This morning we head to Borough Market on the "other" side of the Thames River. This part of London, near London Bridge, has been synonymous with food markets as far back as the 11th century when traders came to sell grain, fish, vegetables and livestock. Exiting the Tube, we walk past by one of my favorite iconic contemporary buildings — The Shard. In the 13th century traders were relocated to what is now Borough High Street. |
The market has existed there ever since feeding the community with over 100 individual stalls featuring fruit and vegetables, baked goods, meat/poultry/fish, cheese, and a variety of British and international produce. Much of what is sold has either been made, grown or raised by the sellers. It's standing within the area has recently been marked by a Blue Plaque, voted for by the people of Southwark, making it as "London's Oldest Fruit & Vegetable Market."
Pairing up, we are given two assignments — Gypsy and I must purchase rhubarb, and then ask a vendor to share a factoid of "new" information that we will share later with our group. We
Pairing up, we are given two assignments — Gypsy and I must purchase rhubarb, and then ask a vendor to share a factoid of "new" information that we will share later with our group. We
Long, steady lines gather outside Monmouth for morning coffee and sweets. Then, around the corner to visit Neal's Yard Dairy to sample and purchase their artisan cheeses for a wine and cheese pairing discussion before dinner.
Then we are off to Maltby Street Market. Our route takes us past the Horseshoe Inn, to Ropewalk. We are told that this is an area that was "created" during the summer of 2010 when a quiet bubble of gastronomic intent was swelling under the railway arches in Bermondsey, a section of south-east London. On Saturday mornings to early afternoon Ropewalk comes alive with pop-up cafés, food stands and interesting shops.
As the day turns cold and rainy, we duck into a vintage shop to browse before going in search of a restaurant to partake in one of our favorite activities — eating! We select the Market Champagne & Seafood Bar that is a one-day-a-week pop-up café that is otherwise a wood shop. It is impossible to imagine Santa Barbara County back home allowing this type of mixed use entrepreneurial activity — too bad, it's a brilliant economic generator! We three settle on Lobster Benedict with a glass of Prosecco . . . yummy! ! !
As the day turns cold and rainy, we duck into a vintage shop to browse before going in search of a restaurant to partake in one of our favorite activities — eating! We select the Market Champagne & Seafood Bar that is a one-day-a-week pop-up café that is otherwise a wood shop. It is impossible to imagine Santa Barbara County back home allowing this type of mixed use entrepreneurial activity — too bad, it's a brilliant economic generator! We three settle on Lobster Benedict with a glass of Prosecco . . . yummy! ! !
Drizzly and cold, Petunia and I part company with Gypsy and the rest of our group to walk over Tower Bridge. Thankfully, once over the Bridge, we meet an American couple with a small child who is living in London and knows their way around the street to a Tube station that will take us back to Linhope House.
Back with moments to spare before heading back to Park House for a wine and cheese pairing before dinner. By far the best wines were brought by Gypsy from her Gypsy Canyon Winery — The Collectors pinot noir and Angelica, a fortified dessert wine made from Mission grapes planted by the Spanish padres near the La Purisima Mission in Lompoc, California.
Meanwhile, dinner was being prepared . . .