of Liverpool, or four hard days’ nights
Liverpool. City of big hair, orange tans, thick Scouse accents. City of my sweet friend Maia, who has none of those things. We spent a four-day weekend alternately braving the city and retreating to fuel up on milky tea and cardamom muffins at her flat. It was sort of like running between a cold swimming pool and a hot jacuzzi. My toes are still tingling.
So. Go make yourself a cuppa, and enjoy this very small slice of Liverpool.
We start at the heart of things. Bold Street Coffee is a new kid on the block but has managed to pull together that mix of thoughtfully-roasted beans, capable baristi, and street cred that clues us in to a quality third-wave espressobar.
Next up, a mosey up Bold Street and the surrounding block. Thanks to the numerous vintage and charity shops, I found a cheerful red knit cardigan, a silk blouse with a cheeky citrus print, and a stack of new-ish literature I’ve been unable to track down in the Netherlands. Think Zadie Smith, Jonathan Safran Foer, and a triumphant copy of East of Eden for my Steinbeck-smitten man. 
Of course we sustained ourselves on more than coffee and vintage dresses (although let’s be honest, that’s close to all a girl needs). Exhibit A: a horrifically full English brekkie at The Tavern Co. Exhibit B: a mini steak-and-kidney pie that found me the next day. Needless to say this weekend was a vegetarian hall pass, and I was happy to come home and plan on a month of lentils, veggies, beans, and tempeh.
I spent my last night in Liverpool in, enjoying the house special – inventive cocktails and the film (which shall remain unnamed) that had us all swooning in middle school.
The weekend flew by, and by Tuesday I was well chuffed to be back in the Netherlands, sitting at my regular hangout. As far as I’m concerned, The Village Coffee & Music in Utrecht makes the best flat white around. Here it is, folks — microfoam poured lovingly over a double espresso.
Here to conclude this UK edition is the Queen, waving her posh gloved hand.
P.S. I beg mercy for not mentioning the Beatles at all – the title is a tiny, tiny concession.
That fry up reminds me of one of the best meals I ever ate. Arriving in London after 10 sick days in Egypt, finally able to eat again and having a proper cup of tea with bacon, eggs, beans, toast, and CHIPS. They served chips at breakfast time! I was loving it.
And proper tea seems to be the clincher – do you make it in the ‘Queen’s style’ with plenty of milk? Mmm.
On that day I did :) But my every day is just a dash, no sugar. PLENTY of sugar that day in London.
This post made me ache for my return to Liverpool. Only three more weeks (and a wall of exams)!
Now I’ll have to plan to leave my dude-friends for a bit to replenish my stock of floral-print dresses. On a side note, would you or Maia know any quirky-whimsical-Stephanie-would-definitely-like-it music venues up there?
The floralprint dresses are a-plenty. But the music spots? I am so not in the know. I’ll do a little recon and get back to you.