Travel Archives - Modern Pineapple

July 16, 2016

Caffeinating at Kensington Coffee

Hello! I’ve missed you so and promise the absence over the past several months has been because work has needed my fullest attention, to the point of being all-consuming. It’s been exciting though and I’ve launched big campaigns for social change with my incredible teams. Ben and I have also been traveling whenever we can with little weekends away, and took a very big trip in May that I’ll be sharing more about in an upcoming post or two.

Amidst it all, I’ve been trying to answer some very big questions I have of myself. They’re not ones that have just any one answer, but I’m hoping to narrow it down. Where do I think I’ll make the biggest difference in both my world and the bigger world? How do I want to grow professionally while nurturing my personal interests? Where do I see my family in five years from now? I’ve just recently turned 29 and feel like these questions need answering immediately. Does anyone else have this crazy sense of urgency? I’ve always been impatient, but this has gone to a new level. Of course, I’m proud of the choices I’ve made so far in life, but believe in the power of continued self-examination to make the best ones for my family now. Though that job is probably never done, I’m working through it to get the answers I need right now!

I’ve also been spending down time in our neighborhood. Especially Kensington Coffee, the sweet little shop that opened towards the end of the winter much to my delight. Now, the hours I’ve logged in coffee shops is obscene, starting with a little Starbucks where I used to spend weekend afternoons writing articles for the local newspaper while at Virginia Tech (hi, Roanoke Times!). I love the entire experience. Cozying up with the newspaper, a book, my macbook, or just my own thoughts with my hands wrapped around a hot ceramic mug with others around me is just sublime.

The lattes there are delicious and a great alternative to the chains we had prior to its arrival. The ambience is light and airy, and the staff are incredibly friendly. Their food is all organic, gluten-free and refined sugar free, but I’d skip it altogether and only pick up a cake (carrot is my favorite) if you’re in the mood for something sweet.

Kensington Coffee is located at 43 Kensington Church Street, W8.

April 9, 2016

The Golden City

Between Ben’s long hours and my incessant work schedule over the past few months, all we’ve wanted to do on the weekends is be in our neighborhood (and I have mostly refused to go anywhere if it requires taking the tube!). Finally though with spring hanging somewhere in the air, we dashed out of the city for a new one over the long Easter weekend. Our destination: Prague, a place that had been on my list for ages for its gothic architecture, ode to classical music, and ties to the Czech Republic through my maternal grandmother.

Praha is magical. We spent the weekend walking through the cobblestone streets, subsisted on klobasas, and listened to classical music at every chance we had. The city put on its Easter best, with festive osterbaums greeting us in little pockets of the city. Sunday was spent in Old Town Square, walking along the cobblestone streets, visiting with newborn lambs (really) and drinking underneath the Astronomical Clock. For dinner, we went to a sweet little restaurant called The Blue Duckling, which we started to laugh at because it seemed EVERYONE in our hotel had gone or was going, but it turned out to be a lovely time. Last year we spent Easter in Florence with my parents and I’ve decided it’s one of my very favorite times to travel in Europe. The cities are always in celebration mode for not only the religious holiday but also the signs of spring after the harsh winters.

Other highlights: dashing out of the rain into a cathedral for an evening quartet playing Vivaldi on our first afternoon and staying in a 14th century monastery-turned-Mandarin Oriental — though our room was “authentic” with wooden beams that we hit our heads on, twice. We went to the theatre for an evening ballet performance of Romeo and Juliet, visited Prague Castle and spent an afternoon at the Jewish Quarter. I mean, what a whirlwind. Aside from a slight bump on the head we couldn’t have had a better time.

It’s been awhile since we’d taken a selfie – us at the foot of the Charles River Bridge.

