Gem Bar

Gem Bar is a nice wine bar near Regent’s Street. I have only gone there a few times, but every time I’ve chosen a good tasting wine. The drinks are not cheap but if you just want to relax after a day of shopping or you have an hour to kill before going to a show near by its a very good place to go.

The staff is very friendly and they are keen on recommending different wines. The music isn’t too loud so you can still have a conversation. The interior is very modern with sleek booths on one side and nice tall bar tables in the centre of the room. 

I’ve had some great moments here because the place gives you the impression you’re the only people there and no one is listening to your conversations. I can’t wait to go back again… I just need a wine drinking buddy! (They do not only serve wine I’m just a very big fan of their wine collection especially when you compare it to other bars around London)

Here’s their website: http://www.gem-bar.co.uk/

21 - The Market

After strolling to Covent Garden and hoping that the weather would stay warm my friends and I decided to grab a quick bite and a drink at 21 in the Covent Garden square. The restaurant has an upstairs balcony for people enjoying an after work drink. They also have tables set out in part of the square. And a little restaurant on two floors inside. 

The wine is good, the servers are really polite, and you can still sit outside into the winter months because they have outdoor heaters. But the best part of this place is their pizza. Yummy crunchy thin pizza with the right ratio of sauce to cheese. So we enjoyed our drinks, and our incredible pizza while catching up on what happened over summer. Maybe we were nostalgic of our summers and that’s why we sat outside, I don’t know. 

Either way, the ambiance is very romantic, but also relaxed, so probably a good place for one of those first few dates with someone. This is a great place to grab a drink if you want to avoid huge crowds on oxford street after a long day. Or if you’re just strolling around Covent Garden and you want to sit down and enjoy your day, then its the perfect place to go. 

Here’s their website: http://21-coventgarden.co.uk/

Cargo

Attempting to do a bar crawl with a few friends during London Cocktail week we decided to hit up Shoreditch since Covent Garden was a little far. The first place we went to was Cargo. Cargo is on a side road that looks more like an alley than a road but since we were in a group we decided we’d be OK walking down this alley. Looking just at Cargo’s entrance it looked like a club. On a Tuesday night we weren’t looking for a club. We just wanted to chat. So we continued working. And we saw Cargo’s open terrace, so we went back. 

Looking at all the full booths we chose a round table and ordered a round of drinks. I picked my typical bar drink, a cider. But it wasn’t just a normal cider, it was pomegranate flavoured! The others mostly got cocktails which looked pretty tasty. There was club music playing softly in the background. The smokers were able to smoke without having to miss out on conversation. And everyone was enjoying the last slightly warmer evening before winter came. 

Cargo had some really nice decorative details around the inside, and the terrace was incredible. I’d like to go back there on a busier night, or maybe when the weather is good enough for the terrace to be full. Even if it wasn’t exactly what we were looking for Cargo was nice enough so that we could enjoy our evening out. 

Here’s their website: http://www.cargo-london.com/

Life

Life is a yoga place on Brick Lane. At least that's what I thought it was, one day they handed me a flyer. I generally take flyers and then look through them when I get home just so I make sure I don't miss out on anything I'd like to attend. The flyer advertised that they have a bar and "garden". We wanted to escape the madness of Brick Lane so we went in. The bar section is really nicely decorated and there is a lot of fresh fruit at the bar but the garden section isn't too nice. 

We sat in the garden section anyways, even thought it was really a smoking section. We ordered 2 smoothies and the barista brought them out to us, he also came by later to check if we liked them which I found quite nice since they usually only do that in restaurants. I had a super food smoothie called "sexy" which had berries and yogurt, and Daniella had a "ginger zinger" which had quite a kick of ginger to it.

Overall I liked being in that secluded area because it was a really good break from the crowded streets. They also do a bar night on Friday nights, so I might go to that, or maybe attend a yoga class.

Here's their website: http://lifeshoreditch.com/

Bukowski

On a sunny Friday afternoon a cocktail or beer was needed. So I headed to the Boxpark in Shoreditch to grab a drink. This cute little box on the upper floor was serving frozen margaritas and American beer so we had to stop there. The place was called Bukowski. The waitress was really nice and while she got our drinks ready I looked around the little box. 

They had the kitchen at the far end of the box, and they were able to fit in a few booths for people to eat in when the London weather is not so nice which happens to be most of the time. There were a few small details around the restaurant/box which made me like the place even more. My favourite detail was a light up sign saying "Bukowski" in flowing writing as though it had been hand written. 

