London, England
I have been contemplating eating meat so decided to go on a 30-day meatless challenge to detox from the gorging of steak in Buenos Aires.
It turned out skipping meat wasn’t so difficult. I really enjoyed my time sans carne so I kept going. I knew I couldn’t make it permanent, I love pork too much.
I knew I would eat meat again but not just any old meat.
I wanted the return meal to be special.
On the flight to London I was delighted that my special vegan meal was rice and beans when my neighbours meal was a gross-looking piece of chicken.
It was not worthy.
I could just keep going indefinitely.
That was until I shacked up at Dylan, The Traveling Editor’s place in London.
Dylan is a food lover too so my first day he took me to Borough Market (check out the Borough Market opening hours for when to go) where I could smell chorizo and roast and all delicious meaty things.
I turned down the tempting Thai mussels with chicken because poultry really isn’t special at all.
But then something happened.
The biggest question was with a return to meat-eating, what to eat at Borough Market?
I knew it was time.
We turned a corner and saw that Roast restaurant had pork belly sandwiches on for £6.
Without hesitation I ordered one and it was heavenly.
They were generous with the crispy pork skin and the sweet apple sauce complemented it so well.
This was a sandwich to remember.
I don’t regret breaking the meatless roll.
But I have decided that it should be a treat and not an every meal occurrence so if I see meat on a menu and it looks tasty I am going to eat it but if it is just chicken topping chef’s salad I am going to pass.
Want more ideas for what to do in London, check out Claire’s two days in London itinerary.
Looks delicious! And I’m very much looking forward to Food Photo Friday.
Great idea, looking forward to the food photo Friday!
I have no idea how you went so long without eating meat… but yay- meat! I like the idea of Food Friday- fun and delicious and hoping I’ll read them right before going to lunch!
I tried to be a vegetarian when I was in high school after a guilt trip from a vegan science teacher. After a month of no meat, I would’ve eaten the ribs out of a live cow. Kudos to you for sticking with it so long! I may be hunting that sandwich in London in a few weeks…
Oh man! I miss how cheap the food is in London! mmmmmm
Sometimes you just have to do it. But isn’t a great piece of meat SO MUCH BETTER when it is a rare treat, and not just any old meal?
So glad to hear you made it through your meatless challenge and found something to sink your teeth into that was deserving! Can’t wait to see your Food Photo Friday – I’m sure we’ll be drooling!
Yum! That looks delicious 🙂
Your better than me. I don’t think I could go without eating meat, just something about a nice thick steak, great BBQ, roast, and Gods gift to man Bacon. Great article.
Great way to end a vegetarian streak. I recently finished eating vegetarian in Thailand for a month (it was much easier than I had previously imagined) and at the end I remember my first bite of fish, then pork. It tasted better than ever before!
Just looking at the menu makes me drool. I think it is great you will be posting more about food! Food is a great way to experience different countries’ culture ~ (<- food fan getting excited here)
Great photos.. looks like you really enjoyed that first bite back “on the wild side”.
Have fun in England!
That definitely looks worthy. And a great price in London!
I do not remember which market I went to when I was in London, but it was incredible. I think the next time I go, I will make it a point to visit a new market everyday.
I really hope Food Photo Friday includes a shot of you eating the food just like this post. 😀
That sandwich looks very worthy! Looking forward to your food photos from Italy and Spain.
Wow– I’m surprised you made it 30 days without meat, given your love of carnivorous foods! Congrats for making it through a month and for giving vegetarianism a shot 🙂
Hurrah to Food Photo Friday & pork belly sandwiches!! I’ll try to remember to eat before reading your Friday posts 😉
Well, even though I wish you had stayed a veggie, I’m glad that you are going to eat more consciously! That is awesome!!!!
Mear lover here. Would love to do a walking foodtrip there someday
I’m usually not a pork fan, but that sandwich looks nomalicious.
You look so pretty biting into your sandwich! Good idea with the food foto friday. Can’t wait to see the shots!
Welcome back to the meateaters circle! 🙂
I was visiting Brighton earlier this month and had the pork for Sunday Roast. The crispy pork skin was deliciously cooked.
They do know how to fry up the cracklin in England!
YUM! I would’ve done the same thing.. pork and apple is a no-fail combination.
I don’t think I’ve ever had pork belly but they do so many crazy things with it on Top Chef that it must be good.
I don’t think I could stomach meat. I haven’t had a piece of meat in over 4 years. I don’t miss it much either.
Looks like you enjoyed your sandwich though. Good stuff!
mmm…pork belly.
I loved Munich!! Mmmmm, I love German beer.
Your sandwich looks quite tasty, and as for pork – Spain will be your meat heaven. Jamón ibérico, here comes Bacon is Magic!!!
I have cut back on meat tremendously the last year and half…so when I do decide to splurge it has to be GOOD!!
I would love a bite of that roll…mmmmm
“bacon is magic” had better not go vegan. j/k 🙂 Glad you’re savoring meat in a new way and looking forward to other culinary posts, esp from Italy!
I haven’t eaten meat in 15 years (and I don’t miss it). Cameron on the other hand loves meat. The only times he’s taken a break was in India…I think it was a wise choice 🙂
Mmmm. Yum! I want to go to Borough’s Market now. 🙂
I love that picture of you eating that sandwich–funny and cute 🙂 I like the attitude you’ve taken about meat eating, and I think I’ll adopt the same. I don’t need meat every meal–just occasionally as a treat 🙂
England (especially London) is a great place to return to meat eating. And if you’re looking for a special vegetarian meal, you might try Rasa N16, which is one of my favorite Indian restaurants in the world and is in Stoke Newington, my old stomping ground.
Since I just got back from North Carolina, I’m feeling a bit “meated” out too – but I don’t for one minute regret trying the amazing breakfast sandwich that included ham, bacon, and pork sausage on a biscuit. I enjoyed that as much as it looks like you enjoyed your sandwich.
Definitely don’t deprive yourself of something you want. 🙂 Life’s too short. It’s good you’ll let yourself be treated.
£6 for a sandwich though? Yup, that’s London.
mmmm…that sandwich looked amazing!!!
Mmmm this place sounds divine! There’s something special about delis like this. Good for you on trying to go without meat. It’s good to skip it every now and then! Thanks for sharing.