Call us cheesy, but momondo has gone crazy for coagulated milk. We've given our writers the mission of uncovering 'le meilleur fromage' in Paris, 'il migliore formaggio' in Rome, the stinkiest cheeses in New York and the hands-down best cheeses in London; Madrid and Brussels. So grab yourself some bread and wine and join us on this tour of the best cheese shops in Europe.

London 

A café, a deli, an eatery and special cheese shop? It’s a little bit of everything and, most of all, a French touch in the middle of London. La Fromagerie is a hidden gem, and famous amongst locals for its quality cheese and cosy atmosphere.

I recently had a meeting with a man, who knew almost every pocket in London. Or at least he used to. I don’t usually feel a need to impress people but, this time, I felt obliged to surprise him – and I did it with a little cheese.

He soon learned that Marylebone village is such a charming neighbourhood just a few minutes (literally) from Oxford Street. And, that most people fall in love with its beautiful fromagerie – where shiny vegetables, jars and tins sit alongside olive tapenades and all sorts of candy for gourmets.

While divine, smelly (in a good way) cheeses are displayed so temptingly in the chilled cheese room that you feel like a chef just looking at them.

It’s like a fresh farm shop with added city vibe, and can be extremely busy on weekends. During the week, it’s a fairly quiet place to enjoy a cheese plate and read your newspaper at a rustic wooden table.

La Fromagerie, 2-6 Moxon Street, W1U 4EW. Tube: Baker Street or Regents Park

The décor is so much that it’s perfect. It is shiny, sparkling, dazzling, shimmering… and it’s Napket. I love to have my favorite health treat a carrot; beetroot and apple shake in this dramatic and glamorous room.

Especially after shopping in the surrounding shops in this end, the most interesting part of the famous high street King’s Road.  I first noticed this modern urban café chain (3 outlets in London) thanks to my good friend, who loves shopping and eating so much, that she probably serves herself meals in her dreams dressed in her new Vanessa Bruno dress.

She describes Napket as a gourmet wall of elaborate salads, exotic sandwiches and slabs of cake cut from what looked like loaves of bread. She remembers almost every bite in details because she writes everything on a note and copies the dish at home. It is that good. Just listen to her:

"I jumped on the watermelon juice (not often you find that in London) and tucked into a mini grilled tandoori and yoghurt wrap and endive salad with figs, gorgonzola, apple, walnuts and balsamic vinegar and parma ham.”

As extra modern gimmicks there are iPod connections at the tables and black, scented toilet paper.

Napket; 342 King’s Road, Chelsea, Tube: Sloane Square

Persephone Books 

'It is hard to be hip over thirty'. No this isn’t my confession (it might as well have been), but the title of my favourite book of poems from my all time favourite book shop.

London is the greatest place to shop for books. There are books on just about anything – even a coffee table book about coffee tables.

Head for the gigantic Waterstone’s on Piccadilly for the ‘3 for 2’ deals. Or do, as I love to do and visit the charming Persephone Books, which has recently become a small chain with two outlets. And sorry guys, but this one is strictly for the girls.

Persephone Books

This independent publishing house specialises in decorative, arty, old, rare and overlooked books by female authors.

I heard about the retired publisher’s initiative from a bestseller author I once interviewed – and immediately bought the sweet 'Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day' (soon out as a movie), along with several other books all with bookmarks and covers made from iconic art patterns and designs.

Persephone Books

59 Lamb's Conduit Street London, WC1N 3NB. Tube: Russel Square or Holborn

109 Kensington Church Street London, W8 7LN. Tube: Notting Hill Gate or Kensington High Street

The mainstream American kitchen has a bad reputation and frankly it is well deserved. But of course New York is different and Babbo proves that eating out can be absolutely fantastic. I really can’t believe I walked by this restaurant for so many years without booking a table.It’s a charming Italian eatery that’s earned more than just a terrific reputation with locals – it’s also been named a top place to dine.

Normally, you have to book weeks in advance. Luckily they reserve a few tables for booking on the day, which is how I got to celebrate my birthday with delicious beetroot tartar and linguine with clams and pancetta.

The atmosphere is rustic, friendly, cosy and down to earth with not a shred of snobbery. The bar is buzzing with people meeting for an after –work, pre-dinner drink. If you don’t book in advance, be prepared to sit very close to your fellow diners – which is just added value if you like to eavesdrop.

Babbo, 110 Waverly Place (the northwest corner of Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village)

I will briefly mention the most reputed and hyped shoe brands Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik, which are the shoes’ answer to Mozart. Shoe fashionistas flock to their temples.

Christian Louboutin is located on 23 Motcomb Street in Knightsbridge and Manolo Blahnik can be found on 49-51 Old Church Street in Chelsea. But I would rather suggest the far more charming designer, Tracy Neuls, who makes shoes with personality and humor, twisted toes and slanting heels. I went to her shop, TN29, with a colleague on research for an article on shoes and we each ended up spending all our money on a pair of ingenious red shoes. It was true love.

The shoes look like they’re straight out of a Harry Potter movie and costume designers from the film industry actually come here to borrow shoes for shoots. The shop is sometimes used for tiny theater productions at night. Tracy Neuls has two lines; one is expensive and the other more expensive!

TN 29, 29 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2NQ. Tube: Bond Street.

Extract from Karin Graabaek's book LONDON my love!, published by Gyldendal.