London 2002

Belgo restaurants were expanding aggressively at the time being, then they had to close a couple, but now that I visited London in Dec 2011, atleast the original in Covent Garden was still up and running. Easy european delights in a relaxed atmosphere, and a variety of good beers. sounds like a winning concept. Maybe the problem is in combining the words concept and relaxed?

London 1998

TGI was situated almost opposite of my work, and for some reason I liked the Jack Daniels glazed steak they have on the menu. I went quite often to eat that before work or so. When I was in NY 3 years ago, I thought I have a drink at the times square TGI's, but somehow it felt so outdated, worn out and lame, that I didn't feel like staying there for more than a toilet visit. Partially surprising, that in so touristy area, in this concept restaurant, I was able to walk through the whole restaurant and enter & exit the unlocked toilet without anyone paying any attention to me.. Lucky for me I don't look Al-Qaida, especially since I flew in NY on the 11.9.

London 2004

This bar was already legendary when it opened. Members only, if not, you can make a reservation for a table in the early evening, but you have to leave before 23.. I really wanted to see the place, so I made a booking for us, we were allowed in, and in the empty first floor bar, we were seated on a children size two-top in the middle of the floor. Not so ravishing. Well, we went on to the bar and started chatting with the bartender, he was friendly and once it was revealed we are colleagues from Finland, he asked for the duty manager to show us around. So in addition to our delicious aperitifs, we got a thorough round of the house. I could imagine how the party could be quite wild in the red bar, but otherwise it must mostly stay rather loungy.. That I find is a problem with members bars, that you never know if there is a good party or just few people sitting in their table, enjoying too expensive drinks, waiting for something to happen.

London 1998

In PH haydays it was everywhere, even at the Gatwick airport, and our ex-GM from Helsinki was working there now. It is always funny how you bump into friends or other recognisable people on airports.. It happened to me last time I flew from Zurich to Helsinki, One of the extreme Duudsons flew with the same plane, jukka I guess, and I was about to say hi to him already, when I realized that actually we have never met. The most surprising bump was when I was flying to Florence via Amsterdam, I had 4 hours to stay in Amsterdam, thought I go to city and have lunch in Wagamama, when I felt a tap on my shoulder, It was an ex-colleague from Helsinki, now living somewhere in South-America, on her way to visit Helsinki. It always amazes me, what are the odds that of thousands of people and a variety of possible routes at the airport, we happen to be in the same spot at the same time! On the other hand, I'd rather win in the Lottery..

London 1998

Mash was a great new concept in London, and very Londonesque in the 90's, whatever that means. Great cocktails, ultradesign, orange(appeals to me), and at the time innovative kitchen, I remember a peking duck pizza. I had made a reservation early on, but yet I was granted only 1,5hrs for dining with my visitor from Switzerland. We were able to make it through two courses in time, though my frozen peach martini or whatever, was still frozen and half-full when I finished my main course. The bill came in a small envelope, and I recall faintly that my friend stole a small stone with a logo.. Can't remember what it was used for, but I'm sure it was cute!

London 2004

Here was situated a cool bar, with some excellent mojitos, if I remember correctly. We weren't welcome to taste them..Members only, or so they said. So we explored the lobby of this posh hotel a bit, it was on the cover of Conde Nast -magazine after all, Philip Starck design. I believe the bar has been revamped already twice since then, I guess not enough members, even in London.. Moving on

Reading 1998

Went to visit Reading rock festival, and before entering the area, had a lunch in this restaurant. I even had an old acquaintance from Finland living in Reading, with whom I could charge myself for a night full of rock. Main attraction was Page & Plant, that I really wanted to see, they rocked alright. Being alone in a rock festival isn't so much fun though, the only people I had seen before, was Bad religion, and they had to work..
The evening turned surprisingly chilly after the sun had set, and when the last band had finished their set, I was wasted, tired, cold and ready to head home in London. When I arrived, maybe around 4am., my roommate still had a full party going on, so no sleep for me then either.. Well life is what you make it!