As Autumn arrives we don't look forward to:
- That first morning when you need to locate your scarf and coat that has been hanging in the plastic dry-cleaning bag since last year.
- The clear blue sky that appears early in the day, followed by encroaching darkness in the afternoon.
- Slippery leaves on the footpath and an abundance of spiders that decide the best place to weave a web is across your front door.
- Family and friends in Australia gleefully reminding you via social media of how amazingly warm Spring-time is.
- Slippery leaves on the footpath and an abundance of spiders that decide the best place to weave a web is across your front door.
- Family and friends in Australia gleefully reminding you via social media of how amazingly warm Spring-time is.
Autumn brings that one event that is followed with great enthusiasm in London - the AFL Grand Final. As the last Saturday in September rolled around, we had a vested interest with our team - Hawthorn FC making it through for a second year.
And although we had the means to watch the game online from the comfort of our home; it was decided on the morning of the big day (rather than with any confidence that it was going to happen during the week), that we would head to the Walkabout Pub in Temple for the Grand Final party.
And although we had the means to watch the game online from the comfort of our home; it was decided on the morning of the big day (rather than with any confidence that it was going to happen during the week), that we would head to the Walkabout Pub in Temple for the Grand Final party.
Walkabout Temple, 3:30am
Given that public transport in London can be a little non-existent in the early hours of the morning, we booked a mini-cab that delivered us to the front doors of the sports bar, only a short distance from the Australian High Commission on the Strand where we had cast our votes a few weeks before. Even at 3:30am, a small crowd had gathered along the Embankment, where the Thames looked especially pretty as the blue lights of the Eye and the street-lamps reflected on the water.
From discussions with our fellow patrons, we noted the support of many expat Victorians that were backing the State representative. However, a large number of Fremantle supporters were excited about being in the Grand Final for the first time (and also Geelong, Sydney supporters jumping onto that Anti-Hawthorn bandwagon). When we finally got in around 4:30am, our £20 ticket provided us with a bacon bap and two small glass stubbies of VB (never too early for a beer).
Inside the Sports Bar
The back wall of the sports bar was filled floor to ceiling with a projector screen, and the sides were lined with about 8 smaller TV screens so that you were always able to see the on-screen action from any part of the pub. This is definitely a place we would consider for World Cup 2014 action, as it seems less likely that we will make the trip to Brazil next year due to logistics, leave from work and Australia's current dubious form.
The back wall of the sports bar was filled floor to ceiling with a projector screen, and the sides were lined with about 8 smaller TV screens so that you were always able to see the on-screen action from any part of the pub. This is definitely a place we would consider for World Cup 2014 action, as it seems less likely that we will make the trip to Brazil next year due to logistics, leave from work and Australia's current dubious form.
Advance Australia Fair
By the time of kick-off, the pub was completely filled and expat supporters were in the majority based on the rousing rendition of Advance Australia Fair that precedes the first bounce. And from that point on, it was a case of nerves as Hawthorn's dominance wasn't as clear-cut as expected, although helpfully the Dockers assisted with losing it in front of goal.
By the time of kick-off, the pub was completely filled and expat supporters were in the majority based on the rousing rendition of Advance Australia Fair that precedes the first bounce. And from that point on, it was a case of nerves as Hawthorn's dominance wasn't as clear-cut as expected, although helpfully the Dockers assisted with losing it in front of goal.
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| Premiers for 2013 |
Tube Cough
With the weather changing, another London certainty is the emergence of the 'Tube cough' and the common cold hanging around the office, as ibuprofen/tissues/Lemsip become desk companions - as unfortunately we experienced the worst of the flu virus for the first time in the UK. Accompanied by a bout of food poisoning we ended up postponing our Tuscany trip during October and as such, we haven't travelled overseas lately.
Visitors from Australia
During Autumn we were visited by Olie's mum and dad, brother Joey and two family friends - Evelyn and Carmen on route to their tour of Europe, including a trip to Norway to visit Michelle and Marius. We showed them around the main sites of Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, London Eye and also the restaurants in Southwark.
