Category Archives: London life

Kopapa – Kiwi coffee and brunch in Seven Dials

Posted on February 17, 2011 | 4 Comments

Fancy a cup of some of London’s best coffee plus a yummy brunch?

Then head straight for Kopapa. This new all-day diner/cafe/restaurant is co-owned by New Zealander Peter Gordon who is also the man behind the excellent The Providores and Tapa Room in Marylebone.

Kopapa is laid-back and buzzing and the location near Covent Garden couldn’t be better as you often struggle to find quality cafés in this all too touristy area.

If you can’t get a table straight away you can always enjoy your food by the big marble counter, just as we did, while you flick through the big selection of magazines and newspapers. I actually think this particular corner of the bar is a lot cosier than the tables if it’s just the two of you.

During the weekend Kopapa has an extensive brunch menu, similar to the one at Providores, which is made up of Kiwi-inspired lovelies such as Kopapa toasted oat & dried fruit granola with Greek yoghurt & NZ rata honey (£6). Or what about a Chorizo hash with a fried egg, rocket, salsa verde & crispy shallot (£7.40)?

I chose one of my favourites: Hot-smoked salmon on toasted sourdough with spinach, 2 poached eggs & yuzu hollandaise…..omnomnomnomnom (£10.50).

Sam had the bacon fry-up, that comes with slow-roasted tomatoes and 2 eggs of your choice on buttered sourdough or granary toast (£7.80).

And don’t forget to pair you choice of food with a splendid flat white. Those Antipodeans sure know how to make a good coffee! (And if you’re in the mood for even more sublime coffee after leaving the café, you can always head straight for Monmouth Coffee further down the street).

Kopapa Café and Restaurant
32-34 Monmouth Street
Seven Dials, Covent Garden
Website

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Posted in Foodie, London life, Yndlingsrestaurant

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Afternoon tea at Bea’s of Bloomsbury

Posted on February 11, 2011 | 3 Comments

I’ve lived in London for three years, but never once have I had a proper afternoon tea. To rectify that I ventured out in the rain yesterday to meet up with a friend at Bea’s of Bloomsbury, not very far from Holborn station. I’d done a bit of research and Bea’s came with a lot of recommendations.

This tiny place looks more like a bakery shop than a tea salon/tea room. It’s quite crammed and busy, with people hurrying back and forth behind your chair in the narrow room. And you have to order in the bar.

But Bea’s easily make up for all this with their very low prices and relaxed atmosphere. Their “sweet afternoon tea“, consisting of a selection of cupcakes, mini brownies, mini scones w. clotted cream & jam etc. only cost £12. I wanted something savoury as well (on weekends you can pay £3 extra and get a few savoury mini baguettes) so had one of the cupcakes substituted for a cheese scone (which I didn’t really like, too heavy and fatty).

I’ll definitely recommend this place if you’re after a cheap and less traditional alternative to stuffy and horribly over-priced places like The Ritz (read about fellow blogger Helena Halme’s disastrous Ritz experience here). Personally this one was a bit too sweet for me and I really missed the traditional cucumber sandwiches, mini quiches etc. that normally comes with a full afternoon tea.

So I’ll make sure to come during the weekend the next time, or maybe just order a “cream tea” as the scones w. clotted cream & jam were my absolute favourite.

Bea’s of Bloomsbury, 44 Theobald’s Road, London, 0207 242 8330
Website

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Posted in Foodie, London life

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Foxy street art

Posted on February 5, 2011 | 1 Comment

This foxy fella has magically appeared on the wall next to our flat and next to Starbucks in Maida Vale.

I think he’s kinda awesome and very appropriate in an area where foxes roam the streets at night (they sometimes wake us up with their eerie screaming).

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Posted in Art, London life, Photography

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The Bridge House – cosy cavernous theatre pub in Little Venice

Posted on January 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

If you find yourself wandering around the lovely (but a bit overlooked) area of my neighbourhood, Little Venice, you’ll probably find yourself admiring the cute house boats and the picturesque bridges.

And the ducks.

And then all of a sudden your stomach will start to rumble, and you’re wondering where to go for at nice lunch or dinner.

If that’s the case I suggest you head up on the bridge that connects Blomfield Road with Delamere Terrace.

You cross it and there it is on the corner, The Bridge House or “the pub equivalent of a big warm hug” as they say themselves on their website.

It’s dark and cosy with red walls n’all and the day I was there it was very easy to get a table.

But then when you sit down, you’ll notice that it gets very crowded at intervals (at least in the evenings), as there’s a comedy club upstairs, The Canal Café Theatre.

The food was not bad at all (I’ve learned not to have sky-high expectations when it comes to pubs) and the prices very reasonable. My friend had the goat’s cheese risotto (£7.50).

And I had the slow cooked pork belly with bacon and sage mash, sautéed leeks and mustard gravy. Very yummy. (£10)

You can have a look at the menus here.

I’ve walked past this place a hundred times and this is my first visit. But I’ll definitely come back.

The Bridge House, 13 Westbourne Terrace Road, London
Website

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Posted in Foodie, London life

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Southbank Christmas Market

Posted on December 6, 2010 | 2 Comments

I really thought I wouldn’t like it. Because seriously, can it get any more touristy-tacky than a fake German Christmas market in the middle of London?

I don’t think so. But then as we crossed Embankment bridge and turned left I saw myself getting magnetically drawn towards the many small tree huts hawking everything from photo opportunities to Spanish churros with chocolate sauce (yum!). I even found a liquorice stall selling the salty Scandi version.

