After five days touring stores looking for new product ideas, here is my top ten from the visit….
10. London cabs. I simply love that when you get in a black London cab, you know the guy is going to know where he’s going, and the best way to get there. All cabbies have to study for and pass a test called The Knowledge. It can take two-four years to pass this test. A cabbie once told me that a question could go something like: “It’s raining. 2:30 pm. Friday. March. Name the fastest route from Marble Arch to Westminster Abbey.” Their skill is admirable, and in stark contrast to cab drivers in Toronto. Here, I often have to give them directions on how to exit the airport pick up area.
9. Pubs . Not only are they everywhere, their boundaries seem, rather, well, fluid. Walking along the south bank of the Thames last Saturday afternoon, folks were spilling beyond the pub patio – pint in hand – chatting with friends – children running
about….you never see that here. In London, you know you are never too far away from a pub, and therefore you are never far from a pint and some good food. On this visit, I had some crackin’ traditional and gastro-pub grub at The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea. http://www.thecadoganarmschelsea.com/
8. Packaged sandwiches. Yes. Seriously. Packaged sandwiches. There’s an entire industry that makes sandwiches through the night and delivers them all over the UK by morning. When they are gone they are gone – until the next morning. Waitrose, M&S, Pret a Manger….there’s nothing like a sandwich out of those triangle cardboard containers. My old standby is prawn mayo – matane shrimp, mayo and squishy oatmeal bread. Each store carries several dozen varieties – from the basic tuna and sweet corn (why do the English put sweet corn in their tuna?) to langoustine, rocket and mango….but for me – prawn mayo – all the way. Keep it simple. http://www.pret.com/
7. Harvey Nichols.
OK, I have only ever been to the Fifth Floor of Harvey Nic’s. There’s a side entrance to this famous department store that puts you right at the elevator for the fifth. Up there it’s food heaven. They carry the most interesting collection of products from around the world – including Manoucher Bread from right here in Toronto. On this trip I spied Civet Coffee – collected from the feces of civets in Indonesia – they eat coffee berries and the undigested beans are collected, dried and roasted. Yum. And only 25 pounds sterling for 57g. Also – tea picked by monkeys. Honestly. Don’t see that every day. They had Laura Santtini’s entire collection of exotic products. I love the Harvey Nichol private label products – the packaging is fantastic – has been for years – clean lines with classic photography. Have a bite of lunch at the sushi bar or the lovely café…in good weather there are even a couple of tables out on a tiny deck. You can keep Harrods, with the hordes of tourists, and so much security it actually makes me nervous….I’ll be down the street on the fifth at Harvey Nic’s. http://www.harveynichols.com/fifth-floor-london
6. The tube. I really love the tube. Mind the Gap. Way Out. Escalators and elevators that take you what feels like seven leagues under the city. It is the oldest underground railway in the world, having first opened in 1863. When you get to London, get an “Oyster” card, slap 20 pounds on it and travel around to your heart’s content. You can easily get a credit for any unused funds or top your card up at any station. Go on, try it – you’ll feel like a local.
5. The Gore Hotel. I always stay at The Gore Hotel in Kensington. The neighbourhood is great – short walk to either Gloucester Road or High Street Kensington tube stations. Hyde Park is a few short steps away. The hotel itself is a real London classic, with 50 meticulously renovated rooms. The bar is charming, and has been host to both the Rolling Stones and Manolo Blahnik photo shoots. The bistro serves a great English breakfast (perfect when you are just off the overnight flight) and the staff are fantastic. http://www.gorehotel.com/
4. Restaurant scene. There are always a ton of restaurants on my must try list whenever I get the chance to visit London. In some circles the UK still has a bad rap when it comes to food – but London is a very exciting food city. This time I ate at Jamie Oliver’s new Barbecoa – it was incredibly average. Apparently Jamie has not been there since December. Maybe he should pay them a visit. Soon. Our waiter informed my dining companion he’d have to have his burger well done – due to health laws….that was right after I had ordered the steak tartare as an appetizer. Not sure our waiter saw the irony of this. I did have a spectacular meal at The Providores and Tapa Room. This experience was quintessential London: a restaurant owned by a Brit and a New Zealander, serving Spanish inspired Tapas, with a speciality in New Zealand wines, and a mostly Italian wait staff. A global experience on Marylebone High Street. Choosing what to order was near impossible, and the flavours were impeccable. Truffled prawn siu-mai with black sesame and ponzu sauce anyone? This is fusion food that works. http://www.theprovidores.co.uk/home.php
3. M&S Foodhall. It’d be scary to tally up how many hours I have spent at the Marble Arch Marks and Spencer Food Hall over the years. This trip I probably logged well over four hours. I sorta became pals with the manager who started following me around wondering what the heck I was up to. M&S is a treasure trove of food ideas. They are constantly launching new products, re-designing packaging, leading the charge on environmental projects. Their fresh foods will amaze – you’d never need to cook from scratch again if you lived near an M&S. Stock up on Gold Tea, Percy Pigs, and Roast Chicken Crisps to take home….and grab a cream filled meringue for road. http://www.marksandspencer.com/MS-Food-Food-Wine/b/46485031
2. Borough Market.
Don’t miss an opportunity to visit this market on a Saturday – and arrive hungry. You can dine at Roast, and have a perfectly elegant and delicious dining experience, or you can wonder and grab things from the many stalls. My strategy is to stop at any stall that has a good queue. On this trip I sampled a bacon butty, fresh day scallops and bacon, and Eton Mess – a wonderfully English mix of strawberries, meringues and cream (and there’s nothing like cream in England). As I was leaving the market, I passed a mammoth lineup. When I finally got to see what all the fuss was about, I saw that this stall in particular was definitely serving the best sandwich I have never had. Fresh off the grill Chorizo, roasted peppers and rocket, all snuggled in a lovely soft bap. Major. Regret. Next time this will be my first stop – don’t make the same mistake as me – head straight to Brindisa Spanish Foods. http://www.brindisa.com/
http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/
1. Pork pies. I simply love pork pies – the mini ones from M&S are the best. It’s an English thing – you don’t find them
anywhere else in the world. On the way home on the plane, I always eat a pair while wishing I were brave enough to bring some back to Toronto with me. I know – I am a daredevil – these are the things I dream of….smuggling pork pies. I live on the edge – but it’s pretty yummy out here.
