I am starting to suffer less with the effects of S.A.D. now the clocks have gone forward and we have enjoyed the first freakishly hot day of the year. The one day where everyone goes out in a t-shirt, then about 4 o'clock wishes they had bought a coat as its now freezing.
I recently had afternoon tea at the National Dining Rooms, great location overlooking Trafalgar Square and nice tea & cakes as well.
I have also recently eaten at Bob Bob Rickard's in Soho. I had read mixed reviews, a particularly virulent one from AA Gill, but as he had given Polpo 5 out of 5 before Christmas and I really thought that just ok, I thought we'd at least try it. Unfortunately, he was half right, the decor and ambiance of the place is pretty impressive and the drinks menu is good. My companion had a rhubarb gin and tonic which was superb. However, the food in my opinion was just ok - and when you compare it to the similarly priced Wolseley, well you just can't compare it actually, it falls well short.
Later that afternoon I went to the Lowlander on Drury Lane, fantastic selection of Belgian & Dutch beers, including about 10 on tap from what I could see. They also had a couple of bottles of Verboden Vrucht my favourite Belgian beer. That said, I think the bar staff could have been a bit friendlier.
I have recently frequented the The Clifton in Maida Vale, the Audley in Mayfair and the Star & Garter in Soho, always good to have a list of suitable boozers in your moleskine.
I also enjoyed a dinner at Fakhreldine in Piccadilly. I've been going past it on the bus for years and always thought it was an Arabian disco, it is in fact a Lebanese restaurant and delicious it is too. Although, from what I could make out, all the main courses were the same, minced lamb in various shapes and orientations, with/without skewers in flat breads.
