Wine and canoodling in a candlelit crypt - Gordon's Wine Bar

The oldest wine bar in London (established in its present form back in 1890), Gordon’s serves up an award winning wine list and tasty nibbles to accompany. What makes Gordon’s so unique is the venue itself. A narrow flight of stairs leads you down into a dark underground cavern with scattered candlelit tables, perfect for sipping wine and discreet romantic liaisons.

The selection of wine at Gordon’s is vast and varied (as one would expect at a “wine” bar) and the prices are very reasonable. Bottles start at around £14 and glasses at £4. Red drinkers can indulge with a bottle of Rioja Siglo 1881 (£19.50), a medium bodied wine with flavours of spice, vanilla and strawberry. White drinkers might want to try the light and refreshing Vin de Pays Blanc (£14.60), a fruity and easy-to-drink white, that is nicely made into a Kir with a dash of Crème de Cassis. Gordon’s also has a nice selection of sparkling wines, Champagne, Sherries, Madeira’s and Ports. Be sure to check out their blackboard for wine specials.

For those who want some nibbles with their wine, a cheese plate to share is a great option (£11.25). Pick three cheeses from a good selection (Rustique Artisan Camembert and Cropwell Bishop Stilton are definite winners) and they will be transferred onto a platter accompanied by oven baked French bread, pickled onions, gherkins and pickle. A perfect pairing with Gordon’s lovely wines.

Gordon's Wine Bar, 47 Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NE

www.gordonswinebar.com

A floating pub with gigs, drinks and spectacular city views – Tamesis Dock

With impressive views of the city (London Eye and Houses of Parliament), this unique pub and restaurant is actually a converted Dutch barge. Moored on Albert Embankment between Vauxhall and Lambeth Bridge, guests can sip their drinks on the spacious outdoor terrace (weather permitting) or cosy themselves inside the dark, slanted and character-filled barge interior.

The vibe here is very relaxed, the service is very friendly and the drink prices are quite reasonable.

Tamesis Dock also hosts events, including some great live bands. If you sign up to their Facebook page, you can stay in the know about what’s coming up.

Tamesis

Albert Embankment

London, SE1

www.tamesisdock.co.uk

Grocery shopper’s paradise for a “whole” lotta money – Whole Foods Market Kensington

Just thinking about the bread at Whole Foods makes me salivate. This bread is no ordinary bread – it is so yummy that I will not even bat an eyelash over trekking across two tube lines to get my hands on some. The fruit and nut bread is divine. The milk chocolate hazelnut bread scrumptiously naughty. Plus they give free samples while they slice! This is why I decided to venture all the way to Kensington High Street to buy one bread roll for my dinner. Yet somehow I managed to spend £24.55 and 80 minutes in the store. I should’ve known better. Whole Foods is a foodie delight. Here you can find unique grocery items that will make your dining experience an extra special one. The food here is organic and free of artificial ingredients. Along with my roll, I found teriyaki sauce, sweet potato udon noodles, fresh goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, dried mango, espresso chocolate and more. Whole Foods Kensington also hosts weekly events including Thirsty Thursdays, where you can pair 5 wine samples with 5 food tastings for only a fiver. Despite my weakness in the food department, I am proud to announce that I managed to resist buying anything from their extensive organic beauty department.

Whole Foods Market Kensington
The Barkers Building,
 London W8 5SE
www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Deep Sea Exhibit at the Natural History Museum – Bizarre creatures from the deep (with a face only a mother could love)

Procrastination is something I do best. This is why I have left visiting ‘The Deep Sea’ exhibit to the very last minute, as viewing weird and wonderful bottled specimens is right up my science nerd alley. This exhibit is only on until September 5th, which is a shame because the fascinating specimens and interesting facts really should be a permanent part of the museum. Here are a few titbits of deep sea knowledge I picked up at this exhibition.

Fact 1:

The deepest part of the ocean is the Mariana Trench in the Pacific, which reaches a depth of 11,000 meters and is deep enough to submerge Mount Everest.

