Written on 17 April 2017 by Alistair Boscawen in Belgravia
What is it that makes Belgravia, well, Belgravia? London is a special city, and Belgravia is its beating heart. Take a walk down Elizabeth Street and you’ll find out why.
This quiet, civilised, tree-lined street is but a stone’s throw from busy Victoria Station, yet you wouldn’t guess it. Elizabeth Street has many delights to offer. Revel in the variety, the peace, and the grandeur of the architecture. If you’re not already a Belgravia resident, and you’re wondering whether now is the time to become one, visit Elizabeth Street.
Writing about everything Elizabeth Street has to offer would take a lot of time, so we’re just going to pick a few of our favourite things. We’re not suggesting these are the best – we chose them at random, to convey what it is that makes this street so special.
Poilane
Let’s start at Number 46, because this is where Poilane have one of their two London outlets. Poilane sums up Belgravia. Good French bread is difficult to beat, and the best French bread is made by Poilane. It’s baked in Paris and brought here, which is fine, because both the sourdough and the rye are best when they’ve had a little time to mature. People all over the country buy Poilane bread by mail order, but if you’re close enough to visit, visit. You can get tea, coffee, and pastries on the spot, and carry your bread home with you.
Oliveto
There are a number of eating and drinking establishments on Elizabeth Street. We’ve chosen this restaurant because it is an Elizabeth Street take on “ordinary.” An ordinary Italian restaurant with some of the finest thin crust pizzas baked in a wood oven that you will ever taste. If pizza isn’t what you happen to want that day, you’ll find a lot of other Italian standbys – the chargrilled chicken escalope comes highly recommended.
Vickisarge
Vickisarge may sound like a strange sort of name for a shop, but then “shop” doesn’t really do this place justice. Designer Vicki Sarge is one of the two partners (the other is Brooke Metcalfe) at this jewellery store. Here you’ll find fashion and costume jewellery. For jewellery lovers, it will be hard to leave empty-handed. Vickisarge counts film stars among its regular customers, and the most noted fashion magazines come here for centrepieces to a feature.
Les Senteurs
When you’ve chosen your necklace at Vickisarge, walk along to Les Senteurs. All the big name perfumiers are represented, so book yourself in for a consultation (set aside 45 minutes – you’ll need it) and get some advice on the perfume that is really you.
Let them eat cake
Or, better still, eat it yourself. Kate Moss said, “Nothing tastes as good as thin feels,” which is a fine commendation for Peggy Porschen, because that’s where Kate goes when cake is what she wants. There’s a whole team here, of pastry chefs and specialists in sugar, all devoted to making sure their reputation for producing beautiful cakes is maintained. There’s a parlour where the coffee is as good as anything in Italy, so you can eat in or buy to take out – but sensible people do both.
