I ♥️ London - 05.26.25

We are not the luckiest family. First the Edinburgh Marathon and now today is Spring Bank Holiday. During Bank Holidays, you can expect closures and varying hours of operation for businesses. Fortunately, we took today to visit tourist attractions, so we had less closure issues. We did a one-day hop-on hop-off bus pass through Tootbus. The bus schedule was easy to follow, and we waited no longer than 30 minutes for a bus pick up, often much less. This helped us to cover London in an efficient and fun way. We were provided with headphones for the ride that gave us bits of information on the sights that we passed. The stop highlights were Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, London Eye, Covent Garden, London Bridge, Tower of London, and Trafalgar Square. We started bright and early which allowed us to visit a few of the sites without crowds which we enjoyed. Throughout this trip we learned that many things in the UK do not open until 10 AM. We arrived at Covent Garden just before the shops opened and once they opened I bought myself a new perfume from Jo Malone London. I got the bottle engraved with my name and the cap engraved with my initials. The day was filled with exploring London, and I fell deeper in love with the city. 

We ate lunch at Two Chairmen, the oldest Public House in Westminster being established before 1729. It is named after the two men, who used to carry by imperial chair the wealthy patrons who frequented the cockfighting theatre next door. I had the Chicken & Bacon Sandwich (beechwood smoked bacon, chicken breast, mayo and lettuce, served warm with a rocket & pickled red onion side salad, on ciabatta) for $9.25*. It was a massive miss for me as there was barely any chicken on it, the picture below is misleading. My mom had Steak & Ale Pie (steak & riddles ale pie served with charred hispi cabbage wedge, merlot beef dripping gravy and triple cooked chips) for $16.45*. My sister had the Sirloin Steak Ciabatta (crispy ciabatta filled with 28-day aged sirloin steak, salsa verde and sauteed red onions, with a rocket & pickled red onion side salad) for $10.75*. Both my mom and sister’s food were hits and overall, we enjoyed the pub. I would go back to this pub but order something else to eat. 

Later in the evening we went to the infamous Sketch for drinks. Sketch is a destination featuring several stylish dining and cocktail spaces with ever changing artwork. We went during their Jane Austen installation. My mom, sister, and I ordered three different Alchemy cocktails in the Glade. We were immersed in their signature creations, where creativity and bold flavors converged. These innovative drinks push the boundaries of tradition, blending unexpected ingredients to create unforgettable experiences. I had the Gin Basil Smash (gin d’Azur Akashi yuzushu, basil, citrus), the refined twist enhances its herbal freshness with an unexpected depth of flavor. My mom had the Rum Punch (Appleton 12, planetary dark, Chambord, raspberries, citrus, clarified vanilla yogurt), a tart contrast, balanced by layers of aged rum, red fruits, and a silky texture. My sister had the Spritz (Tanqueray NO TEN, muyu jasmine verte, Allora Limone, guava, coconut champagne), a floral, vibrant spritz with tropical notes and a sparking exotic finish. We all enjoyed our drinks and they each cost $25.00*. I now know that the Parlour and the East Bar have cheaper drinks on their menus, and I would opt for one of those rooms next time. Lastly, one of the most unique parts about Sketch is their bathroom, which is individual pods scattered about. To me, they look like giant eggs. You will not want to skip this restroom as it may be the most unique place you will ever go. 

After our expensive happy hour, we went to eat dinner at Sicily Restaurant. This restaurant is located in London’s Belgravia, close to Victoria Station. They serve authentic Italian cuisine with a London twist. The pasta and pizza are made fresh every day. I had Spaghetti Al Salmone (durum wheat pasta with fresh salmon, shallots, double cream, pomodoro sauce, parsley & datterini tomatoes) for $18.50*. My mom had Penne Alla Norma (durum wheat pasta with sicilian aubergines, datterini tomatoes, rich tomato & fresh basil sauce, topped with salted campania ricotta) for $16.75*. My sister had Margherita Pizza (tomato, fior di latte mozzarella & fresh basil) for $14.00*. I had a glass of Italy Sauvignon Blanc, Cantina Borga IGT Veneto 12.5% ABV (flavors of passionfruit and blackcurrant leaf with underlying notes of wet stone and thyme) and my mom had a glass of Sicily Rose Sicilia Doc Planeta 12.5% ABV (inspired by a pink Sicilian sunset, this wine has a light and attractive nose with notes of rose petals, pomegranate, and strawberries). Everything was delicious, no crumbs were left.

Today was a proper first full day in London filled with discovery and excitement. I look forward to sharing tomorrow’s adventures with you real soon!  

*All dollar amounts are in pound sterling.