Restaurant review: The Happenstance, St Paul's, London

I love wandering around the city but it's very rare that I actually go out in the city. I always seem to stick to the outskirts - namely east London. But when The Happenstance got in touch to see if I fancied sampling their cocktail and lunch menu, I decided to break the habit. The restaurant is located a stone throw away from St Paul's Cathedral and once you're inside it doesn't feel like you're in the city at all. If I'm perfectly honest, the reason I stay away from the city is because of the certain types of people who tend to venture in those places. But on a Sunday afternoon, it was a pleasure to be in the centre of London. My mum and I had such a wonderful afternoon at The Happenstance and got on the tube home with big smiles on our faces. We're still talking about how insanely good the cocktails were.

To get things started we both decided to pursue the cocktail menu. I opted for a Goldfish in a Bag as I'm a sucker for a novelty cocktail. On the rocks, the cocktail consisted of Tanqueray Gin, Hanger One Vodka, tonic and rosemary - delicious. Just the right strength, it was refreshing and seriously addictive. My mum, after much deliberation, decided on the London Spritz. Served in a wine glass, this fruity drink consisted of Tanqueray Gin, cucumber, elderflower, apple, mint and soda. Once again, a good solid choice. So far so good!

When it came to ordering my food, I decided in a second that I definitely had to try the chorizo scotch egg with a smoked paprika mayonnaise. They arrived warm with a perfectly runny yolk and a subtle kick thanks to the spicy sausage. My mum opted for the crispy squid which I definitely stole! It felt light but with a good crunch - no chewy squid rings here! By the time the starters were scoffed it was time for another cocktail to sample! As a massive gingerbread fan, I decided to order the Gingerbread Man. Served in a martini glass with a sugared rim, it consisted of vodka, gingerbread syrup, lime and apricot. Pure Christmas in a glass - so sweet but with a hint of spice. The Tiki Punch was on the cards for my mum. She's a massive fan of sugary sweet coconut cocktails so it was right up her street. Coconut-washed Barcardi rum, banana liquor, pineapple, lime and stout. If mine was Christmas, this one was 30 degrees on a Caribbean beach without a care in the world. Delicious!

Then it was on to the mains! Butternut squash and cheese are pretty much my two favourite things so I just had to have this creamy risotto. Topped with chunks of pillow soft butternut squash, flavoursome bay leaves and creamy mascarpone, it hit the spot. Filling, comforting and addictive. The roast beef got very high praise indeed from my mum who claimed it was the best beef she had tasted. We certainly can't cook beef like that in the Warner household!

Taking one for the team we pushed ourselves to order dessert. Creme Brûlée and pecan pie were the finishing touches. Good solid choices that complimented the meal well. We waddled back to the tube very happy women indeed.

Thanks for making our Sunday The Happenstance!

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The must-see attractions in Prague

Petrin Hill

I'm a sucker for a good view point and had read Petrin Hill offered the best view in the city. Take the funicular to the top like we did or have a leisurely stroll. Keep in mind - it's pretty steep! Once you get to the top make sure you pay a trip to the observation tower. Modelled on the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, it was built in 1861. You'll have to suffer 299 steps before you reach the top but the view is absolutely stunning. Miles and miles of pretty terracotta roofs and every recognisable landmark will be in your sights. Make sure you have a wander around once you make your way down - it's a great place to bring a picnic.

City art

One of my favourite things to do in Prague was to wander around. There so many things on every corner so one of the best things is to just keep an eye out. Head to John Lennon Wall to see some street art. People have left so many messages and it's a really cool place. The giant metal babies are quite famous in the city. They crawl up the TV tower but you'll also find some in Kampa Park. They are meant to represent the communist era, unable to reach adulthood, stifled by totalitarian rule. The Memorial to the Victims of Communism is very moving and worth seeking out. Located on the edge of Petrin Hill, it was unveiled 12 years after the fall of communism.

Charles Bridge
My best tip would be to cross the Charles Bridge early in the morning so that you beat the huge crowds. Crossing the Vltava River, construction of the bridge was started in 1357 and was finished in the beginning of the 15th Century. Decorated with numerous black statues on either side, most of them in Baroque-style. It's also lovely to cross when the sun sets to see the city sparkling in the darkness.

Old Town
Again the old town is full of tourists so it's best to start your exploring as early as possible. The early bird catches the world. Its here that the atmospheric clock lives. This is a little underwhelming but it's worth seeing it as it's such a famous part of the city. It chimes on the hour and people start crowding round about 15 minutes before. The old town square is such a hub of activity and a great place to people watch.

Castle district
The castle district consists of Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane and St George's Basilica. We paid to get in and see all these buildings but if I'm perfectly honest, I'm not sure it was worth the dosh. It's much nicer to just wander around the outside of the complex. As a Brit, I think we're pretty spoilt with castles in this country and Prague just didn't live up to the expectations. But definitely trek up to the hill and marvel at the architecture.

Pedalos on the River
Due to peer pressure from my friends, we decided to do this on the whim and it was one of my favourite afternoons. We hired a pedalo for an hour and laughed non-stop. It was pretty scary when we got a little too close to the weir but we made it back in one piece. It's a really fun way to spend an hour.

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Entertaining with LSA International

One of my favourite things to do is eat and entertain so when LSA International got in touch and kindly offered to send me a few things from their collection at Amara, my eyes lit up. They're currently celebrating their 50th birthday. Working in interiors I often come across their products and they always seem so classic and of high quality. I certainly wasn't disappointed when they arrived. They definitely helped me become the hostess with the mostess! I decided to host a little wine and cheese night to give them their first outing.

One of the first things needed were some champagne glasses. What is a gathering without some bubbles? Reminding me of The Great Gatsby, the handmade glasses are gorgeous. They're the perfect party centrepiece. With wine you always need some cheese right? Which makes this cheeseboard an essential! This quaint little cheeseboard has a hand-blown dome on an oak paddle base, making it perfect for an intimate dinner party. Finally I was gifted the water and wine carafe set. Once again the glass mouth-blown and nestled on a wooden base.  It's the little finishing touches like these pieces that really make a gathering. I adore glassware at the moment, it just seems so timeless which is what you really want when you buy investment pieces. The collection isn't cheap but you really do get what you pay for. I don't mind splashing out on pieces that I know are going to stand the test of time.

Thanks so much to LSA International for helping me put my hostess skills to the test. They got the thumbs up!

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