Last month actually saw half our weekends apart. Normally joined at the hip 4 times a week, we both separately galavanted to Amsterdam’s canals celebrating birthdays or seeing friends (including our first King’s Day!), although what little we did see of each other is still more than our other halves do... Back in London we have managed to tick off a few London wishlist saves including the sleek Georgian restaurant Kinkally in Soho, returned to some old faithfuls like the Coal Office in King’s Cross and Sri Lankan Kolamba in Soho and are grateful enough to have been invited to check out a new rooftop opening in Liverpool Street, Los Mochis.
Where we've eaten
While this West End haunt has been embedded in Soho’s rich tapestry since 1926, its recent revamp brought it to the top of our lists again and shamelessly the celebrity of Jeremy Lee helped seal the booking.
The esteemed chef and his team champion British seasonal produce in a way that is simple and executed faultlessly. Their signature smoked eel sandwich is iconic for good reason, homemade aioli fires up the cuttlefish and samphire and their pies are one of the best we’ve had.
There is a playfulness in its contradictions, from the comically large menus housing a concise a la carte offering, to the easygoing service against a music-less backdrop, and even its juxtaposition to the neighbouring open-door exotic dance bar. Everything about this restaurant is special enough for a proper occasion yet comfortable enough for you to want this as your everyday...one can dream.
Where we've stayed
On one visit to the Dutch capital, we based ourselves just out of the city centre in the Hoxton Lloyd and we couldn’t recommend it enough. Situated in the laidback hub of the Eastern Docklands, the city is a 50 minute walk away via Czaar Peterstraat, a charming street dotted with artisanal shops. A little sneak for you guys while we finish our Dam mini guide, but one of our fave finds was De Pinderkaastwinkel who creates weird and wonderful flavour peanut butter combinations from caramel sea salt to garlic fried onion. (There you go, first dibs for our loyal subscribers.) Otherwise it’s an easy 10 minute cycle on the Hox bikes provided.
The hotel itself is the Hoxton at its best. Once the Royal Dutch Lloyd Shipping Company, this impressive building honours its previous life keeping the grand double-height rooms, original terracotta tiles and Art Deco stained-glass windows. The trendy hotel group makes its mark with bold geometric upholstery in uplifting jewel tones, an eclectic lamp collection and of course signing each room off with the Roberts radio for good measure.
Where's we've got our eye on
The “canteen” is a relaxed dining space housed within an old bike shed and spilling out into a walled playground. It is another of those highly-regarded spots that has been on our lists for too long and we are only just getting around to visiting.
Established in the noughties by the illustrious Margot Hendersen OBE and Melanie Arnold (married to St John’s Fergus Henderson and Jon Spiteri, respectively), having run the French House in Soho with their husbands for 7 years prior. The fare is again classic cooking done well, no smears, no foams. We can’t wait to visit later this month for a leisurely birthday lunch.
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