hutong

while i often lament that the london dining scene is too faddy for its own good, once in a while i succumb (more often that not, when there are friends in town!) and make an exception. our ever-resourceful friend M booked hutong way in advance for when S was in town and despite my initial reservations about it being overrated and overhyped, i was pleasantly surprised by how authentic the food was. and the view? beats duck*waffle and their consistently abysmal service hands down. easily my new go-to for when we've guests in london :) didn't hurt that i was a little ignorant at the beginning and only later realised that we know the owner! who was so kind as to share an insider's tip (and photo teaser) below. careful as we try to be with our spending (the less we spend in london, the more we can spend on holidays!) meeting up with my london-based cousin, and S my visiting cousin was a special occasion indeed. i've three first cousins who are wonderfully dear to me, but with so few first cousins, we grew up close to our extended family. JW is a second cousin (our grannies are sisters) and we're third cousins with S (her granny is JW & my grannies' first cousins). have i lost you yet? uninteresting family tree aside, i did try to explain all this to poor JM who had the misfortune of being our house guest that night. and he very gamely bought an entire outfit (shirt, belt, trousers, dress shoes!) for the occasion. guess i'd forgotten that someone cycling through europe for three months would not be toting around fancy clothes... views are breath-taking, food excellent and company even better. so grateful for family and friends, and for people to enjoy treats like this with :)

according to the mister (although photo credits to JM), this is the world's most scenic little boys' room. despite having never been to one, i have to agree.

and here are my gorgeous cousins!

D's insider tip, as promised: The best view is from 9.30pm so don't go too early or if you have an early dinner then stay around for desserts and cocktails in aqua shard on level 31 and watch the night view suddenly materialize.  It is quite breathtaking.  We operate aqua shard as well.   Here is a little taster of things to come: