Note to self: Venturing forth in a strange city when undercaffeinated is not too bad. Venturing forth in a strange city without a clear plan is not too bad. Venturing forth in a strange city when undercaffeinated and without a clear plan is bad…
Got off to a slow start and missed my breakfast plans. Made alternate breakfast plans, but left the micro-room without writing down the address and promptly got lost. Opted instead for no breakfast. Caffeination was achieved courtesy of a Red Bull Energy Shot (thank you, Tesco Express).
Hit the White Cube Gallery in Hoxton. It wasn’t bad, although I wound up trailing a tour group where all the ladies were trying way too hard to be thoughtful and analytical about the art. Exit White Cube.
Arrived at my lunch destination, Boundary, just a bit after noon. Went in, and promptly was disoriented, as the resto is in the basement. Not what I was expecting. I was also the first one there. As I was seated at a table, watching the staff run about and other patrons slowly trickle in, it also dawned on me that I was underdressed. Awkward.
I opted for the two-course Prix Fixe lunch, ordering confit canard as the main, with champagne jelly for dessert. I would have loved to order the three-course lunch, with a charcuterie appetizer, but knew I wouldn’t be able to eat it all.
The duck was lovely, with a crisp skin and a thin layer of melt-in-your-mouth fat underneath, complemented by white beans on the side. There was also whole grain bread, served with butter that was unfortunately too hard. I guess my “early” arrival (despite the fact that the place officially opens at noon) didn’t permit the time to allow the butter to soften after taking it out of the fridge.
The food was washed down with a nice Portugese red, Azamor 06, as recommended to me by the waiter (who paused only slightly when I asked which wine would go with the “duck”, not “canard” - yes, I’m an oafish peasant…).
The dessert was fine, although I really enjoyed the berries and especially the fresh cheese that were part of it more than the jelly itself. Coffee was served with some tasty slices of candied orange peel dipped in chocolate.
The people next to me ordered the charcuterie, and it looked fantastic. The waiter also prepped it right at the table.
After lunch, I wandered south, passing briefly through Spitalfields Market, and then down Brick Lane. Strolling past all the Bengali eateries, grocers, and sweet shops, I felt a lot more comfortable than I did at lunch. Would have gotten some sugary treats if I wasn’t completely stuffed.
Tried to find an art gallery called Kinetica, and couldn’t. Sigh.
Did much better at the Design Museum, where the current exhibits were truly inspiring. So glad I went.
Had good intentions of going to the Hayward Gallery, but couldn’t find the entrance. Was too tired and cranky to figure it out. Instead wandered a bit on the South Bank and took pictures.
Wound up back in Bayswater on Queensway for dinner, at some pub that just screamed “tourist trap”, but I was tired. The sign out front said “best fish & chips in Britain.” Lies. Not that it was bad, but certainly not award-worthy. The pint of London Pride that I ordered with it was perfectly good.
Note to self #2: Do not ever take the Tube during rush hour again.
Full day of plans on deck for tomorrow, although I should re-assess some of them…
