First is was the cherry trees. Now it is the wisteria. London is flower-mad at the moment, and so am I! Above is some wisteria outside St. Paul’s Cathedral on Sunday, when the skies managed to hold their blueness for more than a few minutes and everyone was out and about. Here’s where I’ve been out and about lately.
Brawn, Shoreditch: My friend Howard was in town from Switzerland the other weekend — he was one of my first Internet friends ever, thanks to a blogger dinner at Salt Yard many years ago. It was his birthday and after a little to-ing and fro-ing, we decided on Brawn for Saturday lunch. I’m not quite sure why I haven’t been to Brawn after all these years, but I haven’t and now I have. For some reason, in my head I thought Brawn was all seafood — maybe because Brawn rhymes with prawn? — but it’s not all seafood at all. It’s of that somewhat British, vaguely European style that is perfectly alright with me. The sun dappled through the windows just SO while we feasted on fresh asparagus, Dungarvan oysters, navarin of lamb, and some delicious bavette. I liked it here very much and will return, hopefully many times. Visit Brawn’s website.
Cafe Saffron, Clerkenwell: An old colleague was in town from the US so I met up with her and felt that I should take her for something “British.” Uh, that would be a curry then. The service at Cafe Saffron is particularly sweet, and while the space and the food is best described as “solid” and is certainly nothing to write home about — Does anyone do that anymore? Write home? — I still like it here and find it a fun little local place to bring guests. TripAdvisor at work though for sure as the proprietor must have asked us three times to leave a review on TripAdvisor. (Given their proximity to the Zetter Hotel, I can understand why. Seriously, people, the world has changed/is changing.) Visit Cafe Saffron’s website.
Noble Rot, Bloomsbury: I love Noble Rot. Like really really love it. I like the vibe, I like the food, I like the service. I find it odd that back in December, it took them an entire month to charge my credit card — Amex said that they entered the transaction but never completed it — but that doesn’t bother me so much really because I love it here. I would eat here every day if I could. I dropped in a few Fridays ago when it was still early, and had some rilettes and Bordeaux in the bar and all was good with the world. During one of my visits, I was somehow motivated to spend £16 on a glass of cognac. I never spend £16 on a glass of anything. Jedi mind tricks, I tell you. Visit Noble Rot’s website.
Apulia, Clerkenwell: Another “solid” option, especially for a work lunch if you’re close to Farringdon/Barbican/St. Paul’s, I really enjoy this little Italian spot, specializing in food from (surprise) Puglia. It’s the type of place you’ll take your “Please, nothing fancy” parents to when they’re in town. Service can be a bit all over the place — oh to be young and innocently forgetful again! — but the pastas are nice and a decent value (for London) and the vibe is all a bit shabby chic and cozy. When I need carbs, I go here. If you visit during lunch, make sure you see all the lunch specials, including the ones on the chalkboard at the back. Visit Apulia’s website.
That’s not the half of it! (Literally.) But that will do for now. More to come. I promise!
Need advice on what to do in London? Check out these 25 tips from Jan at The Crazy Tourist!
