Seven Dials or the London neighborhood you didn't know (or did you?) existed.
The British capital is one of those living cities, somehow fickle and even, in a certain way, ephemeral. One of those cities that, no matter how many times we return to them, that we walk their streets and get lost in their most emblematic areas, will continue to surprise us on each visit. Because London is like that: changing ad nauseam.
And an example of this is the neighborhood that we come to discover. Because Seven Dials has always been there , Come in Covent Garden and the soho , although a priori we may not have noticed.
And it is that, how many of us venture, once reached the Covent Garden Piazza , to continue exploring the surrounding streets? Oh, friend: that's where they caught us.
The point is that throughout history it has mutated so many times that its current version of cool and stylish neighborhood , with a strong personality and full of local businesses, has gone completely unnoticed. You only need to walk just five minutes to come across these seven star-shaped streets that concentrate a lively —very lively— commercial activity.
And what has a place here? independent firms, international fashion stores —not big chains—, Beauty salons, art Galeries, fancy restaurants , pubs and even theaters give life and color to these seven arteries at the heart of which, look where, is our hotel: the Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer St. Hotel.
AN ELEGANT RETREAT IN CENTRAL LONDON
As an oasis of glamor and tranquility in the midst of the commercial maelstrom, the elegant boutique hotel of the Radisson chain emerges in this corner of the West End radiating luxury in abundance. The sophisticated air with which it has been designed is palpable as soon as you set foot inside it, either because of the style of its common areas —we fall in love with that reading room dressed in shades of gray and wood—or because of the magic that permeates them.
Here one feels at home , even knowing that it is several thousand kilometers away. Y Much of the blame lies with the staff. , which is responsible for transmitting a certain sense of familiarity to the guests, offering pleasant attention but without harassment. Everything is perfect in its proper measure.
But the charm completely seduces when we enter our private space. Some spotless rooms at this four-star they occupy the corners with **direct views of the main roundabout of Seven Dials** —where, by the way, is the pillar of the sundial that symbolizes the emblem of the neighborhood since it was placed in the seventeenth century—, and they are so spacious and they are so full of details, that one comes to wonder if he will be able to take advantage of it enough.
On the ground floor, another of the hotel's great attractions is accessible to all audiences: **its restaurant, Monmouth Kitchen**, alternates in its menu proposals from the traditional Mediterranean cuisine with flavors from Peru . Pure and hard fusion (and a good one) that explains why it will be better if we reserve a table in advance.
The hotel breakfasts , by the way, they are also served here: although they have a small buffet area, most of their options are a la carte . A marvel.
Lumas, much more than an art gallery.
ART FOR EVERY POCKET AT SEVEN DIALS
The best thing about staying in a hotel in the center of a small neighborhood is that the most it takes to get to any other point in the area is five minutes (walking) .
Although to visit LUMAS, an art gallery founded by German collectors which opened its doors in Seven Dials last August -it had previously passed through Chelsea and Mayfair-, it only takes 20 seconds: the time it takes to cross the street.
There, alongside works by acclaimed artists and one of the Balloon Dogs by Jeff Koons , who does not take his eyes off us, we find Ferdinand of Troconiz , a Castilian from Leon who, curiously, is the director of the gallery.
And it is by chatting with him that we understand the philosophy of LUMAS : to put an end to the image that art is only for those who have plenty of purchasing power. Here, just as new artists are given the opportunity to be part of their catalogue, the ordinary citizen is also given the option to acquire certain works whose prices range between 29 pounds -Yes, you read it right-, and the 6 thousand.
The way of working in LUMAS is well marked: curators contact established artists directly to make an original piece and exclusive to the gallery. Of these, they make limited editions up to a maximum of 150 copies, all numbered and signed by hand by the authors and distributed by their 37 galleries worldwide.
Then there are, yes, the collaborations with the so-called “masters” , where the level rises until it reaches weighty names like Takashi Murakami, Damian Hirst, shepard fairey or the already mentioned Jeff Koons . Editions that vary in size and prices, depending on the case.
Away, suitcases with a functional design.
SHOPPING
In harmony with the neighbourhood, the businesses scattered throughout the seven streets exude personality in abundance. Some are international brands that have launched their first store in the United Kingdom precisely here, in Seven Dials.
