Andy Harvey is a Graphic Designer/Art Director. Currently Creative Director at Marque Creative/Starworks in London, and currently resides in E17, London.
There are libraries full of screaming children and strip lighting, and then there are libraries like The London Library. Whenever I’m there it’s hard to believe I’m not caught inside a wonderful dream, because everything about this place is so perfect as to be almost unreal.
I discovered this hidden gem by pure chance when i explored the area in one of my lunch breaks. Rochelle Canteen is hidden away behind the walls of three former victorian schools on Arnold Circus in London's Shoreditch. The atmosphere, upon entering the ground, is relaxed almost tranquil. The canteen itself is situated in the old bike shed and the kitchens' size almost belies it's output. The food is distinctively modern British; run by Arnold & Henderson, a household name of britisch cuisine. The guests are local creative types so that the atmosphere is more relaxed then anything else. In the summer you can also sit outside.
There are three branches of this South Indian Vegetarian Restaurants across London, two in the West End. They all look pretty unremarkable from the outside, the décor is pretty basic, but don't be fooled - the food is wonderful! It's incredibly cheap and the friendly staff cater for vegans and people with food intolerances really well.