More sandwiches, curbside

Mine: artichokes and basil and feta and I can't remember what else
Melissa's: roasted eggplant and red peppers, arugula, ricotta..

Since some of you are just as enthused about the curbside lunch as I am, I thought it only prudent that I post some more pictures that were just taking up space on my computer.

The Sunday before last Melissa was in town and we ended up strolling along Portobello Road (where a very cute bracelet was purchased by yours truly) and having lunch at Gail's. I wrote about their sandwiches before but didn't have an actual picture of the one that stole my heart, so finally here is a picture of 2 of their sandwiches. And I'm happy to report they did not disappoint.

The yellow line in the picture is clear indication that this was indeed a most authentic curbside lunch. It was a beautiful and sunny day and there was not a single table available for us, so this pair of hungry girls just had to make do.

Of course, then we made our way to a pub for a pint, but that's another story..


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Gail's
138 Portobello Road
London, W11 2DZ

64 Hampstead High Street
London, NW3 1QH

You had me at roasted artichoke..

A souvenir of my lunch at Gail's, because I didn't get a pic of
the sandwich that this post is really about. A girl has to make do.

I know, it seems as though all I ever talk about is some place or other in Notting Hill. But geez, it's so damn charming, can you blame me?
I fully intended to go back to Book for Cooks for lunch the other day, but as we made our way there, my friend and I noticed this cute little bakery/lunch spot and couldn't help but peek our heads in. I tell you, once you pop your noggin' in there, there's no resisting.

Gail's is not new to London but it is relatively new to Portobello Road. Take one look at their range of artisanal breads, pastries and sandwiches and I dare you to try to walk out of there empty handed.

Let it be said that I do not take sandwiches lightly. I am a very complicated, sandwich-loving woman.
In fact, I will only buy a sandwich if it meets very exacting standards. This happens maybe once or twice a year, except for that dry spell of 2004. Because nothing upsets me more than a poorly executed sandwich.

So there I was. In Gail's. Man, it sure smelled bready and good in there. There were sandwiches that seemed to be tailored made for a picky girl like me:
Charcoal ham and guacamole
Gorgonzola and pear
Greek feta and courgette
I wiped the dribble off of my chin and I swear the skies parted and a heavenly (or maybe just fluorescent) beam of light shone down on this one:
Bresaola, Roasted Artichoke, and Rocket Sandwich.

As if that weren't enough, we washed it down with a glass of freshly squeezed blood orange juice and finished it all off with a yogurt and granola cup.
Let's pause to appreciate the fabulousness of this lunch.
It was such a healthy meal I was forced to restore balance in my universe by indulging in that red velvet cupcake later that afternoon.

I left Gail's with not just a full belly-- but also a fresh baguette and a plump sausage roll to bring home for G.

I'd never been to Gail's before, but I'm happy to be able to find them on Portobello Road. Since I never seem to go anywhere else.

Gail's
138 Portobello Road
London, W11 2DZ

64 Hampstead High Street
London, NW3 1QH

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Note: you can sit down and enjoy your lunch in their cute little space or take any of this home with you. Their website has a menu of their offerings.

Red Velvet Cupcakes at Hummingbird Bakery

The cupcake did not survive..

So it seems the red velvet cake is making a bit of a comeback. I am fully supportive of comebacks, even if I think the Spice Girls should leave well enough alone.
But whatever.

The Hummingbird Bakery on Portobello Road in London has me giggling like a schoolgirl. What with the icing and the sprinkles and the sugar, well, let's just say "hee hee hee hee hee."

According to the wee sign posted by the mammoth red velvet cake that was sitting on display, it is one of their most popular items. Well I certainly wasn't about to order some lame vanilla cupcake and risk having someone whispering behind me "that is so summer 2006", so I jumped right on that red velvet bandwagon and joined the ranks of the cupcake fashionista. Thankfully, you can order by the slice, or opt for the very portable cupcake version. For an extra 10p they'll even put it in a chinese takeaway style box for you.
The hipness just doesn't end. It was 10p well spent because I'm a sucker for any packaging that ups the cute factor.

I'll get right down to it. I liked my little cupcake. It was pretty and moist and yummy and even though I'd never had any dessert of the red velvet variety before, I felt nostalgic with the first bite. I just wanted to don a frilly apron and get my Betty Crocker on.
I didn't though.
But I totally wanted to.

Hummingbird Bakery
133 Portobello Road
Notting Hill
London W11 2DY
020 7229 6446