English writer Aldous Huxley once said “there are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception”. Sandwiched between China Town’s busy restaurants on Gerrard Street is one of these doors. A black door, with its paint stripped off, attempting to look like one of those doors that travel photographers love capturing.

On most occasions I do not knock on random doors or put my hand through Soho’s letter boxes. Though the cocktail world is small and the secret bar scene is even smaller. So when a friend from New York mentioned that this rather curious door leads to some of the best cocktails in London, I happily knocked, waited, put my hand through the letter box of this door and walked up a rather dark narrow stair case.

The Experimental Cocktail Club is split across three floors within an eclectic backdrop of brickwork, blue kitsch sofas, a log fire and ornate wallpaper. Whilst there is little natural light and the owners have gone for dark colours the choice of mirrored tables and ceilings opens the bar up and makes for quite an intimate setting. It actually works well together. Looking around, the bar attracts all sorts, but most importantly those who want an unusual and delicious cocktail and are willing to spend £10 for it.

The beauty of the menu is its length; a choice of 14 cocktails. Each one is different, experimental and intriguing. The French owners have done you a favour by narrowing the choice down, but choosing from 14 great cocktails is hard. I went for the “Kota Ternate”; a mix of plantation Trinitad rum, Niko’s spiced tea, a mix of spices, coconut and Ceylan tea, Batavia arrack, fresh pineapple, lime juice and milk. Smooth and subtle. The exotic blend of ingredients makes you feel like it is Summer even when it is gloomy outside.

Next time I will try the “Saint Germain Des Pres”; Hendrick’s Gin, St Germain liquer, elderflower cordial, Thai chilli tincture, egg white, fresh lime and cucumber juice. The bar is going to introduce a rotating menu where every two weeks one of the cocktails will be a new experimental addition.

The bar operates on a 50% reservation and 50% walks in system. If you are planning on making a trip here, especially if you want to escape the crowds of this weekend’s Carnival I would book in advance.

13A Gerrard Street, W1D 5PS, London, +447825215877

I was reading an article in the FT weekend about how the Michelin Guide is now “dismissed by some as a relic of a bygone age.” Francois Simon of Le Figaro could not have put it better. “Today people consider the table a place where they want to feel at ease, to be self indulgent, to have sexy people, to have good food, life and interesting things. But not these very serious dishes and all those boring things. Each time I see a Michelin star in a small town I say, well, that’s a boring place, and it always is.”

A friend and I were driving through old Amersham, and wondering where to stage our much over due chat. We, like Francois Simon described, wanted a place where we were at ease, indulge in a good breakfast and spend the morning philosophizing over our lives. Seasons deli seems to be the social hub of old Amersham, so trading in sexy for local, you will definitely hear your local gossip over breakfast, lunch, evening tapas or from just buying a fresh focaccia or bread.

Breakfast at Seasons deli is great. Informal, busy and huddled around small tables at the back of the deli. From a choice of muesli, pastries, omelets, panini and salads I chose the huevos rancheros: poached eggs with guacamole, salsa, cornbread toast and sweet chili sauce.

Located on Market Square, a quaint street home to some unique boutiques, it’s worth taking a stroll in old Amersham and having breakfast or lunch at Season’s deli.

Seasons Deli, 6 Market Square, Old Amersham, Bucks, HP7 ODQ, +441494728070

(Photos courtesy of Store St Espresso)

Good things can come out of missed opportunities. Having turned up to a breakfast event one day late, I had to make the most of my early morning presence in a part of London I hardly ever go to. Just a few metres from the Senate House near Goodge Street, I discovered Store St Espresso.

From the moment I entered I was sold. Manu Chao playing in the background, a clean white minimalist deco that was warm and inviting, concrete floor complemented by metal lamps and wooden tables. There was a sense of calm and peace on entering. No one shouting tall skinny latte or grande americano, no one pushing and rushing and no FTs and blackberrys making up the makeup of this little gem.

Things are slow at Store St Espresso and that is why you go there. You patiently wait for your fresh macchiato or roasted vegetable pastry garnised with feta and perhaps read your book whilst things are made freshly for you.I was surprised by the number of people who actually took the time to sit down, enjoy their coffee and read. That is the way breakfast should be had. I went at 8am when it was quiet. I assume this place gets quite busy during the lunch hour.

I have yet to try the coffee. I am sure that even if the friendly staff at Store St Espresso can’t do a marocchino, a regular cappuccino will be good.

So would I go again? Absolutely. Would I take a detour to work just to have the lemon polenta cake and enjoy a good quality tea in the calmness of this cafe? Yes!

Store St Espresso, 40 Store Street, London WC1E 7DB, 020 7637 2623

Want a bit more than chai and baklava? Backhaus in Nisantasi is a trendy coffee shop with a huge spread of pastries, deserts and even main meals. You can also find a few international dishes which are of a good standard. If you like German bread they have that too!

I suggest you sit outside on their terrace (wearing big sunglasses if you want to fit in with the crowd here) and watch the world go by. The only problem I found was understanding the extensive Turkish menu. No tourists in sight and no English menu – a good indication that Backhaus is where the local people of Nisantasi go for a coffee, breakfast or lunch.

Backhaus, Valikonagi Cad. akkavak Sk. No:12, Nisantasi, Istanbul – Turkey

England are out and god knows what happened to previous world cup champions Italia. But not all is bad in Milano. I just had a delicious lemon granita at Grom. The thought of eating a heavy meal in this heat makes me sick! Luckily I live on Corso Sempione, home to a cluster of great bars all of which do a great aperitivo.