Book of Mormon
We headed for the theatre twice during this season, seeing the hilarious Book of Mormon in early September; and then the classic Phantom of the Opera in early October. The Book of Mormon had us giggling shamelessly at its politically incorrect script.
The Phantom of the Opera
Watching The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre was a special experience, as the evening we attended coincided with the 27th birthday of the production. It had opened on that very stage at Her Majesty's in 1986 with the legendary cast of Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. After the final act, a birthday cake was brought out and the entire audience was invited to sing Happy Birthday to the Phantom.
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| Opening set of the Phantom |
Foodie London
During Autumn, we indulged in the following foodie experiences:
Pollen St Social
- A catch up with May and Tony eating an Autumn inspired tasting menu with lots of beetroot and earthy flavours.
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| Catching up with May in London |
Malaysian Home Cooking
A goodbye dinner with London 'neighbours' MayLing and Jing who were returning to Melbourne included an inspiration for us to try cooking crab and corn soup; and we left with a party bag of A1 curry sauce as they were clearing out their cupboards.
Smokehouse Islington
Farewell dinner with our friend Yun also returning back to Melbourne where we munched on shortrib bourguignon and ox-cheek.
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| Foie Gras with duck egg |
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| Bone marrow |
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| Crab on toast |
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| Ox cheeks |
Hawksmoor in Spitafields
Surf (lobster) and turf (a large steak shared between the two of us) but sadly our meal was not well enjoyed by either of us due to a stint of the flu.
Surf (lobster) and turf (a large steak shared between the two of us) but sadly our meal was not well enjoyed by either of us due to a stint of the flu.
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| Olie's favourite - Sticky toffee pudding |
Medlar Restaurant
Three course lunch in Chelsea with friends Nara and Gav.
Three course lunch in Chelsea with friends Nara and Gav.
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| Black bean and raw scallops |
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| Crab ravioli |
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| Guinea fowl |
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| Saddle of rabbit |
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| Panna cotta |
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| Blackberry doughnuts |
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| A rich chocolate cake |
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| Peach sorbet and madelines |
London Restaurant Festival
We participated in the London Restaurant Festival 'eating tour' events. We bought tickets to two tours based on Tapas and Japanese themes that involved trips to different restaurants for a dish and drink over the course of two afternoons. Overall, we are unlikely to do the tours again, as we still felt hungry after the meals and a lot of the day is wasted waiting at each venue to be served for such a small plate of food.
We participated in the London Restaurant Festival 'eating tour' events. We bought tickets to two tours based on Tapas and Japanese themes that involved trips to different restaurants for a dish and drink over the course of two afternoons. Overall, we are unlikely to do the tours again, as we still felt hungry after the meals and a lot of the day is wasted waiting at each venue to be served for such a small plate of food.
Tapas Tour (Saturday)
Stop.1- Copita
This event kicked off at the Soho location, a small tapas venue where we ate duck and pear risotto with a lovely red wine.
This event kicked off at the Soho location, a small tapas venue where we ate duck and pear risotto with a lovely red wine.
Stop.2 - Fernandez and Wells
Located a few streets away, this restaurant was part of a chain of tapas restaurants that offered two small sourdough pieces topped with jamon iberico with tomato or chargrilled red peppers; and a glass of red wine.
Located a few streets away, this restaurant was part of a chain of tapas restaurants that offered two small sourdough pieces topped with jamon iberico with tomato or chargrilled red peppers; and a glass of red wine.
Stop.3- Barrica
On the other side of Soho in Goodge St, we ate Bone Marrow with Apply Jelly; or Oak Grilled Squash with Blue Cheese and Almonds paired with a lovely white wine.
On the other side of Soho in Goodge St, we ate Bone Marrow with Apply Jelly; or Oak Grilled Squash with Blue Cheese and Almonds paired with a lovely white wine.
