8 London Finds Of 2020

You know its been a particularly slow year when you can wrap up all the places you've been in one blogpost. I think the pandemic should take full responsibility for my radio silence on here. With two national Lockdowns, the tier system and of course Covid it is safe to say London has felt a little different this year. Nonetheless I thought I would share some of the places I did get to see and provide some inspiration for when we are able to go out safely again or some light relief for a cosy day and/or night in.

1. Mortimer House

I must credit my sister for this find as she suggested going here once she found out I'd never been. After she got over her initial horror of my statement, she went on to say it was one of her favourite places to brunch, which if you are a regular here you'll know it is I simply an offer I can't turn down. Situated just behind Oxford Street, this I'm sure was a popular spot for shoppers in need of a refuel. It is a sophisticated restaurant with homely touches that serves a number of Mediterranean plates. We both opted for a peach Bellini and the vegetarian Shakshuka with Hen Egg and a side of Jerusalem-Baked Pita. Honestly just thinking about it now is making me want to go back and have it all over again, it really was delicious. It had such a good atmosphere there and the staff were very friendly and accommodating. I will have to go for dinner too as that menu looks equally appetising.

2. The Vurger Co

Despite the challenges of 2020, I still managed to keep some of my usual traditions. One of them, taking my friend out to a place in London on her list. We were able to make a day of it as Shoreditch has so much to offer. If you are ever browsing the shops of Box Park or taking in the street art, I would recommend stopping in at the Vurger Co. Serving vegan shakes, meat-free burgers, fries and mac and cheese you can get the full 'diner' experience in a vibrant and hip surrounding. The vivd pink and yellow colours bring so much joy and the generous serving filled me up to the brim. The fact they cater for almost every intolerance also makes it much more accessible for everyone to tuck in.

3. Buck Street Market

I saw them building this at the beginning of the year on one of my supermarket hunts to track down free-from food as its was sold out almost everywhere, those were the days. I immediately knew it was a place I would very much enjoy and was eagerly awaiting its grand opening. The pastel containers stacked together to create a place for the conscious consumer. Filled with over fifty ethical fashion traders, twenty-six sustainable food brands (all of which have vegan or vegetarian options on their menus) and a roof top bar. This quickly became my summer hangout and was a popular hit with all my friends, especially once the outdoor rule of six restrictions came in. It was also comforting being more local/close to home and took some of the anxiety away being outdoors too.

Over the few times I've visited I have tried Eithka, which serves Mediterranean tapas and a selection of cocktails. The food at Rico Burrito is also a good option and made so authentically. I opted for the burrito bowl and I have not one regret about my choice. If you are just in the mood for drinks then you can go to the rooftop bar, named the spirited. They have such unusual cocktails which are presented in such fun and playful ways - they provide blankets too if you would like to wrap up and keep warm in the evenings or cooler months.

4. Elan (Kings Cross/St Pancras)

This is not the first time I've been to an Elan, you can find my initial review of their South Kensington branch when it first opened here. With two years since my original visit, I decided to give one of her newer openings a go. I love that the decor varies depending on which cafe you go to, but all still have such a distinctive sense of style that you can't mistake it for anything else. The concept relating to the station setting with ticket templates on the the walls, travelling quote that says 'take a sip, book a trip' and the perfect photo set up with a luggage cart. The attention to detail is second to none and you can see why her cafes have become some of the most shared on Instagram. The options here are much more grab and go, serving mostly toasties, wraps and sweets. I finally tasted their famous Lucky Charms Latte which makes the perfect sweetener and got a Macaron filled with chocolate and raspberries - would be a good spot to visit now as they are in charge of the Christmas tree in the station this year.

5. Dalloway Terrace // 6. The Coral Room

This dreamy duo sits within the Bloomsbury Hotel just off Tottenham Court road and I found the Coral Room but total accident. We walked through the salon bar on route to our reservation on the terrace and were so impressed we automatically said we would stop off for drinks on the way out. Dalloway is equally as beautiful, no matter the season as they change up the decor to match, as you can see my friends and I went in summer. This fresh, floral backdrop, monochrome striped retractable roof and marble table tops make it hard to take a bad picture. We went for the brunch menu, which you can get between 10am-2pm. To start you have the option of Gronola, Museli, an Acai bowl or an alcoholic beverage which included Mimosa, Bellini or a glass of prosseco. Alongside this you get a hot or cold drink of your choice, I opted for the classic english breakfast tea, my friends a latte. Then for my main dish I had the Berried and Lemon curd buttermilk pancakes which gluten-free - win win. They also have an outdoor seating area so another option you are still able to enjoy now.

The staff were very accommodating and prepared a table for us to continue our drinks in the Coral Room afterwards. We all discussed how the setting would make for an ideal date night whilst picking from the extensive cocktail list. The vibrant colour, decorative palms and mood lighting is enough to lift your spirits and forget about all the worries of 2020 even just for a short while. The cocktails we got in order from left to right were Heathcliffe, The Full Bloomer and Play the Pyramid (note again that these change seasonally).

Overall both were fantastic options and ideal to do together but you can also do separately if you choose.

7. Rumours Mayfair

My friend and I spotted this restaurant when we went to the Cafe adjacent called Ziggy Green, which you can read about here. As she was back and staying with me for the weekend whilst I was thinking of places to go this popped in to my head. Initially I was going to book us in for dinner but my mum and sister decided to come along too, so we rearrange for more of a brunch to suit everyones timings better. We were drawn to it off the street with the bold pink colour palette its hard to miss. With three courses included it was more than enough to keep you satisfied. To start we had an assortment of croissants, cinnamon swirls, muffins, pancakes - you name it. It was a good selection especially in a group to share between ourselves and made the experience all the more social. For mains my Mum and I opted for the Eggs Florentine, whilst my sister and friend went for the Plant based burger. For dessert we were offered a birthday cake ice cream, but I do have to say this feel short in comparison to the rest of the meal. You can pick the option to include one welcome drink or the bottomless version which lasts for 90 minutes depending on what you would like.

8. The Wild Food Cafe

Last but not least, an old school friend of mine moved to London and pre-coronavirus we decided to catch up over some food. When on the hunt for somewhere in between us which was around the Islington area, I remembered walk past this place on a way to a gig I went to and saying I should go. They specialise in Plant-based food and as my health becomes more complex and the knock on effect this has contributed to my digestion, I've very much delved in to this community aiming to improve some of my symptoms. With meals prepared from local and ethical farmers their practice aligns with a lot of my personal morals and means you are able to tuck in worry-free. I had the Sweet Pancakes which are made up of quinoa, buckwheat & maca pancakes with a goji orange cream, blueberry jam, seasonal fruit and maple syrup. It taste good and is filled with goodness which makes it a great place to try if you are interested in trying more vegan/plant based food. I also really want to go back to try their rainbow 'cheesecake' which looks amazing.

I hope you enjoyed reading through some of the places I've managed to visit this year and do let me know if you give any of my recommendations a try. I'm thankful for all these opportunities these truly are the highlights that have kept me going through a very tough year.