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Dinner at Tamarind Kitchen, Soho
It’s been a while since I’ve visited Soho, an eclectic neighbourhood in central London that I often frequented in my early twenties. So much has changed since I moved away during the pandemic, and new shops, bars and restaurants line the streets as I walk towards tonight’s destination.
Tamarind Kitchen is an upmarket Indian restaurant based on Wardour Street - just a short walk away from Tottenham Court Road station. Inside, the restaurant’s dark wooden interiors are reminiscent of a branch of Dishoom, and lit with ambient lighting. The staff are attentive, and the scent of fragrant spices fills the room. It all has a luxurious feel about it, I thought, as I settled into my chair and peered at the menu.
A Visit to the Chestnut Bakery in Covent Garden, London
Welcome to the Chestnut Bakery! I recently had the pleasure of visiting this gorgeous bakery and cafe that opened on Floral Street in Covent Garden this spring.
Their first branch was established in Belgravia in 2021, and I was really excited when I heard that they were due to open a second branch in a more central location. I visited early afternoon on a Sunday, and was pleasantly surprised that we were able to grab a table right away. Often these pretty, instagrammable spots can get super busy, and while it definitely was busy, we didn’t have to queue to get in or wait for a table.
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.