Edwardian Super-Size Me.........

On the 24th of October, I am off once again for France. This time, I will spend 3 nights in the lush Loire Valley at the 400 year old chateaux home of the Comte & and Comtesse de Vanssay ( who have opened their home to guests). This stay is in line with my 'It's Good To Be King" hotel stays throughout France and England. I plan to tour the unknown area of the Loire Valley called The Loir.

 Then it's off to Paris for 2 nights, to dine at some of my favorite Bistros and Brasseries. It's revisiting old friends of 20 plus years.

On Friday, the 29th, I board the Eurostar for a 2.15 hr trip from Paris to London. A most civilized way to travel.

 Once in London, my eating adventure begins in earnest. As some of you may know (if you read my other blog - Appetite for Excess)  - that I am a gentleman living in the wrong era, as I much have would preferred to have lived during the Edwardian era, as my maternal Grandparents did. But, I look on the bright side of things, as there can have been no better time for a chap like me to be alive. For in London, I can dress, drink and eat like an Edwardian gentleman for a weekend. My goal is to eat and drink like an Edwardian man of means. I am not daunted by the prospect of four whopping meals a day, rivers of grog and hardly any fruit, vegetables or water for the entire weekend. I plan to eat in only Edwardian restaurants (there are still a few left) and to eat as my antecedents did during the early 1900's. In fact, on my first morning at breakfast of my new Edwardian lifestyle , I foresee that my Edwardian breakfast will take so long that the chef will ring the lunch bell before I am through. I have planned with the menus I have created with the various restaurants I'll be eating at, to end up consuming about 5,000 calories during the course of the day!
 Game is in season and that can only mean one thing - Grouse, Grouse and more Grouse.
For many weeks now, shots have rung out across heathercarpeted moorland from Wales to the Scottish Highlands. Toffs and pretenders alike have been tearing across the soggy British country-side in pursuit of grouse since 12 August - and so in he fall game including pheasant, hare, venison ,partridge and Grouse come into season. YUM!
Please follow me along on the blog as I spend my Edwardian weekend in London.
London restaurants that are entertaining my Edwardian meals:
Rule's - Potted Shrimp, Roast gray Leg Partridge on toast, Steak and oyster pie, Gypsy tarte and Soft herring roe and capers
Wilton's - Smoked duck and Foie Gras Terrine, Venison Brodquin, honey roasted parsnips, roast goose fat potatoes, Stilton with celery
The Goring - Roast sirloin of Castle of Mey Beef, Glazed Scottish lobster omelette, Cumbrian black pudding with piccalilli and Poached pears in wine
The Ritz -  Need I say?..... Kippers in mustard butter
The Wolseley - Kedgeree with poached egg and crispy bacon roll
Corrigan's - Wild boar and Damson Jelly, Poached haddock with Indian rice, Loin of hare and sprouting Broccoli with blue cheese
....................and more.............
All of the above, finished  off with a Cuban cigar from James Fox's establisment in St James.

 

Reminder! Online Eiffel Tower Reservations

More than seven million people visit the Eiffel Tower each year. Just a reminder that online reservations are open for business and travelers can avoid the ordeal of waiting in the once inevitable long lines.
Here’s how it works:
• Visitors can make reservations up to one day prior to their visit.
• Create an account with basic information (similar to ordering theater or concert tickets)

• Choose date, time slot, number of visitors, and ages (for prices)

• Tickets are designated for visits EITHER to the Second Floor OR the Top

• Payment is made online (via secure server)

• Ticket must be downloaded and printed out. OR, download the bar code onto cell phone for presentation.

• Visitors with e-tickets simply go to the designated area at the Tower, according to time and date.

• NOTE: Visitors who wish to climb the stairs to the top do not need to pre-purchase tickets.
EIFFEL TOWER RESERVATION WEB SITE:
www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/index.html