Thanksgiving in London has become a tradition for me. In fact, this holiday marks my twelfth year of making the pilgrimage and I love it. I celebrate the festivities with my dear friend’s family (whose mother is American so they go all out on the turkey, fixings and pies) and then we have plenty of time to check out restaurants, go to the season’s blockbuster exhibits, and to do a little retail damage at Topshop. Read after the jump for a list of some of my must-dos.
* Have a long lunch or dinner at the River Café, my favorite restaurant in town. Last night, for example, I had an incredible Cornish crab salad followed by delicate pumpkin ravioli and finished with amazing caramel ice cream. Chefs Ruthie Rogers and Rose Gray’s latest River Café Cookbook will be out in the States soon.
* Breakfast at the Wolseley, owned by my one of my favorite restaurateurs ever, Jeremy King (who also owns New York’s Monkey Bar with Graydon Carter). I love the scene there in the morning, bustling and full of businesspeople having early morning meetings. It is a total power breakfast spot and the food is great.
* An Indian meal, of course. Among my preferred spots, the Star of India on Old Brompton Road, stylish Amaya and Salloos by the Berkeley hotel.
* A pint or two at a pub. I usually stop into the Cow in Notting Hill for a Guinness and some excellent food–it’s part of the new gastropub generation and the oysters are wonderfully briny and fresh.
* Window shop or splurge at Dover Street Market packed with goodies from Comme des Garcons and other labels, not to mention great coffee table books and CDs. The upstairs café is the perfect spot for a tea and afternoon meeting.
* A blustery walk in Hyde Park, on Primrose Hill, or in Regent’s Park. London has a plethora of wonderful green spaces.
* A movie at the Electric Cinema, with its comfy armchairs and bar in the back, in case you fancy a tipple mid flick.
