1st Class Virgin Train Travel from London Euston Station to Birmingham New Street Station including visit to the 1st Class Virgin Departure Lounge in Euston Station

During our trip to the UK in October 2015 we bought one-way 1^st class train tickets online from London Euston Station to Birmingham New Street Station with Virgin.

 

It meant we had access to the 1^st class departure lounge in London and the arrivals lounge in Birmingham.

 

Euston Station was at the time going through a renovation, so there were some building sites, but I guess the end result will be a more beautiful building and better infrastructure.

 

The Virgin 1^st class lounge was located on the 1^st floor, airy, contemporary with some unusual design elements and colors. We felt welcomed and right at home. It was already busy, but not noisy.

 

There was a quiet area to work and a central point for magazines, newspapers, snacks and drinks, like orange / apple juice, soft drinks and hot beverages. There were also snacks (biscuits, Uglies and fruits).

 

We spent around an hour there, before making our way to the train. The interior was kept mostly in brown, blue and some signature Virgin red.

 

The seats had been already selected for us. We had a table which could be used/seated by four people.

 

The air conditioning was over our head and on full blast, which we didn’t enjoy that much.

 

The table and one of the seats were unclean and full of crumbs, but I assume the turnaround times for the train are too short to properly cleaned by the staff.

 

The seats were comfortable.

 

The journey began on time, and we really liked it, watching the English countryside pass by.

 

Soon after leaving London behind lunch service arrived with juices, other cold and hot beverages, beer, wine, snacks, chocolate and a choice of Mediterranean Vegetable Pastry, Potato and Bacon Salad and Poached smoked salmon sandwich.

 

He had the salmon sandwich, while I had the pastry. Both were good.

 

We also arrived on time in Birmingham. The journey had passed very quickly and it was pleasant.

 

New Street Station was unrecognizable. It has been completely renovated and looks stunning.

 

We would take this train trip again. Service was friendly, the seat comfortable and travel time not too long with ca. 1.5 hours.

 

©2016

Wheeler's, Love Lane, George Town, Penang, Malaysia

While exploring George Town we were also in Love Lane and stopped for a break at Wheeler’s Coffee. Penang is famous for excellent cuisine and good coffee.

The shop is quaint and easily identifiable because the entrance is decorated with bikes and there is a mural of a gentleman and his unicycle from a long bygone area, when bicycles were still in their infancy, plus a rabbit on a bicycle sporting a blue and red stripped balloons.

The bicycle theme continues throughout the café.

There were a lot of fresh cakes and sandwiches on display and a large board showed the drink menu.

The orders were taken at the counter, but brought to the table by the staff.

The different flavored teas, coffees and chocolates were mind boggling and fabulous.

For him it was easier, but I had difficulties deciding which drink to take.

He took the Nutella Hot Chocolate, while I had the Rose Latte. We chose two orange juices and two tiramisu cakes as well. All was delicious and fresh.

We paid 63.60 MYR (ca. 13 Euro or 14.50 USD).

Other customers were locals and Wheeler’s was very full, but quiet.

We would return next time if we are in Love Lane again.


©2015 

Domini & Peaches Kemp @ The Restaurant, Brown Thomas, Dublin, Ireland

Before checking into the brand new Marker Hotel we had breakfast at The Restaurant @ Brown Thomas, a famous department store in Dublin. Brown Thomas is owned by Galen Weston, a Canadian Tycoon.
The Restaurant is managed by Domini and Peaches Kemp and located on the third floor. The interior is contemporary.

When we arrived there was quite a buzz. Fortunately we didn't have to wait for a seat and were brought immediately to our table.
Having informed ourselves online about the menu, we already knew what we were going to order.
We had the Toffee-Nut-Latte, a cappuccino, two orange juice, one French Toast with bacon and maple syrup, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, the raw fruit salad and two slices of toasted sourdough bread with butter and jam.
We were told by our waitress that we had ordered quite a lot, so she pushed our and the neighboring empty table together to make more space. I didn't appreciate the comment. More space was definitely needed. The tables were on the smaller side.
The meal was very enjoyable and the quality high. I only wished my salmon portion would have been slightly larger. One slice more would have been nice. The eggs and chive were plenty. Maybe I was spoiled from the breakfast at Wilde's a week earlier, where I had a similar dish.
The French Toast was yummy too. The fruit salad was fresh and ideal to share, because the portion was large. The bread and jam was of high quality too.

Even though the staff was very busy, they were attentive and quick to respond.

The bill came in at slightly under 50 Euro (ca. 66 USD).

We spent around an hour at the Restaurant and were ready to walk to the Docklands for our stay at the Marker.

Of course we are going to return.

©2013