Marrakech Day 2: Gardens, Guéliz and Guardian Lantern Carriers...

A morning spent walking the Jardin Majorelle, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé's garden. 

Then onto Guéliz for lunch - here there are a variety of European shops, cafes and bars, including Le Grand Café de la Poste. 

Then back to the peaceful haven of our riad hotel, Les Jardins de la Medina where we indulged on mint tea and delicious cocktails...

Then we spent the evening at Le Foundouk, where lantern carriers meet you to take you to the secluded restaurant, with three floors. 


Make sure you get a taxi to the meeting point (taxi driver will know where this is) and then a guide in a fez with a lantern will come to guide you to the restaurant as the neighbourhood is a bit dodgy.

The restaurant is on threee levels - definitely go for the outdoor roof terrace if you can, it is very atmospheric at night. 

Reasonably priced and good food. The experience has been cleverly mastered; the waiters give you scrolls (menus) to open up and look at. The restaurant caters for all tastes with a variety of Moroccan and French dishes, so something for everyone.

Places to eat: Senkai

New to the scene is Senkai, formerly Cocoon, with its crescent moon shaped windows and expansive floor, this is a cool place to be. The latest restaurant from the Ignite chain (Boujis, Bumpkin...) but seemingly without the  pretension. We were lucky enough to try out a range of platters at The Raw Bar - a round marble eating bar where you watch chefs chop deliciously fresh vegetables, meats and fish, proffering plates of sushi, sashimi, tempura, you name it. 

A fantastic space, Senkai also has a conference area at the back of the restaurant and a cocktail lounge at the front. With its perfect location on Piccadilly Circus/Regent Street, sustainably sourced seafood and simple decor, Senkai is somewhere for everyone. The best way to eat here is by selecting a diverse range of dishes and sharing because there simply is too much to choose from and so much to miss out on.

One last thing...be sure to try the pepper squid, it's a-mazing.

Top 3 East London eating haunts

The Hackney Pearl / 11 Prince Edward Road, Hackney Wick E9 5LX
Not only 'cos I like the name. But it's also darn pretty and you can leave a message for friends or tuck into a good old book. Think 'Gran's kitchen meets continental bar' is how they sum up their décor. I like. 





La Bouche / 35-37 Broadway Market, London E8 4PH
You only have to have read this blog once to realise that I'm a complete Francophile/Francofanatic (whatever you like best); which is primarily why I fancy trying out 'La Bouche'. But my latest great love is Broadway market, where this little gem is found. My super friend Anna took me there a few weekends ago and it is simply amazing. Won't spoil the surprise - you just have to go.





Lemon Monkey / 188 Stoke Newington High Street, London N16 7JD
This place looks mega. You can get pretty much everything here; from fine cheeses to drizzles and preserves to cooking utensils. With built-in cupboards and warm lighting, this is right up my street.  They also do a great deal of a cheese platter for 2, with une bouteille de vin for just £20 - this place knows the way to my heart.

Top 5 cafés/restaurants in Soho.

1. Café Boheme, Old Compton Street

2. Andrew Edmunds, Lexington Street

3. Alphabet, Beak Street

4. Polpo, Beak Street

5. Ed's Diner, Old Compton Street