London: Covent Garden Market and Antipasti at the ‘21’

I didn’t have pictures of Covent Garden Market the last time I was here. You know, those were the pre-digital years. All I can remember is that I really liked the area. The same feeling I had when I visited again last March. It’s a fun and happy place.

When I am holidaying, I usually wake up at normal hours which is between 07:30 and 08:30. I don’t like rushing things but I also like to wake up naturally, and not with an alarm clock, which is the case with my every day working life by the way. So most of the times I am ready after 10:00 which is a good time to start the day since many establishments have just opened.

On this lazy March Saturday morning in London, I was already on my way to West End from my hotel in Southwark to have my most awaited lobster brunch. On most days I do not eat a real breakfast, just fruit and later tea at the office. I try to do this as well when holidaying by eating brunch instead, but when I am with family (not with the Dutchman but with my parents and siblings) my whole food regime gets mixed up. Asian people eat 3x in a day and these are all warm and heavy meals.

Anyway, since I was a bit early I decided to stop by at the Buckingham Palace first and then Oxford Street. Then I had my delicious lobster brunch which was heavenly. After this I went to Covent Garden district.

I have good memories of the Covent Garden Market. I just want to enjoy the place again. Check out the performing artists. Maybe buy a thing or two if I find something interesting? Of course, I will have a drink somewhere.

I managed to see a few performers in the market. This almost naked guy in all things British was the main attraction. He had everyone's eyes fixed solely on him. I went around the market for some time, taking lots of pictures, enjoying the vibe and energy of the place, browsing through the stalls, however I could not find anything worth buying.

Then it’s time to sit down for a drink. I deliberated for a time if I should sit upstairs in one of the cafes with balconies but the café terrace at ‘21’ was inviting enough so I grabbed a table and ordered a glass of red. The café has a vaulted restaurant inside and a cocktail bar & rooftop balcony as well, but the al fresco terrace was good enough for me. It was going late in the afternoon so I asked for some antipasti as well. I spotted it in the menu and thought it was perfect for a light late afternoon snack.

I like to sit down on outdoor terraces when travelling, relax a bit and just watch everyone around me. Are you the same as well?

The covered market of Covent Garden Market in the West End area.

The Punch & Judy show is a very English puppet show invention, but what reminds me of Punch & Judy is its namesake song from the Cascades. My parents have one of their LP's (long playing album) and they played this a lot of times on the stereo back in the 1970's. I remember the stereo being this massive piece of furniture. Those were the days.

At the back side you will find the Jubilee Market selling all kinds of stuff.

There were many performers here. Solo or a group of musicians as seen in the above picture, but there were also actors and comedians performing on the spot improvisation acts.

Markets, cafes, shops and restaurants side by side.

The Covent Garden Market of today has changed from what it used to be before. In the present day market you will not find a lot of raw ingredient and produce food stalls.

This is Cafe '21' and its al fresco terrace. The cafe has a vaulted restaurant inside for intimate dinners and a cocktail bar & rooftop balcony as well.

Perfect light snack. An antipasti of ham, salmon and bruschetta.

People watching is like having a little downtime and relaxing, in between travelling.

Travel Period: March 2015
Destination: Covent Garden/West End, City of Westminster (Inner London - England), United Kingdom

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