Scones from GAIL's Bakery

Happy Tuesday! After an exhausting Monday walking around the British Museum, I am headed to the National History Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum today.

I decided to look for the best breakfast option upon exiting South Kensington station. I spotted a long line at GAIL's Bakery and decided to grab a couple scones. I munched down on the plain scone while walking to the National History Museum.

Plain Scone from GAIL's Bakery

I honestly cannot believe I have such a terrible misconception of scones. I had one horrible experience in Toronto and vowed never to order it again. I'm glad I kept trying because the scones from GAIL's Bakery were terrific, and the last few I tried in Vancouver were delicious, too.

Plain Scone from GAIL's Bakery

Originating in the British Isles, particularly Scotland, a scone is a small, lightly sweetened baked pastry, usually made with flour, sugar, butter, and milk or cream, known for its tender, crumbly texture.

Chef's KX Godown Special from Dishoom

It's my third day (Monday) in London! I ate my Tyburn Market haul in the hotel room and had the rest in my backpack for lunch. I spent most of the day inside the humongous British Museum. Then, I spent about an hour inside the British Library.

For late lunch or supper, I decided to walk to the Dishoom location in King's Cross. My husband's co-author, based in England, highly recommended this restaurant. Dishoom did not disappoint.

The menu does not have the usual Indian menu I see in Vancouver, so I am uncertain what to get. I asked the bartender what items were saucy and good for dipping. He recommended the Phaldari Kofta, labelled "Chef's KX Godown Special." I also ordered the Dishoom Chicken Tikka because it is something familiar.

Phaldari Kofta from Dishoom
Delicious dumplings stuffed with vegetables, paneer, nuts, and raisins in rich home-style sauce topped with pomegranate and julienned ginger. A flaky, buttery naan sits beside for mopping.

The Phaldari Kofta is sweeter than expected, which works perfectly well with naan bread. Meanwhile, the chicken tikka is spicier, so they work well together. My only regret is not ordering it with rice.

Dishoom Chicken Tikka from Dishoom
A family recipe using a marinade of sweet vinegar, not yogurt. Laced with ginger, turmeric, garlic, and green chilli.

I want to order more food, but I cannot finish everything. Yay for delicious food!

Baked Goods from Tyburn Market inside Hilton London Metropole

After dinner at The Warwick Pimlico GastroPub and Dining Room, we checked out from Park Grand London Lancaster Gate and checked in at Hilton London Metropole. My husband got invited to a summit in the hotel, and his flight, accommodation, and even food are covered from Monday to Thursday.

We arrived at Hilton roughly around 11:30 PM. He checked in and received a $35.00 dinner voucher. However, since it's already late, the Tyburn Kitchen is already closed, but the receptionist informed us that we can use the voucher at the Tyburn Market, which is open until 1:00 AM.

I chose random baked goodies, which I enjoyed for breakfast and lunch on my third day in London.

Scones, Blueberry Lemon Muffin, Caramel Popcorn in Chocolate Muffin, and Banana Loaf from Tyburn Market

They're all delicious. I highly recommend grabbing any of the baked goods with your favourite morning drink and enjoying things on the go.

Sunday Roast Dinner at The Warwick Pimlico GastroPub and Dining Room

When planning our trip to London, I checked out all the guidebooks in the Vancouver Public Library and found Fodor's Essential England most useful. It included ten must-try food and drinks in London (#2 is fish & chips, and #8 is a full English breakfast).

I actually could have done better planning on where to try what. We started Sunday at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London for The Making of Harry Potter. I took a nap on our way back to London, where we did a walking tour, which I created based on places I wanted us to see: Trafalgar Square, 10 Downing Street, Big Ben, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and so much more.

After our walking tour, we walked to the heart of the catholic faith in London, Westminster Cathedral, where we attended the 7:00 PM Sunday Mass. I am so grateful to God for the chance to participate in Mass in London for the first time in Europe.

At the end of the Mass, we were unsure what to have for dinner, then I remember making a note from Fodor's Essential England. I searched "Sunday Roast" (#5 on the list) in Google Maps and sorted it by distance with any restaurant with a rating of higher than 4.0. We initially found Queens Arms, but they're closed for a private event, so we walked to The Warwick Pimlico GastroPub and Dining Room nearby.

I ordered the special roast for the night, pork, while hubby went for the leg of lamb with mint sauce. Both Sunday roasts came with roast potatoes (yes, it's not mashed), maple-glazed carrots, caramelized shallot, seasonal greens, and Yorkshire pudding.

Roast Pork Sunday Roast from The Warwick Pimlico GastroPub and Dining Room

The roast pork perfectly balances crunchy skin, soft, fatty section, and tender meat. However, the lamb is more flavourful.

