Birdie...

I have spent most of my life living within 3 hours of London, and yet while I have seen the same sights as you I have not been as impressed as you. Maybe it's because I've never gone to London because 'it's there and has sights to see' - I've usually gone because I've had to for some reason, be it business or social.

Now after reading your trip report you have made me think that I am probably missing something about my home capital city, and next time I go 'up to town' I hope I shall see it with a fresh enthusiasm, engendered by you. Thank you for the proverbial kick up the ****!!
And I loved Neopolitan's link re polenta!

Loved your report Birdie!

Now watch out for the marauding packs of small furry things menacing our fair town.

Very nice report, Birdie. I'm the one who said on your original post that grits and polenta were the same and got blown out of the water, so I really enjoyed Neopolitan's comments and tiny url.

Enjoying the report and enjoying the banter.

BTW, just put the cheese grits casserole in the oven. I'm going to tell the others at dinner tonight that it's polenta :-)

Loved your report! Thanks for posting.

OK I have to wave the white flag on the grits issue. I always thought they were different. Could it be the type of corn? For instance, I only use my White Lily wheat flour for my pie crusts and biscuits but northern flour for bread. Or maybe it just tastes different because it has to be polenta with my osso bucco and grits with my country ham.
Obxgirl - we're going to have to watch out for those wild beavers. They're leaving the ponds and coming after us. I just can't believe that Miss Maggie didn't stop at Stingrays for some grits (polenta) on her way up the Eastern Shore. I do want to thank you for suggesting Time Out. In addition to the laugh, I found a discount coupon for the Body exhibit.
noe847: Yes, we had two rooms. At that price plus some free nights on points, it wasn't very painful.
julia_t: I feel the same way about Colonial Williamsburg where I live. Except now I realize its not so old after all and we have the outhouse (the Wren Building) to St. Paul's.

I love London, I loved this report, and Neopolitan..LOL More than I ever thought I'd know or WANT to know!!!! Only Alton Brown.

Starrs - We had cheese grits casserole at a friend's house last night. Yumm!

The Yankees turned up their noses. After a forced, tenative first bite, they all loaded up their plates with large servings.

We also continued the grits/ polenta discussion. It was as interesting there as it's been on this board.

Hey, Alton hails from my neck of the woods. He doing a fundraiser for the state's organic farmers association at a ritzy restaurant downtown. I'd rather eat his grits :-)

Foxes in London... Yes, they are the true enemies of so many central Londoners who keep chickens in the backyard!

Krispy Kreme... They were novelty items when first surfaced at Harrod's concession. Now, it's everywhere--heck, even my neighbourhood Tesco Express has one!

Thanks for a good report. Glad you enjoyed the trip.

ROTFLMAO regarding the grits, polenta arguement. My first trip to Europe we were in Venice and I was excitedly awaiting my first meal, star struck that I was actually in Europe. The meal came, I tasted the polenta, put down my fork and told my husband, "I'ts Grits! I traveled all that way from South Carolina to Venice, Italy just to eat grits." We laughed about it for the entire trip and still burst out laughing and say, "I'ts grits" every time we are served polenta. I don't care what you call it, it still tastes like grits to me. I don't like it at home and don't like it any better when you call it polenta.

Yea, sort of like that famous line -- "You may call it pate, but it tastes like chopped liver to me!"

Neopolitan, that is so funny! I grew up with liverwurst sandwiches, and loved them. The first time I tried pate, I was a grownup. I just about broke out laughing - same flavor as my childhood favorite!

Where does "potted meat" enter this discussion? Is it indeed humble pate?

It might more accurately be described as "potted parts."

I grit my teeth just thinking about polenta.

:-)

I have only had grits once, some small cafe where we had breakfast when we were leaving Naples and driving to Miama via the Tamiami (sp?) Trail. The grits I had was not like polenta. But maybe those grits were prepared differently than the standard receipe? I can't eat either anymore due to a corn allergy.

Grits served at breakfast with the consistency of oatmeal is one way to serve grits. I agree. That way is not very "polenta-like".

But, grits cakes, baked cheese grits, and similar dishes come closer to polenta as it has been served to me.

Hi Starrsville, that is a good description, oatmeal consistancy!! That is the only time I have ever had grits.