I knew I was at the right place for fish and chips when the window displays a small selection of seasonal fish.

I picked the battered haddock with chips, for a pricey nine pounds. but well, when I opened the neat cardboard packaging only to find a chunky piece of perfectly cooked fish, two handfuls of big chips, a wedge of lemon, and – wait for it – tartare sauce, I was more than happy with having spent a ten-er on this.

I think they also have another location on clapham high street, but the st john hills remain my favourite because it’s pretty darn close to my flat and I’ve met the cutest dog at the shop. and just for the record, their staff is the best.

tags: clapham, sw.

picture a hot summer day. I’m riding my bike through south kensington, and spot lovely watermelons through a window. braaaakes.

cosily sat outside, in the shadow, I sip through my lemonade before biting into a lovely tomato and mozzarella just-toasted sandwich. maybe it wasn’t that good, but I keep fond memories of the place. so charming.

and the watermelon. just perfect.

tags: south kensington, sw.

whenever I crave something sweet, I take a conveniently-short walk to the notting hill favourite cupcakery: hummingbird bakery.

with top-notch ingredients, their cupcakes are the best in London. the sponges are soft and moist. and the frostings perfectly creamy.

I love the red velvet and simple vanilla cupcakes. but make sure you get a bite of the whoopie pies and a slice of cheesecake too.

my favourite branch is in soho. it has such a big display with hundreds of cupcakes. and the south kensington shop has some tables to sit at to enjoy your treats with a delicious latte or a creamy hot chocolate.

a must.

tags: notting hill, soho, south kensington, sw, w.

I usually go there to enjoy a large – and cheap – plate of fried dumplings, which happen to me made by the restaurant window = such a lovely sight.

I like their doughy dumplings dipped in – what I think is some kind of – vinegar. may not be the traditional way to eat them, but I just can’t resist.

as for the bubble teas, they’re okay-ish, but not my favourites.

tags: chinatown, wc.

Conveniently located off regent street, the parlour is the perfect place to have an afternoon tea after an exhausting day of shopping.

The atmosphere is worth a visit on its own. Make sure you check the lovely light sign in the hall way.

We cosily sat on velvet arm chairs and shared a selection of three pastries:
• a tarte panna cotta, with candied grapefruit and grapefruit jelly (and my favourite).
• an entremet marron, which tasted a lot more like dark chocolate to us.
• a cardinal, or more precisely, a violet creme au beurre and a blueberry compote encased in a large purple macaron shell (my sister still dreams about this).

The service was outstanding, and I must admit I can’t wait to go back for a proper champagne afternoon tea.

tags: mayfair, w.

I almost always go there for take-away only. first, because it’s constantly packed. and also, because I find the people not so nice.

but trust me, when you’re going to eat such lovely food, you don’t need nice.

what you need is a couple of fritters, a slice of brownies, and some cookies. if I’m being honest, I shall admit those are the best brownies I have ever had. they have a perfect texture and an overwhelming taste. the cookies are also damn good.
but the fritters! I could have them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. ask for the dipping sauce.

edit. another view of the window display. with the beloved pentax this time!

tags: notting hill, w.

it might just be macarons and chocolates, but feels like a relieve to the almost non-existing fine pâtisserie scene here in London.

to me, they’re the best macarons in town. or more accurately, the matcha and sesame macaron is the one; so are the vanilla, passion fruit and milk chocolate, and pretty much all of them as a matter of fact.

just a small note: they don’t come cheap. we paid 24£ for a box of 12. was it worth it? yes, but then you know how much I’m in love with anything Pierre Hermé.

tags: oxford street, w.

a lovely restaurant, not too packed during week days. we even managed to find a lunch table for two on a friday.
the food is cooked simply, yet in a refreshing – and altogether delicious – way.

I simply adore the glasses and plates; which you can find at the shop next door, also accessible from the restaurant space.

they also sell take-aways (the counter looked gorgeous) and packaged things like soups (and certainly a lot more, although, I must admit, I didn’t have a proper look).

for lunch we shared:
• a spicy vegetable pad thai – a cold salad of cabbages and carrots with chilli, mint and cashew nuts
• a pizza du jour – with mozzarella, grilled courgettes, marinated artichokes and olives

just one thought: where can organic courgettes come from when it’s snowing outside?

tags: notting hill, w.