Greenwich Mean Time

Have you ever had to set the time on an electronic device? An option that will always pop up is GMT (+2GMT, +5GMT, etc.), or Greenwich Mean Time. Have you ever wondered what this means? Greenwich Mean Time is a version of solar time that is tracked mechanically, instead of by the movements of the sun. At Royal Observatory Greenwich in the UK (a short train ride from central London), you can literally stand on this point where mechanical time begins. At Longitude 0°0′ 0” in the Meridian Courtyard, you can simultaneously stand in both hemispheres, with one foot in the west, and the other in the east. There is an official spot where taking photos costs ten pounds, however, keep a look out for the spot behind it where pictures are free. Also, the view is incredible, so hopefully you make the trip on a sunny day.

Meantime Brewing Company

After hiking up Mount Everest’s cousin, taking ten to twenty pictures of your body in various positions on both sides of the prime meridian, then rolling back down the hill, you’re bound to want to sit down, relax, have a meal, or better yet – have a beer. There are some fantastic things to come by at the Greenwich market, but there is a small gem that lies right before the ferry ticket booth: Meantime Brewing Company. It’s a restaurant as well as a bar, with a flight of stairs separating the eatery from the drinker-y. It isn’t so much the location, or the beer, but the atmosphere. Your bartender will offer generous samples of every kind of beer they have to offer, before letting you order. Sweet? Bitter? Dark? Light? You choose, you drink, and afterwards you can walk two seconds to the ferry and have a pleasant ride home, watching the London Bridge pass by as different kinds of beers slosh around your stomach in the same swift motion as the waves against the boat.

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Photo by Chuck Haupt

 

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Photo by Chuck Haupt

“The National Gallery”

By Jessie Heller

The National Gallery’s gift shop is currently devoted to Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers.” Recognizing the image from so many similar copies, I quickly searched for the special exhibit’s “queue.”  The exhibit left no aspect uncovered; it contained to versions of the famous painting, with X-rays and comparisons of every inch of them.

Leaving the exhibit, I walked into the next room, which was more open and brightly lit. Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, Degas and more Van Gogh. Right here, right in front of me, I could examine Monet’s brush strokes. Not being much of an art historian, I admittedly had never heard of Cezanne or Degas, but these were the paintings I clung to. Cezanne’s work detailed shading under a woman’s tired cheekbones. Degas’ bold reds bleed into each other. With more left to discover, I’ll definitely return.

“Sir John Soane’s Museum”

By Christine Murray

London’s free museums are loaded to the brim with so many awe-inspiring artefacts that it would take months to explore them all. One of them, Sir John Soane’s Museum, is definitely worth the trip. Admission is free, and the house is exactly as Sir John left it when he died in 1837, leaving the house to a board of trustees on behalf of the nation. I entered not knowing what to expect and was delighted by rooms filled with pictures, halls of books, even a large sculpture. A sarcophagus was the farthest item from my mind, but nonetheless I saw one there, too. The John Soane’s Museum is located in Holborn, next to Lincoln’s Inn Fields, where you can wander afterward for a quick stroll.

“Chinese buns”

By Adiel Schmidt

If you wander through Chinatown and follow your nose, you’ll find quite a few bakeries. Inside, you may find a number of different Chinese pastries, most of which are probably foreign to you. The best of these pastries, in my opinion, are the Chinese buns. You can find them in most bakeries for somewhere between 70 pence and £1.20. They’re a pale yellow in color and have an egg-coated top. They’re sweet, yet doughy, and many are even topped with special flavorings. Fillings range from pineapple and coconut to pork and other meat. If you’re in Chinatown, these buns are a must.

“Patty & Bun”

By Alicia Acker

When you’re feeling homesick, there is no better remedy than comfort food. Marylebone’s Patty & Bun serves up just that in the form of juicy burgers served in a buttery brioche bun.

The ‘ARI Gold’ Cheeseburger is a P&B customer favorite. The homemade mayonnaise spread gives the succulent beef patty a rich, smoky flavor. Add bacon if you’re feeling spontaneous. If beef isn’t your cup of tea, try the lamb, chicken, or veggie burgers.

No matter what you choose, an order of chips is a must. Seasoned with fresh rosemary and coarse salt, they are perfectly crispy on the outside and velvety within.

Because Patty & Bun is a popular spot for both lunch and dinner, there is nearly always a queue. Don’t let that deter you. The line moves fast!

If you’re on the go, P&B does takeaway. Order by phone or at the bar. For about £10, you can bring London’s delicious take on a burger and fries back to your flat.

“Patty & Bun”

By Leslie Grullon

Believe the hype! Patty & Bun serves some of the best burgers London has to offer. The popularity of this burger joint is undeniable. Because of limited seating and high demand, you can’t make a reservation. Expect to wait at least 20 minutes before being seated. (‘Take away’ has much quicker service). The staff is friendly and upbeat.

One of their juicy and tasty burgers is The ‘Ari Gold’ Cheeseburger, your classic cheeseburger with a special and unique smoky Patty & Bun mayo for £7.50 — and you can add bacon for just 50 pence more.

Patty & Bun, located at 54 James St. in central London’s Marylebone neighborhood, is open six days a week. It’s a short walk from the Bond Street tube station on Oxford Street. If you’re looking for a tasty burger or want to grab lunch on the go, Patty & Bun will definitely leave you satisfied.

“P & B v. TBJ”

By Sapphire Duveau

Forget about Patty & Bun, a crowded, over-hyped, over-priced, sorry excuse for a restaurant. Just three blocks down, past the line of fancy shops and eateries, is Tommi’s Burger Joint, home to London’s juiciest, most succulent burger. At first glance it’s nothing but a hole in the wall on the corner of the street. But if you’re hungry (and dismayed by the ridiculously long line at P&B), step inside TBJ. Embrace the warm atmosphere as your eyes adjust to the darkness, then order a burger. Doesn’t matter if it’s just a patty and a bun, or if you want to add bacon, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes – there is no judgment at TBJ.  Buy a burger. Eat the burger. And watch your world change before your eyes at the wonders Tommi’s Burger Joint has to offer.