On the corner of Mill Lane and West End Lane, David’s Deli is one of those West Hampstead legends, as far as anyone can remember it’s always been there, and there’s a good reason for that; great Israeli hospitality.

I’ve never met David, but the Deli is run by a band of brothers, led by manager Illias, who can always be found working the floor and front of house, charming the customers whatever the weather.  Manning the counter are his brother Wassim, and also Has, Danny and Sam. Apologies guys if I have missed anyone out!

I like to drop in for one of Has or Danny’s excellent cappuccinos or a fresh mint tea, whiling away many a weekend afternoon.  Customers are die-hard regulars who have come to know the place well, parents and kids, tradesman working on local sites, office workers from up and down the street…and periodically your writer, who avails himself of the free wireless internet facility.

The food and attentive service is the selling point here. Bagels, rye bread (try the huge salt beef sandwich), or better still try the daily special, usually a filling chicken schnitzel with rice and salad, or on Sunday, the lamb shwarma.  Let’s not forget the classic Israeli Boreka, a light crispy pastry roll filled with spinach and soft cheese, served warm from the oven.  Then there are the many other salads, baklava, cakes…oh hell, just take a look at the photo and you can see the mouth-watering display on offer (easy ladies, I’m talking about the food).

Take time to browse the huge black and white photos on the wall, recently added in an interior revamp.  Also see a few pics of the staff with locals who happened to be passing by, including local lady Rachel Stevens, currently a celebrity contestant on BBC TV’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Shame, she’s never there when I drop in…

Details about this spot
David’s Deli | Snacks, Restaurants (Israeli/Middle-Eastern) | Main meal £ 7.50
341 West End Lane | North-West (area map) | +442074338383
08:00 - 18:30 daily

Show full posting and map »

When I was younger, I always had this idea in my head that my body would blow up into million pieces if I crossed the line where time begins. That the atoms and electrons that make up the matter that is me would suddenly be confused on its relative position with time. Of course, this silly notion has been disproven with the numerous visits to Greenwich Park but the romanticism of where time begins remains with me.

The Greenwich Park is, of course, the home of the Prime Meridian Line. It is where GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) starts and thus, poetically, where time begins. The Prime Meridian Line used to be a line drawn on the earth (not around the globe though as I would imagine) but now, it is represented by a laser beam. This line can be seen clearly in the night sky.

The park also hosts the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory. As it sits on top of a hill, the place is perfect for sky watchers and star gazers. But apart from science, Greenwich Park also offers spaces for sport, dining (including picnics) and simply relaxing.

For the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Greenwich Park will be the venue of the Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon events.

Details about this spot
Greenwich Park | Relaxing, Snacks | Planetarium shows £ 6.00
Greenwich | South-East (area map)
Mon - Fri 06:00 - 18:00

Show full posting and map »

It’s the best park in London to throw a stick, all 790 acres of it!

The Heath is a wide-ranging public space made up of several ponds, ancient woodlands, heaths and meadows.

Here you can pretend that you are deep in the English countryside.  In summer, eat picnics in the shade of ancient trees, chew grass stalks and compose poetry (John Keats lived nearby on West Heath Road).  In winter I’d recommend borrowing a Labrador and squelching through the muddy tracks that wind through the open grassland and forests, throwing sticks that the blessed creature will only fetch halfway back to you.  Ahh, a perfect Sunday afternoon walk.

There is a certain breed of Englishmen and women who like nothing more than a bracing swim in one of the many Heath ponds, located at both the Hampstead and Highgate ends of the Heath.  Some ponds are single-sex, some are mixed.  Just watch out for carnivorous ducks that have acquired a taste for aged human flesh…ok, that’s not true, but the water can be pretty cold.

Many activities occur on the Heath, running, kite-flying, walking, but most famously, cruising.  George Michael has apparently cited the Heath as one of his favourite spots for picking up, er, friends.  Watch out George, make sure the Hampstead Heath Constabulary don’t catch you, officers with trained dogs patrol the grounds 24 hours a day.

Finally, take a walk to the top of Parliment Hill, take in a panoramic view of the city, looking towards Canary Wharf and St Paul’s Cathedral, and just imagine how over the centuries this city has grown to swallow the surrounding villages that now make up Greater London.

Details about this spot
Hampstead Heath | Relaxing | Free
East Heath Road | North-West (area map)
24 hours daily

Show full posting and map »

The best English breakfast in the world…ever.  Forget all bad experiences you have had with nasty, greasy, British breakfasts, this place will set your universe the right way up.

