Tag Archives: Columbia Road

London Food Markets

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For foodie fanatics London is the perfect city. With frequent restaurant openings, new cafes and constant pop-up events there is always something exciting to satisfy your appetite. In my opinion the best way to try tasty trends is on the streets at one of London’s outdoor markets. Whilst enjoying the summer spells I have scooted round town trying the best delicacies and recipes from London’s street-food sellers, here’s my pick of the bunch…

Street Feast – this seasonal event took place in Dalston Yard and Model Market every Friday and Saturday and in Battersea Thursday – Sunday, until September 21st. Enthusiastic eaters hopped from stall to stall trying fragrant foods. Head to the Gin Store first for a wonderfully mixed aperitif tipple. For food there are endless options, my favourites were: juicy burgers from Bleecker Street Burger, Indian inspired snacks at Rola Wala, Pork buns from Yum Bun, thick pork ribs from Smokestak and finally salted caramel ice-cream from Sorbitium. Take plenty of cash so you can eat as much as you want, and trust me you will want a lot!

Broadway Market – This market covers the street from Regent’s Canal to London Fields and takes place every Saturday. This lovely neighbourhood will delight all your senses. I encourage you to walk the whole length of the street before deciding on a dish. The Butchies buttermilk chicken burgers are absolutely unmissable… a crunchy crispy coated chicken slammed between a lightly fried brioche bun with mustardy mayo, lettuce and thinly sliced gerkins. For something sweet head to the pretty Meringue Girls stall and for coffee Climpson & Sons is the best bet.

Netil Market – Just round the corner from hectic Broadway is this smaller and more relaxed marketplace. Here you will find vintage stalls, a mini coffee shop, and a bike servicing shed for cyclists. Enjoy retro burgers from renowned patty producers, Lucky Chip or go for something more exotic like pork buns from Bao London. For the thickest milkshake you’ll ever taste order an Oreo Shake from Street Shake. Once your stomach is filled look round the clothes and gifts, I loved the delicate handmade jewellery from We Are Arrow.

Brockley Market – This friendly South London market recently celebrated its third birthday.  Located in Lewisham College car park this market offers locally sourced seasonal fresh fruit & veg, meat, fish & poultry, plants & flowers,  ice-cream, award-winning coffee,  artisan bread & charcuterie and much more. Moments away from St John station (just 8 minutes from London Bridge) this market is not as far away as it seems. I sampled an exquisite VanDough pizza, juicy MotherFlipper burger, and Ruby Violet salted caramel ice-cream for pudding. Takes place on Saturdays 10am-2pm.

Wapping Market – the sister market to Brockley, Wapping takes place by the picturesque canal of Brussels Wharf. Visit on a Sunday morning (10am-2pm) to pick up your weekly shop from the artisan stalls, or just indulge in a decadent lunch. Here a group of us tried Spit and Roast chicken burger, authentic Italian pasta from Pasta e Basta and exotic baps from Bill and Beak. My favourite was the sweet Crosstown donut which I paired with a Dark Fluid coffee.

Market followers should also check out other markets Maltby Street Market and Columbia Road.

Brawn, Columbia Road

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On my rare weekends in London, my Sunday mornings are most often spent on Columbia Road wandering through the colourful flower market and spending far too much in the addictive boutique shops.

It was only recently that I discovered the perfect place to lunch after a morning of shopping. Brawn is a cool, independent restaurant on the corner of Columbia Road and Ravenscroft Street. This understated and hip establishment serves up a seasonal British menu, “honest and simple (food) with a respect for tradition”. Using local producers and suppliers as much as possible, their menu changes daily as the ingredients do.

For Sunday lunch the menu is set and priced at £28 per person. We started with a selection of piggy treats (salami and meaty scotch eggs) and continued with a light, fresh beetroot salad, a more substantial pork belly with cassoulet beans and to finish, homemade vanilla pannacotta. It wasn’t the most refined meal I’ve ever eaten but it certainly felt wholesome and comforting to combat the winter chill.

Brawn is a humble and happy place for Sunday morning flower fanatics, like me.

More information and book a table here: www.brawn.co

Hot on the Highstreet Week 163

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When the sun decides to shine on London we all panic about how to make best use of the warmth. My preference for Sunday mornings has to be Columbia Road, the lovely East London street full of quirky things to discover. Obviously the fragrant flower market is the main reason to visit, but even if you don’t intend on buying a bunch it is great fun to wander through observing seasonal plants and magnificent flowers whilst listening to the cockney geezers giving their best spiel.

After picking up a bouquet and gorging on Italian brunch at Campania, there are a host of independent shops to eat up your loose change.

Choosing Keeping is a stylish ubercool stationery shop for magpies like me! It is all arranged in a systematic layout that is very attractive and tempting. The type of shop that can urge you to make a credit card purchase in the hope that you can make your office look more like Choosing Keeping. I loved the rainbow-coloured Sakura Coupy pencils, the neon yellow fountain pens, and the dinky Japanese miniature desk accessories.

Vintage Heavens sells gorgeous sets of teacups and saucers, plates, vases, and ornaments. Affordable and one-of-a-kind, it is perfect for kitting out a new home.

Two Columbia Road is a bit pricey but the spectacular vintage finds here are worth the dollar. We found wonderful art deco lamps and an old map of the world.

Suck and Chew is the shop to satisfy all your sweet-tooth childhood fantasies: liquorice, sherbet, and chocolates of every kind are presented in wacky retro jars and pots. Fill a bag with your favourite sweets and indulge while you walk around the flower stalls.

At Number 94 Columbia Road you will find a special little jewellery shop ideal for picking up a present or treat for yourself. When I visited I saw the ‘Wear it Out’ collection, and particularly loved the matchstick range from artist Petra Bishai.

If you need a caffeine kick there are plenty of hidden baristas to attend to your cravings. A blackboard stating “Coffee, any style” is the best for a creamy Monmouth blended flat white.

Tip for the day: take lots of cash, ATMs are hard to come by and the market traders don’t take card!