Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
July 31, 2010
July 30, 2010
GAUGUIN EXHIBITION: MAKER OF MYTH at TATE MODERN
Some of the most important of Paul Gauguin’s greatest paintings will be on exhibition at LONDON’S TATE MODERN.
GAUGUIN:MAKER OF MYTH displays more than 100 works by the influential late-19th century artist from worldwide public and private collections.
THE EXHIBITION delves into the artist’s unique storytelling style which has made him one of modern art’s greats. Alongside paintings, visitors will also see more of Gauguin’s lesser-known work in journalism, ceramics, and carvings.
DATES: 30 September 2010 to 16 January 2011
Times: Monday-thursday, Sunday 10:00 AM -6:00 PM Friday, Saturday 10:00 AM – 10 PM
This is a major attraction for me, and I hope others will be enjoying this exhibition.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
July 29, 2010
THE STATE COACH BRITANNIA — The Royal Mews
When visitors finish their tour through the STATE APARTMENTS at Buckingham Palace, they usually visit the QUEEN’S GALLERY where the spectacular VICTORIA AND ALBERT EXHIBITION is taking place. After these two visits, it is easy to suffer from visual exhaustion. But, let me make a suggestion: GO ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE QUEEN’S GALLERY AND HAVE A PLATE OF PASTA AND THEN RETURN TO THE PALACE TO VISIT THE ROYAL MEWS. At the ROYAL MEWS, a visitor will see fabulous carriages–including the “coronation carriage”– as well as the Queen’s fabulous fleet of cars. It is not a long visit, but the carriages in the ROYAL MEWS are absolutely exquisite. To encourage you, I am going to blog about the State landau–THE BRITANNIA. It is an amazing carriage.
The carriage called THE BRITANNIA was designed and built in Sydney, Australia, by Jim Frecklington at a cost of 620,000 pounds. It is the only carriage built for the Royal Family since Edward VII ordered the STATE LANDAU in 1910. THE BRITANNIA was a gift for the Queen from Australia, and the designers claim that the coach has more gold than any other vehicle made in Britain for almost 200 years. It is certainly intersting that the BRITANNIA was presented to the Queen by a Republican Prime Minister who wanted a referendum on the monarchy.
The designer and builder Jim Freklington learned his trade working in the ROYAL MEWS in Lonon.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
BIKE TOURS THROUGH LONDON BECOMING POPULAR AND SUCCESSFUL
My son Thomas Moore Jr. just returned from London. He rode his bike the entire trip and had a fabulous experience. He felt that I should publish these reviews from other bike tour participants in hopes that it will SPREAD THE WORD. What a fun activity for a family going to London! The family will never forget London and his bike tour. Enjoy the comments.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
THE FALSE TEETH THAT HELPED WIN WORLD WAR II – Churchill
I am leaving for London shortly–anxious to track down some very exciting information for my blog. The suitcase is sitting here and eager to get on the road; the bag is like a well-trained horse and knows where it is going and what is to happen. This early morning this article came to me which I knew I had to post. It made me smile from ear to ear. I will be writing about many new restaurants and new visit ideas, so I felt comfortable about publishing this amazing/amusing story as it came to me. I hope you enjoy it; I certainly did.
By the way, a client of our company is trying to purchase a clip of Winston Churchill’s signature. He says he can’t afford a document, but he could afford a signature. Can anyone help him ou?. I know a cashmere dealer on Piccadilly who collects “British” signatures. I will certainly give him a visit, but if any of my readers can help in this search, I would appreciate it. I have sent his request on to several London friends who might also be able to guide him in his search. I will let you know. IN SEARCH OF CHURCHILL. A very worthy subject!
Enjoy the article.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
July 28, 2010
THE SALUSBURY: YOUTH, BEAUTY, ITALIAN, AND QUEENS PARK
I suppose most of my readers are tourists who come to London for shorter visits. So, the events and restaurants I usually highlight are absolutely central. THE SALUSBURY is an exception. I have had two readers email me about this restaurant and its really good food. So,when this article from LONDON EATER came to me, I decided that I would post the article in full–particularly since I do not know THE SALUSBURY. But, I liked the write-up, and I didn’t want to leave my readers in the dark. I will be in London August/September–soon on my way–and I am going to this hip place for my first meal. So, if there are those eating here earlier, keep us post. Nice.
