Sunday lunch at L'Autre Pied

On Sunday when cousin had left to go back to Sweden (and just made it out before the ash cloud hit again) I met with up with Aussie friend for Sunday lunch. Aussie friend is a fellow food and wine lover which I have shared several delicious meals and wine with over the years. Last time we talked over the phone we decided that next meal was going to be very good. We were going for Michelin class.

In early 2000's old flatmate's partner worked at Pied à Terre, a two Michelin star restaurant on Goodge Street and when I found L'Autre Pied, its sister restaurant in Marylebone the choice was easy. We were going for French contemporary dining.

Tucked a way right in the middle of Marylebone Aussie friend and I actually managed to pass the restaurant without noticing it first and had to go back one block. Finally there, we were greeted by a French Maître d' who was wearing a very funky hot pink top with fringes (something only a petite French woman could pull off wearing). Our table was right in the the middle of the restaurant and as usual it was fun looking around to see what other people had decided to spend the afternoon in food heaven. Two tables away I quickly spotted a Swedish man with English girlfriend and his Swedish parents visiting. Eavesdropping on the conversation it seemed very much like this was the first time for the in-laws to meet the girlfriend.

Three sorts of still oven warm bread quickly arrived to our table along with water. Something we nibbled on while looking at the menu and wine list. Everything sounded exquisite but the risotto lover in me just had to try Risotto of Summer Truffle, Potato Crisps, Shaved Parmesan, Roasted Chicken and Truffle Jus as a starter. Aussie friend decide on the same. When looking at the wine list the Sommelier arrived and when she realized we knew a little about wine we had a lovely chat and even got to try two different whites to go with the risotto. Our final choice became a Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay from Yarra Valley in Australia. Just perfect.

For main course I decided to go with a very classical fish dish - Poached Lemon Sole, Mushroom Beignets, Purple Sprouting Broccoli and Morel Mushroom Cream. Fish cooked by top chefs can never go wrong. Aussie friend went with Slow Cooked Lamb Breast, Garlic Pomme Pureé, Confit Tomatoes, Green Olive and Rosemary Jus. When it was time to pick the wine our Sommelier friend arrived again. After trying both a Riesling and a Bourgogne I went with another Australian wine, David Traeger Verdelho from Goulburn Valley. Another match made in heaven.

An hour into eating and drinking both Aussie friend and I had huge smiles on our faces. This was pure heaven. Perfect food and perfect wine on a rainy Sunday afternoon. When it was time for desert became I decided not to go with something sweet and/or chocolaty which is very rare for me. Instead I choose to have cheese. The cheeseboard had passed our table several times and looked magnificent. I picked chèvre (of course), a British soft cows' cheese with black pepper, a French hard cows' cheese which reminded me of Parmesan and the Queen of all British cheeses the Stilton.

An espresso and still warm ginger biscuits ended our spectacular lunch two hours later. Aussie friend went home to watch Australia lose the cricket World T20 final to England, which I was invited to watch as well, but I still can't get cricket. It has to be something the Anglosphare are born with... Instead I did a last round at Debbenham's and House of Fraiser before going back to my hotel and crashing in the big double bed everybody gets at Hoxton Lodge. I believe I went sleep with a huge smile on my face.

When single becomes unmarried

A bit of debate has started in the US after Elena Kagan's appointment to the Supreme Court. The youngest person ever been appointed to the bench, former White House council, Dean of Harvard Law School and now Solicitor General. What I call a very successful woman. But suddenly there is a problem. There is no man or husband standing next to. And low and behold maybe she's even gay.

Since when did this become a problem? Since when is not OK to be a very successful woman and be single? That doesn't really matter does it? It's not the man or husband making her successful? The White House was so afraid about speculations so they even said she was unmarried. Unmarried as being a spinster. Not the fun loving and spirited single. Unmarried meaning left out.

Maureen Dowd in New York Times is spot on in her observation:

Men, generally more favored by nature as they age, can be single at all ages. But often, for women, once you’re 40 or 50, or simply beyond childbearing age, you’re no longer single. You’re unmarried — meaning it isn’t your choice to be alone.

I find it both fascinating and upsetting that still now in the 21st century a womea need to have a man by her side to be a real woman. It would never happen to a man.

Babylon

Being in in London last week also of course meant that the foodie in me got to have some real nice meals.

I've always wanted to see Kensington Rooftop Gardens, but it's really not something you do on your first, second or even third or fourth visit. But having been to London more than 30 times now I thought it was about time. Looking into opening times I found out that there was a restaurant on the 7th floor called Babylon which looked rather nice. A quick chat with cousin and we had made reservations for Friday lunch.

