All good things start with an 'O'

Walking into Oriole is like stepping into an another era. Back then, when people sipped their drinks and savoured every layer of flavour, when people listened to soft music in dim light and when they enjoyed their dear friends in beautiful places. Like we did, a night full of love and good laughs. With friends that you see every day but enjoy more in the evenings.

xO

The (great) Portland

Clean lines, warm colours and minimal design. Rich flavours, kind people and great food. This is my definition of modern luxury. The luxury you feel comfortable in. The luxury you want to share with the person you love. The luxury that embraces a loud laughter, an impromptu kiss and a vivid chat. This the luxury of the Portland.

xO

Take a(n) (egg)break

Smiley faces, your kitchen's plates and your mum's food. Everything feels familiar, comfortable and cosy in there. You want to get that corner table by the window and meet your friend that you haven't seen for so long. You want to order a big cup of coffee and spend all your morning reading magazines and trying different flavours and textures. You want to have an Eggbreak from everything. 

xO 

My favourite word in a plate

Ethos. Such a beautiful, meaningful and deep word. Perfect for a place with vegetables in frames, pans and plates. For a place with clean air, fresh light and healthy food. For a place that hosted our lunch, away from the office, somewhere in the woods.

xO

Drink your milk

There; where the waiters are kind, friendly and smiley. There; where the cake has a drizzle of lavender on top. There; where the water comes with lemon and mint. There; where your table is showered with sun. There; where you choose to get lost with your beloved friend. There; at Milk. 

xO 

Ivy league

Impromptu dinner in the middle of a chic bistrot. A bottle of wine, a friend you had missed and colourful frames on the walls. We picked up from where we left off - thoughts and stories and memories. Over the tablecloth, the healthy dishes and the candle. We feel elegant, classy and special. Thanks to the vibe, light and ambiance of Ivy Cafe.

xO

Mix and Max

You know when you walk in a place with personality. It has a unique vibe. Every detail has its reason to be; the lights, the flowers, the music. The menu, the loo, the mugs. You haven't discovered it; it chose to welcome you in. And you're lucky. That you happened to spend an evening in Max's sandwich shop. 

xO 

(Kensal) Rise and shine

A variety of breads on the counter, colourful bunting in the garden, a retro radio playing in the ladies'. Big windows looking on a tiny road, dried flowers on the tables and a back room that we need to come back to.

The richest avocado on toast, a flower in my salad and a delicious soda bread with butter.

Please make yourself at home in my Parlour.

xO

Art in your plate

A farewell brunch. Where you celebrate the excitement of new beginnings, the warmth of the shared moments and the good wishes that you put in her pocket, as she goes. In an artsy place. Where you celebrate colours, art on the walls and light through the ceiling. Where you drink juice with a striped straw, you play ping pong while waiting for your food and you grab your bottle of bubbles from the sink. At Cambridge Street Kitchen, on a day when G made us set our alarms early. And it was totally worth it.

xO

Oh my Lord

The God of small things. This is the God we worshiped today. With beloved friends, loud laughs and delicious food. In the centre of London we found our haven: a place of quiet, peace and good vibes. Exactly like a temple should be. In Nopi we found God today. In its Mediterranean flavours, brass details and well-rounded napkin rings. This God shall we worship every day to come. 

xO

Bring Your Own Dog

That was it: the loveliest pub in the whole wide world. Where you stumble across a proud Molosser, a cheeky Terrier gets his biscuit served before you even order your food and A. makes new friends. And where you enjoy your wine, you nibble* and you feel merry. Because being surrounded by these beauties can only make you happy. In The Albion, with the kindest waiters in London - check in their pockets: they would always have a little delicacy and a warm stroke for their most precious clients.

*I had the smoked haddock with baby potatoes, a mustard sauce and a poached egg on top. And I'm now dreaming of it. Top points go to the hearty cheese board with which we finished off our dinner on a high note.

xO

Flowers in your cocktail

Old flower pots, blurry pictures and cloudy mirrors. Weathered luxury. You are in your grandma's dining room. You can smell the plants that she just watered, savour the slow-cooked stew that she just took out of the oven and hear her telling you not to go too close to the fireplace - you can enjoy it from afar. But then, would your grandma put flowers in your cocktail and crispy bacon next to the liver on your plate? Well, this is why we will always have B&H Buildings. 

xO

On the gymfloor

High ceiling, brass details, atmospheric lighting. And on our table, hearty hot-dogs, delicious puddings and bubbly wine. Earthy colours, marble floor and hanging flowers. And in our corner, laughter, girlie chat and a birthday candle.
This is a gym in disguise: a historical building dressed up to host special days and nights. Isn't this how a German Gymnasium looks like?

xO

With a pinch of Salt

(Happy) New Year, (cool) new post, (fresh) new beginnings. With the same (beloved) friends, in the same (beautiful) neighbourhood, with the same (energetic) vibe. Thankfully. Because there are places, people and things that are just great. They make you feel just right at, around and with them. And if this is not the best way to begin the new year, then what is it? Best wishes, from the Salt House.

xO