The Salusbury is the obvious hip hang out junction, where the beautiful, the youthful, carefree inhabitants of this rapidly gentrified part of NW6 flaunt their hide. It is hardly ever empty, and undoubtedly the most happening joint in and around Queen’s Park. On the weekends, it’s chock-a-blocklike can of sardines, and on weekdays it remains jubilantly full. It has a healthy reputation, and is a place which I have been wanting to write about for months now. Just before summer hit us, The Salusbury shut it doors for a few weeks for a minor facelift and now the pub and its adjoining dining room look ever more dapper than before. I’m very certain to have spotted Cillian Murphy moping around Salusbury road once.
Contrary to the trend of Brit-themed pubs, The Salusbury features an Italian inspired menu instead, so you won’t see scotch eggs, curry or burgers on the menu and bread is served with olive oil, cracked black pepper and sea salt instead of butter. Don’t bother with their official website either, the menu has been reworked ever so slightly since their refurbishment, and has now been expanded to include funkier selections include a burrata salad; pecorino with truffle oil; ravioli and pasta which now are claimed to be made in house. And according to the waiter, he told me the chef had decided to ‘delve deeper’ with the reboot.
Yes… from my tone you have probably sussed that I’m an occasional regular (oxymoron no?) at this pub, and have been visiting on and off for the last 18 months or so. Speaking of which, they used to run a grocery-takeaway deli (The Salusbury Foodstore) which was where I used to pick up saffron, truffle (with oil!) and cheese, but it has since been rechristened as Giorgio’s, an Italian deli and cafe, which is fantastic, and which we (and the more esteemed half) spend some of our lazy afternoons in… or when we are just too lazy to cook. The chicken escalopes are awesome, and we love the home-style tiramisu, the pizzas won’t win awards, but we’re not pizza otaku and we like them. They are of the stone baked variety with toppings that include potatoes, truffle oil, egg and artichokes.
As for The Salusbury, the food is actually not half bad, in fact, it’s pretty good. It’s consistent. Gimmick free recipes are hardly ahead of the the curve, but I think it shines because it’s hearty, wholesome cooking. The trademark dishes include pappardelle with duck ragu (sadly the chicken liver option which was fantastic seems to have been taken off) and their tagliatelle with lobster (sometimes served with the lobster shell, for dramatic effect) are the crowd favourites. The fish dishes such as cod with clams, mussels and cherry tomatoes are great too. Filling and warming. On to my meal now:
Octopus salad with chick pea and red onion, £7.40
A simple rocket, tomato and onion salad, tossed with chickpeas, and sitting on a bed of grainy mashed chickpeas – like hummus, but without the gorgeous oiliness. The rubbery, fatty tentacles are chopped into tubular pieces, spongy, and the natural saltiness goes surprisingly well with chickpeas. It’s a good start.
Brasato e Umidi …. braised and slow cooked oxtail with tomato and celery £11.20
Hot damn, what gargantuan servings. It might be a little too wintry a dish for this time of year, but it didn’t stop me from completely devouring it and then proceeding to strip every bit of tendon and meat from the tailbone. The meat was slow cooked to a melty, flossy, coagulating mess that fell off the bone as it it had been greased with hot butter. Just gorgeous. The gelatinous tendon bits were the best part (of any oxtail dish really) giving it a brawny, full (fatty) flavour that was matched amazingly well with the full bodied gravy. You want to mop up the sauce with baguette, lots of it. This dish epitomises this kitchen’s fill-her-up style of cooking, which is great if you are feeling particularly ravenous.