Dressed like ladies who lunch (and not tour London) we spent the morning at Harrods and Harvey Nick's before heading over to Kensington High Street and the entrance on Derry Street.

The lift whisked us up to the 7th floor very quickly where a lovely Maître d' showed us to our table next to the windows with a fabulous view over London. Soon our waiter showed up and asked if would like to start with a pink champagne cocktail. And of course we would. It's not every Friday you sit on top of the world, or at least on top of Kensington High Street and sip champagne.

Cousin decided to go with grilled fillet of sea bream, wilted spinach, peas, white wine cream sauce and to drink a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Myself I decide to have roasted fillet of beef, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, caramelized red onion in balsamic sauce. To drink I went with a glass of Grenache from the Rhone Valley.

Both dishes were excellent and as two foodies we savoured every bit of it. The wine was perfect as well and we felt rather spoiled just sitting there eating, drinking and watching people and the view.

For desert we both decided to have the rhubarb cheesecake which was just perfect. The tart rhubarbs matched the velvety cream cheese to a tee which also had some hints of vanilla. Mmm!

Two hours later cousin and I left very happy and a bit giggly. Champagne on a Friday lunch can do that to you... Lunch had been exquisite and now it was time to hit the shops on Kensington High Street before more bubblies and laughter.

Emetrics

I spent Monday and Tuesday attending Emetrics in London. Emetrics is the official summit for Web Analytics Association which I have been a member of for the last 2 years.

Unfortunately I really can't tell I was that impressed. I've attended other conferences and it's always the same. You read about the speakers and look at the glossy brochure and you think yes this is going to be interesting and fun, but then when you get there, well... Some speakers were great and some not so great.

I attend conferences like this to get inspired, get ideas and find out how what other companies are doing, but what I felt mostly this time was that nothing wasn't really new. It's either me getting bored (knowing it all) or that it really isn't that much new which can't be right either. So the whole conference actually left me feeling rather indifferent. Yes, I got some new ideas, yes I met some people that have jobs similar to mine and yes I learnt some things, but I didn't feel any wow or aha which is sad. Or maybe it was just me having high hopes and reading to much into that glossy conference program.

Anyhow it was nice to get out of the office and I did talk some real nice people (that actually knew what I was talking about) which is always very nice.

The underground song

Since I've spent the better part of the week in London this song from Peter's friends feels rather appropriate. I always think about the song whenever I hear "Stand clear of the doors", "Mind the gap" and of course "All change..."

Quote of the day

Since I'm off to London tomorrow (if the stupid ash cloud permits) there is no better quote than this.

You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.

~ Samuel Johnson ~

Why are people mean?

I've been reading Alice Dogruyol's column - Big girl in a skinny world - in The Daily Mail for a while now. I find the columns funny, witty and most of all I recognise myself in what she writes about. Those little things you think about as a big girl in a skinny world. How to find a pair of jeans that hide what you want to hide and show what you want to show. The perfect dress for wedding. Or how she felt after the amazing accomplishment having done London Marathon (reading that column actually made me cry).

What amazes me each time after reading the column is the comments. All comments are about that she's fat, need to stop whining and lose some weight. Because "losing weight is easy – you just eat less and exercise more". I find the comments both rude and nasty. Don't people have anything better to do? I know this is all part of Social Media and web 2.0 and so on, but for God's sake get out of the sandbox and keep the level of discussion on a more civil level.

Alice Dogruyol's writing style is quite ironic and a bit cynic which might come off as both whiny and self-centred, but it's all done in good spirit. As a big girl in a skinny world you learn very quickly to be both ironic and witty, especially in your teens if you want to survive.

I've been big, been skinny, been big, been skinny and now big again. Trust me, no matter what people say you're treated differently as skinny and because of that you feel better about yourself. When gaining weight again you know very well what's wrong with you, and surprise, surprise your self-esteem plummet. When you finally do understand that size really doesn't matter, that you can do whatever you set your mind to and are worth all the the love in the world, small minded and bigoted people tell you you're fat and need to lose weight. Mind you own business! You haven't got a clue what you're talking about until you've been a big girl in a skinny world yourself.

Stupid allergies

Feeling whiny and annoyed today all due to stupid allergies. As a teen I had rather mild hay fever, but it got me out of moving the lawn. During my 20's the allergies more or less disappeared but started to make a slow comeback after I turned 30 and crescendoed last spring with an very unexpected and scary asthma attack. Armed with strong prescribed allergy meds I made it through the spring and summer. This year spring was rather late, but sure thing it was time to bring out the meds as soon as it was starting to turn green outside.

