Tagliatelle with Wild Mushrooms, Rocket and Pecorino
It would only be fitting for my first post to be from a city very near and dear to my heart - London. Earlier this month, furthering my yoga education, London was the host city for a Myofasical Release Immersion from Yoga Medicine.
Upon arrival, the crisp cold air and the smell of the city brought heartwarming nostalgic memories. In January 2015, at the TownHall Hotel in Bethnal Green, I said my wedding vows. Fast forward to adopting a dog, cross-country move, new job, on-going entruprenurial efforts, and all the per usual life stressors, we are still joyfully sharing life and love each other. Enough of the feels, lets get to the food!
So with all the feels aside, after an overnight flight from Atlanta, check-in to my hotel, and a bit of wandering, I came across a set of curious stained glass windows in an art deco style. As with life, even in a jet-lagged induced delirious state, sometimes it is through our stumbles that our most memorable experiences can come from. In the literal sense, as a drizzle of rain started, I stumbled in to The Ivy.
For those reading and who know me personally, it won’t surprise you that I was wearing yoga pants and that despite the posh interiors and later learned historical significance, I was greeted without judgement, welcomed warmly, and led to a seat at the bar.
Glistening Stemware
The bar glistens from hanging stemware and the bar is lit in such a way that shadows danced on the menus and table setting. Sure I’ll try the set menu. As advised by the genteel bartender, I should wait until after the second course to decide if the third was desired. Wise sage he was as he made the perfectly balanced Halcyon Days - a light yet soothing drink of chilled camomile tea, elderflower, and lemonade. The first course was a winter squash soup with multiseed salsa. Perfection for the cold London weather. Much needed warming of the body and senses after a brisk cold walk through the London streets from Picadilly Circus to the restaurant’s historic Covent Garden location.
The Ivy Table Setting
Halcyon Days
On to second course, tagliatelle with wild mushrooms, rocket and pecorino. Ah so this is why I had to decide after this delicious dish to add on the dessert. Needless to say, no third course was ordered. With a full and satisfied belly, I sat back, enjoyed the people watching (seemingly mostly pre-theater folks) and read about the legendary history of the restaurant I just so happened to come across and during it’s centennial celebration no less.
Centennial Bar Menu
Yes, had I known it’s cultural signifiance and legendary status, I might have stayed away, thinking that I was not adequately dressed or assumed that I would not be seated. So true with life, that when we let go of our insecurities and embrace a curious perspective, we can find true gems not just of the world around us but perhaps even within.
Till next time, nomnom and om on. ST.