London: World Cup, Pinkies Up

In the past few years, I've acquired the delightful habit (read: privilege) of annual trips to Europe.  This year's was half work (London, Paris) and half fun (Belgium, Milan, Santorini).  I caught up with an overflowing handful of old friends, watched France win (and gloat over) the world cup in London, rode on the back of a motorcycle through the Milano piazza del duomo, and threw up over the side of a boat in Greece (it can't all be glamorous).  Let's dive in.

At Box London, we drink the Kool Aid 

out of teacups with our pinkies up

First, work.  And all I want to say about it is that our team did an amazing job with the office itself.  Check out the views and design of the Box London office space, as well as the rooftop bar.

 

 

People are always curious about me seeming to travel alone in Europe.  And yes, my transportation is often on my own, but I'm rarely alone while there!  A couple of my favorite girls in the office, Emma and Giulia, joined me for multiple dinners.  With them, I got my daal and lamb fix at Dishoom, tried out a one Michelin star restaurant called Kitchen W8, and finally sat down at a Jamie Oliver restaurant, Fifteen. 

 

While at Kitchen W8 with Giulia, my Italian colleague (above), the Canadian gentleman next to us ordered a glass of champagne that the waitress accidentally brought to us.  He was so struck by the injustice of giving and taking champagne from ladies that he had her bring us two glasses on him!

Because it was the night of what turned out to be England's last World Cup game, I was able to get tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.  While the live magic and staging was, well, magical, the whole affair seemed unnecessarily drawn out and dramatized (ehm, there were two separate shows, 3 hours each).   Just because you can, Ms. Rowling, doesn't mean you should. 

The highlight may have been that the soccer match also afforded me immediate entry into Barrafina, a tapas restaurant I had previously had to turn away from due to long waits, during the intermission.  I highly, highly, oh so highly recommend dining at this seafood-focused Spanish counter.  And if you do, don't miss the goat cheese-stuffed zucchini flower with honey.  *swoon*

Friday night I accompanied Emma to her friend's birthday party at an upscale hotel in which her husband later saw Tom Cruise (we missed him though!).  Afterwards, we joined up with a pair of Canadians we'd met that night and went for dinner.  It was one of those serendipitous, unexpected adventures that turned out to be a great time.  The Canadian girl we were with works in mining journalism!  Who knew that was a thing?

I stayed at the M by Montcalm in Shoreditch, and there were a lot of great things about this hotel, like the pool and the curtains that close at the press of a button.  But my favorite feature was the daily-replenished fruit plate, and I'm not talking mushy apples and under-ripe bananas.  There were peaches, tangerines, apricots, and plums.  Saturday morning I answered the door to a woman carrying a platter: "I'm here to refresh your fruit."  I could get used to that!

Over the weekend, I explored London on my own.  Venturing north to Hampstead, I meandered over cobblestones, through ivy-lined alleys, and enjoyed the town's quaint architecture, the abundant fish and chips of Holly Bush pub, and the views over London from Parliament Hill in the heath. This would be such a lovely neighborhood to live in!

Sunday started with (not) shopping on Regent Street, followed by high tea at Fortnum & Mason, which was a lovely, traditional tea, but I must say I prefer the more opulent settings I've found in the fancy hotels!

Later that day I stopped in a pub to catch the second half of the France-Croatia World Cup game.  I couldn't believe how many Frenchies were in London-it felt completely taken over!  The streets were almost silent, reverent, until action would pick up in the game and everything would explode. 

Their win was boisterous as all get down and Piccadilly was positively popping as they celebrated, climbed, and chanted. 

And because that wasn't quite enough of a day, I squeezed in a night of improv at the Comedy Store.  It's amazing what you can fit into a day while sinking your teeth into another city.  Soon, I was on my way to Paris for a couple days of work and some long-due time with Letizia.