A Foodies Heaven - Borough Market

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On a very cold Friday morning in London I awoke to the news that my apartment in Madrid, which I thought was confirmed more than six weeks ago, is no longer available.

This is not the greatest information to recieve two days out from arriving in the capital of Spain. I had to quickly start looking for a new place of abode and I've fired off a couple of emails to places that had vacancies however I will have to wait until Saturday to find out whether I have secured either of them.

I quickly put that minor setback aside and headed off to visit my favourite food market in the whole world- Borough Market.

Incredibly this market has been around since AD 43 when it was located beside the Thames. It recently celebrated 250 years of trading on its current site. It has survived in this area for 20 centuries and remains a centre for food excellence. The Market is busy, noisy and full of fantastic food. It is open Fridays and Saturdays however some stalls in the Market are open every day of the week.

I would recommend you time your visit close to lunch time and don’t make any plans to eat out, wild boar sausages, venison burgers, freshly cooked scallops and much more can be ordered (and queued for) at the Market.

Fresh coffees, the most incredible cheeses, olives and organically farmed meats, fresh fish, fruit, and vegetables can all be bought here.

There are also a number of excellent restaurants around the Market precinct. Roast, Tapas Brindisa (where you can enjoy breakfast on Friday and Saturdays) and Black and Blue are some of the restaurants with excellent reputations around the Market.

I had breakfast this morning at Brindisa. Chorizo, eggs and patatas fritas was washed down with the freshly squeezed orange juice.

Even if you don’t purchase any of the food, Borough Market is a great hub of activity and worth a visit, however if you come to Borough Market and buy nothing you will walk away full of regret. I came away with a few bits and pieces (olives of course which are my favourite) and headed back to the flat to do some planning for Spain.

I await news of my accommodation in Spain - in all honesty I'm not too concerned. There is always accommodation available in a big city and any additional leg work to find a place has the added bonus of enabling to practice my Spanish under pressure. But enough of Spain for now, I have a Saturday in Borough to think about - another visit to the Market? It’s not beyond the realms of possibility!

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Photos

Chorizo, huevos y patatas fritas
Ok to many this might be sausage egg and chips but at Tapas Brindisa outside Borough Market it is transformed into the tastiest (if not healthiest) breakfast.

Tapas Brindisa
One of London's most popular tapas restaurants is Brindisa

Fresh Produce at Borough Market
Yep fresh pheasants, ducks and rabbit arrived this morning at the market.

The Ginger Pig
An institution at Borough Market

Chocolate Truffles
If you like your chocolate you will love this stall.

Fruit and Vegetable
...and of course mushrooms - so many varieties of them.

If you love your olives...
You will love Borough Market!

Would you like some olives?
One of the three olive suppliers in the Market

Friday Morning and the Sun Shines
A cold but sunny day as Borough Market starts to warm up for another busy weekend ahead.