Food. The one sin that I will continue to commit time and time again.

I have been all around Europe visiting multiple countries and indulging in their delicatessen. To be honest, was not too impressed with a lot of the food over there (probably because it wasn’t drenched in cheese and didn’t come with a large Dr. Pepper). Regardless, I love to try new restaurants, hole in the wall dive bars, street vendors and everything in between. My problem is, I can never remember where exactly we ate, what we had and if the service was up to par. So I present to you…my food passport.

Before our trip, I walked the aisles of TJ Maxx to find a pocket-sized notebook. This way, I could easily keep track of all the delicious and not so delicious places I ate. We all should know by now that my intentions are never to TELL you where to eat, but rather give insight to my dining experiences. From here, you can decided for ya damn self. In this magical passport I wrote down the following for each restaurant..

OVERVIEW

[wp-svg-icons icon=”spell-check” wrap=”i”] Name of Restaurant

[wp-svg-icons icon=”location” wrap=”i”]  Location:

[wp-svg-icons icon=”flag” wrap=”i”]  Type

[wp-svg-icons icon=”food” wrap=”i”] What you ordered

[wp-svg-icons icon=”smiley” wrap=”i”] Was it good?

Would you recommend? [wp-svg-icons icon=”thumbs-up” wrap=”i”]

[wp-svg-icons icon=”accessibility” wrap=”i”] Service

[wp-svg-icons icon=”coin” wrap=”i”] Price of overall restaurant

[wp-svg-icons icon=”checkmark-2″ wrap=”i”] Worth it for the price?

Let’s take a peek inside my London Food Passport!

[wp-svg-icons icon=”food” wrap=”i” size=”35px” color=”#efb3e2″ animation=”tada” animate_on=”scroll”] Nando’s

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You know…like the hot sauce? I must be living under a rock considering I had no idea there was a Nando’s in the United Kingdom. Actually, I did even know it was an actual restaurant! This was the very first place we went since my boyfriend never seemed to shut up about it. Cute, quaint, vibrant colors, nothing fancy-smancy but definitely a lively place. Known for its chicken and Peri-Peri sauce AND with locations all over London (and everywhere else) it is perfect for a cheap snack or drunken binge eating date. You know I pick the latter of the two. Here’s what I thought.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”location” wrap=”i”]  Location: Literally one on every corner

[wp-svg-icons icon=”flag” wrap=”i”]  Type: South African/ Chicken

[wp-svg-icons icon=”food” wrap=”i”] What you ordered: 1/2 chicken with creamy mash and corn on the cob. You have to try all the sauces too!

[wp-svg-icons icon=”smiley” wrap=”i”] Was it good?: SO GOOD! 

Would you recommend? [wp-svg-icons icon=”thumbs-up” wrap=”i”] YES!!

[wp-svg-icons icon=”accessibility” wrap=”i”] Service: To-go service, but overall very friendly!

[wp-svg-icons icon=”coin” wrap=”i”] Price of overall restaurant: $

[wp-svg-icons icon=”checkmark-2″ wrap=”i”] Worth it for the price? Definitely

[wp-svg-icons icon=”food” wrap=”i” size=”35px” color=”#efb3e2″ animation=”tada” animate_on=”scroll”] Ciullosteria

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Buon Appetito! Since going to Italy last summer, I have made it my mission to find exquisite italian food all over the world. Italy can’t possible have the only good pasta, wines and cheeses can it?? Since I did a little research beforehand, I found that this restaurant would be perfect for my love of all things carbs. Nestled between two shops in Brixton, Ciullo’s was probably top 2 places we went on our journey through London. The balance in flavor, the fresh ingredients and fine wine are sure to make any girls panties wet 😉 not sure if that goes hand in hand with food but fuck it.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”location” wrap=”i”] Location: 31 Balham High Rd, London SW12 9AL, UK

[wp-svg-icons icon=”flag” wrap=”i”]  Type: Italian

[wp-svg-icons icon=”food” wrap=”i”] What you ordered: (Appetizer) Beef Carpaccio & Mussels/ Clams (Main) Penne all’arbarita & Spaghetti alla marinara w/ white wine garlic butter sauce

[wp-svg-icons icon=”smiley” wrap=”i”] Was it good?: Had to change my underwear good.

