Month: April 2016

This is a lifestyle blog. Yes, it would be easy to review restaurant after restaurant, but my goal is to bring you something that reviews all aspects of London life. Whether planning an itinerary for guests, or figuring out what to do with your weekend, I want to tick all of the boxes that create a well-rounded existence. Physical fitness is a big part of that for me. It’s what makes all of my eating and drinking possible, after all! So today, I bring to you one of my favorite places, the Westway Sports Centre. More specifically, their climbing gym.

Rock climbing is fun. It’s physical and mental, appropriate for all ages, genders, and body types, and is extremely social. I’ve climbed indoors and gone on outdoor climbing excursions and have always had a great time. Climbing with large groups is great for laughs and friendly competition, and having little climbing dates with my husband is good for our relationship and even brings us closer together. Climbing is a true trust building exercise and one of the few where you are actually putting your life into someone else’s hands. Couples who climb together, stay together. I have no idea if that’s true, but I definitely see the positive affects of climbing on my relationship. And not to mention my body! It’s a workout. You build muscle and break a sweat. You also give your mind a workout, too. Some routes can be very challenging, and you really need to use your brain to solve the puzzle of how to get to the top of the wall. It’s really quite cool.

So, now that I’ve sold you on climbing, you need a place to go. And that’s where the Westway Sports Centre comes in. Located in West London, the Westway is a giant fitness center that offers tennis, climbing, and has some outdoor sports fields. For £10.00 a day, non-members can utilize the climbing gym under the supervision of someone with a Westway membership or a trainer that is on staff. Personal climbing trainers or coaches are a great way to start, so you learn how to climb the right way and know the basics in climbing safety. Once you feel comfortable to go on your own, you can take the membership test. The 10 minute test on the fundamentals of rock climbing proves your competency on the wall and helps insure you are not a safety risk to yourself or others. Then it’s happy climbing to you for only £10.00 per visit or £53.00 per month for an unlimited climbing membership.

And if you’re all climbed out, or just need to take a break, the Westway has a Crussh Cafe to grab a coffee or food, and have a proper visit with friends. You could also check out Urban Rock, the equipment and clothing store within the facility. There, you can actually rent the harness and shoes needed for climbing. This is a great option if you’re just starting out and not yet sure if climbing is for you. I’m sure you’ll decide it is and have your own kit in no time! So, next time you’re looking for a social and healthy activity, be sure to head to the Westway Sports Centre.

Westway Sports Centre
1 Crowthorne Road
London W10 6RP

The Shed is a small plates restaurant situated on a quiet side street behind Notting Hill Gate. When you walk up to the restaurant, if almost feels like stumbling upon a secret. The entrance leads you through a little garden that has rustic outdoor seating. The cozy area is illuminated by string lights threaded through vine-covered trellises.  You are immediately transported out of London and back to the country or a hot summer night in the U.S. where fireflies circle around you all night long. It is just beautiful.
 

Through the garden is the entrance to the restaurant. A quirky shed, with a boathouse feel. We were immediately greeted by one of the flannel-clad staff members and led to our table through the busy bar and dining areas. Reservations are required here. I had called many days in advance and had to go back and forth via email to negotiate a booking at a reasonable time. They’re not on OpenTable or have any other type of online booking available which is not super convenient. They also call to confirm the reservation that required multiple calls to get in the first place. Let’s just say they make you work for it. However, it’s worth the effort.

Having been to their sister restaurant, Rabbit, we knew the drill. They recommend about 5 small plates for a couple. The ever-changing small plates menu has everything from single bite teasers to slow-cooked hearty portions. They also have a daily specialty cocktail they refer to as their “loosener.”

The menu is a little bit confusing. The descriptions are so abstract, that you don’t really know what you’re going to end up with. But you don’t really need to, since everything will be delicious. We indulged in a nacho-like dish of ground chorizo, cured bresaola with mushroom ketchup (which sounds a little gross but was actually like a truffle whipped cream), a delicious garlicky grilled scallop, the beef cigars (the only item I wish had either a little more sauce or something wet inside to cut the dryness), the pan-fried goat cheese (omg!), the amazing bread and salty butter, and the not-too-sweet blueberry doughnuts. We left so full and so happy.

I find yoga to be the best start to the weekend. A Saturday morning class puts my day on the right path. I free myself of any stress or negativity leftover from the work week and begin the weekend with a sense of freedom, relaxation, and positivity. I also feel great about getting a workout in and tend to make healthier food choices throughout the day, before going out to a big dinner and/or night of drinking.

