Bring on 2013!

“Goodbye 2012″ and “Hello 2013″!

I hope that you had a good festive period and enjoyed welcoming in 2013.

I am glad that 2012 is over. It wasn’t a particularly a good year for me. I lost someone very close to me, who also left a loving wife and three young children. I also decided to leave my job at the hotel after being employed for 12 years. But all that is in the past now! I have 2013 to look forward to!

Over the past few months I have been chillin´out in London and spending time with family and friends.

There is so much to do, see and eat in London, and I love it!

I also met up with the Lao-British fashionista twins Tida and Lisa Finch of Finchittida Finch.

The “About Finchittida Finch” page on their website describe the fun loving duo pretty clearly!

MISSION
Finchittida Finch fuse their traditional Lao culture and British eccentricity, creating distinctive designs for you to adore and be adored in.

Brand Overview

Fresh out of the University of the Arts London, Finchittida Finch are twin design duo – Tida and Lisa Finch. Based in South East London, inspired by South East Asia, the twins are turning heads with their statement designs.

They showcased their latest collection during December 2012 at the trendy Boxpark Pop-up Mall in Shoreditch which was sponsored by King and Laurene´s Thai & Lao Street Food and our friends at Beerlao UK.

Shoreditch is a cool place to hang out. It´s just around the corner from East London´s Brick Lane which is a hub of activity and home to a great concentration of street art.

It´s not just a spray painted chicken, if you look closely you can see that feathers have actually been pasted on to the wall!

There is also a huge choice of eateries around the area, of my favorites being the original 24 hour Beigel Shop.

Salt Beef, Mustard and Gherkin Beigel. Yummy!

The queues can get long at the store (and at the store 2 doors away, also serving freshly made beigels 24/7), but it´s definitely worth the wait. No matter the weather,  you can always see people tucking in to their beigels outside on the street.

Talking about the street and street art, street food can also be enjoyed throughout the capital. There are street traders offering a mosaic of cuisines.

From steamed buns “a la Momofuku”, van cooked pizza (yep, pizza cooked in a van), German style sausages, venison curry, Jamaican jerk grills, New York hot dogs, European gyoza , Ethopian, Malay, Mexican, Vegan, Vegetarian, I am sure that there is something to please everyone´s palate!

Whilst in town I was also treated to a vegetarian south Indian meal by King and Laurene.

I am a complete novice when it comes to ordering Indian food. Thankfully I have my brother to help me out! My favorite has to be Dosa (top right) which is a “Crêpe” made from rice and black lentils which is made in to a batter and allowed to ferment. It tastes Yummmmmmy!

Other foodie treats that I spoilt myself with were Dim Sum!

I enjoy an afternoon with my family for Dim Sum, every time I am in London, we always find time for some Chinese food.

As a special treat I also headed to the top floor of the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington for what some call, “The Best Beijing Duck in London” at Min Jiang.

It´s not cheap, but it is worth it. Cooks prepare the duck (pre-order otherwise it´s a 45 minute wait!) table-side. You get to enjoy the crispy skin from the neck before wrapping slices of duck breast in pancakes with a selection of condiments. Whilst you are tucking in to the pancakes, the remaining meat is returned to the kitchen and prepared for your second course.

I wasn’t just eating out at food markets and restaurants, I actually had time to cook too!

In fact I had cooked for 2 Christmas Dinners, one on the 23rd for my parents and one on the 24th for other members of the family. Since we were in the UK, it seemed fitting to eat a traditional roast for these meals, though no turkey, I don’t like turkey.

Roast Rib of Beef and Roast Goose (neither overcooked!). Served with roasted vegetables and homemade gravies…. Yummmmy!

It must be said, I enjoyed myself so much in London that I have gained quite a few extra kilos!!! I wonder why?

Happy Belated New Year to you! :biggrin: