London’s best-kept secret is an underground bar in Soho called The Hideout – hidden beneath a block of flats. Not-so-secret anymore!
When I want to chill out I head to The Troubadour in West Brompton – amazing moules frites, quirky characters behind the bar and excellent live music. I like to go by myself. And, this may sound odd, but the Tube really chills me out: I love the 20 or so minutes in and out of work when I can switch off.
The most interesting person I’ve met is the landlady at Jazz After Dark in Soho with her tales of Amy Winehouse; and my flatmate Lucile who knows everything that’s important to know about life, love and London.
My favourite place for a drink is BKB on Old Compton Street in Soho; it’s always got atmosphere. I’m also a fan of Riding House Café in Fitzrovia. With Radio 1 around the corner, you’re in with a chance of a celeb-spot, too. But if it’s summer, there’s no better place for Pimm’s than the sun-soaked bar on South Bank, just outside Royal Festival Hall.
For when you’re hungover in London you can’t beat a doorstop-sized cheeseburger from Balans in Soho at 4am always hits the spot.
What gets me up in the morning? During the week, the thought of a vanilla latte/hot chocolate from somewhere suitably overpriced on my way in to work. At the weekend, the thought of scrambled eggs, a cup of tea and Keeping Up With The Kardashians before leaving the house.
My perfect weekend starts with after-work drinks on Friday in Soho; on Saturday, brunch in the Bluebird in Chelsea or the Electric in Notting Hill, followed by a film in Leicester Square (expensive, but I love how big and brash they are) and then dinner in Clapham – The Rapscallion on Venn Street is amazing. Sundays I’d be sprawled out on Clapham Common in the sun.
What are you looking forward to during the Olympics? Possible flexi-hours and an influx of sexy international visitors — but not much else!
The last naughty thing I did was get so drunk in a restaurant and can’t even remember what I had to eat.
Five words that sum up London … The love of my life.
