St. John Bread & Wine (Spitalfields London, UK) 2014-03-11

St. John Bread & Wine
94-96 Commercial Street
London
E1 6LZ
Phone: 020 7251 0848
Web: https://www.stjohngroup.uk.com/spitalfields/

I stopped in at St. John Bread & Wine in Spitalfields London, across the street from the Spitalfields Market to catch up with a college friend who works in the area.  She had recommended St. Johns for lunch and it turned out to be quite the nice choice for a weekday "work" lunch.

We agreed to order many small plates to share, this is what I would strongly suggest for anyone hoping to lunch at St. John Bread and Wine.  The prices were reasonable, I had been warned about pricing in the London food scene.  The space and presentation were clean and modern with a hint of rusticness.  The waiters were slightly inattentive but it looked like they were pulling double duty behind the kitchen while waiting, just a fair warning for those expecting exemplary service.  I can let this slide for the food and price points.  I would highly recommend St. John Bread & Wine for lunch if you're in Spitalfields.

Bread and Butter to start

Cauliflower, Chickpeas & Leeks

Broccoli, Steak, Onions

Foie Gras & Duck Liver Toast

Potted Pork with Pickles

Coffee

Half Dozen Madeleines

Doughnut with Custard

Custard Doughnut

The Kitchen at St John Bread & Wine

The Royal Oak (London, UK) 2014-03-11

The Royal Oak (London, UK) 2014-03-11

The Royal Oak
73 Columbia Road,
London E2 7RG
Phone: 020 7729 2220
Web: http://www.royaloaklondon.com/



To continue my exploration of pubs and fish and chips in London England, I stopped into the Royal Oak for a pint and an order of fish and chips.  For 15 pounds, they offered a beer and an order of fish and chips.  The single fried piece of fish was generous and it was nice presentation albeit a bit expensive in my opinion.  This concluded my sampling of fish and chips across London on this trip. 

The pub scene was fun and there was a good selection of beers, wines, liquor and cocktails.

Vals Sandwich Bar (London,UK) 2014-03-10

Vals Sandwich Bar (London, UK) 2014-03-10
108 Columbia Road, Bethnal Green
London, E2 7RG

Vals is a takeaway sandwich bar located in Bethnal Green London very close to where I was staying.  As it was my first time in London or the UK, I popped in to sample some common sandwich takeaway food.  I ordered a sausage egg and cheese sandwich with brown sauce (I was given the choice of red or brown) and a chicken cold cut sandwich.  Both came on generous slices of white bread. 

The brown sauce had a sweetness to it that I didn't exactly place but overall I prefered the breakfast sandwich over the chicken sandwich but that wasn't bad either. 

Tonkotsu East (London, UK) 2014-03-10

Tonkotsu East (London, UK) 2014-03-10

Tonkotsu East
Arch 334
1a Dunston Street
London
E8 4EB
Tel: 020 7254 2478

http://www.tonkotsu.co.uk/home

Tonkotsu East is located in Hackney London and serves up ramen, sake, and standard ramen house food.  I ordered the restaurant namesake tonkotsu with extra pork belly and an extra half egg. For appetizers edamame and shittake & bamboo gyoza were sampled.  The meal was rounded out with warm sake. 

Manfreds & Vin, Copenhagen 2014-03-08

Manfreds & Vin (Copenhagen) 2014-03-08
Jægersborggade 40
DK-2200 Copenhagen N
Phone: (+45) 3696 6593
Reservations: booking@manfreds.dk
Website: http://manfreds.dk/en/restaurant/

First stop in Copenhagen was to Manfreds & Vin for lunch.  It was recommended that the 7 course sharing menu was ordered.  7-course sharing menu – DKK 250,- per person.  Everything was very refreshing and relatively light.  The restaurant itself is small, intimate and has a large wine selection. 

Celery Root with Sheep's Yogurt and Fresh Capers

Beet Tartar with Pumpkin Cream and Puffed Pumpkin Seed

Squid in oil with mushroom, cream, coriander, and kidney beans

Poached Egg with crispy pork, mushrooms, barley, and thyme

Sun chokes, goat cheese and fresh spring ramps.

Poached Chicken

Charred Cabbage

7 Course Lunch Complete

The Marksman Pub (London, UK) 2014-03-07

The Marksman Pub (London, UK) 2014-03-07
254 Hackney Road, London, E2 7SJ
In the Bethnal Green/Shoreditch area of London
Web: http://www.marksmanpub.com/
Phone: 0207 739 7393

My first London pub stop was to The Marksman Pub.  Along with beers we grabbed calamari, fish and chips with English peas, and grilled salmon.  Dessert included sticky toffee pudding and a mixed fruit crisp with ice cream. Not a bad introduction to the country and a bit obligatory.

Calamari with a sweet sauce and mayo

Grilled Salmon with cauliflower

Beer Battered Haddock and Chips with peas

Date Pudding with Sticky Toffee and Clotted ice cream

Fruit Crisp with Ice Cream

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