Lysa's Big Trips

Last Night London - Travel Magic

We have been gone just over a week and it feels like a life time. So much has happened after we left London and explored Budapest for the last five days. Tomorrow we move on to the much smaller town of Eger. But before Budapest stories on last story from London. 

Our last day in London’s we were taking it kind of easy. We wet out of a walk before dinner to Telegraph Hill park which is about ten minutes form Sam’s house. The stroll was pleasant, lots of families out with young children playing in playgrounds, riding bikes and scooters. The diversity and variety of families was wonderful. There are tennis courts and a great view of central London. And of course signs explaining the historical significance of the hill.

We left the park and ambled toward home. On the next corner there was an interesting art installation that drew my attention. The building looked like a cafe and turned out to be that and a community center. As we read about the community art project that had caught my attention a woman came out to set tables on the front deck. Then we realized it was a pop up restaurant. We spoke to the woman, looked at the simple menu and made a reservation. She runs the place with her boyfriend who is the chef, from Italy. Everything is home made and locally sourced. 

We came back with our friend Sam and had negronis and aperol spritz (both very popular in Europe right now) grilled octopus, grapes and cheese with crostini. Fresh ravioli stuffed with fava beans and lemon, fehttuchini pasta with ragu. Finally dessert was pavlova with summer fruits. All was served on old mismatched plates that looked like they came form someone’s grandma’s house. The inside where we sat felt like a living room. The service was so sweet, with the chef coming out to explain where we got items. We found out after we ate that the pigeon on the menu was caught and smoked by the chef’s father. We wished we had gotten it.

It was so fun to stumble on this place our last night and have a memorable meal. This was one of those meals that is so carefully and lovingly made that you feel special eating it. Everything tasted great and was presented beautiful while also being very simple, with kind service. Sam didn’t even know this pop up was happening so she was especially happy to know about a new place in her neighborhood. This is the kind of travel experience that feels magical, like the stars aligned just for us to have this special meal.

We were so completely entranced by the experience the only photo I have is the sign for the pop up. I wish I had photos of the food!