé from South African wine estate, Delaire Graff. Read about our oyster-fuelled lunch here in my old post Dining at Delaire Graff.
This impressive store stocks all of the modern comforts from around the globe with whisky from Osaka, crispbread from Norway and cereal from the USA. It claims to be just like its community – truly international!
Check out the artistic map provided by Battersea Power Station detailing the names and locations of its new residents.
For reservations at No 29, call them on 0203 857 9872 or visit their website at www.no29powerstationwest.co.uk/
Rail House Cafe, London
One of the few positives to come out of the major refurb of Victoria in Belgravia, London, is the Rail House Cafe. They’ve joined a flurry of new restaurants and bars opening in the local area so I decided to cycle over and see what’s been cookin’.
Brunch at Coppa Club, Sonning
I’m a firm believer that a good ol’ natter with your friends is good for the soul. With my friend Tara having her baby in just a few weeks time, we headed to the beautiful riverside scenery of Sonning in Berkshire for some much needed girl time at Coppa Club.
Little Bird, Battersea
After spotting these guys on Instagram, I’ve been looking for an excuse to dine here for a good few months now. Well, that time arrived when a cure for holiday blues was only to be remedied by the Asian-inspired palm tree paradise of Little Bird on Battersea Rise.
Meat-Free Dining at Ethos, London
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a hot topic of discussion amongst us Londoners. It often becomes a mind maze when knowing where to graze while on the go. As someone who regularly includes meat in their diet, I was a little hesitant to try out a vegetarian restaurant for lunch but I was pleasantly surprised.
Taste of London
Whether you’re a budding foodie, a cocktail enthusiast or gastronome extraordinaire, Taste of London is the perfect festival to add to your summer calendar. Rolling through the gates of Regent’s Park every year, the four-day festival is a paradise full of tasty food bites and refreshing tipples put on for you by some of London’s biggest restaurants and drinks brands.
Brunch in Battersea Park, London
With British Summer Time in full swing, there’s nothing better than grabbing a bite to eat in the sunshine with your friends. I happily give you one of the newest outdoor hotspots in the heart of London’s Battersea Park.
After a refurb during the winter, Pear Tree Café has been brought to life by Annabel Partridge and Will Burrett who met while working at Petersham Nurseries (another Lady Leopard favourite!) I was intrigued one lunchtime and headed down to see what all the fuss was about.
Continue reading “Brunch in Battersea Park, London”
