Belated- Birthday Lunch

Saw St John's Restaurant on the internet, apparently it's the 'fav restaurant of chefs' -so let's see what the other -half eat I thought... A perfect B-Day present.

"Head to Tail" is their motto, that and traditional English cooking. I had perused the menu so I did know what I was getting into as we approached Smithfields Market (London's major meat market), the restaurant's gigantic neighbor.

Our meal... 

Brown Crabmeat on Toast

Duck Hearts, Watercress & Pickled Walnut (*)

Snail, Sausage & Chickpea

Roast Middlewhite, Trotter (the top of pigs feet) & Prunes

Eccles Cake & Lancashire Cheese (*)

Jam Rolly Polly

It was really good.!.!. The duck hearts actually being one of the most delicious items.Hey, at least we didn't order the 'Blood Cake & Fried Eggs" or "Kid Faggot & Braised Red Cabbage" (which is simply goat meatballs and cabbage- but sounds like a punk of a Garbage Pail Kid). 

A picture of da' hearts for ya!!

http://www.stjohnrestaurant.com/menus/

Regents Park

Now that the weather is nice I have been out and about in  Regents Park a lot. 

I really like it because:

• Its got a lot of diversity with grasslands, wetlands, wooded areas, and sports fields. With in each there is even more diversity in pretty flowers and interesting trees. At he center there is a 'secret garden' with a palm tree section!!
• There are a lot of animals especially birds (a lot of bird watchers can be found here). Again, a lot of diversity, and many of them tend to be freakishly people friendly. Oh, there is also a zoo- where you can steal sneak peeks at the emus and lambs when walking along the dirt path behind it. 
• Lot of grassy areas for picnics and playing sports- even 12 tennis courts.
• Lots of Americans - there were eight villas built within the parks grounds. Some of which now house an American University and the US Ambassadors house, where Obama stayed the other week. 

Not sure how this park stays so nice- guess it's because all royal parks are locked up at dusk and reopened at 5am. Here are some pix of Easter inspired flower beds....

Sticks

Went past James Smith & Sons today, an old Victorian shop selling umbrellas and sticks since 1840. Famed for its quality and repair services its products are crafted in the basement of the store, and sourced from small family firms around the UK. Beside the sticks, the interior hasn't changed for over 140 yrs so it is a sight to see. Today they sell men and womens umbrellas, specialty umbrellas (the red one picturesd- cool, but people look like dopes walking around with them), canes, walking sticks, seat sticks (for hunting?), umbrella seat sticks 

(for the unfortunate?) , and folding seats. Of which my favorite is the 'Tripod Crook Handle Seat' a combination between a cane and a folding seat (pictured). 

Definitely worth a visit, but you can also check it out online.

Topshop Kids

Thought this was a good week to put up these photos as Topshop opened it's doors in NYC this week. Saturday is the day when Oxford Circus, in particular the Topshop there (biggest in the UK) is really crazy. It's when all the manic teens come to stock up on key fashion items they've bee aching for all week. Wearing last weeks finds-- they huddle together around the back of the store- away from Oxford and Regents streets- to seek refuge, exchange style tips, and recover from the giant holes in their wallets....

Bagel or Beigel...

Who said you cant find a good bagel in London. I've tried the spongy bagels from NY style bagel shops - no good.  But on Brick Lane they've got a deli- British Style with the bagel's cousin.. Mr Beigel. Not quite as crispy on the outside or light on the inside. But served with delicious salmon or salt beef in the middle. Delicious.....

Material Girl!

Went to the exhibit of Madonna's dance and movie costumes at the Old Truman Brewery last week. A weird place with Madonna's music blaring- seemed like some uber-fan's industrial size loft at first. It was pretty hokey overall- but very cool. I'm not a major fan, but I definitely left in the M-zone. Up close you could see the wear and tear on the costumes. I can't really imagine today's Madonna running around in these polyester get-up's. Guess everyone's gotta start somewhere. Most dresses were designed by Adrianne Phillips. A lot of Evita dresses, the infamous red material girl dress, Jean Paul Gautier's Tasseled Teddy. Each of the mannequins were accompanied by a mini-me Barbie doll wearing the exact same outfit- kind weird. Highlights were what I call the 'Kitchen Sink Dress' (pictured here from the back) this was from the 'Like a Virgin' tour. A wall full of magazine covers with Madonna on the cover from over the years, Concert paraphernalia, divorce papers from Sean Penn, Concert t-shirts and posters from the beginning of Madonna-time, and 'Desperately Seeking Susan' dolls (who knew?).  

More 'Spoons

You may ask yourself. Why leave my living room for Wetherspoons? Why? Because you wont experience much culture shock and you may even meet people. Where else can you get two pints of Green King IPA for 2.60, or buy a bottle of wine for 1 pound more than a glass. Where else can you surf the Internet and watch TV for hours. Well, Wetherspoons. You may have to fight off a drunk to watch the channel you want, but with grocery store prices on booze and the same amenities as home sweet home, why not? Try Wetherspoons this weekend, you will find it truly is, your home away from home. ; ) .

PS. Dont leave home without reading their 'Responsible drinking guide' on the Wetherspoons website; www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/social-responsibility/drinks.php#section-header 

Also, don't worry if you get lost on the way to the bathroom there are fool proof signs with arrows leading back to the bar for even the most dedicated drunkard.