London, England - Kew Royal Botanic Gardens

When the weather is perfect, there is no better place for a stroll outside the city than Kew Gardens. Covering almost two miles of open green space and beautifully manicured gardens, you could literally spend weeks here and still not see everything. 

Inside that giant greenhouse above ...

The cutest baby pineapple:

It's photographs like these that make you realize that nature is perfect in every way.

Even these guys are roaming around:

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London, England - Amaranto Italian Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel

I recently spent an entire afternoon having a lovely lunch in celebration of my Texan friend Divya's birthday (featured below on the left) at the Amaranto Italian Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel on Park Lane in London. The food was absolutely delicious, and when the weather is nice, they also have a private garden in the back for dining. 

Here's what we devoured:
Antipasti: Burrata

French Beans, Pachino Tomatoes, Almond and Basil Salad with Extra Aged Balsamic Vinegar:

Tuna Carpaccio Siciliana, Extra Aged Balsamic Vinegar:

Mains:
Ricotta and Spinach Ravioli with Datterini and Parmesan:

Risotto with prawns, zucchini blossoms and saffron:

Carbonara: Homemade rigatoni in egg and sheep's milk cheese with crispy cured pork cheeks:

Fried zucchini and spinach sides:

The birthday girl's husband surprised her with a raspberry macaroon cake in the shape of a heart from the famous Parisian macaroon bakery, Laduree. 

It was a wonderful and delicious birthday lunch, and if you are in the mood for very well done high-end Italian food near Park Lane, then this is your spot.

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London, England - Sunday Fun Day: Automat and Shoreditch House

Summer has finally arrived in London! The sun is shining, the temperatures are in the high 70s and there is no rain in sight for the next few weeks. Last Sunday I grabbed a few friends for a day of fun and we started the morning at my favorite American breakfast spot (they serve lunch and dinner as well), Automat, in Mayfair. Vanilla milkshakes and blueberry pancakes taste just like home ... 

After breakfast we went all the way east to Shoreditch, to the roof top pool at Shoreditch House, part of the Soho House members only club. Seems everyone had the same idea of catching some rays, and eating and drinking outside around the pool.

 Beautiful views of the Gherkin building and the City of London ..

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