The thing I love about Italians is that everything revolves around food. The focus of evening drinks is not the British happy hour concept where you drink as much as you can whilst it is cheap. In Milan most bars display a large buffet of  food including salads, pastas, cheeses and couscous. The aperitivo concept: pay 8 euros for a cocktail and eat all you want!

Corso Sempione is great as you really are spoilt for choice between Bhangra Bar, Living, Deseo, Jazz bar, Blight or Roialto and Bar Milano within walking distance from  Corso Sempione. My favourite is Blight which is just next to a spa. It has a sense of freshness and you can easily get a platter of fruit and great non alcoholic cocktails. If you are going in a large group and where initmate conversations are not necessary then Deseo has a good vibe, and is probably the most popular. Bar Milano and Roialto are great spaces giving a hotel lobby feel, but the vegetarian options are limited.

A cocktail, good food or simply people watching from the bars that sprawl out on to the street, Corso Sempione is great for all.

Number 1 rule for doing business in Turkey: make sure you have 1 to 2 cups of chai on a customer visit and never say no to being fed every 1.5 hours! Before 2pm I was already on my third food stop and I was quite simply stuffed from all the food and getting quite worried about my no gym all about food lifestyle!

But then I was taken to Palet, a Turkish patisserie and my eyes and palette took over. Unlike traditional Turkish patisseries that bring  serious thoughts of guilt due to the very visible sugar and butter dripping out of the numerous delights, Palet has a touch of European elegance in its presentation that some how works the sweets into a piece of art that you quite simply can not say no to.

Though tempted by the baklavas, cakes, pastries, rice puddings and ice creams…I managed to resist and instead opted for a selection of Palet’s chocolates.  My favourite: a fresh cherry soaked in some sort of spirit and spices, coated in rich dark chocolate. Without being too unprofessional I slipped back into my chair and enjoyed the bursts of juice coming out of the cherry. Just delicious.

Palet,  Horosan Sokak No: 2 Gaziosmanpaşa,  0090312 437 20 21, Ankara – Turkey

If I had not been taken to this cute  and small enoteca, Ebrezza, I most certainly would have walked straight past it. Ebrezza is a charming down to earth enoteca. No frills, no posh table ware, and no snobbish sommeliers who pretend to smell their wine acting like they know what they are talking about!

My friend and I were welcomed by the owner and were taken upstairs to the three small tables that were surrounded by book shelves cluttered with a mix of books, wines and photos. Though minimalistic there was a rustic and warm feeling to the place.

Once we had chosen our wine from the endless list of Italian wines split by region, we shouted out our order over the stairs to the owner. And when the wine came, oh my god it was amazing! I choose the Bolgheri, a Tuscan wine which has now replaced my previous favourite wine Nero d’Avola. Three Bolgheri wines later, we moved downstairs to enjoy the live jazz music.

What was supposed to be a quick drink before going out for dinner, ended up being a long evening of fun and laughter over great wine and delicious bruschetta, piadina and a selection of cheeses. There is something about Ebrezza that just makes you stay on. Within ten minutes of being there, it all felt familiar, we could hear every one’s conversations and I almost felt part of them.

I will definitely be going back to Ebrezza and I hope to work my way through their extensive wines. For a great evening make sure to go on a Thursday night where there is live jazz music.

Ebrezza, Via Garigliano 5, 0039245480138, Milan – Italy

Stop over in Milan from London to Istanbul, in need of good quality food and a fresh uplifting environment. So, without a doubt I headed straight to Bianco Latte  for a lovely brunch.

Bianco Latte is modern, chic and stylish. In fact the design seems to be an integral part of the concept. Everytime I tried to take a photo, I was stopped by a waiter trying to protect Bianco Latte’s design and brand!

I had a lovely heart warming vegetable soup with a vegetable cake. The piadinas and savoury crepes are also delicious and served in an interesting ice cream cone shape. Bianco Latte is probably closer to a deli/cafe as oppose to a tradtional Italian restaurant.

Bianco Latte is also known for its gelato. I have been here for breakfast, lunch and dinner and somehow I have not got round to trying their gelato, which looks on par with some of my favourite gelaterias in Milan. Next time I will go to Bianco Latte just on a gelato date!

Bianco Latte, Via Turati, 0039262086177, Milan – Italy

Not in the mood to put on your high heels, but looking for a great cocktail? Lacerba is the perfect place, with a funky cocktail list, quite different to your standard Milanese bar. If you are adventurous try the strawberry and balsamic martini or the basil and honey martini. The cocktail list is extensive so there is something for everyone from the classic cocktail drinker to the virgin drinker, for whom the “platonic sex cocktail” is perfect!

I particularly like Lacerba as the vibe is local, the atmosphere is chilled out, and the cocktails are delicious! I would recommend the bar for a groups of friends, as the feng shui is almost set up for that. Not quite the place for a romantic date or to strut your latest Prada purchase.

Lacerba, Via Orti, 4, 0039025455475, Milan – Italy

.

(Picture – courtesy of Verger)

A beautiful space that made me curious and reenter the day after showing off my new find in Milan to my friends. Verger, that opened only three months ago is a modern, spacious and multifunctional space exhibiting creativity through fashion and food.

On entering Verger I felt like I was on Via Savona during Milan’s design week.  In fact on the top floor, Christian and Enrico Verger have showcased Wendy Plomp’s  design collection from Milan’s 2009 design week.

Although Verger’s design collection is interesting, my budget would not permit me to come back to Verger for its collection alone. For me, Verger is a great place for a creative lunch or a catch up with friends over coffee in a funky environment.

Leaving Verger I was reminded what the Milanese are best at: design and innovation.

Verger, Via Varese 1, 003902 86998276,  Milan - Italy