Goodbye 2013!

Happy New Year!



I'd have to say, I couldn't be more stoked for 2014! I'm feeling settled in my new apartment, and the holidays have been wonderfully social. Perhaps I shouldn't admit this, but I've been out and about most evenings, and have had more catch-ups with friends (near and far) than I can count.

To be Frank.

Last week I met my friends from school for some drinks at Franks Campari Bar. Have you been? If you haven't, you are running out of time, as they dismantle the bar at the end of September. You may have seen from my instagram photos, the bar itself is located on the tenth floor of a parking garage in Peckham. Pretty neat. Something I'm sure Vancouver's licensing laws, and 'no-fun' policies would prevent us from enjoying. This is the fourth summer running Franks, and so far so good.

The bar isn't easy to find. Once you see the initial signs (at the base of the garage) you are left on a hunt to search for small red squares with white arrows leading you to your destination.

When you reach the 9th floor there is an Art exhibition (a bit of an assurance that you've almost made it), and when you finally reach the 10th...you will know.

As you emerge from the garage to the open air of the top level, you are faced with the London skyline. That in itself makes Franks a wonderful place to spend an evening.

The menu was simple but tasty. We were left a little hungry as we didn't order enough between us, but I'll know better for next time. We ordered the humous and french bread, the grilled corn, and the Ox heart Kebab. The only other downside was the (sometimes) long line at the bar. Frustrating when you are excited to get back to your friends...and the view.

Great face Courtenay.

And in case you were wondering about plumbing logistics...

A true Londoner. I'm going to take this look back to Vancouver.

You can visit their website to find our more about Frank's HERE. 

London's Best (and oldest) Pie 'n Mash Shop.

Yesterday, 'M' took me on an adventure to an authentic Pie 'n Mash shop in Bermondsey. After a little research, I found out, it wasn't just a random pie house. It's the oldest surviving eel and pie house in all of London. It is called M. Manze.

It was tasty comfort food. I didn't have the jellied eel, and neither did 'M'. I'd tried them before, so he let me off the hook. Phewf! As you'll see, the place hasn't changed in years, the customers are devoted, and the menu is basic. Do you want a pie, or do you want a pie with mash? There were no 'Mushy Peas' but I'm told that technically mushy peas belong with Fish 'n Chips, not pies. There was another foreign green substance to take their place (it is called 'Liquor'). 'M' says it's like a parsley gravy. I'll take his word for it. It was good. We washed it down with Sarsaparilla (also a first for me). The pies were delicious, but the atmosphere was priceless. It was definitely an experience to be had.

Bermondsey is a neat area of London. Here's a little look around the neighbourhood...

Check out these characters..

This shop was VERY 'Lovely'.

I dragged 'M' into the White Cube Gallery (slightly kicking and screaming...but I know he secretly liked it). 

This room was very cool. It looked like you were about to walk into three large panels of glass, but it was an illusion. Trippy. It took 'M' charging through them for me to be able to get anywhere close.

You can't tell, but these were hundreds of blue erasers, slowly whittled away (the bottom ones are tiny, and the top ones have not been touched). The eraser 'shavings' are filling up the frame along the bottom edge. We liked it.

I was loving the old and new (below).

On the way home we stopped off at Selfridges and grabbed some Jeans for 'M', and then headed to pick up some shirts that he had made at a Tailor near London Bridge (I'm a good personal shopper). He's a huge fan of this place. Champagne while you wait. Large leather chairs, and friendly unpretentious staff (ahem..unlike other more renowned areas of London).

Where was this guy when I spent the year lost in London?

Neat place hey?

I'm awarding 'M' top honours for terrific London adventures, as so far his batting average is pretty darn good.

After saying our goodbyes, I spent the evening quite mopey (again sad about leaving...I'm sure you're getting tired of hearing that, but I can't seem to shake this tightness in my chest, and tears so close to the surface every time I think about getting on a plane).

I did some work on my exhibition, made dinner, and then began to work on this post. It was at that point that a friend sent me THIS. Yes, we (Miriam, Daniela, and Me) made the final cut of Celebrity Master Chef. Apparently our episode aired last night (but I wouldn't know as I don't have a television!). If you watch it, NO, I don't remember saying any of that! The experience was fun, the food TERRIBLE, and gaaaad do I ever look like the living dead. Oh well, another silly story to add to this wonderful year.

sidenote: if your link doesn't work, it's because it will only show in the UK (suckers!..guess you can't watch it!)