This chic, casual restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks and, in addition, maintains a retail bakery selling the same delicious breads and pastries they serve in the restaurant. The contemporary French cuisine is just right for an informal meal, particularly the salads and simply prepared dishes.

Conveniently located near the South Kensington Tube stop, this inviting modern shop sells an impressive array of primarily French and British farmhouse cheeses.  To tempt you, there are also wonderful sandwiches and a friendly and solicitous staff.  There is a small seating area to indulge in cheese plates and wine.  There are one or two cheese tastings a month; the fee is £35 per person, and reservations are made by phoning the shop.

Though not officially ice cream, this creamy yogurt has the same appeal.  This jazzy little shop near the South Kensington tube stop provides a perfect pick-me-up in its delicious fat free, low calorie, organic frozen yogurt with assorted toppings.

Yummy cupcakes made without preservatives are the specialty, but you’ll also find cakes, cookies  and an assortment of desserts.

The V&A with its vast collections including decorative and fine arts, costumes, and textiles is quite well known, but there is a special not-to-be missed exhibition in the permanent collection THE BRITISH GALLERIES, which presents a history of British design from 1500 to 1900. It’s not just the collection that delights but also the thoughtful and engaging presentation. And also on the don’t-miss-list are the new MEDIEVAL & RENAISSANCE GALLERIES which opened December, 2010 and...tell the story of European art and culture from AD 300–1600; from the decline of the Roman Empire to the end of the Renaissance period.

“For city folk who like a little country living..,” Bumpkin offers seasonable and sustainable menus.  It’s a comfortable, cozy setting to enjoy lunch, dinner or even a snack, and you can watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen.  For lunch, there’s a two course set menu for £12.  And Bumpkin has a private dining room for dinner or cocktails.

A small charming hotel with a garden located in a residential area near the Victoria and Albert Museum.  The bargains here are the Single and Queen rooms which start under £200.