Cultural London

Maybe it was a need for a complete change of pace, or the need to escape, but once I arrived in London an incredible boost of inspiration and creativity surfaced as we maneuvered the city. Here are a few things that made the trip unforgettable, what we ate and the art we managed to see in the galleries.

London’s Chinatown has a most unique identity, an abundance of restaurants, striking gateways called Paifangs, lots of colorful swaying lanterns and a beautifully festive atmosphere.

We found Leong’s Legend a bamboo paneled restaurant that serves up a Taipei street styled menu. If you find the voucher/coupon online, treat yourself to the all you can eat Dim Sum. The “Spicy Duck Pork” and “Black Truffle & Pork” dumplings were the perfect start. Next, it was the “Stir-Fried Chicken Noodles”, “Egg Fried Rice” and the “Deep-fried Shrimp Rolls” all which were very tasty. This restaurant is in our notes for our return trip.

_{Leonardo da Vinci’s Manuscript K, c. 1503-07, Black chalk on paper
Royal Academy of Arts in Burlington House in Piccadilly}

Da Vinci used notebooks to record observations on various topics, including physics and geometry. He also used his notebooks to develop poses, as in this loose sketch of Piergiampaolo Orsini, the captain of the Florentine forces, seen on horseback on the right of his composition.

I’ve always been a notebook girl and keep several around the house along with a few in my purse for jotting down ideas or to sketch thoughts to paper. The tactile sensation of writing has always appealed to me; creating to-do lists, shopping lists or drafting a menu or two. I was immediately drawn to Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook and loved seeing his attention to details drafted in his notebook.  

_{The Yellow House {The Street} c. 1888 – The National Gallery London}

Lately, when I’m viewing paintings or artwork, I like getting close to the piece, checking it from all angles for authenticity and to see the craftsmanship. I’ve also begun zooming in on portions of the works so, I may see details I may have missed.

In this yellow house on 2 Place Lamartine Van Gogh rented four rooms and occupied two larger ones on the ground floor to serve as a workshop and kitchen. The window on the first floor nearest the corner with both shutters open is a guest room. Paul Gauguin lived here for nine weeks {as a guest} in late October 1888.

The building painted pink, close to the left edge of the painting is the restaurant where Van Gogh had his meals. His landlady the Widow Venissac also owned several other buildings depicted in the painting.

This area was damaged in the bombing raid by the Allies on June 25, 1944 during WWII, and the building was later demolished.

_{The Art of Afternoon Tea}

After our lengthy flight we got to the hotel around 3 pm and had a few minutes to unpack and change for the evening. Our reservation for 4 o’clock tea at the Kensington Hotel was to celebrate the cultural phenomenon to take tea.

Upon arriving you choose your tea from the extensive menu (plus a glass of champagne, if you like). The service itself has all of the classic sandwiches; such as smoked salmon with lemon cream cheese, cucumber with mint cream, pastrami with gherkins and horseradish {my favorite}, and egg with watercress. The plain & fruit scones with homemade jam and Cornish clotted cream were simply delicious.  

I cannot wait to make these sandwiches for an informal tea at Heath.

Travel stylishly,
Kathleen