lundi 24 juin 2013

Restaurant Culture In Baker Street

By James London


What does Baker Street of London mean to you? The first name, entity, character (whatever you will) that springs to my mind is Sherlock Holmes; the infamous fictional detective who never seems to grow old I also visualise an elitist, upper class residential area for doctors, lawyers, barristers, what-have-you, but of a Victorian era gone by: because, as we all know, Baker Street is very different these days. The street has become much more commercialised with a number of designer shops and kitsch, sought-after restaurants, fast food joints and coffee / wine bars.

I guess, more than anything, it was the whole Sherlock phenomenon that kick-started the change in Baker Street - and he wasn't its only notable resident. For example, I bet you didn't know that the first permanent exhibition of Madame Tussauds Waxworks resided at Baker Street? And what of The Beetles' Apple Boutique, the Prime Minister William Pitt and the much loved British singer, Dusty Springfield they all lived there too.

From fact to fiction, Sherlock himself was not the only fictional character to reside on the street - there is also Basil the Great Mouse Detective, Danger Mouse and Sexton Blake. In popular culture, the 2008 film 'The Bank Job' was based on the 1971 robbery of Lloyds Bank in Baker Street and in pop music, both The Rolling Stones and Madness make reference to the London landmark in their songs "Some Girls" (Stones) and "We Are London" (Madness).

As we progress into the twenty-first century, Baker Street now appears as a food haven with every type of cuisine you could ever imagine on the menu. Two of the best restaurants have to be The Base Bistro and Bar and Indali Lounge. Whilst Base serves mouthwatering French cuisine, with a modern British twist; Indali specialises in healthy, wholesome curries for those of us who prefer something a little more exotic on the taste buds.

And if you think the top of the picks end here then think again, the list is seriously endless. Lulivo for a start is by far one of the best Italian restaurants I have ever had the pleasure in dining in: with tantalising house wines to die for, every dish is mouthwateringly good. Let's also not forget the Sherlock Grill at the Park Plaza hotel, also situated on Baker street. The intimate, aptly named eatery again serves something a little different: renowned for its Mediterranean-influenced signature dishes, Sherlock Grill not only uses fresh ingredients at every turn, but also cooks openly on a charcoal grill and mesquite wood burning oven situated in the centre of the chic dining room.

One of the main appeals with Baker Street is its central location that's within walking distance from Oxford Street, Marylebone, Regents Park and Mayfair. Furthermore, Sherlock Holmes is not the only intrigue in the area. In fact, there are many other buildings and streets that are of equal economic and historic importance. Whilst in the area, why not also try a visit to one of the best International private members' clubs of all time, Home House. Built in the eighteenth century, Home House comprises of three grand Georgian town houses, each with their own individual character and style.




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