PlanetEye

Local Expert: Lulu P.

At the tender age of 31, I decided to quit my cushy life in Toronto to see if I could move to London successfully. Much to my surprise, things worked out well and I'm looking forward to being a long-term tourist in my adopted city....

Open Expert's Profile
 

Filter Reviews:

1 2 Next

Latest posts from our London expert:

August 14, 2008
Attraction

StolenSpace Gallery

London is truly an art lover’s paradise. Not only do you have a wide selection of world-class art galleries to choose from — many of which are free — the city is filled with hidden art gallery gems.

I discovered the StolenSpace gallery by accident when I first moved. I was doing a Google search for graffiti art in London and happened to come across an exhibition by Seen, an old-school writer from the 80s-era New York graffiti scene. He happened to be showing at the StolenSpace Gallery.

While the idea of graffiti as legitimate art is still something that the rest of the world is only just starting to embrace, it’s a bit old hat in London. Here, Banksy’s an art superstar and a place like the StolenSpace can pay its rent by selling works by graffiti artists exclusively.

For those of you looking to take a break from the line ups at the Tate Modern and the British Museum, head down to the StolenSpace gallery for a taste of what’s fast becoming the future of art.
Insider's Rating:
StolenSpace Gallery
Dray Walk, The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL
+44 (0) 207 247 2684
Web Site
View the Place Guide
View on the Map
August 13, 2008
Attraction

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion

In 2000, Julia Peyton-Jones, the Serpentine’s Gallery Director, gave birth to the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion Commission programme. Each year, the commission selects a world-class architect who has never designed or built anything in England and asks them to construct a temporary structure on the grounds of the Serpentine gallery. The pavilion construction, from start to finish cannot take longer than six months. Architects selected for this honour include the likes of the very talented Daniel Libeskind.

This year the invitation was extended to arguably the most famous contemporary architect working today — Frank Gehry. In signature Gehry style, the pavilion is essentially an angular and seemingly chaotic, wood and glass structure that is noy unlike most of Gehry’s work around the world. According to Gehry:

The Pavilion is designed as a wooden timber structure that acts as an urban street running from the park to the existing Gallery.

Hurry to the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion when you can!

www.serpentinegallery.org


From July 20 to October 19.
Insider's Rating:
Serpentine Gallery
Kensington Gardens, London, London, W2 3XA, United Kingdom

Web Site
View the Place Guide
View on the Map
August 07, 2008
Attraction

007 on Display

While we all wait for the next Bond instalment — Quantum of Solace — the Imperial War Museum is giving us the opportunity for us to re-visit the history of Bond and his creator, Ian Fleming.

Feature everything from old Fleming manuscripts to Halle Berry’s bikini from Die Another Day, the exhibition is an homage to all that is Bond. Exhibition highlights include:

•    An original print of Casino Royale, the very first Bond book penned by Fleming.
•    An early composite sketch of Bond, commissioned by Fleming in 1957.
•    Daniel Craig’s blood splattered shirt from Casino Royale.

For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond
Imperial War Museum
17 April 2008 – 1 March 2009
Adults £8.00, Concessions £7.00, Children £4.00, Family (2 adults and 2 children) £19.00
Insider's Rating:
Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ, United Kingdom

Web Site
View the Place Guide
View on the Map
July 20, 2008
Food

Kiasu

When Britain was the empire on which the sun never set, it set up its first colony in Malaysia in 1786. Today, there are a good amount of authentic Malaysian restaurants in London.

One of the best value for money Malaysian restaurants is Kiasu. Don’t let the low prices fool you though. Kiasu is the real deal. The first time I went, I took a friend who is actually from Malaysia and she left extremely satisfied.

Situated right smack dab in the middle of the Queensway, Kiasu is a hop, skip and jump away from Notting Hill and Kensington Park. It’s not a big place, so it’s best to book a table in advance if possible. The menu itself is rather extensive and while you’re not likely to be disappointed with most of it, some things are definitely better than others. Not to be missed are the following dishes:

1. Roti Pratha. Traditional flour crepes that you dip into a curry gravy. It’s so good you’ll find yourself actually trying to drink the gravy from the bowl.

2. Beef Rendang. Beef braised with a thick and spicy coconut gravy. This is a Malaysian staple.

3. Thai Red Duck Curry. No this isn’t technically Malaysian, but it is amazing. Chunks of boneless roast duck (skin on) swimming in a spicy red Thai curry.