It is the case of away , a lifestyle firm determined to transform the world of travel with its functionally designed suitcases . And by functional we mean thoughtful details such as a small laundry bag, compression meshes to minimize the space occupied by luggage inside, or even an external battery adapted to the suitcase -really- useful for charging any USB device . Long live the 21st century!
The brand was born in New York back in 2016 hand in hand with its founders, Jen Rubio and Steph Korey, and since then they have established themselves as a benchmark in the sector.
Walking into his Earlham Street store is quite an experience : the proportion of dependents with respect to the size of the premises is enormous, and this translates into a personalized attention —courtesy drink, space to drop your bag and coat, the most complete sampler— at the height of the product itself.
But there is more to Seven Dials, much more. In the 69 Monmouth Street we ran into BLOC , a beautiful store whose journey started in 1932 in Australia crafting ballerina shoes . The London venue has turned 20 in 2019, and although its line has been turning towards an increasingly modern style, the essence of its history still remains marked in every corner.
Especially in his basement , where pink slippers stacked on shelves, and tutus swarming here and there, are to die for.
And if you have to die of love, let it be with something sweet in your body, right? And the one they serve in St John Bakery in form of donuts and almond croissants We're not going to disgust him, hey. For the most chocolatiers, Seven Dials also has a local chain store Rococo Chocolates : its multi-award winning truffles are pure delicacy.
St John Bakery.
With glucose and happiness levels skyrocketing, guilt may be calling to mind. No problem: that can be fixed with a little sport. And if it is with any of the garments of Fashercise , better than better.
Created by Alex Wanthournout, fashion journalist launched five years ago to open his own business, is a universe of proposals created by small designers that show that sports fashion it has life beyond the Nikes and Adidas of this world. Taking a look at its stock, somewhat larger in store than in its online version, will make you sin without remedy.
Very close —although, what isn't close here?— is another one of those shops that radiate charm right from the window. This also brings indian airs : is about nappa dori , a business specializing in handcrafted leather goods that has been installed in the neighborhood, and in the United Kingdom, for just a year.
Inside, its owner, the young Gaulam Sinha, ensures a unique experience that begins with the narration of his own story: a dream come true thanks to the work of 60 leather artisans who, from different parts of India, carefully elaborate the product that is sold here.
Among its highlights? Leather handbags for women and laptop bags for men's lines.
Seven Dials Market.
WHERE TO EAT IN SEVEN DIALS
Are you hungry? No problem because it turns out that in Seven Dials there are not only restaurants, for example, Belgo with its mussels and fries, or Punjab , one of the oldest Indians in the UK.
Also pubs and cafes like Crown & Anchor , with their mythical pints, or the breakfasts of 26 grains.
Y Seven Dials Market , which for those who do not know, is a market set up in an old banana warehouse from the 19th century . In fact, it is said that this entire area was full of establishments where all kinds of tropical fruits imported from South America were kept.
At the entrance, by the way, a giant banana honors its past. Today, however, what houses these walls is Eden for those foodies eager to enjoy the great pleasure of eating and drinking.
Twenty gastronomic businesses, always brimming with atmosphere, are spread over two floors under the protection of an immense glass dome. Among them, Pick & Cheese, the world's first conveyor belt in the style of Japanese restaurants . Only here, instead of sushi, what is offered along its 40 meter bar are small plates with up to 30 varieties of different cheeses.
Some of the dishes you will find at Seven Dials Market.
In Truffle , on the other hand, you can try what some say are the best burgers in London. All of them with several floors and with extra melted cheese. A frankly exquisite obscenity that lives up to the phrase embodied in one of the walls of the market: London tastes like this .
On the ground floor, between cocktails, pints and a DJ who sometimes entertains the evenings, a unique corner in the city: the Market Bookshop , a bookstore specialized in everything in paper format that talks about gastronomy , cocktails, restaurants, and even architecture and sustainability.
And just a few steps from the hustle and bustle of the market, one of the corners most loved by instagramers in the world. Effectively, Neal's Yard he's also part of Seven Dials —surprised, huh?—.
It is in this small square of colors that exudes charm to the rage that it is found, somewhat hidden, Casanova & Daughters , a small business with sicilian roots cozy as can be.
In it, between preserved products and Italian-flavored delicatessen , what one should do is relax and taste one of its very complete sicilian wine tasting : three glasses of different broths that are served accompanied, each of them, by a typical product of the land.
And here we stay, because it is not bad at all. And by the way: chinchín by Seven Dials and by the cities in continuous mutation . So, dear, it's nice!