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