Restaurants: Jade Cottage & China-Ki

Had to run an errand for my mother in Ennis on Thursday - and while I was there, I got a yen to eat at Jade Cottage again. So I did! As usual, they weren't busy - the table next to the one I had last time was occupied, so he showed me to the back of the room instead, where I was seated on a very fetching, gold-effect bench. It is interesting how most of the tables are hidden from view from most of the other tables, with careful positioning of screens and such.

I had the same starter as before - but, mindful of how heavy I found their version of General Tso's chicken, I changed my main, and had "sweet chilli chicken". Which was good, if a little fiery - I am getting closer to my perfect dish here though, and I'll try their honey chicken next time. Had a half bottle of wine, which she offered to present in an ice bucket, and some chocolate ice cream to finish. With the same smiling service, this restaurant is always an excellent choice!

Well, my friend got back to me - they were away in the middle of the week, back that day, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit yesterday, which I arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking the week as holiday. Long, long drive down there though - with the usual heavy traffic in Charleville. Still, traffic jams are great for having a look around - I hadn't seen this before!

And it was terrific to see her, and see how her boys have grown! It's over two years, what with everything, since we've seen each other. I tried out location sharing on my phone, so she could tell when I was near - she has a Huawei though, I think she said, and it was hard for her to get Google working. She did in the end, mind, and it's a cool feature!

I broke the long drive back with a stop in Limerick, and was just about hungry enough to eat there. And again, the nearest was China-Ki. First thing, I needed the loo - which turns out to be just inside the door. In fact, the door to the toilets leads into a little corridor, with the various different categories marked on doors along it. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the lights were off in the toilets - and I hadn't brought my phone, whose light I could have used. Well, I could see from the light coming through the pane of glass in the corridor door that the first toilet door was the Gents, the next the accessible toilet. The Ladies was around the corner - probably - but it was in complete darkness, and I had no hope of telling which was which. So I just went back to the accessible toilet.

Dark inside as well - but there was an emergency light, and I felt around until I found the door lock: locked the door. Located the toilet, the handbasin, and the hand dryer - could just about see them in the dim light. Did my business satisfactorily. And then could not find the flush! Feeling around, I felt something dangling - so I pulled it. Pity it was the alarm - which sounded all through the restaurant! I managed to get the door unlocked, and made my escape.. the ultra-calm waitress tended to me most solicitously, bringing a jug of water before she went to investigate, and eventually turned it off. I have to wonder though - was there, in fact, a light switch somewhere that I missed (in the darkness)?

I had the chicken fillet rolls - dunno what it was, but I didn't enjoy them today, and don't think I'll have them again. Looking back over previous posts, I discovered I had liked the beef szechuan here - but I didn't feel like anything spicy, so went for General Tso's chicken again. Couldn't finish it though - left a large portion of it uneaten. Again, will change my order the next time! At least this time, when she brought me wine, she had the good sense to pour it all out at once! and when she brought a top-up, to pour it straight into the same glass. Again, service was extremely attentive - with no-one else in the restaurant, I was plagued with people not too subtly popping around the partition to see whether I was done yet..

Anyway, I'll fly back to London tomorrow. And on Monday, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National. I see this was also a film, which I remember seeing on tv, years ago.. Bette Davis played a teacher in a deprived area in the 1930s, who had one promising student whose lot in life she sought to improve, despite his humble circumstances..

Film: Uncharted

Now back to Ireland for the weekend again (well, I say the weekend, but it's not really, Sunday's flight now leaves so early). Despite airport-wide delays - my "minor delay" (so described by Ryanair) was one hour and 20 minutes. During which time I became peckish, and splurged on a packet of Monster Munch at W. H. Smith. Which, I notice, cost 10p more than their Liverpool Street branch. Goes to show, beware when buying at the airport.. rarely better value.

