London vol. I: Food

The thing I really love is food. I wasn’t a fan of cooking when I lived with my parents. It changed few years ago when I started to live with my love of my life – let’s call him J. I had some slips like cake-mix-muffins or pasta sauce made with ketchup, tomato puree, and real tomatoes. Don’t ask me why I did these things. I found cooking as my passion, something I can do almost all day. First, I didn’t like baking so much – I always say that when it’s in an oven, you just can’t do anything about that anymore. But I love sweets (although I really DON’T like those ickie sugary cupcakes sold in the UK). Now I love baking too. I love even making cupcakes (but not so sweet)! And another thing I love in my life is writing. I’m kinda graphomaniac. I write my diary, I write my Czech food blog (it was its second birthday in March), and I “correspond” with my best friend every day (actually it’s more some kind of written chit chat). Now I want to try blogging in English (for so many reasons). And that’s my story.

Another “thing” I love is London. It’s probably my most favourite place in the world. I’ve been thinking about moving there since the first Harry Potter book. (I read the second volume first, actually.) I was 12 yo girl who hoped she could go to some university in the UK (I still want to go to Hogwarts even though I’m not eleven anymore) and live there happily ever after. I live in Prague. I study in Prague. I’m happy here but still – London is my love for more than ten years and I still want to live there. Another “thing” I love is London. It’s probably my most favourite place in the world. I’ve been thinking about moving there since the first Harry Potter book. (I read the second volume first, actually.) I was 12 yo girl who hoped she could go to some university in the UK (I still want to go to Hogwarts even though I’m not eleven anymore) and live there happily ever after. I live in Prague. I study in Prague. I’m happy here but still – London is my love for more than ten years and I still want to live there. A month ago I’ve got flight tickets for my birthday. To London. The best present ever! (Thank you, J.!) It was my fourth time in this gorgeous city and I really want to give you some tips what you should try when you’re spending some time there. First thing I want to tell you about is food. Then I’m planning blog posts about travelling around the city and spending some quality time there. Food is our passion, a huge piece of our life. If you like pretending to be “one of them”, you could find these tips really useful.Breakfast Cereals with milk is probably still trendy. I don’t find it sufficient but still better than nothing. Porridge sounds much better for me. A green smoothie is essential for everyone interested in healthy lifestyle. Not a fan? Try full English breakfast: sausages, fried eggs, baked beans, sautéed mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, sometimes even black pudding, accompanied by hash brown or English muffin. It’s really hearty meal. Some places serves that till noon.Snacks Do you know 5 a day? No? What a shame! (I really think this is something every government should encourage.) Small box of ready-to-eat fruit or veg or bottle of smoothie that are the things you should think about before/after lunch. Yeah, crisps are something every Briton have for a snack. Try some veggie or apple crisps – little bit healthier alternative.Lunch Londoners love sandwiches for their lunch. Me too! You can buy them everywhere. It is pretty easy and cheap food (usually from 1 to 4 pounds). It goes in so called meal deals – you get better price for sandwich + drink / crisps / anything else in offer. Bring your sandwich to one of SO many parks or just eat it on your way – big cities are always in hurry. You won’t feel ashamed. Hot soup is always good in an English raining day, try it with some bread and butter. It’s really delicious choice for your not-take-away lunch.Afternoon tea No big deal, really. But! Literally every Briton must have their tea with milk (and sugar). It’s something I’ve fallen in love years ago. Londoners are more interested in beer / cider / wine. While wandering round the city you can see so many people in front of pubs with a glass of something and couple of friends. Still there are so many places you can get your cup of tea or coffee if preferred.Dinner Don’t cook, just eat. Easy peasy. When in London, you definitely need to try fish & chips, pies, Scotch egg or Sunday roast. British cuisine is amazing. Those lies about bland flavour! That’s not true. But if you’re a fan of international cuisine, London’s the perfect place to try that too. Where? On the markets. There are so many of them with so many different food you need really plenty of time to try everything or at least half of it.Anything more? Yeah, just keep in mind those picnics that are great on sunny days (mostly on weekend but you can have a picnic anytime and anyone would be feel offended).For sandwiches or 5 a day snack try

• Marks&Spencer (it’s literally everywhere and the offer is huge – you can get there some really good stuff for a picnic)
• Salisbury’s (or another local shop/supermarket)
• Boot’s (they have Jamie Oliver’s sandwiches and you can also buy some make-up in there)
• Pret A Manger (they also serve soups and coffee)
• The British Museum (I’m not kidding, they really sell good food there)

For fish&chips go to

• Fish&Chipper, 47 Cranbour Street near Leicester Square (take it away to the park, it’s cheaper; the portions are huge, mayo’s for free – I really don’t like vinegar with my chips)
• Golden Union, 38 Poland Street near Oxford Circus (a real satisfaction after the all-day-cycling)
• Black Lion, 123 Bayswater Road near Queensway / Hyde Park (the beer was pretty good, yolk in a Scotch egg was creamy and yummy)

Get some street food

• Old Spitalfields Market, Shoreditch (you can try some exotic food like Caribbean, Japanese, Latin, Indian, Arabian, but also British or Mediterranean, even macarons, muffins or cakes)
• Brick Lane, Shoreditch (Indian, Indian, and more Indian food)
• China Town (Well – did you expect anything else than Chinese?)
• Farmers Market, Alexandra Palace (Indian curries, British Pies, lemonade, vegan food, tea, sweets, cheeses, meat – anything you can think about)
• Camden Lock Market (So much food! Everywhere! Little bit like in Shoreditch. And the view is just lovely.)

You should be hungry right now!