Fact 2: 

In the Twilight Zone (not the Rod Serling series, but the part of the sea that ranges between 200-1,000 meters deep) many of the marine animals have lights on their underside. This “counterillumination” is a method of camouflage. Light produced on the underside of bioluminescing animals helps them disappear from predators below. And because the top part of the animal is not lit, they are camouflaged from the prey above, as its dark silhouette appears against a black background.

Fact 3 (the one I will keep with me forever and probably share with people after a few drinks at the pub):

The warty anglerfish (quite possibly the ugliest fish to exist - hence why it was used in all the promotional material for this event) is a deep sea fish where the male is smaller than the female. The male fish uses his enlarged nostrils to sniff out a doomed female, where he then attaches himself to her and becomes parasitic, depending on her entirely for food and transport. Sounds like a few men I’ve known...

The Deep Sea Exhibit at the Natural History Museum (May 28 - Sept 5, 2010)
Cromwell Rd., London SW7 5BD
www.nhm.ac.uk

Snog Frozen Yogurt: Brighten your day with a guilt-free snog!

Their mission was to create the best super healthy frozen yogurt the world has tasted – and they have succeeded! Snog’s ice cream shops have made my life a happier little place. There was a time where guilt-free meant taste-free, but Snog has changed this. Their non-fat ice cream is made with organic yogurt and skimmed milk and actually tastes yummy. Adding to the health factor, it is also naturally sweetened with Agave nectar, which makes it low GI. Snog claims to be the first frozen yogurt shop on the UK and since they’ve come around, I’ve noticed a few other Snog wannabes pop up. Snog’s yogurt ice cream comes in three different flavours, natural (my favourite), green tea and chocolate. Once you’ve picked your ice cream you then have an abundance of topping choices to choose from. From plump raspberries to naughty mini oreos, Snoggers can mix and match for their perfect ice cream creation. The perfect indulgence. If only all my snogs were this fulfilling…

There are five uniquely decorated Snog shops around London. My favourite spot is Snog Covent Garden, 5 Garrick Street, London, WC2E 9AR

www.ifancyasnog.com

Getty Images Gallery - Captivating editorial photography

Tucked away just moments from bustling Oxford Street is London’s largest independent photographic gallery, the Getty Images Gallery. Known for their vast collection of stock photography, Getty images use this venue to showcase stunning photographic exhibitions. Along with being cost free, this gallery is attitude free. I stumbled upon the gallery mid-afternoon and shared the entire space with only one other visitor. The exhibition on at the time was taken from the Ian Perry Scholarships collection. The Ian Perry Awards give emerging photographers an opening and support in the tough-to-break photography industry. Both disturbing and captivating were the images from Rodrigo Alfaro’s collection, ‘Deaths from childbirth in Paraguay’. Also exhibited was a shockingly beautiful set of editorial imagery captured in Mozambique of a determined child caring for her impoverished AIDS stricken mother. This collection was part of the independent children’s charity, Save the Children, pairing with the Ian Perry Awards.

Love from London – A City of Stars is the next exhibit soon-to-be launched. Running from August 26th – October 9th, here you can view photographs of stars from the golden age of cinema as they experience London, from Audrey Hepburn in Richmond Park to Elizabeth Taylor feeding pigeons in Trafalgar Square.

46 Eastcastle Street, London W1W 8DX

www.gettyimagesgallery.com

Sangria Bar de Tapas - Tasty tapas and potent sangria (fantástico!)

Tapas + sangria = great times. Maybe this equation is partially influenced by my top-notch 21st birthday celebration in Barcelona (where I experienced my first authentic tapas and formed many other fond and blurry memories), or perhaps it’s my indecisive nature and joy of variety that makes tapas so near and dear to my heart (and belly). I truly enjoy sharing and nibbling little portion of food that come in equally adorable little dishes.

Sangria Bar de Tapas is this small independent establishment that I often walk pass, where happy diners always seem to be. A bright side alleyway next to the restaurant means that diners can actually relish the lovely weather (when it rarely happens) and enjoy an al fresco experience. The only problem with this is the teeny tiny outdoor space can only fit teeny tiny outdoor tables – a problem when you’re ordering six plates of tapas and two giant jugs of Sangria. I should probably mention here that this gem of a restaurant offers 2-for-1 sangria (the real kind – where you can taste the orange liqueur), hence the jug duo.

