With all the great cities, like New York, Sydney and London, there are several worlds living side by side. On a recent holiday to London, I discovered it's possible to get involved in them all. On the same day, I ate at three of East London's best new restaurants and then watched Premier League football in West London at a local derby football match. Who's to say we can't indulge both ends of the spectrum? Mr D proves otherwise and shows you how to get involved.

I'd heard about the London Restaurant Festival via a friend and knew I had to get amongst it on a quick weekend break to London. Over 550 of London's best restaurants take part, for two weeks in mid-October, offering well-priced fixed menus. There are also some headline events surrounding the festival. Celebrity chefs and Michelin-starred chefs hosted dinner in the London Eye, London's most popular tourist attraction, and there were also 'Gourmet Odyssey' events.

The odyssey idea is simple - three courses, three restaurants, a fixed menu, a London neighbourhood, a celebrity chef host and some excellent wines. You walk or bus (on an old-style London bus) between the venues, depending on distance. I bought two tickets on one hosted by an Australian celebrity chef. It wasn't hard finding a date to accept my extremely generous invite.

I opted for an odyssey around the uber-cool Shoreditch area of East London, near the City of London around Spitalfields Market. Champagne and canapés kicked things off at L'Anima, a hot new Italian spot, followed by a porcini and truffles starter. Onwards to a brilliant new bar-brasserie-restaurant, The LUXE for an Asian-style marinated chicken. We wrapped things up at the excellent The Hawksmoor for that quintessential British dessert, trifle, though the place is best known for its awesome steaks.

Afterwards, my date was keen to head back to mine but I had other ideas - football. I had tickets with an old friend for one of London's best derby football matches (a derby game is one between two local rivals - think Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid) and there was no way I was missing it. I consoled her the best I could, by sending her shopping.

It was a taxi ride down to Fulham's ground, Craven Cottage, overlooking the River Thames in West London. Fulham played Tottenham Hotspurs (better known as Spurs) and the atmosphere was electric. I refused the traditional half-time pie, either full from lunch or sick with nerves - it was a tight game, 1-1 at half-time. It was worse by the end, Fulham lost 2-1.

But I'd had a spectacular day - sipping champagne with a celebrity chef at the start and belting out support at the football with a beer by the end. That, my friends, is how a Saturday should be done. Try one of these for inspiration:   

Three more of the best food festivals:

1. Hong Kong - one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities hosts an annual festival each November.
2. Sydney - over 600 restaurants take part in the Sydney International Food Festival each October.  
3. New York - celebrity chef events and restaurants combine each October at the Wine and Food Festival.

Three more of the best football derby matches:

1. Milan, Italy - Internazionale vs. AC Milan.
2. Manchester, England - Manchester United vs. Manchester City.
3. Spain - Atletico Madrid v.s Real Madrid.