2

East London: Tea at The Book Club and Lola’s Cupcakes

From hotels to food to experiences, I’m generally attracted to the quirkier things in life. I appreciate creativity in the small details: mismatched cutlery, peeling paint, a garden of plants growing out of cinder blocks – even when it doesn’t necessarily work very well.

IMG_7003

It’s all about the effort.

IMG_4108

I keep a running list of these out of the ordinary places I want to visit one day in London and in cities I know I’ll be travelling to soon. Some have been recommended by friends, others I read about in magazines, on blogs or Twitter or in good old fashioned coffee table books.

IMG_4111

The lovely (and nine months pregnant!) Carolina and I were long overdue a catch up.

IMG_7000

When she suggested meeting in Shoreditch on Sunday, I pulled up my list where I had scribbled a few options: Albion, Hurwundeki, The Book Club.

IMG_7006

I didn’t mind which one. Once I get over the initial dread of making that long pilgrimage to the east, I’m always super excited to find myself in this fascinating corner of London – so close, yet so far from home.

IMG_4107

It was The Book Club that won in the end and we wandered down from Liverpool Street station to find it hidden on Leonard Street across from an empty lot where the building were covered in street art by Stik, Rone and others on a wall organised by Global Street Art.

IMG_4091

This part of East London is a world away from West London where I live. It’s only a tube ride away on one line, but it could be a different city altogether. It’s grittier, much more colourful, the fashion is edgier, the nightlife is rowdier and the food reflects the diverse communities that live side by side on these old London streets.

IMG_7005_2

We walked into The Book Club, not sure exactly what to expect.

IMG_4103

A wall covered in potted plants greeted us on one side and we were face to face with a tube map style directory of the building on another.

IMG_4104

Inside, we settled onto a scruffy red sofa, with light pouring in through the floor to ceiling window behind us where we overlooked the wall of art.

IMG_4098

The lights snaked across the ceiling. The brick walls were exposed and the furniture was simple, a bit shabby and well loved.

IMG_4089

It was the kind of unstuffy place where you feel it wouldn’t be the worse thing to grab a good book, put your feet up and settle in for the afternoon.

IMG_4087

And probably some people do.

IMG_4088

We ordered two teas (tasty) which came to the table in appropriately quirky orange mugs with matching saucers.  

IMG_4086

The menu was printed on brown paper, attached to a clipboard and silverware and napkins sat in glasses on the middle of each table.

IMG_4092

We didn’t eat, but I hear it’s cheap and cheerful and delicious. There are breakfasts like “greek yoghurt with fresh fruit and blossom honey, thick cinnamon porridge oats and buttermilk pancakes.” And then there’s lunch…

IMG_4100

Apparently the cocktails are something to talk about as well. They have names like “Gingers Do It Better”, “Don’t Go To Dalston” and “Shoreditch Twat” listed on a white tiled drink menu next to the bar.

IMG_4097

We talked about writing, blogs, social media, travel, big dreams and raising children.

IMG_4096

Then we snooped around a bit, poking our noses into the ping pong room, which looked like fun. The unisex bathrooms were less than impressive – not because they were unisex but because they reminded me of those you’d find at a university club.

IMG_4095

There are ping pong competitions at The Book Club, poetry, live music and DJs, networking events, life drawing sessions, classic video game nights, workshops and a long list of other stuff going on – something for everyone. They even host a “Tweet Box” – a twist on the standard juke box during which you can request songs via Twitter.

IMG_4106

I ventured down into the depths of the basement to see what was there before we left. Not too much of interest at a quick glance – a foosball table and some prints on a scruffy white wall.

IMG_4105

With afternoon tea you can’t go wrong with a cupcake and Carolina had been raving about Lola’s a little blue kiosk tucked away at the edge of Spitalfields Market.

IMG_6999

So we made our way through the crowds, past the market stalls selling £5 dresses, secondhand books, posters and handmade jewellery.

IMG_6995

Eventually, we found it, with rows of colourful cupcakes piled high with frosting and decorated with bits of Oreos, caramel coated macadamia nuts and sprinkles.

IMG_6997_2

Yes please! After much indecisiveness, I went for the glistening caramel chocolate macadamia one. 

IMG_7010_2

Carolina chose her old standby – the Oreo cupcake.

IMG_7011_2

They were definitely delicious, although I admit to eating only about a quarter of the frosting. It was a bit too much for me!

IMG_7004_2

And so we headed home, my East London fix sorted for a few more weeks.

Do you have a favourite quirky place in your city? What do you love about it? (By the way, if you’re on Facebook, come find the Little Observationist page and say hello!)

You Might Also Like

2 Comments

  • Reply
    Katie
    April 4, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    The Book Club looks so charming! And those cupcakes made me crave one immediately. I might even stop at the store or bakery on my way home and pick one up.

    There’s a cute neighborhood a bit south of me in Chicago called Logan Square. It has lots of cool stores, restaurants and galleries. I don’t get there often enough, but when I do I love it!

    • Reply
      littleobservationist
      April 4, 2014 at 9:55 pm

      It was quite charming! Do you have a nice bakery nearby? I am always tempted by the Hummingbird Bakery on my way home from work.

      I’d love to explore Chicago one day. I hear it is quite the creative city these days!

    Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.