One great place to admire beautful Easter eggs is restaurant and nightspot Shaka Zulu, whose pastry chef will be making a gorgeous display (similar to the one pictured above) out of giant ostrich eggs. It’s bound to make you peckish, so fortunately the South African restaurant will be serving a special three-course feast from 12pm-5pm on Easter Sunday to satisfy your appetite.

London’s top hotels are also getting into the Easter spirit. Claridge’s is selling distinctive art deco eggs that are inspired by the hotel’s black and white marble lobby. Created with three types of fine Valrhona chocolate, the limited-edition eggs are filled with chocolate quail eggs and covered in art deco foil wrapped with a satin bow. They’d make great gifts, but you’d better be quick – there are only 100 of the £45 eggs available. If you’re planning to spend the Easter weekend in London, the Landmark Hotel’s Easter Delight package could be a great option. Not only will you get a large Easter egg – specially prepared by the hotel’s chef – delivered to your bedroom, but inside you might find a golden ticket that grants you one of several special treats provided by the hotel.

One of London’s most unusual Easter eggs can be found at tongue-in-cheek bar and pizzeria Bunga Bunga, where you can sip specially-created cocktails out of large chocolate Easter eggs. Two indulgent ice-cream based drinks are available during the Easter Weekend: a seasonal twist on the espresso martini and a chocaholic’s dream combination of chocolate ice cream, strawberry puree, white chocolate liqeur, vodka and chocolate bitters. If you’re looking for something more savoury, Cinnamon Soho is doing  a special Easter Egg Flip cocktail and an egg-inspired menu, which turns the traditional Easter Egg idea upside down through a series of Indian ball-shaped dishes.

London’s department stores have a reputation for doing everything with panache and this Easter, their eggs don’t disappoint.  At Harrods in Knightsbridge you can marvel at their behemoth of an egg, which is several feet high and – if you’re feeling flush – can be yours for £795. Fortnum and Mason have created ‘the ultimate Easter egg‘ (£90), a Russian-doll-like structure comprised of five different Easter eggs that range from white to very dark chocolate.  Selfridges has solved the age-old chicken and egg problem with a cute dark chocolate easter egg (£59.99), which has been decorated to look like a chick. For truly quirky eggs, head to branches of Artisan du Chocolat for their ‘egg and soldiers‘ masterpiece (£45), which is a cross between delicious chocolate egg and salted caramel fondue kit, or pick up a macabre Rococo ‘day of the dead’ egg from Harvey Nichols (£64.95).

If reading about all that chocolate is making you queasy, fear not: some of London’s most dramatic eggs are inedible. Head to Covent Garden from 22 March – 1 April for the Lindt Big Egg Hunt, which raises money for Action for Children. Giant fibreglass Easter eggs, which have been designed by leading artists, fashion designers and architects, will be hidden around the area for visitors to find – simply pick up a Hunt Book and get cracking!

Rationing of sweets was imposed in 1942 during the Second World War. People were allowed six ounces (170 grams) of sweets per week. Regulations remained in place until 1953 as sugar was in such short supply.

The end of sweets rationing in February 1953 produced a frenzy of sugar-fuelled celebrations in the capital: children gorged on lollipops and toffee apples, office workers sucked boiled sweets with abandon. By June, sweet consumption was up to eight ounces (227 grams) a week and newspapers noted that chocolate-loving men were partly behind the rise!

Londoners have always had a sweet tooth. By the time rationing was imposed, London had hundreds of confectionery firms. Among them were Handysides, a small family-run confectioners on Holloway Road in Islington.

The sweets in the suitcase date from the 1930s and are samples carried by Mr Alfred Handyside, who acted as the firm’s travelling salesman. During the 1920s the firm expanded into the export trade and Mr Handyside travelled, with his sweet samples, throughout the Middle and Far East, always sailing first-class on ocean liners. The samples include chocolate allsorts, lavender cachous, black and white mints and fruit jubes. These retro sweets are fast coming back into fashion today.

Guest post by the Museum of London as part of our Visiting the Past series. More about London’s history next week.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth visit Fortnum & Mason, which has a delicious display of confectionery and chocolate on the ground floor!

From a posh pop-up bakery to Michelin-Star-standard food in a London pub, London’s food and drink scene never stands still. Here are some of this week’s most exciting new openings.

