Who is “An American in London”:
I’m an American who moved to London in August 2005 with my husband, also an American.
Our goal in London is to make new friends, eat, drink, and see Europe while our jobs provide the moolah to keep the fun and games going. We try to travel outside the UK at least once a month, and I’m keeping this blog to share the good, bad and ugly, with a slight focus obsession on the food front. (Subtext: Here’s yet another amateur who fancies herself a food and travel writer.)
What’s with the URL:
My URL is a marketing/branding disaster, but it pays homage to R.W. Apple because we should all be so lucky as to eat, travel and write for the New York Times while abusing its expense policy in a legendary fashion.
How I choose restaurants and travel destinations:
In London, I rely on word-of-mouth from friends, other food blogs, and the “pros” (e.g., Time Out London, the Observer, the Evening Standard). Serendipity never hurts, either. As a side note, I like that TimeOut reviews anonymously and don’t get why all the other pros include their photo near the byline.
To pick places to eat outside of London, I’m a fan of using recent (i.e., dating from the past year) travel articles in the New York Times and the Guardian, postings on Chowhound, eGullet and Slow Travel, and last but not least, writeups that I find through google blog searches.
What’s the policy on freebies and why do I blog:
I pay for all meals and trips using my own hard-earned cash, and I’m motivated to write this blog (which is a time-and-money suck but a labor of love nonetheless) because I enjoy talking about travel and food. I also have a consumer advocate streak: iIf a hyped-up resto stinks, I’d hate to think someone else wasted their money there, and on the flip side, if a resto is excellent, I’d love to encourage everyone to go and “support” delicious food, attentive service and proportional-to-quality prices.
Photo-taking habits and equipment:
I snap photos very quickly (generally using a small Panasonic Lumix), and I avoid using flash because drawing attention to myself in a restaurant is embarrassing. In other words, I’m an anonymous diner who gets no preferential treatment when I eat out (just on the one-in-a-million chance that a resto actually cares what a one-in-a-billion food blogger thinks).
My target audience:
I hope this blog comes in handy for anyone else eating or traveling where we’re eating and traveling. And if you’re doing neither, I’d still love to know it serves as some escapist procrastination if you’re stuck in front of a computer all day.
Not that I know what that’s like, of course.
To contact me, send email to AmericanLondon1 [at] gmail [dot] com
Alice — This is great … I had a fab lunch at Astrance in July (and I also ate at Aux Lyonnais … I think it’s probably best on a cold winter afternoon).
Hey Alice,
It’s about time!!! I hope this does indeed take you one step closer to being a travel writer. How else can I team up with you to take pictures??
Hey, this is great. Really remarkable pieces of information, I want to try that place Burger Hache or whatever it was called…better go back and check
Here’s what’s funny.
I’m English and have been living in the US for a year. We have similar blog-titles, the same blog tool and I think your writing is brilliant.
http://www.eminyc.wordpress.com.
Hey we live on upper street! Drop me a line and we’ll grab a pint!
TwoCrabs
I love this – readership other than my parents (no offense, mom and dad)! Thanks for the compliment, eminyc, and I am definitely up for a pint, TwoCrabs.
So cool to find your site – my husband and I are also Americans who moved over in June 2005 and basically have the same goals as you. I’m looking forward to keeping up on your travels…oh and restaurant recommendations.
Hi,
I just discovered your blog and am so looking forward to trying out your restaurant recommendations. Like you, my husband and I moved here last year with the same sort of plan, and I have a similar blog (not so food-oriented, however) called New Yorker in London at http://newyorkerinlondon.blogspot.com/
Looking forward to following along with your adventures!
Hi Tara,
Thanks for dropping by and for your blog link. Maybe we’ll bump into each other running around London!
hi! my husband and i just moved here from the US-living in putney and i’m loving your blog! let me know if you’d like to get together, we have yet to check out islington! ~erin
Hi Erin, thanks for visiting and for your comment! As a testament to how large London is, in the three years I’ve been here, I’ve visited Putney only twice (I think both times for crew-related events, actually). I’d like to visit there more often, and it’d be great to meet up.
I just came across your blog, searching for good places to eat in Tuscany and Paris. Sooooo glad to discover your blog!
