Get to Melrose Arch for delicious food, gorgeous shopping and a funky vibe

The new section of Melrose Arch is the place to be and be seen right now. A weekly Mediterranean market, cobblestone pathways and a piazza with street cafes with cute Vespas parked in front of them, make Melrose Arch the new Europe – right on your doorstep!

I have already tried a few restaurants, so I will comment and recommend a few – the vibe is very festive, so go out and discover your favourites!

I really love Tasha’s, as it’s homely, yet elegant. Tasha, the owner, has an infectious personality and somehow all her restaurants have this great energy while still maintaining a very relaxed feel about them. People are prepared to queue for almost an hour to get in, even though Tasha’s doesn’t have a liquor licence. Imagine that! My favourite on the menu is “pimp my toast” – great comfort food.

Mangiare, with its gorgeous red staircase, is divine for dinner. Great Italian-inspired food with a fantastic wine selection. Whether you are having a dinner for two or hosting a rowdy bunch, this is a real classy hang out.

A nice surprise is Grand Central, whose decor is a nostalgic rendition of New York’s Grand Central station. It has great steaks and burgers and is a perfect guys’ hang out. I love the cigar bar upstairs and the bathrooms are a must-see.

And for us girls there’s the ultra fantastic shoe shop Freequency Footwear is finally in the north! Spanish, Italian and Brazillian shoes to die for! I suggest you venture to Melrose Arch armed with a sufficient list of justifications as to why you bought more than one pair, when you swore you couldn’t even afford one. Or you can use my excuse: it’s cheaper to go to Melrose Arch than to go to Europe, so what you save on the ticket you can spend on a fantastic meal and a beautiful pair of shoes.