London's Olympic flavour: Brazil and France

Brazil:

Carnival of colour. Source

If you can’t make it all the way over to Rio, the next biggest street festival is held right here in London. Notting Hill Carnival is big, bold and bursting with colour, just like its South American big brother. This year organisers expect to see record numbers in attendance in that crucial period between the Olympics and Paralympics.

Last year a delegation from Brazil came over to offer some advice to Notting Hill organisers in advance of the 2012 ‘Mega-carnival’. Now we can return the favour by giving them some top tips on how to run a successful Olympic Games ahead of 2016.

Notting Hill Carnival, 26 & 27 August

France:

We really are spoilt for choice with this one, as many areas of London are crawling with French influence, particularly when it comes to dining out. Take a trip to South Kensington and you will probably have more success speaking to the waiting staff in French than English. So, I am just going to go for my own personal favourite – a little restaurant near Covent Garden.

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The menu provides the perfect balance between tradition and quality. Escargots followed by moules frites is what it’s all about for me, but there is a good range, including classic steak of course, and a ‘fish of the day’ option.

The service here is extremely friendly, and you instantly get the feel of a family-run business. When the sun is out treat yourself to an outside table, red and white checked table cloth and all, or head downstairs to the atmospheric rough stone-walled restaurant with its hidden corners and warm candlelight.

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Le Garrick

10-12 Garrick Street
Covent Garden
London WC2E 9BH
Tel: 0207240 7649