#FLODown: this month in food
We give you the #FLODown on all things food, from where to satisfy those avocado cravings at brunch, where to get those on the go lunches to the best place for a date night dinner! We also let you in on the best places to indulge your sweet tooth, because we want you to #treatyoself!
MILK Cafe
For Breakfast
MILK is a must-go when in Balham. The gorgeous blend of chic interiors and simplistic furnishings will make you feel right at home. MILK has a bit of everything – great coffee, delicious food and epic cakes, all of which are baked fresh on site. It’s clearly a firm favourite of locals so you may find a bit of a queue outside the doors of MILK on a weekend. But, whether you are north or south of the river we think it’s definitely worth the venture.
What to eat?
GAIA: Avocado and Garden Pea smashed on sourdough with green gooseberry salsa verde, wild herbs and flowers. Plus, although it will cost you a little extra, we really recommend ordering this with some grilled halloumi.
Price: £8.90 (+halloumi = £2.80)
Best for?
Saturday Mornings/ Afternoons … (especially if you’re hanging.)
#FLODown: Delicious Wholesome food!
Location:
20 Bedford Hill, London, SW12 9RG
Nearest Station:
Balham Tube Station
Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday – 8 am – 5 pm, Sunday 9 am – 5 pm
Jardin du Jasmine
For Lunch
Jardin du Jasmine is a café serving authentic and flavoursome Syrian dishes – which also boasts a gorgeous Damascus-themed interior. This stylish café takes its name from the jasmine gardens that can be seen throughout Damascus, and the interiors reflect the light and airy feel of the jasmine flower. Featuring pattern tiled flooring, greenery sweeping the ceilings and the light bulbs hanging from the ceilings you will feel like you’ve been teleported directly to a mystic jasmine garden. The menu features a ‘create your own dish’ options with plenty of vegetarian-friendly options – they go heavy on the vegetables at Jardin du Jasmine. And whilst you eat you can gaze at the beautiful words of famous Syrian poet, Nizar Qabbani.
What to eat?
Falafel wrap with tomato, pickled cucumber, hummus, tahini yogurt, parsley and sumac. The wrap also comes with a choice of salad – and we recommend the avocado salad.
Price: £9.25 (+ £1.50 = halloumi)
Best for?
Weekday/Work day lunching
#FLODown: Definitely one of the most delicious wraps we have had! Perfect for those of you who love wholesome home-cooked food in a beautiful setting.
Location:
161 Great Portland Street, W1W 5PB
Nearest Station:
Great Portland Street Tube Station
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday – 8 am – 8 pm, Saturday- Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
Circolo Popolare
For Dinner
The latest restaurant from the Big Mamma group has landed in Fitzrovia – just a stone's throw away from Oxford Street – and it really does live up to the hype. If the flamboyant interiors won’t tempt you in, then delicious (and reasonably priced) food certainly will. The Italian trattoria features a ceiling-to-wall display of thousands of vintage spirits, hanging wisteria and festoon lights. The menu features meter-long pizzas, scrumptious spaghetti and tantalizing tiramisu desserts – oh, and the carbonara that they serve in front of you directly out of a wheel of cheese, I mean...
What to eat?
For all you burrata lovers out there, the ‘Emrata Burrata’ is the one for you. This delicious pizza contains San Marzano tomatoes, creamy burrata (and we mean creamy), capers, basil and olives. Wow. Vegetarian-friendly.
Price: £13
Or, if you’re more in touch with your pasta-side why not try the ‘Carmina Burrata’. This drool-worthy handmade linguine features those juicy San Marzano tomatoes, but this time as a sauce with aubergine, that creamy burrata and a drizzle of olive oil. It’s hands-down one of the best pasta dishes that you will taste in London.
Price: £12
Best for?
Circolo Popolare is multi-functional; it’s the perfect setting for a catch up with friends but we also recommend highly for a date night. The restaurant also features an outdoor terrace perfect for summertime dining.