Look forward to keeping up with your food voyage.
humble drinker,
Thanks for the kind words and for visiting! Be sure to report back on your finds after your trips to Tuscany and Paris. I’m always excited to try new places.
Hey there,
Great blog! Its nice to hear another American’s take on London’s food offerings (I’m from California, living in London). I was reading your blog, and you said you have missed bagels. Have you ever been to Beigel Bake, almost at the end of Brick Lane? It is a phenomenal bagel place, and cheap as well (all bagels under a pound fifty). If you get a chance, I would recommend it.
Hi Scott,
Thanks for visiting and commenting. As a total aside – it’d be interesting to know if my views on food are distinctly “American,” and if so, in what ways. [I def think often about Mexican food, so that’s a nation-specific trademark, it seems.] Anyway, I’m musing about this whole “what’s an American point of view” question because I’ve been reconsidering my blog name for a while now. The name is just one example of a split-second decision haunting me for years. Another would be my somewhat hard-to-remember URL. : )
I went to Beigel Bake when I first moved here, and I remember thinking the bagels there were too small and flat. That said, I am stuck on NY-NJ bagles, which I realize some people find too big and over the top. [Also, £1.50 for only a bagel – i.e., with no lox or cream cheese – seems pricey to me]. I think bagels are one of those things that will never be good outside the Tri-State area. [My friend from Montreal begs to differ – she swears by those sweet things they call bagels in her neck of the woods.]
Next time I’m hanging around Brick Lane, I’ll give Beigel Bake another try, though!
As an American in London (-ish), I was thinking about doing more food-type things on my blog, but now I’ve found yours, I don’t have to!
I’ll keep reading if you keep eating.
Hi and thanks, Lien. I guess this means you’ll always be reading, because I certainly won’t stop eating. 🙂
American in London… Sounds like fun to me! Here is how I found a bit of Paris in my backyard, on the East coast in America. Thought you might like it.
Ratna
Hi Ratna – what a nice idea. If I ever have a backyard big enough for real gardening, I’ll try to recreate some Paris magic that way, too!
Hi there!
I would like to talk with you about some kind of collaboration as I love your blog. Is there any email address I could write to you to?
Thanks
Yuri
I’m an American married to an Englishman (he’s Irish, born in England because his parents were here for a few years for his father’s medical practice) living in Midwest USA. We’re foodies, and love to check out favorite haunts and find new ones. He’s got his favorites too, having lived & worked in London for about eight years. I’ll have to have him take a look at this blog. He’d be able to tell whether or not you have a distinctly American bias in terms of how you choose your food there, since he lives here and is able to see both sides. We’re going to be in London again in November to visit his family. Looking forward to trying some new spots. Keep up the fun!
Hi there, I really enjoy your blog and wondered if you would be interested in exchanging links?
Many thanks,
Douglas.
Hi,
I just came upon your blog following the blog trail from NewYorkerInLondon and like Tara’s blog, yours is spookily similar to something that I’m involved with. I can’t find an email address on here – can you send me one so I can mail you?
Tim
Tim, your comment has just led me to set up an email account for this blog.
American.London1 [at] gmail [dot] com
Thanks for being in touch.
I am so happy to have found this blog. I am an American foodie through and through and am always exploring new restaurants in London. If you and your hubby ever need a 3rd mouth (that sounds dirty eh!) do let me know!
Hi Kiki, thanks for the compliment and offer! Where are your fave places to eat? I love that in London you could have a rule of eating only once at each restaurant in the city, and you’d still never run out of places to eat.
A lot of places I just stroll in to if I have not eaten that day. It is how I discovered the Thai food at the back of the Churchill Arms in Notting Hill years ago or this fab sandwich place in Farrington. I have been told there is a fab Italian place near me in Kilburn that I have been very, very keen to try out as well as a burrito place in Angel. Basically the only thing I don’t eat is scrambled eggs and omlette’s. Otherwise the foodie world is my oyster!
Sorry for my delay reply. I was in Ohio for a wedding. Had incredible ribs in Cincinnati and delicious strip (melt in your mouth) steak in Columbus.
Me again!
I noticed in one of your entries you mentioned about the trouble in finding a good regular joe Italian restaurant in the Big Smoke! Having lived in NYC myself I could not agree more. There is a place in Soho that I love to go to but not been for a few years so not sure how it is now a days.