The tapas dishes here are very good for London standard. Unlike mega-chain La Tasca (which sadly has disappointed me on the food front a few times), the food tastes freshly prepared sans microwave. Their yummy tapas dishes include crisp fried squid (£5.95), chorizo cooked in red wine (£5.75) and blue cheese croquettes (£5.65).  Paella is another enticing option, with a mixed seafood, chicken and vegetable pan for two (£15.95).

With reasonable prices (this is N1!), 2-for-1 happy hour sangria and tasty tapas, Sangria Bar de Tapas is a little bit of Spain in a trendy part of London.

Sangria Bar de Tapas, 88 Upper Street, London N1 0NP

Sue's Cream Teas, Eglos Farm, Cornwall - Cream teas don't get any fresher (just ask the cows!)

Drive by too quickly and you will miss the handmade road sign...and ridiculously tasty tea and scones.  Once down the steep dirt road into Eglos Farm, park your car beside the cow-filled barn and take a seat at the outdoor tables graced with views of rolling fields and grazing cattle.  If the weather is miserable, don't fret, as there is a summer house conversion that has been made into a dining area.  Upon first glance it might seem like you are intruding on a family lunch, but it's actually just other in-the-know locals enjoying what Sue does best - her cream teas.

Once your olfactory system adjusts to the cow smells, the experience is truly pleasant.  Delectable scones and an enormous amount of fresh clotted cream are cheerfully brought to the table along with pots of tea and strawberry jam.  Even the milk in the tea tastes better than the norm.

For an authentic and laid back cream tea experience, Sue's Cream tea is the "cream" of the Cornwall crop.

Sue's Cream Tea, Eglos Farm, Ruan Minor, Lizard, Cornwall

Henry’s Campsite: Quirky camping at the south tip of England

This eccentric campsite is fully booked for a reason – great location and a cool and arty ambience. The whole site is decked out with kitchy outdoor art and aesthetically pleasing plants. Each pitch has been carefully designed, with lush Mediterranean plants perfectly positioned to offer privacy. Located in the Lizard Penninsula in Cornwall, this site is in a great location to explore and relax. Being in close proximity to the sea (about a 15 minute walk) in two different directions, campers can take an off the beaten track trek or a comfortable sign posted path to the stunning coastline. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, there are a couple of shops and pubs along with a fantastic fish and chip shop (with scrumptious fresh fish) and a generous Cornish pasty shop (that baked me a pasty the size of my head filled with massive chunks of meat and veg). Closer to the tent, Henry’s has a little shop for camping essentials, including cider and crisps. There are also clean shower/toilet facilities and a games room (to entertain youngsters). If you fancy a bbq or campfire, campers can rent out a fire basket for the night for £6. If you can manage to get up early, despite the cider and late night chats, be sure to snap up some super tasty scones, baked on-site (and gone in a flash).

It's not the cheapest of campsites in the area, but the views, amenities and character of site make it well worth the extra few pounds.  A tent with two people and a car will cost around £19 a night.

Henry's Campsite, The Lizard , Cornwall, TR12 7NX
www.henryscampsite.co.uk

Chelmsford Car Boot Sale - Clear that trash and make some cash!

Living in the UK wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the quintessential British Sunday indulgence – the Sunday morning car boot sale. Reflecting upon my childhood, I can vaguely remember neighborhood garage sales that would sprawl across front lawns/driveways, where passerbys would stop by for a browse, potentially finding that bargain of the century amongst a whole lot of tat. Over here in the UK, the principle of selling your trash to make some cash still remains the same, but where it differs is in the presentation. Sellers from the community and beyond all gather at a ridiculously early hour to sell their used goods, but by driving into a field and unloading it all from the car. This approach makes much more sense, giving buyers an opportunity to check out the wares from many people, providing a better chance to bag that perfect bit of junk, sorry, treasure.

My experience was as both a buyer and a seller. My sister (who also lives in the UK) was moving house and needed to clear out her loft, so we decided that a good ol’ car boot sale would be a potentially profitable option. And it was. It was also very entertaining. As we pulled up to out plot and popped open the boot to unload, we were bombarded by aggressive antique buyers who wanted first dibs on anything desirable. Upon realising we just had kiddie clothing and IKEA housewares, they quickly dispersed to prey upon someone else.

