While on assignment for POURHOMMEGROS, I was granted the opportunity to fly into London for a week to explore the lush and vibrant social scenes the city has to offer for the oversized bloke. I’ve been to London many times in the past, however due to the nature of my visits, I didn’t get a chance to adequately capture its essence and soul. From arrival to departure, London has superseded my expectations.
On arrival at LHR I was impressed by the efficiency of the immigration and customs fast-track E-Gate system, designed for British nationals and tourists alike, holding biometric EU, US, Canadian and Australian passports. Powered by AI the -gate system is a smart and seamless port of entry that offers travelers expedited access into the country within minutes from landing. Once I collected my luggage and cleared the final leg of customs, I proceeded to the taxi queue outside of terminal 1 to catch a ride into the city. For convenience sake, and to remedy and combat the perils of overpacking and jet lag, I opted for a black cab transfer ( big mistake). Although the fleet of London’s iconic black cabs are celebrated and accredited for their savvy, professional and courteous service and uber sleek & spacious cabins, the steep cost is not worth the service rendered as there are a plethora of city transfer options that offer similar comfort and superior convenience at a fraction of the cost. A black cab transfer into central London can set you back an upwards of $120 USD plus gratuity whereas an UberX transfer would cost no more than $60 USD. An option for those of you light travellers, may I suggest boarding the Heathrow Express which transports you into central London’s Paddington station within thirty minutes tops.
London is home to some of the swankiest and ritziest accommodations that have become world class institutions for curating unforgettable and luxurious experiences for its patrons , however expect prices to be steep especially during peak travel seasons( March- September). For privacy, convenience and a more authentic experience I recommend letting an Airbnb property. Fortunately for me, this time around I was graciously housed and hosted by close local friends of mine who’ve been working and living in central London for sometime now. The location was great as it afforded me the convenience of travelling in style and comfort around London.
While on assignment and under the gracious hospitality of my local friends I have been wined and dined at some of London’s best(subjective according to palate and dietary restrictions) eateries. First night in London we had a quiet dinner at the Ivy restaurant in St. John’s Wood. Since 1917, the Ivy has proven to be one of London’s premier dining destinations. I’ve opted for a two course meal paired with a crisp white wine offering. For starters, I chose both the crispy duck salad with watermelon & cashews( a sweet and savoury melange of crispy & fresh ingredients) duck liver pate ( a buttery smooth and velvety pate served with a bread and a preserve and decorated with walnuts to add texture and enhance flavour) followed by a chicken Milanese served with rice and a rich cream sauce(Divino) both were absolutely phenomenal. Well-fed and still buzzing with energy from the vino Blanco, I decided to meet an old friend for a rendezvous at Drunch hookah lounge around the corner from where I was staying. Nestled in the midst of a quiet residential quarter and directly across from Regent’s Park sits this hole in the wall, a dimly lit hookah lounge exuding chill vibes and boasting a heated terrace decorated and bedazzled with hanging wisteria garlands. Attracted to the vibe, both me and my friend opted to sit out in the terrace and brace the cold however it was nothing that one of their many radiators couldn’t solve. We chatted well past midnight over a bottle of vino Blanco and a mint grape hookah. Buzzing with energy from the vino and nicotine we concluded the night taking pictures next to the life sized Paddington bear inside the bistro. Day two was spent with a scenic drive down embassy row (a surreal display of power & influence) followed by a shopping excursion walking the cobblestone roads(proceed with caution when wet and walking with wooden soles or no grip shoes) of Covent garden and later Oxford Street. I concluded the night meeting my hosts for Japanese at Sticks’N’Sushi. With many locations scattered across London town, this Danish transplant is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to Japanese fare. For starters we ordered the sashimi platter (selection of their finest & freshest cuts of fish ) that’ll surely impress and satiate the palette of the most discerning diner. As for the main dish, I opted to sample a selection of their meat & salmon kabobs paired with a refreshing bar crafted Mojito. All in all and to avoid rambling on about my copious gastronomical voyages, the restaurant scene in London is very diverse, refined and renowned as there is something that will surely impress any palate be it cultured or not. As for the rest of my trip it was well spent literally and figuratively prowling the shopping districts of Covent garden, Marylebone, Oxford Circus and Mayfair in search for fine personal effects to add my ever-growing collection.
POURHOMMEGROS 