Travel
A Different Side of London
By Emily Little
The gem that is East London often goes overlooked by most travel guides. Its beautiful medeival architecture recalls days of yore, but the real draw is its bevy of hip, unpretentious watering holes and restos. The hustling and bustling neighborhood surrounding Smithfield Market (the meat supplier for all London restaurants) offers some of our favorites.
The gem that is East London often goes overlooked by most travel guides. Its beautiful medeival architecture recalls days of yore, but the real draw is its bevy of hip, unpretentious watering holes and restos. The hustling and bustling neighborhood surrounding Smithfield Market (the meat supplier for all London restaurants) offers some of our favorites.
Media types from nearby renovated industrial-space offices pop into ultracool Vinotecca, a wine bar that seems to defy the recession, for an after-work (or afternoon) tipple and nibble. Its expansive (over 280 wines) and ever changing wine list means even the pickiest palette will find something. Every plate on the daily menu is paired with a complementing wine by the chef.
If you can't get in, across the street, the former Georgian smokehouse, St John bar and restaurant proffers seasonal fare and an ample selection of accessible wines in a quieter, but equally as laid back atmosphere.
Meat eaters will find solace in the Fox and Anchor's burger, served on its own carving board, smothered in cheese and bacon. Save room for the accompanying goose fat-fried potato wedges. If you fancy a pint, the pub's wide selection of ales and lagers on tap will make your mouth water - and all go well with an order of rosemary cashew nuts. Imbibe one too many? Not to worry. Upstairs at the F&A, chicly remodeled guest rooms provide a comfy place to lay your head (err... pass out) at a recession-friendly rate (weekends start at 95 GBP a night). Each room fuses old (like a claw-footed bath tub) with new (flat screen plasma TVs and Bose surround sound systems) to create an unexpectedly luxurious setting in the midst of a hustling and bustling market.