Posted by Katrin on October 19th, 2006 — Posted in Art, Bars
Well, the Tate Modern is certainly not something nobody else knows about. However there is something new about it which I discovered when I went there just a few days ago.
They have built some huge slides inside the building where you can choose from different heights, depending on how adventurous you are. Quite amazing if you ask me! And a really good idea as no other museum has an attraction like this I would imagine. They are created by Carsten Höller. Tickets for the slides are for free, timed and available on that day. They will remain there until the 9th of April, 2007.
But even if you don’t dare sliding down there, the Tate Modern is always worth a visit! It is for free except special exhibitions and that means you can always come back. Which you might want to because the collection is quite big and very diverse as well. It was my second time there and it certainly wasn’t my last!
Once you’re there take your time and have a Glass of Wine or Coffee at the Bar on the top of the building. Great view!
You can also try the restaurant but I like to just sit at the bar along the window. A very stylish way to start or end an evening…
Tate Modern
Bankside
London SE1 9TG
020 7887 8888
Sunday – Thursday, 10.00–18.00
Friday and Saturday, 10.00–22.00
Last admission into exhibitions 17.15 (Friday and Saturday 21.15)
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Posted by Katrin on October 18th, 2006 — Posted in Restaurants, Food supply
Showing my friend around in Notting Hill and exploring the Portobello Road Market, we suddenly ran into a little place I had meant to look for but had forgotten about it. A few weeks ago I had read a short article about a Spanish Tapas Bar and small deli supermarket in Notting Hill: Café García. It seemed like a very cosy place and the second I saw it I knew that this is the place to go when you are craving Spanish food!
I have to admit that I spent most of my attention on the supermarket. I love products from other countries and I have this thing about supermarkets in general…It takes me forever to go grocery shopping.
According to the short article (which I believe is from Time Out although I am not 100% sure as I cut it out) the Café is very good and “draws an authentically Hispanic crowd to eat its wonderful albóndigas, tortillas, salads, pies, cakes and pastries”. I will make sure to try it soon and let you know all about it.
As for the supermarket it is truly wonderful! Small but full of original products and fresh tapas to take home. Try the marrinated Manchego Cheese! You can even buy the typical terracotta-coloured tapas bowls and other accessories along with a good assortment of Spanish Wines (I love a good Rioja) and olive oils.
Café García
246 Portobello Road
W11
020 7221 6119
Ladbroke Grove tube
Open:
Mon - Thur 8am-7pm
Fr, Sat 8am-11pm
Sun 10am-7pm
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Posted by Katrin on October 12th, 2006 — Posted in Outdoors
A friend of mine is visiting and together we are doing a pretty good job exloring the shopping possibilities around Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus and I’m sure you can imagine that once we got to Piccadilly we really needed a break.
It was a lovely autumn day and we made it just that bit down Piccadilly to reach Green Park. They had deckchairs all over the lawn and we found two empty ones to lay back in and enjoy the sun. This is possibly the most relaxing thing to do after you have been walking around all day! Lot’s of Londoner’s in suits around us having lunch, Tourists too I’m sure, and everybody just doesn’t care about work for a while.
It’s also the least expensive way to get your sun fix for the day: For only £ 1,50 you get to keep the chairs for two hours (if you have that much time) and it’s easily spent if you have a friend with you to catch up on what’s been happening in the other one’s life. Well, of course you can sit on the lawn as well which doesn’t cost you a penny, but then again… it really is comfortable in these things!
Even if you’re alone, sit back, relax and have a little nap before getting back into the always rushing city.
Green Park
Opening hours:
The Park is open all day all year round
Getting there:
Green Park - Jubilee, Victoria and Piccadilly Lines
Hyde Park Corner - Piccadilly Line
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Posted by Katrin on October 8th, 2006 — Posted in Food supply
There hardly can be anything better to do on a Saturday morning than going shopping on the Borough Market, having coffee and breakfast along the way. Although for me it’s not exactly around the corner it certainly is worth the travel!
It is such a wonderful place with undoubtedly some of the best fresh food in the city and I cannot have enough of all this variety, the smells and tastes. You won’t be able to resist, I never left this place empty handed. Come as early as you can bear on a Saturday morning as it gets tremendously crowded. But if you don’t mind to walk slowly along the stalls it’s ok - just wanted to warn you.
I like to grab a coffee first, then making up my mind what I need to buy and most importantly what I want for breakfast! I have tried something different every time and haven’t found my all-time favourite yet. However the chorizo-sandwich is absolutely amazing! It comes in a toasted bread roll drizzled with olive oil and is served with rocket and roasted pepper. If you want to try one bring some time and patience as the waiting line usually is very long.
You can also find the world’s best Brownies there! I can’t begin to tell you how absolutely great they are. I made everybody whom I took to the market try them and they all loved it. As the market has been rearranged I am now not entirely sure where they are located but you can recognize them easily as they are stacked on a very high pile
If you are up to more healthy things have a look at the Cranberry Stall, where they sell a wide variety of dried fruits and nuts. I always buy some of the small figs and try to keep them at hand if I need a healthy sugar rush.
And last but not least: bread!
Borough Market
8 Southwark Street
London SE1 1TL
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Opening Times:
Thursday - 11am to 8pm (limited stalls only)
Friday - 12 noon to 6 pm
Saturday - 9am to 4 pm
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Posted by Katrin on October 7th, 2006 — Posted in Literature
Back in the days when I was working for a wonderful bookstore in Cologne, Germany I learned a lot about literature (which was the main aim of the store, besides Theater, Film and social sciences) and the business surrounding it. Authors came and read from their books, authors well known and unknown, from various countries and all kinds of backgrounds. Publishers came to talk about the coming up season and decisions needed to be made which books to stock.
I was in the middle of it all, slowly learning to appreciate what literature can do for you. It makes you laugh, it might make you cry but it hopefully touches you in some way so that you will pick up the next book with curiosity and joy.
Since then I do like to go to reading events every once in a while, mainly if I know the person already or even have read something from him or her which I liked. Therefore I was delighted to find out that Frank McCourt was coming to London to read from his book “Teacher Man” which has just been published as a paperback.
He has written two other books before: Angela’s Ashes, which has also been made into a movie, and ‘Tis.
I have read them both and liked them a lot. Angela’s Ashes a bit more, so if you want to get to know him choose that one.
It was a great evening and I was delighted to find out that he is not just a fun-to-read author, but also somewhat of an entertainer.
He talked mostly, reading just some small passages out of his new book. This was a very pleasant way to learn more about the content: his career as a teacher in New York High Schools. After he wrote about having a tough childhood in Limerick, Ireland (Angela’s Ashes) and immigrating to New York to find work there in various places including the docks and later starting college (’Tis), Teacher Man focuses on his teacher career and goes on where ‘Tis has left the reader wondering what will happen next.
It is funny and heartwarming and tough at the same time. He writes very straightforward, just as life has not always been an easy ride for him. I am looking forward to start this third volume of the story of his life soon.
The event took place at Brunei Theater at the London University and was organized by Waterstones. They do quite a lot of events so have a look at their website. You can also choose the store location you are interested in (they all have different events).
Waterstone’s
82 Gower Street
London WC1E 6EQ
020 7636 1577
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Frank McCourt
“Teacher Man”
Harper Perennial
£ 7,99
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