Pim Pam Burger

After countless years of working at Whole Foods Market, reading books like Skinny Bitch and Eating Animals, and watching some pretty appalling documentaries, I've experimented with being a vegetarian a few times in the past.  As saddened as I feel for the animals that are treated inhumanely, and as disgusted as I feel about the way that most meat is processed, I still eat it.  Everyone is different but I know that my body needs lean protein from animal sources.  Besides, being a vegetarian in a Greek family?

Yeah.  Right.

When I do eat meat its usually chicken or fish.  And even though they may be few and far in between, I do have the occasional cravings for a succulent, juicy burger.  When this happens, Pim Pam Plats hits the spot.

Pim Pam Pollo {chicken burger}

Right around the corner from La Báscula {torturous mental decision every time}, Pim Pam is a stereotypical burger place; even the smell of it will linger in your clothes for a few hours.  If you prefer to not eat beef, the chicken burger is just as juicy, and a tad bit crispy on the outside.

What to Order:
-The smaller sized burger - trust me on this
-Add the Queso de Cabra (goat cheese) to your burger
-The fries are enough for two
-If you're going all out, order the Pim Pam Completa (includes cheese, bacon and fried egg)

Go hungry; you'll be full until the morning.

Roger de Flor

Tomorrow is move out day, and its finally hitting me that its really happening.  No more perfectly situated apartment.  No more shopping at the lousy Sorli Discau with expired food across the street.  No more breakfasts on the terrace.  No more listening to Radio Flaixbach on my boom box.  No more hearing the glass recycling bin being emptied at 3 AM.

My apartment looks like it did the day Sylvia and I moved in - a little bigger and very empty.  After nearly two years, I can't believe the day is now here..

Too much cava & cake

23rd Birthday

Roommates with the Christmas jamon

Moving always makes me a little sad.  But there's nothing like that first time you go to IKEA to furnish a new place; its like starting over from scratch.  I can't wait to see what my next home will be like.  Until then, I'll be sleeping on Sylvia's couch just one block up the road.

Roger de Flor, thanks for the memories.

Tasting London

Can I just say again that I love London?  And if you like good food, you love it too.

LEON

I love that natural and sustainable cafes like PRET and LEON are everywhere, making healthy eating on the go so easy.  At LEON, every item on the menu says whether its gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, etc.  At LEON I had a large salad with grilled chicken, a side of flatbread, a lemonade, and a chocolate mousse all for £11.  And who said London had to be pricey?

Fifteen

I mentioned [here] that I wanted to eat at a Jamie Oliver restaurant.  After the long walk from Camden Town, I did make it to Fifteen in the end.

Fifteen is part of the Jamie Oliver Foundation and has an admirable apprenticeship program for unemployed young people.  Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed.  The server didn't have a clue about the wine menu, and although the food was sophisticated and beautifully presented, it certainly did not meet my expectations.  Oh well, at least my money went to charity.

What to Order: 
The basil pannacotta with balsamic infused strawberries and biscotti [aka basil flavored pudding].  I would eat at Fifteen again just to have this silky yumminess as my starter, main course, and dessert.

Olive madness

Overall, the best food in London can be found in the markets.  Its at these places that you can find a great variety of cuisines all in one place.  At the Covent Garden market I had almond-stuffed green olives for the first time.  Boyfriend says that they're common in the DR.  I'm thinking they may become a new favorite food of mine over the next few months.

Observations: London

So it didn't rain, and.. 

I absolutely most definitely fell in love with London.

OBSERVATIONS:
-The tube is freakishly far underground but is cozy with cushiony seats - who knew that public transportation could be so comfortable?

-Al Fresco dining happens even if it might be chilly & grey.  The center is full of charming little streets with terraces.

-I'm used to colorful money living off the euro, but the pound..  Still looks like princess money to me.

-The city has amazing shopping.  I discovered Dorothy Perkins and spent a good portion of Tuesday afternoon on the hunt for a specific gold blouse.  Five Dorothy Perkins later, I found it.  Yesss.

-The TopShop on Oxford Street deserves its own postal code.  Enough said.

-"Youth" Hostels don't really mean youth hostels.  The 45 year old man sharing my room woke up at 7 each morning and ruffled through 6 different plastic shopping bags.  I would've preferred the snoring of a second young, drunk Australian than to hear about his Cambridge folk festival.

If the weather and salaries weren't crap, I would live in London in a heartbeat.  

And as for the food..  Well, that deserves its own post. 

London Time

I'm off to London this morning and I'm stoked that the weather forecast shows no sign of rain.  I've been to London once on a really, really long layover, and saw most of the big sights.  This time on my real trip, this is my list of must-do's:

1.  Venture out of the center to the Camden Town market.  I'm a sucker for markets and I'm crossing my fingers for some good vintage finds.

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2.  Take a run in Hyde Park.

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3.  Eat at a Jamie Oliver restaurant.

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4.  And last but certainly not least:  Shop at TopShop.  Duh.

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I'll be back on Friday.

Please weather, don't ☂ on my parade.