Road Trip Travel

The Sisters Staycation: A London Road Trip to Explore Our Own City

By Kym Wolfe
photography by Jamie Monaghan

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: You’ll find a full digital gallery of images from photographer Jamie Monaghan at the conclusion of this story!

If you’re looking for a quick and convenient way to recharge your batteries after the busyness of the holiday season, why not put on your tourist hat and take a mini-road trip close to home? My sister and I did just that, taking a few days to explore Downtown London/Richmond Row and Wortley Village. We found there was something magical about viewing these old parts of the city through a new lens.

The 2024 FIAT 500E BEV (battery electric vehicle) from Oxford Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram was the perfect ride for zipping around the city — small and stylish and easy to slide in and out of parking spots. And thanks to the battery’s long range, we could focus on recharging our own energy levels and not worry about the car’s.

DOWNTOWN LONDON

We headed to Talbot Street for a bite to eat, having heard good things about Hunter & Co.’s small plates and fresh oyster menu. The doors were open, but sadly we discovered the restaurant would not be serving until dinner time. Happily, right next door at The Early Bird, we were able to enjoy the classic breakfast food that we were craving. I always enjoy the restaurant’s funky décor and fine-food-meets-casual-diner atmosphere.

A booth at The Early Bird

We treated ourselves to truffles from the Chocolate Factory as we wandered through Covent Garden Market. It’s always a bustling place, with loads of food, flowers and giftware to consider, and an interesting place to people watch. You might catch the owner of the Hot Oven stretching and hand rolling fresh phyllo pastry, or enjoy the aroma of coffee beans being ground at Hasbeans. 

We headed east on Dundas to visit the Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery. It’s always delightful to see the eclectic mix of pieces, from the very small to the very large, created by ceramic artists from across Canada.

RICHMOND ROW

Richmond Row has long been a hot spot for high quality women’s fashion, and we spent a pleasant few hours visiting the shops in the short stretch between Hymen and Albert Streets. They all looked inviting, with festive displays and cozy winter wear, and we were curious about how that might change as the calendar rolled into 2025.

We started at LifeStyles, which carries contemporary fashions by more than a dozen designers, specializing in Canadian and European collections. Looking ahead, say the staff, expect to see lots of colour in clothing choices.

We crossed the street to Hangar9, a luxury fashion store known for its wardrobe planning formula: curating nine items that can be mixed and matched to create 36 different looks. In the new year look for fewer coats and sweaters and more travel and resort wear, as people start to think about heading somewhere warm.

We enjoyed a light bite at The Mule, where the chef whipped up birria foldies (soft corn tortillas filled with cheese and beef brisket) which we enjoyed tremendously with our refreshing mocktail margaritas. We made a note to come back in warmer weather when we learned that this year their patio was rated as one of the top 100 in Canada.

Next we popped into Saffron Road, which has been described as “chic and unique.” The store carries a range of brands, the latest styles, and a rotating selection of one-of-a-kind pieces by Canadian and European designers, from GOGO sweaters to trendy denims.

Right next door is Needs/Wants, specializing in Australian and West Coast brands. You’ll always find wearable, versatile pieces and “every so often a few fun things thrown into the mix,” says owner Kathleen Meliton.

A few steps south is First & Third, so named because owners Victoria and Cassidy Marshall are the first and third of the four daughters in their family. Their tagline “Do well, live well and dress really well” captures the spirit of the store which features high-end brands and cool fashion finds from Canadian, US, European and Australian suppliers.

We thoroughly enjoyed chatting with the women in all of the shops, and browsing through the clothing, footwear, jewellery, accessories and other offerings. And we were delighted to not see even a thread of fast fashion.

GRAND THEATRE AREA

We checked into Hotel Metro before heading out to the theatre area. Our room was bright and spacious, and we found the boutique hotel to be perfectly situated as a home base for exploring the core.

With tickets in hand we headed toward the Grand Theatre, an area that offers a range of pre-show dining options, including David’s Bistro, Garlic’s, The Church Key, Marienbad and The Tasting Room. All of them serve healthy, made-in-house from-scratch meals and a curated selection of drinks to satisfy any palate. All are situated in beautiful historic buildings, with exposed brick walls and a warm rustic-chic vibe.

Along the way we popped into Quantum Verdi to browse the beautiful home furnishings, millwork, lighting and home décor. They specialize in custom order and custom made, and we knew we were seeing only a fraction of what the design and decorating team could source for us if we were looking to do some serious shopping.

We stopped to chat with owners Natalie Chapman and Ben Baker at David’s Bistro. The charming European-influenced fine-dining restaurant offers both à la carte and an affordable three-course prix fixe menu that Chef Elvis changes daily (yes — Elvis is in the building!).To compliment any meal there are sensibly priced gems offered on the extensive wine list.

Then we made a quick stop at Garlic’s of London, where owner Edo Pehilj told us that while garlic is still an ingredient in many dishes, his focus has been to create farm-to-table dishes that strive to accommodate all eating preferences from vegan to gluten-free. The theatre posters on the wall attest to the restaurant’s relationship to The Grand, and they open for lunch when there are afternoon performances.

At The Church Key Bistro-Pub we received a warm welcome from owner Vanessa Willis. The restaurant offers an
elevated pub menu, featuring almost exclusively local ingredients. We opted for salmon-wrapped scallops, followed by a lamb curry and cock-a-leekie pie — so delicious and filling, it was hard to believe we had room for cheesecake and coffee … but somehow we managed it! The restaurant’s patio is one of my favourite in the downtown area, and we made a mental note to come back in warmer weather for another sisters outing.

The evening ended with a wonderful performance of The Sound of Music, which had me humming show tunes until I fell into a deep sleep in my very comfortable Hotel Metro bed.

