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MY FAVOURITE THINGS My favourite things

Kerry Underhill

I’m a New Zealander who lived in from 6;:9 until 7558. It’s the city I’ve lived in for the longest period of my life so far and, in many ways, I still think of it as home. I’m now living back in New Zealand but I travel to London at least twice a year, and cherish the fact that my love affair with the city will continue until I die.

Your preferred pub, bar Your favourite museum and/or restaurant? or gallery? If I’m with friends, I enjoy the kedgeree I never visit London without making a trip to at The Delauney, a Greek salad at the and the National The Real Greek in , Portrait Gallery. Many of the paintings in or a Mexican burrito at the Seven these galleries have become ‘friends’ I like Dials Market. Bistrotheque has to see whenever I’m there. I usually make also become a new favourite. It’s a beeline for Giovanni’s Moroni’s The Tailor in an old warehouse in Bethnal and Hans Holbein’s The Ambassadors. Art Green and has amazing food and is personal, but there’s something in these cocktails and friendly staff who galleries for everyone. I also love Somerset wear starched white aprons. House which has one of my favourite Renoirs Your preferred (La Loge) and one of my favourite Manets West End show? (A Bar at the Folies-Bergère). For lovers of modern art, the White Cube in Live theatre has always fed my soul. Bermondsey, the Serpentine Gallery in Whenever in London, I like to see at Hyde Park, and the Whitechapel Gallery least a couple of plays and musicals. are musts. The West End is famous for theatre, but there are also plenty of smaller Your favourite neighbourhood playhouses across London. I especially or area to explore? enjoy , The Bridge and The It’s good walking the streets of London in Donmar Warehouse in Covent Garden. I town and in the suburbs. I love walking around recently saw Teenage Dick at the Donmar, a the West End at any time, the City and Canary modern take on Shakespeare’s Richard III set in Wharf at weekends; they are both quieter than during an American high school. I usually check for last-minute the week and there’s always plenty of new architecture to admire, tickets at the box office on the day, or on ticket apps like and along the South Bank at weekends, especially from Today Tix. to . It’s also fun Your preferred mode of transport? to stroll through the city parks. Hyde Park I’m a huge fan of public transport in London including the Serpentine Gallery, Regent’s Park, and I also occasionally jump on a bike and always have something going when the weather’s good and I need to on and plenty of people-watching to enjoy. get somewhere close by. Buses are great Your favourite way to spend a too and when I sit upstairs, especially in Saturday or Sunday afternoon? the front of the bus, I feel like I’m a tourist I like to take the riverboat to , a again seeing the city for the very first time. picnic in Park, or a walk around The best men’s barber? on Saturday morning. On I used to live in Canada Water and get Sundays, I like to explore the Marylebone my hair cut by Ray at Fyne Blades in Farmers’ Market or Columbia Road Flower Evelyn Street. Ray’s a charming man, Market, or take a walk in at originally from Lebanon, who the end of the Central Line. I also love welcomes everyone with a big smile exploring in and going to and a twinkle in his eye and who concerts at the . If I’m with makes you feel instantly at home. If friends, I like to get a loggia box so we can you’re in the neighbourhood, and need enjoy a glass of wine while watching the your hair cut, Ray’s your man. performance.

48 FOCUS The Magazine June/July/August 2020 www.focus-info.org