Brick Lane

We had a super time last night with our new friends, Jenny and Brian. They're from Chicago and live directly across the street from us on Hamilton Terrace. Their older son, Brooks, is in the same grade at ASL as Ben (the second picture from the birthday party post is Ben and Brooks).

Last night the four of us decided to go on a little adventure to London's East End, seeking a good curry house on Brick Lane. This destination, as one might surmise, was home to London's brick manufacturers many moons ago (16th century I believe), but the neighborhood has now become home to a large percentage of the city's Bengali population with the restaurant scene to match. It's also now an edgy, artistic enclave with lots of hip pubs, clothing and music stores. For you Chicagoans, imagine Wicker Park meets Devon Street. The history of this part of the city is actually quite fascinating and as we explore more we'll figure out more of the narrative. (When Rob & Marianne were in town last year, we took a walking tour of Old Jewish London and it, too, intersected with Brick Lane, Spitalfields, etc.)

The toughest decision of the evening was deciding where to eat, not made easier by each restaurant having someone outside trying to steer you in their door with the promise of free booze and cheap eats. Our tactic was choosing the restaurant that looked the busiest and we were further comforted, ironically, that the winner offered no "teaser" rates on their food. Mahib Indian Cuisine was jam-packed and the food was outstanding. Was it the best Brick Lane offers? Who knows. I'm guessing they're all pretty much the same. We let the waiter suggest what he thinks MIC does best and we were not disappointed. Countless cold Kingfishers lubricated the evening regardless.

We capped off the night with some drinks at the Ten Bells, a pub that first opened in 1753. Fast forward 355 years, it's now a total hipster bar. The less cool four grown-ups-with-children-and-babysitters didn't care and dove into the pack. When offered a choice between a jug of Pimm's and a nice glass of mind-altering absinthe, Brian said "yes." Just kidding (though the picture belies that). The only open question from the evening remained: Which neighborhood next....