For today, I booked Uncharted - an Indiana Jones-style adventure, which I figured would have less style, but at least stars Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas. Figured it could be fun, and anyway, the choice for daytime isn't spectacular. Showing, as usual, at the Omniplex. What has happened to the traffic, however, I have no idea.. it was terrible, and I did miss the very start of the film. Never mind, I don't seem to have missed any major plot points. I did, however, come in at a dark part - literally; I couldn't see where any of the seats were, never mind mine! It was about five minutes before it brightened up enough for me to find my seat and - gratefully -sit in it.

So, the scene I came in on has what's obviously an older brother leaving his little brother. In an orphanage. We quickly fast-forward to the little boy all grown-up, an accomplished bartender and thief, played by Tom Holland. In short order, he's recruited by Mark Wahlberg with the promise of finding his long-lost brother - and the enticing idea of going after Magellan's gold! Especially appealing because the lad is a history buff.

Now, this is where fact and fantasy diverge. Yes, Magellan did lead an expedition - until he was killed - that circumnavigated the globe, the first to do so. And yes, it was financed privately by a wealthy family - not the one mentioned in the film though, of which Antonio Banderas is a member. And I can't say I ever heard of any hoard of gold associated with the trip. But what the hey.

Well, this is a peculiar mish-mash of a film. It starts as a kind of James Bond espionage thriller, with lots of people dressed nicely, in a swish venue - an auction house, where they're all trying to get their hands on a cross that's supposed to be necessary for finding this stash of gold. It then morphs into a kind of Indiana Jones adventure film - indeed, Tom Holland accuses one of his companions of trying to be Indiana Jones - lots of action, exotic locations, dark and mysterious corridors. Finally - spoiler - they do find the stash, including a couple of ancient Spanish galleons, complete with cutlasses etc. This bit is really going to appeal to people who are into that kind of stuff, for example the Pirates of the Caribbean crowd - hell, Mark Wahlberg at one point accuses Tom Holland of acting like Jack Sparrow.

It's entertaining, without doubt - the CGI is good, and there's plenty of action. Still, it lacks the charisma of someone like Harrison Ford, or the sweeping soundtrack of the Indiana Jones - or James Bond - films, and for me, fell a little flat for that reason. Still, this should interest anyone who likes treasure hunts, or as I say, Pirates of the Caribbean. Or who has an interest in history. Shall we say, it'll do until something better comes along.

Afterwards, I fancied a Chinese, and took my mother's advice to eat in Limerick. Most convenient, being on the correct side of the road and nearly at the city limits - is China-Ki, so I rocked up there. No problem in getting a seat. They don't do glasses of wine, it transpires, but instead quarter-bottles - it's a while since I've seen that, but no problem! And it was lovely to have a change in menu - I had chicken spring rolls and General Tso's chicken, and it was lovely. Not the very best I've had, but tasty. Service was good - but they don't bring your bill, you pay at the bar. Like the film, served its purpose.

On Monday, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On Tuesday, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. On Thursday, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight - no problem getting the day off work though!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking that week as holiday. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Restaurant: China-Ki

Gee, it's Christmas again! Seems like it happens every year.. and, weather permitting, so does my trip down to see my friend in the wilds of Cork. We usually go out for a meal, but this year, what with them getting back late from the shopping centre, she and her husband - a good cook, I might add - decided he'd cook for us at home. I only stayed the night, and came back early today, in anticipation of my mother wanting to go out. Well gee, I rang her when I got as far as Limerick - where I was to pick up some things, and wanted to check whether there was anything else she needed - and she said she didn't feel like it after all, and I should go ahead and eat there.

Pity she didn't decide this before I left my friend! Hey-ho.. the last decent eatery I know of on my road home is China-Ki, right beside where I was to get petrol, and also beside the last decent shop en route - handy in case I didn't get what I was looking for elsewhere. I'd eaten there once before, and remembered it as being okay.. one of several good Chinese restaurants in Limerick. (Sorry, technically in Clare! but within Limerick city limits.)

