A tavern on the Thames

In November 2009, I attended a dear friend's wedding in London. The venue was a pub in Greenwich called Trafalgar tavern. Being a 'North of the Thames' girl myself, I had never been to pubs in this part of town, and was very eager to step into one as a wedding guest.

We finally arrived at the tavern around 7pm, about an hour late, and a little annoyed at the traffic and rain which caused the delays. But all was forgotten as we stepped into the ballroom above the pub.

Light cream-colored walls, Victorian chandeliers, and red velvet curtains were evocative of a bygone era. The view of Canary Wharf from the large windows was a winner. What a hidden gem! Most tourists are unlikely to venture past the usual touristy hangouts in London, but if you're reading this, and have always been intrigued by the real London, just hop on a train to Greenwich, and tell a cabbie to take you to the Trafalgar Tavern. I would love to revisit on a summer's day, gazing out the window with a pint of local ale. As we walked out into the night after a lovely wedding reception, we saw happy regulars enjoying live jazz with their drinks.

photo courtesy of the Trafalgar Tavern website

Trafalgar Tavern

Bad food in London?

Whoever says food in London is abysmal, expensive and simply lacking in variety, doesn't not know what they're talking about. I am currently on an extensive trip in the UK visiting friends and family, and have been down to London several times, a city I had lived in for more than 11 years. I have to say that I was bowled over by some of the restaurants I visited - some old favourites I hadn't visited before, and some new kids on the culinary block.

I plan to blog more extensively about this later, but here are some of my favourites so far - Yoshino- a delightful little sushi place near Regent Street, and Siam Central, an immensely popular and yummy Thai place, on Charlotte Street.

Have you been to these restaurants? What did you think?

World Market's Chili Chocolate

Have you tried it? I'd heard a lot about the chocolate-chili combo, especially served in upscale Mexican restaurants, so I did not expect to find it packaged up in my local World Market. World Market's Chili Chipotle Chocolate Bar is simply divine. Love how the hotness kicks in after allowing you to enjoy the luscious and spicy 64% cacao. I envisage it going really well with a full-bodied red, what are your thoughts? I'd post a picture, but I devoured it in minutes.

World Market Brand - Chipotle Chocolate Bar - $1.99

Some Thai recommendations

The above picture is courtesy of Kate R on Yelp - the appetizer 'Dancing Prawns'

I would like to rave about two places in particular. One is situated in Redwood City, sandwiched between generic shops in a rather nondescript mall. But gems are usually hidden like this, and all thanks to Yelp for pointing this one out. Although it does not look like much from the exterior, Karakade, as this restaurant is called, is very cute inside, attracting a smart and young clientele in the know. Bright colors and tasteful decor increase your appetite once you walk in. Karakade also provides take out, which I have been taking out at least once a month, and they never fail to disappoint.

The portions and the quality of the food are both highly commendable. Classics like red and green curry prevail and are delicious, but try the spicy eggplant with tofu. Or chicken basil noodles, or the amazingly aromatic garlic prawns. The food is amazingly cheap given its quality, and if you live in the San Mateo County area, you certainly want to give this a try.

The above picture is courtesy of Amy L on Yelp - Siam Thai restaurant in hotel Parc 55

My second recommendation is 'Siam Thai' restaurant in downtown San Francisco. Like Karakade, it's a 'hole in the wall' kinda place, and is not in the least bit fancy. However, it is (at least structurally) part of the pretty smart Parc 55 hotel, and as a result, attracts plenty of tourists who want to eat well on a budget. Service is fast and courteous, and the dishes are really tasty. The prices are unbelievable as well.

Minutes from Union Square, this is the perfect place to have a hearty lunch or dinner before you embark on numerous city tours.

Karakade
Siam Thai - 55 Cyril Magnin St (inside Parc 55) between Eddy and Ellis, (415) 362-7456