Know Thyself

So here we were, yet another brunching Sunday… this time a little bit more elegant, a little bit more composed. Kettner’s Townhouse has been one of those relatively fresh buzzing places one owes to carry out a pilgrimage to. With its impeccable soho home interiors, the detail reflected in the shiny porcelain and the baroque armchairs along with all the little silver wear (which I absolutely adore), this place won my heart quite early on. The best thing about it… it’s only 8mins await on foot from my place, hence a potential new hub?!

The prices are actually surprisingly “pleasant” and there is a wide range of carefully curated dishes to suit all tastes. From the classic avo on toast with poached eggs, to lobster royale, to poppy seed cakes, there’s most definitely something for everyone…

I had decided early on I was going to go all out today… so I indulged in (probably the most pricy dish on the menu) the Lobster Royale which came with a topping of caviar. (YUM)

The lobster royale – with a serving of lobster, poached egg, topped with caviar (£25) 

The elegance and consistency of the soho house chain is something i do enjoy … probably too much. It’s the art deco character combined with impeccable service. It makes everything else just effortless and as lazy as they should be. Allowing you to focus on chats about everything and nothing.  I often get asked why i enjoy brunching this much and I genuinely think it’s simply due to this association of mine whereby family and friends come around a table and spend endless hours sharing the experience – over good food. Happy, warm moments of the past of the present and of the future… probably a cultural thing but hey.

Robin and Jihane were there to make this Sunday just a bit more special.

Robin went for the kedgeree and Jihane for a classic Royale with salmon. Everything looked absolutely delicious.

Royale Eggs @ £12 & Kedgeree @£10 / Lemon poppy seed cake @ £4

I highly recommend the place if you enjoy a splash of glam to your Saturdays or Sundays.   As for me, it feels like this will be my new local … join me?!

NB: Kettner’s Townhouse is a guesthouse with several function room, restaurants and bars. Known for its notorious Champagne Bar (definitely worth visiting). It belongs to the Soho house chain.

Address: 29 Romilly St, Soho, London W1D 5HP

Phone: 020 7734 5650

Hello there! It’s been quite some time… but I promise a lot of things have happened. I changed homes, changed jobs and changed thousands of outfits… but what remained constant was brunching! It definitely felt I was running out of time to do everything and I had to prioritise. Work, gym, sleep, eat (brunch) and repeat! But now that balance is slowly coming back into my life, it’s time to start…

I’m back… ! and i’m brunching as always! This past week was really tough, in fact the past few weeks have been quite mental but all you need when things are rough is a little motivation. That’s the way to get by… you just push until you reach to your own man-made haven. So this post is all about treating yourself, about exploring new things and about staying motivated. This little spot was…

My love for a good old brunch must be by now rather known to everyone – but there are times I feel it might be turning into an addiction – why? I hear you say? well… my urge to discover new spots has lead me outside zone 1… and 2…. Yes! A couple of weekends I go I put on my explorer brunch goggles and on a relatively sunny London Saturday I boarded the tube for an exploration – a trip to the far…

So… this weekend was packed with brunches and whilst I won’t be posting in order of visit I will be posting in order of preference. I was rather hesitant whether to post about this place or not… you see it’s in the middle of nowhere, it’s possibly the best brunch I’ve ever had (EVER) and I still had to wait for about 40′ in the queue. So imagine if it becomes even more popular… there will be zero…

Nobody really likes rainy days… trapping you inside, making everything grey and gloomy, depriving you of vitamin D… i mean come on… surely not even the netflix and chill fans can argue… My solution to this travesty – aka the British weather – is … Brunch! (tbf this is probably my answer to most of life’s problems). We were reluctant to get out today but I was really craving a good brunch. Not…

The Canvas Cafe (E1)

The Christmas break feels just so far away and now we’re in that awful period where people choose to punish themselves for the excessive intake of food and alcohol. I never got that to be honest…why on earth, in one of the grimmest months of the year, one would make themselves even more miserable by quitting alcohol and food? This only makes depression look like a wolf luring over a herd of…

…and just because tomorrow it’s Sunday and i bet you’re all googling where to go for Brunch tomorrow with your overseas visitors, your neighbours, you best friends, your partners… here’s a litre treat for you guys, whoever you are and whatever you’re searching for… Egg Break! hidden in the narrow streets of Notting Hill, Egg Break is a tiny little restaurant one could assume could belong to one…

