I didn't expect this year's birthday to have any fanfare, particularly I've been feeling so tired lately, mainly running after and keeping up with Isabelle. K has also been very busy at work, working long hours, so I have very full on days with Isabelle with no respite. Honestly, if I could wish for something for this year's birthday, it would be to have a breather for myself. I would wish from the depths of my heart that she can sleep and nap better, and that she can play on her own and I can leave her to her own devices. Really, this child is so active and sleep is last on her list.
Anyway, K texted me one day saying he made a lunch reservation at the same restaurant which he proposed at 7 years ago for my birthday. He planned to bring Isabelle into town too. However as it was quite a fancy restaurant, I wasn't sure how other diners would react with a toddler running around their tables or fussing about. Instead I suggested getting a babysitter for that afternoon. We had no trains running that day either, so going into Central London was gonna be a bit tricky.
Rachel surprised me by taking half a day off the day prior to my birthday and suggested meeting me for lunch. I've always wanted to dine at the very
Instagrammable restaurant, Dalloway Terrace, which is part of the Bloomsbury Hotel. They have just changed their decor to suit the autumnal season so we were sat in front of a wall of brown maple leaves and acorns. Rachel was pleasantly surprised when she walked in to the scene. Food and service were both excellent, and I was glad it wasn't just a pretty spot. For our 3rd course which was dessert, we asked if we could adjourn to the Coral Room next door, which was more of a lounge with comfy sofas and a big fireplace. They kindly acceded to our request. That was one long, enjoyable lunch. We haven't really caught up with each other since my long SG trip, so that afternoon was spent just doing that. With so many friends slowly moving back home, it is nice to have another kindred spirit here in London, and she is like an older sis that I haven't had.
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| With our desserts and a complimentary birthday slice of red velvet cake in the pretty Coral Room |
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| With my massive starter, Caesar salad as my first course |
The next day was our lunch at Clos Maggiore in Covent Garden. Because of engineering works, we had no choice but to drive into Central London. K had to spend some time finding suitable parking (ie not too expensive!) prior to us setting off. We finally decided on parking near Chancery Lane tube station. With the added time needed for parking research, as well as traffic conditions, we were almost 30min late for our lunch reservation! Thankfully they had not released our table. In a similar fashion to Dalloway Terrace's flower wall, Clos Maggiore is a French restaurant famous for being one of the most romantic restaurants in London, thanks to their beautiful indoor conservatory with foliage and flowers hanging from the ceiling. Naturally tables in the conservatory are always fully booked, and so this time round we were seated upstairs, which also had a bit of the foliage decor. It was nice too.
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| See the white flowers hanging from the ceiling |
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| Having our starter |
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| I ordered the crab salad which was very good |
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| My main was halibut fish with Spanish octopus in a chorizo sauce |
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| My dessert was a coconut parfait with yuzu sorbet |
The meal was delicious and actually pretty decent pricing for a set lunch menu. We asked ourselves why we had not returned sooner. 7 years is a bit too long!
As usual, Covent Garden was teeming with tourists and we decided to leave after our long lunch. But not before getting our fave 'green cake' from Paul round the corner to blow candles with that evening with Isabelle. This green cake is called Fraisier and is now a tradition for any of our birthdays. Yes, both K and I love it that much, even Isabelle was asking for "more, more!"
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| We had cake before dinner because it was Isabelle's bedtime |
And finally, to wrap up all things birthday related, I met up with some girl friends for a birthday breakfast/ brunch at Ham Yard Hotel a week later. These days, it is so hard to meet up with everyone's busy schedules and I think the last time we all met up was for my birthday last year!
And with that, I'm a year older and hopefully wiser!
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