Gotham Gal

China Tiang

Our neighbors, from the city, recommended we try China Tiang which is located in the Dorchester Hotel.  We had dinner there on Friday night and it was fantastic.  I wish we had a group of 10 so I could have tried more.  We mixed it up between the dim sum menu and the dinner menu.

 Steamed beef soup dumplings

 Pork buns

 Peking Duck.  This comes in two courses or three courses.  Two courses begins with the classic duck and pancakes.  The second course is taking what is left on the bone and making a stir fry out of it.  Sort of tastes like moo-shoo duck.  The third would be taking the bones and making a soup.  We opted for two courses.

 Here is the second course of duck.

 Roasted pork belly and vegetables in a clay pot.  Wow.

 Stir fried greens.  Not even sure what they were called but they were crispy and perfect. 

 Chocolate dumplings out of sheer curiosity.  Interesting.  Gooey chocolate wrapped inside a dumpling wrapper and steamed.  Can't really go wrong.

Dinner was so good.  Made me love Chinese food again.  I'd consider going back again before we leave.

Wrap up before the road trip

We are nearing the end of this trip.  I could easily leave tomorrow but the reason we are here in the first place is Emily is taking classes at Central St. Martins.  Her class ends next Friday afternoon and we leave on Sunday.  I figured I would give her one day to do last minute things before bolting out of town.  I didn't think it would become a family vacation.  Next week, the gang is all here.  Tomorrow, Fred, Josh and I depart for a side trip to Normandy.  We are staying in Deauville.

Josh is slowly losing it and quite frankly I don't blame him.  Luckily, Josh and Fred did a day of golf on Thursday which unfortunately made Josh crave even more activity.  We do run almost daily in Green Park but it isn't the same thing.  I can't shoot hoops.

 Emily and I spent the day hitting up a few stores on Thursday while the boys played golf.  First stop Selfridge's.  The store is so frenetic.  The food halls are crazy.  No pictures which I will never understand why.  We had lunch at the salad place called chop'd.  Think someone saw that in NYC and knocked it off?  Duh. 

We walked over to Brown's which is a great boutique with both the classic lines and new designer lines.  I have yet to come across anything that I can't get in NYC in any of these stores.  Alas.  Acne in NYC doesn't do a great job but I have found their stores overseas are great.  Not sure why.  Otherwise, nothing unique.  Highlight of the day was shopping with Posh and David Beckham at Acne.  Serious sighting.

 Emily took off for Amsterdam with her friend and her Mom Friday morning and had dinner with them on Thursday night leaving the three of us alone.  We went to Ikeda.  Excellent Japanese food.  Fred ordered a bottle of sake and they gave him the entire bottle with one glass.  Kind of strange.  Had to wave someone down for another glass.  We tried a braised pork belly in sake and soy sauce with mustard and spinach on the side among other things.  So good.

 Josh and I went for the chirasi.  Raw fish over rice.    Perfect.  Green tea ice cream with red beans for dessert.  Yum.

 Today, we got up late.  Fred had a board meeting and Josh and I went over to South London for lunch.  Up to Oxo tower.  An area of London that was definitely planned to create an economy.  Lots of stores in a plaza surrounding Oxo Tower.  The views at Oxo Tower were great.  Modern architecture.  Pleasantly surprised by the food.  We split three things.  Mozzarella, caponata, pesto, grilled crispy piece of bread and a few sun-dried tomatoes.  The caponata was delicious.  We even took the time to figure out what exactly was in it.

 Grilled squid with a brush of black ink, two slices of chorizo and a mango aioli.  Nice.

 Half a small chicken with perfectly grilled corn bread, a small cup of barbecue sauce and a asian tasting cole slaw.  The chicken was perfect.  Juicy with a hint of cajun spices.

 Nice views.

We left and opted for the movies.  The movies might be what get us through next week.  Looking at the schedules now.  Thinking of seeing a movie a day.  The next movie playing when we finally got to Leicester Square was the A-Team.  At this point, I didn't care, just wanted to see something.  I really liked it.  Laugh out loud, totally stupid.  Josh and I had a blast.