Where the Pancakes Are… (SE1)

Sunday morning and we woke up to the sunniest Sunday ever – what a better excuse for a brunch?! Yes, i hear you say! So as previously mentioned, following my move to my new SE1 post code after my dreadful goodbye of Shoreditch, i’ve embarked on a journey to explore the new neighbourhood in an attempt to bring out all the brunching gems out to my fellow Southerners and beyond. Well, and when I was…

Gail’s (SE1 and more)

It’s Halloween… Hoorah! in all honesty I couldn’t be more cynical about this American celebration of cheap tacky outfits and sugar overdosing… but what the heck it’s the weekend, and i will always enjoy a good brunch whether it looks like eggs royale or eye ball eggs on some red blood like brioche. With that being said, let me now tell you more about Gail’s which although started of as the cutest…

nope... nothing to do with American football guys! 

but it does have to do a lot with fitness and well being! 

The super bowl - or smoothie bowl to be exact is my latest frenzy. a wholesome breakfast bowl with all the goodness in the world blended into a smooth perfection 

Super easy to make and beautiful to look at, this little work of art looks like it will become my new weekend favourite. 

intrigued? want to try? it will only take you something like 7′

Ingredients: 1 frozen banana 3 pitted dates - Full of fibre and natural sugars, both bananas and dates can provide a great little “pick me up” when you’re in need of energy! ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice 1 tbsp natural peanut butter - Full of protein, which can help keep you feeling full and full of energy! 2 tbsp raw cacao powder - Contains a number of essential minerals, such as magnesium, which can help your body produce energy.

Method: 1.Blend the banana, dates, almond milk,, orange juice and peanut butter until the mixture becomes creamy like a soft-serve ice cream. 2. Add the cacao powder and blend until well combined. 3. Transfer into a bowl and add your toppings!

Toppings: 1 tbsp organic muesli or granola 1 tbsp chia seeds  ½  mango or fruit of choice, diced

and whilst i desperately wished this was related to my debut within the creative industry, i’m afraid it’s not. 

In fact, it’s something rather more exciting...

Thursday night, in the buzzing Shoreditch, walking down Rivington Street, trying to figure out where exactly Robin was taking me. After gym and after work i must admit i was rather exhausted but the idea of an “art gallery” was enough to get me off that sofa and into my “golden skirt and marc jacobs trainers” combo. 

Long story short, i must admit that as soon as i entered the building number 72 on Rivington street, i completely forgot what even the word “tired” meant. The room was glowing with the funky presence of artists and other hipster personas who seemed as if they were curated one by one to suit the them of the night. 

Crowns, feathers, blue hair, pinup up dos, tattoos and beards...at first i was confused as to which was the art and which was the crowd. Pumped up and feeling a little bit like Carrie - from sex and the city - i grabbed a G&T and started exploring the various installations. 

Creative Debuts though is a lovely concept... in their fortified words: “Creative Debuts was founded in 2014 as an answer to the problems facing talented, undiscovered artists.” - think of it as a pool for young talent to get a space or platform to show what they’re capable of. 

Artists are asked to become involved with Creative Debuts and have their own personal online platform, which enables them to showcase and sell their work.

Also, the first Thursday of every month Creative Debuts choose a collection of the available work and exhibit it at Black + White building in shoreditch (72 Rivington street). 

Whether an artist or a buyer, i can guarantee this is an event you’d really enjoy putting in your calendar. 

See you there! xoxo 

and after a week of anticipation, whilst being bombarded with a gazillion newsletters and ad banners, reports and reviews on this new guy in on the block, “Black Roe”, it was finally my time to give a verdict. 

Friday evening and with a plethora of reasons to celebrate life Robin and I found ourselves at Sketch having a drink (or two) to a 10 month anniversary, to my recently acquired promotion and to everything else bubbly and beautiful that happens in our world. 

8.30 and we make a move to Black Roe which was to host our celebrations...

As expected the place was buzzing and there was a slight tension in the air, but the staff made sure they all had a smile on their face and they attentively run to all of our requests. 

The interior, rather minimal and at the same time classy and funky. Nothing hawaiian themed though... or at least my tipsy eyes could not spot it. 

The menu concise and yet full of new intriguing flavours. The fact that it was not overwhelming with choice made me even more excited to try everything. 

Our selection highly based on the so fresh and currently trendy culinary frenzy - Poke... which between you and me it’s more like a deconstructed sushi dish. 

