Travel : Oh London!

As an epicure and an avid traveller, Rajesh Patil identified his entrepreneurial instincts early on and decided to turn his love for food and travel into a rewarding vocation. With his growing passion for wine from a medley of travel experiences from all corners of the world, he paused, thought about, explored deeper and the result was the ‘Pause Wines’ brand

An explorer at heart and blessed with a taste for good things, he tells us where he likes to travel and more ….

Which is your favourite holiday destination?

London is my favourite holiday destination. I feel London offers something for everyone. It is a place with the greatest concentration of cultural attractions.

The iconic buildings, the Royal Palaces, the remains of Roman ruins to castles and cathedrals, all are simply enthralling. I can spend endless days exploring London’s sites without ever running out of unique things to see and do.

When did you visit last?

I went with my family two years back but the beautiful memories of the trip are still fresh which motivates me to visit soon.

What do you like about the place?

My visit to London was in midspring, when the temperature was mild and the city’s parks were green and blooming. The city is a perfect mix of modern world and traditional times. Once you’ve enjoyed London from the ground level, it’s a great idea to head upwards and look down on the city’s many famous buildings and attractions. There are plenty of places where you can enjoy a panoramic view of London, from posh bars to hilltops.

Which restaurants do you like to visit there?

The city offers an array of gastronomic delights to captivate your taste buds completely. It has trendy places, ‘no reservations’ restaurants, posh fast food areas. London boasts of one of the most diverse restaurant scenes in the world, offering almost every kind of cuisine ranging from Italian, Thai, Chinese and Indian to more unusual styles such as Russian, Peruvian and Cuban.

The Colony Grill Room and Natural Kitchen were my favourite places. Inspired by the clubby, sophisticated grill rooms, The Colony Grill Room is one of the oldest joints in London. It serves classic dishes from both sides of the Atlantic. It is beautifully designed and flatteringly lit, and Art Decostyle murals enhance the ambience

Which are the good hotels to stay there?

London offers accommodation options depending on a traveller’s need, in any corner of the city.  London House Hotel, City Hotel, Lancaster Gate Hotel, etc., are some options.

Which is your favourite hotel?

I had been to this hotel called Twenty Nevern Square which, unlike other hotels with standard rooms, had 20 individually designed rooms which were really cosy and comfortable. Also the service was excellent and the food was delicious.

The Colony Grill Room and Natural Kitchen were my favourite places. Inspired by the clubby, sophisticated grill rooms, The Colony Grill Room is one of the oldest joints in London. It serves classic dishes from both sides of the Atlantic.

Any tips you can give to fellow travellers?

The best way to explore the beautiful city of London would be to take a ‘hop on hop off’ tour. Depending on your starting point, one can travel through the city centre on London’s Red Buses to visit the attractions as per their wish. Using the trains and Tubes to go longer distances is a different kind of experience. In London you can eat your way around the world. In the centre of London you will be spoilt for choice of various cuisines. Private cabs are comparatively cheaper as compared to the local black cabs. One can even cycle around the city as they have a maintained cycle track.

Any interesting episode from your holiday there that you can share with our readers?

While dining out at a restaurant on King’s Road, I came across a couple coming out of a swanky Jaguar and they sat across from me. They ordered, ate and then left. The waiter knew them. I was very interested in knowing what they ate. I inquired the same from the waiter, and it was ‘Chezzy de Boo Ka Bokla”. (At least that’s what it sounded like to me.) Since I couldn’t understand it properly at the first go, he repeated it, and next the dish was on my table.

When it arrived I had no clue as to how to eat it, since the serving was so fancy. After two to three failed attempts I gave up on the bland thing, and till date I have no idea what was in that dish. I laugh about it to this day and decided not to eat anything without at least knowing the ingredients.

What kind of a traveler are you – planning well, or more impulsive?

I plan the destination in advance and do my bit of research. But I am more of a traveler than a tourist. I like getting acquainted with the local people, their lifestyles, the local cuisine, their language and so on. Apart from visiting the places of attraction, I like to explore the countryside too. I sometimes even backpack where I meet a lot of people from different regions -- it’s wonderful to meet them and know them.

Lastly, what tops your mind when you travel – sightseeing, food, shopping… ?

I like my trip to be a complete package where I look forward to explore the places, meet the localites, enjoy the local cuisine, use the public transport available and also shop for myself and my loved ones. A perfect combination of all this is what makes the trip a memorable one.

By Sharmila Chand