I was so surprised that the potatoes came roasted, too, because I was expecting mashed. I love the addition of the maple glazed carrots because it provided a different flavour profile from everything else, which is rich and heavy. Of course, I absolutely adore the Yorkshire pudding, especially when it is soaked in gravy.

Leg of Lamb with Mint Sauce from The Warwick Pimlico GastroPub and Dining Room

For dessert, we ordered the classic British dessert Sticky Toffee Pudding. It was perfect. The warm pudding is covered with cold, sweet and melted vanilla ice cream. I need more.

Sticky Toffee Pudding from The Warwick Pimlico GastroPub and Dining Room

Yay! We're on day 2 of our trip and ticked off 3 of the 10 items on Fodor's list.

Butterbeer and Dark Arts Exclusives at Backlot Café in Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

I am so happy. I love the Harry Potter series growing up. My dad got me the first five books for Christmas when I was 15, and I have been hooked ever since. I have the books, watched all the movies, and purchased reasonable Harry Potter merchandise over the years. Visiting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London for The Making of Harry Potter is like the mecca of being a fangirl.

After the first studio and before the outdoor section, we had lunch at Backlot Café and rested a bit. We're lucky to visit during their Dark Arts special for Halloween, and there are exclusive menu items which we ordered. Of course, this is the only place in London where you can order Butterbeer.

Lunch at Backlot Café

The Butterbeer has the colour of beer and the creaminess of butter. The overall taste is like butterscotch or caramel fizz. I love it so much that we got a second one instead of just sharing one mug.

Butterbeer from Backlot Café in Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

The Fiendfyre is a hotdog sandwich only available around Halloween during the Dark Arts Exclusive. It has a juicy hotdog and soft buns, while the toppings perfectly balance spicy hot sauce and sweet onions.

Dark Arts Exclusive Fiendfyre from Backlot Café
Chilli beef hotdog topped with hot sauce, fried onions, chilli flakes

It is typical medium-spice level chicken wings.

Dark Arts Exclusives Salt & Chilli Wings & Fries from Backlot Café
Eight succulent chicken wings marinated in salt and chilli topped with spring onions and sliced red chilli served with fries.

If you come here, order the Butterbeer.

Ultimate Breakfast Roll from Upper Crust at London Paddington Railway Station

Good morning and happy Sunday from London! We're heading to Watford Junction Station again to visit the Warner Bros. Studio – The Making of Harry Potter. I am so excited!

Before riding the Underground, we grabbed an ultimate breakfast roll from Upper Crust, a chain of coffee and sandwiches in England.

Ultimate Breakfast Roll from Upper Crust

It was a satisfying sandwich to start the day. I can't wait to finally visit Warner Bros. Studio.

Salmon Teriyaki Poke Don at Flesh & Buns

My husband wrote a book with three co-authors who happened to live in England. We had dinner with them today at Flesh & Buns in Covenant Garden.

I ordered the Salmon Teriyaki under the Poke Don menu. It was good. The salmon is perfectly cooked and flaky. It works well with the rice bowl. I love the avocado, too. However, it is not satisfying enough. Or, I am just famished.

Salmon Teriyaki Poke Don from Flesh & Buns
Teriyaki sauce, avocado shiso, spring onion, crispy noodles, furikake, and steamed rice

Hubby ordered the Japanese Fried Chicken, which came with bao buns. The fried chicken was excellent, and I'll happily eat it with rice.

Japanese Fried Chicken from Flesh & Buns
Buttermilk marinated, red chilli, BBQ mayonnaise, and carrot pickle

Our day one in London is finished. We had traditional Full English Breakfast for breakfast, Pret A Manger for quick lunch, and dinner at Flesh & Buns.

Quick Lunch from Pret A Manger

Sigh. Poor attention to detail on my part led to the mishap of all travel mishaps. My husband and I arrived at Warner Bros Studios, and when the muggle scanned my ticket, she said, "Oh honey, this is for tomorrow." My heart broke at my mistake. I am grateful for my husband. He's been patient and understanding through the whole ordeal.

Thankfully, we can easily swap our plans tomorrow for today. After the initial shock, we returned to the city and went straight to the Royal Observatory, then the Tower of London.

Before entering the Tower of London, we grabbed a quick lunch at Pret A Manager. The best thing is the chocolate croissant. Yum!

The two wraps were all right, and the soup was comforting but slightly bland.

Pret's Lasagne Soup

Chocolate Croissant from Pret A Manger

Swedish Meatball Hot Wrap from Pret A Manger

Falafel & Halloumi Hot Wrap from Pret A Manger

Pret A Manger is like the Tim Hortons of the UK. They're everywhere! The food is bland but definitely healthier than Tim's.