One of the reasons Bukowski is popular is because they cook their food on a charcoal grill, and therefore the meats have more rustic flavour. Sadly they don't seem to have anything vegitarian on the menu, but if you go with some meat loving friends then you're alright. I just really enjoyed the atmosphere inside their little box, as well as on the open terrase with picnic tables on the top of the Boxpark, its perfect for a casual afternoon. Here's their website: http://www.bukowski-grill.co.uk/

Richmond

One rainy day in London we went to Richmond park to have a picnic under a big tree, and see the deer. We chose to take the bus to the park (371) and get off at the American University stop, near the Richmond Entrance of the park. We discussed what the defines a park, I think I came to the conclusion that a park is any area of nature/green land which is somewhat monitored and controlled by humans. As we were walking through the park towards the lake we noticed that a section of the woods had wire around it so the animals of the park wouldn't damage the plant growth. 

After enjoying our picnic under a large group of trees we walked through the path in the middle of the lake and looked at a few ducks. At this point Daniella intelligently jumped from one side to the other landing in the water making her foot soaked. So we relaxed on a bench while she tried to get dry. We then walked through  an area of the park where the deer were grazing. They were just all relaxing together, eating, pooing, you know the usual things deer do. But we were able to get pretty close to them without them getting frightened which was pretty cool. After we took about a billion photos of them we walked further on near where the young "Bambi's" were. They were a lot more scared of us than the other older deer.

We then went to relax and read our books in a shaded covered forest area, where we were lucky enough to see some bunnies pass by. I think that was the highlight of my day. The cold weather made it difficult to enjoy the nature around us, but it was fun to be out of the city in a group and see what a less populated area is like. I recommend going to Richmond, but not on a rainy day. 

Here's their website: http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond-park

TGI Fridays

When I was in Nottingham my friend Tatiane took me to TGI Fridays, because I said "no way" to Wagamama's (I've been there way too much). Walking in I already notice the obsessive American theme and the blasting music. They sit us down in a booth, and hand us the menus. While choosing what to eat I notice the different American memorabilia scattered through the restaurant, and the moving images on the Televisions. We both ordered fajitas and large coca-colas. 

The staff was all really polite and served us everything well, even checking on us if we wanted more free refills of cola or if we needed different sauces for our food. The music was all quite catchy and fun, making the ambiance good, and it was nice to not be close enough to hear the conversations at the other tables. We were both really tired and when the food arrived we didn't say much. But I think the amount of food given was good and they gave the right amount of tortillas for the meat and dressing given. Also the salsa wasn't too spicy so I could actually put it on my food. 

The food was good for a stop on a Saturday afternoon, and I know they have a TGI Fridays in Leicester Square in London too. So if you're looking for a place that will accommodate a big group of people for affordable tasty meals you can go to them. Here's the website: http://www.tgifridays.com/

L'Eau a la Bouche

Walking through Broadway Market sometimes you just want to sit down and people watch. My friend and I struggled to get seats here, at L'Eau a la Bouche, because so many people are doing what we planned to do, sit and watch the people walk by. Previously I had been in this shop/cafe, to buy mortadella and other southern European foods. I really enjoyed the food I bought, and I had finished it really quickly. But this time we just wanted to get coffee and look at the people walking by.

Originally we had brought books with us to read in the crowded cafe, but I think I was only able to read 4 pages in the two hours that we sat there. It was just such a good view. We were able to see different families walking past, with cute children stopping to listen to and clap for the street musicians. We also saw the different ways people talk to each other, and analysed body language of different groups of people. It was also a good way to see what clothes we liked and which shoes I wanted to buy. 

They probably would have let us sit there for a lot longer, but the market was closing and there were less people to watch, and it had been a while since we had finished our coffees. But if you ever feel lonely in London, sitting there on a Saturday afternoon will really cheer you up.

Here's their website: http://www.labouche.co.uk/

Joe & The Juice

When I was walking around Chelsea with my friend Kristin we decided to stop at Joe & the Juice because we had never been to one before and we really needed to sit down. From the moment we walked in it definitely felt happy, relaxed and friendly. We spent a few minutes trying to figure out our order. I obviously looked at the food first, typical me. 

I got a tuna and avocado sandwich, which they call a Tunacado, which I find pretty cool. Kristin then asked what the barista would recommend, and she got a random one he has talked about. However I was too intrigued by the name of the "Iron Man" juice, so I just had to get that one. 