I hate feeling like an old lady huffing and puffing and having to catch my breath whenever I do something other than just sitting down. Not being able to breath properly makes me tired. Sleeping usual means I wake up with a very dry mouth as I end up sleeping with my mouth open since my nose is stuffed.

Told you I'm cranky today... And feeling somewhat sorry for myself... Ice cream maybe...

Rosé wines

When rosé wines made a comeback some years ago I wasn't really impressed. To me it was just bad white wine with a splash of red. Then last summer I went to Provence and the French Rivera and of course fell in love with good old fashioned French rosé which everybody drinks at all occasions. Back home I tasted and tried a lot of different rosé wines, and rather quickly learnt that I'm an old fashion girl who wants old fashion and old world rosé wines.

On Wednesday last week it was time for another great wine tasting at Göteborgs Vinkällare. This time rosé wines and I was of course very curious if I could find some new favourites. I sort of did, but of course it was a French wine from Languedoc

Rotari Rosé
Sparkling rosé from my favourite "false or budget champagne" brand. Pale orangery pink colour. Fruity smell of wild strawberries and bread. The taste is rather dry and again you can feel the wild strawberries and bread. Not a very complex taste.

Louis Bouillot Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé Brut
Another "budget champagne" that can brighten up any boring day. Light pale pink colour. Quite strong smell of red berries and bread. Also hints of butterscotch in the end. The taste is dry and rather crisp. The red berries and bread can also be found.

Esprit du Silène Coteaux du Languedoc
Pink colour with a smell of raspberries, red currant and herbs. Dry taste with crisp berries and herbs. A typical French rosé wine according to our host and my favourite from the evening. I have already bought a bottle to try.

Marqués de Cáceres Rosado 2009
Pink colour with smells of berries, wild strawberries and herbs. Dry taste with lots of strawberries and herbs. Quite close to the French one, which is not so surprising since they are both from the old word. This is wine might feel a bit heavier though since it's made from Tempranillo.

Regatta Bay Rosé Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Grenache 2009
Dark pink colour. Reminds me of Gran's home made raspberry lemonade. A rather strong smell of berries, particular red currants and strawberries ending with a hint of herbs. The taste is rather sweet and berry, almost artificial like in some chewy sweets.

One hour behind

I can count on one hand the times I've overslept. The few times it have happened it have been because of a malfunctioning clock or something else, not that I've turned off the alarm and continued to sleep.

As of yesterday morning I can now add another "incident" to my list. God knows how, but somehow I had managed to change the time on my alarm with one hour. So when the alarm went of at 6 it was already 7. I did though wake up about at 5:15 (alarm time) and glanced at the clock knowing that it wasn't time to get up yet. Well, my internal clock was actually right since it was 6:15.

I did my usual morning routine, breakfast, shower and so on. The radio was on as usual as well. I always look at my mobile phone before putting it in my handbag and when time time said 7:50 I just starred at the screen. Couldn't be right. Went in to the kitchen. Clock on wall said 7:50 and clock on the microwave said 7:50. Back in the bedroom I looked at the alarm which said 6:50 and when I checked the clock on the computer I realized I was defeated and very much one hour late.

Since I didn't have any meetings until 10 I just decided to live with it and keep going with my normal routine. I arrived at office right before 9 and felt rather relaxed actually. I have been missing that hour all day though. That hour between 8 and 9 is my catch-up-on-things and prepare-for-the-day hour while drinking some more coffee. Now I just had to get going immediately.

Last night I changed the batteries my alarm preventing another late morning (worked) and hopefully it will be another 10-15 years until I oversleep again.

Soon London

Off to London in 10 days with cousin (the best 3 year-old in the world's mother). First a long weekend together and then Monday-Tuesday at a webanalytics conference. As usual I'm very excited and have spent most of the day thinking about things to do. I so want to show her my London and not the usual tourist things.

So far tickets to Grumpy Old Women and lunch at Babylon, at Kensington Roof Gardens. I also have a feeling there will be a lot of shopping, wine drinking and a visit or two to some museums. Probably British Museum since cousin is a history teacher and to Tate Britain if I get to decide. I really want to see the Henry Moore exhibition. Probably also some Indian food and dumplings in China Town for lunch. Cousin's DH is a real meat and potatoes guy so being away from home is her chance to eat unusual things.

I can hardly wait! It's going to be so much fun.