Ps – After seeing what felt like hundreds of people on the streets eating what looked like the most deluxe ice cream cone we’d ever laid eyes on, we hopped in line at Good Food Bakery near the Charles Bridge. We opted for the Chimney Blizzard: the iconic Czech trdelnik with bits of chocolate and served with a lemony-vanilla soft serve. Only afterwards when I was trying to remember the name of the traditional pastry did we learn it had already taken the internet by storm! x

September 13, 2015

Brilliant Balloons

Good morning! It’s a beautiful Sunday here in London, and I’m home with a cold. It was one of those that came overnight, aggressively and without reason. It’s given me the chance to make homemade ginger tea with honey, read a number of articles I’ve had saved, and get used to my new hair length (two inches shorter that looks like four and feels like a world of difference).

Yesterday afternoon we went to Covent Garden, where 100,000 white balloons have filled the high ceilings of the market’s south hall. Designed by Charles Pétillon, the balloons en masse are a striking site, with white lights pulsating behind the giant balloon cloud to resemble a heartbeat. He agreed to do this as Covent Garden, when it opened in 1552, changed the landscape of the area and was really the heart of the town, much as urban markets still are today. It’s his first installation outside of France, and he is known for using white balloons to add playfulness and bring a different perspective to otherwise mundane structures. We learned this in a nearby small pop-up gallery with photographs of his other works. (“Cloud Computing” was my favorite.)

The installation is only on for four weeks, and ends September 27, so make haste! Make an evening of it by going around the corner to the London outpost of New York institution Balthazar for champagne and plateaux de fruits de mer afterwards. Fines de Claire oysters are sublime! x

With shorter hair and selfies galore.

August 30, 2015

In the Neighborhood: Notting Gill Chippy

Our neighborhood is full of old favorites. There’s the Churchill Arms with Winston Churchill and other old English memorabilia packing every corner of the pub up front and the tasty Thai restaurant in the butterfly conservatory in the back. Then there’s Maggie Jones, a beloved local joint with a rustic theme and the most delicious pies. The Shed offers farm-to-table small plates for people who travel all over London for the daily looseners; Paul Rhodes is the greatest little boulangerie with freshly baked breads, croissants, cakes and other treats; and David Cameron can be seen lunching at Clarke’s. Of course, there’s our pub The Mall Tavern with the best Sunday roast in town (though we’re obviously biased with its close proximity to our front door).

So it was with much excitement when we learned a pop-up was opening on Ken Church Street this month. We returned from our trip in the US to find Kensington Place, a modern British restaurant with fish from the market next door, had transformed its private dining room to the Notting Gill Chippy! Complete with a summery blue and white awning and maritime theme continuing inside, it was the perfect stop on a Saturday night tour of the town when my mom and dad were visiting last week. My dad had fish and chips on his English must-do list, as he had fond memories of enjoying the battered cod when one of his ships docked in Portsmouth years ago.

We went a little after 9pm, so it was less crowded than we expected, though we should have realized with it being a Saturday night in August. We had ample space and time to talk to the staff (hi, Jack!) about the new chef Tim Peirson, formerly of Angler. It’s slammed on Friday nights (no surprise there) with the after-work, after-pub crowd. The trick is to go on Saturdays for lunch or dinner like we did for less wait. The boys ordered a couple of pints while my mom and I went for glasses of crisp white wine.

We pondered the menu for less than 90 seconds before ordering traditional fish and chips with mushy peas. Within fifteen minutes, Jack returned with curried-spice batter fish and extra crispy chips, served on charming trays with the Notting Gill newspaper. We all agreed it was the best fish and chips we’d ever had! Our bellies were so full that trying any other dishes on the menu will have to wait till another time (I’ve heard the Lobster Thermi-Buns are to die for — though when it comes to doughnuts filled with crustacean meat I think the ones at Chiltern are hard to beat).

The fish and chips came out piping hot, so we dove right in!

Ps – We’re hoping this becomes a permanent fixture! The idea is apparently swirling around in the owners’ heads, but no official plans have been made yet. The NGC has extended its pop-up until September 24, so if you’re in town be sure to stop by. Notting Gill Chippy, 201 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LX.

August 21, 2015

Nice is Nice

This summer we have been living from high to high, with an uncanny number of celebrations and visitors (and vacations, which are celebrations all in themselves – a perk of living in Europe that my work holiday count more than doubled). We even spent two weeks back in the States visiting family, friends and New York — we missed you so!

