Learning to drink in public, appreciate heavy food, and wear a rain jacket while visiting the UK

In September I had a chance to return to London to visit a good friend.  I find that when traveling somewhere the second time through I get the chance to look past all the initial surprises and see deeper aspects of a place.  This time around I was specifically instructed to wander with special attention to English food and drink, and of course keep this blog in mind.  So using the lens of a camera I tried to shed the reputation, or find charm in the reputation, that English food is the worst in Europe.  London might not receive the accolades of nearby global culinary cities like Paris and Rome, but it offers options to delight the English working class, immigrants from the New Europe, or a visitor like me.

Full vegetarian English Breakfast at Counter Cafe in East London

For starters, the English are no strangers to drinking in public or eating a warm pub pie when the weather is cold and rainy.  They enjoy butter, warm beer, brown gravy, fried fish, malt vinegar, and the occasional vegetable - mushy peas.  Of course as a Philadelphia native, I cannot generalize since I have struggled my entire life with convincing people that not everyone eats cheese whiz.  The changing face of the global city shows that many are not afraid to welcome a variety of ethnic fare, some gentrification fare, Australian coffee roasters and plenty of dodgy kebab shops.  Despite its changing identity this is a city that still respects its traditional past.  It is very difficult to eat dinner after 10pm.  If you want quality fish, expect to eat it on the days that fishermen work.  When you look around you are sure to see this identity in the city's menu as it exists today.

Pimm's and Lemonade malt beverage from London corner grocery

Fish and chips on Brighton Pier

Pie stand at Borough Market in London Bridge

Cheap vegetable soup at a Chinese restaurant in Brighton

Richard Haward Oysters (from the creeks around Mersea) at Borough Market

Single servings of Chardonnay in disposable glasses at a  Hampstead Heath grocery