I love public houses.  As far as I’m concerned, every trip to London, England needs to include a visit to one for a pint and a big plateful of sausage and mash.  But there are pubs and then there are pubs.  The latter are incredible, one-of-a-kind spots that serve great food and even better beer.  Like, for example, the Princess Louise on High Holborn.

Read More »

With thoughts of the Lunar New Year upon us, my thoughts turn to good Chinese food.  Yummy, salty, divine Chinese food.  If I’m being honest, those thoughts mainly include the lovely New Year’s banquet I had many years ago when I was visiting Hong Kong.  I’d be surprised if I ever saw food of that quality (or quantity) again for some time – but when the near year rolls around, I always try.

Unfortunately, good Asian cuisine is not something you can easily find in rural Germany.  When you do find any sort of Chinese restaurant, it’s usually more of a fast-food, anything-goes-with-rice-including-schnitzel type place.  And so when my travels took me to London, England last week, I wanted to find me a reputable Chinese restaurant.  No, I needed to.  After all, I couldn’t very well not mark the coming new year with some sort of celebration.

Read More »

Executive Lounge @ Gatwick Hilton

The dollar to pound exchange rate, for those of us who love to get away to England and the UK can be a little hard to digest, something to really take note if you are planning to head to London for the Summer Olympics in 2012.

Except for the availability of certain brands that you cannot find in the US, I cannot recall any visit where I didn’t have a moment or three where I cringed at the cost of something.  However my recent overnight stay at the Hilton London Gatwick Airport hotel just gave me my first moment of joy, after we decided to spontaneously upgrade our room.

Deciding to upgrade to the Executive “business” Floor during check-in, gave us the best meals, the newest rooms and the most amenities for only £50 extra.  This hotel has two restaurants but since we were there less than 24 hours, we thought those menus were a bit “spendy”, as the Brits say.  Read More »

Partridge @ Galvin Bistrot de Luxe London, UK

Planning a special trip to London?  Are you in town for a city break and taking advantage of one of the capital’s hostels?  If you are staying in central London and want to treat yourself to an amazing French dinner or lunch, there is only one place I know within walking distance of The Landmark London that knocked my socks off – Galvin Bistrot de Luxe, winner of the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourman.

Rose Prince from The Daily Telegraph writes “Chris and Jeff Galvin have revved up bistrot cuisine” and I couldn’t agree more! We had dinner here recently and the food was superb, these two brothers are excellent chefs! It is no surprise that Galvin Bistrot has received rave write ups in many London restaurant guides, newspapers and Time Out London. You will definitely need to make reservations if you decide to go, but it will be worth it.

The good news for those of us on the dollar side of the exchange rate is that this popular restaurant has two well-priced fixed menus for lunch and dinner. Galvin Bistrot de luxe is open all day for food and wine, with prix fixe menus that include three courses for either £15.50 or £17.50 depending on whether you are there for lunch or dinner. Read More »