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| Switching from red to white wine |
Stop.4 - Ametsa
This would have been a meal at the Michelin restaurant near Hyde Park Corner, however we missed the cut-off time by 15 minutes and therefore did not get to try the scorpion fish cake / black ink squid with sangria.
This would have been a meal at the Michelin restaurant near Hyde Park Corner, however we missed the cut-off time by 15 minutes and therefore did not get to try the scorpion fish cake / black ink squid with sangria.
Stop.5 - El Pirata
This Park Lane restaurant was busy serving Albondigas (meatballs in a tomato sauce); and Pimiento Relleno (a stuffed red pepper) with wine.
This Park Lane restaurant was busy serving Albondigas (meatballs in a tomato sauce); and Pimiento Relleno (a stuffed red pepper) with wine.
Stop.6 - El Pirata Detapas
In far-away Notting Hill, we had the most disappointing menu option of the night - ham croquettes or endive leaves with cheese. The service was also disappointing, the staff acting like the entire tour experience was an after-thought to their regular Saturday bookings. We ended up ordering additional food as we were still hungry after the last dish.
In far-away Notting Hill, we had the most disappointing menu option of the night - ham croquettes or endive leaves with cheese. The service was also disappointing, the staff acting like the entire tour experience was an after-thought to their regular Saturday bookings. We ended up ordering additional food as we were still hungry after the last dish.
Japanese Tour (Sunday)
Stop.1 - Kurobuta Pop-up
This was a standout venue in Kings Road Chelsea, only open for the next three months with a permanent location due in Marble Arch. We ate a tasting 'bento' that included fried squid, tuna maki and salmon gravlax. Instead of wine, we drank a guava juice and gin cocktail.
This was a standout venue in Kings Road Chelsea, only open for the next three months with a permanent location due in Marble Arch. We ate a tasting 'bento' that included fried squid, tuna maki and salmon gravlax. Instead of wine, we drank a guava juice and gin cocktail.
Stop.2 - Tonkotsu in Soho
A dish of gyoza and a dish of kara age (fried chicken), both tasty. Service was frantic (they were very busy) and for drinks we had a 'Tom Collins' (gin and lemonade)
A dish of gyoza and a dish of kara age (fried chicken), both tasty. Service was frantic (they were very busy) and for drinks we had a 'Tom Collins' (gin and lemonade)
Stop.3 - Inamo Soho
The first of the disappointing meals at the restaurant with a gimmicky feature of being able to order at your table; however on the tour we were seated at the bar, served a sickly sweet mint and amaretto cocktail and had to wait half an hour for a plate of maki with soft shelled crab (the excuse was that we had arrived during a chef shift change)
The first of the disappointing meals at the restaurant with a gimmicky feature of being able to order at your table; however on the tour we were seated at the bar, served a sickly sweet mint and amaretto cocktail and had to wait half an hour for a plate of maki with soft shelled crab (the excuse was that we had arrived during a chef shift change)
Stop.4 - Shoryu Soho
Service at this restaurant was fast and attentive, with either the traditional or the spicy ramen on offer. For the drink, we had a small shot of a 'gin and tonic'.
Service at this restaurant was fast and attentive, with either the traditional or the spicy ramen on offer. For the drink, we had a small shot of a 'gin and tonic'.
Stop.5 - Inamo St James
This mirrored the disappointment of Stop.3. We ate a secret gin/fruit based cocktail but waited over half and hour for small pieces of mackerel sashimi, no doubt a result of there only being one sushi chef on duty even though the restaurant was half full.
Stop.6 - Bincho Soho
This small izakaya was actually a venue we had walked past many times but never looked appealing enough from the outside to walk in. We were actually surprised by the decor inside and the long hibachi grill. The menu was skewers (meat, fish, vegetables) washed down with either sake (served in a wooden box) or green tea.
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This small izakaya was actually a venue we had walked past many times but never looked appealing enough from the outside to walk in. We were actually surprised by the decor inside and the long hibachi grill. The menu was skewers (meat, fish, vegetables) washed down with either sake (served in a wooden box) or green tea.
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| Olie sipping from his box |
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