HUNGRY GERALD

In the 1970’s, London was HG/BSK’s favorite city. HG/BSK went there often. London was very English in those days–not the relentlessly international financial center it has now become. Portobello Market was a favorite hangout for HG/BSK—splendid food (best fish and chips); bargains galore in tableware, art, furniture and clothes. One day, HG spotted eight shapely soup spoons. They were  made in England and looked blackened and battered. The dyed hair, buxom lady who was the stall keeper, reassured HG in a lilting Cockney drawl: “It’ll shine up loverly, ducks!!”. She was right–HG bought them and they have been the go to spoons for more than 50 years. London museums were stimulating: The National Gallery, Tate (before it became Tate Modern) and Victoria & Albert were wonderful. HG/BSK also enjoyed the smaller art venues—Courtauld Gallery, the Wallace Collection, Sir John Soane’s house. And, the food, ah, the food!!  Fabulous, affordable eating–fresh oysters, Dover Sole, steamed grey sole, super scallops, shrimp and mussels–and the best thinly sliced Irish and Scotch smoked salmon. When in a carnivorous mood, HG/BSK had a mixed grill with souffle potatoes at the Connaught Hotel Restaurant  and Savoy Hotel Grill. (Connaught also served lush steak and kidney pie as well as “Silversides”, a riff on Viennese boiled beef–with hot mustard and fiery horseradish, of course). For casual dining, there were scores of good Indian restaurants as well as a dozen Chinese restaurants (dim sum was nice). That London is no more (though the Indian restaurants continue to flourish) but HG/BSK are left with an abundance of happy memories.