Lunch on 29 July was from Café Shelley’s on Dean Street West http://www.shelleys-cafe.com/. It was a small busy, independent looking, café which specialises in making things before your eyes. From the board it wasn’t totally clear what I'd get when I asked for a chorizo special (£4.50). It turned out to be a toasted ciabatta with thin slices of chorizo, basil, tomato and mozzarella: all very delicious and there was free chunks of pineapple and water melon while you wait.
On my way back to the office I happened to peer into Sunset Strip. I’m glad I made a decision not to include it on my list as, peering into the darkened room, I could just make out bikini clad girls sat up at the bar. If it’s like that at lunchtime, I’d hate to imagine what it would be like in the evening!
The evening out was with A. Guest. We started the night in LVPO, Dean Street East http://www.lvpo.co.uk/ tempted by happy hour offers of £10 off a bottle of champagne and wine from £7.50. Unfortunately most of the huge extensive bar at the back was closed due to a private function (although no one arrived before we left at 6.45). However it was beautifully decorated with lots of shiny purple and silver helium balloons. We were therefore restricted to the small bar at the front (where a table was reserved as well).
We decided that champagne cocktails were appropriate (£4.50) and tried a traditional cocktail with Courvoisier, Sugar Cube soaked in bitters and Pommery Champagne and a French 75 which was Gordon's, Citrus Juice and Pommery Champagne. Beware, depending on what else is happening it could be a good or bad choice.
Whilst walking up Dean Street, we both peered in to Sunset Strip and we managed to spot a girl in a white bikini who also appeared to be wearing black stockings and suspenders!
Rather than a big meal we do like to graze when we’re out together and so ventured into Kaslik (Greek Street West), http://www.kasliksoho.com/ which we tried a number of years ago when we just wanted a quick drink. This is a small Lebanese restaurant with benches and comfy cushions around the outside and low highly polished brass tables. We had a bottle of Lebanese wine Ksara Blanc De L’Observatoire which was fine for £14.75. Unfortunately they didn’t have the Ksara Sunset Rose which I became very fond of when I was in Beirut earlier in the year.
We chose tabbouleh, hummus, grilled haloumi and kibbeh (minced lamb balls) and with bread, it was just the right amount! And the bill came to a reasonable £35.
We finished off the night drinking champagne with RM, but not in Soho. Needless to say A. Guest missed a couple of trains home!
What did you do to your Guest? She did not appear to be the woman I married when I picked her up from the station-in-the-sticks. I considered sending her back to "That London" but she was in such a good mood.....
ReplyDeleteR
Dear R,
ReplyDeleteWe left her sober - what she got up to going through Turkey Street is nothing to do with us!
HJ and RM
PS: you are a truly understanding and remarkable husband!