Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury is my local neighbourhood in London.
Known for its literary roots (it was home to Charles Dickens and, later, the 'Bloomsbury Set') and for the imposing and fantastic British Museum, it has also established a reputation for its mix of wonderful neighbourhood restaurants, independent shops and social spaces.
When I tell people I live in Bloomsbury their eyes tend to glaze over as they try and picture where it actually is. Bounded by Kings Cross to the North, Fitzrovia to the West, Clerkenwell to the East and Holborn to the South, Bloomsbury is a sort of half-way place, somewhere you would pass through, or under, on your way somewhere else. It's this very fact that makes it so special to me.
In my five years living here I've grown fond of a number of local places.
La Fromagerie, 52 Lamb's Conduit Street, London, WC1
Bloomsbury's La Fromagerie is the third location of Patricia Michelson's cheese dynasty in London, and a welcome, recent, addition to the neighbourhood. Along with the excellent cheese selection, the store is also a cafe and restaurant and serves a delicious Sunday brunch of cheese-fuelled Benedict's, French Toast and Soufflés. If you're just there for the cheese I would recommend twinning with the Comte D'Estive and a Beaufort Chalet D'Alpage.
Persephone Books, 59 Lamb's Conduit Street, London, WC1
Nicola Beauman founded this publisher and bookshop, dedicated to out of print female authors, in the late 90s. All the book covers feature Persephone's trademark grey design (the same colour as the building exterior), along with beautiful prints on the inside cover. It is a truly unique place and a must-see if you're in the hood.
Noble Rot, 51 Lamb's Counduit Street, London, WC1
Started as a wine magazine by Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew in 2013, the Noble Rot brand now extends to a busy restaurant on Lamb's Conduit Street. Reaching from the wine bar in the front, deep into what once would have been the garden of the Georgian building, it's a cosy, dark space. The food is Modern British and the wine menu is, as you would imagine, rather good.
Moro, 34-46 Exmouth Market, EC1
North African and Spanish flavours collide at this wonderful restaurant. Founded in 1997 by Sam(antha) and Sam Clark, not married and no relation. Her maiden name was Clarke, with an 'e'. You couldn't make it up. Protégés of the River Cafe they have created a modern classic in the neighbourhood. Always packed but very flexible for walk ins who are happy to eat at the bar, Moro is one of my favourite local restaurants.
It's little sister Morito, sits next door and serves North African Spanish tapas, my favourite of which is the sumac dusted fried mini squid with alioli.
Magma, 117-119 Clerkenwell Road, EC1
Founded by Montse Prats and Marc Valli, Magma is one of my favourite bookshops in London. They specialise in art and design books and magazines, but also sell designy products, posters and some apparel. Their first shop was in Covent Garden and I was a frequent customer during the founding of my business, seeking out inspiration for MOO.
The Quality Chop House Restaurant & Shop, 88-94 Farringdon Road EC1
A restaurant for over 130 years, the Quality Chop House now boasts a butcher, deli and off licence. I prefer the cafe part of the restaurant, which serves the same menu as the more formal dining rooms next door, but is a far more comfortable setting. Food-wise I would recommend the artery-clogging combo of the mince on dripping toast, with a side of confit potatoes: the perfect winter dish. The butcher next door is excellent, probably the poshest I've ever been to, and my dedicated place for expertly cut steaks of aged beef.
Run by Daniel Morgenthau and Will Lander, also of Clipstone and Portland fame, The Quality Chop House is a delicious slice of Britishness and probably my favourite local place for walk-up, slap-up supper.