Well, you can't miss it - its glittering facade is clearly visible from the road. So I parked, checked the shop - nope, they didn't have what I wanted either - grabbed the paper I'd bought earlier, and headed up the shimmering staircase, with the brass railings, the golden carpet, the mirrored walls, and the enormous chandelier. Upstairs, there's only one entrance, and I approached the waiter, who showed me to a small table in the as yet nearly-empty restaurant:

Now, I've gotta say, this was one of the best Chinese meals I've had in a while. Service was terrific - mind you, they didn't have an awful lot to do, with hardly anyone there. Wine, unusually for a Chinese, is served in quarter bottles, and as well as a Christmas set menu, they have an extensive a la carte. I had a look at the set menu, but had it in mind to have beef szechuan, which I haven't had in a while, and which isn't on the set menu. A la carte it was.

Chicken fillet rolls to start - mind you, I had to be careful with my waiter, who thought I wanted the chicken and cheese rolls. I didn't detect much chicken in them, to be honest - but they did come in a very spicy sauce, which pretty much distracted me! Also made me sniffle - I had a hanky, but the waiter kindly popped his head around the partition to ask whether I'd like a tissue. The egg fried rice was indifferent, but served in a nice, wooden container - but the beef szechuan was really good. I did just about manage to finish it, but only got through about half of the free basket of prawn crackers that was provided. They have a dessert menu, but sadly, nothing terribly chocolatey on it - I chose mint chocolate ice cream. You get two scoops, and my confused waiter was back again, asking whether I wanted mint chocolate, or mint and chocolate. "Mint chocolate", said I. I ended up with a scoop of mint chocolate and one of chocolate. (Was that why he deducted it from the bill?) Anyway, it turned out to be a good choice, because the scoop of mint chocolate was that much larger, and I was already stuffed..

All in all, a really good meal, with attentive service (almost too attentive, with multiple people asking whether I needed anything, and always someone poking their head around the partition to see how I was doing). Would happily go back.

Right then! What's next? Well, I fly back to London on Monday.. of course, the flights were booked before I even thought of changing jobs, so I thought I'd be going back to work on Tuesday. Nope - after a relaxed day, I was supposed to be going to free comedy in Hammersmith, but got word it was cancelled! Along with most others for the next two weeks. Gee, it's been a while now since I actually went to one of those! I booked with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Farringdon, London Art Comedy & Culture Lovers, London Live Comedy, Random London, and London for a Tenner or Less and Funzing UK (both Funzing groups, and both advertising the thing twice) - I only got a cancellation notice from the first of the above, though. What the hey, I've signed up - for the first time - with TNT Comedy, with Dave's Stand-Up Comedy. Same deal, only further away, in Kentish Town.

On Wednesday, yay, I'm back with the Man with the Hat (no, not Santa Claus) - Let's Do London - for less! is off on their annual festive trip to The Nutcracker (ahh!) at the Opera House. Sold out performance, I see. It'll be great to see the folks again. And by then, I might have secured a new flat - I have a viewing that day for a flat very close to my new office. Wish me luck - looks like a good one.

Not much happening with Meetup at the end of the week - but when has that stopped me going out?! On Thursday, I'm headed to another festive tradition of mine - I love La Soirée, and the fact that I've already seen it twice - and it's much the same each time - makes no difference. I see I last saw it last January.. but for the first time, the Udderbelly Festival - which is hosting it - has now decamped to Leicester Square! I also discovered that the official tickets for that night were completely sold out - however, I could get tickets from no fewer than five different sources: ShowFilmFirst, OnlineTheatreTickets, TheatrePeople, LondonBoxOffice, and BestOfTheatre. All for a markup of over £10, at least on the cheapest tickets - whatever, I love the show, and this is near the end of the run. I was delighted to get a ticket at all. Booked with the first on the list - ShowFilmFirst; they were all the same price, anyway.