Would you recommend? [wp-svg-icons icon=”thumbs-up” wrap=”i”] YOU NEED TO GO NOW.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”accessibility” wrap=”i”] Service: Exceptional service with very attentive staff

[wp-svg-icons icon=”coin” wrap=”i”] Price of overall restaurant: $$

[wp-svg-icons icon=”checkmark-2″ wrap=”i”] Worth it for the price? No questions asked I would eat here again in a heartbeat

Beef carpaccio was a staple for me in Italy. It’s healthy, light, and pretty filling if you can find the right place. Here, it was a mouth orgasm. Everything else along the way got better and better (probably because we drank more and more)  Honestly though, everything about this meal was bomb!

[wp-svg-icons icon=”food” wrap=”i” size=”35px” color=”#efb3e2″ animation=”tada” animate_on=”scroll”] Laughing Gravy Bar & Restaurant

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Now, I get to bitch. This place is the main reason I do research for myself. No one on the face of this earth has the same taste buds as anyone else. I personally know mine AND most of everything that my boyfriend likes so I look up restaurants and menu’s based on that. I love trying new things but I also know that I’m pissed when I should have listened to my gut. Laughing Gravy legit has almost 5 stars on Google, so that goes to show that I am probably just a picky bitch. Whatevs.

We decided to eat here since it was NYE night and we wanted some place close to our fireworks viewing area. Found Laughing Gravy, made a reservation and went on our merry way. Once we got there, we were surprised that no where in the few reviews I read did it state they had a set menu. You HAD to get the 4 courses they offered at their price.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”location” wrap=”i”]  Location: 154 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8EN, UK

[wp-svg-icons icon=”flag” wrap=”i”]  Type: Seasonal Modern British

[wp-svg-icons icon=”food” wrap=”i”] What you ordered: Set menu at the time…Veal, Cod, Duck, Prawns

[wp-svg-icons icon=”smiley” wrap=”i”] Was it good?: The flavors to me just did not mesh together. It was very different but overall no.

Would you recommend? [wp-svg-icons icon=”thumbs-up” wrap=”i”] I would recommend calling ahead and hearing the seasonal menu

[wp-svg-icons icon=”accessibility” wrap=”i”] Service: Average service, not good not bad

[wp-svg-icons icon=”coin” wrap=”i”] Price of overall restaurant: $$$

[wp-svg-icons icon=”checkmark-2″ wrap=”i”] Worth it for the price? Nope

[wp-svg-icons icon=”food” wrap=”i” size=”35px” color=”#efb3e2″ animation=”tada” animate_on=”scroll”] Hawksmoor Seven Dials

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On this day in time, it was pouring rain as we left Chinatown. Although I love all Chinese food, I was just not in the mood for it. I looked up a cozy spot where we could escape the downpour and have a relaxed meal. Something romantic to keep us entertained since the rain would NOT go away. Hawksmoor couldn’t have been any more perfect. Once you walk in, the ambiance of the place just screams romance. Large wooden arches, dark brick floors and stone ceilings. We headed down to what looked like an old wine cellar turned restaurant.

And now, onto the meal! Since it was a gloomy Sunday afternoon, we wanted some good ol’ comfort for to remind of home.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”location” wrap=”i”]  Location: Covent Garden, 11 Langley St, London WC2H 9JG, UK

[wp-svg-icons icon=”flag” wrap=”i”]  Type: British/ Steakhouse

[wp-svg-icons icon=”food” wrap=”i”] What you ordered: Filet Carpaccio, ribeye with peppercorn, half lobster and roast with all the fixins’

[wp-svg-icons icon=”smiley” wrap=”i”] Was it good?: Overall it was delicious, the roast wasn’t all that

Would you recommend? [wp-svg-icons icon=”thumbs-up” wrap=”i”] Definitely! Perfect for a date night/day

[wp-svg-icons icon=”accessibility” wrap=”i”] Service: Average service again. Could have been better

[wp-svg-icons icon=”coin” wrap=”i”] Price of overall restaurant: $$$$

[wp-svg-icons icon=”checkmark-2″ wrap=”i”] Worth it for the price? The price was good for the amount of food for sure!

