Cat Sarsfield

London is not a city short of wine bars and small plates. So when such a place becomes as renown as Bar Crispin you know it's going to be good. Headed by chef Fabien Spagnolo (who rustles up dishes such as crispy polenta, fried prawn sando, and devilled brown crab) and sommelier Alex Price who is an expert in low-intervention wines. This is not a spot to miss. 

Bar come shop & eatery, Moto is everything a sake and artisanal drink fan could want. Nestled within the heart of Covent Garden, the staff at Moto are always more than happy to help you find the perfect pairing, whether it's sake, shochu, gin, or absinthe. Pop by to buy a bottle or two, and find yourself staying for an obento. 

The speciality here is NYC-style bagels, which are bigger, doughier and more heavily seasoned than the London beigel. It’s run by ex-New Yorkers Georgia and Gabriel “Papo” Gomez and there are seven flavours to choose from, baked fresh every day. We love the Everything, with schmear, scallion and lox.

This is a spot that comes up in every foodie Londoner’s little black book. As a result, it might seem surprisingly simple – there isn't even the option to book - but that is its joy. Best for a brunch of winter tomatoes on sourdough followed by olive oil cake, with views of runners, dogs and cyclists navigating the canal-side path. Open from March to November, it’s particularly glorious on a sunny day.

Though there's no ocean in view, Found Oyster makes you believe you're at a classic coastal seafood shack: it's for sure small enough! Grab a lobster roll, and a platter full of oysters as you sip on a glass of bubbly. It doesn't get better than that. 

Your neighbourhood coffee haven. Bring your little ones, the day's paper or a good book to this little spot where your guaranteed to get a killer cup of coffee. 

We hands down adore a natural wine spot and the Tabula Rasa Bar is no exception. With 20 wines by the glass, or 200 by the bottle and a food menu which rotates from small plates to pizza pop-ups (by none other than our favourite boy blue). Need we say more?

Charming, modern and with the vibe of your local 'hip neighbourhood drop-in. Kismet Rotisserie is the casual counterpart of Kismet. Here you can get anything from salads, schmaltzy tatties, fennel tzatziki to the juiciest, most delightful slow-roast chicken. You guessed it! 

Hotel Covell is a luxury home-away-from-home. More comparable to chic apartments, choose the 'chapter' from George Covell's life to settle down in. Whether you go from his more humble beginnings in 'The Oklahoma Room', or opt for 'A Parisian Atelier; you can be sure of a room fit for any design aficionado. 

Barnsdall Art Park is perhaps the cultural heart of Los Angeles. Home to the first modern architectural building listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, LAMAG, a theatre, and an abundance of green space: you can easily spend a whole day at this spot. You can even book in for a wine tasting come the summer.