Fortnum & Mason’s Pop-Up Bakery

A pop-up bakery opens today at Fortnum & Mason, selling bread, cakes and pies from some of Britain’s best-known bakers, including chef/restaurateur Mark Hix and Edd Kimber, the first winner of The Great British Bake-Off. As well as delicious treats to take away, there’s a dedicated café, a cookware shop and a series of baking demonstrations and classes. The pop-up bakery is open until 7 April 2013.

The Wheatsheaf in Borough Market

The Wheatsheaf in Borough Market has reopened following a three-year closure. Originally built in 1772, the pub has been given some modern touches, including a campervan kitchen outside on the new heated terrace, where you can buy hearty, street food-inspired dishes.  On the drinks front there’s a wide range of craft beers and ales, including local Meantime Pale Ale and Camden Hills Lager.

The Malt House in Fulham

The Malt House in Fulham has been taken over by Claude Bosi of two-Michelin-starred Hibiscus and his brother Cedric. On the menu you’ll find a range of seasonal British food such as Welsh rarebit, rib-eye steaks and Sunday roasts, courtesy of former Hibiscus head chef Marcus McGuinness. This is the Bosi brothers’ second South West London pub – Cedric has managed the Fox & Grapes in Wimbledon since it reopened in 2011.

Cactus Kitchens: Michel Roux Jr’s New Cookery School

Top chef Michel Roux Jr has teamed up with Cactus Studios – where TV show Saturday Kitchen is made – to launch a new cookery school. You can take cooking lessons with Michel Roux Jr and Masterchef: The Professionals star Monica Galetti, learn about food and wine with Saturday Kitchen experts Susie Barrie and Peter Richards, or celebrate Chinese New Year with Ken Hom.

Look out for more restaurant news soon.

Here’s a lovely video from British Airways, showing two of their cabin crew, Mark and Lucy, enjoying a perfect day in London. 

From London Heathrow Terminal 5, to the Houses of Parliament, Primrose Hill, Camden Passage, The Langham, Hamleys, Fortnum & Mason, Natural History Museum Ice Rink, and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, they certainly enjoy a busy day. (I’m just not sure about that picnic, considering today’s temperatures are hovering around the 3°C mark.)

For more London videos, check out our YouTube channel.

Here’s a great video of the work behind Fortnum & Mason’s fantastic Christmas window display for 2012. The designs were unveiled by the Lord Mayor of London, with the participation of actors from the Hackney Empire’s Christmas pantomime, Dick Whittington.

The windows feature a replica of the Lord Mayor’s Coach: if you want to see the real one, pop into the Museum of London anytime for a look at the original article.

Christmas is a great opportunity to enjoy London’s amazing retail and shopping streets. Check out our guide to Christmas Shopping in the capital here.

Taste of Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen at John Lewis
Fans of Jamie Oliver are in for a treat at John Lewis this week. To celebrate the launch of the new and exclusive Jme and Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen product ranges, the Oxford Street store is offering a unique Fifteen dining experience with a menu specifically created by Jamie and his apprentice chefs. To book a table, visit the Bistro or call 020 3073 0626.
25-28 Sep

Book Signings: Kaffe Fassett at Liberty and Jessie J at Waterstones
Artist, designer, and author Kaffe Fassett will be signing not one but three of his best-selling books and reading extracts from “Knitting with the Colour Guys” at Liberty on Wednesday evening this week. More details here. And on Thursday, Jessie J will be signing copies of her autobiography Nice To Meet You at Waterstone’s Piccadilly from 5.30pm. Call Waterstones on 0207 851 2491 for more details.

Harvest Festival Artisan Market at Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason are celebrating the best of the season with an Artisan Market this weekend. You can meet and learn from F&M’s chutney suppliers in the demonstration kitchen, taste the very best of Fortnum’s savoury preserves and jams, and sample refreshing cordials made from the juiciest fruit in Norfolk’s hedgerows. It’ll also be the time for F&M’s honey harvest, so you can go up to the roof and see the Fortnum & Mason bees hard at work.
28-29 Sep, 11am-5pm

