Exploring Russell Square

Since the beginning of autumn, I have been attending an evening university in Russell Square. As I walk to and from my lectures, buildings I have not ever seen before catch my eye. I think to myself as I pass them, I would like to go here one day. But, I never do. After finishing eight hours of work to then sit in a lecture hall for three hours, my main concern is getting to the tube station, to my car and, then, home as soon as possible.

As I am a part-time student, my lectures will soon be coming to an end until I begin my second year when the leaves drop once more. Not everybody can say that they studied in the centre of London. This is not a privilege that I can simply let run its course without experiencing something leisurely and pleasurable from it. So, I will get dressed like a mad woman and spend probably too little on my eyeliner so that I can eat a cake at that new little patisserie in Brunswick Centre before the summer begins.

Mille

The only thing, other than to be near my family, that makes me want to continue living in London is the generosity of cuisines that it offers. Many stories I have heard of immigrants making a name for themselves and their culture in the big city. It makes me very proud and grateful when I see a dish that I have never seen before on a plate or behind glass windows. I visited Mille the week it opened, unintentionally. There are few chairs and tables inside, but the vibrant display of Japanese desserts draws you in. The service is warm and considerate, while the cakes are divine. I had heard of, though never eaten, a mille-crepe. It is a dessert which consists of many layers of thin crepes stacked with cream in between each one. The muted combination of pistachio and vanilla provides an “effortlessly” light and simple flavouring that melts on the tongue. While eating my mille-crepe, I revel in watching a group of Japanese youths interact with the staff behind the counter. Large smiles and a language and dialect I cannot understand - though, it translates to home.

Address: Brunswick Centre, London WC1N 1AE

Brunswick Bookshop

Although I have a Waterstones loyalty card that gets filled up rather quickly, I do adore an independent book store. They have a personality, a story of their own, their likes and dislikes, an opinion and a soul that invites strangers into their world. There is a table outside the store where a handful of books will be displayed and relayed - many priced around five pounds. Even if I do not purchase a book, I cannot walk past without walking in. A promise is guaranteed that I will discover titles I had not prior seen or heard of. An independent bookstore is inspiring, there is a lot of life encapsulated in that small room.

Address: Unit 18, The Brunswick Centre, London WC1N 1AW

Amorino

I have been to Amorino before, it is not exactly a rare store to find. My first memory of the gelato boutique was in Venice with my sister. We were looking for a sweet snack to rest our feet, and the crêpe with pistachio sauce at Amorino did just the trick. It was so good, we trekked all the way back in the blistering rain the following day for another plate. Since flying back home to London, I know that if I am ever in the mood for something sweet and simple and warming to the soul, I can pop into an Amorino and order a crêpe with pistachio sauce. Only recently, one of the stores had opened up in Brunswick Centre. It is small, with only three tall stools indoors. As people tend to sit outside, I can usually be guaranteed a space in the corner for myself, my book and my crêpe. Each time I aim to try something new, I find I crave what I already know and love.

Address: Unit K2, Brunswick Centre, London WC1N 1AW

Tian Tian Market

Being in such close proximity to a university campus, Brunswick Centre is full of restaurants, cafés and even supermarkets that cater to a range of cultures. Tian Tian sells food and drink from over twenty-five Asian countries, including Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam and more. Stepping into the store, I did feel a little bit overwhelmed with the amount of ingredients I was unfamiliar with. For my first visit, of many I am sure, I put only one ingredient in my basket to begin with - oyster sauce as it is a staple in any tasty pantry. I am excited to embark on new ingredients during each of my future visits.

Address: 24-26 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AE

This list could have been far bigger, I know. There are places I have longed to see the inside of, such as The Woolf and Whistle and The Fitzroy and the cosy Franco Manca right next to the station. Though, I have learnt that we should spend our time, spend our money, on what we want to do in that moment. There are hundreds, potentially thousands, of places and plates of food that I want to and will never get the chance to experience or eat. Though, there will be so many moments that I have allowed myself to satisfy my cravings, to go somewhere familiar and know there will be a seat for me there. It is okay to be comfortable, sometimes we forget that. As much as I want to experience many flavours and faces, life is to be enjoyed. Now, I have found a few places that I will visit again and take the people I love - including myself.