“Going to a pub for dinner in LONDON is like saying, show me America, take me to Wendy’s.” – ex-pat and childhood friend living in London, Elizabeth Vlcek

Hyde Park

After 48 hours in London with the above mentioned Ms. Vlcek (see photo below) as a guide for 24 of those hours, we learned about such things as WAGs (wives and girlfriends of footballers—not a complimentary term, only marginally better than a hooker); not to be caught dead in a pub at night (except for the Westbourne in chic Notting Hill and then only for drinks not food); and that London isn’t English (what?), but in fact an international playground.  Our second 24 hours were perhaps more traditionally “British” – we discovered true English shops on the painfully cute Ledbury Street in Notting Hill, walked through all of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, had tea at the Dorchester and were taken to a new, favorite, tiny gem of a restaurant in Soho by true Brits.

The Specifics:

STAY

Miller’s Residence was a cozy and convenient home base in Notting Hill and by London standards, very affordable.  The drawing room, which is crammed full of bric a brac like you have never seen, has a complimentary serve yourself bar in the evenings and breakfast in the mornings – which is it’s biggest draw.  We opted for the smallest (very small!) and least expensive Tennyson room which could stand to be refreshed but we overlooked the cramped quarters and felt like we were staying with a close, albeit eccentric friend’s great aunt.  The “suites,” really just larger rooms, are lovely with corner views and sitting areas and are only a hundred dollars more a night. Keep in mind the room tax is not included in the quoted price.

EATThe food in London was frankly delicious, despite it’s bad rap.  Dinner at the Electric Brasserie on Portobello Road in Notting Hill was hip and trendy with a young good looking crowd, interesting wine list and fresh, perfectly cooked local foods – we actually loved the minted peas and scallops.  Thanks to woman about town, Elizabeth Vlcek, we were invited to the upstairs private club by the same name whose membership is a posh, creative crowd.

Lunch at Ottolenghi the next day, despite the wait for seats at the ten person community table, is understandably our friend Pickle’s favorite spot in London.  While we were tantalized by the biggest and most beautiful meringues and vanilla blueberry cupcakes in the window, we enjoyed the assortment of seasonal salads that puts Dean and Deluca to shame.  We are excited that there is a cookbook so we can attempt to replicate the culinary experience at home.

We took a long walk from Notting Hill down Kengsington Palace Gardens Road (aka Millionaire’s Row) and through the Kengsington Gardens and Hyde Park to work up an appetite for high tea at the grand dame, the Dorchester Hotel, which is perched on the edge of the park.  Decadent and lavish but still warm and friendly, the tea sandwiches and scones were a delight.

Lucy, Kensington Palace Gardens Road

Mary, Kensington Palace

Tea at the Dorchester

The Giaconda Dining Room is an unassuming new star on the London foodie scene.  They only have ten tables and serve traditional English favorites such as Ox tongue and kidneys.  We however, enjoyed the fresh fish grilled with parsley instead.  For dessert the Eton Mess, a concoction of fresh strawberries, cream and meringue mashed together was a must have given our company—two Eton graduates.

DRINK

The only pub we had time to check out was the Westbourne - packed on a Sunday afternoon with a good looking, well dressed international crowd all having a good time. Other pubs we walked by and are excited to visit on our next trip are The Oak, Prince Bonaparte and The Cock and Bottle.

SHOP

We fell in love with Ledbury Road in Notting Hill and made the best fashion discovery that America has not yet caught onto—Jackson Twins boots.  Stylish, comfortable and affordable.  They have a cult following and we are now part of it.  You can purchase them in the adorable J.W. Beeton on Ledbury Road or order from their website.  We also purchased good girl sexy cotton pajamas trimmed with English lace at Alice and Astrid located catty corner to Ledbury.  Although we didn’t find any treasures this time, Matches and Matches Spy are two boutiques that carry well known and more obscure gorgeous lines.

Lu just off Ledbury Road in Notting Hill

STAY

Miller’s Residence111a Westbourne Grove,London W2 4UWTel: +44 (020) 7243 1024Fax: +44 (020) 7243 1064Email: enquiries@millersuk.comwww.millersuk.com

EAT

The Electric Brasserie191 Portobello RoadLondon W11 2EDTel: 020 7908 9696Fax: 020 7908 9595www.electricbrasserie.com

Ottolenghi63 Ledbury RoadLondon W11 2ADTel: +44 (020) 7727 1121ledbury@ottolenghi.co.ukwww.ottolenghi.co.uk/

The Dorchester53 Park Lane,London W1A 2HJTel: +44 871 527 0623www.thedorchester.com

The Giaconda Dining Room9 Denmark StreetLondon WC2H 8LSTel: +44 (020) 7249 3334www.giacondadining.com

DRINKThe Westbourne 101 Westbourne Park VillasLondon W2 5EDTel: +44 (020) 7221 1332www.thewestbourne.com

SHOP

J.W. Beeton48-50 Ledbury Road, Notting HillLondon, W11 2ABTel: +44 (0)20 7229 8874

the Jackson twinswww.thejacksons.co.uk

Alice and Astrid30 Artesian RoadLondon, W2 5DDTel: +44 (0)20 7985 0888info@aliceandstrid.comwww.aliceandastrid.com

Matches60-64 Ledbury Road,Notting Hill, W11 2AJTel: +44 (0)20 7221 0255www.matchesfashion.com

Matches Spy85 Ledbury Road,Notting Hill, W11 2AGTel: +44 (0)20 7221 2334www.matchesfashion.com