Student Bloggers

Food and memory are inextricably linked. They are biologically connected, as the amygdala and hippocampus are involved in both the processing of taste and memory. In fact, food can trigger a person to develop deeper memories. This was extremely prevalent in my own life during my time studying abroad. My most vivid memories of London are those connected to food. Creamy pasta with my friend Skye when it begins to rain. Rich hot chocolates after spending another day exploring the British Museum. Sweet ice cream during intermission to the newest West End show. Now that I am back in my hometown of St. Louis, the food is one of the things that I miss the most about London because it is so tied to all my memories and experiences abroad. Today, I want to share with you the three of the best savory dishes and three of the best sweet dishes that make me want to buy a plane ticket to London just to have another bite! I like to think of this blog post as my memory-food map of London. I hope that this blog post will help those of you who are beginning your study abroad journey find restaurants whose food will be a beautiful reminder of your amazing study abroad adventures. 

Pistachio Pesto and Prawns Pasta - PaStation

PaStation's pistachio pesto and prawns pasta dish was the meal that inspired this entire blog post because I think that I had this dish at least ten times during my time in London! PaStation combines Italian heritage with fast preparation so you can get your pasta fix as soon as possible. The staff is extremely friendly (so friendly that they began to memorize my order and even gave me the Friends & Family Discount multiple times!). Their pasta is fresh and cooked so perfectly that the noodles still have a bit of bite to them. You cannot go wrong with any of their flavors, but my absolute favorite is their pistachio pesto and prawns pasta! The pistachio pesto is bright and silky and rich. The prawns are always cooked to perfection, so they are beautifully tender and juicy. This pasta dish is utterly addictive, and it kept me coming back time and time again. I believe that everyone has a dish that defines their time abroad in a city, and this is one of those dishes that I always associate with my time in London. This was my very last meal in London, and the staff begged me to return soon. All I know is that the moment I return to London, I will be heading to PaStation for another plate!

Truffle Ham Sandwich - Bread & Truffle

Sometimes, the best restaurants can appear out of nowhere. While I was walking around the city one day, I suddenly realized that I was starving and in desperate need of food after being on my feet all day. I randomly stumbled upon Bread & Truffle, a gourmet focaccia sandwich shop. Their focaccia is made from scratch every morning, and their sandwiches are inspired by Italian flavors. There are so many sandwiches that caught my eye, although I ended up trying the truffle ham sandwich because it included salty prosciutto cotto, creamy taleggio cheese, and an umami truffle sauce. The ingredients were so fresh, and they complemented each other perfectly. It absolutely hit the spot on that day, and I have yet to find something adjacent to it here in St. Louis. This is the perfect sandwich to include in a picnic with friends in one of the parks or green spaces nearby. However, I also believe that it is a great sandwich to enjoy by yourself as you people watch on a busy London street. I just wish that I had grabbed their focaccia Nutella sandwich to enjoy as a dessert!

Tomato and Rosemary Focaccia - Pasta Evangelists

While I argue that everything from Pasta Evangelists is delicious (I specifically loved their carbonara, and they make fabulous vegan pasta too!), their focaccia is what I crave the most. My friend Skye and I discovered this spot while we were spending the day exploring Greenwich together. The two of us always find the best restaurants together so I had high hopes for Pasta Evangelists and they did not disappoint! Pasta Evangelists was founded by a man named Alessandro who wanted to bring his nonna's Italian dishes to British kitchens. Everything is made fresh, including their focaccia. We were attracted to the smells of baked bread, and we instantly knew that we needed to sink our teeth into some. Their focaccia is perfectly made with a crisp outside and tender inside. It is topped with juicy red tomatoes and earthy rosemary. If you put just a touch of olive oil on the top, it becomes the perfect bite to enjoy with a little sip of wine and a good friend sitting next to you. Thankfully, Pasta Evangelists has uploaded their focaccia recipe online so I can have a piece in the comfort of my own home!

Red Velvet Lamington - Glamarama Green

My friend Skye and I got lunch together every single Thursday for the four months we were in London together. Skye is from Australia, so she was the perfect person to accompany me for brunch at Glamarama Green. Glamarama Green (which is a part of the Daisy Green Collection with locations all across London) was founded in 2012 with a mission of bringing Australian food and coffee to the bustling streets of London, including something called a lamington. For those of you who have never tried a lamington (and are certainly missing out!), a lamington is a popular Australian dessert that includes a small cube of sponge cake that is coated in icing and rolled in coconut. Glamarama Green has a rotating menu of lamington flavors, but I am a sucker for anything red velvet! The sponge cake is moist and soft with a slight chocolate flavor. The cream cheese icing is rich and buttery, and the coconut brightens the entire cake. I literally dream about this cake, so make sure that you get yourself one to try (and maybe another to take home for later!). 

Rochers Gianduja Donut - The Donutelier

I wish that I had discovered this donut shop earlier in my study abroad adventures because I wanted to try every single menu item! The Donutelier combines French patisserie techniques with family recipes to create delectable masterpieces. If you visit them in person, you can expect a line, but that will give you some time to watch their chefs pipe and decorate the beautiful sweets. Unfortunately, I could only visit once, but I do believe that I picked one of the best donuts! I tried the donut that was inspired by Ferrero Rocher, and it was heavenly. It had a creamy chocolate ganache and nutty hazelnut filling. The dough was extremely fluffy and airy. The whole thing just melts in your mouth and creates a luxurious experience that is calling your name! This is a fantastic place to go with some friends and order a couple of donuts to split between all of you. This way, you can taste everything that The Donutelier has to offer, but you must make sure that you get the first bite of the Rochers Gianduja donut because everyone will want a bite!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries - Turnips at Borough Market

I know that there has been A LOT of hype around these chocolate-covered strawberries at Turnips in Borough Market. I also know that A LOT of people have said that they are overrated. However, I know that I love them A LOT. Turnips' chocolate-covered strawberries are some of the best I have ever had, which makes total sense because they are a produce retailer. Their mission is to provide quality fruits and vegetables to the city of London. You can see this mission lived out in their chocolate-covered strawberries. The strawberries are juicy and have the perfect balance between sweet and tart. (Even if you are not a fan of chocolate-covered strawberries, I still recommend that you at least have some of their strawberries because they are so refreshing!) The milk chocolate is smooth and luscious and velvety. It is a stunning combination that Turnips has perfected. My biggest tip for Borough Market is to go right when they open in order to get your new favorite treats without the crowds or long lines!