Another triumph

We have just walked another 10,000+ steps, this time on an East End food tour. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE DAY. 

London's east end has had a revival after a unique role in London history, much like Gastown. It has been a poor, working class, industrial part of town for centuries. Now it is industrial chic-funky-hip, with some long-term establishments still going strong. 

We met at Spitalfield Market (short for hospital, we learned) and then walked about, visiting 8 distinct establishments:

1) St. John Bread and Wine, owned by famous chef (though new to us) Fergus Henderson. His philosophy is that you use the whole animal, "nose to tail". 

Notice ox heart is on the menu. 

Here's my favourite part--read at the bottom where it says they can't guarantee animals served are free of lead shot!

We were there by 10:15 am and had our first food, bacon sandwiches on toasted buttered white bread. 

Everything's better with bacon. 

2) The English Restaurant, full of reclaimed wood and a wonderful authentic feel. 

Sorry, Jamie Oliver, but their bread and butter pudding surpasses all desserts.

Yes, that's custard on the side. Pass me a straw. 

3) The House of Androuet--CHEESE. What's not to love?

We tried English cheddar and English blue. Try them with dried raisins for a taste sensation. 

4) Poppies fish and chips. So so good. Delicious cod, which accounts for 60% of Britain's seafood intake.  Super fun retro decor, too. Pop has lived and worked in the east end his whole life. 

5) The Pride of Spitalfields, the ultimate pub, and with very decent prices. We sampled good beer and cider (the girls had St.Clements, orange+lemon). But the best part is LENNY THE CAT. 

6) Aladin--many cultures have lived and worked in the east end, and the most recent is the Bangladeshi community. We had some gorgeous authentic curries here. 

7) Beigel Bake--my god, this place is open 24/7/365. 

That's our group outside; we couldn't fit inside because the place is packed with customers. The east end was a popular Jewish settlement at one time; now there are only two bagel places left. We had killer corned beef on fresh bagels. 

8) Pizza East--super hip industrial chic place, where we finished off with tea and chocolate salted caramel tart with chantilly creme fraiche.  I mean, come on. 

Our tastebuds are still tingling, and we are still full. 

Thank you so much to Karen and Jim for this gift. I really loved going off the mainstream London grid to experience this.