When a hotel feels more like home

We’ve returned from six days with my parents and are going through a bit of withdraw. I told them that I wish I could collect at the little luxuries (a large bed! bathtub! room service!) and then ration it out over the next few months. It’s a shame to experience it all at once and then go back to our tiny room, creative sleeping arrangements, and eating frozen soups.

What I realized though coming back to Paris is that it isn’t the luxuries and comfort that I want to bottle up, it’s the time we had with my family. I wish I could take each hilarious, heartfelt, and hope-filled conversation and dole them out to Joel and I as we need them over the next few months. More than the delicious food I wish I could take my parent’s wisdom, love, and laughter and take 2 as needed.

Photos should help.  Here’s a recap of day one in London.

The first day Joel and I arrived mid-afternoon and met my mom for lunch at the hotel. We enjoyed a fantastic lunch in the Corner Room. I started with a pumpkin, ricotta, and cranberry dish followed by a steak, mustard, and cheese main. They were both creative and well-made.

After digesting and unpacking we explored the neighborhood a bit and waited for my dad to finish work.

He arrived at the hotel around dinnertime and we all headed out to Otto for pizza.

I had read about Ottos’ cornmeal crust and gluten-free pizza and we loved every bite.

Joel, mom and dad tried as many pizzas as they could. I had the Lentil gluten-free pizza and still believe it’s the best pizza I’ve ever eaten.

The rich cornmeal crust was topped with: cashew ricotta, red lentil kofte, red onion, red curry sauce, coriander.

Joel and Dad shared the Kernel local beer and loved looking at the US brewery map on the wall.

We enjoyed walking a couple miles through Notting Hill to and from the Tube.

We called it a night fairly early and prepared for our only full day to explore London.