Freezing, but happy to have my red velvet whoopie pie!
One of the reasons we decided to stay in Notting Hill is because we love the movie Notting Hill. Do you remember the scene in the movie, that in order to show how much time has passed by, you see Hugh Grant walking through a market? Well that market is the Portobello Market and we visited it during Day Four, enjoying a big brunch and sweets.
Strolling through Notting Hill
To start our first real day together in London, we walked from Notting Hill through Hyde Park to get to Chelsea for the most delicious brunch at The Ivy Chelsea Garden.
Piccadilly Circus
Koen and I spent last week in London. The last time I was in London with time to really explore was 10 years ago! So although I’d been before, it was really like visiting for the first time.
Two of our best friends live in Rotterdam, so going to visit Chris and Hannah is also a great excuse to see a bit more of the city!
Native
When my sister-in-law Barbara told me she’d be coming to Antwerp for the day, I finally had an excuse to try out Native!
Koen’s organic salmon with herring caviar and couscous
This is now the second time we’ve celebrated Koen’s birthday at the Fiskebar! Located on the Marnixplaats in the “Zuid” neighborhood of Antwerp, this is the perfect lunch spot for fresh fish!
Ready for the party to begin!
I’m a bit reluctant to admit it…but it’s been forever since Koen and I have thrown a birthday party. We decided there’s no time like the present! So in honor of Koen’s birthday we threw a Chili Cookoff!
My favorite bakery in Antwerp
Another year, another Verloren Maandag (Lost Monday), aka the Monday after Koen’s birthday (Driekoningen / Epiphany). For me it’s really just an excuse to indulge in worstenbroodjes and appelbollen. This year I really outdid myself and ate a total of 4 worstenbroodjes and 2 appelbollen over the course of the day. Anything for tradition!
Magical Entrance
For Koen’s birthday dinner we visited Sir Anthony Van Dijck. I always do a bit of searching before deciding on a restaurant and I was so intrigued when I read that the chef, Marc Paesbrugghe, gave his two Michelin stars away.
Herring caviar and cream
Koen and I use New Year’s Eve and Day as an excuse to eat very luxuriously and indulgently. Every year we try to top the year before.
An American in Antwerp 