Nice Places
THE BATH ARMS at Longleat
After the stress and excitement that was Broken Biscuits the girls were taken to this wonderful hideaway on the estate of the Sultan of Bath. Tapirs, amazing local butter and cheeses, endless chips, cooked ham and warthogs – it doesn’t get more English than this.
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Chateau Saint Paterne
Somewhere between the Loire and the Normandy is this breathtaking haven. Everything is ludicrously effortless. You feel like staying with a long lost friends. Only that they never show up. The honesty bar, the manky Yorkshire Terrier called Dirham and the Aperetif of endless champagne followed by dinner served at 8 make you forget that you actually payed for your stay. www.chateau-saintpaterne.com
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Miss Saigon
My friend Kara always refers to this magical world as “The swimming pool“. And this former bathhouse feels like plunging into another world. You leave London behind and you enter into downtown Saigon. Authentic Vietnamese dishes. Go for the steamed squid.
Huong Viet, 12-14 Englefield Road, London, 020 7249 0877
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Pigging out at the Farm
Every Thursday evening the Hackney City Farm opens up for dinner . The pork chops are sourced from the Ginger Pig tonight – so Henrietta the Gloucester Old Spot is still grunting happily in her shed. The vegetarian option includes Courgettes filled with Ricotta. All leaves and herbs are handpicked from the garden and served on rustic gingham. The rich chocolate tart and homemade icecreams are amazing. You bring your own wine, which the friendly waitress is more than happy to open and pour for you. It’s by far the trendiest place to eat in Shoreditch without trying.
http://www.hackneycityfarm.co.uk
Thurdays from 7-10
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Victoria Park, The Pavilion Café
Ian Sinclair in Hackney, that Rose-red Empire
We reached what I now know was Victoria Park. Far enough. Far enough away from territory I knew, that northern spine.
Stockwell, Kennington Waterloo, Charing Cross, Leicester Square, Tottenham Court Road, Camden Town, Chalk Farm, Belsize Park, Brixton Market, on foot, to the National Film Theatre, to the Everyman…But the unchartered scale of this East London Park, without tourists or celebrated views, was mysterious and alluring.
A tea merchant and a chef transformed this triste public loo and tearoom into the nicest space to feast outside. Yeasty Chelsea buns followed by eggs Benedict smothered in buttery hollandaise while watching geese is as good as it eggs.
Kids optional.
http://www.the-pavilion-cafe.com