This week on WG TV Erin shares hints and tips on how to build the perfect ice bucket for chilling wine.
London Calling…
After living in London for 7 years, Courtney of WG Wines often gets asked for travel advice about this great city.
With so many people heading “across the pond” this summer, we thought you might like to know her top picks for Eating, Drinking, Shopping, and general tourist-y stuff!
Great Places to Eat/Drink
The White Horse, Parsons Green
Known as the “Sloaney Pony” to locals, the White Horse prides itself on one of the most extensive beer selections in England. Food is fantastic, and the menu suggests both wine and beer pairings.
Cork & Bottle
My absolute favourite place in all of London is the Cork & Bottle. A proper, old-school, London wine bar, the C&B is tucked beneath a sex shop (really) in Leicester Square. Owner Don Hewittson, (a Kiwi who is often credited as the man who brought New Zealand and Australian wines to the UK) is a prolific wine writer who lives part time in France, and travels the world to bring unique wine choices to this gem of a spot.
The Westbourne, Westbourne Park Road
Very much a “see and be seen” place – terrific Sunday sessions. Lots of Notting Hill types.
The Cow, Westbourne Park Road
Just up the road from the Westbourne is the Cow. Again – it’s v Notting Hill, but delicious food. Known for oysters and Guiness.
The Admiral Codrington, Mossop Street (off Sloane Ave) Sth Ken/Chelsea
www.theadmiralcodrington.co.uk
Known to locals as “The Cod”, it’s proximity to King’s Road guarantees that it’s usually full of Sloane-types.
The Atlas, Seagrave Rd (Off Brompton Rd) Fulham/Earls Court
A cozy local (one of my old locals) with fireplace for the winter, and a patio for the summer.
**The Prince of Wales, Cleaver Sq, Kennington
Kennington (not to be confused with Kensington) is in South London, usually considered dodgy. Cleaver Sq, however, is an oasis. Within reach of the bells of parliament, Cleaver Square has been home to many politicians, such as John Major and Paddy Ashdown (who I shared a pint with more than once).
The pub itself is very tiny, and the thing to do is to order your drinks and then take them across into the square. The square itself is all gravel, which makes it particularly attractive to petanque players. You can rent boules from the pub as well – a fantastic way to spend a summer evening!
Electric Brasserie, Portobello Road, Notting Hill
http://www.electricbrasserie.com
The Electric is a cinema and private members club (affiliated with Soho House Club) in Portobello Road, but the Electric Brasserie is open to the public. The best steak sandwich in London.
Brinkley’s Group of Restaurants are terrific value – great wines, simple food. The menu and décor vary from venue to venue, but they consistently offer good service, and are “kid friendly”.
www.brinkleys.com
Brinkley’s and Wine Gallery– Hollywood Road, Little Chelsea
Wine Factory – Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill
Union Café – Marylebone Lane, Marylebone
For cheap, reliable eats throughout the city, look for:
Pret a Manger
Pizza Express
www.pizzaexpress.com
Marks & Spencer Simply Food
Tourist-y Things to do
Cheesy as it is, one of the best ways to get a sense of London is to take an open top bus tour. The two companies are:
The Original Tour
The Big Bus Company
I’ve done both, and they are quite similar. Try to sit up in the front, upstairs. Unfortunately I don’t think that you’re allowed to bring beers on board anymore…
Both are “hop on – hop off” and tickets are usually valid for 24 hours.
Another not-to-be-missed attraction is the London Eye, the giant Ferris wheel. Even on a cloudy day, you can see for miles and miles. I believe that you can combine the London Eye with a river cruise as well.
For a more intimate perspective on the city, the Original London Walks company does guided walks through various parts of town. They do everything from a Jack the Ripper walk through the East End, to a pub crawl walk… everything imaginable. The also do guided day trips, departing from train stations.
The walks offer really good value, and lots of insight. The guides are all particularly knowledgeable.
Royal Palaces
The Tower of London
You really must visit the Tower. That’s all there is to it. It’s on the Thames, in the East Park of the City – it’s kind of a gateway to the East End.
Hampton Court Palace
Originally built by Cardinal Wolseley, King Henry VIII appropriated it when Wolseley fell from favour. It is absolutely magnificent – especially in the summer when the gardens are at their best. It’s a short train ride, or a leisurely boat ride from London. Allow at least a half a day.
Day Trips
Oxford (think Brideshead revisited)
Bath (think Jane Austen)
Cotswolds
Stonehenge/Salisbury/Avebury
*a great idea is to join one of the Original London Walks day trips. Great value, and a great way to see something outside of London.
Museums
Tate Britain, Pimlico
Great wine bar!
Tate Modern
In Southbank, the building itself is just as impressive as the art.
http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/
National Gallery (& National Portrait Gallery)
At the top of Trafalgar Square, it’s a great place for people watching.
Shopping
Columbia Road is a rare stretch in London which is devoid of any chain stores (known colloquially as “high street” shops). Instead, it is full of unique and eclectic boutiques. On Sundays it is transformed into a flower market, and is well worth the journey for the plethora of plants and flowers at fantastic prices.
http://www.columbiaroad.info/home.html
Charing Cross Road is a haven for used book stores. Charing Cross Road runs north from the Strand, and the part around Leicester Sq Station is full of used, antique and rare book stores..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charing_Cross_Road
**Cecil Court runs off of Charing Cross Road, and is full of antique book and map stores.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Court
Portobello Road
The market street popularized in Notting Hill. The crowds, especially during the weekends, can be offputting, but it is still sometimes possible to get a bargain.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portobello_Road
Theatre
It’s easy to find out what’s going on, and what’s been well received if you pick up either the Evening Standard (daily London newspaper) or a Time Out (weekly listings mag – comes out on Wednesdays)
Theatre tickets can be purchased directly at the theatres, or on the same day at the Half Price Ticket Booth in Leicester Sq.
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts/leicester_square/
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