The Places I Love

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 10.09.11
“Nip in here for a totally different experience, a wonderful Georgian Townhouse with a restaurant and a bar that allows you to taste a tot of a vast array of the finest malts available. A really fun place to experience if you are a local or a visitor. Very much a best kept secret. Rachel M”

Wedgwood The Restaurant 10.09.11
“Fantastic Scottish seasonal fayre......this restaurant came as a 'must try' from my restaurant critic friend Richard Bath who is mad about the place. He was right we had a significant birthday party there and the food was totally delicious and it came with great service and a smile. Rare for these parts. Rachel m”

The Dogs 10.09.11
“If you are looking for a place to go for supper with a date or a great girlfriend for a longed for catch up The Dogs is it. A carefully thought out small menu, great simple food - steak and the chunkiest of hand fried chips etc - a fabulous cosy atmosphere and always a fun bunch of punters, book now and do not be late..... your table will most definately have been given away if you are. Rachel m”

Ottolenghi (Nottinghill) 10.09.11
“i have been a patron since the day it opened and have never failed to be impressed by the quality of the food and the brilliance of the combinations of ingredients. Rachel m”

Martin Wishart 10.09.11
“Martin Wishart is a man who does things his way. A leader where many come to pay homage. He opened a v smart and expensive restaurant in Leith before anyone else. He has won many awards, has a cook school with a v long waiting list, self published his own cookery book - because he wanted to and it sold out v quickly - and has maintained the very high standards that he set when the doors first opened over a decade ago. I recently revisited with some friends from Hong Kong (in fact a restaurant critic of super high acclaim who was fresh from the closing day at El Bulli) and they were utterly delighted to see that the tasting menu is still a winner all round. A perfectly balanced meal served with style, grace and serious flavour. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.

WIsharts new 'baby' is The Honours in the centre of the New Town. More brasserie in terms of food with no compromise in the taste, style and ambience departments. A very welcome addition to Edinburgh. Rachel m”

Soane 10.09.11
“Quite simply the most outstanding shop to buy interior pieces made in England ever. Furniture, lighting, fabrics and the most unusual decorative object. A
serious attention to detail on all levels mean that the pieces will never date and only get better with age. Lulu Lyttle runs a very tight ship, quality, style and the unusual are her mantra. She is a quintessentially English girl with serious knowledge & taste and best of all an unforgetable understated style and manner. rachel m”

Jupiter Artland 04.06.11
“A sculpture park that is so beautifully executed I defy anyone to not enjoy the experience. Set in acres of rolling countryside just outside Edinburgh this art concept has been so carefully thought out and nurtured it would be a real shame to let a summer pass without at least one visit. Each year it just seems to get more inspiring. It represents a huge knowledge of both the arts and gardens. If that is not enough to entice you, there is an Airstream Caravan serving cups of coffee etc and a beyond adorable selection of pigmy donkeys. I want to live there please.”

East Pier 04.06.11
“The blue building on the edge of the harbour in the adorable fishing village of St Monans, Fife is home to East Pier. An unexpected gem and the best take away food and delicasies in the area by a long shot. This PROPER smokery, is simple and to the point, yet experimental and a slice of culinary excellence. Its sells everything from salmon and venison to cheese, beetroot, dark chocolate and oatmeal - all smoked, plus the best s. salmon and cream cheese bagel outside Brick Lane and coffee to write home about. Only open on Saturdays and Sundays it is well worth the wait. Owner James Robb has done the almost impossible by attracting skeptical locals, holiday makers and the jaded. Each so pleasantly surprised that they come back time and time again. Need I say more.....Oh and those not so close can order on the net. Many Scots living far from home have discovered East Pier and use the delivery service regularly.”

Le Macassar 24.10.10
“This is a proper old style b&b aka Maison de Charme, with five very comfortable suites, each has its own identity. Art Deco is the overall theme and every element of this house has been lovingly restored by the British owners. Guests are welcome to explore all the public rooms and gaze at the vast collections of Lalique Glass and Fauvist paintings. Don't miss breakfast it is delicious and is laid out beautifully reflecting the owners sense of style. Supper en famille is offered for those staying on a sunday night, when local restaurants are closed.”

The Kitchin 24.10.10
“written and talked about a lot this restaurant is most definately worth a visit. the food is sourced with great care in scotland and the wine list is extensive. every element is thought through perfectly with the customers needs firmly in mind- service, comfort and relaxing lighting. gentle and certainly not pushy expert guidance is there for the taking. the tasting menu is very popular, however, we preferred the a la carte. the rest of edinburgh's chi chi restaurants could learn an awful lot from Tom Kitchin - who incidentally is always beavering away in the kitchen. Rachel M.”

Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecote 24.10.10
“There is no choice in this charming and no nonsense French steak-frites eatery.
So steak is what you come for, the mystery lies in the 'must have' buttery sauce that comes with every serving. The recipe is a secret known only to Madame Godillot. There is a no booking policy so expect to see loyal customers queueing out of the door. It is what is it and it is worth waiting for.”

Eden Lacey 02.08.10
“Prehaps the most beautiful cumbrian location you could ever imagine, stunning views, no other houses in sight, right on the River Eden, in a very rare red squirrel area, Eden Lacey has three houses to let by the week. The Lodge sleeps 2, Force Mill sleeps 6 and Cracked Holm sleep 8. only 6 miles from Penrith with fabulous fishmongers, butchers and farmers markets. relaxation is the key here, lots of walks and biking.”

Mount Street Deli 02.08.10
“finally a chic local place to have breakfast, coffee, lunch, tea or supper! we have been waiting for a place like this forever. super chic inside it is wood panelled with a central sharing table and small bar in the window for checking out the uber cool shops. the food is top quality and it is no surprise to find that it comes out of the Caprice Holdings stable. take away customers - many local chic and super smart - cant get enough of the totally delicious seasonal salads and soups, we sat in and had Sicilian coffee and longed for lunchtime. rachel m”

Sundae Sundae 02.08.10
“the best local ice cream served in cones and tubs, fun bric a brac, a cosy old school atmosphere of naughty sea side post cards, sweeties and souveniers - all in the best taste.”

Wheelers Oyster Bar and Parlour 02.08.10
“a best kept secret of the local,s this minature - there is always a queue - oyster bar is open every day except wednesdays. pop in for take away oysters, seafood, crab sandwiches or tartlets or book up and experience fish like never you have never tasted before in the parlour. there are only six tables so think as far ahead as you can. it is a very low key set up with the best local fish you have ever tasted - the key to proper food. if you like fancy do not come here!”

Couture Lab 02.08.10
“Couture Lab is a hub of very interesting and ingenius design made pieces - jewels, clothes art and homeware. they stock nothing that you will have seen before as they fuse making methods and hire the greatest design minds - over 100 - to think up the unusual and execute it in the finest materials known to man. top quality for the inquisitive mind. Rachel m”

Alnwick Garden - Treehouse 02.08.10
“The Alnwick Gardens are a joy to behold, a decade into a vast project by the duchess of northumberland they are a must see,- incredibly planting, water features, sculpture and lots of places to contemplate. i defy anyone not to find an area that they would not like to copy in some way in their own garden albeit on a mini scale.. The Rose and Poison Garden are my favourites, plus the bamboo maze. But if you only have time to visit one place here it has to be the Treehouse. Treehouses do not come much bigger than this, a feat of engineering, its almost like entering a different bird high world perched in the ancient trees. choose from the cafe or restaurant, both serve totally delicious local and seasonal northumbrian fayre. there are wobbly bridges, a look out tower and the Roost a round room with a vast tree in the middle. go and look i do not think you will be disappointed. book in the restaurant.”

The Toffee Shop 02.08.10
“a legend in its own lifetime this old style Toffee Shop is a one off and has lasted in its original format for decades. the mouth watering butter toffee and fudge is hand made on site, they ship all over the world to fans.”

The Bleeding Heart 14.07.10
“to find a restaurant with extremely good food, extremely good wine and extremely good service is a rare thing and the Bleeding Heart is just that. seriously memorable French food that is light and utterly delicious. i was introduced to it by real foodies who come to London espically. there is also a bistro and a tavern, all set around an enchanting and unusual courtyard in Hatton Garden. French foodies will love this experience. RM”

Saatchi Gallery 14.07.10
“a totally contemporary gallery, clean cut to the max with a real sense of space.the widest floor boards ever - i wish i knew where they came from.

having just donated this entire collection to the nation we owe charles saatchi a lot. he is an exceptional man with an eye for the future. he pioneered and collected the YBA's (Young British Artists) while everyone else poo pooed them and now they all have egg on their faces and he was right on it. a changing collection of interesting works, housed in a sensational gallery in a brilliant location - don't miss it. RM”

John Sandoe Books 14.07.10
“Escape from real life and experience the John Sandoe way. a proper book shop with people who work there that know a serious amount about books and have read far more than you or I. Extremely helpful they will field any question and sort out the trickiest of present requests. RM”

Mint 14.07.10
“this design shop is incredible it has its own identity and always has. a very interesting selection of furniture, lighting, ceramics and accessories. hand picked from the Milan Design Fair and other never seen before sources. they also have a design service. if you are looking for the unusual they step inside. RM”

Green and Stone 14.07.10
“Green and Stone is a proper art shop run by artists and has been in Chelsea forever. It is like entering another world. there is a fromer at the back and a selection of usual small antiques. i defy anyone with a sensibility for traditional shops not to find something they love in here. RM”

ABC Carpet and Home 03.07.10
“it can accommodate just about any taste - and that is a v heard thing to say about any shop.”

