Writes of Passage

An average Italian restaurant – a casual dining chain in U.K. – few locations in London. Maybe a 3.5 rating – for the cool wine glasses. We’ve Malbec which was inexpensive and delicious.

Pleasant decor, pretty delicious food with large portion – again, I’m wondering if they’ve been Americanized – colonized -:) ha ha ha very funny Irene. I have two small plates: pawns and stuffed mushrooms. I thought each can pass on as main course.

5 visits – meals and tea/coffee – at this lovely cafe during my 3-day research at Bodleian library – just enjoy it that much. Convenience plays a role too. It’s inside the Oxford Uni first congregation house dating back to 1320. Comfortable inside and outside; yummy food and drinks; cheerful staff. Delicious bread; beef stew is tender and flavorful. Salmon (Lox) is fresh. Decent utensils.

The only complain is, too large a portion – have they been Americanized? Ha ha ha.

Feeling sad to have to leave … wondering if I gaze longer at Radcliffe Camera, can I finish my books sooner?

Brussels, Brussels 1000, Belgium

It’s grand but also very crowded, to the point of overwhelming. It’s a public holiday in early June, can’t image what’s like in July and August. Tourist office is there; a little surprise that I didn’t find info booklets in Chinese. Godiva Chocolatier, founded in Belgium in 1926 has a presence. The grand palace is 600 meters away from the Cathedral.

Place Sainte-Gudule
1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

This is a Roman Catholic church that opened in 1519, gained cathedral status in 1962. A short walk (600 meters) from Grand Palace.

Boulevard Anspach 89-91
1000 Bruxelles
Belgium

There are quite few Chinese restaurants in town. This one is spacious, with multiple halls. I’ve beef and hot pepper, pretty decent. My phone battery has exhausted by dinner time,

Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés 37
Oud Korenhuis 37
1000 Brussels
Belgium

A neat little cafe on a rather quieter street, with out door seats, up front and in the back. I’ve the Mediterranean salad, which was really good. They open on Whit Monday – a public holiday.

In Frankfurt. I was invited to a Syrian’s home for dinner, whom I’ve met in 1980s. Her children are all grown now, with multiple grand kids. Women ate at a different room. Mom, who runs a day care center, is celebrating her birthday joins us with her sons and their male friends. During the meal, they went out to pray. Her daughter isn’t wearing a head scarf because her job forbids. The other young woman with head scarf is a student who goes to college. Universities are free in Germany, that even includes their transportation. The baklava from Patisserie de l’Arabie (Hardenbergstraße 15, 60327 Frankfurt; Yelp) are delicious: not too oily and sweet.

By Heide, retake with iPhone in Frankfurt.

I’ve had California Barefoot wine before, in the US. Seeing them in Frankfurt, selling at such low price, I’m a bit surprised. However, California wines are decent, so on this front, I’m not surprised.

Kockkase/cooked cheese (spread), hand cheese and wine cheese

Frankfurt am Main

This small green space with a pond, a fountain and couple of sculptures, next to Alte Oper is part of Wallanlagen/Wall Park where once was the city wall that was built in 14th and turned down in 19th century. Bockenheimer Anlage is named after one of the 7 gates:

1. the Untermainanlage
2. the Gallusanlage
3. the Taunusanlage
4. the Bockenheimer Anlage
5. the Eschenheimer Anlage
6. the Friedberger Anlage and
7. the Obermainanlage

Mozartplatz