The closest you can get to Little Italy in the east. The owners are amazing, the atmosphere is relaxed, the lunches are abundant and homemade. The cakes are amazing, try Torta Clara (pear and chocolate) for the ultimate bliss.

If you already love Brilliant Corners, then you'll love Giant Steps in Hackney Wick, a new club in collaboration with Analogue Foundation. Perfect for the ones who love to get it groovy on the dancefloor.

British seasonal ingredients through an Italian lens....Parmesan fries, wild mushroom tagliatelle and tiramisu are some of my favourites.

I spend many hours in the bookshops along this stretch, namely Henry Pordes for second hand books and new discounted titles (pile on left of photo), as well as Koenig Books for new art books with lots of great discounts in the basement. (photo right). In 2001 the rents for much of this strip were increased to align them closer to market value but thanks to public support they were reduced again. Unfortunately some bookshops still closed down; Koenig replaced the beloved Zwemmers - a real institution - but thankfully still provide great books, although others are no longer bookshops at all.

Favorite pub in East London. The food is good, as well. Nice to go in the evening after a stroll through London fields or the Broadway market shops