First Day in London!

23 December, 2015

The late evening arrival the night before makes this morning much more civilized. While I completely understand the logistic advantages of overnight (redeye) flight schedules there is much to be said for traveling during your normal waking hours and arriving at a time that somewhat matches a "normal" bedtime.  The bread, butter, and jam we requested for the flat gives us a bit of something to eat before heading out to shop for additional provisions. Visiting the Borough Market is always an experience and this time we have a kitchen so we can purchase more than just a nibble here and a nibble there. Getting there is straightforward, take either the Northern or Jubilee lines on the Underground to the London Bridge station and look for the exit signs directing you to Borough Market. When you emerge at street level look for additional signage (you should be in front of a Nat West Bank on Southwark St, nearly at the corner of Stoney St. - go right on Stoney St. and you're at the edge of the market.)

                   

The market is a seemingly endless array of sensory overload. Some stalls are cooking ready-to-eat dishes for the lunch crowd that descends on a daily basis. Those not offering dishes are quick to provide samples that obviously pay huge dividends in the sales that result. The vast majority of products are artisanal or boutique production and the extra care and personal touch is apparent in the flavors, textures, and aromas that float before you. (Did I mention sensory overload?) By all means you should peruse the lunch vendors and have a bite to eat. Filling your belly will help somewhat to temper your urge to buy some of everything you sample. My personal preference are the Scotch Eggs, which I've found under the green tents that back up to the Southwark Cathedral. They are cooked on-site and served hot and fresh with greens and a bit of dressing. While I'm not a medical professional I'll guess that your cardiologist wouldn't recommend a steady diet of boiled egg cooked in a deep-fried meatball, but I don't think that a slight indulgence on an occasional basis is any more detrimental long-term than any number of other things that you're likely to consume more regularly.
My daughter says the noodle dishes (of somewhat nebulous Far-Eastern origin) are excellent as well.

In a rare stroke of brilliance we planned a flexible dinner, not knowing quite how jet lag was going to play in to the day. Burger & Lobster (which recently hopped the pond and opened a location in New York City) was an inspired choice. We had a bit of a wait (mitigated by their text-alert system) but it was completely manageable thanks to being just around the corner from the Kings Arms in Shepherd's Market, where we found pints and conversation with locals to pass the time. I've said it before and I'll probably say it many times in the future, but there's nothing quite like spending time in a British pub. Topics ranged from football (soccer) to the current Presidential election cycle. First hand reports indicate that the British think Trump is an absolute nut job, so if you're in need of an independent opinion, there you have it. When we were seated for dinner the first surprise was that there is no food menu. You are given a drink menu with a wide selection (and a full bar is available) but the food consists of three entrees: Burger, Grilled Lobster, and Lobster Roll. Everything is served with fries and a salad. I'll dispense with the suspenseful build up and just spill the beans up-front. Everything was well-prepared and delicious. Our party of six ended up with two of each entree and no one left anything on their plate. I will say that wrestling with the grilled lobster is probably the most challenging thing you'll face in London, but the burger and the lobster roll will have you reaching for additional napkins, so they're not without their own risks. It is definitely a place we'll return to in the future, as there's much to be said for a simple menu done well when traveling.