By tube to Jean's for a chat and tea before going to Shanthi's where we've been invited to tea in honour of Tamil New Year. Shanthi's friend Shirley (from Singapore - knkown her ever since she was born) is here with her two daughters, Laura - enjoying her first job with a PR firm - and kSophie - aged 12. And shanthi's daughter Priya is here of course - her time now split getting retail experience with Abercrombie and Fitch and with Calvin Klein. We're all impressed with the jewellery the latter gives her to wear in her job at Brent Cross Mall.
We begin with Asian sweets - with Tamil names we don't quite get. There's a golden soft crumbly dough, almond flavoured sweets, and crispy deep fried ones. Then to the dining table where we have a hot noodle dish, tuna sandwiches, fried chicken legs, mutton rolls (delicious, like spicy spring rolls with a lamb filling and a slightly crunchy exterior) and cake and tea. A Singapore high tea, the girls recognize. Shanthi urges more, but we're all happily full. Lovely visit.
Jean drops us near Rayer's Lane tube station - and in front of a grocery shop that sells Turkish products and J is delighted to find packets of the Turkish red pepper (biber) flakes that he loves.
We begin with Asian sweets - with Tamil names we don't quite get. There's a golden soft crumbly dough, almond flavoured sweets, and crispy deep fried ones. Then to the dining table where we have a hot noodle dish, tuna sandwiches, fried chicken legs, mutton rolls (delicious, like spicy spring rolls with a lamb filling and a slightly crunchy exterior) and cake and tea. A Singapore high tea, the girls recognize. Shanthi urges more, but we're all happily full. Lovely visit.
Jean drops us near Rayer's Lane tube station - and in front of a grocery shop that sells Turkish products and J is delighted to find packets of the Turkish red pepper (biber) flakes that he loves.