Little bowls of rice covered in sashimi salads on top... simple yet extremely delicious. Also, a sashimi salad with tuna, pineapple and avocado (yummy)

To accompany our fresh bites, an extensive selection of cocktails. Robin’s served in a funny slightly cheesy maori like container and mine, gin based with cucumbers (you can almost call it healthy). 

For a list of the cocktails click here, and my top three: 

Coffee Negroni

Southside Fizz

Shuck Shack 

To follow up the Poke, a marvellous octopus, so smooth and silky it gave you a trip to culinary heaven along with two delicious, mouthwatering lamb ribs

a couple of drinks later and having had a feast of freshness and flavour, it was time for dessert... something simple? no, nope... the “shake and bake” is nothing expected from such a sophisticated place and yet the american milkshake/ice cream/white chocolate/meringue + fireworks “bowl” of madness was served in front of us: 

The overall experience was beautiful and fun, the prices (££££) quite sky high as one would expect but what was most alarming was the 15% service charge. But that’s Mayfair for you eh? 

I highly recommend Black Roe for a special occasion or simply for a fancy night in town! 

8.30am on a Sunday and the alarm goes off… why on earth would I do that? I hear you ask…

Well… the answer is simply… London Coffee Festival (LCF).

I think I am widely known by now (at least to my group of friends) as a massive coffee snob and yes I am absolutely proud about it! It would therefore be no surprise how I would be excited to wake up at 8.30am and queue outside the Old Truman Brewery to enjoy the coffee frenzy.

Thankfully, Robin Is possibly worse than me, and we both woke up last Sunday, re-living the Xmas kind of morning excitement.

10.08am and we’re in the festival! Slightly disoriented by the plethora of stands and vendors, events and attractions… eager to jump onto anything and everything at the same time.

The main objective was to get a coffee and then “we’d plan the day out” – pfff as if that ever happened. You see the problem is that with such an abundance of options it can be extremely difficult to get only one.

Long story short, we ended up having a 3 hour sampling session of all sorts of bizarre, intriguing and enticing coffee.

The barristas all eager to explain the origins of their coffees, the secret of how best to master the cofee’s oils, the tricks in grinding the beans and a gazillion more information around the beauty of coffee. (think comicon but... more like coffee-con)

 My top picks from the Festival:

 Mr. Black’s cold press coffee liquor 

 BulleIT’s Bourbon infused coffee   

The Personalised Canadian Percolators 

Of course I can’t leave out the incredible equipment and machines out there, helping you to refine and perfect your coffee, along with the masterclasses to do so.

At the same time, the festival was also hosting the Barrista championship, where two hipsters, were battling it out in order to establish themselves as the best coffee maker for 2016. Winner for this year was st.Ali representative Ben Morrow and runner up Yuko Inoue from Timberyard (<3). I have to admit I was a Yuko supporter but… oh well, she’s first in our hearts.

And as for the Tea lovers...well they weren't neglected.

The festival had a significant area dedicated to glorious teas as well. All the way from Japan … and just from around the corner, from your local Starbucks, you got to sample a vast range of brews and origins.

To accompany all this drinking there was also plenty of delicious pastry stands like the crosstown donoughts (guilty as charged I halved one with Robin). Moreover, a lot of mylks, snacks, chocolates, juices… were also featured at the festival, along with fashion items, tech stuff and the whole coffee equipment shebang too.

  3 hours later and we come out to the world, where the sun burns our eyes, our brains are mushy and we feel completely dis-oriented and are fidgety.

We did however, came out of this more knowledgeable, and one grinder, one bag of coffee beans and one espresso cup made out of coffee (YES it’s made out of coffee) richer!

Now? Well… we either start planning opening our own café, OR, we just wait until September’s next session.

My lovely Robin woke me up with a beautiful two course breakfast made by him.

 Poached eggs, avo, truffle oil and smoked salmon shaped into a heart and then French toast with berries and heart shaped strawberries. 

Flowers were then delivered at home just when we were about to walk out for a sunny walk… along with the  most touching card i’ve ever received.

At night we went for dinner at my favourite post-modern Greek restaurant OPSO .. for some Greek meze and a lot of wine!!!!!!!!

and at night… I was pleasantly surprised to enter a room full of candles and rose petals …

VS. Kouros & Campbell 

This is for people like me who before a trip scourge through the internet desperately trying to find all the hot spots, all the alternative and hip bars, coffee places and restaurants, all the culture but with the minimum possible tourist destruction. 

and before you highlight the obvious, yes i am aware i’m also a tourist, but the type of holiday i adhere to is the one along the lines of what locals would normally do on a Sunday (hoping there will be brunch in there too). 

