Category Archives: London

London views

Veneta – Sunday Lunch in London Review

 

Veneta

This picture is not mine. It’s far better than what I can take so I used it rather than a blurred picture of goat ragu pasta.

I went for the glorious lunch on a Sunday at Veneta. A restaurant part of the ever so good Salt Yard Group.   My friends and I lazed the day away on Sunday for more than a few hours drinking free-flowing Prosecco and wine – all decent and all included with the price with a tasting menu of £35.

To not go for a traditional lunch on a Sunday made me nervous but I cannot even begin to say how worth it, it was.  To be able to be eaten over time, some incredibly tasty dishes and not be rushed from the table is a sign of a place worth keeping in the book.

Looking around I was struck at how everyone working there was in a good mood, and helping each other. Looking out for each other’s tables and making sure their customers were not left waiting for anything, but nor were they intrusive.  Our waitress even had her family turn up to eat with her between shifts and sat next to us chatting.

The food was plentiful and incredibly tasty and we couldn’t finish it all, but somehow still made room for dessert?!  This out of all Sunday meal deals is worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legends of the Martini – Royal Academy of Arts, London. Belvedere’s a winner.

Legends of the Martini

belvedereHello back room in the Royal Academy.  This was a fun little surprise for an hour.  This idea is based around an exhibition that’s just a room with a boards on it and some kind of guessing game about martinis.  Whatever. You soon spot the giant  martini glass you can sit in and have your photo taken in.

We were then taken to a table and intensely taught for one hour about martini making with Belvedere Vodka.  And to my surprise it was great fun.  And I learned something.  You get to learn to say exactly how you like your martini – shaken or stirred – what parts you like in it (forgotten already) and taste different zests.  It’s only on until the end of August and as a bit of something to do in what feels like hidden London, go do it.  At the end you can buy a very strong martini.  If you don’t drink, then don’ go.  You won’t like it.  Go at night, It feels like you are at a secret London party in a museum.

triple martini

    

Double Rainbow

Double the rainbow.

Double the rainbow.

I had to share this.  Probably the biggest rainbow I have seen and i was just around the corner.  Made me smile during a dreary day.

Serpentine Pavillion

I wouldn’t normally post something to say don’t bother, as I like to focus on the positive, but this is how they have made the new structure look on their website.  I was very excited and planned a day around it.
Serpentine

And this is what it looks like.  And I was VERY DISAPPOINTED.  Spend money better elsewhere. I know art is down to the individual but one definitely worth missing.  A big paper mache mess.

Serpentine 2

Sanderson Hotel – Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

 

Cakes in Wonderland

Cakes in Wonderland

 

Like Cake?  Like Tea?   Look at it people.  Look at it.  Whoever got to be the pastry chef at the Sanderson must have wept with joy when they said ‘ Let’s do Alice in Wonderland, just use your imagination.’ Every sandwich is rolled into a tube of different colours.  Every cake is delicious and cleverly crafted from marshmallow toadstools to carrot shaped meringue.  There are an amazing selection of teas on offer that are far from the norm but all delicious.  And if you fancy it a cheeky glass of champagne can be added too.

I’ve been put off by the idea of Afternoon teas before as they can be snooty, stingy and just full of people dressed up for a cuppa for no other reason then to blankly stare at each other, wondering why they paid so much.  But this one is worth it.  We went as part of a baby shower and they let us lounge for a good few hours.  Londoners and Tourists Unite.

Marvellous Mystery of  how they got the Passion Fruit dessert in the bottle.

Marvellous Mystery of how they got the Passion Fruit dessert in the bottle.

Spaniards Inn – Hampstead, London.

Sometimes this pub can get a bit too busy for it’s own good, but that’s because it’s a great pub and everyone knows, find a great pub and find the worst kept secret.  So if you want it when it’s buzzy then go in the summer and crash someones gigantic table outside in the huge garden, and  join everyone else who is getting sloshed. If you want it a bit quieter than do what I just did and get there at midday on a Sunday and grab the last unreserved table. I was having a Roast Dinner in the Evening and did entertain the idea of ordering one from lunch and doing the double, but I didn’t I went for Gnocchi, and I’m so glad I did.  I mean look at it.  One of the best gnocchi’s I have ever had.  Hand made, truffle cream with pea shoots and chestnut mushrooms. This deserves the biggest picture ever.  Image