London Tips

What an incredible city!  I highly recommend 3 nights in London but bring your wallet because they give nothing away for free.

On night 2 we were lost trying to find our recommended restaurant so instead we stopped at a local "steak house" called The Scotch Steak House.  Jeff says that he thinks the steak started as a 1 inch thick and shrank by the time it got to the table.  All I know is that I almost broke a steak knife trying to cut it.  But that didn't stop us from having a great time - the waiter was a super nice gentleman from Polland who told great stories about how he needed to lose weight - guarantee it was not because he ate that steak!

Scotch Steak House

At Scotch Steak House

One Inch Steak?

So, we have now developed the three R's for London eating - Research, Recommendations and Reservations.  All required!  After dinner we went to Billy Elliott in the Victoria Palace Theater.  The theatre is very  old and gorgeous.  The musical was beautifully portrayed (don't I sound cultured:-)  and it has played in London for 5 years.  But after seeing Wicked in NYC it left us wanting more.

A few notes to London:
-Ketchup is served in a bowl which US would never do because we are so hyper-sensitive to "germs"

Cardboard Mats on Tables EVERYWHERE

-Even high end restaurants had cardboard place mats on the table
- It is incredibly expensive!
- Most beautiful detail in architecture imaginable
- At 5:00pm the underground system is crazy with men and women in suits.  But the underground system is amazing!
- After three nights and four days I could not tell you which side of the sidewalk to walk on.  However, Jeff got TOLD by a snippy woman to "stand on the right in this country".  He thinks she may have been having a bad day:-)
-  If you use a credit card make sure that they run the card AT the table..I think that is all of Europe for that matter.  Our very sweet waiter at a cafe told us that it is not unusual for a waiter to take the card in the back room, write the number down and use it for his next purchase.
-  New favorite word, "Delicious" .  It sounded so exciting coming from an English accent!
-  Tough to get a smile in London...not the warm friendly type in the city.

Tourist Stuff:-)

And, our final day in London...unbeatable!  We did all the norm tourist stuff, went to the Tate Modern Museum and the Burrough Market.

Jackson Pollock at Tate Museum

We headed to Vinopolis but for the first time in my life, wine did not sound tempting so we skipped the tastings.  However, for a wine lover, this really is a MUST.  It is located in the Burrough in an area called the Wine Warf.  They offer a self guided wine tasting - not to mention vodka tastings,classes, you name it....
http://www.vinopolis.co.uk/tourshome/index.php. 

The Wine Warf at Burrough Market

The MANY levels at Vinoloplis

Our next stop was the Absolute Ice Bar.  I must admit that my expectations outweighed the reality.  Yes, it was a room with artwork made of ice but to be honest, it is not a must-do.  We are glad we went but we would not recommend to others.  Upon arriving you are given a cape and gloves - it is VERY cold - and taken to a room made of ice.  Part of the experience is a drink in a glass made of ice but wouldn't you think that you could get a plain martini since it is the absolute bar?  Nope, only mixed vodka drinks....so my hopes of getting the best martini were not to happen at Absolute.  Note to self...don't wear open toed sandals or your toes will turn blue:-)

Last stop, Sketch Restaurant! Definitely on the top 10 of restaurants for us - and we have had our share of amazing meals! The ambiance is modern, trendy and funky all the way to the restrooms!  Not often do I take pictures of the restroom but WOW - the "pod" restrooms were over the top.  But it really was the food that stole the show - Truffle Duck cooked to perfection! 

Jeff in Bathroom At Sketch

Holly in Bathroom at Sketch