Fritto, Veal Chop Milanese £14.20
Gotta have veal chop if it’s on the menu, and it is actually a chop on the bone, not an escalope. The meat was hammered to a pulp. Expectedly the meat was tender, the tenderness accompanied by a burst of juice. The crust came crumbly fried with a buttery fragrance, an eggy flouriness about it (if that makes sense), very appetising. A squidge of lemon really gave the butter flavour chop a nice zingy contrast. I’ve had this twice and both times I was really impressed with it, simple pleasures, but oh so very good. The better half struggled to finish this, since it was also amazingly large portioned, so we dog-bagged it (I had it for lunch the following day).
It is probably one of the priciest locations to eat and to drink in the NW6 vicinity, food plus a pint of Hoegaarden was a whopping £45. Beer alone set me back £4.70… that’s shocking considering we are far, far away from Central London. Well zone 2 anyway. Such is it’s degree of gentrification. Still the prices are perhaps not prohibitively high enough, as it continues to draw in the zestful soul of area, the busy atmosphere works both ways I suppose, but that’s why they have a dedicated dining room for the discerning customer who might opt for a more ‘serene’ setting. It’s all relative however.
The steak and chips (a slither of rib eye with a biting horseradish sauce £16) is also very good, and if you can overlook its frenzied reputation (and resulting spotty service) , you might find something delectable on the menu. Otherwise, take a breather at Giorgio’s next door, and tuck away a couple of their ace cannolis.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
A RESPONSE TO HER CRITICS – FINALLY, SOMEONE HAS SAID IT
Year after year, the Queen continues to reinvent her role as Sovereign in face of these ever-so-quickly changing times. She seems to have a sense for change which years ago would have been a debatable topic. These days we hear insensitive critics complain that the monarchy is not worth its price tag. Then again we hear that the Sovereign costs each British taxpayer .62 pence a year. Even at that, these modern moaners say they cannot identify with the tapestry of royal life. There is always this feeling that these critics dislike everything and want to sweep away all the cultural traditions which others love and cherish. The fact is that most Brits and visitors from around the world sense that the Queen makes an inestimable contribution. A visitor to one of our flats humorously said to me: I AM GOING TO LONDON TO SEE THE QUEEN. I asked her why she wasn’t going to visit the Prime Minister. I smiled over her response: WHO IS THAT? For some reason, England’s monarch seems to have intrigued us all and has for centuries. I am often in London during the STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, and I watch people’s faces as the royal coaches pass by. It is an amazing sight. Several years ago, Minnie Spooner–a humble lady from the East End–was asked on TV why she comes to the Palace to join the crowds on the Queen’s Birthday. In her heavy East End accent, she put her hand to her throat and said: I DON’T KNOW; IT IS JUST SOMETHING IN HERE. There was a real sense of national pride in Mrs. Spooner’s teary voice.
This early morning, the following article came across my computer. We are reading it here before it shows up in the London papers. But, I think this article responds accurately to the Queen’s critics who think she should sell her tiaras and move into a semi-detached house. As I read this article, I said to myself: THIS IS EXACTLY RIGHT, AND WE ALL SENSED AND KNEW IT ALL ALONG.
Next I hear one of these rag-tag complainers, I am going to tell them that they can have their MADONNA, and I will take Liz.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
July 27, 2010
THE NATIONAL GALLERY
During the past year, I have posted comments about events taking place in the NATIONAL GALLERY on Trafalgar Square. Often, we rush about to see landmarks like the TOWER OF LONDON and CHANGING THE GUARD AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE and then hope to squeeze in a few moments in the Gallery. I realize most visitors to London have time restraints, so I thought I would encourage your visit by posting a few of the magnificent paintings in the Gallery with a “map” showing where they would be found. So, if you have only a few hours, or even a couple of hours, study the location map first so you do have the opportunity the see some of the paintings you would like to visit. Hopefully, this will help your planning.
I will first include a “map” and then a listing of paintings showing what is where. The colors will not correspond, but the numbers of the galleries will match.
Then, I will put some of my favorite paintings on the post. The Velasquez NUDE is one of my favorite five paintings in the Gallery, and I visit it first off along with the Vermeer, Holbein, and the Stubbs.
