GrC: Pub Life

I'm going to have to live here in London for a year if I want to go around and see everything there is to see.  What I have noticed so far, though, is that the pubs all have a similar sort of look, with flags posted and flower pots surrounding the outside of the pub entrance, usually located on the corner of the street.  A few of the pubs/restaurants have stood out to me in some way or another.  For instance, the Streaky Gin, a small bar/restaurant that is just down the street from our flat, has a huge light up sign inside that reads "Gin." They have a downstairs with English saddles as barstools, and serve the most delicious potato wedges I've ever had.

Streaky Gin - Palace Gate

 The other day a group of us made a trip to Notting Hill and walked down Portobello Road and explored it's well known market.  We came across the Prince Albert pub, which was named one of the top ten pubs to go to while in London (according to Pinterest).  This pub had a lovely back patio that we would have sat in if there had been room.  The Prince Albert was well worth the visit (thank you, Pinterest!).

The Prince Albert - Notting Hill

GrC: Afternoon Tea at The Orangery

Since arriving in London, my favorite thing I have done so far was getting Afternoon Tea at the Orangery in Kensington Gardens.  The architecture of the palace is stunning and the surrounding gardens are full of beautiful flowers and bright green grass.  At the entrance of the Palace is a gorgeous statue of Queen Victoria.  Inside the Palace there are offers for tours, as well as gift shops full of royal souvenirs.  After entering the palace grounds there is a winding path among trimmed bushes that leads you from the Palace to the Gardens.

Kensington Palace Gardens

The afternoon tea is served on beautiful blue china with both indoor and outdoor seating.  The Orangery has breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea menus with a simple but sophisticated layout, including a short history of how afternoon tea first began.  I can only imagine how much fun the chefs must have in preparing the food, the dishes were all so miniature but still had amazing flavor, as did the tea!

The Orangery Afternoon Tea Menu