Restaurant: Terra Rossa

Last night, back with Civilised London for an Italian meal - this was in Terra Rossa, meeting beforehand in The Crown, as usual. Picked up the keys to my new place beforehand. :-) Oh, it is incredible to have found one at last.. and it'll be lovely to have more space, not to mention a balcony - with the sun streaming in the window, the room was roasting, so I spent my time with the balcony door open (I spent a couple of hours there, getting set up to WiFi and reading the paper).

And I can walk from there to the pub! So I did, and with the glorious sunshine, predictably, when I got there, the others who were meeting there were sat outside in the sun, drinking beer. So I informed them of my good news, then trotted inside for my own cold drink - their excellent house Sauvignon Blanc. Anyway, the chat outside was good, and one of the group, who hadn't been to that pub before, raved about it as we left. True, it's excellent - good food, good wine, friendly staff, and a lovely outdoor seating area, fenced off from the pavement.

And so to the restaurant - and would you believe, I had been there before, and with this group too! despite having absolutely no memory of it. Mind you, on that occasion it seems we were sat down the back, and last night we were at the front of the room.

Red-bound menus, appropriately. As there was an odd number of us - one pulled out, feeling ill - our organiser thoughtfully rearranged the seating so one person wouldn't be stuck on the end. Anyway, I was hungrier than on that last occasion, and managed a starter - some interesting croquettes, with potato and just a hint of mint. For main, the spaghetti with truffle again - which was excellent, as before. They thoughtfully dropped us down dessert menus without us having to ask. And a few of us fancied dessert, so I asked for the lemon sorbet. Interestingly, the waiter (pictured) came to explain to me that the sorbet wasn't quite frozen, and would I mind getting it in liquid form! Eh - ok, and it turned up, fetchingly presented in a champagne flute! and was delicious. So, if you ever get the option, I recommend it.. For once, someone else was on white, so I got to share a bottle - and it was v nice.

So yes, recommended - although they were rushed off their feet, service was pretty quick and unfailingly friendly and helpful. And the food is good. As always, I was in great company - although we didn't head to the pub afterwards. And so, back to my old place for the night - just as well, as it happens, because the cleaner was due at the new place early this morning! When I got home, I checked, and saw that the new film list was out - so started trawling that, got too tired in the middle, and went to bed. Had to get that done before I blogged, hence the delay.

Today, I finally get my postponed meeting with two of my ex-coworkers (one suddenly can't make it, he's dog-sitting) - and after my glowing reports of Bill's on Clink Street, we're heading there! Optional drinks beforehand, I've suggested The Old Thameside Inn. No word from Ivan yet as to when he wants to meet, I'll have to chase him.

Tomorrow - taking advantage of the bank holiday, I booked something that's been heavily advertised. At £60, it's not cheap, but I really fancied it, so I'm headed to The Gunpowder Plot, an immersive, combined VR and real-life experience at the Tower. You can get a themed lunch with that, but I passed. Earliest date now available is the 8th, at a minimum price of £50 (last few available) - the price increases as you get closer to the date. And ironic how these two events are closer to my old place.. So I'm staying there until after this.

And on Saturday, booked with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts again for A Nosey Around Soho. In association with London Guided Walks as usual, a £3 discount for using the code MEETUP3, which at least covers the booking fee. Looks like Hazel herself is running this one - if so, it'll be the first time I'll have seen her in years. Assuming I'm not a couple of minutes late, and miss her. Well, if I do get to go, I hope she doesn't spam me, like she still is after the last one, with constant ads for her podcast and requests for reviews! Of course, if you go on her site, there seems to be no way to leave a review.. AND I see she advertises these on TAC now, with a £3 cash charge on the day to the guide - still, this would be the cheaper option. (and ACLUB also gets you a £3 discount on the full price..)

Terra Rossa Restaurant

Tonight - Civilised London was off for an Italian meal: Terra Rossa was the venue, and we met beforehand in The Crown. And I was really lucky to get a place - he limits attendees to five, for an intimate gathering, and I only got a place on Monday, after someone dropped out! Well, I hoped I'd be up to it - I got my booster jab earlier in the day.. but it was the same as my first two, and I only got a sore arm on those occasions. And I had the day off, so could rest in the afternoon!

I walked to the vaccination centre, at Guy's Hospital. Three vaccination centres, they have, and it was hard to find my way - although the signposting was decent. When I did get there, I found myself at the end of what turned out to be a 45-minute queue. Just as well the weather was decent. When we got near the top, a fellow appeared with a tablet, and registered us - when we got into the marquee, we spent 20 minutes more sitting in a chair, watching leaves blow around the roof, and waiting to be called. When I was, I ended up with the army.. who were rather surprised when I said I was already double-jabbed! So my details have been updated, and I got my booster. And apart from momentary soreness, that was just fine.

And so, after a short nap, to The Crown, who do a lovely house white. And we chatted merrily - before heading on a tour of the restaurants of Islington (there are quite a few) until we came to ours. Sat near the back, we were well served - and people declared themselves delighted with the starters. Me, I just had bread - I wasn't terribly hungry, and was conscious of filling myself up too much. Main course, we all had something different - me, I had the spaghetti with truffle.. and it was gorgeous, the pasta served with that delicious eggy sauce that I've only really had once before, in a little Italian place beside a previous office of ours. Both now closed, sadly. We were too full for dessert. But it has to be said, this is excellent food.

We had a horrendous delay before the main course - the staff were awfully apologetic, and of course, as we could see, this was due to the large group (of Italians) who'd just come in. The staff just weren't sufficiently resourced for the job (I know the feeling). Hey though, I loved the ice-cold limoncello they gave us to finish.. really nice place, would definitely come here again.

I didn't have time to finish the wine, and although our organiser got me a stopper, I had to dump it - I had nothing to carry it in, wouldn't have been allowed to take it on the bus. What the hey, the night ended with one in The King's Head. And it was good to see people - despite the moratorium on discussing it, we never know when lockdown will happen again..

Tomorrow is the birthday of someone I used to know from Kensington Classical Music Society. Well, she also works for Talent Unlimited, who promote young classical musicians, and there's a concert that day, at St. James' Church Sussex Gardens (tickets through Eventbrite). She got in touch to see whether I'd be interested, so I said I'd go - we're meeting afterwards in the Royal Lancaster Hotel. Then on Friday (assuming my test is negative, they're making us test again), I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Probably a quiet one - theatres are still closed there, and the only things worth making the trip to the cinema for are on in the evening! when I have to watch telly with my mother.

On Monday, my last Meetup of the year.. same group as my last before the major lockdown, which I hope isn't an omen! Mind you, they were called "This and That", then. And practically my first group when I eventually came back! Anyway, Invigorate are off to Dennis Severs' House Museum, which should be lovely, all bedecked for Christmas. I got the last ticket for that time slot! Complete with post-event social, of course.

Now, we had a great old time on Friday - so we're doing it again on Tuesday! Well, some of it.. Ivan and I are meeting up with our old colleague at The Spice of Life, which used to be an office haunt when we were with that company. Except Ivan has been identified as a close contact of an infected person - watch this space.

And next Wednesday, my last social event before Christmas - meeting my ex-boss from my first company in London for our annual hot chocolate and booze. Starting in Caffe Nero, we might well end up in The Hippodrome, as we did before. And why not - we're both on holiday next day, and (again, test permitting) I'm back to Ireland for Christmas that afternoon.. (highly expensive) Aer Lingus again, for the sake of the later flight. Flying back to London on the 3rd. Unless.. I'm not. So I'm taking my laptop to Ireland for Christmas. Just in case.