Last month was our first wedding anniversary. We took a three day weekend to the French Riviera, drinking in the scenery over crisp white wine, bathing on the sunny, rocky beaches and taking wonderful long walks in the hot summer sun. It felt like we grew up just a little more that weekend, realizing we were leaving our excited newlywed phase with so many milestones and entering into our calmer, lifelong partnership.

If Nice hasn’t been on your list of places to visit, it’s one to add. Stay at Hotel Le Negresco — we did and loved everything about the art deco style and close proximity to the beach — and book a fancy dinner one night at their restaurant Le Chantecler. With two Michelin stars, you need to go hungry, drink champagne and prepare for a four-hour leisurely multi-course dinner which will give you enough time to talk about all the work seen at the Matisse and Chagall museums.

Just before our anniversary dinner, wearing the sash from my wedding gown x

Work up an appetite the next day with a morning sail around the Bay of Angels and pick up lunch at the market (the best time to go is late morning on Saturdays!) for the ripest peaches, fresh sandwiches and just-off-the-griddle socca. My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it! Eat it picnic style at the beach, and spend the rest of the day taking in the glamorous families and young children running around in water shoes to not cut their feet on the rocks. Other recommendations: dinner at JAN, hiking the coastline, and strolling along the promenade.

First delicious bites of socca at the market!

We ended the weekend back home on Palace Gardens Terrace, breaking out the top tier of our wedding cake from the freezer (for a buttercream cake, unwrap completely and set it on the counter for three hours as it defrosts – it will be ready to eat and absolutely delicious) and dancing barefoot in our living room to James Taylor. We read love letters from each other, and may have cried a little (okay, just me because my husband’s a doll). We talked through our year, where we were just twelve short months ago and how it feels like time has just flown. Aside from the letters, our gift to ourselves was new personalized stationery, which I’m dying to use! x

Just three rosebuds managed to be living following our weekend away, the perfect number to add to the top of the cake.

May 15, 2015

Let’s Get Cooking (Class)

It’s been a bit of radio silence from me these past couple of weeks, but I’m back! It was for a good reason: Ben and I took our first trip to Asia and spent the past two weeks in Thailand. It was everything I thought it would be and so much more. BUT more to come on that amazing country in the weeks ahead.

With summer travels arriving with rapid speed, I wanted to share my favorite insider tip on immersing yourself with a new culture with delicious speed: donning a chef’s hat — and taking a cooking class! This used to be something I got to do often for work (I know, such a tough gig and a major perk of working in travel PR) with journalists. We often took them to a new restaurant, hotel or winery where chefs could show off their stuff — and give them an inside look into their operations. It made for great articles… and the perfect way to understand local culture.

Most recently when traveling with my parents and Ben last month, my parents gifted us all with a fun afternoon with the Florence Food & Wine Academy. It was predicted to be a rainy day, so they (smartly) realized we would all be better off indoors. It wasn’t any of our first times to the city, so we didn’t need to spend our days traipsing around the Uffizi Gallery (though if you haven’t been to Florence, go! It’s fabulous — and book your tickets in advance).

We started our morning at Mercado Centrale, the large incredible market in the heart of the city. Here we met up with the group, picked up spices, meats and other needs. Just a hop skip and a jump from the market, we spent the following four hours listening to tales from childhoods spent with nonnas making pasta by hand, tricks on making the best bolognese sauce (mostly meat, minimal tomatoes — it overpowers), drinking chianti and munching happily on bruschetta. We made tiramisu (first so it could set), beef bolognese and ravioli by HAND. We left blissfully full and happy and promptly went back to our room for a cat nap while the rain continued around the city.

