Brownie

Even though Brownie has a mild fear of flying he loves to travel, and always makes certain to have a foreign getaway booked for the near future. One of his favorite places to jet off to is London, where he used to live and where he has lots of good friends. Although there are certain spots he always tries to get to when in town, the majority of his time is spent catching up with people, generally over a glass of wine and/or a tasty treat or two.


This past trip involved numerous gossip dates, ranging in location from the British Museum courtyard café (better for people watching than for treats) to Le Pain Quotidien (he can’t get enough of the Blondie spread) to Leon (he loves the sweet potato falafel but stuck with wine on this occasion) to the May Fair Hotel bar (the incredibly over the top restrooms left more of an impression than the cocktails).


Brownie’s recent trip also coincided with a friend’s housewarming party. Because he loves getting ready for a party almost as much as he likes attending a good party, he was more than happy to help with the preparations. After a day spent chopping, cooking and arranging he was rewarded with an evening of treats, bubbly, good conversation and activities such as gnome bowling. He thoroughly enjoyed the latter and had hoped to take a set home with him, but sadly none were left in the stores.


If time allows (which it did on this visit) Brownie likes to hit Borough Market, where he enjoys nibbling on various samples and picking up lovely cheeses, baked goods and other assorted goodies. The surrounding area is also home to numerous hidden treasures; while wandering around he stumbled upon the Union Street Urban Orchard, which he thought was most charming. He also stopped by Jerwood Space to check out Locate, an exhibition of three artist commissions addressing the concept of ‘site’.


Of course it wouldn’t be a trip to London without a day of shopping, and Brownie was able to squeeze one in on his last full day in town. But first, to ensure that he would have the energy to tackle Oxford Street, he stopped by one of his new favorite London spots, Cocomaya Fine Chocolatier and Artisan Baker.


The café is less than a year old and serves incredibly tasty coffee, as well as lovely sweets and chocolate. Furthermore, Brownie loves the ambiance, with its fun décor that ranges from a giant pelican on the wall to cabinets filled with Toby jugs and other fun antiques available for purchase (he would have liked to start his shopping there, but wisely realized any purchase would not likely make it back in one piece).


As always the trip went by much too quickly, and before he knew it he was back in Washington. Luckily there is no need for Brownie to be sad, as he knows it won’t be long until his next trip!