Would you be interested at all in exploring one in Kilburn Park that I am reading good things about?!
Kiki – a regular Italian in Kilburn Park sounds fab. What’s it called? 😉
See that is what is so annoying! I can’t remember the name of it! It is pretty much across the street from Primark. We could go next week sometime if you fancy it 😉
Hello there! I appreciate your blog and excited about the prospect of living in London. My husband just arrived last week and anxious awaits my arrival next May (I’m finishing up my master’s at Berkeley). Best, Lily
Hi Lily, thanks for reading (and commenting). I have close friends from university living in Berkeley – such a cool area. That said, you’ll love it here. : ) Good luck finishing your master’s and moving to London.
Hi there! I’m really enjoying your blog since I can really relate to it – I’m an American girl from New York who recently moved to London (Angel!) and loves food way too much. Any suggestions for a restaurant Thanksgiving meal in the city? I can’t let my favorite holiday pass without having turkey – that would be sacrilege. Thanks!
Welcome to London,
I think the US Embassy has a Thanksgiving ‘do every year. Perhaps give them a ring and see how you can get yourself invited? Also, the following might be useful:
http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/restaurants/thanksgiving-at-london-restaurants-feature-1534.html
Jon and I have found that the best way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to host a dinner yourself. It’s def a hassle doing it on a Thursday (without the day off), but it’s doable. I especially enjoy having the same conversation every year with my local butcher re: why I am ordering a turkey so far in advance of Christmas. : )
Hi! I’m looking for someone to answer some questions about living in another country for a class assignment. I was wondering if you would have the time to do this?
Thanks!
Margo Hasert
Loveland, CO
Hi Margo, how do I get in touch with you? Alternatively, send me an email at AmericanLondon1 [at] gmail [dot] com with more details of the time commitment involved and the audience for your research.
Well, AiL, you can count me, too, among your new-found fans. And as this seems to be a meeting place for like-minded people of vaguely similar description, let me throw my hat into the ring as well.
I’m a Southern Californian (tempered by Berkeley and San Francisco) who has been living in London and Paris for nearly (yikes!) ten years now.
As a devoted foodie, stumbling on your blog while looking for the name of that new (very good) Mexican restaurant in Notting Hill was a real treat.
By way of a small thank-you for your excellent contribution to the collective good, let me share with you a couple of places off the top of my head that I have come to enjoy over the years:
True, no one really goes to Paris for Mexican food, but if you are there and have a yen (as a resident, I certainly did), Anahuacalli (http://anahuacalli.com/) is the place to go. This is NOT Tex-Mex, or even Mexicali, but proper, dare I say posh, Mexican food.
Bacco (www.bacco-restaurant.co.uk/) is probably one of my favorite Italian restaurants in London, although it’s true that since moving back from Paris, I rarely make the trek out to Richmond to eat there. I do daydream about it often, though. No doubt having become friends with the owner and his wife over the years has become part of its appeal, but the food speaks for itself and the atmosphere made it the frequent hang-out for my circle of friends.
Finally, since I am lazy and enjoy anything that’s a stone’s throw or less from my front door, there is Champor Champor (www.champor-champor.com/) in my own Borough hood. It’s a thoroughly appealing little place that has a very creative, flavorful, and ever-changing menu. Definitely worth a try.
Hey I like your posts and reviews. I linked to your A&F article. Can you link to me? I’m just starting a website about all nice flagship retailers in london. thanks.
Love it, turned on to your blog by LondonEater who I follow on Twitter. I write a bit of a blog myself about NYC and good is a big part of it. And my best friend just moved to London 3 months ago so he’s just starting his own American in London adventure. Am visiting him in two weeks and will def use some of your suggestions as a guide. Think I want to try Tayyabs for sure!
This is great…… I love your blog. I just came upon your blog following yours Jaipur (INDIA) trip on 2006. Very nice write up.
Hello
My partner is soon to launch a range of Indian sausages (bangras.com) and would like to invite you to a tasting in the near future.
If you are interested please send me your contact details.
Many thanks
Tess
Alice, what a great blog! Didn’t know you had one until you posted about it on Facebook a few weeks ago, but clearly I was the last to know. Looks like we still have a lot in common – except, two kids in, I now travel internationally only in my dreams…. Glad to see you’re doing well!