#FLODown: Ridiculously delicious food, exciting décor and amazing atmosphere. But, be prepared to queue – it’s worth it.
Location:
40-41 Rathbone Pl, Fitzrovia, and London, W1T 1HX
Nearest Station:
Tottenham Court Road
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 8 am -11.45 am, 12 – 2.45 pm, 5.45 – 10.45 pm,
Saturday – 9 am – 3.45pm, 6 -10. 30 pm, Sunday 9 am – 3.45pm, 6- 10 pm
Mews of Mayfair Courtyard
For Brunch
If, like us, you are desperately clinging on to your Birkenstocks and bucket hats wailing into the rain “summer isn’t over!”, then we recommend that you get down to the Mews of Mayfair courtyard for a delicious brunch. The courtyard at the Mews of Mayfair is the ultimate al fresco dining experience. Tucked away in a decorative mews off New Bond Street, this spot features a menu with some of your brunch time favourites – and yes, that includes avocado. Sundays at Mews are host to ‘Balearic Brunches’ where you’ll find house music, cocktails, champagne and of course brunch – perfect for a birthday event.
What to eat?
We recommend an old favourite ‘Eggs Florentine’. These tasty eggs are served with a creamy hollandaise sauce and are suitable for vegetarians.
Price: £10
Or, why not try the avocado and poached eggs, on a tempting homemade sweetcorn fritter.
Price £10
Best for?
Summer-time dining. Great location for a date or a great catch up with friends.
#FLODown: Cosy courtyard with tasty food and a great atmosphere at sensible prices. Blankest provided for those colder days.
Location:
10-11 Lancashire Court, Mayfair, and London, W1S 1EY
Nearest Station:
Oxford Circus Tube Station
Opening Hours:
Brunch Saturday to Sunday 11 am-5 pm, Balearic Brunches Sun 2pm-8pm.
KIN Cafe
On the Go
KIN is a delicious vegetarian café nestled in the heart of Fitzrovia. Aiming (and, in our opinion, succeeding) to provide healthy and fresh, yet delicious food, all provided in an inviting setting. In the name of keeping things exciting, KIN change elements of their menu every single day. They are open for both breakfast and lunch, and will also provide the lifeblood of London – caffeine – alongside a delightful selection of juices and desserts. Note: there is limited seating available inside and out, hence why this being perfect for an on-the-go lunch.
What to eat?
Courgette with quinoa and roasted vegetable.
We highly recommend the roasted courgette with roasted veggie and served with a Bell Pepper, spinach, and chickpea salad with coriander.
Price: £7.50
Best for?
On-the-go lunch on a busy day.
#FLODown: It could be one of the best vegetarian meals you’ll have in London, but it edges towards the more expensive side, which is something to remember.
Location:
22 Foley St, Fitzrovia, London W1W 6DT
Nearest Station:
Goodge Street Tube Station.
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday - 8.30am – 4.30 pm, Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
La Creperie de Hampstead
#Treatyoself
Located on Hampstead High Street since 1980, this creperie serves (would you believe it…) delicious crepes. There is a choice of savoury – mushroom and tarragon or asparagus and pepper take your fancy? – or, how could you resist a sweet crepe. You can stay classy and stick with lemon and sugar, or go for tempting Belgian chocolate with banana.
What to eat?
‘Banana and Belgian Chocolate’ – a crepe served with banana, elegantly drizzled with a mix of white and dark Belgian chocolate. YUM!
Price: £4.80
‘Hazelnut Cream Crunch’ – a crepe served with a choice of dark or milk Belgian chocolate with butter and cream, finished off with a sprinkle of ground hazelnuts.
Price: £4.80
#FLODown: Never without a queue, the best crepes in London.
Location:
77 Hampstead High Street, Hampstead, London NW3 1R
Nearest Station:
Hampstead Heath Tube Station
Opening Hours:
Wednesday - Thursday 1pm-7pm
Friday - Sunday Noon-11pm
