Luke vB - Secret London

Label manager and resident at Superfreq, Luke vB share his London secrets.

The Duke of Cambridge Organic Pub
30 St. Peters Street, Islington, N1
www.dukeorganic.co.uk

This pub is the first wholly organic pub in the UK, serving only organic food, beer and wines. It is also the first pub to be approved by the soil association. From the 'Eco Warrior' lager to the fresh lamb stew all the food and drink is exceptional. The pub also happens to be in a lovely quiet area of Islington and the usual crowd is both young and lively. This is a great place to go out for a relaxed, enjoyable and healthy weekend meal.

Clos Maggiore
33 King Street, Covent Garden
www.closmaggoire.com

For anyone wanting a romantic evening out, this is by far the best up-market restaurant to go to. It is by no means cheap, but the experience is worth every penny. Set in the heart of Covent Garden this small French/Italian restaurant serves exquisite food in an exquisite setting. The best place to sit is in the small open courtyard at the back of the restaurant, where you can enjoy a beautiful night sky or a warm summer afternoon. The food easily compares with any of the top London restaurants and the wine list will take you a week to read it is so extensive. Expect to see me at table in the corner with a date.

Bloomsbury Auction House
24 Maddox Street, Mayfair
www.bloomsburyauctions.com

London is full of great museums and exhibitions but why just look at beautiful art when you can buy some for yourself. Bloomsbury auctions are a small auction house who do twice yearly modern and contemporary art and print auctions. They also auction stamps, fossils, medals and books if you are into that sort of thing. It is the modern print auction that is particularly good and worth attending, as you can pick up great value prints by artists such as Banksy, Hockney and Dali and Picasso if you have a bit more to spend. Just going along to one of these auctions is great fun even if you don't have the nerves to start bidding.

Any bridge in London at sunrise during June

My very favourite place to experience London is as the sun rises over the city during the summer. This is when the city is at its quietest and most stunning. Go stand on any bridge along the Thames and enjoy watching the sun light up the river and all the surrounding buildings and monuments. For me there is no better way to appreciate the real beauty of this city.

Published: 6/11/2007

Click a city on the map to find out its secrets. You can zoom in with the '+' or
the mouse wheel and drag the map around to choose the city you're interested in.

More from...