• Added: 20th of April 2007
• Area: Shoreditch
• Category: Shops

London E2 7RG

sara said
flower power
If you're into flowers...or markets...you HAVE to go here!!

50+ stalls selling every type of flower/plant/tree you can imagine all squeezed into 1 road. Walking up from Old Street you cant miss it - you walk past soooo many people carrying as many flowers as humanly possible - and the odd convertible drives by with a bay tree or 2 sticking out of its back seat!

It's only open on sundays and you have to get there early so maybe not after a heavy night out....but if it's a nice day and you fancy lunch out at one of the pubs and cafes afterwards you can't go wrong!

There's also loads of shops selling obscure gardening accessories and home furnishings which i may return to in 20 years time or so when i have the money!

My highlight was hearing all the cockney geezers shouting their market pitches ('ORRchids ORRchids get 'em while you can.....2 for a tenner") and buying a massive bunch of gorgeous orange lillies (still in buds) for 3.

• Added: 12th of April 2007
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Restaurants

London WC2E 8JD
020 7379 9696

sara said

I recently took my boyfriend for a romantic birthday meal at Clos Maggiore and we were not disapointed!

The staff were extremely welcoming, helpful and unpretentious and the surroundings beautiful.
We sat on the ground floor (recommended!) underneath blossoming trees and a glass roof. Surrounded by mirrors and a roaring fire the atmosphere was perfect.

The wine list is more than 100 pages and has earnt them many well deserved awards. There is something for everyone from every country, with a variety of vintages to choose from.
As for the food menu - whether you go for a 6 course tasting menu at £55 (more with matched wines) or choose from the main menu - you will not be disappointed.
After an appertiser of bread sticks with goats cheese and truffle dip and tapenade with our pre-dinner drinks we were ready to choose.
I started with gnocchi, asparagus and mushrooms whilst my boyfriend plumped for the foie gras and pigeon breast.
To follow we chose ducks breast with bak choi and rack of lamb with roasted bell pepper stuffed with smoked mashed potato setting it off perfectly.

All the food is seasonal, delicious and the portions are very generous.

There is also a very impressive dessert and cheese menu which we didn't manage to sample due to the aforementioned generous portions!

Everything about this restaurant is perfect for a special meal and the service and food definitely lived up to the impressive surroundings.