Home for a little rest before our run.  Still talking about our favorite lines.  That is always a good thing. 

Golf prep

Josh was going golfing with Fred and needed to get the appropriate gear.  Even if he had brought his golf clothes and shoes from home, nothing would fit him anymore. 

We started the day walking over to Carnaby Street.  In college did I actually think Carnaby street was cool?  Just a bunch of stores, kind of tacky. 

Josh had to have his iced chai tea fix at Starbucks.

I went for a frozen yogurt at the pop-up Snog store in Liberty of London. 

Love how they put out the fruit and chocolates.

Stopped in Howie's on Carnaby.

Stopped in Beyond the Valley on Newburgh, off of Carnaby.

Pub across the way where lots of drinking was going on at 130pm on a Wednesday afternoon.  Nice.

Walked over to the Golf shop on Maddox Street.  Couldn't be nicer in there.  Shoes, pants, polo, glove and vest, Josh looked quite sporty and like a real golfer. 

We walked down the Regent Street Food Quarter for lunch.  Nothing great down there but a nice outdoor cafes.  We lunched at Piccolino.

Josh relaxed.

I relaxed.

Pizza.

Salad.  Neither great.

Walked over to Fortnum and Mason where Josh bought what he was making for dins.  Hitting the greens early in the morning. 

More on Sloan Square

We went to see Sucker Punch last night at the Royal Court Theater.  A 90 minute, no intermission play.  We got there a little early and had a drink in the basement where there is a bar and a restaurant. 

The play takes place in the 1980's.  Two friends who go very separate ways, become boxers, fight each other and come to terms with who they are.  Or do they?  The play is really about racism with boxing just being the center of the story, no pun intended.  The anger between whites and blacks in England during the Thatcher years was tension filled.  Although both boxers are winners, they are both losers as they still depend on someone else to be who they are.  How both men react to the racism on the street turning to boxing as a way out and find that racism still exists everywhere.  The physical acting every night must be grueling.  A really interesting play.  Well done.

After leaving the play we walked down Kings Road to Cadogan Arms.  A gastropub.  Great old farm feeling with antlers on the walls and pictures of fish.  Pool tables upstairs.  The beer here is so good.

Emily and I each had for the first course goat cheese and heirloom tomatoes stuffed in a pie crust cylinder.  They called it goat cheese fondue.  A handful of arugula on the side.  In England arugula is called rocket.  Excellent dish. 

Josh went with the cup of prawns and Fred had parsley and razor clams stuffed into squid.  Not as good as the goat cheese.  

Main courses.  Josh went with the classic fish and chips.  Really well done.  Light and crispy.

Fred had the plaice.  The white fish of choice in England.  Good not great.

Emily and I split the whole roasted chicken.  Fantastic.  Under the skin was a bit of a stuffing.  Couldn't figure out exactly what it was but the chicken was juicy and delicious. 

For dessert Em ordered the chocolate ice cream and cake pudding.  Everything is pudding here.  Heavy duty chocolate.  One bite is all Josh and I needed.  Emily and Fred devoured it.

Home to bed...a really good night. 

Kings Road

After my exhausting morning dealing with Swiss Post and the British Post, we finally got out of the apartment.  We grabbed the bus which took us directly into Sloan Square and down Kings Road.  We got off at Bluebird. 

Bluebird is a bit of a concept store.  Mostly clothes, a few cafes and some home items.  Large open space.   We had lunch at the cafe.  The store reminds me a bit of Merci in Paris blended together with Corso Como in Milan.  

Stopped in their food shop.  At this point everyone has one.

Walked across the street to a cupcake store.  I believe the store is called Love Cupcakes.  We all split the one with rhubarb cream.  Excellent.  That is Josh's thumb in the corner.

Love the tiny cup cakes.  Photo by Emily.

Next door was a chocolate store called Rocco.  Smelled exquisite in there but believe it or not I wasn't in the chocolate mood.

