Priceless Paintings from W7

…nice-to-be-back-home food:

Braised lamb shanks on roasted winter vegetables, with saffron rice,

Pasta Siciliana (twice, due to leftovers, as half of the originally planned party had to decline the invitation on the short notice),

A nice curry at a friend’s house,

And way too much American restaurant food. Don’t get me wrong on that, I don’t eat grub when out there, so the meals I eat tend to be very nice, and the places where I dine are all-right. But, it’s just nowhere close to making my own. My own food tends to be less fanciful, and more flavoursome.

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Food and Drink food, recipe

Who would have thought that we’d ever see 4 inches of snow (that’s 10cm, or 100mm, for the metrically inclined) right in the middle of West London, and with the prognosis to last for another three days.

So, all of London writes and talks about the exceptional weather. Busses were suspended, airports shut down or many flights severely delayed, schools closed, bones broken and bumpers bent.

Here’s our very own palm tree, just so that you believe it.

The best thing about heavy snow in London is that they whole place changes tack. Busses were suspended and most people left their cars at home, or even stayed at home themselves. Children played in the street and countless people of all ages were throwing snowballs or building snow men. In that sense, I happily look forward to another few days of snow.

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Thoughts london, snow, Weather

I am ashamed of myself, for lacking the courage necessary to make my point right there and then. Very sad, I know. Eventually, I’ll be a grumpy old man, and nothing will hold me back.

For example, I would stand up in the middle of the restaurant, and deliver an impromptu lecture on table manners to the waiting staff. Do not, I would say, do not start clearing the table while half of my company are still eating. Do not say “Finished?” when I haven’t even replaced my fork back onto the plate. Oh, I would add, and don’t ask “How would you like it cooked” when the customer orders liver.

How they expect to deliver a civilized dining experience is beyond me.

I would also want to stand up and deliver an impromptu lecture on table manners to some of the guests. Do not, I would say, do not stand up and walk around the restaurant during the meal. Do not eat with your elbows on the table or your hands on your knees, and don’t start until everyone has his or her serving. Use knife and fork for eating. Do not consider eating a burger fine dining.

Arrrrg. I guess I just had enough restaurant food for a while. America might make this experience even more special, but the bottom line is that I am glad to be back home.

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Thoughts Eating, Restaurant, United States