An exciting new shop will be opening soon on New Quebec Street - La Petite Poissonnerie, a fantastic fishmonger. I met with the owner Nic recently to find out more about what the store will offer local residents and I am very excited that we will soon have a great shop that addresses the needs of locals. Well done to the Portman Estate for resisting the temptation of opening another boutique!

La Petite Poissonerie has a successful shop in Primrose Hill and is now going to serve Marylebone. It is not just a run-of-the-mill fishmonger - Nic has great plans. With a French and Japanese influence, they sell fresh fish (of the highest grade), pre-prepared meals and marinaded fish, as well as beers and sakes all to complement the fish. They also make their own fish fingers, which I am sure will be popular with local families - I can't wait to try them. Nic is a chef originally so really knows his stuff! 

The interior of the shop is still being completed, but it is clear that this is not traditional fishmonger. A lot of care and attention has gone into the design - check out the lovely granite work surface they have installed, and the fresh fish display idea is a great quirky one (I won't spoil it by saying too much). Importantly the shop is going to have extended opening hours so people can stop by after work or whenever is convenient. Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 7.30pm! They are very customer driven and it sounds like they will be able to deal with even the fussiest customer :)  

Christmas is expected to be a busy season, and then the January diets mean fish is a popular choice through the winter. Nic also has exciting plans to address the large business crowd at lunchtimes once 2015 is underway. I was getting hungry listening to what he plans to offer!

Nic and all his team are very knowledgable about all things fish. I know I should eat more fish, and offer it more often to my little one, but I lack imagination and confidence to try new things. With great fish and advice now on our doorstep there will be no excuse!

We also had a great discussion about cooking in general. Nic's top tips for appliances in the kitchen - a hand blender with attachments (food processors end up sitting in the cupboard!), a rice cooker (on my christmas list as I can't cook rice!), and a pressure cooker (I am a recent convert - I love mine). 

La Petite Possonnerie should be opening during the 2nd week of November - do stop by and support an exciting local business that serves the needs of locals. 

The lovely Gail's has opened on Seymour Place, which has become a great place for dining over the last couple of years. It joins Lockhart, Donostia, Vinoteca, Sandy's, The Portman and Borough Barista. 

The family-friendly Gail's store looks deceptively small at the front, but inside there is a large cafe space, with a big area at the back of the shop that I am already eyeing up for future coffee mornings and meet-ups. There are easily accessible baby changing facilities and high chairs. They have wi-fi as well. 

The menu changes throughout the day - breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea - plus there is all the lovely bread and cakes that are beautifully displayed in the store that you can choose from too. 

Gail's is a great addition to the local area. Welcome! 

More local news… Those of you who receive The Portman magazine will have read that we will soon be getting a fishmonger opening here too! Its great to see that the Portman Estate is encouraging businesses that cater to the needs of the local population. 

This July Portman Square will be open to the public at certain times. There will be lots of fun events going on, and screens showing sports, a cinema night as well as lots of other activities. More information can be found here Summer in the Square

There is a small playground in Portman Square, with a slide and a couple of swings, but the swings are suitable only for older children (in fact my feet can't even touch the ground when I sit on them, and I am 5ft1'). I do wish they would put a baby swing in the playground, as I only ever see the odd teenager using the swing, which is a bit of a w