Tag Archives: Notting Hill

Hot on the Highstreet Week 137

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I did not intend to visit the Village Bicycle, but when I spotted the sparkling multicoloured window display it was hard to resist. This fashion-focused shop in Notting Hill is designed to encapsulate energy and vibrant creativity from London and around the World.

The lifestyle boutique sells a wide range of products from Women’s Wear Apparel (including lingerie, shoes and accessories) to art, furniture and music. On offer are Autumn/Winter, Spring/Summer, Cruise and also collections from emerging designers, along with collaborations with celebrities and designer endorsed products throughout the year.

The shop is filled with intrigue, a wonderful emporium beautifully arranged to entice customers in. It is the perfect place to find an original gift. Every item I looked at seemed to tell a story, unique and quirky pieces from artists and designers wishing to inspire with their humorous and pretty ideas. Bright, vibrant and witty, this shop is addictive, and once you pick up one thing you’ll feel you want it all, I definitely did.

More information here: http://www.imavillagebicycle.com/

Golborne Place, Notting Hill

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Golborne Road, though initially tricky to find… is a treasure-filled street, with characterful cafes, quirky fashionable shops and a rowdy market scene. I was delighted to be visiting Golborne Place, a little venue which describes itself as an ‘urban escape’ providing classes and treatments to inspire body and mind, encouraging a happier and healthier lifestyle for all.

Director Monica Zamora opened Golborne Place as a centre for healing and relaxing.  She is a former principal dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet but retired when she broke her foot. It was a devastating injury but Monica discovered Gyrotonic, a holistic form of exercise that enhances health and fitness. Golborne Place offers one-on-one Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis classes and lessons.

There are also a wide variety of therapists available offering specialist techniques to ensure you receive a treatment that will improve your health and fitness. I received a heavenly holistic massage with Amy Moffat. After a full tour of the building I went through to the small treatment room upstairs. Amy chatted to me briefly about my needs and strains understanding how she could remedy my aches and pains.

I felt completely relaxed almost immediately when lying down on the massage bed and soon fell into a light doze. Amy released tension in my upper back systematically kneading the knots and balancing the body. Amy’s massaging aims to help all of the body systems to work at their optimum level, giving particular attention to areas that show physical and emotional strain. After the hour I felt totally peaceful but re-energised.

Golborne Place is a calming sanctuary away from the hubbub and chatter of the Portobello excitement. I’m hoping to return soon to try out a ballet class, though I am tempted by everything they offer!

More information here: http://www.golborneplace.com/

Cafe 202, Westbourne Grove

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Café 202 has always been a trendy meeting point for Westbourne Grove shoppers and celebs. During the time I worked at a gallery here, I often wandered past spotting familiar faces and envying the appealing plates of food. Recently I’ve heard so many reports of the fabulous brunches here, that I couldn’t resist suggesting it as a meeting place for a catch up with a friend last week.

202 brings fashion, retail and modern eating together. Sitting in the centre of West London’s most stylish shopping street, 202 serves a blend of world food, modern bistro essentials and diner classics. Open from breakfast to dinner, the kitchen’s emphasis is on simplicity, quality produce and flavour – one of London’s destination eateries for modern brunch.

We sauntered in passing by (and drooling at) the gorgeous accessories and shoes to a table towards the back. The restaurant is bright and airy and there is the constant murmur of gossip being exchanged between diners. I was only intending to have a drink but the menu was so enticing, I convinced myself that brunch at 6pm is totally okay. I chose Buttermilk & Ricotta Pancakes with Fruit Compote and Crème Fraiche (£8) and my friend ordered Scrambled Eggs on Toast (£9.50). The food arrived quickly but seemed rather overpriced, especially for my pancakes which were pathetically small. The scrambled eggs looked divinely yellow but my friend wasn’t overly impressed. The pancakes tasted good, with a generous dollop of crème fraiche a dish of rather bitter and gloopy fruit compote. The orange juice was very sweet and fresh, so no complaints there, but the food definitely doesn’t receive top marks.

Café 202 is a lovely place to hang out, especially if you bag one of the hot seats outside, but the food was disappointing and there are certainly much better brunches available in London.

http://www.202london.com/