Some photos from our Thanksgiving trip to London...

So right up front I'm going to apologize for the bulk of these food pictures having me in them..I suppose I should be thankful that somebody likes seeing me so much (my wife)..but you folks are just going to have to wade through it...send any and all complaints to my publicist. Thanks!

This picture pretty much sums up my goals for the trip! This was taken in the Borough Market, which is the neighborhood of London called "The city" (its where London was originally centered..then a fire..then it moved etc etc

The Butchers Breakfast! Found under the Smithfield Market in a amazing pub called "The Cock Tavern". Believe it or not this is one of the things I simply HAD to do while in London. I originally learned of it from the "No Reservations" London episode..and let me tell you I've never been happier to drink a few pints and eat these meats at 7am: Deviled Kidneys, Calf's Liver, Steak, English Bacon, Wiltishire Pork Sausage, Blood Cake. Yeah..that's right your not seeing things please also note that this is ALL that is included in the Butchers Breakfast. This is where the butchers who work in the Smithfield Market go grab lunch (they start work at 3am) and I was very happy to join them for my breakfast of beer and a plat chalked full of artery hardening goodness.

Enjoy the before and after shots..if in the after shot you think I look frazzled..then your god damn right I was! Good thing we went and climbed the 530+ stairs at St. Pauls right after this..it was either that or pass out in a protein coma on park bench...

Later in the day we explored the Borough Market where we were able to sample some of the best Oysters I've ever had as well as buy some of the world renowned Iberian Prosciutto..which exceeded even my expectations. Cured and hung to dry for 4 years it comes out a dark ruby red and absolutely delicious

After sampling the prosciutto we hit up the "Wright Brothers Oyster and Porter House"...which, as you can tell from the name of the establishment, focuses on two of my favorite things to consume..


We really enjoyed how this pub is designed. Nothing fancy, just a bar that goes around 3 walls, and swiveling plates on the bar where you get to enjoy your oysters from. Oh and they also have and Oyster Stout which was absolutely delicious. I've been meaning to try oysters with a stout ever since reading Mark Kurlanskys "History on the Half Sheff". which covers the NY area and oyster consumption along with stouts and porters extensively.

Those were the major foodie things we did, others include classic English breakfast which includes: English Bacon, Wiltshire Pork (yep..again), a slice of grilled tomato, beans, a fried egg and toast...pretty heavy shit to do on a daily basis but I did enjoy it quite a bit.






..it's 8am on a Saturday now I think I would go for another round of that right now actually..






Here's a shot of some amazing blood and tongue sausage we picked up in Harrods Market..it was awesome.


And here is some head cheese, also picked up from Harrods in the market..nothing like eating head cheese and blood/tongue sausage in the park to make the locals uneasy ;)

And of course you can buy jellied ox tongue easily in the UK..

And to finish this post off I thought I'd point out my new favorite snack combo...cask conditioned ales and olives...delicious.

Stay tuned for a post dedicated to the beers of London! Happy Holidays!

Cheers!

Brian