We shared the carpaccio (see, I told you I live off of this shit) I had the steak and lobster and he had the roast. Mine was absolutely delicious. Do you know how hard it is to cook the perfect lobster without it being rubbery and overdone? Cooked to perfection!! The steak too, so tender, juicy, and the perfect amount of pink. And to all you pervs out there I am not describing a body part 😉 Check this place out if you want an comfy, intimate dinner.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”food” wrap=”i” size=”35px” color=”#efb3e2″ animation=”tada” animate_on=”scroll”] Kennington Tandoori

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DUN DUN DUN…finally I could give my boyfriend everything he had hoped and dreamed about this trip…Indian food. The shit that makes your shit smell like shit! Ha, also another thing that probably should go with food but oh well. I had been dying to try another place that had close to 5 stars but once we got around to going there, it was too far out-of-the-way. We found Kennington Tandoori close to our Airbnb in Camberwell and since we had to leave bright and early the next morning, I didn’t want to venture too far from here.

At the time it had better reviews than what it had now, and for good reason. You don’t understand…my boyfriend would take a bullet for some Indian food so for him to get let down was like a shot to my heart.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”location” wrap=”i”]  Location: 313 Kennington Rd, London SE11 4QE, UK

[wp-svg-icons icon=”flag” wrap=”i”]  Type: Indian/Contemporary

[wp-svg-icons icon=”food” wrap=”i”] What you ordered: (Appetizer) King garlic prawn & lamb samosa (Main) Chicken Tikka Masala, Mix grill (mixture of meats) & Beef Seekh Kabob

[wp-svg-icons icon=”smiley” wrap=”i”] Was it good?: Not really

Would you recommend? [wp-svg-icons icon=”thumbs-up” wrap=”i”] If you know anything about Indian food then no.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”accessibility” wrap=”i”] Service: Excellent service! They were on top of everything.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”coin” wrap=”i”] Price of overall restaurant: $$

[wp-svg-icons icon=”checkmark-2″ wrap=”i”] Worth it for the price? eh, not really.

Did you know that some people argue that Indian style food originated in the United Kingdom. Not sure how much of that is true, but this Tandoori place needs to step their game up! Although, I will say the inside was very upscale feelings and made you feel important. The food just wasn’t satisfying.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”food” wrap=”i” size=”35px” color=”#efb3e2″ animation=”tada” animate_on=”scroll”] Borough Market

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Even though this technically isn’t a restaurant, it is an open air market under the British Railways. Pretty fucking cool. Markets are one of my favorite places to try a million different items; some I’ve never even heard of before! If you haven’t already, read my progressive lunch through Ponce City Market to find out what I mean.

I can’t remember everything we tried here, and it was too cold to write and hold warm wine in my hand…but just know, you GOTTA GO! Raw bars, pastas, olive medley’s, Thai and French food. The possibilities to croak over from a heart attack are endless! Details will not be disclosed, that way you have to see for yourself.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”location” wrap=”i”]  Location: 8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL

[wp-svg-icons icon=”flag” wrap=”i”]  Type: Market

Would you recommend? [wp-svg-icons icon=”thumbs-up” wrap=”i”] Totally!

[wp-svg-icons icon=”accessibility” wrap=”i”] Service: Excellent service! They were on top of everything.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”coin” wrap=”i”] Price of overall: $

[wp-svg-icons icon=”checkmark-2″ wrap=”i”] Worth it for the price? yup!

We came, we saw, we ate the shit out of some food. Hopefully I didn’t spoil your appetite and you can learn from my food journey through London! My opinions will obviously be different from everyone elses, but you can get an idea of my tastes and feed from that! I want to hear the amazing restaurants (and not so amazing) restaurants you went to in London! Any recommendations for me or anyone else would be greatly appreciated! AND if you make a food passport, I wanna see! Until next food coma…

Buon Appetito Bitches!

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