If you’re in Firenze, check out the Florence Food & Wine Academy — and if you’re anywhere else in the world look up a cooking class. We just did one in Chiang Mai through our hotel focusing on northern Thai dishes. Londoners, Jamie Oliver’s Recipease has so many classes and if you’re in NYC, you should try the Institute of Culinary Education. Happy cooking! x

April 14, 2015

The Best Avocado Toast

Spring has sprung! Each morning I have been opening the shutters and throwing up the sash {well, we have no shutters, but I have been swiftly unlocking and opening our big bay windows to let the fresh air and occasional flying creature in}. The sweaters are put away and we’ve been dining solely on lighter fare. For lunch, enter avocado toast. By now, we all know this has become a menu staple {lucky for restaurants, this must be a steal to make}. I’ve been doing my due diligence to find the very best in London, or at least in W8 and W11 should you find yourself in this part of town:

1. Le Pain Quotidien – This is my go to. There are two Le Pains within very easy walking distance of us, plus with so many locations in London and really everywhere else – hi New York! – this is a great choice. It’s under the Tartines section of the menu and comes out in four halves, two slices of toast. The citrus cumin salt {sea salt, cumin, lemon zest and red pepper flakes} they sprinkle on top of the mashed up avocados makes it a blue ribbon winner for me. Also, you can probably tell by the photos I really dig green juices. Get LPQ’s Revitalizer {it may just be seasonal, so go quick!}. It’s the best: tart, delicious and healthy tasting all in one sip. (Most visited location by yours truly: 81-85 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JS, Tele: 020 3657 6938)

2. The Daylesford – If I could have this every day, I would. It’s one of my favorite shops in London and I’m really dying to explore their organic farm out in Gloucestershire. The only downside {for consumption of avocado toast, and life overall} is the limited amount of time I’m able to spend down on Westbourne Grove. If it were closer — even though it’s just a 15 minute walk from our home — this would take over as numero uno. It mixes slightly mashed avocados with fresh heritage tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil and fresh greens on top. Pair with one of their delicious lattes or green juices and prepare to dream about it in your sleep. Ps – go downstairs in their home goods section for beautiful wares. The lavender candle is my favorite, and upstairs in the store I always purchase a bag of their linseed porridge. (208-212 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RH, Tele 020 7313 8050)

3. Granger & Co. – Ben quotes Yogi Berra whenever I mention Granger — ‘that place, it’s so crowded no one ever goes there anymore.’ It’s true! Whenever there’s talk of brunch/lunch, this place is sadly quickly discarded due to the long lines of visitors wrapped around the block by 10am. However, if you can sneak in there on a weekday morning like I do, you’ll find yourself an Aussie version of avocado toast: two thick pieces of rye bread, sliced avocados on top like little solders, a blanket of freshly snipped parsley, and served with a lime wedge. Bonus: have it with the poached egg. Divine. (175 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2SB, Tele 020 7229 9111)

Happy eating! x.

April 12, 2015

Diving In

This weekend we welcomed the beautiful weather by having drinks outdoors at our local pub {because everyone needs a watering hole to call their very own}. We stood outside having white wine on the sidewalk before heading home to a dinner of tzatziki and shrimp saganaki. That was about all the time we spent physically outdoors sans a few errands and the gym, as we hunkered down for some good old fashioned studying.

It might sound terrifying or tremendous, depending who you talk to, but it’s true! We’re working our way towards our scuba certification to dive in a few weeks off the coast of Thailand. We did an intro dive in St. Lucia last summer {go! it’s marvelous, and stay at Jade – the people are wonderful}. I was appropriately nervous but — ever the learner and a closet daredevil — wanted to give it a go. It turned out to be quite beautiful {we swam with a school of fish!} and one of my favorite memories from our week on the island.

Fast forward nine months, and we’re at it again. We’re learning through the London School of Diving. Once we finish the online PADI course this week {it’s about 12-15 hours of studying and tests}, we’ll do our confined water training. That’s next Saturday, and then we’re prepped for taking our open water dives in Koh Samui. It’s been fun to learn something completely new for the both of us, together. I feel so lucky to be sitting side-by-side on our sofa going through lessons and taking tests, talking out the science behind diving and how to properly descend with your buddy {luckily, he’s mine and is very studious}. It’s a decent-sized time commitment, but diving isn’t something to take lightly. I appreciate the extra effort and am excited for being Cousteaus very soon. x

Post-diving, appropriately soaked with face mask imprints, and with the biggest grins.

