1st list of fun/cool places to visit while at Sandy's

Well, since Pedrinho will be visiting me soon and I just have to know ALL the cool places to take him and anyone else who would like to spend some time on my sofa-bed, I'll start the whole cool places to go to while at Sandy's list

First on my list will have to be Russell Square which is almost opposite my building.

It's actually the largest square in London, as Anna so trivially informed me, and not, as commonly thought, Trafalgar Square.

There's a lovely little café owned by Italians in it where you can order coffee or panini or even a full lasanga. Watch out for the pigeons though. They will actually hop onto your table and try to eat some of your food! When it was still warm, I would sit on the grass and read or draw while eating a sandwich for lunch. A few weeks ago the temps actually peaked at 20-odd degrees and there were toddlers in their diapers playing in the fountain, which is in the middle of the square, pictured above.

For shopping and grabbing a quick bite to eat, nothing closer than The Brunswick Centre. Apprently until a year or so ago, it was an ugly residential monster with horrible little stores below. They've transformed it into an open-air shopping centre. There are some cool high-street stores and a few fast-food restaurants as well as the local Waitrose.

Very cool place: Sketch Restaurant, 9 Conduit Street, London.

Several different areas inside, offering bars, restaurants, tea room and art gallery. Decoration and ambience is very funky, service is friendly and intimate. This is one of the places I hope to be working soon. People differ about the quality of food. So far I've only been for tea.

Other cool place where I'm hoping to work: The Hospital, 24, Endell Street, Covent Garden. Misture of Member's Club, art gallery, events venue and bar/restaurant. I went there with Anna on my second day here to see a Bansky and Warhol show. They had an open day last week to interview potential employees. Hopefully they'll call me back to do some hostessing or receptionist work.

Went with David last night: Moti Mahal. Some very good and varied Indian food. http://www.motimahal-uk.com/

There was, unfortunately, a couple arguing outside really loudly. The man was being an idiot and then continued the fight when they came in! It was like a novela!

I had the Tawey ka Chippa MurghPan - fried guinea fowl supreme stuffed with baby spinach and chestnuts served on brown onion and poppy seed curry. Really Yummy! Thanx David!!!

And while we're on the subject: Covent Garden. Lots of great shopping, bars, cafés.. you could walk around here all day... specially around the Seven Dials area and Neals Street, pictured left.

Oxford Street and Regent Street. I can walk here in about 15-20 mins even though I try not to. It is craziness in terms of how many people are around walking and how many people you have to dodge - specially if its raining! But, good place for a shopping day. If near Selfridges at lunch, have a bite in the Mossarella Bar... absolutely wonderful. There are also lots of great restaurants with tables outside in the streets behind Selfridges.

I still have to find a good meat place! Pedrinho will want meat!

beijos!