Playing tourist

I got back from my Christmas/New Year vacation, and then there were friends from Singapore in town: lisiepeasie, thedak and his brother. They didn't stay with me, but we hung out for the better part of their five-day visit. Here's my hit list:

• The Golden Hind --- for hearty fish and chips.
• Borough Market --- for food, glorious food. My personal favourites: Kappacasein's raclette sandwiches or other cheesy concoctions, Brindisa's chorizo roll, Shellseekers' scallops with fried bacon (hat tip: hotelprguy), and the guys grilling meat and veggies for sandwiches beside Southwark Cathedral near the London Bridge side (hat tip: neilburton). To take home: Pâté Moi's mushroom pâté and KäseSwiss/Boerenkaas' Swiss cheese. lisiepeasie also approved of the selection at Borough Olives.
• The Modern Pantry --- for a delectable modern British meal.
• Brick Lane --- good hipstery fun (oh, go on, just embrace it).
• Jack the Ripper walk --- if you like that sort of thing. thedak and lisiepeasie also gave the thumbs' up to the same company's Harry Potter film locations walk in Westminster.
  
• Barrafina (image above; hat tip: Stellou) --- fantastic tapas and wine, plus a no-reservations policy so showing up early totally pays off. If you like blood sausage, go for the morcilla iberica with quail eggs like everyone on foursquare tells you to.
  

Not very indie, I know. I need to work on that.