London blog #1 'Would you like some London with that?'

Weekend city trip to lovely London. Honestly, can't I stay?

London, I love you. 

I'm a city person to begin with - I'd live in Amsterdam if I had found an affordable place - but the Brits have done a remarkable job turning this historical landmark into a buzzing metropolitan with a perfect balance between the old and the new.
Now this is me after 3 days being here, so what the hell do I know. But with the pubs, the architecture, the theaters, really the overall preservation of what old London used to look like there is also plenty of room for new restaurants, new hypes (gluten free dining has never been this easy!) I'd say it's got all the perks of a good city. 

And yes, billions of tourist. That too. Including yours truly.. :) 

What I really wanted to do in London was visit markets that sell street food. I'd been reading about it on other blogs and it got me all excited! The promise of small food stands all around with food from around the globe, small business owners and food enthusiasts united - it doesn't get any better! Or actually it does, very few eyebrows were raised when I asked if the food they served was gluten free. I do wonder if they are as aware about other food allergies as gluten free food is very popular at the moment.

Day one No food markets here. We arrived on a Thursday and after walking around for a good two and half hours, searching for our hotel in Stratford, we just wanted to head straight into the heart of the city after our location was found. We stayed at Cottage 76, just a 5 min walk from the center. Simple, affordable and clean.

I really badly wanted to visit the M&M store on Leicester Square. I know, I've preached for not eating to much sugar and all organic here on this blog.. it's just, chocolaty sugary treats are my weakness. My Achilles heal. My kryptonite.

That evening we decided to go see Les Miserables. Sadly no Carrie Hope Fletcher, but Celinde Schoenmaker was on and being a Dutchy that naturally made it all ok. Amazing, still one of my favorites. 

But we were talking food here. 

Honest Burgers.
Honest Burgers Oxford Circus. You rocked my world. My god, that burger. I found the restaurant when I was browsing on the internet back home in preparation for London and being hungry and very close we decided that that would be the place to go. I haven't been that happy with a burger in a very long time. Bun - good. Meat - gooood. Onions - omnomnom. But the chips?! Good god. No, everything was to die for and not that greasy! Sadly we had quite a big lunch not much earlier so we didn't order the onion rings because we simply couldn't eat anything else.
So now I just have to go back. :)

Now, being very new at giving reviews I screwed up and only made pictures of myself and the food, but the entire restaurant oozes with a down to earth, easy going, friendly atmosphere. The clean interior, the helpful staff - who I recon were also very amused when I got really excited as my burger was served - it all made for a lovely dining experience. 

The men behind this amazing restaurant are Tom and Phil. Two entrepreneurs who wanted to serve good burgers, from honest meat. They started out with a small marquee selling their burgers at festivals and events which eventually lead to a chain of restaurants around London. 

If I could name one improvement - a sign that tells the origin of the beef and other ingredients. I'm always very curious :)

Find more information and the locations here.

I'm going to do the London post in stages, there was simply to much for one post! 

Tomorrow day two - Harry Potter and the Bottle of Wine

Wednesday day three - Daniel, the Camden Market Soapman 

Thursday day four - Brick Lane Market, meet nostalgia!

Hope you liked this post and if you happen to be in or going to London, please say hello to the wonderful blond waitress in her beautiful dress at Honest Burgers Oxford Circus - lady, you were brilliant.

See you tomorrow!

Love,
Anouk