Having been graced with a warm, sunny day for the first time this year, Jass & I decided to spend Easter Monday in London. I’d heard that Riding House Cafe serve smoothies in milk bottles for breakfast -we were sold!
We arrived at 11.30am and fortunately didn’t have to wait long for a table. We were seated at the bar, which, although is gorgeous, is very crammed, and ever so slightly claustrophobic. We’d just missed breakfast, but the brunch menu looked just as tempting! They serve ‘a bit of everything’ and have a great range of sweet and savoury brunch dishes.
I was so disappointed when our drinks arrived in a regular glass. Neither of us can remember exactly what we ordered, they weren’t spectacular.
I had a watermelon juice with black pepper, and Jass went for a green smoothie. – Apparently, they don’t always serve drinks in a milk bottle as they have a limited supply of them.
Brunch for me was avocado benedict. Delicious, filling and the tiniest hint of chilli in the avocado meant that my dish had the edge over Jass’..
He had eggs florentine.
The service was decent enough considering how busy they are. With contemporary decor, the restaurant has a modern European feel to it, and there’s a lively atmosphere about the place. This is a great place to watch Fitzrovia go by.
We then took a stroll down to Cavendish Square Gardens..
A little green sanctuary behind the hustle and bustle of Oxford and Regent Street. Naturally, it was very busy, and neither of us were willing to sit on a stranger’s lap(!) so we decided to go shopping! – When in Rome..
Selfridges always have the best window displays!
After a spot of retail therapy, coffee and a cheeky peanut butter and chocolate cookie from Ben’s Cookies, – as recommended by Vivianna Does Make-up ..we found ourselves on Carnaby Street!
Mooching around the streets of London is my favourite lazy Sunday Bank Holiday Monday pastime.
On the way home, eager to try a new cuisine, we stopped for dinner at Ariana II, an Afghan restaurant I’d seen mentioned on Lily Pebbles’ vlogs. We asked the waiter for recommendations as we had no clue..
We ordered a trio of starters; Kadoo Buranee, mashed pumpkin served with naan, Bolanee Katchalou, a fried potato pancake and Aushak, boiled dumplings filled with meat, leeks and yogurt.
The portions were huuu-ge and I was pretty full at this point! The mashed pumpkin was our fave, slightly sweet with just the right amount of spice and flavour.
Jass opted for Kabuli Palow; a tender lamb shank, seasoned with basmati rice, carrots, raisins, almonds and pistachios, and a side dish of curried spinach.
I can’t stress just how much he enjoyed the delectable meal, while I picked at the rice and spinach. -Mouth-watering!
The restaurant was packed, and once again we were lucky enough to be seated right away, with excellent service and attentive, friendly staff. We can see why this place is so popular! Food was incredible, with a wild statement from my carnivore husband; ‘this was the best lamb I’ve ever had!’
We’ve already planned our second visit, and this time we’re taking some friends for their first Afghan experience!
Do you have any other Afghan restaurant recommendations in London?
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