HIDDEN LONDON: KAILAS ELMER
Kailas Elmer, founder and publisher of Trebuchet Magazine, combines sharp art critique with a passion for authentic London life. Here, he reveals his favourite hidden gems and secret spots across the city, places that capture London’s true spirit beyond the usual crowds.
Favourite Restaurant in London
Otto’s French Restaurant
182 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8EW
020 7713 0107
Otto’s mixes classic French style with a laid-back feel. Moreover, it is not just the impressive wine list or bold decor that draws you in. Instead, the flawless service and quiet luxury make each visit special. For me, it feels like a little slice of Paris, right in London.
Best Bar or Pub to Recommend
Bradley’s Spanish Bar
42-44 Hanway Street, London W1T 1UT
Just off Oxford Street, Bradley’s is one of London’s best-kept secrets. It is cosy and lively. Conversations flow easily over quality drinks. Plus, there is no pretence, only genuine charm. It is the perfect place to catch up with friends away from tourist crowds.
Romantic Night Out Spot
Da Paolo
3 Charlotte Place, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1SD
Romance depends on company, yet Da Paolo sets the mood perfectly. The small space and warm light create a welcoming Italian vibe. It is cosy and intimate. Quiet talks come naturally here, even effortlessly.
Favourite London Area
The Barbican
The Barbican is a bold, modernist vision born from London’s past. Concrete towers, secret alleys, and broken churchyards tell stories of ambition and history. Today, it is where the past and future meet. Still, it holds promise.
Favourite Gallery
London’s art scene never stands still, so naming one favourite is tough. I am drawn to new artists and fresh spaces. Also, curators who push boundaries keep me coming back. This spirit of discovery matters most.
Go-To Boutique or Shop
Jeffrey West
16 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1Y 6NH
Shoes are my style weakness. Jeffrey West is my playground for bold looks. Plus, expert advice helps me try new things, even when staff joke about my trousers causing fashion slips.
Where to Find Kailas on Saturday Night
Camden
Camden bursts with music, fashion, and nightlife. Hidden restaurants and cocktail bars add depth to its energy. It is a place where creativity and excitement never sleep.
Favourite Way to Spend Sundays
Little Venice
Sundays mean slow, long lunches by the water with old friends. Charming pubs around Little Venice offer perfect spots to relax and recharge. Meanwhile, you can watch the world drift by.
Peace and Quiet Spot
Regent’s Park
The gardens at Regent’s Park, including a secret garden, offer a calm away from city noise. It is the best place to clear your mind and reset.
One Must-Do in London
Wander
London moves fast. Places appear, vanish, change, or decay. The best way to feel the city is to get lost. Explore season by season. Let London show you its hidden stories.
For Kailas Elmer, discovering London’s true character comes from curiosity and trusting your own experience.
THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK SERIES
The Little Black Book series is a guide to towns and cities around the world from the perspective of a local personality, designer, creative or cool kid. It’s an insider’s guide, a guide that, as it’s written by people who live there, goes beyond the main streets and areas. It explores hidden London, Paris, New York, and everywhere in between. The Little Black Book goes down the alleyways so you don’t have to, we go south of the river, to the Rive Gauche and find out about those hidden, little-known gems that only a local would know. An invaluable guide to places written by the people who know.
If you think you know your hometown better than us. Or you think we should know about a place. Email info@irkmagazine.com We’re all ears.
For more on London’s cultural scene, check out
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