Inside their room was a different story...it was an explosion of pink!! I was in awe of how many ways they incorporated the pink pattern into every nook and cranny of the room and I had so much fun taking some 'camoflage' pictures.
The first night we met them we enjoyed wine outside on the patio in a rare warm and non-rainy day in London. Later we moved inside to the aptly named, American Bar, which was decorated with all sorts of American memorabilia. I found a Dallas Cowboys football hanging from the ceiling and in the room we were sitting we found a Wisconsin Badgers pennant; I also found a Paddington Bear complete with a Texas pin. On the wall behind Arlyn was a collection of state trooper patches and I was happy to find an Oklahoma one! They brought our food out and we ate on miniature tray tables on our lap. I enjoyed the most expensive burger I've ever eaten - £18!! That costs more than it does for my return train ride to work! It was a really nice cozy little place and we really enjoyed visiting. Martin convinced Lloyd to have an after dinner whiskey and I tried to catch him wincing at the strong taste.
The next night Lloyd and I came straight from work to meet the Shields and we walked down to Martin's favorite restaurant, Simpsons-in-the-Strand. On the way over Martin directed us to the plaque indicating the spot of the Republic of Texas Legation, something I had never heard of. A legation is a type of embassy and in an attempt to protect itself from the imminent threat of invasion by forces from neighboring Mexico, the government of the republic sought to foster international ties by opening Texas Legations in London and Paris from 1836 - 1845. Another interesting fact - when Texas attempted to join the US in 1845, the British empire supported keeping them independent, even offering to guarantee Texas' borders with both the US and Mexico. The British considered Texas a tactical ally, acting as a counterweight to the US but when Texas opted to join the US in 1845 the embassy was shut down.
We had a fantastic meal at Simpsons and it was interesting learning about the history of the small restaurant, located next to the Ritz Hotel. Simpson's has been in business since 1828 and was originally opened under the name 'The Grand Cigar Divan' as a chess club and coffee house. Soon it became known as the 'home of chess' attracting chess champions worldwide. Once inside you can see how the booths lining the perimeter of the restaurant made a perfect chess-playing spot. It was to avoid disturbing chess games in progress that the idea of placing large joints of meat on silver-domed trolleys and wheeling them to guests tables first came into being, a practice that is still continued today. It is said that one of Simpson's earliest Master Cooks insisted that everything in the restaurant be British and even today Simpson's remains a proud exponent of the best British food. I was excited to read that notable guests of Simpsons include: Vincent Van Gogh, Charles Dickens, and Sherlock Holmes.
One of my favorite quotes of the night happened at the end of dinner, when it was time for dessert. Martin said that he thought he should 'spoil himself', and that he thought he needed some dessert. Indignantly, Arlyn retorted, 'Martin, you've been spoiling yourself for three weeks'! It was such a great line and made us all giggle.
There was a painting near our table that had a line of prose written along the bottom: 'Was it not a dainty dish to set before a king'. The picture was beautiful and I knew that I had heard that verse somewhere before, but it didn't take Arlyn and I too long to figure out that it was from the old nursery rhyme!
Sing a song of sixpence;
A pocket full of rye.
Four and twenty blackbirds
Baked in a pie.
When the pie was opened
The birds began to sing,
Wasn't that a dainty dish
To set before a king!
It was so cool to be eating a fantastic, truly British meal in a restaurant full of history, with some of my dearest family friends. Martin and Arlyn are practically family so it was a real treat to get to see them in London, and I sort of felt like a little kid again hanging around them and letting them spoil me. I was also happy I didn't have to share any attention with any of the other kids! (Tara, Travis, & Jamie!!) Just how I like it! haha
Thanks so much for making time to visit us, Martin & Arlyn!! I have to admit I was pretty sad when you left, but I really enjoyed our time together. Love you!! Come back again soon! :)
Once we got back to the hotel and said our goodbyes, Arlyn presented me with two jalapenos she had found at Fortnum and Mason and I was super excited, since they are hard to find around here!!
Next time you come visit, Arlyn, I'll have a heap of jalapenos and all the ingredients you'll need to make your famous tacos and beans. :)
