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.

Some places are better to be left a secret. This one e.g.

Seasonal British food at its BEST !

Whipps Cross flats next to Hollow Pond boating lake is where I run. A perfect antidote to the chaos in the city.

I worked at the Barbican for several years and during that time became very fond of its architecture. One of my favourite spaces within the centre is the conservatory, a giant tropical garden in the middle of a concrete city.