Long hiatus

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted anything on here and it’s mainly due to me being away for one month and just catching up on things/life in general.  I’ve also been super busy with Thanksgiving preparation and now that Christmas is coming up I’m sure I’ll have limited time too.  However, I hope to visit some new places to keep this site updated!  Hope you’re all having a wonderful season so far.  - B.

Le Pain Quotidien ~ Covent Garden

If you’re in Covent Garden and are looking for a nice place to have a meal or just a pastry and coffee while you take a break, then I suggest stopping in Le Pain Quotidien.  If you’re a Londoner you know how busy Covent Garden can be and we all know that it’s not the most kid friendly area either.  We stopped in the other day and the staff was extremely pleasant and attentive.  There are two floors which means there is ample space to sit down and they also have an outside seating area.  Quotidien is located in the central, market area on the main floor.  Their lemon tart is my favorite, a must have if you’re in the mood for a treat!

The Duke’s Head

The Duke’s Head in Putney is just a few minutes from Putney High Street, making it very easy to walk to from Putney Bridge tube, Putney (overground) train and East Putney tube stations.  It’s a lovely pub with a really nice view of the river so I suggest to try to get a table nearest the window when making a reservation (which I highly recommend doing).  They have a really nice selection of starters, mains and desserts as well as a nice choice of foods like burgers and ribeye steak prepared on the grill.  If you’d like to take a stroll after your meal, head toward Putney Bridge and cross over to Bishop’s Park.

The Waterfront

The Waterfront is one of the many Young’s pubs throughout London and in my opinion one of the nicest.   Inside seating consists of booths, tables and a lounge / bar area while the outside is equipped with tables and umbrellas with a view of the riverside walk. It’s located in Battersea Reach, where all the new developments are, which means it is well-kept and in a residential area.  And, because it’s not on a high street or main road, the pub’s hidden location makes it feel cozier. You’ll most likely see children playing and riding their bikes along the riverside.  In addition to their a la carte menu, they also offer daily lunch specials for £6.50 each and have a separate kid’s menu.

The Ship

The Ship, located in Wandsworth, is a pub/restaurant popular for its BBQ and outdoor seating during the spring and summer seasons.  They have both a BBQ menu (if you’d like to order straight from the grill) and a complete restaurant menu featuring daily specials, including Sunday roast.  Staff is friendly and it’s always busy, especially after work and on the weekends, however, there’s ample space should you decide last-minute to walk in and have a bite.  It’s situated on the river which means you can take a stroll in either direction toward Wandsworth Park or Battersea, or if you’d like, you can cross Wandsworth Bridge and head to Chelsea and Fulham.

Note:  All portions listed in their menu are adult sized but they do offer kid’s sized portions too on select items such as risotto, fish and chips, etc.

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Automat

If you’re like me and often crave a stack of pancakes for Sunday brunch then I suggest heading out to Mayfair.  Automat is an American Brasserie that serves anything from eggs benedict to NY strip steak.  I have yet to try their steak but I can say that their pancakes are really good AND they also serve streaky bacon, for those who love Oscar Mayer!  In my opinion, it’s one of the best places to have American style pancakes in London.  They accommodate larger parties too but be sure to make a reservation as they are extremely busy, especially so during the weekend.

Candy Cakes

If your kid loves shakes and cupcakes then he/she will love Candy Cakes!  This little gem is located in the lower level Piazza in Covent Garden.  It can get very busy, which means that you may have to wait a few minutes, all worth it though.  There are small tables inside so you can sit, have a coffee and satisfy that sweet tooth.  Throwing a party?  Then why not customize and personalize your own cake too!   Teens absolutely love this place!

One O’clock Centres

There are 11 One O’clock Centres in Wandsworth council with locations in popular areas such as Battersea Park, King George’s Park and The Windmill.  One O’clock clubs are open Monday to Friday from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. and entry to the centre is completely free.  Each club has their own schedule of activities so best to check with them directly for a timetable.  There are both indoor and outdoor play areas which include a soft play section for babies and crawlers and toddlers can fully utilize the playground’s swings, slides, ride-on vehicles, sandpits, fancy dress costumes for role play, building blocks, finger painting and more.  This is a drop in centre ideal for children under 5 years old with an accompanying adult so anyone can walk in.  Programs are also available for children 3 – 16 years old during term time and school holidays; again best to check each centre for details.   

“In Play Services we have two main objectives – 1. to improve the quality of play provision and 2. to promote public interest in the importance of play. We believe that in pursuing these aims we can bring benefits to children and adults alike.”  – Paul Robinson, Director Children’s Services

Please take a look at the FLICKR link on the right where I’ve scanned a map and listing of One O’clock Centres, Adventure Playgrounds, Activity Centres and After School Care locations.

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