The two baristas were really friendly, and funny. The younger one was kind of flirty and he jokingly suggested that he'd give us his number, which we just laughed at. We then went over to a table, sat down, and started talking about our assignments. He brought over our drinks and my food, and the sandwich was wrapped in tracing paper which I think was really cool because it stops the oils from getting on to you hands and its somewhat creative and different. 

As we left the two baristas said "bye girls" and blew us an air kiss goodbye. It was just so funny and cliché that it make Kristin and me laugh really hard. Here's their website: http://joejuice.com

Brick Lane Coffee

Walking along Brick Lane at least once a week I've noticed the flashing lights of Brick Lane Coffee before, many times. I don't know why I never stopped before, I think every time I walked past I had a different destination. Anyway, this time my friend Charlotte and I went. I was really thirsty so I knew I had to get something to drink. 

I chose to get an Arizona ice tea because I know they actually quench my thirst unlike the blue lemonade I had earlier that day from a stall in Brick Lane market. We sat down on a couch side by side discussing what we were up to and talking about our flat for next year. I was really relaxed due to the perfect couch, the chill music and the good conversation. 

Everyone inside the coffee shop looked like some kind of an artist and I loved it. The man sitting across from us was drawing something, and seemed very focused. The venue is pretty small but there are several cute details that make it home-y and special. I really liked the drawings on the walls, the different mismatched seats and that everyone seemed to be doing something. I'm glad I finally walked in.

Here's their website: http://streetcoffee.co.uk/pages/bricklane.php

Welcome to Luxembourg

My family moved to Luxembourg in 2004 and is still living in here. Luxembourg is a tiny country in between France, Belgium and Germany if you didn’t know. It’s not a well known country, but it does have a lot of good things. It’s a centre for banking because there are really low taxes compared to other countries so many major companies have branches here.

But on a touristic it’s known for the way the city is structured. There are several green valleys in the centre of the city because the river cut through the hills a lot time ago.  The rest of the city is on multiple plateaus. There are many small winding roads where cars find it difficult to pass, and cobble stone roads are one of the main features of the town. There’s a pedestrian area in the main shopping area of the town allowing the people to feel safer.

I think I only really appreciate Luxembourg when the weather is good and I can walk around through the winding roads because in winter the city looks really depressing and empty. Also I spent all my high school life wishing I could leave so I’ve only really gotten the chance to look around and enjoy this tiny town during this summer. After all, every city looks better with a little sunshine.

Here’s the tourist’s office’s website: http://www.lcto.lu/en/index

Slate

Walking towards Old Street I convinced my friend to try a new coffee shop and not go to her usual one (Fix 126). We stopped at Slate, which is on Curtain Road as well. The grey exterior isn't very inviting but it didn't look empty and there were a lot of fresh baked goods on display near the bar. We both got coffee, and my friend spent about 15 minutes talking with the barista to try to figure what all the flavours of the cookies were. 

I instead decided to have dinner or what I like to call "late lunch" there, and I got a cheese and bacon sandwich on ciabatta bread. (It was incredible). We sat down at the nearest table, all the tables are different and so are the chairs. I tend to like this design aesthetic when done well because it makes you feel more relaxed and free to do and say what you want. 

The food was brought out to us on black slabs, kinda like a black board or a "slate" which I thought was a creative way of serving small dishes. Everyone inside was so friendly and kept smiling so it was nice to be there. I'll probably go back again, just for another one of those sandwiches. 

Here's their website: http://www.slatecoffeelondon.co.uk/

The Old Shoreditch Station

While waiting for some friends one day I finally decided to get some coffee at the Old Shoreditch Station. I've walked past it countless times and I always wanted to go in, we were just always doing something else at the time. From the outside you can see part of their menus written on their windows. But from the second you walk in it looks really spacious. There are cool quirky details in every corner, and none of the lights above the bar match. 

There are really relaxed couch-like seating areas lining the whole window and small coffee tables in the middle of the room with chairs. There's also another room behind the bar, which is a lot brighter and has bigger tables for groups. The day I went there it was really grey, but I'm pretty sure they always have the lights turned on in there. Its nice because you get to see the people walking by, as well as enjoy your coffee in a quieter environment. 

I felt so relaxed when I was there I didn't want to get up from the couch. Sadly I had to, but I think I'm going to try to go back there and enjoy reading a book while drinking some tea sitting on those couches. As my friend Kristin says, "sometimes you just need to do nothing". 

Here's their website: http://www.jaguarshoes.com/?page_id=88