LONDON FAVORITES

Spend a day on the town and peruse shops, cafés, boutiques and restaurants to get your food and fashion fix in the great city of London. No matter what you’re looking for, London has it all. With a constant influx of new driven and diverse residents, this ever changing city can mold to your personal taste, chameleon-style. It has class and it as flare, tradition and innovation. Check out our London favorites to get a head start on your journey throughout this incredible destination.

EAT

Café Iddu
For a good start to your day, spend your mornings at this Sicilian restaurant, wine bar and coffee spot. It offers a genuine “punto d’incontro” setting and brings the warm, sociable spirit of Sicilian hospitality to South Kensington. IDDU is a word Sicilians use to describe the Aeolian volcano of Stromboli. My menu favorites include: soy milk chocolate, pistachio pesto soup (a Sicilian specialty), and the avocado bruschetta.
Iddu café, 44 Harrington Rd, London SW7 3ND

Park Chinois
I just discovered this glamorous and original new Chinese restaurant in London that opened just six months ago. Inspired by the Shangaï jazz clubs of the thirties, its stunning décor seems to belong in a film. The hostesses waltz around, the servers and the maitres d’ are dressed to the nines, the dishes are sophisticated and unusual, Cantonese style with a touch of Japanese or Italian cuisine. They also have a jazz band and a dance floor… it’s dinner dance revival in Mayfair!
Park Chinois , 17 Berkeley street W1S

Scott’s
I love to meet friends for lunch at their location in Mayfair. We sit at the beautiful bar and we order one of their delicious fish or crab tartars and raw beet salads.
Scott’s 20 Mount St, London W1K 2HE

Kx
If I don’t have much time, I like to grab something on the go at this healthy restaurant, a gym club located near the Bibendum. They prepare fruit and veggie juices on order.
Kx, 151 Draycott Ave, London SW3 3AL

Yassin Ocean
If I feel like eating Japanese food, I go to Yassin Ocean on Old Brompton Road. They serve a very nice express lunches and the sushi is always delicious.
Yassin Ocean 117 – 119 Old Brompton Rd, London SW7 3RN

SHOP

Walton Street
Still located in the South Kensington area, this street happens to be one of my favorites. Here you will find hip and chic interior design boutiques like Alex Eagle (ideal for gifts) or the Ali Baba’s cavern of Percy Bass Ltd.

Looking for fine linen and sheets or linen embroidered hand towels? Go to the Monogrammed Linen Shop. If you are ready for a sunny vacation, my favorite swimsuits can be found at Melissa Odabash’s.

I often go to the James Perse‘s store located on the same street to get my cotton t-shirts, or very nice long cotton dresses ideal for long plane rides. I also fancy their fitness clothes. Give yourself the luxury to do something extravagant and stop by Laurence Coste’s boutique with its fabulous collection of costume jewelry.

For stationary and monogrammed invitation or calling cards, go to The Walton Street Stationery Company.

Jonathan Adler
Check out this store for its pop and colorful style, with pieces that will give a great mood to your home. There are several stores, but I often go to the Kensington one.
Jonathan Adler 60 Sloane Avenue London, UK SW3 3DD

Les couillles du chien
This one is a little jewel Londoners like to share. In the Notting Hill’s location, you will be able to find such treasures as the fifties table you always dreamed of or a chic Willy Rizzo lamp.
Les couilles du chien 65 Golborne Road W10 5NP London

Allegra Hicks and the Rug Company
These two spots are ideal if you are looking for rugs and cushions.
The Rug Compagny Chelsea 555 Kings Road

Rellik
Visit this quite, vintage boutique in Notting Hill for an afternoon shopping session. You may find couture treasures at very low prices, or cross paths with Stella McCartney or Kate Moss! With an array of dresses, coats and jewelry, chances are you will find something for your taste – all my Parisian girlfriends did!
Rellik 8 Golborne Gardens, London W10 5NW

BEAUTY

South Kensington Club
This lovely club is located between two clay pots and nestled right next to the Café Iddu. To boost your energy and blood circulation, try the Bathhouse which features a sauna, hammam, and baths. With superb décor, you will be able to relax and maybe even experience the house special, “Banya.”
South Kensington Club 38-42 Harrington Road, London SW7 3ND

Green facial with Nataliya Robinson
The Facial protocol is called “the European Facial”. The first step is to clean the skin, then a selection of herbs is gently massaged onto the skin. The skin may feel a bit tingling and slightly red but its a desirable effects, it means that gentle blood circulation is achieved. These herbs release precious ingredients such as minerals and enzymes.
I loved this anti-aging treatment since the herbal green mask was very effective on aging skin, sun damaged skin and acne while natural and chemicals.
www.nataliyarobinson.co.uk