So, I was in the U.K. for a week for work. Eight days, actually. I had a few goals, knowing that I’d spend most of my time working … These were the food-related activities I wanted to do:
- Visit Chinatown
- Enjoy an Indian food dinner
- Eat the way the locals did
- Enjoy dessert. Lots of desserts. Or at least one good one.
- Go to a British Pub. Enjoy some fish & chips
- Avoid eating in the hotel if possible. Such a cop out and always too expensive.
- Find a Starbucks.
Here is a quick photojournal. You can see for yourself how I did:
I didn’t actually go to this one. I just liked the name. So many kitschy-named pubs all over the place. This goal would actually be tough, because I don’t particularly like beer, and I am a bit self-conscious drinking alone.
Fish. Check. Chips. Check. Even a little tartar sauce. Was that too American? Oh well.
I didn’t actually get one of these, but I loved the pyramid. I ended up with a chocolate crossaint instead (pain du chocolat or something like that). It was meh.
You always know where the pubs are around London by the little (or sometimes huge) crowd of smokers standing around outside. That’s right, pubs are smoke-free in London believe it or not. This was a work-related function that I crashed. Made for checking off the pub task easier.
I guess the East End is where it really is at for great Indian food. I didn’t have the time to get out there, but there were plenty of smaller Indian places all over the city, including outside my window. I didn’t go to that one as it was empty nearly every time I checked. This place had folks coming in right after dinner, got a decent review from urbanspoon. I was seated so I could watch their dumbwaiter system in action, which I loved. AND they gave me a yellow rose at the end of my meal. Is that supposed to signify something? Rogan Josh & Saag Paneer.
This spot (Le Pain Quotidien) ended up as a go-to place for dinner. And once for dessert. It was low-key, oh yeah, and across the street from the hotel. I’m reading “Pride & Prejudice”
I couldn’t help but notice how many people walk and eat in this city. Tons of places all over the city where you can pick up a quick breakfast, sandwich, salad, etc and either eat-in or takeaway. I wanted to be like them, so I found a couple of Pasty Shops at Victoria Station and gave it a shot. Only I didn’t walk and eat. I walked back to the hotel and ate.
Look, British Cupcakes! I didn’t get one of these, though my friend from college who I was able to visit did treat us to some chocolate eclairs from this place. Magnificent!
You can see my reflection in the glass. Lots of women making dumplings in front of the window, to entice us tourists to come in, no doubt. I didn’t have enough cash on me for a sit-down lunch so just snapped the pic instead.
Other places I visited: Wagamama (noodle shop chain); Pret A Manger; M&S Simply Foods; work cafeteria; The, ahem, hotel (breakfast was free, and actually pretty good. I also got lazy one night and ate dinner there. Big mistake as it was the least interesting and most expensive meal I had the entire week, without ordering a glass of wine!) and of course, this “cafe”, which as it turned out I frequented more than once:
For some reason, I was drawn to cappuccinos all week. Must have been a Europe thing. Did you know you get TWO shots in your tall espresso beverage? They do it RIGHT.
So. How’d I do?
