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..

Restaurant: Le Sacré Coeur

Tonight, back with Civilised London (CL) - back at Le Sacré Coeur, meeting beforehand at The Crown, as usual. I took the bus - unfortunately, one passed just as I was getting there, and I had to watch a whole stream of buses pass before another came for me! For all the remote working that's happening, that bus sure was packed..

I had a bit of walking to do.. haven't seen this before, but obviously the car parking spaces are moved out a bit to accommodate a cycle lane!

Also some support for the Ukraine, en route..

Just as I got to the pub, I intersected with the organiser - and another of the group, whom I hadn't met before, but who had had the rather good idea to occupy the garden. With the local dogs, one of which was rather barky, and eventually banished to their house across the road. Aww.. Anyway, it was a lovely, mild evening, and so good to be sat outside for a change! And we had a really good chat before it was time to leave. And mein host generously provided drinks!

And so to the restaurant, where we met those who didn't come to the pub..

Not, I think, possible to have a bad meal here. Several of us went for the moreish stuffed mushrooms, there were a couple of calamari starters, one soup. I chose the beef bourgignon for my main - it's been so long. Whatever people had, there were no complaints.. but I think the high point seems to have been the garlic potatoes, which our host had ordered as a side, and ended up seeing distributed among several of us who decided they would go wonderfully with whatever we were having.. Dessert for me was ice cream (three scoops!) - the only note of dissent came from the fellow who ordered crepes with chocolate sauce, which they came swimming in. But you know, another excellent meal here - with excellent company. V glad I came along this evening.

Afterwards, most of us repaired for a nightcap to The York, where more chat was had before the night drew to a close. Looking forward to meeting this group again!

Tomorrow, back with TAC for Avocado Presents - Improv, at Etcetera Theatre. Eh, I think it's a jazz concert? 

Failing any information from my new job, have provisionally booked for Friday - Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are off to see Elegant London!

Anyway, then back to Ireland for the weekend again, and on Saturday, now that the listings are finally up, I've booked to go see The Batman at the Omniplex. It's free to book, and handier when you get there. And gee, I've heard great things about this! A very dark take on the story, it seems - has Andy Serkis as Alfred, and Peter Sarsgaard as the DA.

On Monday, going to see Daddy at the Almeida. Having never seen a bad production here, I have high hopes.

On Tuesday, finally going to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella! I hear good things.. it's playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which is new to me - Seatplan was invaluable in choosing the best seating option. What's On Stage provided the cheapest price for that seat, though!

Next Wednesday, back with CL - for a play this time. This is The Fever Syndrome, at Hampstead Theatre.

On the 31st, back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This is at The Courtyard.

On the 1st, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix.

On the 2nd, I had booked with Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts for a Regent's Canal Walk. But yay, Laurence and the 45+s then advertised another walk for that day, which is pretty much guaranteed to be superior. So I've booked it. This is Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture - and of course, it being a London weekend, I can go!

That evening, an ex-colleague of mine is having a leaving do - he's emigrating. Happening at The Woodman, in Highgate. I said I'd put in an appearance.

On the 3rd, the CCC again! Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee are at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life. Unfortunately, the London Landmarks Half Marathon is also that day, so I'll probably be on the Tube, at least getting to the museum. 

On the 4th, I'm back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This is for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood.

On the 5th, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On the 6th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

On the 7th, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 11th, 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 the 12th, 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 the 13th, back with CL, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job (whenever) by asking for that day off work!

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. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop there and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th of next month. And on the 25th of next month, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Restaurant: Le Sacré Coeur & Pub: The Craft Beer Company

Last night, our team social continued, though our team is no more! A large group of employees - past, present, and present but considering their options, but all friends - was headed to the excellent Le Sacré Coeur, which I ate at a while ago. Promised to be be a great night.

Ivan suggested meeting up beforehand for a drink or several, and I duly obliged - we met at the King's Head, just around the corner from the restaurant. He'd never been there before, and I was glad to be able to enlighten him about the pub's other incarnation as a theatre - you really cannot believe the quality of performances in theatre pubs all around London. Anyway, it was great to see him again as we caught up on all that had happened in the 18 days (!) since we'd last seen each other.

When it was time, we headed for the restaurant. Our numbers were somewhat depleted by several last-minute cancellations, but that just made it more manageable, as we occupied a long string of tables, much where I sat the last time. We were the first there, but it wasn't long before we were joined by several.

I went with the same starter as before (stuffed mushrooms), which was gorgeous, again, but more filling than I'd remembered.. I think the bottle of wine I'd just downed in the pub had somewhat dampened my appetite. I managed that, but had unwisely chosen the lamb stew for main. Unfortunately, anything red-meat based tends to be heavy here, and I really wasn't able for it. Still, I left room for that chocolate mousse dessert, which does indeed have a perfect, crumbly texture - and the wine flowed freely. Damn that Ivan though - those who left early paid their share, but when we who stayed later came to leave, we discovered that he'd covered the rest of the bill..!

And so on to a pub - whose name I failed to catch, sorry! And when we were chucked out, we were down to four who weren't ready to call it a night - so I suggested we go to the Hippodrome, that handy all-night venue. Where we snuggled into a cosy corner of the lounge until that closed, some time after 2, then Ivan and I went to the main bar for a bit before we finally folded, too.