We walked for a bit but then decided to head back towards London Eye and Big Ben. As we walked under the bridge a seductive smell lured us forwards and onwards.

With eyes wide open we passed a cosy moose-clad stall selling mulled wine. But that was not what we could smell.

And another one, where the men were busy grilling juicy burgers. But that was also not what we were after.

But there it was! The bratwurst/currywurst stall. Nothing beats a sizzling hot sausage on a cold winter’s day.

I of course had to go Full Monty and order the cheese sausage (the one where you squeeze and cheese oozes out in the middle) as I hadn’t had one of those since the 90s. What a trip down memory lane that was.

After the sausage orgy we continued along the Thames, past merry-go-rounds and highly inventive street performers.

And ended up with these views of London Eye and Big Ben. Not the worst way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in London.

You can find the Southbank Christmas Market between the Southbank Centre/Royal Festival Hall and London Eye along the River Thames. Until December 23rd.

Opening times:
Monday to Thursday 11.00am – 8.00pm
Fridays / Saturdays 10.00am – 10.00pm
Sundays 10.00am – 8.00pm

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Posted in London life, Shopping

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This is exactly why Harvey Nichols’ Christmas decorators…

Posted on November 28, 2010 | 2 Comments

shouldn’t be allowed to work when they’re hung-over (or in a bad mood).

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Posted in London life

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The twilight hour in W9

Posted on November 17, 2010 | 5 Comments

Yesterday I went for a walk. From Maida Vale and up Abbey Road until it twists and becomes West End Lane.

I had brought my camera as I wanted to double-check the West Hampstead charity shops before writing the guide. But I ended up taking more pictures of the sky than anything else.

It was just so pretty as the day’s fog had finally cleared, letting the setting sun shine blood-orange red through tree-tops and illuminate windows.

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Posted in Beauty, Foto, London life, Skønhed

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Book group at England’s Lane Books

Posted on November 14, 2010 | 4 Comments

When I venture outside on these autumn-becoming-winter days I’m greeted by the howling wind, beaten in the face by the rain and assaulted by the dropping temperatures.

NOT very nice, so I hastily retreat back home to my sofa, make a cup of steaming hot tea and bury my eyes in books. Luckily I’ve just joined a book group so I have a very good excuse for turning the pages.

Photo via englandslanebooks.co.uk

The group takes place every month at the charming England’s Lane Books in Hampstead and is hosted by my lovely fellow blogger, Helena Halme (go read her  brilliant blog).

Last month we discussed Naomi Alderman’s The Lessons and this month we’re tackling the two books above.

The L-Shaped Room by Lynne Reid Banks is about a young woman who gets pregnant in pre-Pill, pre-Abortion  Act Britain and has to move into a dingy room in Fulham. I’m half-way through it and loving it.

The second book is The Slap by Melbourne writer Christos Tsiolkas about a man who slaps a kid at a barbecue. A slap that proves to have far-reaching consequences.

This book club/book group business is all new to me but I’m already a fan and think it’s a wonderful way to pay tribute to a book that an author has spent a hell of a long time writing, while at the same time exercising your brain a bit in good company. And you always end up discovering underlying themes and meanings that you would otherwise not have noticed.

The next bookclub is on Tuesday 23rd November at 7 pm at:
England’s Lane Books
41 England’s Lane
Hampstead
NW3 4YD
englandslanebooks.co.uk

If you’re interested in attending, email them at info@englandslanebooks.co.uk or just turn up on the night.

Contact the bookshop for more info and keep an eye on their website for other upcoming events, as they do book readings and signings as well. Both books are also available in the shop.

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Posted in Bøger, Books, London life

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Space Santa in Carnaby Street

Posted on November 10, 2010 | 2 Comments

Yes, I know it’s waaaay too early to talk about Christmas. But I love the Christmas lights that make the London streets sparkle and glitter in the dark. Especially the quirky ones in Carnaby Street.

This year James Glancy Design has propelled the famous little street into the space age with floating spheres, multi-colored stars, whirling planets and Rayban-wearing astronaut Santas that are too cool for school. I like.

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Posted in London life, Photography

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My favourite London “rock pub”: The Ship in Wardour Street (plus a few words on Danish bars)

Posted on November 5, 2010 | 2 Comments

Sometimes all you want is to sip your beer while headbanging to Pearl Jam’s Jeremy….or move your lips to some other awesome rock song by Tool, Nirvana, Faith No More, NIN, The Smiths, Rage or The Cure. Or what about some punk in the shape of Dead Kennedys?

In Copenhagen it’s seriously difficult to track down places with proper rock/indie music. My favourite place used to be alternative Nørrebro-based music venue/club Stengade 30, but most of their clientele are now half my age and I don’t feel like being mistaken for a mum who has arrived to pick up her daughter.

So for the last few years I’ve been hanging out at Riesen Bar on Vesterbro when in DK. Brilliant place with a great vibe and decent music, but thanks to the ridiculous partial Danish smoking ban you often have to cut your way through the smoke.

But back to the UK where we head straight for The Ship in Wardour Street for some  rock & punk action. The pub is conveniently located just opposite Sam’s work and also serves as watering hole for many of his colleagues.

The interior is kind of tacky-ugly with red ceiling and beer towels and the world’s dirtiest carpet. But hey, the music is amazing, the bartenders tattooed, pierced and laid-back and it’s clientele and vibe as non-pretentious and non-trendy as can be.

People are simply here to have fun and enjoy a few beers with their mates. Gotta love the British pub culture!

And this is what it looks like when it’s dressed up for Pirate Night/Halloween:

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Posted in London life, Music, Musik

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