The 'New Normal' is on its way in London...

 ROAMING THE WEST END...

1.  67goingon50 has been desperate for a meal from a favourite family restaurant in Chinatown but - alas! - it's still closed.  And it's not clear when or if it will open again.

Less than a fortnight ago Chinatown was virtually deserted; rumours are now swirling that many eateries are planning not to re-open at all.  

But on Thursday (16 July), Chinatown was beginning to bustle.  Gerrard Street, which is normally closed off to traffic anyway, has sprouted a garden of restaurant tables, and there were plenty of Chinese and western diners occupying them.

Ruyi, at the Shaftesbury Road end of the street, looked slightly scruffy but had an air of no-frills good home-cooking.  Prices were low; the staff friendly and persuasive.   Singapore noodles were surprisingly satisfying -  tasty and generous.  One for a return visit. 

Reviews on yell were a strange balance of 5 stars and 1 star with little in-between.  The negative reviews were really nasty; is/was someone running a vendetta against Ruyi?

Student and tourists looking for well-priced 'home-cooked' style Chinese food should give it a try. 

The popular Chinatown Bakery on the square has a window for take-away; some items are available but not on the menu.  Just ask.

2.  Loon Fung Supermarket...

...much busier now than recently.  Temperature checks on entry.

3.  John Lewis Oxford Street...

... opened at last on Thursday.  By late morning queues to get in were double the length of the building, almost putting off prospective shoppers, but the wait was no longer than 6-7 minutes.  Live music from the atrium welcomed us back!

It was good to be there, even if hand sanitising is mandatory on entry.

4.  Uniqlo...

...has been open a little while.  Business is slow and there are some great bargains.

An exceptional Ines De La Fressange cotton jacket in a gorgeous pale blue, beautifully cut with striped lining, reinforced 67's belief that stuff on a page is no match for seeing/touching in person.  Online, I would never have considered the colour but it was quite (!) flattering.  And I know from the weight of the fabric that the jacket will take me though autumn.    

Reader, the jacket was £50 off!  Regular price £70; mine for £20!  There are still a few left in medium sizes but most are small or extra large.  (Extra-large for a tiny Japanese person might be the equivalent of med-large for a Caucasian.)

 

5.  H&M

...wandering the aisles, I was sorry the shop wasn't open when the heat wave started. The summer styles are so covetable, especially the frilly and square cut blouses in bright colours.  They will be great for next year, too...

  

6.  Ole & Steen Coffee Bar/Cafes

Thank goodness...branches are opening here and there, and the one at Great Bedford Street (Oxford St end of Tottenham Court Road) is doing steady business.

7.  North West London

The most popular cafes are moving back to sit-down service both indoors and out.  A few establishments have disappeared, replaced with bright little cafes/eateries which seem to be aimed at younger, with-it clientele.

Roll on Business as Usual!  Ish.

     

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