The British Library

Patrick The 'He Who Knows' Challenge, UK Life

The British LibraryAs part of the He Who Knows Challenge, I was asked to visit the extension to the British Library. On Saturday I arrived there only to find out that the extension won’t be finished until sometime (most likely the end) next year. Having visited the place though, I thought I would walk around and see what it contained.

The British Library can be found halfway along Euston Street between the Euston Street and the Kings Cross tube stations. According to a pamphlet from the British Library the library has:

  • 11 reading room providing over 1200 places for readers
  • 4 deep basements, which house the bulk of the collections on more than 200 miles of shelving
  • An online catalogue and mechanical book handling system providing rapid ordering and access between basement stores and reading rooms
  • It covers over 1.2 million square foot on 9 floors above ground and 5 below
  • Its basement floors are especially tall; making the entire building equivalent of a normal 17 storey building sunk 8 stories into the ground

The insides and outsides of the library have been well architected. Outside a lusciously green garden surrounds a nice courtyard with seating and in the middle is a giant statue of Newton, created in 1995 by a grant given to the library. When you walk in you are greeted by a large information stand, behind which, you can see the initial five floors all centered around the collection amassed in the Kings Library. Unlike most libraries you visit, you first need to register as a reader to access any of the floors with actual books, and given the nature of the library’s extensive and history collection I can completely understand. As I didn’t happen to have any proof of address in the UK on me, all I could do was really just walk around.

There are still several things that are accessible to the normal tourist though, and this includes the gallery containing scrolls, books and writings throughout time. Amongst the more famous ones, I managed to see the Magna Carte and several hand written copies of the Qur’an. As a visitor to the library you can also see the richness of the books contained in the Kings Library, visibly shown through glass windows on shelves and only accessible by staff members.

It is a pretty impressive place and I would be keen to join as a reader and see what things you get access to.

The Kua Rating: 7 out of 10 (I didn’t get a chance to form an opinion on the books or the extension)

The Portobello Markets

Patrick UK Life

Portobello RoadThe constant stream of people exiting the Notting Hill Gate tube station on a Saturday or Sunday can only mean one thing; the Portobello Markets are open for business! The markets span out across ten or twelve (long) blocks on Portobello Road in Notting Hill, and can be found easily by following the crowd. These markets offer antiquities, fresh food and produce, lots of clothing, and a variety of knick knacks. The stalls are set up on either side of the road just on top of the sidewalk, providing for a narrow passageway for visitors but enough space to just keep moving.

To say the area is busy is an understatement, with the crowd making it appear as if the Notting Hill Carnival was back in town. The crowd was not as frenzied as it was during the carnival, but it was certainly just as slow moving with families and groups of people drifting from stall to stall in search of that perfect bargain.

The first part that you come across (if coming from the Notting Hill Gate tube station) is the antique markets, supplemented by the large number of more permanent antique stores lining the street. Anything you need to refurnish an old Victorian can be found here including furniture, clothing, cutlery, and paintings, although you are likely to pay a little bit more of a premium than at other markets. The fresh food available is pretty decent but not quite at the same level as those offered at the Borough markets. The assortment of delicatessen, bakery and produce stalls is an ideal place for a local to do their weekly grocery shop. The rest of the market still holds plenty, though nothing particularly special, with the usual assortment of clothing (one execption) and knick knacks to peak a bargain hunter’s interest.

Details: Portobello Markets
Found on: Portobello Road, Notting Hill, W11
Highlights: Ideal for a weekly shop of groceries if you’re local, otherwise more ideal for indulging in the business of the markets and the antiquity hunt.
Room for improvement: A little bit too busy for my liking.
The Kua Rating: 7 out of 10

Les Miserables

Patrick Theatre, UK Life

Le MiserablesOn Wednesday my sister and I went to view probably the longest running (20 years!) musicals at West End, Les Miserables. We had fantastic centre tickets four rows from the front, giving us a perfectly clear view of the stage.

The theatre that hosts Les Miserables, The Queen’s Theatre, is aptly named because it is stunningly majestic. The two levels of circle seats as well as the stall seats are filled with chairs slightly offset from each other, giving people a better chance of viewing when they are unfortunately sitting behind tall people. I can say that the seats were extremely comfortable, though apparently not wide enough for some (the couple next to me seemed to overflow into my personal space, leaving me leaning to one side for most of the night). The intricately detailed ceiling is lit with a strange circular light, something that you really need to be there in person to fully appreciate.

