Lucie Loves… Food // A London pub for your must-eat list… First Floor, Portobello Road
A couple of weeks ago my mum and stepdad paid me a visit in London. I had arranged to go trying on wedding dresses at The Mews of Notting Hill, a very nice and quite new bridal boutique which specialises in boho-ethereal French designers like Laure de Sagazan and Rime Arodaky. There was also a surprise in store for me when I spotted a gorgeous Delphine Manivet gown (one that I’d pinned to my secret Pinterest ‘Me’ board) on the rail just waiting to be tried on!
I spent around an hour and a half at The Mews and tried on ten different dresses. I had drastically underestimated how exhausting the experience would be! I took along my mum and my friend Laura, who waited patiently on the sofa, as I snuck behind the pretty modesty screen to try on dresses, with the help of my lovely assistant, Clarissa.
You really need to use your imagination when trying on wedding dresses. It’s rare that you’ll try on a sample in your exact size. I’m an 8-10 usually but the samples are usually in a 12, 14 or 16. This means that they require some serious bulldog clipping and pinning to allow you to see how it should actually look once it’s been tailored to fit your figure.
I found that the styles of dresses that I was immediately drawn to, weren’t always that flattering on my figure.
It was the moment when I tried on the Delphine Manivet dress that my heart sunk. I realised that it didn’t quite sit the same on my ample bosom as it did on the perky breasted model I’d pinned a photo of on onto my Pinterest board. *cries* My search continues…
My search for a wedding dress certainly drummed up an appetite, and with the boutiques fantastic location just 5 minutes walk from Portobello Road, my family and I found a table inside of First Floor, a busy pub-restaurant that serves a selection of delectable dishes and an array of great beers and ciders. I ordered a bottle of Liefmans cuvée brut cherry beer - so refreshing!
My mum and I ordered the chargrilled Cumbrian native breed rump steak and my stepdad went for the Bavette beef burger served on a brioche bun. We were not disappointed! The food isn’t cheap, but it’s excellent quality and is generously portioned. I’d certainly recommend it to friends.
Total cost for three people with drinks approx. £65
Photography © Lucie Kerley