A full English farewell and a proper Christmas roast...

Family,

And a good evening to you from across the Pond after a simply FABULOUS day in the Smoke. Today was simply great, especially since it involved solely our favorite themes of living in London - eating and drinking.

So we popped up at 8:15 and were out the door by 8:30. Props to Steve and Sara, as we have NEVER popped up that early on a Sunday before. We walked down to Cosi, a former favorite, only to find out that they were SHUT DOWN on Sundays. A bit concerned, we walked over to Regent Street, assuming that we could find a pastry shop but hoping for more. The results were WAY better than we could have hoped for.

Whilst walking along the street, we happened upon Oser, the GREAT dinner place that Jenny and I always rave about. Granted, we knew this place served good food. However, we did NOT know that they also served breakfast ALL DAY on Sunday. We walked up to check the menu, where we were promptly greeted with glasses of orange juice. Seeing that the prices were reasonable, we rolled in only to find out that coffee was also included. Can someone say winner, winner, chicken dinner?

So Steve finally got his full English, whilst Sara got a GREAT fruit crepe and Jenny and I each ate redonkulously good egg and meat dishes - talk about a SPECTACULAR PLACE - we will DEFINITELY be back here for brekkie. So guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuud (peppy cheekies).

After that, we wandered home, where we told Steve and Sara goodbye. After so much fun, it was really hard to watch them go. At least I was able to help them by weighing their bags (mom - your gift came in handy AGAIN!). All in all, I would definitely call their visit a successful run through London.

Kim left at 11:30 as well, and Jenny saw her all the way to the Heathrow Express. KJ - we'll see you in 11 days!

We then got cleaned up and headed into South Kensington, where we were treated to a meal fit for Henry VIII himself - the Christmas roast of Mark Goodyer.

You talk about a meal for a king - this was AMAZING. Here's the recap:

1. Start with a bottle of Maker's Mark, sipping your way through two STIFF drinks.

2. Add in a bottle of French wine (red) whilst you eat 3 AMAZING cheeses.

3. Have an avocado and shrimp starter (with butter toast).

4. Did I mention the festive popper presents and the poinsettia?

5. Try enough beef to feed the Red Army...and it was guuuuuuuuuuuud.

6. Parsnips - if you haven't had 'em, you're just letting the best in life pass you by.

7. Potatoes that they would have served Charlemagne.

8. Veggies galore - but let's face it - you're there for the roast.

9. Dressing (don't panic Nanny - I defended you to the hilt) and bacon wrapped sausages (I ate about 45 of these).

10. Candles and Christmas music - tell me that isn't a recipe for FAAAAAAAAAAABULOUS!!!!!

I mean, for crying out loud, check out the master chef (future Michelin award winner) in action!

After dinner, we caught two big sporting events. First was a major Premier League battle between Arsenal and Liverpool (Arsenal won 2-1 in a HUGE game), and second was...wait for it...wait for it...an NFL match!!! That's right, unbeknownst to us, Sister Mirza has Sky Sports, meaning that she has access to NFL Sunday! The featured game was Minnesota (with the Gunslinger) vs. Cincinnati, and it was SO CRAZY to watch American sports (especially when commentated by Brits - bloody brilliant). Talk about a good time - we had so much fun!

However, at about 11, we realized that we simply had to get home and get to bed, especially since we've got a BIG WEEK planned. I'm sure this blog could have been funnier, but I must confess that I am REALLY hurting and need to get to bed before I pass out. However, if I find out that I haven't done today justice, I'll make up for it tomorrow. That being said, I would be absolutely remiss if I didn't thank Mark and Liz for some AMAZING hospitality and GREAT food today. And Fizzy - consider the room booked in January, as we'll DEFINITELY be over to watch the NFC and AFC Championships.

Okay, that's all the news that's fit to print. Chat tomorrow, when you'll (hopefully) meet a new (Canadian) character!

Love,

Sam and Jenny