I went straight to bed - no blogging - because I had an appointment with an estate agent this afternoon. Fruitless, I might add. This evening, I had booked with my cheap ticket club for Omid Singh, back at 2 Northdown - but then an ex-colleague, also job-hunting, messaged to say he had an interview in the area, and did I want to meet for a drink? Cue a nice evening's chat in the Craft Beer Co, and after he headed home - as I hadn't had time to eat properly - I headed for Nando's. Where I had pretty much the same as always, except for a quarter chicken, because I was entitled to one for free on my Nando's card. And on top of that, they were so frazzled by the time I was ready for dessert - I had to go and order it at the counter myself, unusually - that I got it for free. They usually take payment straight away, but had neither remembered to do that, nor billed me. So, a very good value meal then..

Tomorrow, the Crick Crack Club is back with their Archetype Series - this one is Rebels & Heroes, which should provide plenty of material. Participants this time are Hugh Lupton, Jan Blake, and Nell Phoenix - and the customary newcomer. And as usual, there'll be a Q+A. An excellent night is expected! It's back at Rich Mix. I've invited Ivan, who's a big fan of Jan Blake - hope he decides to come, he'd get a real kick out of it.

On Thursday, were to have yet another set of drinks to celebrate our recent redundancies - one of our number was on holiday for the last lot! So we'd be back at The Draft House. But that isn't happening now - so I'm going back to my original plan, of joining the Spooky London Paranormal Pub Meetup at the Viaduct. Then I'm back to Ireland for the Bank Holiday weekend.

Next Tuesday, I'm treating myself to a trip back to the Globe! It's been so long.. Henry IV, Part I is the occasion. Hope the weather's warmed up a bit, or I might be renting one of their cosy blankets..

The next three days are all with Up in the Cheap Seats. On the 8th, we're at the Royal Opera House for a mixed programme by the Royal Ballet.

On the 9th, we're back to Sadler's Wells for the opening night of Yang Liping's Rite of Spring.

And on the 10th - for something completely different - we're off to the Park Theatre for The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson! Brexit, of course, should feature strongly..

On the 11th, mention was made last night of Ivan playing piano, at some bar or other. So I feel a field trip coming on!

Restaurant: Le Sacré Coeur

Tonight, I was back with Let's Do This (LDT), for another restaurant trial. This time it was French - Le Sacré Coeur - and we were again meeting in The Crown beforehand. These Meetups are proving very handy for my knowledge of London restaurants!

So, as usual, when the time came to leave, I was caught up in doing something. So I left a bit later than ideal - took the Tube, to compensate. So crowded that I had to let two pass, before one came that I could reasonably get onto. Now, the last time I was headed for The Crown, I remember doing the same - and having Google Maps forget my route when I got off, and not being able to find an internet connection..! Fortunately, I had no such problems this time, and it seemed to take so much less time to schlep up the road.

So, we stayed there for one, and chatted convivially. In due course, it was time to head for the restaurant - a charming bistro, where we were shown to a table at the back. And perused a detailed menu:

Lots of starters, lots of mains, lots of changing of minds. For starters, I finally went for the mushrooms stuffed with garlic and topped with cheese. Yum. You could tell straight away that they know their sauces. Others had camembert, escargots, frogs' legs (for the sake of it!).

Main course for a couple of us was beef Bourguignon. Others had steak, or coq au vin, or one of a decent variety of vegetarian dishes. And..? Plates were finished, compliments were uttered, we stuffed ourselves and cleared our plates. Dessert was kind of obligatory, after such a good meal.. I was torn, but went for the lemon sorbet with vodka (Coupe Colonel). Which was excellent. My alternative would have been the chocolate mousse, which a couple of our group had, and which was good enough that they ran their fingers around the bowl so as not to miss any. Such desserts are worth piling on top of an already stuffed stomach. For sheer visual appeal, I'd have to recommend the Café Gourmand that one had, which is a selection of desserts, including an espresso.

Most had a Côte de Rhône to accompany the meal - I was on white. There are two choices for which you can get a carafe, which I did, being the only one - I had the Chardonnay, and perhaps it's all the Virgin wines I've had lately, but I wasn't hugely impressed. However, the complementary digestifs afterwards were most welcome - I had limoncello, for the first time in years. Gorgeous!

Afterwards, in the interest of not walking too far, most of us repaired to The Bull, where our organiser was kind enough to buy a round. And we repaired to the pleasant upstairs level, which we were chucked out of at 11 - we had time to finish drinking downstairs, though.

Back by bus. Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for a long weekend - had holiday days left over from last year that I had to use by the end of this month. Well, that's what the system said..! and who am I to argue? I fly back on Monday night, and on Tuesday, LDT just advertised discount tickets for The Crown Dual, in the King's Head! Well yes please, sign me up! And so now I'm going to that.

Next Wednesday, back with the Crick Crack Club! This is a performance by Jan Blake, at King's Place - and da boss having liked a clip of hers that he saw previously, he's taking the spare ticket I accidentally booked. Should be a good night.

And on the 28th, our team has our monthly social. This time, we're off to Tas.