A Vicarious Day in London

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Today, my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter are spending one day in London before leaving for a cruise departing Southhampton tomorrow morning. It's the first visit for my son-in-law and granddaughter, and of course my daughter (who would be a travel agent in an alternate life) has everything planned to the minute. I have been a happy co-conspiritor in this agenda, and because Kayti and I are always on the same travel wavelength, the day revolves around food!! We come by this tendency honestly--my dad planned every day of any trip around meals, and all my memories of holidays with my parents, especially abroad, include the places we ate.

So the London day begins with a very early arrival at Heathrow, and because they are staying in Mayfair near Piccadilly, I suggested breakfast at The Wolseley.

On Piccadilly, near the Ritz and Fortnum's and Hatchard's bookshop, The Wolseley is a fabulous cafe in the site of the historic Wolseley car dealership. Here is a wonderful little history.

And here is the link to the breakfast menu! The cafe is truly iconic, and also possibly my favorite place in London for afternoon tea.

But as for afternoon tea, they have other plans. That's booked in the Oblix restaurant in the Shard, on the south bank of the river, where you get one of the most stunning views in London.

Then, after a visit to Borough Market right next to the Shard (more food!) dinner will be in a much more intimate setting, Bubala in Poland Street in Soho. Kayti and I think this is the best vegetarian restaurant we've ever been to, and it is always Kayti's top of the list on a visit to London. Take a look at this menu! The food is absolutely amazing!

In between all the eating, they have tickets for the London Big Bus.

This is always my recommendation for anyone's first visit to the city, and especially when time is so limited. It's hop on/hop off, so you can take time to look at things, and it gives you a great feel for London's geography.

They are also going to take the Thames Clipper, the uber boats that are now part of the London transport system and a great way to get around as well as to sightsee along the river.

By dinner I would be dead on my feet, and I imagine that even young and fairly immune to jet lag, they'll be worn out. But I am so envious, and also happy that I get to share in the adventure from a distance. (Can't wait to see all the pics!!!) I hope Wren comes to love London as much as her mum and her grammy--and that my son-in-law manages to try out a good pub somewhere in that busy agenda! And fingers crossed the weather holds!

What about you, Reds and readers--do you plan meals or sights first on a holiday?

Debs Does London Show and Tell

DEBORAH CROMBIE: It may be What We're Writing week here on Jungle Red, but for me that means a chance to show-and-tell from my October trip to London (and to go back through hundreds of photos!) My lovely daughter was with me for the first five jam-packed days, then I had another two weeks to do research for Kincaid/James #20. My list of things to see and do was huge and would have taken three months rather than three weeks, but I at least made a dent.

Top of my list was to see Little Venice, an area of London I'd read about but somehow never actually visited. This is the little stretch of the Grand Union Canal just north of Paddington Station. It's incredibly picturesque and there are boat tours, a fictionalized version of which is (at least at the moment) the first scene in book #20.

Look at that sky! Every photo I took on a sunny day looks almost psychedelic! 

Then, I wanted to see Charing Cross Police Station. As much as I've wandered around Charing Cross/Covent Garden, I had never managed to see it as it's a bit tucked away.

And although I'd written about the new New Scotland Yard headquarters on the Thames Embankment, I'd never actually seen that either. Here's the Cecil Green Building, now home of the Metropolitan Police. The New Scotland Yard sign really does spin!

Here's the view looking across the river.

I revisited much of the Bloomsbury and Soho territory of A KILLING OF INNOCENTS, and it was great to get my mental geography of London refreshed. I had lots of fun touristy moments, too. We had afternoon tea at the Shard. I didn't expect to be so gobsmacked by the view!

Here's Kayti looking glamorous with the Shard in the background. Borough Market, the best food market in London, is just to the left.

I rode an Uber boat, thanks to Kayti's adventurousness! The Thames in a stormy sunset was breathtaking. 

But out of four afternoon teas, my favorite (and by far the least expensive) was at the Wolseley on Piccadilly. Delicious food, delicious tea, and lovely service.

Favorite meal? The vegetarian restaurant Bubala in Soho totally lived up to all the hype. I also loved the lunch Kayti and I had at Noble Rot in Lamb's Conduit Street. Their fixed price lunch menu is one of the best deals in London.

Favorite wine bar? Here we are on the patio at Gordon's, the historic wine bar in Charing Cross. Is that Winston Churchill looming over our shoulders?

Favorite cocktail spot? The Botanist in Sloane Square. So fun and friendly, and the Bramble is delish!

Favorite new pub? The Surprise in Chelsea. Discovered by accident!

If you think I did nothing but eat and drink for three weeks you wouldn't be far wrong, but I swear I walked it off! 

Now I have so much material and so many ideas for the new book. The trick is to sit down and stitch it all into a story--many thanks to our Lucy for yesterday's plotting tips! 

And of course I'll also be looking forward to the launch of A KILLING OF INNOCENTS in February. You can preorder it here!

In the meantime, happy holidays, and if anyone has London questions I'll do my best to answer them!