Were the cranes in the header added for effect, or are there really that many? I always notice one or two. By the way, if you’re ever in Canterbury and enjoy a good Ruby Murray then try the curry house opposite the rear gate of the King’s schools. All the best…
Hi …. glad to have stumbled upon your blog. am “bi-coastal” between chicago and manchester. only starting to make the UK my “base” of the two, at least for the next couple of years. have charted a list of places to eat already. can i include you in my blogroll? thanks.
I’ve been reading your blog for the last hour or so and wanted to tell you how helpful and impressive it all is. My wife and I moved to London about 30 hours ago from San Francisco (Mission District), can’t sleep, and are both scouring the internet on our laptops for long-term housing. Naturally, she’s hard at work and I’m daydreaming about the Mexican food I’m missing out!
I can’t say how happy it makes me to read that within hours of your arrival in SD (my home town, btw) and SF you headed straight for the best Mexican food you could find. A woman after my own heart! I saw your blog posts re Red and Green, and Crazy Homies. I’ll have to check them out. I also heard about a place called, Taqueria, which seems to have some cred with the Americans. Have you been there?
One thing though: I can’t believe you went to the Mission and only went to Puerto Alegre! Bleh. You rightly pointed out that the margaritas are great, but it’s food doesn’t come close to the standards set by rest of the Mission’s gems.
For you and perhaps some of your followers, here are some of my favorites:
El Farolito: Probably the best, most classic example of the true Mission-style burrito in SF. Pillowy, amazing pinto beans, fluffy rice, incredible tomatillo & avocado house salsa, moist carnitas…I’d better stop.
Taqueria Cancun: Close second, amazing carne asada, and one of the only places to get a true vegetarian taco/burrito (i.e., they don’t cook their beans in lard).
Papalote: Best fish tacos in the City, period. More of a healthy Mexican option (which I held against it being from San Diego and a purist), but these fish tacos are to die for. Oh and crazy good salsa, which you can buy by the masonry jar. It’s so sought after that they’re militant about giving out extra servings.
La Taqueria: Though needlessly pricey, they serve probably the best carnitas tacos in the City. If you’re smart, you’ll go a step further and get a super corn quesadilla with carnitas. Totally sinful, but absolutely incredible!
Velvet Cantina: It’s hard to find a great sit down Mexican place in the Mission. This wasn’t a particularly good place until it got new ownership a couple years back. They kept the old decor (read: red vinyl quilted booths) but greatly enhanced the menu. Their chicken & avocado enchiladas are amazing, as are their margs.
Not sure if you’re going back to SF any time soon, but if you do, enjoy!
Well, back to the neighborhood/apartment hunt.
Happy blogging!!
-rr-
Hi rr – Welcome to London, and I do recall that first anxious search for a London flat. I kept thinking I’d never find anything with a decent kitchen at a reasonable price.
In any case, thanks for your recs on the Bay Area. Two of my roommates from uni live there, as does my brother-in-law, so surely I’ll be back there sometime relatively soon.
As for Puerto Allegre – sometimes you don’t get to choose the restos you try. For example, you might defer to your local host (which does bring up a second, unrelated point . . . that the traveler’s fixation on finding a place packed with locals isn’t always enough. Sometimes, locals just don’t know or care where the good places to eat are).
As for London – while the Mexican scene has slowly grown over the past four years I’ve been here, as a Californian, you’re going to be disappointed. There are a bunch of burrito places popping up (see the latest TimeOut blog post), but otherwise, tacos still cost a fortune for mediocre/mixed quality. On my last trip to the Taqueria in Notting Hill, the food was so awful and expensive that I swore never to go again. I know a lot of others love it, but I’d rather just make my own corn tortillas or have American visitors bring me some.
Hi Alice,
I’d really like to speak with you regarding a film premiere next week that I’d like to invite you to. Yes, this probably looks like spam, but if you’re unsure, check me out: twitter.com/jedhallam or my agency wolfstarconsultancy.com!
If you could email soon then we can sort out tickets!
Best,
Jed
Loving the blog!
.. I just moved to London myself and will use this as a guide for good eats.
=)
(I also had a quick question. I’m keeping a blog of my journeys in London. How did you manage to link a single picture with a caption below it? Each time I try to insert a picture, I have to insert a whole gallery.)