WORTLEY VILLAGE

In the morning we set out to explore the commercial and cultural heart of Wortley Village. We started with seasonal lattes and pumpkin scones at Sidetrack, a lovely café at the south end of Wortley Road’s commercial strip. The pastries here are freshly baked by La Noisette and Baker’s Table & Pastry Co., which now has a second location just a few doors south of the café.

There are a few women’s clothing shops that drew us in, beginning with Impressions 148, which has been a staple of village life for 30 years. Mother-daughter owners Tracey and Katherine Cambridge purchased the business four years ago, and their focus is on upscale and extremely wearable classic and casual wear.

Filthy Rebena focuses on curated high-end vintage clothing, and also carries some new locally-made pieces, as well as vintage housewares. A colourful laneway beside the store leads to the backyard Wortley Flower Farm, which supplies the store with fresh cut flowers in season, many edible.

Curiosities also carries women’s fashion, and a whole lot more. The store specializes in local and Canadian-made goods, and is composed of several rooms. One carries Canadian designed and made clothing. One is full of adorable children and baby items, another unique greeting cards. The main floor is dedicated to home goods, jewellery, art and giftware. Filled with unique and interesting pieces, this is a shop that invites you to linger and browse.

Right next door is MacKinlay Mercantile, where we found shelves full of specialty foods, sauces and sweets alongside unique kitchen items, giftware and home décor. A constantly changing inventory brings customers in often to find out what’s new at the village mercantile.

Our last stop for the morning was Locally Made Marketplace, which showcases handmade giftware created by more than 50 local artisans. From soaps and stained glass to candles, chocolates and preserves … you really have to visit to get a sense of the broad assortment of items. Every day of the week you’ll find a different person running the shop, typically one of the vendors.

It was time for a bite to eat, and we were torn by the abundance of excellent dining options around us. Sagi? Sweet Onion Bistro? Mai’s Café & Bistro? Old South Village Pub?  

Since neither of us had been to MORI Japanese Bar we decided to check it out. We nibbled on a tasty assortment of traditional Japanese skewers — shrimp, beef, Shishito pepper , sweet potato, asparagus, sweet pumpkin, and cheese — and owner Jully Lee had us toasting “kannpai!” as we sipped on sake. Following a light dessert of red bean and green tea mochi ice cream we were ready to keep exploring the unique shops in the village.

At Westland Gallery we checked out the newest exhibition and also the second floor ApARTment, which was new to me and thoroughly enjoyable. Owners Al and Karen Stewart have transformed the former apartment into display rooms for a varied selection of artwork by both established and emerging regional artists.

 

On to a quaint century cottage set back from the street that houses Quarter Master Natural Foods. Vitamins and supplements, natural health and beauty products, a full grocery, plus take-out meals, muffins and soups created in the upstairs kitchen, all contribute to the total well-being of the store’s customers. One of London’s first Health Food stores, “we’re the last original local left,” says owner Tim MacMillan.

We crossed the street to visit Featherfields, a store for bird lovers and gardeners. If you’re in need of bird feeders, seeds and suet this winter, this is the place to go. They also cater to gardeners with tools and accessories for spring, as well as home décor, books, giftware and a very colourful children’s loft.

We were fascinated by the variety of nuts on display at Karpos Mediterranean Style Nuts and Fruits. The onsite roaster prepares nuts and dried fruits in small batches to ensure freshness. You’ll also find specialty Greek foods here, as well as meals and desserts made from scratch by owner Anna Arsenis.

As we headed back to the car, we made a quick detour to Grooves to check out the vintage vinyl. The Wortley store carries mainly 60s, 70s and 80s music. We didn’t have time to enjoy a listen in the stereo room, but we did dance a little as we flipped through the racks of records.

We had hoped to treat ourselves to some spa therapy at the Idlewyld Inn & Spa, but after checking into our beautifully appointed room it was time to get ready for dinner. The stately Victorian mansion’s relaxing vibe invites you to leave your cares at the doorstep, slow down, and enjoy the moment.

We did just that, lingering over a delicious slow-paced dinner in the Idlewyld Restaurant, made all the more enjoyable by our affable and attentive server. Caesar salad to start, followed by pecan crusted salmon fillet and apricot & goats cheese stuffed chicken supreme, sipping on a California Viognier — an experience to savour!

Back in the restaurant the next morning for a wonderful buffet breakfast, we chatted with the warm and welcoming Inn Manager Effie Gurman. She always has some special event experiences in the works, from high tea to scotch tasting, “friends’ pajama party” to romantic Valentine packages. And she ensures the same special experience feeling for regular dining or drinks with friends.

All too soon it was time to check out. A few hours of downtime, then back downtown for the winter launch party at Museum London, another of London’s cultural gems. New exhibits there always interest me, and when you follow that with an evening of drinks with friends, sampling finger foods and treats from Culinary Catering and Yaya’s Kitchen, you appreciate that London truly is a fine place to staycation.

 


Kym Wolfe and Jamie Monaghan were guests of Hotel Metro, The Mule, The Church Key Bistro-Pub and Idlewyld Inn, which did not review or approve this story.

Kym Wolfe and Jamie Monaghan are sisters. Serendipitously, one is a professional writer, the other a professional photographer. Both love exploring, and have enjoyed many road trips together.

About the author

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Kym Wolfe

Kym has been writing about interesting people, places and businesses for more than 20 years. Her articles have appeared in dozens of local and national publications, including business, food and drink, lifestyle, trade, and travel pieces. The author of six books, Kym is also a seasoned speaker and trainer, and occasionally leads historic walking tours through downtown London. A degree in business as well as formal education in writing, adult education, life coaching and social work bring a unique perspective to her work.