On Friday, in contrast, I got a cheap ticket (phew! that evens out a bit) - to Antigone, at Theatro Technis, in Camden. Hey, if I take that flat, I can move in on Friday - that'd be handier to travel there! Of course, I don't start work till the following week.

Saturday 7th has turned out unusually busy. See, a while ago, I saw that the guide on the excellent Christmas lights walk I did was doing a walk of Victorian Covent Garden that day, and I booked. Then the London European Club advertised an "Arab Christmas" - a concert of early Arab Christian chants! Ah well now.. unfortunately, it's on the same day as my walk. Fortunately, the walk is at lunchtime and the concert in the evening! I booked for that as well. Funnily enough, that's in Rich Mix, which is closer to my current flat - I may spend that night there, even if I have the other one by then.

On Sunday 8th, I'm on another walk - again, with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts - same guide, different group from the Christmas Lights walk. This walk is charmingly entitled Heretics and Horrors - Exploring London's Bloody Past. And although I've heard much about them already, I don't doubt that this guide will shed new light on 'em..

Monday 9th, I'm with Kensington Classical Music, at Pushkin House, for a piano recital. Oh gosh, I do hope I get that flat - it's so close to this venue you wouldn't believe!!

Tuesday 10th, London European Club has a very interesting evening planned - "Beat the January Blues and Discover the Curse of the Green Fairy". Basically, a lecture about absinthe, with tasting afterwards. Tragically, all tickets were sold out by the time I heard about it.. What the hey, I probably wouldn't like the taste anyway. With the free comedy in Hammersmith cancelled again, I'm with TNT Comedy that night.

Wednesday 11th, the Man with the Hat is taking London for Less Than a Tenner to Top Secret - inaugural visit of the year. And walkable from my new office! I'm liking it..

Thursday 12th, again nothing on Meetup - instead, I'm going to the opening night of Amaluna, Cirque du Soleil's latest show, at the Albert Hall! Cheapest tickets from the venue website, as long as you don't mind a slightly restricted view - for my money, a handrail in my sightline shouldn't prove too much of an obstacle. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend.

Monday 16th, I've booked for Festival of the Spoken Nerd, at Soho Theatre. Yes, it's a comedy.

Tuesday 17th, I had signed up for free comedy in Hammersmith (!) with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Farringdon, and London Live Comedy. But.. then I saw that Funzing UK had advertised Rising Stars: East England Burlesque Festival 2017. So I booked that instead - hey, I can get straight there on the Central Line! And I love burlesque.

Wednesday 18th, I've signed up with London Speaks Sessions, London for a Tenner or Less (as usual, NOT to be confused with the Man with the Hat), and LDN Talks @Night (or more particularly with Funzing) for a talk on The Science of Psychedelics.

Thursday 19th, free comedy in Hammersmith.. same two groups.

Friday 20th, I'm finally headed to The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, at the Criterion Theatre. Same team that did The Play That Goes Wrong - which is excellent - so I'm looking forward to this. Best value tickets from the venue.

Saturday 21st, I'm out with the Man with the Hat again - this time, it's Woolf Works, a Wayne McGregor triptych, inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf and showing at the Royal Opera House. Both his groups are going - as usual, I have a cheap seat.

Sunday 22nd? Not booked(!). Reason? Well now, the ever-busy Man with the Hat is headed (with Let's Do London - for less!) to a dance production - at Sadler's Wells, unusually for him. The Red Shoes, choreographed by Matthew Bourne, is completely sold out for its whole run. Our Man with the Hat has tickets, though.. but he's holding them back, with sales starting at 11am on New Year's Day. Of course, he knows they'll go like wildfire. Jeez, the suspense.. nearly as bad as waiting for U2 tickets to go on sale! All he needs are a stetson and some glasses.. (speaking of which, good news from the U2 camp - I only heard today. Watch this space..)