We took the bus back, riding on top, to Sloan Square to walk through the Saatchi Gallery.  All art from young artists.  Who knows where any of them will be in 10 years.  It is truly genius what Saatchi has done.  Collecting young artists before they even get out of the box based on what he likes.  Don't we all wish we could do that?

This piece was hanging outside the museum door.  We all loved it.

A room of amps with music was by the artist John Wynne.

A row of head sculptures by Jonathan Baldock. 

It Happened in the Corner by Littlewhitehead.  I could have sworn they moved.

Two pieces by Hurvin Anderson.  And there were more. 

Hurvin Anderson is really good.  I really like his work. 

Back home for a little rest and relaxation, a run through the park and out later. 

Swiss Post sucks

Image via Wikipedia

Swiss Post is possibly the worst mail system in the world.  Well, probably not, but after dealing with at least 10 people on the phone at Swiss Post over the past week, I am aghast at how they are in their own private Idaho.  No surprises there, they are a totally independent neutral country in the midst of a European bloc and appear to be very happy to stay that way.  After this past dealing with Swiss Post, I am not so sure I want to return to Switzerland in the near future.

Emily left some medications at our hotel in Switzerland.  It is not the first time and hopefully it will be the last but I sincerely doubt it.   DNA is a powerful thing.  Josh is Mr. Organization like me.  Emily tends to lose things and forget things.  It is incredibly frustrating for me since I am organized and it is hard to wrap my arms around.  Also, I deal with the repercussions such as replacing lost items.  Jessica is somewhere in the middle but leans heavily towards Emily.

When she realized she forgot the meds, I called the hotel in Switzerland immediately.  The cost to overnight the goods from Switzerland to London was $1300.  I could have flown round trip to Zurich for less money.  Outrageous.  I asked them to send them Fedex or DHL.  It was a Saturday.  The hotel recommended that since it was Saturday that they send them Swiss Post and they would get there by Tuesday.  That was mistake number two.  Number one was leaving the meds in the hotel.

Over the past day, I have easily talked to 9 people at Swiss Post and probably 8 at the British Post too.  I am actually an expert on how the system works now.  It doesn't.  It appears that the computer system can not really be accessed by anyone on either side.  Perhaps the Internet hasn't cut down on mail but I would think it would.  At one point, the only mail that I expect to receive is a monthly magazine ( although that is questionable ), a package or the once in a while special handwritten note.  If there is less volume, you would think the system would be more efficient. 

Yesterday, someone from Swiss Post informed the hotel in Switzerland that the meds would be there in the afternoon.  Never got them.  On Swiss Post's site, the package says delivered.  I called them this morning to find out where because we did not receive them.  Their answer is, we don't know but it has been delivered.  They don't have a Great Britain number which the package should get once it hits GB and that number should be attached to the Swiss Post number.  They do not have any scan for the address and who signed for it.  They don't even have the address it is going to on the Swiss Post site.  All they know is they are going to start an investigation.  There are no records whatsoever.  None.  No manager who has the special password to get into the system at another level.  No Great Britain number just the Swiss number.  They have nothing and they don't give a shit.  Honestly, it was like talking to an uneducated person today.  No passion, no care, no information, no nothing. 

If Swiss Post defines their country, then staying neutral is their best bet. 

Amaya

Last time when were in London with the kids we had dinner at Amaya.  We returned last night with our new NYC neighbors who happen to be in London this summer too.  Excellent Indian food and excellent company. She is from here and he lived in London for 12 years, I believe that is the number.

We went a bit crazy ordering but well worth every bite.  First thing out was black pepper chicken tandoori.  Bite sized morsels of juicy chicken that comes with a variety of different dips (spicy and sweet) and rubs (spicy and sweet).  A good kick off to the meal

Sesame coated grilled asparagus.  Different, well prepared.

Large tandoori ocean prawns that were amazing.  Perfectly cooked tons of flavor and a hint of spice.

Fish cakes although I believe they are called tiki.  This was my least favorite thing we ate last night.  Although crispy and well done, it just didn't rock my boat.

Broccoli that had been steamed with a yogurt sauce was really different and delicious.

