Expat American living in London: that’s me. Usually, I’ve made some sort of effort to do something Thanksgiving-y every year I’ve been here … stuff like going out to a nice restaurant (went to Portal last year – no turkey but it was a great meal) for dinner with family and friends or (when it was open) partaking in a sumptuous mound of down home Americana goodness a la (the sadly now defunct) Bubba’s at Spitalfields Market. But this year: nuthin’. Of course, for those who know me even a bit, I’m sure you’re well aware that I’ve had more than my fair share of fine dining as of late (which is part of the reason I didn’t go all overboard about T-Day this year).

Anyway, I noticed on the website of a local establishment (that shall remain nameless in this post) a certain “roast turkey and cranberry compote baguette” listed for today’s menu. I got a little excited, sent out a few texts and made a few calls and headed over to ______ for some T-Day sarnie action, only to discover upon arrival that well, actually, it was roast chicken on that baguette. Phooey (NOTE: if you’re going to list your daily menu on your website, get it right. And if you’re going to visit an eatery based upon the menu listed on its still website, you’re probably better off calling ahead anyway). Honestly, I’m not too bitter about the mix up. Believe me, I know from firsthand experience how easy it is to screw up cooking a turkey (which is my guess as to what happened). Besides, things turned out okay regardless.

So … not into the whole chicken thing, my next thought was “right then, time for burritos” and I duly headed over to Daddy Donkey on Leather Lane for my favourite “American” comfort food, Mexican! En route to Daddy D, I strolled by the Gray’s Inn Road location of Konditor & Cook which had a Happy Thanksgiving signboard in front. “Hmmm …” I wondered as I sauntered in, picking up a “Christmas special” sandwich featuring turkey, cranberry and a pork sage dressing and then moseying on over to Leather Lane for a bag o’ tacos and a burrito. A few minutes later I was back at mine chowing down on a tasty and impromptu Thanksgiving feast over some friendly chatter with good peeps. Let us give thanks!

tikichris