RE 03.07.10
“way ahead of its time this lifestyle shop, simply re used objects to make covetable accessories for the home and garden. they are extremely helpful, will send anywhere and have a great website. well done RE you are inspirational. RM”

Favorita 07.06.10
“this local Italian is known nationwide for its award winning oven baked pizza's - they come from far and wide. they also have a very slick take away delivery service that you can order on line.”

The Gateway Restaurant 07.06.10
“The new John Hope Gate at the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh is quite an exceptional set up, providing a place to eat, learn, shop and admire. beautifully executed the Gateway Restaurant upstairs has tables made from the gardens and a view to die for. open for breakfast, lunch and tea. it is the place to stop and admire the fabulous new planting and take a break from visiting the glasshouses which have to be amoung the best in the world. Rachel M”

Old Town 07.06.10
“a exceptional shop that hand makes traditional clothes on the premises with so much love. using all british wools, cottons and linens - see the fantastic dresses, shirts, jackets and trousers. it is very easy to get carried away here. RM”

Labour and Wait 16.03.10
“With every ironmonger ever known and loved disappearing Labour and Wait is the place to go when you need utility and hardware products that are properly made, nostalgic, unlabelled and very cool. They are super design savvy and everything is in the shop for a very good reason. There are things for the house - particularly the kitchen, garden and clothes and bags. A mix of vintage and new. their website is also brilliant. i want it all. rachel m”

Mount Street Gardens 16.03.10
“Tucked away behind the Grosvenor Chapel in South Audley Street and Farm Street Church in Mount Street these gardens are an oasis in central London. The sanctuary that many Londoners living and working locally use daily to take a breather, have their lunch, make telephone calls or just be. There are many, many benches and immaculate lawns, you will see a great mix of people and dogs being walked. St George's Junior School fills the air with playground sounds at break times. all rather unexpected for W1. rachel m”

Dover Street Market 16.03.10
“Dover Street Market provides the ultimate snapshot of ecclectic fashion style in London both top level and street. Founded by Rei Kawakubo of Comme de Garcons fame there are 5 floors of the unusual and consistanly unique clothes, shoes, jewels etc from many, many different designers - some international and some unknown - displayed in seriously brilliant ways from exotic to utility. The Rose Bakery from Paris sits on the top floor and is a must visit for those who care about food, presentation and ingredients - its amazing. if you want lunch make sure you are there by 12! rachel m”

River Cottage Canteen and Store, Axminster 15.03.10
“i drove miles to visit this fantastic canteen and local produce store and was in awe and returned the following week. A fantastic combination of a v buzzy and bustly canteen at the back and a local produce store at the front. Go any time and you will sure to have utterly delicious and un-fussy seasonal fayre. There are many courses that ALL sound amazing and get booked up quite far in advance and many visits from interesting local producers and nation-wide foodies. Its a very clever place. rachel M”

Urban Angel 15.03.10
“Delicious organic food is what Urban Angel does best, for those missing Ottolenghi in London this is a great subsitute. Based on a similar model but of course with its own identity it great with babies and children is always packed, has lots of places to sit, delicious salads, cakes and mains, great offers and open at night too. Super kind and friendly staff - an oasis. Rachel M”

Artisan Roast 15.03.10
“Aristan Roast attracts a very interesting and eclectic crowd for one v good reason, it serves the best coffee in Edinburgh. They pride themselves on top quality and roast the beans that have come from estates, co-operatives and collectives themselves. Its v low key and there is a wood burning stove at the back. Presentation is perfect and the staff are true 'coffee givers'. They supply many, many top locations throughout Scotland and the UK. all welcome. Rachel m”

Peter's Yard 15.03.10
“A very sleek modern Sweedish bakery and coffee shop just off the Meadows. All galvanised steel and glass, great service, friendly staff. mums and students and working types all mixed up in a very nice environment. exceptional cinamon buns and crispbread that you would a fool to leave without. rachel m”

Few & Far 17.01.10
“a unique shop by the genius Priscilla Carluccio- Terence Conran's sister - clothes, toys, furniture, flowers and food sit side by side a proper lifestyle shop with unique and never seen before stock. every week they bake a cake and sell it in the shop - this is totally unique for London.”