So I was thrilled to see Belinda and Bailie's questions for this month's Expat Q&A series - they're totally relevant! Here goes:
preparing for a garden party with my then-flatmate (and always friend!) Christine
London, summer 2009
1. What is your favorite food store in your city and why?
When I was feeling flush, I'd do my grocery shopping at Waitrose, one of the best (and most expensive) grocery stores in England. I picked M&S for ready meals when I'd forgotten to bring my lunch to work; Jon swears by Morrison's for this sort of thing because there's one down the street from his office, but I've actually never been. He lives near a huge Tesco, which I liked well enough though the layout still doesn't make sense to me, and I lived near the big Sainsbury's in Clapham - that was my favorite. I actually saw a woman in DC a few weeks ago with a reusable Sainsbury's bag and had a little freakout to myself.
2. For your answer to number 1 is it ok to buy the store brand items or do you pay extra for a name brand?
I got very into price comparisons when I lived in London. Because I cook so much even just for myself and I love entertaining, it is very easy for me to spend way more than I can afford on a grocery store trip. Sometimes this means store brand items and sometimes other brands had deals - I go with the cheapest unless I'd tried it before and hated it!
3. What do you think is the best way to get about your city? i.e. bus, bike, car, etc
If you're in central London, walk! No question. Walk. Everything's much closer in Zone 1 than the Tube map makes it seem. (The Leicester Square and Covent Garden stops are 0.16 miles apart and it's a 180m walk from Charing Cross to Embankment - but you'd never know that by looking at the map!) But if you live outside of Zone 1, like I did, the Tube is often your best bet for convenience. That being said, I loved taking the bus everywhere because it meant you got to see the city, and the cyclists I know in London swear by their bikes! Everyone agrees, though, that it's absurd to have a car in London.
4. Which store do you turn to for basics like toilet paper or cleaning supplies?
The huge Tesco Extras are basically like Costco! I didn't live near a massive one, though, so I'd just shop at my Sainsbury's. They have in-store value brands that are totally serviceable and economical.
5. Where do you think is the best place in your city to get a cup of coffee (or beverage you prefer) and catch up with friends?
My favorite local coffee place is The Black Lab in Clapham - they've got free wifi, so I could sit there alone for hours with my laptop and a London Fog and work or blog! But I also love Bea's of Bloomsbury for cream tea with friends. It feels luxurious and comfortable there at the same time. (They have a couple of branches but I prefer the new one at St. Paul's.) Beyond that, my favorite pubs for long catch-ups are The Cittie of Yorke near Chancery Lane and The Windsor Castle in Notting Hill, which has the best garden in town!
Jon manning the grill at the same garden party in 2009. Don't you dare compliment his hair.
linking up with Found Love, Now What? and The Hemborg Wife