This experience at the NATIONAL GALLERY is a major experience, and I encourage my readers to spend as much time in the Gallery as possible.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
July 26, 2010
NOW THIS IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING! Here we go again!
Fergie and her “fatal flaws” continue to bemuse the public in her on-going life of drama and bad judgment. I have no comment except to say that we can watch this soap opera right here at home. I am sure the Queen is muttering to herself: WE ARE NOT AMUSED. Well, I wish Sarah well,and I hope she is able to distance herself from the Palace and the difficult role the Royal Family has to carry out on behalf of the Nation. Goodness me!
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
A SPECTACULAR TWO-BEDROOM FLAT IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE – VERY LOVELY
I hope you might consider this flat for your next visit to London. It is very beautiful.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
July 25, 2010
THE MADONNA OF THE ROCKS – THE LOUVRE AND THE NATIONAL GALLERY
Traveling with a “theme” is fun. I am doing a tour called IN SEARCH OF VICTORIA AND ALBERT in August which will take us from Balmoral to Coburg–that’s a serious theme trip. But also, a visit to the NATIONAL GALLERY to see the newly cleaned MADONNA OF THE ROCKS and to the LOUVRE IN PARIS to see the earlier version of the MADONNA OF THE ROCKS is another theme trip. The Louvre version was painted earlier, mostly by DaVinci. The National Gallery version was painted entirely by the master. I wrote a blog on the newly restored MADONNA OF THE ROCKS in the National Gallery, but wouldn’t it be a fun trip to then go to Paris and see the earlier version? Wow! That’s traveling with a purpose. That’s exactly what I am going to do. Come join.
THE LOUVRE MADONNA
THE NATIONAL GALLERY VERSION
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT SUMMER TOURS –New Information
I have had several calls in the office about visiting the HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT this summer when the House of Lords and the House of Commons are not sitting. I am putting this information on the blog as the summer visits are taking place now.
This information is directly off their website and should give you all the information you require. Great.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
NOVEMBER 30 2010 JEWELS, JEWELS, JEWELS
I am always on the look-out for exciting experiences for my readers. The Sotheby’s sale of the jewelry once belonging to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor will be one of the most amazing auctions–November 30, 2010, London. Goodness, you don’t have to buy, but to be in the sale room watching this event will be an occasion you will never forget. I am posting some of the photographs that are being put out to the public to advertise this sale. These pieces of jewelry were auctioned several years ago after the death of the Duchess of Windsor, and now they are again surfacing. The atmosphere in the sale room will be electrifying. If you have ever wanted to attend an auction of this quality, this is the event. I predict that eventually these magnificent jewels will end up in a museum somewhere in the world. The pieces are so unusual and of such quality–they have such broad public interest. Also, the magnificent PRINCE OF WALES DIAMOND BROACH was bought by Elizabeth Taylor; let’s wait and see where that fabulous piece ends up. This is exciting stuff.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
July 23, 2010
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH — A CHARMING PHOTO AT THE QUEEN’S GARDEN PARTY
I am in the midst of writing a rather long post on the NATIONAL GALLERY in London when this charming photograph of the DUKE OF EDINBURGH came across my screen. The photograph was taken at the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace today. I thought my readers would enjoy seeing it. So, while I am working on the NATIONAL GALLERY blog, you can smile at this lovely photograph of the Queen’s consort. Through thick and thin, the Queen continues to stick with her man. Really nice.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
VISIT SOUTH LONDON – THE PRINCE OF WALES TO THE RESCUE
I have written several posts about the new vitality in South London. The art galleries, restaurants, and clubs are thriving. Well, so is the church ALL SAINTS CHURCH, PECKHAM. The church started in 1867 when Peckham was a village on the edge of Camberwell and was a haven outside the intense bustle of Victorian London. Within a few years the church had grown from about 20 people to over 600 adults in the congregation, and there was even a children’s service for 800 children each Sunday afternoon.
The church grew rapidly in the early 20th century, but like many inner-city church, declined after World War II. By the mid-1990′s the church congregation had fallen in number to a small handful of members. The church was no longer viable and plans were made to sell off the land for housing.