Here are my top tips for selling at a boot sale:

1. Make sure you have someone there with you (one to watch the cash, the other to chat with customers). It also means you have someone to chat with all morning if it’s slow. 
2. Bring chairs. Standing for five hours doesn’t seem that long, but you will be a lot more comfortable if you are able to rest your legs and bum.
3. Bring a blanket or table to display your goods and a clothes horse to hang your goods. The ground will most likely be damp and you don’t want your things to get mucky. Remember, presentation is important.
4. Bring lots of change. People don’t want to spend much money, which means you’ll need change for their bills.
5. Be prepared to be haggled.  Prices need to be flexible because everyone wants a bargain.
6. Bring snacks and water. A hydrated and nourished seller is a perkier seller.

Tiptree Farm Jam Museum and Tea Room - Jam history at its finest...and yummiest

Situated in Tiptree, Essex, this museum, shop and tea house is well worth the drive if you are a tea and jam aficionado.

For 125 years, Tiptree's yummy conserves have been gracing breakfast tables around the UK and beyond.  It was back in 1885 that Arthur Charles Wilkin joined with two friends to form the Britannia Fruit Preserving Company, creating a jam free of glucose, colouring and preservatives.

For those out there with an interest in quirky museums and/or the history of jam-making, the Tiptree Museum is an educational and feel good day trip for all ages (not just grannies).  And along with the adorable museum (keep your eyes peeled for the random taxidermied 3-legged chick born on the Tiptree farm), there is a lovely tea room for drinks and nibbles. Here you can indulge in the special Tiptree Strawberry Conserve with home made scones and fresh cream, served tea.  The sandwiches are equally fresh and tasty and come with a variety of Tiptree chutneys.

If you don't get your jam and chutney fix with lunch, you can also visit the Tiptree shop, where you can purchase your own jars of Tiptree yumminess, including black cherry conserves and hot gooseberry chutney.

Tiptree Farm, Wilkin & Sons Limited, Tiptree, Essex, CO5 0RF

www.tiptree.com

Tai Veg – Tofu in every imaginable form served at this cheapie buffet

Just across from Angel tube is where this Chinese vegetarian restaurant can be found. Hungry passerbys are lured in by the fantastic £3.50 takeaway buffet offer, where you are given a choice of two boxes (medium £3.50 or large £4.50) that can be filled with whatever tofu and vegetable creations you fancy. The buffet includes “duck”, “beef” and “chicken” tofu and even has an odd textured “prawn” tofu. Meat eaters be warned, the tofu tastes nothing like meat, but with all the yummy spices, sauces and vegetable accompaniments you won’t be too bothered. Along with being tasty, the buffet at Tai Veg is incredibly greasy, so it might not be the healthiest vegetarian option in town. But for £3.50 and at least two of your five-a-day, me and my belly are happy.

Tai Veg, 11 Islington High Street, London N1 9LQ

Dolce London – Exclusive, expensive and not as sweet as its name suggests

This Piccadilly private members club might be able to entice, but is exclusivity and a fancy cocktail list enough to last in London? Once you confirm your private membership or VIP status with the no-nonsense doorman, you pay a hefty cover charge (exclusivity is expensive) to access the over-hyped gaudiness that awaits. There is a fine line between extravagance and strip club and Dolce hovers back and forth with their luxurious furniture (adorned with plush “Dolce London” embroidered pillows) and red strip floor lighting. Tipping the scale towards the latter, an awkward glowing platform of stairs is staged in the centre of the room, becoming an awkward dancing podium as the night progresses and the revelers let loose with the effects of liquid courage.

The cocktail menu looks scrumptious, but the bartender that served me didn’t have all the key drink ingredients or the appropriate glassware. One of their signature cocktails, La Dolce Vita, shakes tequila, mint, passionfruit and gomme and is crowned with champagne. Although it tasted lovely, it was mistakenly served in a wine glass, which disappoints when you are paying ₤14 a pop.

Dolce London has already bagged some of the glitterazzi for private events, including Paris Hilton and Rihanna. Despite the famous clientele and exclusive reputation, this little blogger won’t be going back anytime soon.