Dinnertime
La Galette
There’s a range of tasty dishes on the menu here, but as the name suggests, it’s the galettes that steal the show. The mouthwatering choice of fillings includes forestière (mushrooms, crème fraîche and parsley), compléte (ham, cheese and eggs) and paysanne (smoked bacon, creamed leeks and parsley). Whether you go for savoury or sweet, you’ll want to wash it down with Brittany or Normandy cider.
La Galette, 56 Paddington St, W1 (020 7933 1554). Food served 10am-11pm.
Wodka
This eatery was established by Jan Woroniecki in 1989, and serves up a mix of Eastern and Modern European food. Expect a hearty dinner (think braised rabbit and sauerkraut), and prepare to be tempted by the exhaustive range of vodkas on offer.
Wodka, 12 St Albans Grove, W8 (020 7937 6513). Dinner served 6.30-11.15pm.
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Inn the Park
If you’ve managed to pack plenty into your Sunday, this oasis of calm is the perfect place to end up. By the lake, surrounded by greenery, the setting couldn’t be better, and Oliver Peyton’s simple British menu is packed with comfort food (the Cornish hake with tomato and red pepper sauce went down a treat). There’s also a kids’ menu, if you’ve brought the little blighters with you.
Inn the Park, St James’ Park, SW1 (020 7451 9999). Dinner served 6-9.30pm.
Coco
This Caribbean restaurant is just the kind of thing London does better than anywhere else. The atmosphere is buzzing, and the food is excellent – salted cod fritters, dumplings, jerk fish and meat, all served up with plantain and rice and peas.
Coco, 70 Exmouth Market, EC1 (020 7833 3332). Dinner served 6-10.20pm.
St John’s
Quite a few gastropubs duck out of serving dinner on a Sunday, but luckily this place keeps the kitchen going. Despite the dismal Archway setting, this is an atmospheric boozer and the food is good, honest stodge. Lamb shank with cous cous followed by a panettone bread pudding, accompanied by a glass (or bottle) of red from the extensive wine list – job done.
St John’s, 91 Junction Rd, N19 (020 7272 1587). Dinner served 6.30-9.30pm.
8pm
Get stuck in a jam
You’ll never know quite what you’ll get at Soul Pirate, a new open mic night and jam session at Opium, but for £4 admission it hardly matters. The resident DJ will be spinning soul, funk, R&B and hip hop, which should give you an idea of what to expect from the amateur acts – although since the only stipulation if you want to play is that you sign up by 9pm, anyone could get on stage.
Opium, 1a Dean St, W1 (020 7287 9608). Adm £4, or free before 8pm.
See comedy legends
They may not be new to the London scene, but the Comedy Store Players are reliable friends when it comes to Sunday night entertainment. You’re guaranteed a beer-splutteringly hilarious demonstration of wit, improvisation and sheer silliness, featuring such towering figures as Paul Merton, Josie Lawrence, Neil Mullarkey and Richard Vranch (who may or may not be on piano). Best of all, the audience are positively encouraged to get involved (although if you decide to be rude, be prepared for some of the most ruthless heckle-repellers in the business).
9pm
Jazz Café
There’s something about jazz that makes it perfect for a Sunday evening, so it’s a shame that Ronnie Scott’s is closed for a refurb. Fortunately the Jazz Café continues to pull in an eclectic mix of big names. Doors open at 7pm, but it hots up later and goes on past midnight.
Jazz Café, 5-7 Parkway, NW1 (020 7916 6060/ www.jazzcafe.co.uk). Tickets from £17.50.
Jive
A niche alternative to pounding house and techno, Hulaboogie is a unique night of music from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, housed in a venue reminiscent of a US Army base on Hawaii. If you don’t know your jive from your jitterbug, get there early (doors open at 7pm) for the 30-minute beginner’s class at the start of the session. But if you don’t mind making a fool of yourself (£3.95 cocktails until 10pm should help), turn up later when the dancing is in full swing.
Jive, South Pacific London, 340 Kennington Rd, SE11 (020 8672 5972/ www.hulaboogie.co.uk). Adm £5.
10pm
A nighttime walk
When darkness falls, take the opportunity to take in London in its illuminated Sunday splendour. Start at the stunning, lit-up exterior of Somerset House, and then head across Waterloo Bridge – where you can pause to admire the lights along Victoria Embankment, the glowing Houses of Parliament and St Paul’s, and Docklands in the distance. On the other side, you’ve got the Hayward Gallery, the Royal Festival Hall and the London Eye. From there you can wander down the South Bank to Millennium Bridge, ending up at St Paul’s. By then you’ll probably be ready for bed (or possibly some hardcore clubbing – see below).
Dig Your Own Rave
The T Bar recently held its first ‘official’ Fabric after-party when Craig Richards and Ricardo Villalobos carried on at the ace Shoreditch megabar until midnight on Sunday – and all gratis.The fortnightly DYOR isn’t quite so full-on, but does major on forward-thinking dance music from ace DJs Rob Mello, Dave Congreve and Jamie Jones. A hedonistic way to round off the weekend.
11pm
Hit the disco
Describing itself as a ‘twenty-first-century tea dance’, Vauxhall club night Horse Meat Disco is an institution on the gay scene, and one hell of a night out. Resident DJs James Hillard, Filthy Luka, Severino, Farah and guests entertain a diverse crowd who are determined not to let the weekend end. Expect manic dancing until 1am.
The obligatory kebab
If you’re in need of some grub on your way home and can build a trip to Islington into the journey, Flaming Nora is our tip for a tasty late-night kebab. Upper Street is not noted for its quality takeaway food, but this joint (open until midnight) serves up fantastic flame-grilled burgers, chicken, lamb and fish – all with plenty of mouthwatering sauces for you to drip all over the night bus seats.
Flaming Nora, 177 Upper St, N1 (0845 835 6672/ www.flamingnora.com).
12pm
Midnight feast
Bar Italia may be the traditional late-night Soho stop-off, but if you want a proper meal you’re much more likely to get a seat in Balans. You’ll stagger out, sated, with just enough time to pick up an early copy of tomorrow’s paper before haggling with a taxi driver for a lift home.
Balans, 60 Old Compton St, W1 (020 7437 5212/ www.balans.co.uk). Open Sun 8am-2am.
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London for Londoners guide
4 comments
The public skates in London on Friday 8pm and Sunday 2pm (from Hyde Park corner area) are facilitated by www.LFNS.co.uk
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I agree with sarah - one for a saturday or the bank holiday work be great!!
I am Italian, used to live in London, now in Milan since.. well, way too much I guess, and you made me feel like being in my beloved London again..
tks a lot!!
Brilliant Feature. Can you do one of these for a Saturday?