Feeling Arty at Barossa

There are several options for brunch in Fulham but my favourite new find of the last month is without a doubt, Barossa coffee house and Australian kitchen. Before I drive any dieters mad describing the delicious fresh coffee and melt in the mouth brownies I must be honest, this is a somewhat biased review...

Barossa recently tweeted asking local followers to help them find an artist to exhibit on their walls as part of their stylish new refurbishment. I immediately forwarded this to my dad, Robin White, a media trainer by day and pretty darn talented artist by night, to see if it might be of interest. Before I had time to blink Barossa had responded to him and within a week 16 of his paintings were adorning the walls. 

I was totally blown away by the enthusiasm and friendly attitude of this local cafe and am bursting with pride for my Dad. It's his first exhibition, a feat he has only dreamed of from his garage where he tirelessly paints during his spare time. Seeing his paintings hanging so beautifully in my favourite local cafe has made me fall in love with Fulham all over again. I don't think Dad would have ever imagined when I was born at Hammersmith hospital and he lived in Gowan Avenue that 25 years later his daughter would be tucking into a (delicious!) breakfast around the corner from her flat admiring his art work on the walls. 

This is a real testament to his hard work, Barossa's enigmatic spirit and infectious attitude to the local community and my obsession with twitter! The paintings will be there for the next three months and are all for sale at very reasonable prices. Whether you're into art or just want to try the best breakfast in Fulham - I urge you to pop down, check it out and let us know what you think!

For more information on Robin White visit - http://robin-white.com/ 

Barossa - 277 New Kings Road Fulham, London, SW6 4RD - http://www.barossafulham.com/

So very Thai Spa

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not a massive beauty buff. Sure I'll slap some mascara on in the morning, but I bite my nails, rarely get my haircut and can't remember the last time I had a mani-pedi (if ever!). However, after years of torturing myself with an epilator, I have recently begun to treat myself to salon waxes, and it's opened up the whole beauty salon world to me.

So, it made sense to get to know the places on my doorstep, starting with So Thai Spa on the Wandsworth Bridge Road. So Thai manages to strike the balance perfectly between cheap and cheerful (just £25 for a full leg, that's good, right?!), whilst maintaining  a semi day-spa feel through the use of great Asian decor, lots of dark wood, incense and music. The space is light and airy, with the treatment rooms arranged across the ground-level and off the mezzanine, leaving a gorgeous double height reception that gives a clean and sunny feel to the place. The welcome is with a cheery smile and the service is really swift, although still super-friendly.

Although my waxer for the day gaily referred to me as her "new wictim!" there was really nothing to fear - she was a total pro. Within just 20 minutes, both legs were as smooth as a late-night Jazz FM mega-mix, and I had (almost) enjoyed myself chatting away about our shared love of Thai cuisine and penchant for fried chicken (don't ask!).

So Thai provides a little Asian sanctuary right in the heart of Fulham, with gap year prices to match. Since it's just a hop, skip and jump away from my home I think I may have found my place! Perhaps I could get into this beauty malarkey after all...

So Thai Spa
118 Wandsworth Bridge Road
London SW6 2TF
http://www.sothaispa.co.uk/
0207 731 6543

Join the Mile High club

My sister lives in East London, and to say she's an evangelist would be an understatement. I'm constantly told how much "cooler" it is over there. How much more "innovative", "creative", about the amazing supperclub she went to the night before. Well, what East can do well I'll wager West will take on and do better, and when it comes to pop-up restaurants, I've a case in point.

A few weeks back, I checked into a glamorous departure lounge in Notting Hill, and one hour, 3 cocktails, and around 10 moose and beetroot canapes later, arrived (in some style) in the heart of Gotenburg. Dine Mile High is the innovative new pop-up restaurant concept dreamed up by 4 cousins from West London. Inspired by the golden age of air travel, each pop-up takes passengers to a different "destination", recreated through fantastic set design, delicious canapés, cocktails and a wonderfully authentic 'local menu'.

The exceptional attention to detail was what made the whole experience so memorable. The staff were local actors and drama students, and right from the check-in desk to the roaming semi-inebriated pilot, who called passengers aboard by name, the act did not slip once. Furnished with boarding passes and passports, we hit the departure lounge bar - earning passport stamps for each drink we sampled - whilst Scandi air hostesses served us with mousse canapes, pickled beetroot and cabbage, and all manner of Swedish delights.

Soon it was time to be called aboard our 'flight', and a few short moments later we were sat in the heart of "Gotenburg". Antlers and elk skins lined the wall, we sat along minimalist wood shared tables, and the cabin crew prepared us for take off. In a very well thought out pastiche of the standard lifejacket-and-exits routine, we were taught the correct way to imbibe and enjoy the meal (always ensure your neighbours glasses are full to the brim, in case you were wondering), and then we began.

Scallops were served with creamy potato puree in sea shells, we shared a smorgasbord of shrimps, salmon and marie rose sauce with our neighbours, and we devoured the elk steak with golden beetroot and chanterelles, rounding off with a scrummy Swedish lingonberry crumble. The menu was delicious - think noma, rather than ikea - and the seating arrangement and amenable hostesses made it a really convivial evening (the half bottle of wine each certainly helped).

The whole concept was fantastically thought out, and great fun to boot. Future departures will take guests to Beirut, Sicily and Mozambique, so make sure to bookmark www.dinemilehigh.com for when the tickets come out. This is certainly one frequent flyers club I'd recommend joining!

Dine Mile High
www.dinemilehigh.com
Next departures: 1-4th and 8-11th May 2013: Beirut.

Boutique Beauty by Bishops Park

Beauty salons, hair dressers and grooming parlours in Fulham are bountiful and range from the uber posh to the uber basic, but I have never been to one that has really blown me away, excuse the pun! That was until I visited the newly opened La Durbin Boutique Salon on the Fulham Palace Road. Stepping into this old school hollywood glamour salon is like turning back the clock to a more sophisticated and indulgent era. The attention to detail with the decor is delightful and the atmosphere so inviting you feel instantly at home. 

La Durbin is not a production-line style salon, they are passionate about the experience as a whole, from the complimentary glass of champagne to relax you before you take to the chair to the plate of ferrero rocher chocolates waiting as you sit down. Spending time in this salon really celebrates the art of pampering, ensuring you leave feeling a million times more relaxed, glamorous and polished than when you arrived. 

The sound of laughter fills the vintage inspired room and the staff appear genuinely thrilled to be working there, this is no doubt testament to the owner Latifa's passion for creating a genuine and warm environment for the staff and customer. This was her dream and she has worked tirelessly to make it just so, it's paid off!  She has already built a database of loyal local clientele despite only having been open a few short weeks.

I opted for the Deluxe Blow Dry which was by far the best blow dry I have ever had, instead of leaving me with static fluffy hair which dropped ten minutes later my hair stylist lovingly tended to each strand, creating amazing volume. I was over the moon with the results and two glasses of champagne down began to feel a warm glow of girlie happiness. Once finished we were given ample time to finish our drinks and discuss the results, my sister and I felt like we could be at home it was so relaxing and fun in the salon, but alas 2013 awaited outside and our slice of hollywood glamour was soon gone, until next time...

   

                

339 FULHAM PALACE ROAD, LONDON
Info@ladurbinsalon.co.uk
0203 302 3973