St Mary-at-Lambeth, Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 (020 7261 1891)
Waterloo tube/rail/C10, 507 bus. Open Feb 11am-2pm Mon-Fri; 5 Mar-Dec 10.30am-4pm Mon-Fri; 10.30am-5pm Sun. Admission free; donations appreciated.
Inside St
Mary-at-Lambeth church, antique horticultural tools and photographic
panels on famous garden designers and plant hunters illustrate the
development of the English passion for gardening. The tireless John
Tradescant, gardener to James I and Charles I, is given particular
prominence. A replica of a seventeenth-century knot garden has been
created in the tiny church courtyard. One of the sarcophagi here
contains the remains of Captain Bligh, who was abandoned by his
mutinous crew in the middle of the Pacific.
Café Fiesta
Czech Mex food doesn't get a lot of respect, but if anyone's going to raise its rep a bit, it's Café Fiesta. True, the refried beans are actually steamed and the tortilla chips are from Tesco but the quesadillas are laced with fiery jalapeno peppers, as is the sopa Azteca (a rich spicy soup that's the house specialty). Like all other entrees at Café Fiesta, they're served in mountainous portions. Krusovice beer is on tap, a perfect complement to this cuisine.
Studio 84
3534 Broadway at 145th St (212-234-8484)
Subway: 1, 9 to 145th Street. Wed-Sun 9pm-4am.
Who needs techno when you've got merengue? That's the frenzied, 150-beats-per-minute dance music you hear blasting out of the speakers at this genuine Dominican dance hall. Though its light-speed tempo and insane arrangements can be daunting to first-timers, there's no denying its sex appeal. Salsa, Latin house, hip-hop and reggae are also played here, and Thursdays are gay.
Kobachi
Joining the smattering of restaurants on the Hyatt's 56th floor is the Japanese Kobachi. Wrapped in a tight corner, with just enough room for ten tables, as well as a semi-circular sushi bar, the restaurant is small and personal - a feeling that contrasts greatly with the expansive views available through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The food is excellent, if the portions are small, but you'll be hard-pressed to find fresher-tasting sashimi and sushi in Shanghai.
Café Hartelust
Café Hartelust happily specialises in catering to the munchies, supplementing the already dope vibe of this street corner where coffeeshop-gallery Homegrown Fantasy and seed-sellers Homegrown Fantaseeds are located. Lunch comes in the form of a broad selection of salads, soups and sandwiches, while dinner features an ever changing array of both vegetarian and meat main courses. Supplemented with desserts, a fully stocked bar and a serene decor, visitors may have a hard time ever leaving...
a tavola
This tiny restaurant, in an area of the West Side where the rehabbers haven't yet clawed a solid foothold, is a real charmer. Prices are reasonable, the regional Italian food lovingly-prepared by chef-owner Dan Bocik and the décor features original hardwood floors, black lacquered chairs and crisp white napery set with fresh flowers. Start with hearty white bean soup or fried zucchini blossoms and sample well-made pastas - perhaps gnocchi, ravioli or risotto with roast chicken and mixed vegetables.
