I have a rather naughty habit of extending my birthday well past 24 hours. Initially it was stretched out to 36 hours – using the excuse of expat time differences. 

Then, it became a weekend, which was still fairly reasonable. A few years later when I turned 30 it extended out into six weeks (I blamed the Mandarin Oriental hotel for their refurbishment works schedule) but I’ve since reeled it back into a very reasonable week(ish) of celebrating. 

I just love using my birthday as an excuse to spend time with my favourite people – and this year turned into a gastronomic tour of some of my favourite London restaurants. Lush breakfasts at Dalloway Terrace with two of my fellow birthday celebrators…

…trying the duck eggs Benedict at Duck and Waffle with two of my favourite expats…

…discovered a new antipodean brunch place called Abuelo in Covent Garden with a lovely, lovely friend…

…and tried the epic Timmy Green ‘Fancy Bacon Roll’ (we’re talking poached eggs, crispy onions, bacon, holy f*ck hollandaise wrapped loosely in a roti) with the only fabulous person that I know who smashed the scone cream & jam debate by nibbling at it like a burger.

I slipped two lunches in – a rather tipsy one where my favourite Minnesotan and I tried the delicious new Aqua Kyoto menu… 

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This week started off with the clink of glasses, rather than a bang, and in the most satisfying kind of way. @jessonthames and I were invited to go and try the newest menu @aquakyotolondon – a symphony of home grown flavours with Japanese flair. They are growing hard-to-find Japanese plants and herbs in their kitchens (via a really interesting set of cabinets & UV lights) and have translated these green fingered tendencies into a set menu that rather delights. I’m never disappointed when I go to Aqua Kyoto – except in perhaps that I always have to leave after a meal. Swipe for a sneak peek at our lunch…

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…and then later in the week we padded up to the 2 Michelin starred Helene Darroze at the Connaught Hotel for a leisurely, luxurious lunch in beautiful surroundings (for the second birthday in a row.).

Afternoon tipples at the brilliant Drink Shop Do with friends who have moved up the country…

…and a clinking of glasses in plush local settings like the Dorchester Hotel.

A couple of hungry antipodeans and I explored the culinary offerings of Devonshire Square with an organised restaurant hop – tidbits at Cinnamon Kitchen, Mac & Wild & Pitt Cue…

…and then Mr Kiwi and I enjoyed the panoramic vistas of Galvin at Windows.

I was utterly spoilt rotten.

Was it awesome? It most definitely was.

Do you stretch out your birthday celebrations?