One interesting thing about traveling so far, is that I have not had more than two meals in a day. We usually start off with a light breakfast that somehow holds us over until the evening. I think my lack of appetite is due to us being so busy walking around that I literally do not have time to think about food, but so far, the meals have been delicious.
Toasted Muffin
Our first breakfast consisted of an English muffin, which in London is called a toasted muffin, topped with smashed avocado and two poached eggs. It was filling, delicious, and a refreshing way to start out day. I’ve noticed that they do not have our typical biscuits here, but they do love breakfast sandwiches which are served on a croissant, traditional roll, or even a bagel. Also, all the lattes we’ve consumed so far have been gorgeously decorated with latte art, something I feel is not as common in the states.
Fish and Chips!
Our first full day in London would not be complete without fish and chips from a pub. We found a place hidden in the residential part of town, so it was not busy at all. This dish was probably one of my favorites so far. The haddock (which seems to be the most popular fish for this meal) was lightly battered, not breaded like traditional chicken in America. It was slightly sweet and tasted delicious with the tartar sauce and smashed peas. The chips were huge, thick fries. And of course, I had to try my first beer in an English pub, so I ordered the Estrella which was cold and light.
Homemade Pie
One of our dinners consisted of a “homemade pie”, but not apple or pumpkin. It was similar to a chicken pot pie, filled with shredded chicken, mushrooms and the best gravy I’ve ever tasted. The crust was buttery, flakey, and practically melted under the gravy. It was served with mashed potatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower. The ultimate comfort dish, and it wasn’t too heavy, I highly recommend.
Tea Time
I’m still not sure about the actual practice of tea time, but around 2 pm, we decided to have our own. We went to a cafe and I ordered a chai tea with oat milk. This was the best chai I have ever had. It was creamy, filled with cinnamon, and not too sweet. It paired very well with a ginger “dunker” which is a hard cookie (or biscuit) that you dip into the tea. We also ordered a carrot cake and enjoyed our tea with a beautiful view of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The Fish Looked at Me
While I wanted to try as many traditional England dishes as possible, we did end up visiting a Greek restaurant located inside a massive outdoor food court. The restaurant was beautifully decorated with flowers hanging from the ceiling and open windows to let the afternoon breeze in. I ordered moussaka, which is similar to shepherds pie. It was served in a baking dish with beef and aubergine (that’s what they call eggplants) in a béchamel sauce (a white, roux sauce) topped with toasted mashed potatoes. It was delicious but very filling, and the portion was enormous. I also tried greek champagne which contained a cinnamon stick and dried orange in the glass. Mom got fish and black risotto which, unbeknownst to us contained an entire fish, eyes and all. I had never seen an entire fish served like that. The dish was actually delicious and we ate the fish meat in the belly, which was easy because it was already split open. However it took a second for me to get over the eyes that seemed to be looking at me. The black risotto reminded me of black beans, it was very flavorful and complimented the fish well.
Overall
I am a big fan of English cuisine. It’s hearty, warm and often pairs well with a beer.