MY PERFECT SUNDAY IN LONDON

I recently shared my London insider tips with the guys at ebookers (see them here) and couldn’t turn down the opportunity when they asked me to write up what my ideal Sunday in unarguably one of the best cities in the world that I am lucky enough to call my home  would look like, focusing on what else but fantastic food and drink at some of my favourite spots. So get inspired and make sure you make your next Sunday count!

TO START THE DAY : 

People watching and cappuchino sipping at The Coffee Works Project Angel

I would start my Sunday in Angel, to be more precise at this little coffee shop gem down the cobbled and incredibly charming Camden Passage that comes alive at the weekend with an array of antique stands and is just a stones throw away from Angel tube station. I am quite the caffeine snob and this place has without a fail served me well made coffee in an unpretentious and relaxed environment perfect for people watching or reading the Sunday papers.

TO KEEP YOU GOING: 

Order yourself a salad lunch box from Ottolenghi

After I’ve had my caffeine fix I would wonder up Angel’s Upper Street, a lovely street full of independent boutiques and great restaurants until reaching one of my all time favourite eating spots, Ottolenghi. Yotam Ottolenghi is somewhat of a legend when it comes to preparing vegetarian and Middle Eastern leaning dishes and people flock to this Islington branch in their hordes every weekend to pick from the stunning display of sweet and savoury dishes that you can spy from the street through big glass windows. Get yourself a salad box to enjoy on a nearby bench, the chili and garlic charred broccoli as well as aubergine dishes are must tries, and fill up on your five a day before continuing the day…you won’t regret it.

TO DIGEST AND BURN OFF LUNCH CALORIES:

Take a walk down Regent’s canal towards Haggerston

About 5 minutes away from Ottolenghi is the Regent’s canal, an idyllic waterway that connects different areas of London via picturesque walks. Passing numerous quaint barges and locks you will almost forget you are in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world.

FOR AN AFTERNOON PICK ME UP:  

Enjoy some fine wine at Sager & Wilde

After about 20 minutes of following the canal eastwards you reach the Haggerston and Hoxton area of London which I call my home and as Sunday is a day for treating yourself I would continue down Hackney Road for a much deserved afternoon glass of wine at Sager & Wilde, a great little bar that specialises in offering a fine selection of affordable and delicious wines that you can order by the glass. Whether you perch on one of their stools at their stunning glass bar indoors or watch the world go by if the weather allows on one of their outside seats, there aren’t many other places I would rather be on a Sunday afternoon.

TO GET YOUR STREET ART FIX:

Discover Shoreditch’s Redchurch street

En route to dinner I would take a walk down Redchurch Street, in the heart of Shoreditch, which houses some of the finest and most famous street art you’ll find in the whole of London  (read more about it here), including an interactive graffiti by artist Insa. The street is also home to an eclectic mix of cool shops such as APC and Aesop and amazing foodie finds like the London branch of the famous Mast Brothers chocolatiers which are also worth checking out.  My tip- get yourself a cookie from Mast to have later as dessert.  Cookies don’t get much better than the ones baked by these guys which use a pinch of sea salt and high quality dark chocolate.

AND TO FINISH OFF PROCEEDINGS IN STYLE: 

Eat some fantastic Thai food at Som Saa

I am massive fan of small plate dining, being able to try lots of different flavours and dishes rather than having to settle for one main, and was more than overjoyed when I recently discovered that Som Saa excels in doing exactly that with their modern take on hearty Thai dishes. The whole place has a modern and hip dining vibe, all exposed brick and fusion cocktails but definitely is not style over substance, serving up vibrant and unexpected flavours that have made me want to come back ever since my first and so far only visit here.  It’s the perfect place for a relaxed Sunday with it’s walk-in only policy (though be warned arrive earlier rather than later for dinner as this place gets packed) and is the ideal venue for a nice dinner with friends to end the weekend with food that revitalises rather than leaves you too stuffed or feeling stodgy.

After this all that would be left for me to do would be getting home, putting on my current TV series obsession of choice (Homeland if you care to know) and enjoy that oh so delicious cookie waiting to be warmed up in the microwave, ready to face a new week.

London for me doesn’t get much better.