Thames River on a gloomy sunday

It was drizzling on this gloomy sunday. Thames River is still pretty charming.

Oxford Street, London

All look so familiar....

Pret a Manger, March Arch, London

This shop was the first London cafe that I visited on my first trip in London 10 years ago. Interesting that I didn't visit this branch in Hong Kong even though they have been here for 5-6 years. So 10 years later, I chose to stay a hotel near March Arch (the intersection of Hyde Park and Oxford Street. Surprisingly the hotel is just next to this shop. It's really nice to see it and definitely I needed to go in for a breakfast. Their mocha is pretty good beside their nice sandwiches which are only made for the day. What's more, that's where I learned about Dolphin-friendly tuna they used in their sandwich 10 years ago. However, at this time, they didn't specify on what tuna they use. Maybe it's endorsed. Let's see if we can find some human-friendly pork, vampire-friendly beef, or eagle-friendly chicken.

Hotel Guoman, The Cumerland, March Arch, London

This hotel is a renovated one from an old building and the rooms are very nice and clean. I chose this one because of its location in Marble Arch where it's very near the Paddington station for Heathrow express (in case of any strike) and it's also at the beginning of Oxford Street and right next to Hyde Park. I paid about UK Pound 70 something for a night on their Winter 50% discount offer. On the very early morning check-in (about 6-7am), the front desk was so helpful in putting my room for first cleaning and it's full house. So I could get a room at 8am and promptly for a few hour rest after a 13 hour overnight flight without sleep. That really earned my future decision in staying at this hotel again for sure.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Oreo cheese cake (photo 1) was quite good that I promptly ordered and tried their red velvet cake (photo 2), but the latter was so so. On another visit at the branch in pavilion, their apple pie and choco. mouse cake are worth trying. What's more, their coffee and mocha are even better.

Toast Box, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Some shops know how to attract customers (photo 1), but if it lacks the charisma of how their food and service to be, eventually the curiosity would be replaced by the reality (photo 2). After I had a bite on it, it's not that impressive. Actually I didn't expect much when I first saw the toast wasn't on a charcoal toasting. BTW, the branches of this shop in HK are selling their toast and bread at very high prices that I waited until I tried this one in Kuala Lumpur. I can say "limit my marginal loss".

Old Town Cafe, Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I guess this brand isn't any stranger to those who love the brand's white coffee. Whenever I am in KL, I would drop by this place for a special coffee. This time I tried their hazelnut coffee (the left one on photo 2). To go with the coffee, a wheat toast is the choice. The wheat bread is pretty good though.

Dragon I, Pavillion, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The branch of this shop in Mid Valley City did impress me much of their Tan Tan noodle and the smoked fish. However, the branch in Pavillion is a bit disappointing though it's still a bit above average. Interesting that I like their stewed peanuts (photo 2) and their soy bean drink is pretty good. The siu lon bao is worth trying too.