April 1, 2015

Florence Dreaming

As I mentioned in my post over the weekend, one of the greatest perks of living in London is the ease of travel to other European destinations. This weekend we’re heading to Florence with my parents (so excited!), and are both so looking forward to returning. My husband studied abroad there for four months, and I visited for a few days during a trip following university graduation. It will be our first time there together, and we’re thrilled to be experiencing it with my parents who love Italy — so we’re all just giddy with excitement.

We want to spend most of the time just enjoying spring in Italy, taking in the gorgeous city, drinking delicious wine and eating yummy gelato (!), of course. There are a few other must-sees on our list {I jotted down quite a little list from Dan Brown’s Inferno, which I blew through on our honeymoon}. Here’s what we’re looking into for the weekend:

Wake up with a delicious cappuccino each morning
Stroll around the Boboli Gardens
Shop for leather sandals in Sabatini
Dine on handmade pasta and so much Chianti
Watch the Scoppio del Carro {the Explosion of the Cart} on Easter Sunday
Climb Giotto’s Campanile for a perfect view of Firenze
Have afternoon espresso — every afternoon
Eat lots and lots of gelato
Walk the Ponte Vecchio at sunset
Peruse the farmer’s stands and artisan shops at Mercato Centrale

The amazing Explosion of the Cart in front of Santa Maria del Fiore.

March 28, 2015

Letting Nostalgia In

Me on a morning run back on the West Side Highway stopping to pose with the lady herself.

I have to admit, this spring has started a little differently for me than I’m used to. Normally, I’m kicking off my winter boots in full force, testing the weather to see if I can get away going to work without tights on and practically prancing around city streets when cafes finally start putting their tables back outside. Sidewalk cafe culture is a real thing, people, and it’s amazing.

And usually, all of this takes place in New York. Where I lived for the previous five springs {and summers, falls and winters, too}. I’m having a bit of nostalgia for a different time where I walked down the street and could hear cabs honking as they raced down Carmine Street {I never understood this — it was only two blocks long in its entirety} and could sample eight different types of cheese at Murray’s while getting a full lesson on each before selecting just a few to serve my friends later that night back at my apartment. I miss the bizarre street festivals that would pop up on Sixth Avenue for the entire Saturday, halting all traffic and bringing so many people out to buy roasted corn on the cob and sliced up watermelon. Playing endless rounds of ping pong at The Standard on Sunday afternoons after too many bellinis over brunch at Paradou. Morning runs on the West Side Highway with One World Trade Center and Lady Liberty in full view. Even my old super who used to wish me a good day at work every single morning, and comment on tomorrow’s expected weather every single evening. I miss the electricity of the city; it’s like the street grids worked as surging energy lines that fueled the endless hustle of its people.

Instead of rushing through the hard feelings, I’m trying to let myself just experience them. I’m growing to love London with its charming streets and poised demeanor. New restaurants are opening all the time, and goodness are they incredible. I love the different themes and cultural influences that flow into each. I love that we’re known by name in our corner pub The Mall Tavern — and they usually have a table waiting for us on Sunday afternoons for roast. The museums with jaw dropping permanent collections, and experiencing limited time exhibitions. The champagne and towers of scones that come with a special afternoon tea. The ease at which we can travel to other countries is obviously unparalleled {Italy next weekend — counting down the days to tasty gelato}. And the many family and friends that have plans in the coming months to see our new home together.

So London is winning me over slowly but surely, but I would be remiss if I didn’t say I have been longing for the city. My city. My New York. I’ve heard Londoners know how to enjoy good weather, and it doesn’t really rain here as often as people think {I swear it’s only six days a week}. So bring on the Pimm’s and outdoor pubs, lounging in Hyde Park and runs with my husband, international travels and dinner parties with friends. London, I’m ready to make some new memories. Let’s hear it for spring.

B picking me up at Heathrow after flying to meet him in London. The sign says it all.

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