9/27/2025 Breakfast, dinner-Blackfriars

 9/27/2025  Breakfast.  Scrambled eggs, toast,  and coffee.  

We were going to go to Hampton Court today but Richard is still not feeling that great and neither am I.  He goes to Sainsbury for some over the counter meds and per my request he brought back some Cadbury candy bars.  Cost?

I also spend time on my computer finalizing arrangements for some assistance with British Airways for our flight home tomorrow.  

We also finish most of our packing.  Tidy up the apartment.  

Uber to dinner.  Cost 35.30£/$47.36  That is pricey!  Traffic is bumper to bumper almost so we arrived at 7:30 pm.  It took us just about an hour to get here!  Our Uber driver let us out right by the Blackfriars Station!  We could have taken the tube and saved a bundle.  We'll take the tube back.  The restaurant/pub is steps away-across the street. 

Blackfriars.  Historic building.  1875.  Iconic wedge shaped building.  Mosaics, ornamental balconies and famous guardian black friar above the door.  Built on the site of a Dominican friary redesigned around 1905.  Interior-depicts jolly friars.  Our reservation is for 7:30 pm.  There's lots of people outside.  Maybe they're hoping to get a table?  This place is super busy.  Good thing we have a reservation.  Seated at a nice table that allowed me to people watch.  This place has character and energy.  I'm here for the steak and ale pie.  For drinks Richard had his usual lemonade but I decided to try something different.  I can't leave London without trying a beer.  I asked our server for a recommendation and told him I really don't care for the taste of beer.  He suggested I try Henry Weston's Vintage cider.  So half pint it was and I must say I was pleasantly surprised.  It was good.  Steak and Ale Pie for me.  Awarded gold at the British Pie Awards. Came with mashed potatoes and carrots.  Side of gravy.  I didn't realize it until my husband pointed out that the entire pie was edible not just the crust topping.  The meat was so tender, the gravy so rich.  What a great choice!  Richard ordered the Fish Pie.  It had cod, salmon, and king prawns in a creamy white wine sauce topped with thyme and cheddar mash.  Came with  broccoli and roasted carrots.  He said his choice was superb.  We both were very happy with our last dinner in London.  Cost 50.99£/$68.41

Fish Pie

Steak & Ale Pie

S

The entire pie was edible not just the crust topping!

Blackfriars Station.  We took the tube back to our apartment.  District line to Earl's Court.  Took less time than our Uber to dinner and way less cost.  Cost 2.80£/$3.76 for each of us- so much cheaper!  Only .58 miles today.

Exiting at Earl's Court we stopped at PAUL so I could get some mini doughnuts for breakfast tomorrow.  Cost 1.30£/$1.74  Wish I could have paid cash as I don't like to charge such a small amount but PAUL does not accept cash.   Tomorrow we have to be up around 6:00 am.  Ouch!