The music is different, too. I was used to practicing just to the voice of the teacher, but these classes have a pretty unique soundtrack. The class is set to a mix of trance, spoken word, ragas, and even some pop. This I find really cool.

The last difference, compared to my prior yoga experiences, is their use of China Gel. The herbal therapeutic pain relieving gel is massaged onto your neck or lower back at some point during the practice by the instructor. I am not sure if this is necessary to the practice, or if they just use it to advertise their product they have for sale in the lobby, but either way, I love it. It’s like an all-natural Icy Hot that awakens your senses and helps ease your body into some deeper stretches.

But, the reason I love Sangyé Yoga isn’t because of these Jivamukti method differences or the China Gel. It’s just an easy place to go. Their drop-in price is only £16.00 for an hour and a half.  You never seem to have to book ahead. I’ve been able to get into every class, weekends and weekdays at all different times. And the classes are for everyone. All different levels coming together for the open class, taught by extremely passionate teachers. It’s a no-pressure environment where you can do something good for yourself without feeling guilty about the price. And that is why I love Sangyé. So, namaste and have a great weekend.

Sangyé Yoga School
300 Kensal Road
London W10 5BE

Marylebone High Street is one of my favorite places to wander around and shop for clothing and housewares. It has more choices than say Westbourne Grove, but is just as cute. It also has a lot more variety and is friendly to all price points, housing everything from a Theory to The White Company to a J.Crew. (I’m American so you basically have me at “J.Crew.”) 

So, if you too love the High St. and find yourself there around lunchtime, Natural Kitchen is a great option for food or coffee. When I’m with a friend, I usually opt for a restaurant, like The Cavendish, but this is usually my pick for when I’m having a solo day out. The sun-facing cafe tables outside and the bar seats against the window inside make for people watching. 

I last stopped in to grab an organic, quick lunch and ended up with harissa chicken, a zucchini salad with feta, and some quinoa. The helpful staff member went down the food line, piling my requests onto a tray which she then slid down to me cafeteria style. I added a cappuccino at the end, before heading outside with my colorful tray. The food was delicious and I was lucky to be enjoying it outside on one of the sunniest days so far this spring. I worked on my tan–I can’t even call it that yet. I worked on the removal of my pasty white skin–while writing my blog and savoring my meal. Another friendly staff member came outside and cleared my tray as I continued to drink my coffee and write. It was a pleasant experience and day that only cost about £11.00.

Natural Kitchen
77/78 Marylebone High Street
London W1U 5JX

A pub on the list is long overdue. I mean, we are talking about England, after all! Situated in picturesque Notting Hill, on a quiet light and bright side street is where you will find one of my favorites, The Cock & Bottle. 

Commanding attention with its bustling crowd and bright red paint and awnings, like a cock’s wattle, you can’t miss the place. Any night of the week, it’s hard to find a seat!  I have been for dinner and drinks on weeknights and for a traditional Sunday roast. They also have Tuesday night trivia and TVs to watch all of the big games. The crowd is always lively and the price is right. You can get drunk and very full on a nice dinner for under £30.  The laid-back attitude and kind staff makes it a true English pub that you definitely should try!

The Cock & Bottle
17 Needham Road
London W11 2RP

One of the hardest parts about moving to a new city is that you no longer have your trusted go-to places and people for all of the different services and errands in your life.  It takes a long time to trial, review, and determine which places will be your places.  I was so settled in the states. I had my dry cleaner and tailor (Ju), my jeweler (Kurt), my facialist (Lisa), my hairdresser (Jesse), my nail girl (Mia), my housecleaner (Linda)…and I’m not going to even get into my trusted healthcare team. The point is, it took a lot of time to piece together the group of people that I could trust with my belongings and my body, but also connect with enough on a personal level to be able to endure a long-term relationship. The idea of doing it all over again scared the shit out of me.

But, sometimes in life you have to. So here I am again, finding my new places. It’s exhausting, but still fun (just as long as I don’t end up with green hair or high-water pants). And thank goodness now, a year and a half later, I can check finding a new facial place off my list.

That one was a tough one for me. Partially because I had such a great relationship with Lisa. She became my friend. I trusted her, she relaxed and soothed me on bad days, and even went to my bridal shower. She was such a beautiful and therapeutic person that I couldn’t imagine replacing her. And maybe even felt a little guilty trying to. But after the stress and hormones of moving, combined with the dirty, diesel-filled London air, I knew I had to. I tried a few places, but have settled on Jivita Ayurveda in Kensal Rise.

