After some discussion, it seemed she was really leaning toward French (might have something to do with her actually being Belgian!). So, Côte was an obvious choice - although I didn't even think of it, it was one of my colleagues who said yes, someone had recommended a really good French restaurant to him - and that was it. We booked a table in the Covent Garden branch. And although our visitor was delayed in a meeting, we still made it just in time for our booking - only 10 minutes' or so walk from the office, after all!
The joint was buzzing - but I think they could probably have seated us anyway. And my goodness, we fed ourselves, at the company's expense.. three courses for us all, with me having the largest starter of all. The garlic bread is extremely tasty, but it's quite a mouthful. Funnily enough, all the others had steak-frites.. I had chicken, ironically, because I almost always have steak-frites here! Poulet chasseur, I had. And it was delicious - although, just like Monday, the mash that came with it left something (taste, perhaps?) to be desired. Just as well I'd ordered a side of potatoes sautéed with lardons of bacon - part of the specials menu, and delicious, with a really unusual taste.
I insisted on dessert, and went for the chocolate pot - the lads for the chocolate mousse, and our guest (who was paying) just had coffee and a cognac. Très Belge. And proclaimed it much more of a success than L' Étoile, on Monday night. Despite the lighting getting progressively dimmer as the night progressed, till we could hardly see each other! Really though, I always love this place - decent food at decent prices, and friendly staff - seems to be a really convivial atmosphere among them too, which is nice to see!
Afterwards, one of us had to be up early and bailed, and the rest of us headed - on one's suggestion - to Punch and Judy.
Stairs led us up to the main bar - what is it with pubs and stairs..? Anyway, with no tables available when we arrived, we headed out onto the balcony - not a cold night, and we had a nice view of the piazza. After a while, the toilet beckoned - and I had trouble finding the lock, although apparently there is one. Anyway, exiting, I saw a table had freed up, and we came in to that, and had a nice night, strolling home after. Lovely part of town, as our visitor agreed. (Well, I strolled to the office, and a good thing too - someone here doesn't seem to have a key to lock up after himself, and had been holding the cleaner hostage! She was delighted to see me..) Ah, he's just left..
Tomorrow, I'd booked for a Crick Crack Club event - the Grand Annual Lying Contest is at Rich Mix. And wouldn't you know it, I persuaded them all to come with me! Yippee.. we might grab a bite in Brick Lane beforehand. Doing a culinary tour of London, obviously.
On Friday, London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) is off to see The Goat - or Who Is Sylvia? with Damian Lewis, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. I managed to get a cheaper ticket - however, instead we'll be taking out our team member for drinks. And dinner, I suppose!
Never mind - April starts with the Man with the Hat (long time no see!). Both London for Less Than a Tenner and Let's Do London - for less! are off to see the ballet Jewels at the Royal Opera House on Saturday. Really looking forward to the show, and seeing old friends. And what he says is true - it's all the sweeter when it's been a while.
On Sunday, I booked a guided walk through Islington - Between the Wars - with London for a Tenner or Less. Funzing, so I could cancel, provided I did it in time - and then I decided I'd rather go to a film (hence doing the film list!). Top of the list are a couple of documentaries, and the one I'm more interested in is Tickling Giants, about a comedian and chat show host in Cairo who's always sticking two fingers up to the authorities, and getting in trouble for it. (I've been particularly interested in Egypt since I visited, back in 2000.) It's showing, that day only, in the Curzon Bloomsbury - walking distance from me, nice! And today, seeing that it was starting to fill up, I booked, and cancelled Funzing. Again - I have a litany of cancelled Funzing events, these days!
On Monday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club - at Soho Theatre this time, for an evening of Greek mythology entitled Atalanta, brought to us by the able Ben Haggerty. You know, now that I'm a Westminster resident, I have a Westminster card, which - among other things -entitles me to £1 off at this theatre! Pity I didn't yet have it when I booked this..
On Tuesday, Let's Do London - for less! is back at the Opera House, for Madama Butterfly. I'm in the slips, as usual.
Next Wednesday - why, it must be summer! Welcome back, London Literary Walks - good to see you. We're on The Composers' Walk - apparently a repeat. And yay, we're meeting in Caffe Nero - I can have a chocolate Milano.
On the 6th, I'm with the World Music Meetup, for a free concert of Iranian music at the Brunei Gallery. It's been a while for me, with both group and venue.. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again, and a meeting with my birth and adoptive mothers at Greene's on the 8th.
On the 10th, I'm back at the Wanamaker Playhouse - always a favourite - for The White Devil, a Jacobean tale.
On the 11th, I got a cheap ticket to the Caine and Kane comedy show, in Brixton.
On the 12th, I'm with LDAM to see Don Juan in Soho, with David Tennant, in Wyndham's. Just down Charing Cross Road - nice!
Then I'm back to Ireland for Easter - on Good Friday, my (adoptive) mother and I are off to La Bohème, at the University Concert Hall.
On the 18th, back in London, and back with Funzing - London Speaks Sessions, LDN Talks @ Night, and London for a Tenner or Less, for a talk on the Science of Paranormal Activity. Unless I get a better offer, in time - it'd have to be a good one, I'm interested in this!
On the 19th, London Literary Walks is off down Brick Lane - and so am I.
On the 20th, I have my usual placeholder of free comedy in Hammersmith - courtesy of Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Greenwich, and London Live Comedy. Of course - much like Funzing - I usually end up cancelling these, when something better comes up.
Ditto the 21st - or I may go to the cinema that day. As usual, watch this space..!
On the 22nd, I'm off to see the Naked House Cleaner! Venue to be revealed just the day before.. ooh!
On the 23rd, I'm on a walk of Hampstead Village Highlights, with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts. Be good exercise, leading up to my own sponsored walk in September, in aid of Cats Protection.. Helen and I are going as Dick Whittington and his cat. She's the cat.
The 24th, another summery treat! The Man with the Hat is taking both groups to the Globe (ah, it's been too long..). For one night only, the Comedy Store Players will regale us with Shakespeare-inspired improv. As usual, London for Less than a Tenner standing in the yard, Let's Do London - for less! in lower gallery seats. Which is where I go - couldn't take standing for that long.
The 25th, London European Club again - it'll have been a while! They're off to an informal evening of classical music, in Peckham.
The 26th, London Literary Walks is doing the Sloane Ranger.
The 27th, Helen and I are on an Underground treasure hunt, courtesy of Walk, Talks and Treasure Hunts. TFL goodies to be won, it seems.. Then back to Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - which I'd forgotten was a bank holiday, or I'd have stayed over an extra day!
Instead, for 1 May, I've booked The Ferryman, with LDAM, at the Royal Court.
And 2 May, those same three Funzing groups have advertised a talk called Origin of Vampires: Fact or Fiction?
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