Tower of London….seriously?
As the kids get older and we continue to travel, we spend our time with a different focus. We gravitate towards museums, galleries, stores, restaurants and neighborhoods. We really don't even bother with places that most people would go visit on their first journey to a new place. When the girls were younger, I took them to London with my Mom and sister and we went to the Tower of London. Now that we are here, I keep thinking that I should take Josh to see a few of the classic tourist stops that the girls got to see may years ago. Or maybe not.
Today Josh and I got up and went over to the Tower of London. He was a good sport although ragged on me most of the time we were there, all in jest. He said it was like going on the 8th grade Williamsburg trip. We walked through a few different areas and stood in line for the Crown Jewels. Josh took out his iPhone and showed me the crown jewels before we made our way in. He made his point. So, in the end, I did the guilty mother thing. We did do it but now I'm over it. Although I would like to take him to Westminster Abbey.
We made our way over to Modern Pantry for lunch. A cute modern space on St. John's Square. Good lunch.
We both began with a salad. Grilled chorizo with a salad of braised fennel and red onions mixed with watercress, thinly sliced pieces of beets and crispy quinoa tossed with a pomegranate molasses dressing. Excellent. The flavors were so good together. Might have been one of the best things we have had since we have been in London.
For the main, Josh went with the Sea Bass in a lemongrass saffron broth, squid, clams and chorizo stuffed baby squid. Light and full of flavor.
I had the lamb. A little heavy for lunch but well done. Two small grilled lamb chops over a mixture of borlotti beans, baby artichokes, roasted red peppers and a shallot dressing. A roasted vegetable mixture.
No dessert. We left and walked back to the stores I had seen the other day in Shoreditch stopping at the Albion at the Boundary for coffee and a snack.
A very long day.
Comments (Archived):
I haven’t yet managed to go Westminster Abbey. Sir Issac Newton, Charles Darwin and host of literary figures (Wordsworth, Keats, Austen, Dickens) rest there. Shakespeare’s tomb however is in other village.
If you want to do the historical building thing, Windsor Castle is one of my favourites. I can’t say I can recommend any restaurants in Windsor but there are a couple down by the Sir Christopher Hotel near the river that are ok. You can easily catch the train to Windsor from London, it’s a short trip.
Good idea
If you do go, the Windsor Royal Station area is ok, the entrance is opposite the castle. There is Carluccio’s which is fine for a light lunch.Also if you like molecular gastronomy you and Fred should try and get into Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant in Bray, the Fat Duck, if you haven’t already been.
Been thinking about the fat duck but think we will do it when we return to london next time we return
Its good that Josh went to the Tower. He won’t wonder if he missed something. We took Brad and Dan when they were much younger. I think what all of us remember most was the race from the tube to get there before they closed the entry gate. The jewels were impressive since this was before i-phone and we didn’t see them until we were there.
I went many many years ago. Then went again with the girls years ago. Maybe its me, but it has become seriously cheesy vs the historical significance.