By 1996 a last ditch effort was made to sae the church. A new reverand was appointed with the attitude that GOD HAD A PLAN THAT ALL SAINTS COULD BE FULL AGAIN ON SUNDAYS. Since 2003, the church reports that people attending the church have continued to show strong growth.
ALL SAINTS HAS TWO SERVICES each Sunday, a morning service at 10:30 am and an evening service at 7pm. There is also a midweek service on Tuesdays at 11:00am. The services reflect the New Wine/SoulSurvivor style of worship. In 2005 the church released its first live worship CD YOUR FAVOR.
The Prince of Wales has taken a great interest in South London. He has moved the offices for his charities to Camberwell and has been involved in projects to save the historic fabric of the area. He and the Duchess of Cornwall spent a day recently visiting ALL SAINTS PECKHAM CHURCH and the BRIXTON MARKET.
I am going to attend church at ALL SAINTS in August. I want to hear the spirited and spiritual music from the congregation and to visit another old church saved from demolition.
I realize that many of my readers stay on the north side of the Thames–probably because limited time allows visits only to the more famous church buildings like Westminster Abbey, Brompton Oratorio, and St. Paul’s. But for those who have a bit more time, start exploring South London. Great things are happening there. I have written about BOROUGH MARKET and the GLOBE, etc., but I think ALL SAINTS PECKHAM would be a wonderful experience. You would mingle with local Londoners and would be hearing accents which are so charming.
Visiting a charming service at ALL SAINTS in Peckham with local supports–wow! What a wonderful plan. I expect that the vitality of the South Bank which attracts the Prince of Wales will rub off on us. What a great thing to watch an area come back to life. Consider it for your visits.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
July 22, 2010
THE TIMUR RUBY – Queen Victoria’s Great Jewel
The famous TIMUR RUBY is one of the most beautiful jewels in the Queen’s private collection. This famous ruby is actually a spinel. It weighs over 352 carats and until 1851 was widely regarded as the largest known ruby in the world. Presented to Queen Victoria by the East India Company in October 1851 and remaining in the royal collection ever since, this stone has a long and colorful history.
The stone is engraved as follows: THIS THE RUBY FROM AMONG THE 25,000 GENUINE JEWELS OF THE KING OF KINGS, THE SULTAN SAHIB QURAN (TIMUR), WHICH IN THE YEAR 1153 FROM THE JEWELS OF HINDUSTAN REACHED THIS PLACE.
Like many of the famous gems of the Orient, the TIMUR RUBY traveled to England amongst a collection of Indian Jewelry taken from the Lahore Treasury in 1849 when Britain annexed the Punjab to its Empire. Queen Victoria was well pleased by her gift–she particularly admired what she termed the “wonderful rubies” and on 23 October 1851 wrote in her journal: They are cabochons, uncut, unset, but pierced. The one is the largest in the world, therefore even more remarkable than the Koh-i-Nor (105 carats).
In Aprl 1853 Garrards set four of these so-called “rubies” in a new diamond-encrusted gold and enamel necklace of Oriental design with four diamond pendants also from Lahore. At the center of the necklace came te huge rose-pink stone of 352 carates that the Queen Victoria had especially noted. Two months later, Garrards adjusted the necklace to allow this stone to be detched for use as a brooch and to alternate with the recently recut Koh-i-nor Diamond.
This fabulous and unusual stone has remained in the Royal Collection. Even though Queen Victofria decided to alternate this broach with the Koh-i-nor, the broach was never worn. This is partly because the Queen did not wear or rarely wore colored stones after the Prince Consort’s death. The current Queen has never worn it either; however, there are rumors that she is considering having a dress made which would highlight this necklace. As of now, THE STONE IS A NO SHOW.
It will be very interesting to see if this jewel is part of the SUMMER EXHIBITION at the Queen’s Gallery. It is so unusual and interesting; it would have great public interest. Let’s keep our fingers crossed! And our toes! If the Queen continues not to wear the stone, I know a few ladies who would gladly volunteer. Right?
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