So, if you are like me and you’re into the admittedly now outdated yet funky “hipster” culture, this is for you...

Where to stay

The Michelberger 

Possibly one of the best hotels i’ve ever been. Not because it’s the most luxurious but mainly because it embraces Berlin’s character within its four walls. 

a warm and comfy welcoming reception/restaurant/coffee place/bar/library... it’s a bit of everything actually. Upon arrival and once we checked in we run to the bar and grabbed a Green Fairy (gin based dynamite of a cocktail) and a homemade Michelberger branded Pale Ale (that’s for Robin). 

While sipping our drinks and planning our stay we realised that this place felt way too much like home...

The room was even more of a surprise,”cozy” and indeed it was. The see-through window to the shower and the intimate bed arrangement makes this the perfect choice for a couple. 

The in-house restaurant was even better, gourmet delicious slightly pretentious vegan and not flavours which were absolutely incredible. It made us go back for more and more... including the incredible Brunch featuring the notorious (again homemade Michelberger branded) Fountain of Youth Coconut water, which i have to tell you became my latest addiction (i’m currently going through withdrawal syndromes)

and once we managed to get ourselves outside this incredible hotel - which by the way offers a massage service, private sauna session, pink pong and foosball spots as well as crazy events like 24hr piano recitals... the question was where to brunch

Brunching vol.1: silo  

Silo felt too familiar and that’s because it’s a reflection of where we normally hang out every Sunday morning in shoreditch and Dalston. 

The menu was simple and egg based, the staff was sooooo welcoming and accommodating and the food was absolutely delicious!!! 

Personal recommendation - as always - poached egg-ies with avo on sourdough or some other amazing bread. Apparently silo is known to be promoting local bread (which is amazing) . Also reach out for the apple mint juice with a shot of ginger it was refreshing and delightful. 

Campbell’s recommendation i assume it would be the hearty bake of eggs, sausages and home made pesto - i have to admit the bite i tried was divine. 

Attractions

Berlin is very historically loaded and the whole city itself is a reflection of the grim past, like a veil of grey is covering the skies. Upon arrival i must admit i was not impressed but by the end of the trip i definitely did not want to leave and this was due to the experiences i had and the emotions i felt. 

The monuments that left me with a feeling of awe were the following: 

1. The holocaust memorial - Memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe 

the area feels like death is breathing air among the hollow corridors in between the “tomb” like bulks of stone. Children and tourists jumping on them and running around... who am i to judge but ignorance felt insulting and disrespectful for what this memorial stands for. 

Please, please... if you do visit, don't run around and don't take posing sexy pictures ... it’s just wrong! 

2. The Berlin Wall & Checkpoint Charlie - atrociously enticing and mesmerising the ruins found around the city made me shiver to the bone. and then the only question summarising it all is ”Why?” - Checkpoint Charlie was flooded with tourists, some ignorant and some naive that made a fold of the situation, and small street “entrepreneurs” trying to exploit the situation. 

I felt very emotional and intrigued at the same time...

3. The former SS headquarters - Topography of terrors 

Insane how not so long ago the world was facing such monstrosities and was simple sitting as a silent spectator to what was taking place there. Where the former SS headquarters used to be, now lies a long timeline of how Hitler came to power and how one thing lead to another, just as if stars had been aligned for him. Absolutely Brutal ...

4. The Reichstag 

Although i initially called it majestic, the truth is that it’s not, it’s just a symbol of blunt power bearing so walls which have witnessed many atrocious decisions. 

5. Photoautomat - Berlin

Ha! these little guys (machines) are located all around berlin and they were an early 21st century initiative introduced and currently maintained in Berlin encouraging people to keep their moments alive through pictures. Needless to say that i’ve got shit loads of them :)

Hipsters - Neukolln

Neukölln just a while back used to be “nothing” really other than grim building blocks. Once the airport that was hosted there closed down, prices fell and people bought houses turning the area into the new Hipsterland (Dalston if that sounds more familiar). 

Full of galleries and alternative little restaurants as well as flooded with random street events, we were lucky enough to bump onto one of them. 

