(Another) 10 things we’ll miss about London
By Patito, published on 21 July 2010
As the reality of our impending move to Paris kicks in, we’re starting to realise that there is so much more than our first list that we’re going to miss about this wonderful city. Here are another ten as they have occurred to us (and we wouldn’t be surprised if at least one more of these lists appears before our mid-August moving deadline):
1. Nail Gallery, 300 Fulham Road. It may not be the most glamorous venue, and it is certainly in need of a renovation, but the quality of the pedicures is second to none. And at a price that you just can’t beat in London. (Tip: since they stopped opening on Sundays, you need to book early for a Saturday slot.) They’ve opened a second branch on the New Kings Road.
2. De Luxe Dry Cleaners, 312 Earls Court Road. It’s not so much the dry cleaning as the excellent cobblers attached to it. We’ve gone to them with some of our favourite shoes that we thought were beyond repair only to discover that they work miracles. And with a smile. It might be the hottest place in London (why don’t they install air conditioning? If for their employees if nothing else) but these men know their shoes. If you can bear some cheesy 80s rock tunes playing in the background, this place is worth a detour.
3. Breakfast at Balans, Old Brompton Road. Eggs Benedict with a cappuccino. You can’t beat Balans on Old Brompton Road. It’s a simple formula but one that works a treat. To make the most of our final weeks, we arranged breakfast one Sunday morning with BFF and it was true to form.
4. Sunday openings. Imagine having to fit all those weekend jobs (dry cleaners, groceries, shopping,…) into just one day. Well, that’s the reality of living in France, or Belgium for that matter. Blue Eyes told us it’s even tricky to find somewhere to buy your Marlboro Lights on a Sunday. This is one thing we’re not looking forward to about Paris.
5. Black cabs. Aren’t they wonderful? They might not always be the cheapest way from A to B but they’re certainly the safest, most comfortable and jolliest way to travel across London. Plus they always know where they’re going because they’ve done the knowledge.
6. itsu (chains across London). It might not be the best sushi in London, but it’s a reliable choice. Sure, we all get tired of the salmon ‘three ways’ or Dynamite soup but when you go back you remember exactly why you went so often.
7. Waitrose, Gloucester Road. Who would have thought the UK would become the home of the best supermarkets in the world? Well, it has and this Waitrose is our personal favourite. It’s clean, small enough to be manageable without lacking the essentials (and more) and has that neighbourhood feel to it. We regularly go in for one thing and walk out with a (reusable) goodie bag filled with delicious extras we simply couldn’t resist. The fish counter is a favourite stop.
8. Number 14 bus. This bus literally takes you everywhere you need to go in London: along Fulham Road for a trip to Cineworld, Hyde Park for a jog, Green Park for a visit to The Wolseley or Piccadilly Circus if you’re unlucky enough to have to go there.
9. LK Bennett (chains across London). We have a love hate relationship with this store. Despite the hefty price tag (well, for non-designer shoes anyway), the quality of these products is hit and miss. Even the sales prices are painful when compared to the competition… but who is the competition? Regularly, we find ourselves going back to Ms Bennett because we simply cannot find anywhere else that sells what we’re looking for. Whether it’s a work shoe or a special pair for a wedding or other occasion, this place is often the only place that will satisfy a particular need.
10. Big Ben. Our absolute favourite sight in London. Sure, Paris’s Opera is pretty, the Arc de Triomphe has a certain je ne sais quoi, but Mr Ben beats them all. As a regular around Westminster, we see him on almost a weekly basis and most times we’re gaping open-mouthed along with all the tourists. There is something truly special about Big Ben.
(Another) 10 things we’ll miss about London
As the reality of our impending move to Paris kicks in, we’re starting to realise that there is so much more than our first list that we’re going to miss about this wonderful city. Here are another ten as they have occurred to us (and we wouldn’t be surprised if at least one more of [...]
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