On London's rooftop - breakfast at the Duck & Waffle

Spectacular way to celebrate one's 60th birthday! Breakfast at the Duck & Waffle in the new-ish Heron Tower in the City of London, erected in 2011.  Thanks to Tod's buddy, Mike, for the gift certificate!
We arrive on the 40th floor via glass lifts travelling a smashing 5 kms per hour!  The ads highlight the UK's largest privately owned aquarium holding 1200 fish, but we never see this.  What we do see is the spectacular view of London, stretching in all directions.

Street level, on Bishopsgate, a doorman greets us.  We flash our printed reservation, a requirement before we enter the private lift. Once up we join the crowd of early diners. Getting up on a Thursday for a 7:30 breakfast date seems popular.  Why is church on Sunday at 11:00 too early?  Ah, priorities of the young and those with cash to spend.



We studied the menu yesterday, sent upon request when I made the reservation -- from Duck Egg en Cocette to the "Full Elvis" Waffle, to Ox Cheek Benedict.  Sauce and sides seem to fill the items.

This morning I go for my standard order --two poached eggs on toast. We marvel at the Duck 'N' Waffles delivered to the next table (too shy to take a photo).  That, literally, involves a chunk of roasted duck perched atop a dark waffle!

Happy Husband goes all out, as it's his birthday, with the Full English Breakfast: pork & herb sausage, two organic eggs, organic Duroc bacon, grilled tomato, field mushroom, hash browns, scottish black pudding, and sourdough toast.  Baked beans are notably missing; we wonder, "Is this is a class thing?"

The presentation is plain -- I guess I expect lovely china or a flower garnish.  My two little white balls of egg nestled between two toasted white bread slices look lonely on the extra large sparkling white platter.  Perhaps they are urging me to re-think my choice and order more to fill up all that white space. Happy Husband shares a bit of his black pudding and hash browns that my eggs might look less forlorn.

We watch the morning haze burn off, and the outlines of the city sharpen. The ribbon of the Thames sparkles as it winds timeless through the urban construction, past Greenwich, past the Tower, past Whitehall, past Parliament, on to Richmond.

We probably won't return for breakfast, it's a bit crowded and loud for us, but we will return to use the rest of our gift certificate to sit in the peaceful glass atrium area and enjoy a cup of coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice while gazing out upon the spectacular city view below.   Ah, London!

Thanks Mike!

Oxford Market starts the day!

Where to go for the day with the rellies to celebrate my daughter's 30th birthday?...Oxford!  Our first stop, after our two hour coach ride from London...Brown's Cafe in the Oxford Market.  No special view, personality, or atmosphere, but also no complaints.  

For England the cafe is young, started only 90 years ago. But the staff are friendly, and we enjoy our tea and pastries, adequately fortifying us for the city walking ahead. 

Ancient Oxford dazzles us, as always.  My nostalgia kicks in as I remember living here as a teenager, a young wide-eyed scholar.  Summer flowers abound.  We picnic beside the fields along the riverbank. 

Undergraduates flit here and there flapping in their gowns, their heads doused with foam, paint and whipping cream.  A graduation tradition we're informed. 

We climb towers, delve into crypts,browse at Blackwell's bookstore and enjoy a pub dinner.  Then it's time to catch our coach on the high street and snooze on the peaceful journey back to London.

Another wonderful Breakfast-in-Britain day!

At the Seaside -- Paignton, Devon

Not sure where to head for an early Breakfast in Preston, Devon at 6:30 am, we ask the Egg Delivery Man whose van sits outside our Guest house.  "Hop in," he beckons.  We tend toward the naive trusting way of life, and hope for the best in people, so in we hop. Mr Friendly Eggman drops us off in front of Frankie's Cafe on the main commercial street in Paignton.Great choice!
Frankie's interior decor oozes beach-theme. The light blue and white colours remind one of a beach box.  Lots of thoughtful touches, too -- a toaster on each table, and soothing wall art.
The proprietors, a friendly young couple -- he talks, she cooks -- explain that they started up four years ago.  When the competition between lunch cafes became so rigorous they changed a year ago to a breakfast cafe. One of them, we assume it's She, must be a "J" personality (think Myers-Briggs) as evidenced by the printed and posted week's cleaning rota which inlcudes everything from wipe down table legs to clean behind oven to scour extraction (grill hood).The poached eggs are the real thing -- perfectly runny. The table is solid, not at all rocky -- always a blessing.  I like to cut my egg on toast without table movement! At about 8:00 Charlotte, a young waitress with tattoos running up her arm, joins the team. My brother-in-law manufactures the decal transfer paper used by tattoo parlours around the world, so we now take more note of tattoos and tattoo parlours, which are prolific in small-town Britain.
After our leisurely eggs on toast meal, we stroll along the promenade, enjoying the English Riviera. We even find the penny arcade fortune teller Zoltar, straight out of the film Big!

The skies may be grey, but it's been another wonderful Breakfast in Britain.

Star Cafe -- Crofton Park, Lewisham, Southeast London

Staying close to home, we amble through the rainy morning toward Crofton Park, and enjoy a tasty hot breakfast of tea & toast at the Star Cafe on Brockley Road. 

 

The Cyprian proprietor welcomes us and others in the steady stream of hungry Southeast Londoners.

The Star fits the bill for a "typical British cafe, with it's signboards out front, clientèle in reflective wear, and lengthy list of breakfast options.

Another satisfactory and relaxing Breakfast in Britain!

Breakfast by the seaside in Hove

Up in the early morning light, we head to Hove on the Channel.  The 90 minute trip (by car) is quiet, as the commuters are still asleep. 

We beeline for Linda's Cafe on Kingsway, across from the working harbour, which we enjoyed once before a couple years ago. We remember, hopefully, that she opens early. 

Sure enough, the sign announces a 6:00 am opening time.  We appreciate the endless free parking along Kingsway, dash through the damp cold, and enjoy the toasty welcoming warmth of Linda's Cafe.  Two mugs of hot brewed tea soon warm our hands and palettes. We're welcomed by Linda and her daughter, Katie:  Linda cooks and Katie serves, at least this morning that's the arrangement.  With a broad smile, Linda proudly exclaims that she's been in business 22 1/2 years. 

Happy Husband orders the "Jack Size Breakfast," as opposed to the King Size and the Queen Size.  I stick to my two soft fried eggs on toast.  All delicious!

The atmosphere is homey and friendly with most clientèle being called by name.  And the place is CLEAN!  Super clean!  We peak in the kitchen, and it literally shines.  Linda proudly explains that she's received 5-stars from the "Food Hygiene Rating" board every year since she opened.  We can see why.  Even the back garden, where the loo is located, is loved and cared for.  Impressive.

The walls are free of artwork and clutter except for a cutlery clock -- remember those from the we'll-make-anything-from-anything craft era? 

After a meal, and a couple crossword puzzles, we walk into Hove.  Offering a model shop, numerous charity shops along a pedestrian street,and a long seaside promenade, Hove remains one of our favourite day-out destinations.  

On our way back to the car at the end of the day, we stop at the FISH shop and buy some seafood to enjoy back in the city. 

A great day in Hove, and we plan to come back!