#2 A Weekend Well Spent.

Eating good. The second installment of A Weekend Well Spent. A series of mini-guides to London and things I'm loving.

London saw a temperature drop to something resembling an appropriate number for this time of year, and the sun took a five-day vacation. She’s back now, but she had us worried for a minute. The past week (or two) has been a doozy, to put it lightly. Seasonally, it’s a transitional time, and I know that I often feel this on a personal level, too. I’ve just started reading The Hobbit, and I came upon a beautiful line of text from when I was reading on the tube today. One of the characters was described as ‘kind as summer.’ For many, summer is good to us. Our mood, skin, and zest for life become super-powered by sunshine, bright mornings, and long, warm evenings. Winter, then, can be the polar opposite. The seemingly never-ending darkness and constant grey skies seep into our perspectives and sense of hope. I’m on a bit of a personal mission to change that this year. The winter months can be cosy and comforting, and festive. For me, life slows down a lot during these months. They also happen to be when lots of sad anniversaries and memories are unavoidably revisited. I’ve found the best cure for such painful matters of the heart is time and rest, and winter offers us the time needed to really do the latter.

With change upon us, one thing we can do is feed ourselves and those around us well. Eat, read, socialise, and create from a place of love and compassion.

Where are we having coffee:

Coffee at home this weekend was made all the sweeter in my new Cortado cup from Klei. I broke the cup I usually use last week and was looking for a replacement when I walked past Klei’s beautiful store on Hackney Road. It took everything in me to leave with only one piece.

Where are we eating:

I had two very good lunches this weekend.

My boyfriend’s mum was in town, so we met up with her and his auntie for a late lunch at Brasserie Zadel, an opulent 1930s-style Parisian brasserie and a Soho staple. The building was once part of the Regent Palace Hotel, which opened in 1915 and still displays the gorgeous Beaux-Arts-style architecture. As you enter the vast, sparkling dining room, you are welcomed by a live jazz band and greeted by a chicly dressed Maître D’. It’s like walking onto a film set in the best way possible. The food is classic French cuisine, and so was my order. I had the quiche Lorraine to start, followed by a beetroot, goat cheese, and walnut salad. For dessert, we shared an apple tart tatin and profiteroles. It was fabulous. It’s the perfect spot if you find yourself in town.

Another notable meal this week was one of the sandwiches from De Beauvoir Deli. Mine had roasted aubergine, stracciatella and pistachio cream. It was decadent and so tasty.

What are we making:

Plum Jam. A few years ago, I was gifted the Violet Bakery Cookbook for Christmas, and the first recipe I ever made was the Plum and Tonka Jam. I rarely (never) have tonka beans, but I do usually have a vanilla pod, so I’ve always just substituted with that. This jam is SO good and not too sweet. I love it on a crumpet or in my yogurt bowls.

After flicking through the cookbook, I instantly craved the egg yolk chocolate chip cookie. It’s the best cookie in London, in my opinion. I ventured over to the bakery on Wilton Way with a friend after we had finished our sandwiches from De Beauvoir Deli, and I ended up getting the California cookie. It was delightful. If you visit, I would also recommend the cupcakes. They are incredible. The coconut macaroons are also amazing. Honestly, they do everything well, so order as many things as you can!

Where are we shopping:

Okay, this section will be infrequent as I try not to shop for clothes very often (humble brag), but I scored my best secondhand find to date, and I need to revel in it. I found a vintage Aquascutum wool coat for 20 quid in the Spitalfields Crypt Trust charity shop on Mare Street, and it’s perfect. I’ve been wanting a less nuetral winter coat, and this one is so fun.

What are we reading:

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. I first read this novel at university, and my copy still has the notes I made as a 19-year-old literature student. I loved this text then, and I enjoyed it during this re-read, though I find myself more critical of it than I was then. I like to choose books that fit the season, especially around this time of year. I wanted something a little spooky, and that it is.

That’s it for this weekend! x