I got asked the other day what I ate on my vacation and I had to think about it for a minute.
It feels like ages ago now, being a vegetarian and a picky eater, I try not to make too much fuss about the food I eat.
Luckily I had some really great food; even though I didn’t always have time to sit down to a proper meal.
I drank a lot of Lucozade for all those times I was running around.
I had foods I hadn’t eaten in ages, foods that reminded me of Ghana and other far off places; I drank real ginger beer like the kind I used to drink at Paa Amadu’s.
Here are a few of my favourite culinary experiences, not included are those scrumptious foods of friends and family because… well, I wouldn’t want you to show up at their door.

Base Brasserie & Cafe – Baker Street, London
I found Base thanks to the Google Places app on my phone, it’s very close to the tube station, I was hungry and the reviews didn’t suck.
I had lunch there, the atmosphere is charming and stylish and the food French/Mediterranean.
I had a really good pan-fried aubergine wrap with humus.
The service was amazing; our French waiter gave us valuable tips on what to do in Paris.

Caffé Nero – Various locations
I feel I have to give this chain its due, travelling with a heavy coffee drinker we made a lot of coffee stops and the drinks were always consistent here.
And that was a good thing.

La Frégate – 1, Rue du Bac, Paris
Very friendly and attentive service here, I had the salade végétarriene which was amazing!
I never thought a simple salad with Dijon mustard dressing could be that good.
They also have a great selection of good wines.
It’s in a central location close to Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre, and right by the Seine.
The décor is stunning, just like you’d imagine a brasserie in Paris.

Publicis Drugstore – Av des Champs-Elysées, Paris
This isn’t just a drugstore; it has two restaurants, cinemas, boutique, bookstore, wine cellar, room humidor, grocery store and a fancy drugstore.
We had drinks here at the bar; it was worth it just for the location.
It’s at the top (or is it end) of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, close to the Arc de Triomphe.
The patio is great for relaxing and people watching. Nice ambience too.

Pierre Hermé – Publicis Drugstore
Guy says macarons are an excuse for grown adults to eat happy colourful sweets often meant for children.
But I love macarons! I would live off macarons if I could except it’s really hard to find good macaron in our part of the world (not that I’m an expert or anything).
Fortunately, Paris is the land of pastries and Pierre Hermé the Picasso of macarons.
There’s a small Pierre Hermé shop in Publicis, and there are no queues as there are in his other shops, although the selections are probably limited here.
His macarons are simply inspiring, delicious and bewitching, the rose and quince macaron is possibly the most exquisite thing I’ve ever tasted.

La Maison du Chocolat, Piccadilly, London
La Maison du Chocolat is renowned making some of the best chocolates in the world.
We stopped by for a snack after a long day of walking; the lady who assisted us was courteous and very helpful.
She recommended a chocolate macaron for me; we sat in the small sitting space and had some tea.
It was very refreshing. The lady kept calling me mademoiselle, and that made me happy.

The Gold Coast Restaurant, South Norwood, London
This is a Ghanaian restaurant with an extensive food and drinks menu.
I’ve been there twice (back in 2007 and recently) and the food has been consistently good.
The service on my first visit was a bit lacking, but excellent the second time around.
The food was yummy, fresh and tasty. I had the beans and fried plantain which was delicious.
It’s in a lovely old building, and has a great atmosphere.

Hotel Chocolat, High Street Kensington, London
Hotel Chocolat are not only a chocolatiers, they’re also cocoa growers.
The chocolate in their shops are from their cocoa plantation in St. Lucia.
I had their Chocolate Sandwich and Liquid Chocolate, sitting at the café was one of the most delightful gastronomically moments in my life.
The liquid chocolate is rich, creamy and delectable – I don’t know how they do it.
I’ve tried several times to replicate the chocolate sandwich but have failed so far,
It was so simple and good, a slab of good chocolate sandwiched between a baguette.

Ladurée, Burlington Arcade, London
Ladurée is originally from Paris and they invented the macaron as we know it.
They also made those colourful cakes and pastries in Sofia Coppola’s Marie-Antoinette movie.
The Burlington Arcade location is the strangest and prettiest tiny shop ever!
It’s designed in gold (it’s everywhere!) with mounts and mounts of beautiful multicoloured macarons.
The gifts boxes look more like it’s for jewellery.
The macarons are amazing! the flavours are both delicate and intense.