jul, 22nd - T3L: london royal parks....

day 160:

i've decided to dedicate Thursdays to Things To-Do in London (T3London). it's such a great city and we've loved being here for 10 years. it's vibrant, with so much to do, that i think we're often paralyzed by the options and end up glued to the couch (well that's my excuse on those cold Winter's days). but some of our most favourite things to do in the Big Smoke are to visit many of the wonderful markets, world class and inspirational galleries/museums, beautiful green spaces - parks, heaths, commons but also to seek out the quirky, the topical and the unique things happening in this city at all times.

so, on Thursdays I will share some of our favourite things to do in Limi's birth city (strange to think that she will always have a stronger connection to London than we will....she owns this town and i guess it owns her!) 

today's T3London is the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen in Hyde Park, i've blogged about this spot before as it's become a bit of a favourite after an early morning walk on a weekend (we were never up in time to haul ourselves down to Hyde Park before the hordes, pre-Limi)

anyway, i am constantly amazed by the foresight that it took to create these beautiful parks in the heart of a big city. 

whenever i'm wandering through hyde park, i marvel at the fact that very little has changed since the 1800's and if someone from that period were to see the park today, it would still be so familiar but the people in it would be completely alien, roller-blading, riding bicycles, kicking soccer balls around with no shirts on.....they would think that the world had gone mad!

anyway i digress......wandering through parks has that effect! the parks have always been a real tribute to the city but the cafes....not so much...dry scones, uninspiring interiors, grim bathrooms. but now, that has all changed. an inspiring company has taken hold of the mediocrity and transformed the Hyde Park cafes into warm, foodie havens....that ooze character.....aaah....why has it taken so long (she says, choking on the last of those dry, flaky scones). So here is the low down.....

Basic Info:

The Serpentine Bar and Kitchen can be found in Hyde Park on Serpentine Road
Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday 08:00 - 21:00
Breakfast Hours: 08:00 - 12:00 Last orders 11:45
Lunch & Supper Hours: 12:00 - 21:00 Last order 20:45

Highs:

- Go for breakfast after a early morning, brisk walk along the Serpentine (watching the Serpentine Bathers pace in the cold water can make one very hungry.)

- Freshly baked pastries and muffins

- A vintage mix of solid wooden tables and chairs

- Jugs and jars of fresh flowers from the gardens (especially the sprightly daffodils when they're in season)

- Good coffee

- A wonderfully eclectic clientele

- The view of the Serpentine

Lows:

- Queueing for tables

- Queueing to order

- Food arriving based on queue position rather than people at the table so you end up eating in a staggered round

Tot Tips:

- Good spacing for pram negotiation

- Decent changing facility in the disabled cubicle

- Open kitchen which makes walking up and asking for scissors (to cut the formula carton), hot water, cold water etc.....pretty nifty.

See you there!