This may be posisbly the most over-used phrase of the summer, but what the heck is up with the weather?! Autumn is trying to take over and just when you think that the pathetic excuse we've had for a summer is over, the sun comes out blazing and your wardrobe dilemmas continue to exponentially increase. I've essentially crippled myself with back ache of late because of the growing size (and weight) of the handbag I've been hauling around so I can be prepared for all eventualities. I was in boy scouts after all.
It's not an overstatement therefore to say that we Londoners have been clinging on to summer as if our lives depended on it. To that end, I am continuing on the theme of al fresco destinations in London that don't often crop up on the 'top 10' list but that are definitely worth a visit, even if we just have to face the fact that it's not really summer anymore after all.
A few weeks ago, it was Becca's birthday celebrations and I was excited to hear that Frank's Cafe was the venue of choice. I'd heard about it before but being an East London girl, Peckham Rye is not a frequent destination for me. In fact, I'd never really been there before except once by accident when I got a night bus in the wrong direction but the less said about that, the better.
Frank's Cafe is on a carpark rooftop about a minute's walk from Peckham Rye station, a short hop on the overground from London Bridge. It's confusing, you have to follow a red line I think. Don't do what I did and go up the first set of stairs you see, that is a fire exit for the nearby cinema, they won't appreciate you trying to get in there. Once you've negotiated the car park ramps and steps and reach the roof, you are rewarded with an amazing view of London, you can see every landmark there is from up there and it's great trying to identify them all and realising that many of them are not where you thought they were (in relation to Peckham at least!). Perhaps it would be more accutate to say, Peckham's not where I thought it was in relation to everything else. Anyway, the view is ace.
The bar itself is great too, lots of choice, lots of Campari and lots of lovely staff. They serve Greenwich Meantime, what could be better? The queues were long but you didn't wait long to get served and the food was fantastic BBQ fair. My favourite being the sweetcorn with lip-smackingly good paprika butter, something I've since tried (and failed) to recreate at home. Not having a bbq was obviously the problem. Probably. It's a really fun place and a fun time was had by all. There is an awning to protect you from the worst of the rain but it is exposed up there so take a rucksack of jumpers and blankets and those rain ponchos that tourists wear (or an umbrella) and you'll be set.
I thought it was only open for the summer but I think it might be open all year round... so worth a visit then whenever the mood strikes except maybe not in the snow. Although saying that, in the snow I think it would be a bit like being in an Alpine lodge, albeit in Peckham but how nice!?
Showing posts with label Discovery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Discovery. Show all posts
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Thursday, 29 December 2011
The Riverfront at the BFI
Trying to find somewhere to eat dinner on the Southbank a few days before Christmas is a nightmare, especially when short of time. The whole area bursts with families rewarding themselves for a successful day's shopping or about to see a show at any one of the venues nearby.
My T was taking me on mystery date a few nights before Christmas and we met up near Waterloo at about 6pm. Eventually after a futile attempt to queue at old faithful Giraffe, we gave up and ended up a few doors down at the Riverfront at the BFI. Behold! There was no queue (well, two people waiting in front of us equates to no queue when compared to the hordes at Giraffe). The difference was also in the welcome we received, we were unequivocally dimissed from Giraffe, even when asking if it was possible to eat at the bar, where we could clearly see seats were available. At the Riverfront on the other hand, we had a big smile from the chap on the door (concierge?) and were reassured that we would be seated within five minutes or so as some people were finishing up. True to his word, we were seated and able to order immediately having perused the menu while we waited.
I'm ashamed to say that I've never been to a movie at the BFI which is certainly something I plan to correct in 2012 but I've come one step closer now I know how good the catering is there. We had a wonderful meal that was reasonably priced and delivered with the friendliest and most efficient service I've come across for a long time. My main, slow cooked leg of Duck with Butternut Squash and plum chutney was delicious, though could have done with more chutney. Priced at £10 it was very good value and for an extra £3 I added a glass of house red. T opted for a veggie burger which I'm reliably told was very good and I can faithfully tell that the chips were excellent. For dessert we shared an absolutely fantastic sticky toffee pudding that came with cream. It was epic.
The atmosphere is great as well, the place is buzzing which is helped by the open plan kitchen and the busy bar adjacent to the restaurant. There are also nice nods to the cinematic venue which I liked, such as pictures of classic movie stars on the menus which double as your place mats and the restaurant name that looks like an old cinema sign.
The fact that we were in a hurry wasn't an issue here as the service was excellent and above all it was friendly, they must be accustomed to serving people scoffing down a quick bite before scuttling to cinema, theatre or concert hall for a 7.30 start. Although service charge is added to every bill, there were no qualms about it as we were so chuffed to have had a two course meal in the space of an hour with such top service.
The catering is run by Benugo and the quality the company is known for is evident here. I will be going back, for a movie and to check out the other restaurant of the bfi also run by Benugo. I'm also just hoping that this wasn't a fluke visit of awesome but here's hoping they maintain this level of awesome. Watch this space.
My T was taking me on mystery date a few nights before Christmas and we met up near Waterloo at about 6pm. Eventually after a futile attempt to queue at old faithful Giraffe, we gave up and ended up a few doors down at the Riverfront at the BFI. Behold! There was no queue (well, two people waiting in front of us equates to no queue when compared to the hordes at Giraffe). The difference was also in the welcome we received, we were unequivocally dimissed from Giraffe, even when asking if it was possible to eat at the bar, where we could clearly see seats were available. At the Riverfront on the other hand, we had a big smile from the chap on the door (concierge?) and were reassured that we would be seated within five minutes or so as some people were finishing up. True to his word, we were seated and able to order immediately having perused the menu while we waited.
