We walked back along the river spotting “The Sail Loft” – to my
surprise I’ve just noticed it’s another Fullers … this time … a Kitchen Establishment, not a
Pie and Ale pub …
We sat outside overlooking the Thames and its opposite bank of
the Isle of Dogs – this is where the river has one of its largest
meanders. At some stage! I’ll do another
post about the Isle of Dogs – but for now lunch calls …
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| The Isle of Dogs as shown in John Rocque's map of 1747 before any development |
… a footpath runs under the Thames, while the Docklands Light Railway also connects, where the history in Greenwich can be found. I wrote another post about St Alfege Church on its millennium … lots of extra information in there if you care to take a look …
Back to lunch … we decided we just needed a main course … one
of us was happy with her pink Pinot Grigio, while I had tonic water …
… I chose Devon Crab and Shellfish Linguine, white wine and
parsley sauce … and I must say it was delicious …
T’other main party had the Frontier Battered North Atlantic Cod, chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce … remarking she hadn’t had mushy peas for ages …
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| Looking down from the first floor |
We were very happy and took our time, still nattering! mulling over life, debating what we should do next before we returned back upstream.
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| Wall decorated with old tea boxes - used for packing and transporting in the Clippers |
I’ve included a few photos to give you a glimpse of The Sail Loft … fortunately there were few dining – so we were mostly left to get on with it … I’m sure it’d be packed out in the evenings and at weekend – it was quite a large place as you can see …
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| Looking east up the river towards the Cutty Sark, and the mooring areas for the River Cruisers |
Well that was lunch! Next we visited the Painted Hall, and glanced at the Chapel … walked back passed the Cutty Sark on our way for our return trip.
My post on St Alfege Church, Greenwich
Hilary Melton-Butcher
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47 comments:
Hi Hilary, Your lunch looks absolutely delicious, and what lovely scenery! You chose a delightful way to follow-up your river cruise!
Julie
My bucket would be overflowing.
It looks like a delightful lunch, in even nicer surroundings to share with a friend.
That Linguine looks superb, right up my street. The wall decorated with boxes is interesting, I am sure I would have spent some time reading what was on them. Have a good Sunday Diane
You do seem to have enjoyed your day! What can you tell us about the Isle of Dogs? Why was it called that?
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That looks good! I know we had lunch in Greenwich, but I can't remember (I hope I recorded it in my journal--I should dig them out).
Would love to see Greenwich, where time really begins!
Your lunch looks great, when I am in England I always want the Fish and Chips! (They deserve capitals.)
This makes me wish I could be there, too! A lovely lunch.
Beautiful restaurant. I think the closest thing I've had to mushy peas is split pea soup.
@ Julie – thank you … we enjoyed ourselves without rushing around too much … this was a relaxing lunch …
@ EC – lots to do in London – my bucket list is permanently overflowing with things I’d love to visit … the restaurant was a delight – not too full … and better food than I expected …
@ Diane – the linguine was delicious – I could go back for another go!! I had to take a photo of the tea boxes – as they were real (I think!) … and remember when I used them for my trip to South Africa …
@ Sue – we enjoy ourselves – the “Isle of Dogs” might have become known from Edward III’s greyhounds or because of the ducks and wildfowl that inhabited the marshland … no-one is exactly sure …
@ Sage – this is a new restaurant in a new development … I’m sure you’d have gone to a pub somewhere in Greenwich – though I hope you’ve got it recorded … I expect you have. Lunch was good.
@ Kay – it’s a wonderful place to spend time in … and where time does begin or end … most visitors want Fish and Chips – and even locals crave it occasionally!
@ Lynn – well London isn’t going away … so please make a return visit … I hope you can one day …
@ Alex – mushy peas and split pea soup … not quite the same – but I get your drift. It was a good place to have lunch at …
Thanks so much to you all … lovely to get your comments – cheers Hilary
Nice to enjoy good food and a lovely day. I went to an International Food and Music fest yesterday. It was fun to try the tastes of many countries, a sample was only $1.I ate everyone with my fiancé helping me consume all. I never have tried mushy peas, it sounds interesting.
What a lovely day. One day, maybe, I am coming to England to follow my roots. Seeing as most of my ancestors set sail in the 1600's, there is very little the same I am sure. When I do genealogy, I make a note of locations. I realize that perhaps, I need to add to my list places that I read about.
A lovely day out. You can't beat a great pub lunch. The Cutty Sark is an interesting visit, too.
Aah, more memories! Seeing those tea boxes on the wall brought back memories of when I was very young (maybe 5 or 6) - when we first went camping (the only vacation we could afford back then) we took all our camping gear packed up in tea chests. Those plywood cubes seemed so big to me then.
