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Sinù Fogarizzu's avatar

I've been wanting to visit London for years now, so I was very excited to find this in my inbox. To be honest, the final food reveal felt a bit shocking to me. All that bougieness for fish and chips?? Which speaks more of my narrow mindedness than anything else! I used to visit foreign countries much more often in the past, but the last 5 years were strictly local. When they say that travelling opens your mind and horizon... It is true! As is the opposite. Being exposed to different cultures on a regular basis is so important.

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Hoang Samuelson's avatar

Sinu, I have a DSLR but I did not take any photos with that camera. My husband told me to put it away since we were in such a boogie place. But I snuck in a few photos with my iPhone haha…which is what you saw in this post. Overall, I think London has an amazing food scene and you should definitely visit. But there’s definitely better food elsewhere! I wouldn’t go back to places like The Ivy unless it’s for cocktails or afternoon tea. We stayed near the university college london area and there’s a fantastic restaurant called Nonna Selena that had really great pizza. And if you do visit you should make a trip out to Bath, where they have the best pasty’s in the world!!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

With a Scottish mom, I grew up with British fare, though not of the “elevated” variety (except for roast beef for special occasions). However, I would studiously avoid it when in England, except perhaps, for English tea, which I love. Overhyped food often turns out to also be overpriced and disappointing, I’ve discovered. In England, I found some of the best food is made by immigrants. But that’s also true here too! But with hungry kids in tow, who has time to do research?

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Hoang Samuelson's avatar

I bet you’re right. I follow Vittles, and they write about non-fussy food, many of them from immigrants and how good they are, so I had some idea…but since this was my first time in London, and we had the kids, we stuck to the so-called popular areas, where food is no doubt insanely expensive. So yeah it wasn’t cheap to dine at The Ivy but it was definitely an experience!!!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Well you did the experience justice, Hoang! I enjoyed your vivid descriptions and imagined backstories for the folks you described!🤗

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Hoang Samuelson's avatar

Thanks Ruth!

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