#springlondon

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Spring Mermie

My Spring Mermie piece, part of my “Mermaid Season Collection”

Sirena de la primavera

Mi ilustración de la Sirena de la primavera, parte de la colección “Sirenas de las estaciones”

Sketch and close ups below / Boceto y detalles abajo

On my last day for this London trip, I managed to add more foodie places to my collection:

1. Duck and Waffle : 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY.

You would definitely regret not visiting this 24-hours restaurant to enjoy its signature duck and waffle with a spectacular view of the city centre.

The crispy duck leg confit is simply out of this world, complemented by the rich fried duck egg and the fluffy waffle served with mustard maple syrup.

Besides the signature duck and waffle, breakfast early birds can also enjoy other sweet waffles such as Spring Fever Elvis featuring a whole buttermilk waffle served with rhubarb, blood orange & lemon tea jam, almond butter, and mascarpone Chantilly.

Since it is a 24-hours restaurant, you should try your luck at reserving a table at late night or early morning so as to avoid the crowd.

2. Monmouth Coffee Company : 2 Park St, London SE1 9AB.

Serving arguably the best coffee in town, the cafe is packed full of caffeine lovers standing in line while enjoying the aromatic blends being concocted behind the counter.

3. Padella : 6 Southwark St, London SE1 1TQ.

Tucked inside Borough Market, Padella is an Italian restaurant that is famous for its delicious pasta dishes featuring freshly made pasta at affordable prices.

Signature dishes that are highly recommended include Burrata with Fiorano 2018 olive oil, Norfolk asparagus with butter and parmesan, Pici cacio & pepe, Tagliarini with Dorset crab, chili and lime, Ravioli of Neal's Yard Westcombie ricotta & sage butter, and Pappardelle with 8 hours Dexter beef shin ragu.

Since the restaurant does not take any reservations, my only advice is to arrive an hour before meal time and queue for one of the best dining experiences you will enjoy in London.

4. The Gorgeous Kitchen : Heathrow Airport, Terminal 2, Longford, Hounslow TW6 1EW.

Before taking off to return to Singapore, I had a little bit more time to visit The Gorgeous Kitchen located in Terminal 2, Heathrow Airport.

For my last big meal for this trip, I had to order the Confit Duck Leg served with bacon, lentils, and gem lettuce. Although the skin is not as crispy as I had liked, the duck leg confit offered a rich, intense aftertaste, making it a hearty delicious meal with the lentils and bacon.

For visitors departing from Terminal 2, I would definitely recommend a visit to this gorgeous kitchen filled with great tasting dishes.

One of the benefits of staying at St Ermin's Hotel was an opportunity to enjoy a relaxing morning breakfast at Caxton Bar and Grill.

Some of my favorite places to chill and relax in London are as follows:

1. The Summerhouse : 60 Blomfield Rd, Little Venice, London W9 2PA.

Located in Little Venice, The Summerhouse is an idyllic dining destination which serves some of the freshest fish in town.

For my visit, I indulged in the fillet of sea bass served with pea puree, baby vegetables, and sauce vierge. The sea bass was cooked perfectly, with a crispy outer skin covering a splendid juicy fillet. Each bite was like a breath of fresh spring breeze dancing on the tips of my tongue.

2. Smith's Bar & Grill : 25 Sheldon Square, London W2 6EY.

Smith's Bar & Grill is a modern restaurant & bar serving classic British and European dishes near to the Paddington Station.

During my visit, I enjoyed a big 600 grams steak, served medium rare with a side of potato wedges and butter sauce.

3. Shoryu Ramen : 33 Broadgate Cir, London EC2M 2QS.

Shoryu Ramen is a great place to satisfy my ramen carvings with delicious tonkotsu ramen from Hakata with a variety of delicious sides such as gyoza and pork buns.

The pork bun was sweet and savory, the gyoza was crispy and juicy, while the ramen satisfied my belly and fulfilled my life motto of "No Ramen, No Life".

I concluded the meal with a comforting cup of matcha latte.

4. Sky Garden : 20 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 8AF.

The Sky Garden offers 360 degrees of uninterrupted views across the City of London at 20 Fenchurch Street. 

Visitors could enjoy a drink at the bar, and a meal at the restaurant.

Entry to the Sky Garden is free but entry is limited and visits should be booked in advance through their website.

5. The Golden Hind : 71a, 73 Marylebone Ln, Marylebone, London W1U 2PN.

With over 100 years of history, The Golden Hind is renowned for serving arguably the best fish and chips in the city.

Some of the recommended starters and sides include Prawn Cocktail, Dusted Calamari Rings, Mushy Peas, Chips, and Mozzarella Cheese Fritters.

The restaurant ambience was great, the staff was friendly, and the food was delicious and friendly on the wallet, making it a fantastic place for gatherings with friends and family.

6. Burgers & Lobsters : 10 Wardour St, London W1D 6QZ.

A visit to London typically involves a meal at Burgers & Lobsters to enjoy its fresh lobster. For my visit, I ordered the 1LB Lobster served two ways: grilled and steamed with lemon and garlic butter.

The lobster was delicious though I wonder if I would return for a second visit as it lacked an element of wonder and excitement for me.

With a bit of luck, I managed to visit London for a three-day training session and I decided to spend my first day in the city with a grand adventure by visiting famous sites related to Harry Potter around London.

My trip to London was a comfortable flight on board Thai Airways where I was pampered by the friendly crew with delicious authentic Thai cuisine. Below is a quick look at some of my favorite dishes served on board my flight.

My home away from home for this trip was the historically significant St Ermin's Hotel which is a luxurious hotel located close to St Jame's Park, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey.

The interior of the hotel is simply stunning, transforming me back to old London filled with sophistication and style.

My hotel room was cozy and comfortable, providing everything that I needed and much more for a four-night stay.

Before my city tour, I had to make a quick stop at a beloved local pub, The Albert, to enjoy a full English breakfast complete with bacon, scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, toast, baked beans, and sausages.

After filling my stomach, it was time to take a stroll around the city to admire its beautiful architecture.

The 1st Harry Potter pit stop was Cecil Court which inspired Diagon Alley. Unfortunately, the area was under construction and not suitable for visitors at the moment.

The 2nd Harry Potter pit stop was The Palace Theatre which is currently home to "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" which is a two-part stage play based on an original story by Jack Thorne, J.K. Rowlng, and John Tiffany.

The 3rd Harry Potter pit stop was House of Mina Lima, which is the design studio behind the graphic props for the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, founded by Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima.

The 4th and last Harry Potter pit stop of the day was Platform 9 and 3/4 at King Cross's Station where visitors could take a photo just like a new Hogwarts student catching a train to to the school.

Visitors were able to visit the gift shop to purchase some souvenirs for their loved ones.

With a bit of time before dinner, I could visit the Imperial College London and its nearby sights.

Dinner was a fun affair at The Gold Mine which is a renowned, no frills Chinese restaurant which is famous for its signature roast duck and Cantonese specialities.

The signature roast duck was truly special, with succulent, flavorful meat wrapped in juicy fat and crispy skin. It was a duck so sought after that Singaporeans have tried to pack it back to their home country to share with friends and family.

The Cantonese specialities were serviceable, so if you were pressed for time and budget, simply focus on the roast duck for maximum satisfaction.

The night ended with drinks at The Beachcomber which serves some of the most delicious and unique cocktails in town.