The Rasa Indian Restaurant, London, UK

After our York visit, and a typical British lunch, we were craving some good Indian food, and as everyone knows, London is famous for the fantastic Indian food.  We found this restaurant - The Rasa Indian restaurant, Holiday Inn at Kings Cross, London - online.  The reviews were pretty good and it was Zagat rated.  Plus, it was relatively near the Kings Cross station where we got off the train from York.

The restaurant was rather empty when we got there, so I began to feel a tad apprehensive.  But the servers were pretty knowledgeable and helpful.  They recommended this starter - a mix of pappadums, maruku etc, served with an assortment of Indian dips/chutneys ... YUM!!!!  We demolished this dish in seconds!  Confidence in our choice of restaurants was promptly restored :)

A chicken curry (also recommended by the staff) ...

A fish curry (also recommended by the staff) ... somehow I find that the fish curries in London are generally pretty excellent - not fishy at all, and so yummy!

An interesting cabbage dish ... I've never tried this before, and for someone from Southeast Asia, I think that's quite something in itself ...

Although we were really stuffed by the end of the meal, the staff recommended this banana pancake dessert with ice cream .... ohhhhhh .... how to resist?!  It was needless to say extremely satisfying!

I can very safely say that this was worth a repeat visit!  Nom nom nom!

Stonegate Yard, York, UK

We were looking for a nice place for lunch at York and came across this place:  Stonegate Yard.  There was a queue outside and it looked pretty crowded so we thought it must be pretty good.

A while after we joined the queue (above pic), a kind couple behind us informed us that they just found out that the queue was only for courtyard seats, so if we wanted to get seats indoors, we could just walk in.  


Thanks to this nice couple, we got out of the queue.  Then we found out that this was pretty much a self-serve super casual place - we had to find our own seats.  Thankfully, we found some nice seats next to the window on the second floor ...

We had a chili con carne with rice ...

Sausages with mashed potatoes ...

And I simply couldn't resist ending the meal with a sticky date pudding ...

York, UK

During a tour my mom and I took years ago, I remembered being enamoured with York, so much so that I told myself that I'd go back for a visit one day.  As we had some time this trip, I decided to book some tickets to York to see if the town was as lovely as I remembered.

York train station ...

Scenes along the way during our walk from the train station to the city centre ... (it was a glorious sunny day!)

Part of the old city wall ... positively medieval vibe ...

Gorgeous view of the river as we crossed the bridge ...

It's no wonder shopping is one of the major attractions in this charming little town ... just check out those lovely shops!  How can one resist?!

One of the highlights (and the most memorable scene in my mind from my very first tour of UK) - The Shambles ... I remember the guide telling us that the buildings were so close together neighbours could actually reach out and shake hands ...

Betty's Cafe Tea Rooms ... I had read about this on the York website, and had wanted to try it, but the queues were sooooo long!  Maybe next time ...

Gorgeous tudor style buildings in the city centre ... 

It was a Sunday when we visited York, and they were having their farmer's market ... apparently it's one of the best markets in that region.

One of the highlights of shopping in York:  The Mulberry Factory Store :)  As I'd bought too many things recently, I valiantly resisted succumbing to the many temptations in this store ... but if I'd not been on my self-imposed shopping ban, I'm sure I'd have gone home with at least one of their beautifully crafted bags.

We also came across this Guy Fawkes Inn ...

I'd never known that Guy Fawkes was from York ... and he was "quartered"?  Shudder!

The magnificent York Minster ...

Chinatown, London

Dinner at Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant in London's Chinatown ... this very casual eatery really serves authentic Cantonese food.  If I'd not known I was in London, I'd have easily thought I was somewhere in Hong Kong ...

Pork Ribs and "Fan Kok" soup ... typical Cantonese soup brewed to perfection - could easily give any Cantonese restaurant in Hong Kong a run for its money ... delish!

Their signature tofu dish ... yum!  yum!  yum!

Szechuan style fish fillets in hot chili oil ... perfect for a cold day ... (we saw several tables ordering this dish, and it did not disappoint)

Oxford & Regent Street, London

While shopping around Oxford Street, I decided to venture down Regent Street.  When I turned the corner, the view was simple awe inspiring!  Just look at all these magnificent grand old buildings lining the entire street!

Along the way, I found the Liberty Department Store ...

... and Carnaby Street which branched out into several streets dotted with lil shops and eateries, somewhat like Covent Garden.  

On a separate day, after showing off my Carnaby Street find to Hubby, he then proceeded to top my find by stumbling upon the famed Saville Row and the surrounding Mayfair area, including the magnificent Fortnam and Mason store, and ...

The Burlington Acade (I believe) ... 

Unfortunately, it was late and several of the shops were closed, or in the process of closing for the day.

But there was one fascinating shop that had crowds of people milling around its front ... ahhhh ... The Vintage Watch Company! When I finally managed to inch my way to its display window, I realised why it was so interesting ... they had vintage designer watches for every year since ... well, at least 1940 I think!  A perfect gift for someone who has everything?