Author Archives: britrish
American English vs. British English in one picture
A big thanks to @atlanticist for directing me to this:
Drag queen dancing 101
Meet the Globe Girls, a UK-based drag troupe. Photo credit: The Globe Girls
London is home to some pretty amazing drag queens, who could teach anyone a thing or two about wearing platform heels, applying false eyelashes and just being fabulous, dahling.
They are sharing some of their best-kept secrets in the Latin bar/restaurant Floridita in Soho. It’s called Drag Queen Dance Class, hosted by the Globe Girls, and it’s ever bit as amazing as you would imagine.
Give them 90 minutes and they’ll teach you how to workout in heels to some of Beyonce’s best pre-baby numbers, followed by a cocktail for £25. A lesson in lashes and walking in the highest of heels are included. More information here.
240 quintessentially British things
I am absolutely loving this print by BODIE and FOU. It lists 240 quintessentially British things and even includes a recipe for Victoria Sponge.
Sadly, they currently only deliver to the UK, France and Europe Zone 1. Hopefully that will change. It’s a fantastic print for any anglophile.
‘The Layover’ in London
Anthony Bourdain walking Marco Pierre White's dog in London. Photo credit: Travel Channel
Anthony Bourdain, I love you. Despite the fact that you’ve ruined my ability to appreciate hollandaise sauce at a restaurant, I forgive you and have faithfully read your books and watched “No Reservations” without, well, reservation.
When I heard about Travel Channel‘s latest incarnation, “The Layover,” where Anthony Bourdain spends 24 hours in any given city, I was all over it. And when I heard the London episode of “The Layover” was airing last weekend, well, ditto a hundred times over.
If you haven’t seen the episode yet, you can watch clips and see photos.
If you missed it, I am sure they will repeat it, but you can catch the highlights and one-liners, courtesy of Eater.com.
British pub crazy in Monterey
We spent the long weekend on the Monterey coast and enjoyed some beautiful sunshine in the middle of January. We really are so lucky to live in California!
I’m not quite sure if there is a huge population of Britfolk in Monterey but for a population of 408,000, the city has not one, not two, but five British pubs to speak of.
* The Crown & Anchor, 150 W. Franklin St., Monterey. (831) 649-6496.
* The Bulldog British Pub, 611 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. (831) 658-0686.
* London Bridge Pub, Wharf Number 2, Monterey. (831) 372-0581.
* Brittania Arms Pub & Restaurant, 444 Alvarado St., Monterey. (831) 656-9543.
* Bullwacker’s, 653 Cannery Row, Monterey. (831) 373-1353.
We went to London Bridge Pub since it welcomed kids and had a kids’ menu (I’ve since discovered that Bullwacker’s is also welcoming of wee ones …) and were instantly transported into your typical British pub atmosphere, which is actually very comforting. There was plenty of London signs, Guinness ads, tea pots and British posters as well as a menu with the usual suspects – pasties, bangers and mash, curry and rice, cottage pie. With a pint of Boddington and some fish and chips, I was, as they say, happy as Larry.
Just who exactly was this mythical Larry?
My guess is that he was a British ex-pat who made his way to Monterey and discovered a home away from home.
Fine food and film
Number 5,761 reason why Britain is so cool: The Lounge at Odeon, the new London luxury cinema experience for the over-18 crowd.
With leather seats that fully recline and no more than 50 seats per screen, it’s a spacious way to enjoy a movie. But they also offer a full menu of finger foods, fork-and-knife fare including red mullet and prawn risotto, venison chili and lasagne, and desserts as well as a cocktail menu, all delivered directly to your seat by dedicated wait staff.
It’s a novel way to enjoy the big screen (and certainly beats oversalted popcorn and gloppy nachos). I would certainly check it out if I were in London this weekend …
Speaking of weekends, have a wonderful one and happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Americans enjoy a bank holiday on Monday)! I’ll see you back here on Tuesday.
Totes Amaze
Sometimes an expression just comes along that grabs me. For awhile it was “bajiggety,” as in out of sorts, confused, flustered, upset. It was used in “The Sweetest Thing” with Christina Applegate and Cameron Diaz and I latched on. It is a stellar phrase.
But it’s been surpassed by “totes amaze,” as in totally amazing. The Brits are using it. It’s whimsical, youthful, and little stupid. It’s the two words that British singer Lily Allen tweeted right after having her baby.
Totes amaze. Coming soon to the U.S.
There ain’t no cure for the wintertime brews
We may still be in the thick of winter but the worst of it is thankfully behind us. Yes, I’m talking about the end of the winter brews – those dreadful American spiced lagers and ales that have been everywhere since Thanksgiving.
Enemy number 1 in the spicy brew world? Samuel Adams’ Winter Lager. I must’ve seen the commercial at least 100 times, groaning with each careful mention of the spices involved. I like spices in my gingerbread, pumpkin pie, hot apple cider, sure. But beer? No thanks. Brits may drink their beer warm but they don’t dare mess about with cinnamon and ginger in the brewing process. I can respect that.
I’m happy to report that winter lager is now gone from Samuel Adams’ website and has been replaced by something spice-free: an Alpine Spring brew. It’s always something.
A simple posset
The last time we were in England for Christmas, I tasted my first posset.
That’s posset, not possum. This is England, people, not Kentucky.
And so this time of year, I always think about posset, this simple dessert made from citrus fruit, sugar, cream and sometimes eggs, which traces back to the 16th century. It’s easily made in minutes and will brighten up the darkest of winter days.
The following is a very simple recipe for lemon posset, courtesy of the BBC and chef James Martin:
Ingredients
600ml/1 pint 1fl oz double cream
150g/5oz caster sugar
2 large lemons, zest and juice only
1. Place the double cream and the sugar into a large pan over a low heat and bring to the boil slowly. Boil for three minutes, then remove from the heat and allow to cool.
2. Add the lemon juice and zest and whisk well.
3. Pour the lemon cream mixture into six large serving glasses and refrigerate for three hours.
Tube map of cocktail bars
I’m absolutely enamored with this tube map of cocktail bars in London, as seen on Ginmonkey.co.uk.
All cocktail bars are within walking distance of their respective tube station. It’s a great concept and still a work in progress! If you have any suggestions, you can contact Ginmonkey. And many thanks to Martini Mandate for leading me to it!
BRITRISH.COM 