After endless hours of walking and getting lost (despite that we are both self declared masters of the Google maps) we stumbled upon a crowded little corner shop which drew our attention and thus moved closer to observe. 

A little stand was set up outside a brunch place, selling cacti (i think) and giving out free alcoholic remedies, whilst inside the little restaurant a little earthly haven appeared with delicious egg (again) based treats being served on trays and board and other weird objects. 

The restaurant is called the Roamer’s and it was a delightful little stay for refuelling after the gazillion hours of walking which have left me weak, grumpy and hungry. 

Again, eggs on the menu (i don't even want to think the levels of my cholesterol right now) and my personal recommendation is the Sailor - poached egg, smoked salmon, avo and feta cheese mmmmm..

Clubbing 

and when in Rome do as the Romans they say... well same applies for Berlin i’ll have you know!!!! for more information on the cool clubbing scene of Berlin please see my related post on - Demystifying the Watergate just by clicking here. you might be intrigued! 

and YES, Robin did have an after hour kebab - we’re still praying it wasn’t Donkey meat. 

Posh Berlin  (yeah it’s a thing) 

die Fleischerei 

a beautiful little restaurant in the more commercial side of Mitte and near Alexander platz. Simply the equation goes like this

starter Tartare + Rump Steak + a bottle of Champagne = Perfection 

Shopping 

and last but not least, Shopping... Mitte is your go to area for some very cool boutiques but also some of the known us. Celebrating Karl Lagerfeld’s origins i could not have NOT paid the store a visit ;) 

Karl Lagerfeld Berlin - Neue Schönhauser Str. 8 · +49 30 28096590 

Berlin is absolutely for everyone, it’s versatile, it’s flooded with history and culture, it’s dirty and grey and yet colourful and vibrant at the same time... i highly recommend it was an all rounded incredible experience. 

Until next time.. xoxo

There we were, like many others, queueing to pay tribute to one of the techno meccas… Watergate.

 Dressed accordingly with whatever black was in our closets, with touches of leather and 3-day worn t-shirts, standing in silence and awe towards the ritual we were called to follow.

 The sites… uh sorry I meant the techno manifesto explains in article no.78 that whilst queueing to enter the temple you must be silent, look sad, angry, bored or at least annoyed. No speaking or touching each other is allowed, and of course, no texting, calling, or selfie taking whilst you’re at it.

You can drink beer though… so cheers to that!

 So what is Watergate I hear you ask? Well... you shouldn’t be really reading this post if you don’t know but still... As an FYI Watergate is one of the best techno clubs in East Berlin. It’s one of those spaces where everything is allowed and anything can happen – well almost everything, apparently you can’t take any pictures*

 It is the hub of all the “lost” 20-somethings or even the older peter pans who get “mesmerised” by the techno beat. Or more likely high on whatever pills, pot and powder they can get their hands on.

 I was never a massive fan of the clan of techno heads but you know what they say, “when in Rome…” or in this case, “when in Berlin…” do as the locals.

 Now the problem is that the locals and tourists both, have created these myths around places like the Watergate. Cool, dark, edgy, crazy… well you know what? If you’re not on ecstasy, cocaine or at least MDMA believe me it’s more like a nice little cute bar by the river with beautiful lounge music.

 And before you all jump on me saying how uncool I am, the truth is that I probably am not. But if cool translates to a “stoned pseudo-intellectual-who-tries-to-find-themselves-in-drugs-and-music” then yes I am definitely not.

I never got it, I never really did I swear, why people make such fuss about this lifestyle.

 Although at first I felt very empowered when I saw a preppy couple being rejected at the front door by the bouncer while Robin and I strolled in casually like regulars, the truth is that nothing was cool about that. Face control was not cool, pretentious bouncers were not cool, the security guy “Hans” (I called him that) who told me off for taking pictures while standing scarily on top of me until I deleted them, was REALLY not cool.

 People should not be intimidated by the mystified power of a club, it’s nothing else than just a place where you’re supposed to be having fun. And by no means to I criticise the way people choose to entertain themselves, I am questioning why people need to put themselves through the abusive pressure of fitting in something edgy and cool.

 With that being said, I did enjoy myself at Watergate. Not in the conventional techno way but more from a sociological perspective, one that is curious to understand people and their need to abide by certain norms. Berlin – with its internal behaviours and hubs - was definitely an interesting place…

 … A city full of contradictions, but beautiful nonetheless.