A bit of a well-kept secret, Kitchen Table is tucked away from the bustle of West End Lane, frequented by locals, this child-friendly café has a real homely feel. In fact, proprietors Tom and Jenny want you to feel exactly that, right at home.

A large, solid pine table runs the length of one wall, with two equally solid benches to sit on.  Cream-coloured walls, wooden folding tables and chairs, and a kitchen that is part of the café space makes it all feel quite cosy, especially useful if you just need somewhere to relax with a newspaper.  A few flower vases here and there lend the place a slightly rural feel, and an entire wall is decorated with pictures drawn in crayon (available on request) by customer’s children, instead of at your home, where there might be an entire wall just decorated in crayon…without the paper.

I tend to visit for the creamy, smooth cappuccino (are you noticing a trend in these blog posts…), huge chocolate brownies, and the incredible breakfast of scrambled eggs on thick, brown toast, with sides of crispy bacon, roasted tomatoes, field mushrooms and a tangy dark green leaf salad.  Ahhhhh, I want one right now!  Alternatively you can go for a healthier option of homemade granola with Greek yoghurt or porridge with pistachios, raisins and honey.

If you find that you’re still reading the Sunday newspaper after a hearty breakfast, why not stay for lunch?  Homemade soups, tart served with salad and a variety of chunky sandwiches filled with tangy fillings of classic British cheese, ham, hummus, olives, herb-roasted chicken, tuna and salami to mention a few, then there’s afternoon tea and cake as well. Alas, they don’t adopt people.

Note, cash payments only are accepted and naturally, children’s portions are available. Unlike my other posts, I haven’t been able to link this place to a famous person to provide a gratuitous Google link (see what I did there)…unless you are that famous person reading this right now?

Details about this spot
The Kitchen Table | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Breakfast/ Lunch) | Food from £ 2.50
37 Mill Lane | North-West (area map) | +442072099386
Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:00, Sat 09:00 - 16:00

Show full posting and map »

Located south east of central London and perched on the Thames is Greenwich, a village like area of London which is rich in British maritime history. Whilst Greenwich is now more synonymous for its pubs, restaurants, markets and of course the meridian line, evidence of its maritime history can be seen everywhere you look.

Come the weekend, Greenwich is flooded with Londoners and tourists alike, so at some point refuge and a glass of wine is needed. And to offer you that protection is the Trafalgar pub, which is tucked away along the river and located on the Greenwich Maritime World Heritage Site.

The Trafalgar, built in 1837 and bursting with history was also famously one of Charles Dickens’ favourite watering holes.  And despite being over 170 years old,  it has maintained its Victorian charm, with wooden floors, cosy fire places and large bay windows facing out onto the river, making a perfect hiding place on a dark and cold London winters day.

The Trafalgar also has a small but charming restaurant and the main pub serves up all the usual favourites including their specialty - fish and chips.

So next time you’re in Greenwich be sure you stop off at the Trafalgar to really get a feel of Greenwich’s past.

Details about this spot
The Trafalgar | Bars, Snacks | Mains £ 13.00
Park Row | South-East (area map) | +4402088582909
Mon - Thu 12:00 - 23:00, Fri- Sat 12:00 - 00:00, Sun 12:00 - 22:30

Show full posting and map »

Nestled amongst London’s China Town is legendary Wong Kei’s. Rude staff, crammed shared eating arrangements and the ambiance of a school canteen. However without a doubt, cheap and authentic Chinese food every time.

Split over three floors and as packed as a train at peak hour in China, even its worst critics haven’t managed to tarnish its reputation. In fact, some people actually come to Wong Kei’s not just to sample the traditional Chinese food, but to experience the main issue that got the critics tongues wagging in the first place.  The rude staff.

Faithful customers of Wong Kei’s are be able to recall the days they were yelled at by the staff, being told to put down their chop sticks, hurry up and leave. Where talking leisurely with friends over a bottle of wine and a three course meal would lead to an outburst from a waiter and your table being cleared just as you were tucking into your Cantonese beef steak. Therefore, I’m slightly disappointed to admit that every time I’ve eaten at Wong Kei’s I’ve never been yelled at - I actually even received a thank you on my last visit. So maybe the irritable waiters are a thing of the past.

However regardless of the staff, if you’re looking for a fine dining experience, Wong Kei’s is not the place for you, although if you’re after cheap and cheerful Chinese, potentially minus the cheerful, you’ll love this place.

Details about this spot
Wong Kei | Restaurants (Chinese) | Mains from £ 5.00
41-43 Wardour Street | Central (area map) | +4402074378404
12:00 - 23:00 daily

Show full posting and map »