Borough Market
Google London Food Market and Borough Market comes on top. It is the place for food lover in London.
At A’s urging, we went there on a Saturday. It was packed with both sellers and buyers. The place simply smelt wonderful. We followed our nose first to a burger place full of happy faces waiting for their burgers. Next, we picked a chewy and chocolatey brownie from a mountain and paid 2 pound (I think) for a large brick. Further in, we joined a line of people were queuing for scallop ‘teppanyaki’ served on its shells. Remembering that we had to honour a lunch reservation, we got the juice flowing by drinking filtered coffee, which was truly exceptional. The brewing method was fun to watch, too. Paper filters were inserted into a cone-shaped ceramic filter and filled with ground coffee. Then, hot water was poured carelessly on the coffee and the liquid was allowed to drip onto prepared cups. Despite the simplicity, it was nothing like the watery and bitter brew served at Starbucks.
We brought back the one regrettable item during the whole culinary journey: Mrs. King’s pork pie. It was basically fat-lined pastry filled with meat and ‘others’. It was bitterly salty and extremely rich. We had to drink strong tea afterward to get rid of the fatty coating.
There were simply too many good things to sample at one go. We failed to sample the numerous quiches, pastas, steaks and juices. We didn’t try any of the dine-in restaurant inside the market. Anyway, I heard Roast is lousy and I’d prefer to much along and sampling items as we walked.
Aside from cooked stuffs, the fresh food was also fascinating and educational. I would love to buy back some puffball mushroom and cook them as I’ve not eaten one before. Now I know that Brussels sprouts do not sprout out the soil like cabbage but grow out of stalks like leaves. I discover that game is as gory as I imagine them to be. And I’d kill to have that many varieties of fish to be available in this land-locked country.
Borough Market, we’ll be back.
Others in the London series:
Wright Brothers Oyster & Porter House, London
My Verdict on Wagamama, London
Arancina
Fishworks
Royal China
St. John Bar & Restaurant
I don’t know who told you that Roast is a “lousy” restaurant but they were lying to you! Roast is one of my favourite restaurants, only uses seasonal produce from the market and last time I checked was booked at lunchtime for many weeks into the future.
V: Ah.. a dissenting voice. I’ll keep that in mind and thank you for stopping by.
Comment by Simon — 10 February 2009 @ 8:51 am
I may go to UK next week, would love to explore this market. You know more about London than me. After being away for so many years, there are many new changes and new discoveries. Thanks for your post.
V: Hi Janet, looking forward to see what you find there. Naaah… I just did a lot of reseach
.
Comment by Gourmet Traveller — 20 February 2009 @ 1:35 pm
Oh no, if I go I will go from Mon to Thurs, maybe too tight to go on Thurs as we stay in Maidenhead.
V: Oooh.. that’s too bad. Next time? As you go there a lot!
Comment by Gourmet Traveller — 20 February 2009 @ 1:38 pm
Hi Venny, did you get off at Borough station (Northern line), or the London Bridge (a bit too far) I thought. I cannot browse smoothly in their website. Thanks
V: Hi Janet, I replied on your blog.
Comment by Gourmet Traveller — 24 February 2009 @ 8:20 pm
Hi Venny, I am re-reading your post and found out that I have tried 2 things in common with you, the coffee and the scallops. I have to revisit as not possible to try everything in one go. It’s even more meaningful after I have visited the place myself too. I like that coffee shop : )
V: Yeah.. there are simply too many good things to sample. I miss that coffee shop.
Comment by Gourmet Traveller — 4 March 2009 @ 3:59 pm