LONDON LIFE

HIGHLIGHTS FROM VL LONDON EDITOR FIONA McCARTHY’S CURATED GUIDE TO THE CAPITAL’S BEST SHOPS, RESTAURANTS AND BARS.

VL London editor Fiona McCarthy’s curated guide to the capital’s best shops, restaurants and bars

Tom Dixon & Dock Kitchen LADBROKE GROVE

The famous designer has moved his studio and showroom into a converted Victorian wharf building, and teamed with chef Stevie Parle to create an inspiring place to eat, drink and shop. Parle’s menus change with the seasons and his educated global palate draws its inspiration from Thailand to Turkey. Pedlars NOTTING HILL This general store and cafe is filled with finds from owners Charlie and Caroline Gladstone’s many journeys around France, and contemporary design that places a premium on British craftsmanship. Oh, and they serve stonkingly good coffee.

Skandium KNIGHTSBRIDGE

Featuring the best of northern European design, Skandium proudly showcases Scandinavian Modernism with brands such as Vitra, Georg Jensen, Marimekko and Hay. The collector’s editions of Moomin ceramics are a must, and my favourite of all are Oiva Toikka’s glass birds for Iittala.

Chiltern Street MARYLEBONE

A five-minute walk from the high street, the drawcard here is the restaurant of the Chiltern Firehouse hotel. For shopping, there are exquisite scented candles by French candlemakers Cire Trudon, elegant menswear at Trunk Clothiers and more fashion and accessories at Grey Flannel, Mouki Mou and Prism.

Nopi SOHO

Yet another luxe deli from famed chef Yotam Ottolenghi, Nopi ramps up the glamour with glimmering, golden brass offset by a cool, white marble interior. The chef ’s Middle Eastern meets Mediterranean flavours are, as always, simply superb.

Dishoom KING’S CROSS

Calling it home in a converted three-storey Victorian railway transit shed, the mood at this Indian restaurant-cafe is sultry, 1920s old Bombay. Savour the family-recipe chicken tikka, black lentil daal and chicken cranberry ‘Britannia’ biryani.

Salon at Spring COVENT GARDEN

Treat your tastebuds to something unique within the inner sanctum of Australian-born chef Skye Gyngell’s Spring restaurant at Somerset House. Relaxed and informal, it’s the perfect place to experience the wonder of Gyngell’s seasonal, elegant cuisine.

Clerkenwell London CLERKENWELL

Good taste oozes out of this three-storey emporium. Try on pieces by Zoë Jordan and Marina London then grab a bite from the 155 Bar & Kitchen, with lunch dishes such as rib eye, beef-dripping chips and fried duck egg followed by Williams pear trif le.

House of Hackney SPITALFIELDS AND SHOREDITCH

An immersive bombardment of the senses awaits — soak up the mood of slightly hedonistic, bygone grandeur, with richly coloured prints that bring everything from dresses and dinner plates to cushions and deck chairs to life. Great gifts to take home include scarves, notebooks and pencil cases.

HACKNEY AND DALSTON

These areas have blossomed. On weekends, head to Broadway Market to sample the fare, where great pubs include The Dove and The Cat & Mutton. Around Bethnal Green, you will find cutting-edge dishes and unusual wines at Sager + Wilde and its sister venue, Paradise Row. For an evolutionary history of British interiors, visit The Geffrye museum and stop by Whitechapel Gallery to view contemporary art and photography.