The atmosphere is great as well, the place is buzzing which is helped by the open plan kitchen and the busy bar adjacent to the restaurant. There are also nice nods to the cinematic venue which I liked, such as pictures of classic movie stars on the menus which double as your place mats and the restaurant name that looks like an old cinema sign.
The fact that we were in a hurry wasn't an issue here as the service was excellent and above all it was friendly, they must be accustomed to serving people scoffing down a quick bite before scuttling to cinema, theatre or concert hall for a 7.30 start. Although service charge is added to every bill, there were no qualms about it as we were so chuffed to have had a two course meal in the space of an hour with such top service.
The catering is run by Benugo and the quality the company is known for is evident here. I will be going back, for a movie and to check out the other restaurant of the bfi also run by Benugo. I'm also just hoping that this wasn't a fluke visit of awesome but here's hoping they maintain this level of awesome. Watch this space.
Friday, 28 October 2011
More on Westminster
On my way from the office to the tube (if I'm not cycling) I often walk past this beautiful street, known as Lord North Street, that seems to really embody the traditional image of London. I've been walking past, often hopeful that I will be able to capture the street car free, but in all reality that's never going to happen, especially as I'm only there between the hours of 9 and 5, the daily grind.
Most recently on walking past, it was one of those early evening, autumnal moments that was so calm and so beautiful. The light was lovely and it had rained earlier in the afternoon so the ground was damp and the air was crisp with autumn so I took my chances and snapped a pic or two with my phone.
At the end of this lovely street is Smith Square that houses a stunning church and one where I spend the odd sunny afternoon on the steps, eating lunch and reading a book and although it sounds idyllic, this is never a solitary affair as when the sun shines in London, office workers burst forth and colonise every inch of green/step/pavement in an effort to bask in the rays and up their vitamin D.
I confess I've never yet been inside this church but I am always so in awe of it. It's somehow imposing and yet inviting and I always find something reassuring about the architecture of churches, home and abroad. There's also a restaurant in the basement which I also haven't to been but I'll update you once this has been rectified. It certainly promises to be something of a hidden gem of a place.
Anyway, to the detail - while ambling along this street recently I saw on the brickwork of the beautiful houses faded paint signs pointing to 'shelters in this street'. They are, of course, a relic of wartime Britain and how wonderful to see the paint still there even if the shelters to which they point have long since been either blocked off or converted into plush basement offices or apartments I couldn't see for sure without un petit tresspass.
A little research didn't reveal a great deal more info about these old signposts to safety but the font of knowledge that is wikipedia tells me that previous residents of the street have included Harold Wilson and that the street is named after the 2nd Earl of Guilford, Frederick North, who was known for most of his life under his courtesy title Lord North, and was Prime Minister from 1770-1782. Smith Square is also a conservation area, with good reason.
View Larger Map
Most recently on walking past, it was one of those early evening, autumnal moments that was so calm and so beautiful. The light was lovely and it had rained earlier in the afternoon so the ground was damp and the air was crisp with autumn so I took my chances and snapped a pic or two with my phone.
At the end of this lovely street is Smith Square that houses a stunning church and one where I spend the odd sunny afternoon on the steps, eating lunch and reading a book and although it sounds idyllic, this is never a solitary affair as when the sun shines in London, office workers burst forth and colonise every inch of green/step/pavement in an effort to bask in the rays and up their vitamin D.
I confess I've never yet been inside this church but I am always so in awe of it. It's somehow imposing and yet inviting and I always find something reassuring about the architecture of churches, home and abroad. There's also a restaurant in the basement which I also haven't to been but I'll update you once this has been rectified. It certainly promises to be something of a hidden gem of a place.
Anyway, to the detail - while ambling along this street recently I saw on the brickwork of the beautiful houses faded paint signs pointing to 'shelters in this street'. They are, of course, a relic of wartime Britain and how wonderful to see the paint still there even if the shelters to which they point have long since been either blocked off or converted into plush basement offices or apartments I couldn't see for sure without un petit tresspass.
A little research didn't reveal a great deal more info about these old signposts to safety but the font of knowledge that is wikipedia tells me that previous residents of the street have included Harold Wilson and that the street is named after the 2nd Earl of Guilford, Frederick North, who was known for most of his life under his courtesy title Lord North, and was Prime Minister from 1770-1782. Smith Square is also a conservation area, with good reason.
View Larger Map
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Discovering Westminster
About six months ago I took a job in Westminster, just around the corner from the Abbey where Kate and Wills got hitched. Since then it's become more of a stomping ground for me and I've enjoyed exploring the area and discovering new places and details. Westminster has to be one of London's busiest tube stops and it's always a bit of a hassle negotiating through the hordes of tourists and commuters in an effort to be on time, I am always late for work.
I've noticed the Taxi lamp a couple of times but I never really considered the reason for it being there until, walking to the tube of an evening, I saw it flashing and then, the penny dropped. It's a way for the police that guard the Houses of Parliament to signal to passing black cabs that an MP or Lord needs a taxi. The taxi is then allowed through the barriers into the separate lane of traffic that goes straight up to the Houses of Parliament. It actually made me stop in my tracks. Amazing. That is all.
I've noticed the Taxi lamp a couple of times but I never really considered the reason for it being there until, walking to the tube of an evening, I saw it flashing and then, the penny dropped. It's a way for the police that guard the Houses of Parliament to signal to passing black cabs that an MP or Lord needs a taxi. The taxi is then allowed through the barriers into the separate lane of traffic that goes straight up to the Houses of Parliament. It actually made me stop in my tracks. Amazing. That is all.
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