Marks @ The Manor (Aberdeen, Scotland)
Days 40-41: The expansive, very well appointed, one-bedroom apartment in a Grade B listed Scottish building from 1903 overlooking the River Dee was easily our favorite stay on the trip and perhaps ever. The Marks & Spencer theme was a touching homage to the owner’s father and also a delight to experience; from the Marks & Spencer food hamper to the luxurious Marks & Spencer Autograph bedding, towels, and furnishings. Richard anticipated virtually every possible need. It was historic yet modern, formal yet comfortable, and altogether blissful.
Everything was wonderful. Lynda especially enjoyed her Golden Baked Salsify in Phyllo (first time eating salsify, pictured below) and her Assiette de Desserts (pictured below), and Cary was very happy with his Highland Venison (left), the Highland Beef Three Ways, and the very whisky forward Clootie Dumpling & Whisky Cream (pictured below) (Clootie Dumpling image from Olive Magazine)
Conveniently located across the street from our camping pod in Dunvegan, The Old School produced our second best meal on the Isle of Skye. Originally built in the 1870s as Duirinish School, it opened as the Old School restaurant in 1985. The highlights of our dinner was Cary's first Cullen Skink, a delicious smoked haddock chowder, and their version of Cranachan (pictured left); a dessert made with Italian meringue, honey, oats, rasberries, short bread, and cream with a very healthy dose of Talisker whisky. The Talisker Distillery is the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye.
Sunday Roast at The Drapers Arms (London)
“It’s the lunch that waits for no man, a Sunday feast of iconic allure. Which is why that blessed roast is such a sacred affair, a cornerstone of home and hearth. Timing is everything – as the meat rests, the gravy is made. And as gravy bubbles, the potatoes get their last-minute blast to ensure that every part is crisp, golden and brilliantly burnished. At that exact point, the table is gathered, eager supplicants awaiting their Sunday sacrament. Leave it too long and all is ruined. Spuds go soggy, the meat cold, the veggies wan and weary. In short, it’s very much a domestic affair, one best avoided in pubs and restaurants across the land. There are, though, some notable exceptions. Places where the meat is chosen with loving care, the beef cooked rare, ... where Yorkshire puddings billow rather than bore, and the gravy’s good enough to slurp. These places are few and far between, but they do exist. Because if you’re going to trust this most magnificent of lunches to someone else, it had damned well better be good. ”
“The Drapers Arms, London – Sunday lunch has become legendary at this adored Islington gastropub. There are whole roasts to share, including roast chicken with bread sauce, slow-cooked shoulder of lamb, roast fore-rib of beef and loin of pork. Meat is impeccably sourced and arrives with proper roast potatoes, carrots, greens and gravy. ” – Daily Mail
That pretty much sums up our understanding of the Sunday Roast in the UK, and we were thrilled for an opportunity to partake in one. The fore-rib of beef and the Yorkshire puddings were enormous (those are normal sized utensils and wine glass) and the entire meal was so well prepared and such a wonder to behold and enjoy. There was plenty of gravy for Cary, too!
Afternoon Tea at Tîng, Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard (London)
While a totally different setting than the Signet Library, Lynda found afternoon tea at Ting to share many of the same attributes. It was quiet, relaxed, and refined; away from the London crowds, while providing scrumptious treats and sandwiches. Cary is mildly obsessed with The Shard and was excited to be able to spend some time actually in it and on the 35th floor to view the landmark sights from above (see our pictures). Oh, and he thought the tea was good too (said almost as an afterthought), especially the unlimited sandwiches.
Kappacasein toasted cheese sandwich (Borough Market, London)
On our very last day in London, Cary waited in line to get his favorite toasted cheese sandwich at Kappacasein at Borough Market in London. It was so worth the wait!
The Persian Love Cake was lovely! (image from Bacania Veche)
Rhubarb Crumble
Look at that jammy egg!
Conveniently located near our lodging in London
Chile Relleno and Oaxacan Carne Asada
Milanesa and Ahogada Tortas
“It’s coffee nerdery taken to the nth degree. ” – Sparrow Coffee
Seriously good stuff!
Ordered “One Beef, Juicy, Hot”
It was so good, Cary had to drive 30 minutes to get another one.
Heyn’s Premium Ice Cream (Iowa City)
Lemon Custard Ice Cream! Yumm!
