East London Life

While some may consider Sheba a landmark on Brick Lane, many know it as one of the most exquisite Indian restaurants in East London. Sheba is home at 136 Brick Lane and has been providing traditional Indian cuisine for over 35 years closer to 40 years.

As you step through the doors, you are transported to the land of India through the aroma of the delectable foods, the soft classical Indian music, and of course the friendly staff that welcome you as a special guest. Read the rest of this entry »

All of London’s eyes and ears will be on the new London Mayor, Boris Johnson; at the beginning of the week as he embarks upon a project, that is not only high profile but also dear to all residents. Mayor Johnson had his first meeting with the Olympic board on May 15th, which more than likely was in preparation for the arrival of the International Olympic Committee coordination commission which is arrived a weeek after for the annual inspection visit. The committee was in London for three days where Mayor Johnson met these high rollers in the Games. By all accounts, the Committee was impressed by what they had seen of of the preparation. Read the rest of this entry »

This little gem is a real find! In addition to being a proper drinking den (Milton Brewery goodies and STRONG ale on tap), it has a laid-back student vibe to it that, in the States, I associated with good independent coffee houses.

There is a Bar Billiards table, a total of eight real ales on tap, the house wines are £2.10 for a glass of excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, the food is hearty and plentiful for the money, and the staff are genuinely friendly.

Maybe the decor leaves something to be desired, as  it can look a bit empty and abandoned when it isn’t busy, but really, if that is my only criticism of the place, it can’t be too bad, now can it?

Address: 90 Amhurst Road, London, E8 1JH [map]
Phone: 020 8986 8597

Hackney Central (0.2 miles), Homerton (0.7 miles), Dalston Kingsland (0.8 miles)

Barking Market
Originally uploaded by D.I.G.I.T.A.L.P.I.X 88.

East London is a visually interesting place, and happens to be blessed with a plethora of excellent photographers. Every day I share one image with you that I think captures some aspect of East London perfectly.

Market day in Barking (IG11) still brings ‘em out for a bit of shopping. It is held every week on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

This is a traditional East London General Market with a difference; it reflects the multicultural society that Barking and Dagenham now has and has welcomed new traders.

You can buy a wide variety of products, including clothing, household products, foods and hardware.

So while other markets have struggled, this one has grown to full capacity. For many of traders this is their first business and several have been here since the new market opened in 2001.

Down Sclater street, not far from Spitalfields market, there is a lovely oasis of vinyl goodness for all us music collectors who are not quite ready to move entirely to digital copies of music, or who hate going to HMV to get new music.

No matter what you’re into, music wise, Mike and crew either have it, or can lay their hands on it for you.

They pride themselves on a selection that spans all genres and eras, and stock CD’s and DVD’s in addition to vinyl. Stop in between 11:30am and 7:30pm any day but Monday and have a poke ’round. I love this place!

Beats Workin Records
93-95 Sclater St. E1 6HR
00 44 077 298 249
mike@beatsworkinrecords.com

Shoreditch / Liverpool St.

Paris in the East End
Originally uploaded by uponfreud.

East London is a visually interesting place, and happens to be blessed with a plethora of excellent photographers. Every day I share one image with you that I think captures some aspect of East London perfectly.

This was a wet sunday just off brick lane,east london. it is amazing how the area has changed as this was totally a bleak industrial space. Now there is the flavour of a parisian cafe overlooked by the old industrial brickwork.

Clive has an amazing history of the East London Line over at his site.

Its story begins in 1865 when a people involved with the first tunnel under the Thames formed the East London Railway, which purchased the second tunnel under the river to form part of an underground rail link between the GER at Liverpool Street (where through trains via the ELR would reverse) and the SER and LBSCR, at New Cross (1) and New Cross Gate respectively; a third connection ran to the LBSCR at Old Kent Road. The first part of the link, from the southern lines through the tunnel to Wapping, opened in December 1869 (the tunnel had remained in use as a footpath until July) while the remainder was opened 7 years later. Between Wapping and Shadwell the line ran through a second tunnel, this time along the bottom of a dock (which has since been filled in).

wanstead flats
Originally uploaded by eastendimages.

East London is a visually interesting place, and happens to be blessed with a plethora of excellent photographers. Every day I share one image with you that I think captures some aspect of East London perfectly.
A boy and his dog on Wanstead Flats - real East London day to day…

banksy pulp fiction bananas
Originally uploaded by katenadine.

East London is a visually interesting place, and happens to be blessed with a plethora of excellent photographers. Every day I share one image with you that I think captures some aspect of East London perfectly.

Banksy’s pulp fiction bananas, now sadly gone - oversprayed by random tagging.

This weekend is Baishakhi Mela, the Bengali New Year Festival, and once again the East End will be the site of Europe’s largest open-air Asian festival. A quarter million people are expected to descend on the area around Brick Lane known as Banglatown for the tenth annual festival.

Continue reading for the thirteen best things to do at the festival this weekend. Read the rest of this entry »