London


London is second home. So, this piece will be different than the other “places” articles that I hope to write in the days ahead. (Watch this space...) What I understand of London is quite different to most, but I will keep atuned and write of the more conventional and the hip stuff.

Hamsptead

This suburb located in the North, is home to the most elegant, understated but neo-classic neighbourhood. Kenwood Gardens is huge a park that one may remember from the film shooting scene of Notting Hill. It is great for a picnic and a day out. Walking out of Kenwood, you can pop into Spaniard’s Inn. This pub is is one of the toll gates to London City- I was told as a child. Spaniards Inn or any other pub is great for a pint, but a Sunday Roast- the typical Sunday tradition is a must.

Notting Hill

Moving swiftly towards the city centre Notting Hill once a subtle, local neighbourhood that livened up with the Portobello market has today become a landmark in its own right. For those of you who are devotees of the Magnolia Bakery, Hummingbird Bakery (http://hummingbirdbakery.com) is London’s response. Vanilla icing and the mudcakes are a delight.

The City Centre

Though I have always loved the clean-cut, creamy,pillar based architecture that surround the city centre, I am not its most devoted fan. There are, however, one or two places that stand out and must be visited.

Food&Drink

Toto: Located in a mews and underground, this restaurant is my dads favourite. He knows good food. Hence the five star rating for the best İtalian in London.

Gaucho: For the one who likes a good Argentinian steak+red wine.

Eclipse : For the best Watermelon Martini in town ( well it was when I was a student)

Coccoon : If you want to run into Kate Moss while you’re having a drink after work ...

Freud: Located underground in Covent Garden , try “Aztec”...

Sketch : Salvador Dali meets Alice in Wonderland, this restaurant/bar that also has a patisserie during daytime deserves a visit for its wild interiors... (http://www.sketch.uk.com/)
Shops

Reiss: Let me explain it in its most simple form. If I haven’t visited this shop, even if it is to just check out their current collection, I do not leave London.

LK Bennett: A girls answer to most quality, chic, timeless shoes.







Galleries and Art Museums

Must sees...

Serpentine Gallery – located in the middle of Kensington Gardens , a hidden gem.

Tate Modern- must see view of London from the cafeteria.

The National Gallery- a great collection and a landmark building at Trafalgar Square, next door to National Portrait Gallery.

The Wallace Collection – Home to one of Europe's finest Baroque and classics art/sculpture collection.

For those who are actuallt intrested in modern art and collect art our suggestions (Thank you Selen!) are Whitechapel Gallery, Gagosian, The White Cube(@Old Street), Saatchi Gallery (@Chelsea).