Author: London Checklist

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.

 

 
 

 
And the price is extremely reasonable. We had all of those dishes and like 6 drinks for only about £100.00! Not bad for a Saturday night date in pricy London.  We will definitely find ourselves at The Shed again. It is such a cool little place, with a really attentive staff and inventive dishes that change enough so there is always something new to try. I look forward to bringing out-of-town guests here because it really does feel special. There is something magical about this little shed that seems to pop up out of nowhere.

 
The Shed
122 Palace Gardens Terrace
London W8 4RT

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.

 

 
 Sangyé Yoga School is a laid-back yoga studio on West London’s Kensal Road (just a short walk from the Westbourne Park tube station). Formerly known as Jivamukti Yoga London, Sangyé still practices using the Jivamukti method. Jivamukti is an international yoga company that started in the 1980s with a method that incorporates their own five tenets into each open class. These main principles include scripture, devotion, kindness, music, and meditation. So be prepared, that while a lot of yoga classes are about an hour and focus mainly on the positioning of your body and connections to the earth and your breath, this yoga may feel much more spiritual and a lot more educational.  Every class at Sangyé is slightly different, but they usually include learning the meaning and technique behind Oms, a lesson on the different types of breathing, or even a full 20 minute chanting singalong. The class is an hour and a half long, so there is definitely still time to break into a full sweat, don’t worry. I just need to give full disclosure so you know what you’re in for.

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. 

 

 
Natural Kitchen, similar to a Daylesford, is an organic specialty store with some groceries, a butcher shop, a full cafe, and a prepared food bar. 

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.

 

 
So, next time you want to break the bank shopping instead of eating, head to Marylebone High Street’s Natural Kitchen. You’ll have a great meal at a great price.

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. 

 

 
But in the back of the establishment is where you want to be. In the back, there’s  a small, cozy treatment room where I enjoy a facial once or twice a month. During that time, Anu, the therapist/owner, provides expert nutrition and skincare advice while delivering a top-notch facial complete with extractions and an amazing(!) massage. The entire experience is relaxing and I always leave there feeling great. 

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. 

 

 
Jason’s Trip takes reservations and only costs £9.50 per person (cash only) for the one-way ride through the canal. That’s less than what an Uber would run you up to Camden! That 45 minute ride is filled with a backyard view of some of the most beautiful homes in London. You float right through Regent’s Park and right by the London Zoo. You’re surrounded by a variety of ducks and birds that are mesmerizing to watch while they fish and then fight each other. All of this is going on while a very impressive host spends the 45 minutes filling you in on the history of the canal and its surroundings. It is a very educational and aesthetically pleasing experience!

  
Then, once you are let off the boat into the Camden Market, you (now a canal connoisseur) can watch the boats heading further, rise and fall with the flow of the Camden locks. It’s a peaceful scene, and I know that you and your guests will appreciate it. 

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!

 

 
Jason’s Trip
jasons.co.uk

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

Westbourne Grove is an upscale retail road in the heart of Notting Hill. Running right through Portobello Road, you can explore this part of the neighborhood during your trip to the famed Portobello Market. Westbourne Grove provides a nice balance to the Portobello Road’s heavy market crowds and lower-end fashion stalls and street food booths. I like to wander through the market on a Saturday with my coffee from Coffee Plant, but ultimately land on Westbourne Grove to eat and do some proper shopping.

The west end of Westbourne Grove is really the focus of this review. After the Chepstow Road intersection, you head to a more practical end of the street, with simpler restaurants and stores for home improvements and weekend errands. But ahh, the west end. The sun-facing restaurants with outdoor tables, the candy colored buildings, the high-end boutiques, and the side streets that lead to even more temptations.

The shops include Club Monaco, Jigsaw, Weekend MaxMara, to name a few, and are surrounded by modern cafes, such as 202–a clothing retailer/restaurant hybrid. There is a Daylesford organic grocery store with inside dining and shopping, but if it’s a nice sunny day, I often purchase a salmon fillet and one of their prepared salads to take outdoors. If the tables out front are unavailable, I will head to the community benches on the large center island that holds the Boris bikes and The Flowered Corner florist.

Heading to Westbourne Grove makes for a nice, sunny lunch after spin class, a great place to catch up with a friend over coffee, or an impressive place to take out-of-town guests. For guests, I usually start the adventure with brunch at Granger, but I’ll get into that another day…

As for today, it looks like it’s going to be a sunny one. A perfect time to head to Westbourne Grove with a book for a coffee, and maybe even to find a new pair of shoes. Anything to make Monday seem a little more tolerable!

Westbourne Grove
W11

Oxford Street is sort of a food desert. You really have to hunt to not fall into a tourist trap or a fast-food chain restaurant. I have always had to search down side streets to find lunch-worthy spots, but haven’t found too many that I would visit a second time.  Well, today my luck changed.  Wandering out of Selfridges and heading north, we headed away from the busy crowded Oxford Street for a little shopping break and for some peace and quiet. After a short walk, we stumbled upon The Ivy Cafe in Marylebone.

 

The Ivy Cafe was everything I needed in that moment. It was on a beautiful, quiet street. It was bustling but had tables available. It was warm and sunny inside. The menu had something for me craving my Sunday cheat meal and my husband who has been dabbling in a low-carb lifestyle. And boy was it pretty. The wall hangings were eclectic but refined. The tableware was clean and sophisticated, like a country club back at home. I was very content to be there and to settle into a corner booth with my hair-of-the-dog mimosa.

My husband enjoyed his low-carb swordfish and broccoli dish and I stuffed my face with eggs benedict, chips, and ketchup. We weren’t exactly in sync today, but we both enjoyed the different meals that were put in front of us. The chips were some of the best I have had in this country, actually (the actual best being up north in Derbyshire). They had a perfect crispy outside with a creamy potato filling. Just heaven!

 

 

But, in true UK fashion, while so many things were on point, the service here fell flat. I think there are two important lessons The Ivy Cafe could stand to learn. One is to always “check back on your table within either two minutes or two bites” after a meal has been delivered. The other is to “never let glasses get less than half full.” If the servers were more attentive and followed these golden rules, I would have had ketchup for my fries sooner and would have been a lot happier. I would have also gotten a second mimosa and been a lot happier and the restaurant would have made more money. Win, win. These simple service adjustments could make a world of a difference to a patron and an establishment. And I just have to add…your salt shakers are silly. The one small hole lets one grain at a time come out after shaking it like I’m bringing it back to life. Some times function needs to outweigh or at least meet fashion.

There, I’ve said my peace, but please do not let a couple criticisms overshadow the truly wonderful restaurant that is The Ivy Cafe. It is a sunny, darling restaurant with a dapper bar and crowd to match. It is a perfect escape from Oxford Street to get full and happy before heading back to Selfridges to spend your life savings.

 

The Ivy Cafe
96 Marylebone Lane
London W1U 2QA