Restaurant: Le Sacré Coeur

Last night, back with Civilised London for dinner at Le Sacré Coeur. Always good. It had lashed rain earlier - and was still raining a bit when I was getting ready to go out. So I decided that, if it was raining when I left, I'd get a bus - it's far enough, and something of a trek, that I didn't fancy doing it in the rain. As it happened though, it had stopped completely by that time - so I walked. Remembered most of the route, I've trodden it so often!

As usual, we were meeting beforehand at The Crown - also a good place to eat in itself, friendly staff, good food, good wine. I was the first of us there - had a trip to the loo first, but actually had to ask where it is! The doors were in darness, you see, and I'd never been to the loo here before. They're in a corner to the left of the kitchen, FYI. Then I got a drink - mind you, I think I had the house wine before; this time, I ordered sauvignon blanc specifically, and I'm not quite sure I liked it as much. But it was fine. The place was unexpectedly busy - most of the tables are reserved for dining, but a helpful staff member said we could use the end of one. After all, we'd be gone in an hour!

So, the others weren't far behind, and we sat and talked and drank before heading to the restaurant. Where we got the table at the back again - I'm almost always there! I had forgotten they had carafes of wine - lovely, perfect size for me for dinner. Chose the Chilean sauvignon blanc, and turned to the food. I remembered the mushroom starter being good, so decided on that - and I fancied steak. They have a choice of rib eye or lamb.. now, after my last time with rib eye, I'm never having that again! Lamb it was.

The mushrooms were fine - although I thought the sauce was more liquid, before. The steak was good.. but the sauce it was in was pure heaven! Oh lordy. I was exceedingly well fed. As someone else was having a drink after dinner, and I saw Muscat de Beaumes de Venise - always a favourite of mine - on the menu, I had a small glass of that, having finished my carafe. And yes, it was as good as I remembered.

Back to the pub for a nightcap - where a live singer was performing American Pie. Yes, all in all, a very good night! Roll on the next - I was too tired to blog last night, though.

Tonight, back to Ireland again. Film for tomorrow is looking like The Banshees of Inisherin! Another written and directed by Martin McDonagh, starring Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell as lifelong friends who live together on a remote island off the West coast of Ireland: except Brendan is finally sick of Colin. Also starring both Jon Kenny and Pat Shortt (past constituent members of d' Unbelievables), as well as Barry Keoghan, this is looking like comedy gold!

Monday is my mother's birthday, so I'm staying in Ireland for that - looking at films for Sunday, I think I can get away with seeing Emily - a film that imagines Emily Brontë as a rebellious lass. I'll be interested in this - Wuthering Heights has always been one of my favourites, and the trailer looks good. It's on a bit late, but I should be ok. Stars Adrian Dunbar as her father. Both films showing in Ennis.

I don't think I'll manage a film on Monday - if I can, all that's on in the afternoon is Halloween Ends. Looks like a real reprise of the original, with the "final" confrontation between Jamie Lee Curtis and her maniacal brother. Anway, flying back on Tuesday. I've already cleared it with work.

On Wednesday, I've booked with Up in the Cheap Seats again - for Mary, at Hampstead Theatre again. Political machinations in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots. Funny thing - there were two seats in the main seating section at the cheapest price, but the site objected to me just booking one of them. No problem booking an equivalent seat in a higher price bracket, though! So I booked one of the high seats, at the back, instead. At the lower price.

I hadn't anything booked for Thursday - was thinking film - and then Ticket Text (one of hundreds of ticket organisations I seem to have signed up for) sent me an advertising email. So, it seems that night the comedy venue, 21Soho, is holding an event of Comedians Telling Spooky Stories. Which sounds the business, for the week that's in it. So I booked. Hallowe'en fancy dress, apparently - well, I'll have a think. I do have some duds that might do.. 😜

Next Friday, I've kept free for an all-night drinking session with Ivan. Man, I've missed these! In vino veritas, as they say, and these are wonderful chances to get stuff off your chest. He fancied doing it earlier, but I didn't want to have to take time off work - this was the first overnighter I could fit in. And with him taking ill, it seems it was just as well! I hope he can make this one.

Which should make the 29th interesting - I'm on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! Might not actually get to bed in between.. this one is the Edgy London Walking Tour, and is one of his new ones.

And yes, I have something to do that evening! (This month is far too busy.) I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for the Game of Candles - their Hallowe'en offering, where they extinguish a candle for every spooky story told. Tim Ralphs and Sarah-Liisa Wilkinson - in King's Place, lovely! I can walk (or stagger) home..