A good tasting lunch and a good friend! Sounds wonderful!
What a lovely lunch for you both. I have had pea soup, which is probably the closest I've come to mashed peas. I'd love to try those as a side! As for linguine...you can never go wrong with that dish (ever, ever). :) Glad you had a nice time out.
I have never heard of 'mushy' peas. Your lunches look delicious though! Another wonderfully informative post!
"I'll have what she's having!" - points to Hilary's linguine. That probably my favourite dish; linguine with any kind of seafood especially Vongole sauce....
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What a lovely day and reminiscing is always fun. The meal looks wonderful—I'm a sucker for fish and chips (and that one looks good)! I like mine with malt vinegar. :)
That wall really tickles me, we used to use those crates when moving. Now I know where mine got to LOL.
Sounds like a good place to eat. I believe lots of places, like the Isle of Dogs, are being changed and modernised. I know the dockyards in Chatham, Kent are now a housing estate although when last there they still had the mast ponds.
The food looks so good--except for the mushy peas. That looks like baby food. I'm afraid I'd gag on it. I look forward to learning about the Isle of Dogs. Franklin and Penelope want to know if it belongs to them.
Love,
Janie
The meal looks inviting, but I am not sure about mushy peas. Are they cold or hot? We have split pea soup over here.
Interesting place.
Mmm. Both those lunch choices look good except for mushy peas. Never heard of those.
Hi Hilary,
It sounds like you are having a wonderful time. I'll have to visit that restaurant next time in the UK. The fish looks delicious. Thank you for sharing.
@ Steve – yes this day was very relaxing. I love food and music fests … but don’t often go – it sounds like the two of you had a lovely time …trying different foods.
Mushy peas are a northern delicacy … and a traditional accompaniment to fish and chips. I didn’t know about and note the ‘pie floater’ … a pie in a thick pea soup …. hence some of you mentioning thick pea soup … I learn too!
@ Ann – I would happily say nothing is the same as it was in the 1600s … so much development and inventions since then. I hope you can get over at some stage and see the places you’d like to visit …
@ Nick – you can’t beat a pub lunch ... but this was slightly different – less frenetic, which suited me! We didn’t have time to go round the Cutty Sark – now it’s been revamped I need to visit again.
@ Ian – oh yes more memories. The tea chests – we had a lot of them when I was growing up … they’re a good size – and make good storage containers … I can imagine your camping gear was well contained …
@ Sandie – yes the good friend was a great joy to see … and the food was delicious …
@ Rosey – I hadn’t realised there was a connection with a ‘floating pie in thick pea soup’ … so obviously that’s fairly common. Personally mushy peas aren’t my favourite – I’d be happier if they didn’t put mint in them. But the linguine was excellent … and chatting as we watched the world go by was just what we needed …
@ Paula – it’s a northern British dish, but so often served with fish and chips here. We got stuck in before I remembered to take a photo!
@ Bazza – it was very good indeed: the linguine with its white wine sauce … there were other shellfish in it, over and above clams for the vongole … so glad you’ll join me!
@Holly – good to see you back … we enjoyed our relaxing lunch … and yes I rather hankered after the fish and chips – but was glad of selecting something lighter. Vinegar with fish and chips is good – but I don’t like things getting soggy … a fine line is needed!
@ Jo – thought you might enjoy the wall … we had lots of those crates too – and I think I even took some to South Africa. London is completely different … completely different – I think is the best way of describing it! So much change …
@ Janie – the dishes were all much enjoyed – even the mushy peas. I mentioned above the Isle of Dogs was marshland – full of wild fowl … and probably Edward III’s greyhounds hunted on it … now it’s full of housing and development …
@ Truedessa – the mushy peas are hot – it’s a traditional accompaniment to fish and chips – as long as they’re not minted I enjoy them … I gather split pea soup is popular – we have that here too …
@ Liz – thanks …
@ Susan – mushy peas a traditional northern dish with F+C … but both dishes were enjoyed …
@ Nicola – the restaurant was well worth visiting – we enjoyed our meal there … it’d be buzzing at times – it’s quite large and lots of new development going on round about.
Thanks so much everyone – lovely seeing your comments – cheers Hilary
Looks like a great lunch - I love the packing case decor, very appropriate for the area.
Sure looks like lots of great sights to see with a great lunch to boot.
What a beautiful post and thanks for taking us on a journey with you. Lovely photos and Greenwich is worth the visit!
Yum! I rarely go out to eat, Hilary. You are inspiring me. I am visiting my daughter on the East Coast. Still no English pubs but they do have wonderful eateries.