Jivita Ayurveda was not that difficult for me to find. I knew I wanted an Ayurvedic spa, which can be hard to come by.  I googled Ayurvedic spas in West London, and they were pretty much the only option.  Ayurvedic medicine is a type of alternative medicine found in India. You can get really deep into the concepts, figuring out your doshas and how to balance them with food and treatments, or, be like me, and just want to stop putting chemicals into or onto your body. I find the whole practice fascinating and love listening to the Jivita therapist or the great Deepak Chopra talk about how you can take care of yourself with what the earth has to offer. But, I know myself enough to realize that I will use coconut oil year-round to shave my legs. I will not be able to remember that Vatas should use sesame oil in the spring but return to coconut oil in the winter only after adding sunflower oil for the month of September. It’s not just like that, but you get the idea that I wouldn’t be able to keep track. So, whatever version of Ayurvedic supporter you are, you have a place at Jivita.

The people at Jivita Ayurveda are friendly, peaceful, and soothing. It almost feels unnatural for the spa to be located on Chamberlayne Road. The main road leading up to and through Kensal Rise is so congested with traffic, people, and construction. There are people spilling out of the tube station, waiting for buses, pushing designer strollers, just scrambling everywhere, that it’s not exactly the most zen part of London. It’s nice to be able to step off of that street and into such a calming environment.

The spa is small. The front acts as a little organic grocery store. There aren’t too many options for organic foods and vitamins in this country, with the selections at the large grocery stores being non-existent, so every little shop helps. I also love Pai, the all-natural skincare range they sell. 

After having searched for some time in both countries, I find it is so much better to support someone’s passion by choosing to frequent a small business. You usually get a higher quality, more personalized experience than you would at a chain spa, that has, perhaps, higher turnover and less enthusiasm.  Jivita Ayurveda is that personalized, quality experience. On top of that, it has reasonable prices that really are worth every penny. It is definitely worth a try, especially if you are like I was, on the hunt for your place in your new city.  

Jivita Ayurveda
89 Chamberlayne Road
London NW10 3ND

This is one of my absolute favorite activities for any guests visiting me in London. Jason’s Trip is a canal boat tour running through Little Venice and Camden. This must-do is for all ages and affordable for everyone! It also shows that you took the time to plan something extra-special for your guests!

I personally like to start the trip off in Little Venice. The boat has a 10:30 departure that gets you up to Camden for around 11:15. This gives you the perfect amount of time needed to walk through the Camden market before grabbing lunch in the area. Not only do you have a nice little boat ride, but now you have a little excursion in a whole new neighborhood. 

Now that the nice weather is here, head right to Little Venice and set sail on a memorable journey for you and your loved ones!

Okay, I need to preface this by explaining that this is a must-do if you find yourself already in Camberwell.  I am not necessarily suggesting this warrants a trip there.  Unfortunately, Camberwell is just not the nicest area. Apparently, it was, at one time, a fashionable area for art and music. It’s also looking like it’s headed in that direction again with the London housing market continuing to swell and gentrification spilling over onto more and more neighborhoods. But until then, the parks and sweet cafes are currently overshadowed by the high-traffic roads like Denmark Hill and Coldharbour Lane.

Very hesitant about the area, I googled a cafe for lunch when I found myself on business in Camberwell with a couple hours to kill. The Love Walk Cafe came up, and while I thought the name was lame (and reminded me of the cheesy Love Hand Bakery in the states) and the website made it look like a chain diner, it looked clean, therefore translating to a safe bet. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.  I put my foot in my mouth after slapping myself with it for judging a place so hard by its cover.

The actual place is nothing like their website. It’s not generic or outdated. It’s youthful and artsy. You’re encouraged to squeeze right into a community booth and enjoy an oversized cappuccino while you peruse their menu.

The food choices varied, but overall were uncomplicated. I had sweetcorn fritters which tasted very fresh, and were delicious. There were a lot of your typical egg dishes, some sandwiches ready for takeaway, cakes speaking to you from atop the counter–everything you would look for in a cafe. And the place was packed, with patrons squeezing in wherever they could! I clearly had not discovered a well-kept secret.

It was also a cafe for everyone. There were elderly ladies lunching, a couple buddies catching up, business professionals talking shop, and solo gals reading magazines and playing on their phones, all being served by a hustling, friendly staff. It was so nice to find such a wholesome, relaxed cafe that was matched with a great menu. If you ever are (already) in Camberwell, head right over to the Love Walk Cafe!

Love Walk Cafe
81 Denmark Hill
London SE5 8RS