The London Edit: Foodies

Everyone knows that London is full of gorgeous restaurants. Michelin-starred joints are all over the shop and you can sample everything from Mexican to Moroccan in this diverse and delicious city!

I have made it my mission to find some gorgeous London restaurants in my first year here and I do think I have succeeded! I have edited it down to my all-out favourites (some more known than others) that I would highly recommend to any visitors to London.

As with my other London edit posts, I would love you all to give me your recommendations for London restaurants!

I'm finding it very tricky to narrow it down so here are my top five restaurants (in no particular order!)

I'm also hoping to try Ceviche, Bodega Negra, Mildreds, Cabana, Fornata, Roti Chai, Dinings, Dinner by Blumenthal, China Tang, Hawkswmoor and Yashin. I can dream, eh? If you've been to any of these restaurants please do let me know whether they are worth a visit!

1. Dishoom, Covent Garden (££)
The best Indian I have ever eaten, with the exception of The Cinnamon Club and Mumbai Mansion in Edinburgh, comes courtesy of this stylish little Bombay cafe in the west end. Central and just a little walk to Leicester Square station, I have had some of my favourite meals in this cosy little restaurant. Almost like an indian tapas, you can share a selection of street food delights including Dishoom Calamari (gorgeous!) and chilli cheese on toast before indulging in a delicious biryani or gorgeously spiced curry served with your choice of bread made right before your eyes! Spicy dips are on the table to add to taste and you can wash it all down with an authentic cooling lassi. My picks are the Dishoom Frankie- a naan bread wrap with chicken- and the delectable salads- the tastiest Indian food in London I reckon!

2. Fino, Charlotte Street (£££)
I'm sure you will have heard of the famous Barrafina in Soho, but I am afraid I have yet to try it! However I just had to try their sister restaurant Fino, and I was certainly not disappointed. A more formal dining experience than the bustling Barrafina, Fino offer some seriously delicious tapas (from a bit of a tapas enthusiast!). The fish is delicious, as are croquettes and tomato bread, but i'd suggest ordering a selection and sharing- it's a lovely restaurant with a great atmosphere! If you fancy trying another Spanish i'd recommend Iberica on Great Portland Street and i've heard good things about The Salt Yard. Any other suggestions just pop a comment below!

3. Manna, Primrose Hill (£££)
My favourite weekend lunch spot has to be Manna in Primrose Hill. I would kill to be a Primrose Hill resident, not least because this little restaurant is quite something. Tucked away opposite the TriYoga studios off Regents Park Road, Manna is all vegan and all bloody delicious! Try the Manna Mezze, a selection of four starters of your choice (the basil and cashew croquettes were just gorgeous) or the Manna Nachos. Finish it off with a vegan cake and glass of vino! Seriously, I can't rave about this little eatery enough! Another favourite Primrose Hill restaurant is the esteemed Odettes on Regents Park Road. It is unpretentious and great value for money (a reasonable £50 tasting menu) as well as offering some delicious great British food. 

4. Nobu, Park Lane (££££)
Having been to both the Berkeley and the Park Lane restaurants, I have to say that Nobu Park lane gets my vote. I'm a total Japanese fiend and in London, so far, Nobu is unbeaten. I love Roka on Charlotte Street, but the sashimi salad at Nobu and that delectably sweet black miso cod give it the edge. I love the sashimi lunch option, followed by one of the stellar desserts (Banana Split 3000 is quite something!) It's not cheap, but it's quite an experience and I would eat at Nobu every day for the rest of my life if I could. I have only ever had better sashimi in two other restaurants, both of which are in Spain, believe it or not! (Koy Shunka in Barcelona and Nu in Gerona)

5. Wahaca, Soho (££)
Okay, so Wahaca is a chain of Mexican restaurants and it is hardly a hidden gem, but I love the Soho branch best! It is my favourite place for comfort food sans guilt. I love the small sharing plates of cheesy quesadillas, zingy tacos and spicy taquitos and I adore the atmosphere and friendly staff. It is a bit of a pain having to wait for a table (no reservations ya see) but it's 100% worth it. Sit back and wait while sipping a fiery Bloody Maria and munch on a few tortilla chips with chunky guacamole. Finish off your meal on a sweet note with the churros with dark chocolate or the delectable hotcake with dulce du leche- so good! You will not be disappointed with Wahaca- I actually miss it when i'm not in London.

