Friday, 4 May, 2018
My friend, Virginia (Jinni), and her husband Dave are visiting London. This means a lot of guiding and walking. Most of what I see is familiar but I do sometimes spot something new and that’s always a nice suprise!
On Monday, I met them for a local walk around for groceries. Instead of the fish and chip dinner I thought we might have we went to a pasta place close to their hotel. To my mind, the Italians tend to undercook ravioli. At least, I know that it’s supposed to be al dente and that’s fine but I think I prefer my ravioli and pasta a bit more tender than that. Doesn’t have to be soft but … yes, tender. It’s made me more determined to make a little of my own. After making it with a machine and with a rolling pin, I say the machine wins for the thinner, more tender, dough.
We started our walk near Arnold Circus (my usual route). The middle garden area was looking like Spring was taking hold. A nice oasis in busy Shoreditch.
We aren’t wimps but let’s say we are getting older. We stopped in The London Tea Exchange on Brick Lane. The server comes to your table and asks what you’re looking for and then choose a few options for you to smell and consider. I chose the Green tea with Rose. It was very fragrant and refreshing. I was already starting to feel the warmer weather after the past several wet and cold ones. Five pounds well spent? Hmmm.
I had booked three spaces at Ottolenghi so we arrived and ordered our dinner. The prices have gone up – no surprise – my cold main and two salads was £18.80. I enjoyed it but thought I might have got the end of the roast since it wasn’t as rare as it used to be. Still, I made good choices – with Roasted butternut squash with nigella yoghurt, grilled spring onion and green chilli, Green beans, red endive with miso tahini and toasted sesame, and the fillet of beef.
I had been trying for over a week to get some spaces at Skygarden. It was definitely frustrating me. On Monday morning I was ready to grab spots for Tuesday and stupidly was waiting for something to show up while still on the April calendar. When I figured out what I was doing wrong, it was too late, no spots. Still, I knew that cancellation spots turned up if you keep checking and to my surprise as we left Ottolenghi, five spots showed for 3pm. I quickly selected three spots and prayed I’d been on time. I was! It was 2:20pm.
Every time I go to Skygarden now I think I don’t need to come back, but there I was and, despite the dull sky, I took a few photos for posterity!
Back on the ground, we headed back to Spitalfields Market along Lime Street. First we explored Leadenhall Market. It’s always nice to see how visitors respond to this place. It really is stunning even when bits of it are marred by construction and roadworks. Then along past Lloyds and the Willis building, passing by the anatomical man, statue, towards the Gherkin.
We took a break in Spitalfields Market and had a drink. We rested our legs long enough to have the energy to walk along Great Eastern Street to Old Street and our respective buses home.
Our Thursday was to Marylebone, starting at St Pancras. There’s a new art installation commemorating the First World War.
We headed along to Marylebone High Street and the obligatory stop in Daunt Books. Things were cool and calm in there. Quite lovely!
Then heading back out of the high street area, we ogled some of the properties along Harley Street, with Jinni dreaming of grabbing a Harley Street job when she comes to live in London (a dream!). I noticed for the first time that, although a high fallutin’ doctor in the UK, has the ironic right to call themselves ‘Mr.’ there is no such things for women – they remain ‘Dr.’ Wonder if there’s something I’m missing.
I’d paid for a simple tea at the Wellcome Kitchen. I think it was a little bit too simple but it did give Jin and I some time alone to chat and relax. In fact, I couldn’t eat all of this, despite the small portions and skimpy fillings. Not recommended for visitors though.
Jinni had Selfridges on her list so off we went with the 30 bus. We checked out the food hall and then headed straight for the shoe galleries. Rooms and rooms of impossible shoes – some of them gorgeous. Then we found the Sophia Webster display and it stopped us dead. Who wears these?!
Those shoes: $686
“Sophia Webster Designer Shoes Pink Maribou & Pastel Talulah Sandals
For spring, Sophia Webster captures the dreaminess of Cicely Mary Barker’s fairy and flower illustrations. Made from patent-leather, these sandals frame the foot with laser-cut butterflies and a swathe of fluffy feathers along the front strap. Try yours with a slinky black dress.”