Top 10: London
A new little series I’m starting with the cities I visit called “My top 10!” This will include my favorite things: featuring 5 places I visited and 5 places I ate. Starting with London!
These were my top 5 things to see (so far this trip!)
Live show - Les Misérables on Broadway
Museum - Andy Warhol exhibit in Fashion and Textile Museum
Park - Hampstead Heath
Concert - Lizzo at O2 Arena
Tourist trap - Slide in Hackney
And these were my favorite places/things to eat and drink:
Rooftop bar - Duck + Waffle in London central
Coolest pub - Boat pubs along the Thames
High tea - Bvlgari Hotel afternoon high tea
Local food - Proper English breakfast, beans on toast! Multiple places.
Ethnic cuisine - Mouth-watering Ethiopian food in Hackney
1. Starting with a show in Soho - seeing a Broadway show is a must for me in New York or London - and now I’ve been lucky enough to witness the magic of Les Mis in NYC & London! Powerful voices with this heart-wrenching story made this live experience “incroyable!”
2. Cool museum - The new Andy Warhol exhibit at the Fashion and Textiles Museum was so fun. We got to see how the pop artist’s colorful patterns made their way onto fashionable prints sold at department stores (like JC Penny’s, remember that place?) in New York City in the 1960’s.
3. Pretty park - Walking the parks in London is simply breathtaking in the Spring! Hampstead Heath is one of the most gorgeous plots of green - featuring lakes, gardens and hilltop views of this vibrant city.
4. Epic concert - I’ve seen the O2 Arena from afar before, but never the inside of this epic concert venue until now! Singing along to Lizzo belting her anthems and playing Sasha the Flute was a concert experience I’ll never forget.
5. Fun tourist trap - I love a good tourist trap! The Hackney slide aka ArcelorMittal Orbit, is a fast and furious ride down the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide.
It’s hard to pick my top 5 favorite places to eat and drink, since I’ve been blessed with the gift of delicious food during my time in London! But here are 5 memorable food and ambience highlights:
1. Best rooftop bar - Duck + Waffle is an eclectic restaurant up a high-speed 40-story elevator in the city centre of London. It boasts of spectacular views and the best apps, like truffle chips (aka fries!) and large bacon wrapped dates.
2. Coolest pub - So many amazing pub experiences! But the pub boats along the Thames are unique venues with epic views of the London Eye at night.
3. Fanciest tea - Afternoon high tea is one of my favorite things. This peanut butter/hazelnut nut treat was one of the many goodies we scarfed down during this fancy tea. I loved everything, but the scones and clotted cream with strawberry/vanilla and lemon/ginger jams were absolute fire (eaten much too quickly to take any photos!)
4. Best local food - I had a proper English breakfast at multiple places. I especially love the beans on toast! Enough said. This photo was taken at Byward Kitchen & Bar by the Tower of London - and after you can walk the Tower Bridge - cute spot for brunch!
5. Best ethnic cuisine - Ando Ethiopian Vegan Cafe was one of the most amazing and affordable meal of the trip! No fork needed - you use the dabo “crust-looking” bread to dip and scoop up all the deliciousness. The three of us demolished this giant family style meal served on the size of an XL pizza platter. Just yum!