Le MiserablesI had no idea what the story behind Les Miserables was about, but in short, it too was amazing. I can see the many reasons why it has been such a long running musical and won numerous awards. Between the story, cast, costumes, stage, lighting and orchestra, there was no one thing that I could really find much fault in. I think the stage transitions were probably the most impressive and powerful parts of this musical, with heavy use of the circular revolving floor allowing them to fade scenes in and out. One moment the audience is placed just outside some gates in one scene, and then suddenly, the audience is placed behind them, looking out. The sets that accompanied all the stage transitions were also just as stunning, really taking you to all the different places they depicted including a courtroom, a bar, the city at nighttime, the sewers, and a garden just to name a few. The cast were also just as impressive and obviously well rehearsed in all parts, and included a very professional young girl and boy playing children who would be no more than eight years old.

Les Miserables is one musical that may not suit all audiences as its story can be quite depressing, but I think people should still go to see it, at least just to appreciate how well a theatre production can be presented.

The Kua Rating: 9 out of 10

Much Better Indian at Mela

Patrick Restaurants, UK Life

Taking Rohan’s advice I ended up having a meal at Mela, an Indian restaurant just around the corner from the office. This place can be found walking up past the Oasis sports centre, and a little bit down along Shaftsbury Avenue towards Soho/Chinatown. On initial appearances, Mela comes across more like a Chinese restaurant, more so than an Indian one, with long sticks of meats hanging in the window. Like most other London restaurants, the tables are pretty close together, but have enough room to feel like you’re not sitting right next to other tables. The décor is bright and colourful and everyone in the restaurant was fortunate that night to be entertained by some musicians playing traditional Indian instruments live such as the Sitar. The service was excellent most of the time and the offerings of food are quite broad and different compared to most other Indian restaurants. More to the point, the quality of the food was excellent with strong flavours and lots of heat that was well soaked up by pilau rice and some fresh naan bread.

The servings seemed a little on the small side compared to many other places I had been to, with us having to order two naans and rice serves instead of just our normal single serves, but the quality of food made up for it. We were a little surprised that the total cost was as much as it was when the bill came up, so it is best surmised as something a little bit pricier for better quality than most other ones out there. It was a good dining experience and at least I know where a decent Indian restaurant is now.

Details: Mela
Found on: 152-156 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8HL
Contactable on: 020 7836 8635
Highlights: Excellent atmosphere and a wide selection of quality Indian foods. Service was attentive without being in your face for most of the night.
Room for improvement: Rice and naan serves seemed a little small for the price they were charging.
The Kua Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Another Great Thing About London

Patrick UK Life

In trying to organise our Christmas vacation, I’m visiting the Russian consulate to organise my Visa. I’m heading there tomorrow as it works out conveniently for myself and our client (it’s only open between 9am-noon) but I need a passport photo. Panic set in this afternoon as I had to print my digital photos and I got home rather late. Luckily enough, my local Boots was open (in fact, right up to 10pm and it took me less than a minute to print. Love it!

Caffeine at Bar Italia

Patrick The 'He Who Knows' Challenge, UK Life

Coffee at Bar ItaliaAfter catching up with people from work for Dim Sum today (think of Yum Cha for all you Aussies), I was going to head to Bar Italia to have a coffee. Everyone seemed to be in the mood for a bit of a coffee break so we all headed there together. Located in the heart of Soho, Bar Italia attracts all sorts of people for its food, drink and buzzing atmosphere. It is located just opposite Ronnie Scott’s (the most well known Jazz club in London apparently), and has plenty of tables and chairs lining the pavement.

While Monmouth has been the most popular coffee for those in the office (and I’m yet to have a bad one from there), Bar Italia’s coffee is actually quite comparable and was well prepared. Their hot chocolate the same standard as Amato’s (it’s powdered stuff) but, I was told by one of people who had it, that it was pretty decent. It seems like a place where people go to people watch, as many of them sit on one side of the table, simply facing the street instead of each other.

The street Bar Italia is located on is not as busy as other streets in Soho, but still has its fair share of people walking around and seeing the sights. It is right next to the bar/restaurant Little Italy (which is currently closed – sorry He Who Knows but I won’t be able to do a review for now). The food offerings, looking at the small menu, appeared fairly good but seeing as we just ate lunch, I was in no big rush to try anything. It’s a great little café, located on a great street and manages to serve really good coffee.

Details:Bar Italia
Found on: 22 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 4RF
Contactable on: 020 7437 4520
Highlights: Great coffee and is great for those that are into a slightly buzzing atmosphere and potential for lots of people watching,
Room for improvement:I’m not too sure it would be too pleasant sitting outside on the pavement during bad weather, and it’s unfortunately a little small inside.
The Kua Rating: 7 out of 10