I read your response to Franklin and Penelope. They remain convinced that the Isle of Dogs must belong to them. They won't give in on it.
Love,
Janie
Yummy lunch with excellent views. The fish and chips would be tasty, perhaps without mushy peas. I think it is the word mushy that proves bothersome to me. So glad you had such a fine chance to natter
Oh delicious! I haven't had fish and chips for ages, and when I was little, I used to mush up my peas. I didn't know you could actually have someone do it for you!
If we ever get back to England, I'm looking for that place.
I very much approve of your choice of lunch, though dare I say that the t'other person let the side down a wee bit by having mushy peas of all things - goodness me!
By the way this Word Verification thing is driving me NUTS -just had sixteen attempts to get it to work
It sounds like you had a wonderful outing! Makes me want to take a similar kind of field trip around here soon. Your posts are always loaded with personality and info, Hilary, and quite often, fun as well. Enjoyed reading this one. Have a lovely week! :)
Lunch looks so delicious and I love the pictures from the outing. I can tell it was a lot of fun. :)
~Jess
@ Anabel – I thought the tea chest boxes were a great idea for the ‘wall paper’ … brought back memories from my childhood.
@ Pat – it is the way to see London and its riverside developments …
@ Blogoratti – Greenwich is well worth staying in and just enjoying all the history, with all the places to walk and with a good choice of restaurant: as you well know.
@ Jacqui – this time I remembered the ‘Kali’ bit! Enjoy being with your daughter … eateries can be so interesting now-a-days … happy eating while you’re away.
@ Janie – sorry about that … poor Franklin and Penelope – they’d hate the Isle of Dogs now – it’s all developed …
@ Joanne – being on the river always opens up different vistas interrupted from sky or water. Mushy is just a term we use over here for that sort of dried cooked pea … I prefer the fish and chips without them … but the linguine was delicious …
@ Christine – I hope that’s tempted you to go out and have some fish and chips … your peas aren’t quite the same!!! But fresh peas are so delicious – just easier to eat if they’re squished up.
@ Diane – that’s good to know … it’s a delightful restaurant …
@ Mel – yes mushy peas are one of those hate them or love them side dishes aren’t they – I’m happy if they’re plain, but am not keen on them with mint added … c’est la vie. My linguine was really good.
Re the WV – I’ve emailed you … and it doesn’t need to be used – I (and others) can’t get rid of it … so just ignore it. Let’s hope it works …
@ Karen - thanks so much … delighted you enjoy reading the posts. These sorts of days out are always fun … relaxing away from being at home and just experiencing a different way of life: so I hope you take notice of your own advice and take a similar day away.
@ Jess – Thanks - we enjoyed our time ... relaxing and catching up with some good food.
Thanks everyone – so good to see – cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary. Sounds like you are having a very interesting time. Food sounds and looks scrumptious too. Continue to enjoy! Kim
Isn't it great to spend such a lovely time with friends? That linguini looks absolutely scrumptious! Hugs...RO
Another fun day and fascinating meander. I enjoy the information you share with us.
@ Kim - thank you ... we had a fun time - it's good getting back together with old friends and chewing the cud, and other delicious foods ...
@ RO - you're so right ... as I mentioned to Kim - amazing how one slots right back in again. The linguini was very tasty ...
@ Sandra - so glad you're enjoying the information I bring in to the posts ...
Cheers to you three -good to see you - Hilary
Oh what a wonderful time you had. Just what i love best; watching people, a bit of nattering, a good lunch and it does look very good :) Love the tea box wall
That's my kinda day out, and I have to compliment you on your choice of lunchtime fare!
@ Marja - yes as we couldn't walk too much we needed to entertain ourselves this way ... it was a lovely day. Isn't the tea box wall fun ...
@ Keith - it was a fine day out ... and lunch was good - well worth knowing about though ...
Cheers and thanks for visiting - Hilary
I always gravitate to food, and that all looked and sounded delicious...except for the mushy peas. I can tolerate fresh or frozen peas in soup, pasta or rice dishes. But I will have to pass on the mushy ones. ;)
Oh you've made me quite homesick with these post, Hilary. I miss London and this was the area my father used to love to take us. Wonderful associations...and good food too! I haven't had mushy peas in years!
@ Linda - I like to write up about food sometimes ... as it's a different subject and can provide other snippets of information ... and I remember what I ate!! I might try and make some of the dishes sometime ... mushy peas aren't my favourite - fine if they're not minted ...
@ Val - oh I'm sorry in some ways ... but it's reminding you of your father and times out with him. As you say wonderful associations ... and good food just brings that little extra to the day
Cheers to you both - food is always a good draw ... and I'm glad you both thought the choice was good! Hilary
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