Tales of A Foodie in London

Written and Photographed by Sydney Bergan

Istood in the aisle at the M&S Grocery around the corner from my flat, consumed by confusion. The container of strawberries I picked up only contained six strawberries. Granted they were six of the most gorgeous strawberries I had ever seen in February but I was once again reminded that I was no longer in the land of supersized portions and extra value grocery items. As a temporary London local studying abroad in the city this semester it’s easy to feel like I have every restaurant at my fingertips. And while this may be true (everything’s only a short Tube ride away) I’ve had to adjust to making my own food with the much smaller British portion sizes. Since people are responsible for walking their groceries back to their flat you hardly see a local Londoner using a shopping cart, instead opting for a handheld basket and putting their groceries in backpacks and totes.

While I’ve become a master at navigating around my flatmates in our communal kitchen that's not to say I haven’t been able to experience some of the most delicious meals at restaurants around the city. It’s just important to remember that whatever you’re spending in British Pounds it’s quite more in US Dollars. Also that the portions are nowhere near as big as that you may see in the US.

Breakfast

This hole-in-the-wall coffee shop is hidden behind the usual hustle and bustle of Oxford Circus, also known as Soho. A few streets adjacent to the shops it welcomes you in with the strong smell of Italian coffee and extremely kind staff.

The outdoor seating makes you feel like you’re people watching at a cafe in Paris. Perfect after a workout at one of the many boutique fitness studios in Soho (SoulCycle and Barry’s Bootcamp are two of the most prolific) the breakfast menu provides vegan and dairy-free options.

Recommended item: The chai latte with oat milk! It’s the perfect amount of cinnamon without being too sweet.

Lunch/Dinner/Drinks

I was skeptical of this restaurant at first as it’s right next to a major tourist attraction: the London Eye. I was worried it would be too kitschy and a tourist trap, but it ended up being one of the best lunches I’ve had in London so far. You order using a QR code at your table and can choose from nutritious salad bowls, sandwiches, burgers or a wide variety of entrees. The restaurant itself is Instagram-worthy, with beautiful lighting and silky velvet booths.

Recommended item: Trio of fries to share! You can get fries with smoked paprika and saffron aioli, truffle oil and rosemary fries and sweet potato fries with sour cream.

Italian Dinner

The Shoreditch borough of London is extremely up-andcoming, with plenty of shopping, cocktail bars, and restaurants. This Italian restaurant is tucked away in one of Shoreditch’s side streets and serves fresh homemade pasta in its tiny dining room which is practically in the restaurant’s kitchen. The light and airy rolls resembled fried dough and were served with a creamy spreadable cheese. The nine pastas on the menu stretched from Spaghit à l’ai, oli e pavrónzin (or spaghetti with oil and garlic) to the more complicated Turtlèin in brôd (pork loin ravioli). Accompany your meal with their house wine

Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine.

Recommended item: The taiulén cun furmaj ad pìgura cun e' pévar, or cacio e pepe, was melt-in-your-mouth-talk-to-yourfuture-children-about-it-good.