Tandoori duck was awesome.  Fell off the bone.  So good.  I'd go back for this alone.

Naan.

Tandoori Naan.  Quite crispy.

Eggplant

Lamb chops.  Perfectly cooked with a nice spice to them.

This yogurt sauce had pomegranite seeds inside.  I couldn't get enough.  I was putting it on everything.

Roasted peppers stuffed with feta cheese and spices.  Everyone was surprised at how good this was.

Chicken Biryani.  At this point we all hit the wall but this too was delicious.

For dessert, pieces of grill mango.

Yes, we rolled home and yes I would go back again before we leave. 

Tower of London....seriously?

As the kids get older and we continue to travel, we spend our time with a different focus.  We gravitate towards museums, galleries, stores, restaurants and neighborhoods.  We really don't even bother with places that most people would go visit on their first journey to a new place.  When the girls were younger, I took them to London with my Mom and sister and we went to the Tower of London.  Now that we are here, I keep thinking that I should take Josh to see a few of the classic tourist stops that the girls got to see may years ago.  Or maybe not.

Today Josh and I got up and went over to the Tower of London.  He was a good sport although ragged on me most of the time we were there, all in jest.  He said it was like going on the 8th grade Williamsburg trip.  We walked through a few different areas and stood in line for the Crown Jewels.  Josh took out his iPhone and showed me the crown jewels before we made our way in.  He made his point.  So, in the end, I did the guilty mother thing.  We did do it but now I'm over it.  Although I would like to take him to Westminster Abbey.

We made our way over to Modern Pantry for lunch.  A cute modern space on St. John's Square.  Good lunch. 

We both began with a salad.  Grilled chorizo with a salad of braised fennel and red onions mixed with watercress, thinly sliced pieces of beets and crispy quinoa tossed with a pomegranate molasses dressing.  Excellent.  The flavors were so good together.  Might have been one of the best things we have had since we have been in London.

For the main, Josh went with the Sea Bass in a lemongrass saffron broth, squid, clams and chorizo stuffed baby squid.  Light and full of flavor.

I had the lamb.  A little heavy for lunch but well done.  Two small grilled lamb chops over a mixture of borlotti beans, baby artichokes, roasted red peppers and a shallot dressing.  A roasted vegetable mixture.

No dessert.  We left and walked back to the stores I had seen the other day in Shoreditch stopping at the Albion at the Boundary for coffee and a snack. 

A very long day. 

sunday as it should be

Sunday is about taking it easy and so we did.  We got up and caught the last half hour of breakfast being served at The Wolsely.

Scrambled eggs, very soft, for me.

Bagel, lox and cream cheese for Josh.

English breakfast for Fred.  The girls were sleeping, of course.

If you have never experienced Speakers Corner in Hyde Park on Sunday mornings, it is worth going once.  Alive and well since 1862 when people were allowed the "right to speak". I have not been back since my college years but I thought Josh would enjoy it.  He did.  There were three speakers this morning.  Speaker one is above.

Speaker two.

Speaker three.

We attempted to get Fred some golf clothes for his outing tomorrow.  I also took both Josh and Fred to see the Summer Exhibit at the Royal Academy.  Josh wanted to buy more art than I already purchased.  No surprises there. 

Dinner was at home.  Josh made mushroom, shallot and jack cheese stuffed chicken breasts.  Recipe he made up in his head. Pretty damn good. 

For dessert, a chocolate mousse Josh whipped by hand.  Totally surprised that he made this too. Quite impressive and oh so good.

Mellow Sunday....just how I like them.

Hot Bread Kitchen

I have joined the board of Hot Bread Kitchen and am absolutely thrilled.  I love what this company is doing.  Conceptually if the profit end of the business can fund the non-profit end down the line, this company can be sustainable without ever having to raise another dime.  A win win at every angle.  A bakery that enhances the future of women.  I love that.  HBK could potentially be rolled out into cities across the country or even across the world.  What a wonderful way to integrate the immigration population into a community that they have chosen to start a new life.  

Check out the piece that was done on the Today show this past week. 

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