Celebrate Cheaney at Selfridges

Selfridges are helping Northamptonshire heritage brand Cheaney celebrate 125 years of quality English craftsmanship this week. From 29 September to 7 October, there’ll be a special Cheaney space in the Men’s Shoes department, where you can see in-store demonstrations showing the intricacies of how a Cheaney shoe is made. What’s more, receive a complimentary refurbishment voucher worth £90 with any pair of shoes purchased.
29 Sep-7 Oct

Selfridges Destination Denim: Until 8 Sep
If, like me, you’re on a near-constant quest for the perfect pair of jeans (I had them once: a pair of 7 For All Mankind, plucked randomly from a sale rail in New York; wore them till they fell apart), Selfridges may offer a solution. This month, they’re celebrating their longest denim wall in Europe with Destination Denim, an exciting store-wide denim event, including exclusive product launches, designer appearances, style advice and special events. Just this week, there’s a 12-hour online jean-a-thon with giveaways on the hour, every hour on Thursday. Women can get advice from Stylist magazine’s fashion editor on Thursday afternoon; while men can distress their denim with Denham between 30 August and 2 September. Find out more at denim.selfridges.com

Biscuit Decorating Demonstration at Fortnum & Mason: 23 Aug
If you need a new excuse to pop into the hallowed halls of Fortnum & Mason this week, here’s my suggestion. With the Great British Bake Off turning everyone crazy for cakes and barmy for biscuits, don’t miss this free decorating demonstration in store. Ellie, an artist-cum-baker creates Fortnum’s stunning animal decorated biscuits. She’ll be showing off how she works her magic powers with piping bags in the Demonstration Kitchen on the First Floor from 2pm. You’ll be wowing your tea party guests in no time.

Soho Arts Fair in Kingly Court: 24-25 Aug
This weekend, the Soho Arts Fair come to Kingly Court for the very first time, showcasing artworks by young adults produced in Art-Alive workshops. The Art Alive Arts Trust is a charity that works with children and young adults to develop creative skills through art. On display will be a variety of works ranging from fine art to fashion. If you’re inspired by the works on show, you can also get involved as there’ll be workshops on Mosaic and Ceramic art, Painting, Fashion Photography, T-Shirt printing and more. In a packed weekend of activities, there’ll also be live dance and music performances as well as street artists. Don’t miss the fashion show on Friday between 6pm and 9pm. This is the culmination of three months’ worth of workshops taking place in Kingly Court, giving young people the chance to explore their skills in photography, fine art, fashion design and ceramics.

Foyles Children’s Events at Westfield
Why not head to Westfield London this summer holiday as there are some special children’s events taking place in Foyles. On 25 August between 2 and 4pm, hear sea shanties and look for treasure with Hannah, the Queen of the Seven Seas: don’t forget to dress up as your favourite sea creature: Mermaid, Pirate, Squid… On 28 August between 2 and 3pm, Paddington will be in store, where the booksellers will be throwing a party to celebrate the end of the Great British Sumer. There’ll be storytelling, activities, and a chance to meet the great bear himself. Both events are free.

You’ll see bunting, flags and special displays everywhere, and by the weekend London will be festooned with colour and buzzing with a festive atmosphere that will be remembered for generations. The capital has a long tradition of making a magnificent effort for Jubilee celebrations – check out this photograph of Selfridges preparing for George V’s Silver Jubilee in 1935.

We’ve put together a gallery of some of our favourite Diamond Jubilee decorations so far, but if you’ve spotted other great displays around town please let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to stock up on Jubilee merchandise if you’re planning your own celebration!

London is getting ready for a huge Diamond Jubilee celebration this weekend, and what better way to get into the Jubilee spirit than with traditional British afternoon tea? Here’s a round-up of some of London’s best Jubilee teas.

The Berkeley

The Berkeley’s popular Pret-a-Portea has been given a royal twist with biscuits, fancies and choux buns in the shape of the Royal Family’s most memorable hats and handbags. Look out for praline profiteroles in the shape of the famous Philip Treacy fascinator worn by Princess Beatrice at the royal wedding.

Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason, supplier of tea to the Royal Family, has opened a brand-new tea room in honour of the occasion. The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon offers more than 150 teas, all served with a timer that rings when your pot reaches its optimum brewing time. Choose the set afternoon tea menu, or combine a savoury dish with a sweet treat from the Diamond Jubilee Cake Carriage.