The London Edit: Drinkies

London, meet the rest of the world.

In just a few days all eyes will be on the humble city of London. Part of me is relieved to be avoiding the Olympic chaos, but part of me is very sad indeed to be missing out on the most exciting few weeks the capital shall ever experience.

In saying that, i'm sure that many of you will be visiting London during the games so I thought i'd give you a little insight to the city I have come to love dearly, even though i've only been here a year!

What is so very magical about London is that every district is full of surprises, there are so many hidden treasures and I firmly believe that every day in London is an adventure (oooh cheesy!).

I am not for one second claiming to be a London-er, I still love irn bru as much as the next Scot (try a Malibru if you're feeling adventurous- Malibu and Irn Bru, so wrong, but so right!), but I do feel like a know of a few lovely places in London that I would certainly recommend to you lot.

The first instalment of The London Edit relates to my favourite hobby: cocktails! (Cocktails do count as a hobby. It's called Mixology. I am aware that this is only really the creation of the cocktails, but the drinking is an art form as well. Especially when wearing wedges.)

London is full of many a lovely cocktail bar and I thought i'd edit it down for ya. If anyone has any other suggestions for me to try just drop it in the comment box (i'm always looking for an excuse for a cheeky G&T) or tweet me @SWfashion_

Even in this Olympian chaos, an indulgent cocktail is a godsend. Here are my top picks, in no particular order, natch.

1. The Experimental Cocktail Club, China Town
This is a hidden gem if ever there was one! It looks like a seedy club from the outside, simply a plain black door with no sign and no fuss, but when you get inside (after making a reservation, ideally) it's a nonchalant but stylish cocktail club with a charming retro feel. Book a table in advance and come here on a weekend for a totally relaxed but fantastic night out with the best atmosphere in London. Not one ounce of pretention and some of the most delicious cocktails I have tasted to date. My pick is the St Germain based St-Germain-des-Prés which is a zingy creative mix of elderflower, Hendricks, frothy egg white, cucumber, lime and a slight heat of chilli. This is a gorgeous cocktail experience that I would highly recommend. 

2. Aqua Spirit, Regent Street
If you're looking for somewhere infinitely chic to look out over London and simply bask in your utter gorgeousness, then Aqua is probably the place for you. The Aqua building is just around the corner from Liberty making it the perfect central bar. I only went once for the Nelly shoes party but I loved the venue. It is spacious with a dance area and, the best part, a beautiful roof terrace looking out over London. They have some delectable cocktails as well, of course, including their collection of Champagne cocktails called the "Twisted Bubbles". My pick is the totally breathtaking Rose & Li which is Veuve, rose liqueur, syrupy lychee with beautiful floating rosebuds. So sweet and delicate- perhaps a little too drinkable I think!

3. Barrio Central, Poland Street Soho/ Barrio North, Angel
Sometimes all you need is some great music, great company and a couple of drinks to have a fantastic night, and that's what I love about Barrio. It's totally chilled with no posh Mayfair crowd and plenty of normal folk! It does get undeniably busy at the weekend, but it is a fun bar with such a friendly atmosphere. The cocktails are relatively cheap for London and split into different continents for a really fun menu that will have you totally spoilt for choice- also, very apt for the Olympics, I reckon! A lot are tequila based, but I would recommend the Sakura- cherry brandy and plum liqueur- mmm!

4. Shochu Lounge, Charlotte Street 
Part of me really wanted to put Nobu Berkeley here, but I thought i'd ring the changes and mention this sexy Charlotte Street lounge. Beneath my second favourite Japanese in the capital (Roka) lies the Shochu Lounge, and it really is a treat. Plush cushioned seats surround a central bar which is crazily buzzing at the weekend! Japanese influenced cocktails are always refreshing, and Shochu has some really gorgeous offerings for a bit of a change. If you're getting  bored of your faithful Mojito, then why not try the poetic Setting Sun, a soft marriage of Kumquat Shochu, elderflower syrup and champagne, served with a zingy grapefruit twist. 

5. Lounge Lover, Shoreditch
It's all about East London this summer, but Lounge Lover is my favourite Shoreditch haunt. With a cool, slick interior and spacious tables flickering with candles and dimly lit chandeliers, Lounge Lover is such a treat! It is a little bit out the way, but if you're spending a day trawling the vintage shops of Brick Lane, I would suggest you recharge your batteries here! Read more about Lounge Lover in my review here.