Wright Brothers

Walking around Spitalfields I noticed that there was a new and slightly different restaurant. So one Sunday I brought my friend Dominique to discover what it was. It was Wright Brothers, a seafood restaurant specialised in lobster, crab, pretty much anything with a shell. We got there at about 5pm and sadly the kitchen only opens at 6 so they offered us a cold menu. After deciding we didn't want to share oysters we settled for brown crab. 

They served us bottled water and I got a sweet and sour juice to go with the food. While we waited we had some amazing brown bread and our crab was right in front of us before we knew it. I started by digging into the shell, letting Dominique have the claws, and off we went tearing the poor crab apart. The meat in the shell was strong in flavour and thick. When I got to opening up the legs I struggled with opening them and had a whole leg land in my lap. Lucky I was still wearing my napkin. The meat from the legs was a lot more tender and it contrasted greatly with the meat from the shell. 

After sharing the crab both Dominique and I were quite full so we called for the check. Overall, I really liked Wright Brothers. They had perfect calm music to go with the lighting and atmosphere of the place. I loved sitting at the bar and being served food. The staff was really friendly and kind, I was genuinely happy to leave them a tip. I already know I have to go back to try their hot food.

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

Rosa's

Rosa's is a cute little Thai restaurant tucked between some shops in between Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane. What makes it stand out from everything else?  It's painted bright red! After walking past it a few times and noticing the crazy queues outside I knew I had to eat there. So when my Friday classes got cancelled I knew exactly where I was going for lunch. 

Upon walking in you notice all of the beautiful wooden tables, and get seated at one of them. On the edges of the restaurants the tables are set up with one side sitting on a connected bench against the wall. The others however, do not get the chance to lean on a wall. The menu is very clear, describing the different dishes they offer for lunch and dinner and one stood out to me, the sweet and sour pork. It had been ages since I had anything that was labelled "sweet and sour" so I went with my gut, and ordered that. 

After taking my order the food was ready in 10 minutes, I didn't event have time to read much of the book I had brought with me. They serve most of their dishes with white and brown rice and a good mix of vegetables. I recommend that if there are a few of you, grab a few starters to share. Sadly, they include service tax on their bill, but we'll let that one slide because the service is actually pretty good. 

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

Poppies

When people ask me “where can I get the best fish and chips in London?” I rarely have to think more than a second. Poppies is the best. If you get your food “to go” I recommend getting a regular portion of chips. The chips are amazing, traditional, English, chips. They serve them in a cup, wrapped in a newspaper tube, and fill it up quite a lot. Trust me, a regular is enough, I’m never able to finish them alone. Their fried codfish always smells amazing, and the one time I tasted it I vowed to eat there again. 

Unfortunately it’s in between Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane Market, so I rarely stop there to eat because there’s so much to choose from in that area on a Sunday afternoon. If you happen to walk past though it’s worth the stop. I think of it as one of London’s mini landmarks of English culture that every tourist should taste. To add character to their restaurant the waitresses are dressed in adorable 50’s diner clothes and always look fabulous.

Also, a true “Englishman” covers the chips in vinegar and salt, try it if you dare. 

Here’s their website: http://poppiesfishandchips.co.uk/

Solid Id

Solid Id is a cute little pop-up shop for homeware in Spitalfields. I didn't buy anything there, but I did fall in love with a few pieces. They have vintage styled items integrated with modern design. And they have amazing candles too.

The people working in store are very friendly and will offer you a helping hand if you need anything, but they don't pester you like staff do in some independent stores. When you walk in it smells amazing just as though you had gotten home. Its warm and inviting, more so than other stores in the area.

I just went in there to browse but I'm really happy I did, if I have any friends looking for something a little bit more different and unique I'll tell them to shop there. I must have picked up at least five or six things that I thought would look great in my place. 

Too bad its a pop-up shop though, since I don't know when they'll leave. Maybe I should impulse buy something from them soon. Or simply buy something from them online. 

Here’s their website: http://solidid.co.uk/

Pizza Union

After walking past a very full Breakfast Club my flatmate Emily and I decided to go somewhere we knew there would be space. So we went next to Nido, and found Pizza Union as well as a Japanese restaurant. Opting for pizza was a smart choice. Pizza Union is set up as a "do it yourself" restaurant. We sat outside and enjoyed the last few moments of sunlight. 

You go up to make your order, grab your drinks and pay for everything. They then give you a beeper and it lights up when your pizza is ready. The pizzas are very affordable. I think mine cost about 5 pounds. After the first bite I decided that this was probably the best pizza I've had in London so far. And that's a big statement. 

Maybe I don't go out for pizza often, but overall it was the perfect thinness, and combination of flavours. The tomato sauce still soft and the cheese creamy and not overly stringy like the bad cheeses you often get on pizza. I really like the set up of the restaurant too, everything was authentic Italian which is really strange for a "fast food" sort of place. But who cares, as long as it tastes good. 

Here's their website: http://www.pizzaunion.com/

Spitalfields Market

Spitalfields Market has something going on every single day. The actual infrastructure is called "Old Spitalfields Market" and on each side of the square there are a few permanent shops, as well as some restaurants. But during the day, until around 5pm, there are street markets. On Thursday the market specifically has vintage stands which sell everything from clothes to home decor, and old cameras. Every stand has some little story linked with each individual item on sale. 

If you have time you should browse slowly and talk to each of the sellers and get to know the products you're interested in. I generally try to avoid that because I spend ridiculous amounts of money when I start to like someone, I tend to feel like I have to buy their stuff. I go there for the atmosphere because everyone is somewhat creative and interesting and at some point everyone is willing to tell their story. 

I tend to buy small postcards for my room because I like to imagine what was going on when the photo was taken and where this place could be. Spitalfields Market, like other markets in London, for me is an escape a way to submerge myself into a different life just for a moment. 

Here's the market's website: http://www.spitalfields.co.uk/