Kettner’s

Kettner’s is serving Tea Fit For A Queen over the Jubilee bank holiday, including traditional finger sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, treacle tart, Chelsea buns, rhubarb jelly, old English trifle and chocolate digestive cake. The menu is priced at £18.67 – a reference to the year the Soho institution opened.

Brown’s Hotel

The English Tea Room at Brown’s Hotel is serving Jubilee afternoon tea with Crown Jewels macaroon, Battenberg cake, lemon pusset teacup, Lady Grey macaroon, pistachio cake, boozy trifle, scones and sandwiches. For a royal treat, add a glass of Ruinart Brut Champagne.

John Lewis Oxford Street

If you’re shopping in London’s West End over the Jubilee bank holiday, pop into John Lewis Oxford Street for The 5 O’Clock Tea Club. The tea is inspired by the gin with Dubonnet and lemon that Her Majesty is said to enjoy in the afternoon, represented on the menu by gin-infused jellies and chocolate muffins drenched in Dubonnet.

Royal Garden Hotel

Located just a stone’s throw from Kensington Palace, with views over Kensington Gardens, the Royal Garden Hotel is a perfect location for royal afternoon tea. Here the Jubilee tea includes Victoria sandwich sponge, English rose teacake, Earl Grey opera, champagne and strawberry tart, Elizabeth trifle and Windsor nut mousse.

EDF Energy London Eye

For something a bit different, try afternoon tea in a London Eye capsule with amazing views over London. The menu includes egg and cress rolls, mini éclairs, scones and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Alternatively, take to the river Thames with a 1952 Jubilee Tea on-board the London Eye Barracuda.

The Royal Horseguards

The five-star Royal Horseguards hotel is serving very British afternoon tea for just £20.12. Served on the hotel’s terrace with views of the river Thames and London Eye, the tea includes roast beef sandwiches, biscuits shaped as red London buses and Union flags, Crown Jewel cupcake and more.

Andaz

At design hotel Andaz, the Diamond Queen Afternoon Tea includes a commemorative cocktail made from Earl Grey tea stirred with Dubonnet, Bombay Sapphire gin and bitters. The menu also includes coronation chicken sandwiches, scones and jam, millionaire shortbread, trifle, a selection of pastries and a pot of Earl Grey tea.

The Langham

The Langham has teamed up with luxury brand Asprey to launch the Asprey Diamond Jubilee Tea, served in the hotel’s glamorous Palm Court. The menu is inspired by Asprey’s jewellery designs and iconic purple colour, and includes blueberry and bilberry Battenberg, purple jasmine with apricot, and blackcurrant and white chocolate mousse.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, 2-5 June 2012. More afternoon teas in London

Maxine Clayman is a travel writer and editor of the blog My Hidden Gems. In the next in our World In London series she meets Croatian born Ana-Maria Volaric who explains why it’s her mission to bring a taste of Croatia to London.

“Last year my husband Chris and I decided to set up D’Issa, a company selling exclusively Croatian produce.

“I’ve lived in London now for 24 years and I’m married to a North Londoner. I’m originally from Zagreb and I still feel incredibly connected to my roots. I wanted to draw on my knowledge and passion for Croatian culture and introduce Londoners and visitors to the capital to Croatian food.

“Currently we’re the only Croatian retailer in the UK. We have a stall in Borough Market and we also sell to Fortnum & Mason and a couple of specialist delis in London. Our merchandise is quite high end, which may surprise a lot of people, as Croatia isn’t a country that’s necessarily associated with quality cuisine.

“There are only around 2,000 Croats living in London so our food is still relatively new to people. My aim is to educate Londoners about one of the best-kept gastronomic secrets Europe has to offer. For instance, it might come as a surprise to discover that some of the finest truffles in the world can be found in Istria, Croatia.

“Our fig products are proving incredibly popular with Londoners. Smokvenjak is a traditional Croatian fig cake made from dried figs, almonds, lemon juice, raisins, rosemary and sage. It’s packed with natural energy, so it’s good for athletes, and you can use it as a base for canapés, with cheese or ham.

“Pumpkin seed oil is another unique item that we stock. It’s got a wonderfully nutty flavour and is great for roasting and marinating meats. But my top tip is to drizzle it over vanilla ice-cream. Delicious.”

Visit D’Issa at Borough Market on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the Jubilee Market area. www.dissa.co.uk