brilliant cheap london eat: wahaca restaurant
07 Oct 2009 1 Comment
in food and drink, Uncategorized Tags: covent garden, london, mexican, restaurant, wahaca
Mexican food is one of my favourite cuisines, so I was thrilled to grab the opportunity during our trip to London to eat at the fantastic Wahaca restaurant in Covent Garden this weekend.
Spicy chicken
Set up by Masterchef 2005 winner Thomasina Miers, Wahaca is named after Oaxaca in Mexico and aims to deliver delicious food that you are likely to find at market stalls in Mexico.
Tortilla chips and salsa
Sure, you can get a burrito too, but why go for something that we often make at home? Instead, Chris and I pulled out all the stops. We eased into the feast with some homemade tortilla chips and tomato salsa, before going for the for the Wahaca selection, which gives you a bumper taster sensation of some of the yummiest Mexican food, made with fantastic ingredients.
Wahaca selection feast
We had pork pibil tacos (our favourite out of all of them), veggie tacos, huitlacoche (mushroom) quesadillas, herring tostadas, chicken tacquitos and green rice with black beans. All washed down with hibiscus water, citrus fizz, Pacifico Clara and Modela Especial.
Pork and veggies
The whole experience – from the music to the Serano chilli seeds that accompany the bill – is not to be missed. Speaking of the bill, our Mexican feast for 2 cost under £40.
A word of advice is to time your visit well, but to be prepared to wait for a seat. We decided to go for a late lunch/early dinner, so waited less than 10 minutes when we arrived at about 16:30 on a Saturday. However, when we left the queue went up the stairs. Don’t let this put you off though, Wahaca is SO worth the wait.
Broadbean and cheese
superb: st martins lane hotel in london
05 Oct 2009 1 Comment
in general Tags: covent garden, fashion week, hotel, london
For my birthday weekend in London, Chris booked us in the stunning St Martins Lane hotel near Covent Garden. It really lives up to its reputation as one of the chicest places to stay in the centre of London.
Chris told the hotel management it was my 30th birthday and so we were lucky enough to be upgraded to a fantastic room on the top floor, with views of the London Eye, St Martin’s in the Fields and the Coliseum. The bed was exceptionally comfortable and mood lighting brightened up the all-white room. The bathroom and agua products were lovely too, as was the funky lift with music and yet more light effects. I loved the lobby furniture too: garden gnomes, golden molars and chess pieces all double up as seats.
Room with a view @ St Martins Lane hotel in London
What really struck me though is that while this hotel is seriously cool (Armani picked it as the venue for their pop-up caffe during London Fashion Week ’09), it is a relaxed place. The staff are friendly, helpful and down-to-earth, so guests feel instantly at home.
After my surprise birthday party at Detroit bar in Covent Garden, Chris and I were joined by a couple of friends in the hotel bar/club (it was about 2pm and we were let in because we were staying at the hotel, as otherwise we would have needed reservations). If I had to mark St Martins Lane down for one thing, it would have to be the prices of drinks: £47 for a round of four drinks is a bit steep, regardless of the location or cool factor of the venue. (This round consisted of a bottle of beer, a rum and coke and a couple of kickass strong cocktails.)
£13 cocktail @ St Martins Lane hotel
Overall, I would highly recommend St Martins Lane hotel in London for luxury, comfort and convenience. A tip for the budget conscious: this hotel has been spotted on the Travelzoo Top 20, which is a treasure chest for travel fans who rate fantastic value-for-money breaks.
