So you’ve just been dragged kicking and screaming out of Diptyque and need some sort of addictive substance to calm your nerves. Your best bet is to turn the corner into Ledbury Road and pop into melt – London’s coolest chocolatier according to Time Out.
The shop itself is white and cool, with shelves and tables groaning with handmade chocolates. At the back is a shiny stainless steel kitchen where the chocolates are actually made.
The flavours can be exotic – truffles filled with passionfruit, raspberry or mango coulis or flavoured with green tea or coconut – or traditional with caramel, mint, nuts or marzipan. By way of research I found myself buying an assortment for the Husband’s birthday and can confirm that they are some of the most delicious chocolates I’ve ever tasted (and believe me that’s saying something).
After you’ve staggered out of melt, the next thing to do is cross the road to Ottolenghi, yet another newish deli – which specialises in the most delicious pre-prepared food, breads and cakes to take away. There are also a couple of tables at the back where you can eat in, but they are almost impossible to get hold of.
A bit of retail therapy will soothe your disappointment at not getting a table, so pop round the corner to Brissi on the north side of Westbourne Grove – for very chic and very French interiors accessories. It’s the sort of shop I’d love mirrormirror to be when it grows up and I’m a bit dismayed to see that it’s going online too. Don’t make a note of the URL!
After pausing briefly to gaze at the gorgeous window display
in jewellers Dinny Hall, the perfect choice for lunch is 202, designer Nicole Fahri’s concept store which houses a chic cafe, and still has plenty of room to show off her elegant clothing and homewares collections. It’s also a great place for brunch, or just tea and cake, and has a very pretty little garden at the back which is a gorgeous place for a glass of rose on drowsy summer days. Yet another inspirational shop for when mirrormirror grows up.
I lived in Notting Hill for a glorious few months last year before moving to Switzerland, and I really believe it is the very best place in London to live… All the shops and cafes you have mentioned are so gorgeous, and I also like the Walmer Castle and the Cock and Bottle for cosy pubs!
I think I could be persuaded to leave Diptyque in an orderly fashion if it meant I could go to Melt!
So nice Paola… If you like Notting Hill, certainly you’d enjoy Boston. Beacon Hill, Newbury Street, the Back Bay, South End… Lots of charm – cobblestone, brownstone, wrought iron, shops… I know you are going to Settle, but if your husband ever needs to visit the Microsoft offices in Boston, insist on traveling with him! I think it’s America’s closest cousin to London.
Holly