4. Char Kway Teow. The quintessential Malaysian dry noodle dish. Make sure you ask for it Penang style.

5. Hokkien Mee Soup. Pork, prawn, spare ribs, fish cake — is that enough meat for you yet? Malaysian comfort food in the form of a noodle soup.
Insider's Rating:
Kiasu
48 Queensway, London, W2 3RY
020 7727 8810
Web Site
View the Place Guide
View on the Map
July 20, 2008
Attraction

I Heart Borough Market

My love for this market has more than provided great annoyance to those around me. I once dragged one of my friends to Borough three days in a row and my boyfriend often gets a defeated annoyance when I announce that we are indeed going to Borough yet again. It’s safe to say that this is my favourite market in London.

Located, just outside of London Bridge station, Borough Market is over 250 years old and arguably the best place to purchase London’s finest foods. If you’re visiting London, it’s one of the best places to eat very well for under ten pounds.

Now there are a lot of choices to be had at Borough. Even if you just stroll up to a random food stand you will most likely not be disappointed. Here is my list of the top 5 things you must eat while at Borough market.

1. Chorizo sandwich from Brindisia Chorizo. Get there early as you will be facing a long line up or worse yet — no more sandwiches!

2. Chicken burger from Wyndham House Poultry. Who knew mayo, salsa and grainy mustard could work so perfectly together?

3. Beef burger topped with bacon from Northfield Farm. You know your arteries will hate you for it, but it’s too good to care.

4. Roast pork with crackling and applesauce sandwich from Roast. You’ve never had a piece of pork so tender or a piece of crackling so crispy.

5. Pork pie from Mrs. King’s Pies. Real English people eat their pork pies cold so that they can taste the gelatinous goodness of the cold pork filling.
Insider's Rating:
Borough Market
8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL, Britain
020/7407 1002
Web Site
View the Place Guide
View on the Map
July 08, 2008
Food

Freud Bar

When I first visited London I spent almost all my time hanging around Neal Street in Covent Garden. Mostly shopping and eating at the Rock & Sole Plaice. On my subsequent visits to London and since I moved here, I’ve spent most of my time avoiding the crushing crowds in one of the busiest areas in central London.

Needless to say, the first time I was told that I was to meet some friends for drinks on Shaftesbury Avenue in Covent Garden, I was bracing myself for a bad tourist trap. Boy was I wrong.

Tucked away underneath Freud the house wares shop, down a fairly steep set of metal stairs, Freud’s is the perfect place to have a nice cocktail when you’re out and about in Covent Garden. While beer drinkers will have to make do with bottles of Starobrno, Freud’s is really a place for the cocktail lover.

With over 30 choices to whet your whistle, it’s hard to decide. My list of favourites include the Japanese Slipper and the Acapulco. My boyfriend has had at least one rip-roaringly drunken evening thanks to their Homeboys (triple sec, rum and brandy with juice). Of course the classics are well represented — Cosmopolitans and Vodka Martinis with a twist are standouts.

Freud’s vibe is very relaxed and casual, but definitely very stylish. Don’t go unless unless you're kitted out in the best of the high streets. It tends to get crowded with the after-work crowd on a nightly basis, so arrive early if you plan on grabbing a table to drink the night away. It’s a great place for travellers to mix with local Londoners.

One word of advice though. Eat before you go if you don’t want to find yourself looking for something deep fried to soak up the booze at the end of the night. Freud is not know for its food. Unless you count microwaved nachos as food.
Insider's Rating:
Freud Bar
198 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2H 8JL
020 7240 9933
Web Site
View the Place Guide
View on the Map
July 03, 2008
Food

The Dog & Duck

Everyone (including me) comes to London and expects every pub to be just as it was in the 19th century. While there are a good number of “ye olde style” pubs still around, most pubs (including my own local) are fairly modern looking.

Londoners generally don’t care what the pub looks like, as long as its got their poison of choice, they are there. However, if you’re visiting London, you really do want to experience and old-fashioned pub.

When I’m in the mood for a bit of a throwback, I head down to the Dog & Duck in Soho. Yes it’s a bit touristy, but it’s got well-preserved, Victorian-era interiors and George Orwell used to drink there. Not to mention, it serves up good English ales as well as a mean Bangers & Mash and Toad in the Hole. A pint and a main will run you just under 10 quid, so the price is definitely right.

Try to avoid this place just after work as it is almost guaranteed you’ll be battling it out with the media types who work around Soho.
Insider's Rating:
Dog & Duck
18 Bateman Street, W1D 3AJ
020 7494 0697
Web Site
View the Place Guide
View on the Map

Recent Posts

 

Invite To PlanetEye

close

 

 

Insider Tip: Invite friends to experience PlanetEye.

<> (edit)

 

comma-separated email addresses left

 
(Optional)

  characters left

Send Feedback

close

 

 

 

 

 

  characters left