HI! What a fun (and honest!) site 🙂 I’ve never been to London, but will go someday… hopefully you’ll still be writing then! I’ll definitely add your site to my list of favorite travel websites onewaytkt.virskus.com
Keep writing!
Jenn
Thanks, Jenn. I do aim for honesty. : )
Hello! As I always wanted to BE An American in London, I’m so happy to have happened upon your site. Alas, my husband is not so keen on it as I am. I definitely identify with my English heritage, which shows up in my blog from time to time. Next trip, I’ll benefit greatly from your restaurant recommendations.
Hey there, First time on your blog, and so far love it. I moved to London a few years ago as a student and was able to have some of the best experiences in great locations (ie pubs, clubs, and parks).
I do have a few questions for you if you have the time to email me, and I will give you the incentive of great places to eat and the random (awesome!) recipe.
Hi Alice,
A thoroughly written mouthwatering eating guide.
Wish I had the time!
I’m curating an exhibition based on the World Cup.
Do you happen to know of an area of London dominated by Americans who I could snap enjoying the “soccer” this summer?
Thanks!
Philip
As a recent American in London, I loved stumbling across your blog. I can not wait to try some of the fab place to eat and check out!
If you’re interested I’ve started a blog as well and am welcoming all comments thoughts and suggestions. (http://fabblackexpat.wordpress.com)
Keep up the wonderful postings!
-e
Hi,
I would be interesed in advertising opportunities on your website. Is there a way we can discuss. Please do reply if you are interested.
-A
Hey American In London,
We love reading your blog here at TNT Magazine, because we cater especially to expats in the UK. We dribble at your feet.
Thought you and your readers might be interested in the huge TNT Sun & Snow Travel Show this Saturdayy 16th October at the grand Ibis Hotel in Earl’s Court.
It’s a great chance to meet thousands of travellers from all over the world, take in some antipodean nostalgia foods and probably sneak a drink or two while you score insane travel deals and find out the best places to travel!
We’re really trying to encourage people to PRE-REGISTER to secure a free spot on the day — it’s going to be busy!
Head to http://www.tntmagazine.com/travelshow for more infor and registration.
Love!
TNT Magazine
Love the site. Have added you to my site, which provides daily London restaurant news (www.londonappetizer.com)
Hi,
I just wanted to let you know about my Japanese cookery lessons that I run in West London. I will shortly be having an ‘Open Evening’ to give people a taste of the dishes and range of food from some of my lessons. I specialise in regional Japanese food that are perhaps lesser known in the UK, I also offer Sushi and Japanese Home Cooking lessons. Would you be interested in attending the evening?
Please have a look at my website http://www.yukiskitchen.com if you would like; I would be very grateful if you could include a link on your blog. I also have a blog and would happy to include yours there too. Please let me know what you think.
I hope we can meet soon,
Yuki
Hi! Loving your blog. I am a Londoner who moved to the US (San Francisco), two years ago and I still marvel at the cultural differences. My blog, girlinfogcity.com, is about my adjustment to my new life etc!
Sha
x
Come and give us a try! Bibimbap Soho in London!
Love your blog and love RW Apple! I’ve been trying to eat at his favorite places for some time. Anyway, really appreciate your insight into the Moscow dining scene and detailed reviews. I’m heading there soon. Best wishes, Chad
cool blog 🙂 will definitely be using it for travel research next time im away 🙂 I see you went to Panda Belleville in Paris – my fave banh mi’s that I also blogged about in my Paris entry! Keep up the good work!
Hi Alice
I would like to use a short quote from your blog for my culinary textbook on global cuisines for Pearson Prentice Hall. I can send you a Permissions Form and the quote. We did communicate earlier but I lost email…long story.
Warm regards,
Chef-Educator Nancy Krcek Allen
Hi Alice! I’m the Content Manager for the site http://www.TasterLab.com, and I wanted to get in touch to see if you’d like to review one of our tasters. We’re relatively new and could use all the feedback we can get! We have taster sessions for beer tasting, wine tasting, cooking classes, supper clubs, etc. Let me know if you might be interested in trying one out at some point (I’m sure you’re busy with the new baby!), and I’ll send you a voucher.
Thanks!
Annalise
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