turning a year older.

I have much to be thankful for in the past year. I've managed to take some time off, recharge, earned myself another degree (almost there!), made new friends and took on a brand new life in another country. As my birthday was approaching, many asked how I was feeling about turning a year older. Some of my friends were devastated when they turned that so-called 'fearful' age and some embraced it. I believe I fall in the latter category. It's true that I'm now older and nobody likes growing older, but along with age comes many changes and good things that I failed to appreciate when I was younger.

And then there are some things that never change no matter how old you are. There's that bowl of mee sua that I get every year on my birthday cooked by Mom on most years, and by the Sister this year and the last. There are also the friends who have grown up with me that will always be there in time of need no matter how many miles separate us and would send me surprise balloons that make me feel special and loved.

The past year has been filled with ups and downs but a new year marks a new beginning. Having another candle on the birthday cake is just the beginning of a new chapter in life and guess what, I'm so damn looking forward to it!

Strawberry Watermelon Cake with Rose Cream from Black Star Pastry

london eats: dishoom

Dishoom
12 Upper St Martin's Lane
London, WC2H 9FB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7420 9320
Website: http://dishoom.com/

You can't pass up on Indian cuisine when you're in London. 2 things come up when you mention Asian food in London; Roast Duck & Indian. Dishoom was great for a late night dinner after watching Matthew Fox rock the theatre stage for 'In the Forest, Dark and Deep' (he was gorgeous!). It was chilly and windy outside and a hearty Indian meal was perfect to warm us up. Lamb biryani, curry chicken, garlic naan and a delicious raita (yoghurt with cucumber and mint) made the perfect dinner combination.

 I feel like Indian all over again.

london eats: borough market

Borough Market
8 Southwark St
London, SE1 1TL
Website: http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/

If you want some of that, you would have to make a trip to Borough Market when you're in London. That is of course if hot melted cheese is your thing as much as it is mine.

london eats: the ledbury

The Ledbury
127 Ledbury Road
Notting Hill, London
W11 2AQ
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7792 9090
Website: http://www.theledbury.com/

Planning the places to dine at in London was a whole lot of fun and I would say, rather crazy. R & I packed our schedule full of restaurants that we wanted to try and I honestly thought that I would be sick by the end of the London leg. I was wrong cos it turned out that the current dining scene in London is extremely vibrant and with proper planning, every meal could turn out to be new and exciting! Dining at The Ledbury was a bright spark of the trip and I will remember that for a long time to come.

london eats: breakfast at ottolenghi

Ottolenghi

63 Ledbury Road

London W11 2AD

Tel: +44 (0)20 7727 1121

If you're in the area...

you can't possibly walk past this...

cos you won't be able to walk away quietly when you peer through that glass window and realise that if you walk in, you will see this...

and this...

before you know it, you will be pointing at this...

Caramel and Macadamia Cheesecake

this...

Lemon and Almond Cake with Blueberries

and that...

Quiche with Roasted Tomatoes, Caramelised Onions, Goat's Cheese & Thyme

The fun really begins when you dig in to the treats and settle in with a nice hot cup of coffee. 

And then of course, it gets better when you overhear a lady with 4 gorgeous children tell a friend about her upcoming weekend trip to Paris to see some art.

Ah.. the life...

london eats: breakfast at the wolseley

The Wolseley

160 Piccadilly

London W1J 9EB

Tel: +44 (0)20 7499 6996

Website: http://www.thewolseley.com/

 

I cannot think of a single person who doesn't love a good breakfast. I know I do and I had one of the best breakfast experiences in London at The Wolseley.