Carluccio's, St Pancras Station, London

This was just around the corner from the flat we were staying in.  I generally prefer to stay away from chain restaurants, especially when we're away from home, as there's so many lovely independent restaurants that I haven't tried.  However, we were hangry.

We needed fed and we needed fed NOW!

We had previously had brunch in Carluccio's in Aberdeen and enjoyed it so we were hopeful that the fare here would be of similar standard.  

We had the Grandioso Board to start.  Alan doesn't normally do well with sharing food, however, it seems I have whipped him into shape somehow.  Who would have thought that would have been possible?

The chicken liver pate was fantastic, (maybe even better than my own!) as were the garlic and mint green beans - something I think I'll try at home.



Speaking of trying things at home...

Even since we visited I've been trying to recreate the main course I had here - Penne Giardiniera.  Penne pasta with courgette and crispy spinach balls in a chilli/garlic/parmesan buttery sauce.  It was so delicious.  I've not quite mastered it yet, but I'm getting there.  

For pudding, Alan had Fudge and Rum Cake, which he was happy to learn didn't taste like rum...why pick a rum cake if you don't like rum?  Eejit.  Sadly, I didn't have space for pudding.  I've always had my eye on the amazing looking meringues that seem to grace the windows of all Carluccio's restaurants.  Maybe another time though.  The coffee I had was good though.  

It's been good, London.  

Wheatsheaf, London

After a wee trip up The Shard, we headed to Borough Market, where we saw all sorts of delicious things to eat.  We chatted to a lovely chap, who worked there selling Borough Market shopping bags, about the recent terrorist attack there.  I was pleased to see that it seemed to be thriving once again after this atrocity.  It could have happened anywhere.

It was busy and full of people and we were really just looking for somewhere quiet to sit down, have a pint, and satisfy our rumbling bellies.   Right next door, we stumbled upon the Wheatsheaf.  I'm glad that we did.  This quirky wee place has a lovely hipster pub vibe to it.  It has tire swings and old car seats to sit in the covered over outside area.  In the end, we settled down inside, which has slightly more of a traditional pub feel.  Long wooden tables with benches to sit on - that would do us nicely.  

We each had a pint of the local beer, the name of which escapes me, and it was very good.  Since it was Sunday, I ordered a roast.  Slow cooked brisket - yum!  Alan had roast chicken.  

Before long our food had arrived and our eyes lit up.  What was placed before us was way beyond our expectations.  The Yorkshire pudding was unreal.  I can't stress enough how good this tasted.  The brisket fell to bits, the veg was perfectly cooked and buttery and the gravy.....oh the gravy!

I like to go to new places each time I'm away from home, however, this place will definitely be on my list of places to return to.