I've been to London twice now, but I still have not been able to experience the city like I would like. The visits are always too short and I never seem to bring enough money. The first time I went I could not believe that people were actually drinking in the streets. What?!? Can you tell how Canadian I am? It makes for such a social culture, one that is so prominent in Europe and definitely missing in parts of North America. Perhaps if London experienced -40 degree celsius temperatures like we do here in Canada they might be a little more inclined to hibernate. But that's not the case. London is bursting at the seams with creativity. There is so much to do, see, eat, and learn that I doubt even its city dwellers are able to keep up. With yet another good friend of mine having moved there temporarily a few weeks ago, I thought I'd post some of the highlights from my last visit this June.
La Petite Maison. This was hands down the best restaurant experience I have had in quite some time. The standout service, elegant yet casual dining room, and delicious Provençal food was somehow all I needed to forget that I had traveled over 4000 miles that day.
LPM uses tomatoes and lemons as their centerpieces. Once our first courses came, (tuna carpaccio, pissaladiere, olive tapenade, and burrata) our waiter informed us that we were free to also eat the tomatoes. And what wonderful tomatoes they were! This restaurant couldn't get any better.
But then it did.I ordered the Pruneaux d'Agen servis avec de la Glace au Pain d'Epices (Marinated Agen Prunes served with Ginger bread ice cream). So simple, yet so, so good! Actually, I was a little upset I had to share until I tasted the passionfruit cheesecake that one of my dinner companions had ordered. I don't care for traditional american cheesecake but this one was a whole different story. Light, velvety, and fruity. Worth every bite. This was after our main course of Cote de Veau Grillee, Haricots verts et Pommes de terre gratinees (Grilled veal chop, Green beans and gratin potatoes). Absolutely divine. I would have taken a picture but the maitre d' saw me with my camera and kindly asked me if I wouldn't mind putting it away...Florence Welch was sitting at the bar and had requested no pictures. Okay then. That didn't stop me from snapping the desserts without the flash. Sorry Florence, that night it was all about La Petite Maison. ;) http://www.lpmlondon.co.uk/