She was a shared, adored powerhouse for both Republicans and Democrats alike. She took over every platform so that our minds were always shaped and our hearts always peeled. She was a Colour Purple, a colour black and had inflatable de-flatable insides, always hugged in Spanx. She was on air but is no longer on our televisions.
Now I am taking over her empire in the most imperial of places….
Here are My Favourite Things…Of London
Ottolenghi
Yotam Ottolenghi is close to deified in London (and I know he is revered in Melbourne too). His restaurants and cookbooks are coveted by foodies and beyond. For the past couple of years, especially since his vegetarian book Plenty came out, most dinners amongst my friends are around an array of his colourful dishes. Quinoa with radish, egg with yoghurt, broccoli with chilli, brown rice and wild rice and eggplant. And cake. Middle eastern tastes and functional interiors, Ottolenghi is really really worth all the attention.
The View from NPG
This is a view of depth rather than height. Sitting at the top level restaurant at the National Portrait Gallery (which in my view is much more digestible and wonderful than the National Gallery around the corner) you see through the rooftops of London. Like a Mary Poppins chimney sweeper, standing against the glass wall feels like you are balancing on the roof itself, looking across the eves and terraces for a unique view of the Big Ben and London Eye.
Amy Winehouse Look-Alikes
I don’t really like the look: the beehive, sweeping eye liner and stomping heels. Just not my thing. But I love the conviction. It is great that I can get on a tube and stare in the face of a 20 year old girl who feels so comfortable in this sort of skin. She is the real deal even if her name isn’t Amy (which, considering her death, would be a slightly eery coincidence). It is this sort of commitment to character which is another one of my favourite London things.
Couverture and the Garbstore
Rustic beauty, eat your heart out. This is the loveliest boutique in London. In yummy mummy Notting Hill, C&G holds beautifully made clothes by some of my favourite designers. I often go to delight in my own personal drug of choice: 100% silk, 100% cotton and 100% wool. Although mostly unaffordable. On top of precious Mumford-and-Sons-style pieces for men (yehyehyeh) the home wears and children’s clothes will make your womb swell. Of course, the wooden floors, white walls and charming interiors make the whole experience just lov-erly.
Stephen Fry
QI. Sigh…
Somerset House Courtyard and Courtauld
It is such a grand building that the central courtyard is home to fashion week in Autumn, ice skating in Winter and outdoor cinema in the Summer. After gaping at the courtyard itself, find the Courtauld Gallery inside, which is small and fantastic. And then, after seeing a handful of Monet and Manet (never knowing which is which), get lunch back in the courtyard at uber-cool Tom’s Deli or Fernandez and Wells.
Columbia Road on a Sunday Morning
Read earlier column. Best. Place. Here.
East London
East London has some of the most exciting streets to be a part of on a weekend. Brick Lane in Spitalfields is a central vein of the area, this street is renowned for Indian food and 24 hour bagels (an interesting combination showing the area’s culturally mixed history and, taking a less wholesome slant, showing its drug centrality in needing all night food hubs). On a Sunday afternoon this street is full of East Londoners eating curry, buying vintage (a haven for vintage clothes) and spilling cider on their corduroy. Going further east we get to Shoreditch and Dalston which are perfect for proper late nights out (not for the faint hearted). My two personal favourite spots are The Book Club in Shoreditch (not only does it have late night dancing to live klezmer but it has table tennis) and the Dalston Jazz Club (which is a small glass bowl only really starting at 3am and playing all the tunes to make a Forrest Gump soundtrack). And like most other great late night streets, East London is the place to stick around for brunch when the sun rises.
Holly Bush
In the pretty back streets of Hampstead is the Holly Bush pub. I swear, one snowy night, I peered through its windows to see Harry and Ron eating a Sunday roast telling drunken tales of their childhood.
Melrose and Morgan Muesli
Head to the area of Primrose for excellent hill top views of the city, afternoon yoga, brightly coloured cupcakes and… the incredible muesli at deli/café Melrose and Morgan.
Regent Street Curve
In day or night walking down the curve of Regent Street is special. The smooth grandness and shape of the architecture is overwhelming, and it is the best place to make you really feel that you are standing in London.
Like Oprah, I can’t give everything away at once. To be continued.
