(no subject)
OK, despite a bit of nonsense, the weekend has in fact gone pretty well. My laptop has been acting rather oddly since I got it back, which does dampen my enthusiasm for Apple's otherwise excellent customer care somewhat. It especially seems to like switching itself off when it should just be on sleep. Naughty.
Despite being very cold with me out in it for many hours, Friday was a fairly good day and more productive than I expected, while also not leaving me quite as shattered as I feared. The evening was Part 1 of the Callooh Callay Saga (I will probably review the visit itself separately);
tajasel had won a key to their Special Bar by virtue of her dedication to the art of mixology, and wanted to take us out to try the special non-menu where you get a cocktail designed for you after you fill out a questionnaire. Yeah, I know, 'Nathan Barley' already did that half a decade ago, but that's prestige bars for you. Only not, because some large-scale confusion had occurred with the way the booking system for the Special Bar was supposed to work, so we got a surprisingly rude refusal and a suggestion to re-book for the following night. Having already had mint tea and cheese platters in the ever-lovely Saf with blahflowers, we retired to The Diner with hazyjayne, braisedbywolves & pippaalice and actually had a supremely pleasant time. There were far more veggie options than expected (I had completely dairy-free, tho obv not vegan, Huevos Rancheros with deliciously hot guacamole and nommy refried beans) and they had Goose Island Orange Cream Soda. Oh, and like everywhere in the whole of Shoreditch, they do cocktails too. I didn't have one but they were apparently quite passable. A brilliant idea by braisedbywolves generated entirely from pragmatism, physical need and proximity. Knowing they have delicious soda, I will probably eat there again when in the area. Good stuff.
Saturday was Dragonmeet Day, which me made our way to much more efficiently than last year and we managed to leave the place with a bit of cash spare, so go us. Saw various people there including commlal and cartimandua, who gave me a beautiful birthday/xmas gift collection of a gorgeously sparkly amethyst bracelet and a book, 'The Practical Princess', which I look forward to reading. For those who don't know yet, Looney Labs have reworked the 'Chrononauts' mechanic to produce the Back To The Future card game; this actually works extremely well and is a lot of fun to play. I may have to order it; it would definitely be an excellent thing to play down the pub. We did some of that, then did more pootling, and ogling of rare CoC merchandise. Running some Call of Cthulhu games will definitely happen in 2011 unless utter disaster strikes. There is also a 2-player card game, which I'm looking forward to trying out at some point, and I found a Richard III board game which immediately put me in mind of the_alchemist. Sadly, the day had some downsides as it resulted in the loss of my much-beloved skull earmuffs. Do you know how hard it is to find earmuffs with skulls on?? Still, A. acquired a furry earflap hat, so it's not all bad. Plus, we got amazingly delicious breads from Whole Foods (the walnut and the cranberry pecan sourdough, which I've been nibbling all morning). Add some Starbucks soy hot chocolate with extra cinnamon, and the weather wasn't quite so forbidding.
On the train east, I saw a group of friends heading to Reclaim The Night, one of whom had customised her clown cardigan for feminist purposes! This was great, and I may post a picture later if I get round to it. She also had a home-made placard. Ladyfest craft workshops can feel rightly proud.
The second part of the Callooh Callay saga resulted in yet more misunderstandings arising over the booking which had been made, and being once again unable to access the Special Bar of magic and exclusivity. It was becoming reminiscent of the opening of 'The Last Days Of Disco', and the desperate attempts to get past the doorstaff and onto the hallowed ground of the club. We ended up with a downstairs table, which was far too loud, some good cocktails and some nice and well-priced bar food. We also got more unintentional catastrophe in the form of a well-meaning attempt to make stuff up to us with free food, which I only discovered to be chicken wings after it'd gone in my mouth. I do not like the feeling of my teeth scraping on bone, unless the bones in question are THE SPINES OF MY ENEMIES. An unfortunate bit of fail, although to give the other staff (not the very peremptory maitre d') their due, they were all extremely helpful, conciliatory, apologetic and thoughtful. I'm not sure if I'd make the effort to go back there myself, but I'll wait and see; they're good, but not so great I can't get better cocktails just round the corner already! On this note, I decided I deserved more Saf, having eaten so little there the previous night. They have a new main meal, the Pizza Trio, and OMGEEEE, THE PARMESAN!!! This stuff is like pennies from heaven. I need more. The Moonie Pie was also frankly delicious, and surprisingly seasonal for an ice cream dessert. Pumpkin cheesecake wasn't too bad, but did seem a little too cold for preference. The cocktails were, as ever, superlative, and the service charming. I stole a lot of the lovely Chocolate Fondue too.
Missed last Overground but got back fine from London Bridge, despite having to direct a lot of pedestrians around. Slept OK.
Today is Food & Essay Day! Eek!
This entry was originally posted at http://nanaya.dreamwidth.org/356169.html. Please comment there using OpenID.
Despite being very cold with me out in it for many hours, Friday was a fairly good day and more productive than I expected, while also not leaving me quite as shattered as I feared. The evening was Part 1 of the Callooh Callay Saga (I will probably review the visit itself separately);
tajasel had won a key to their Special Bar by virtue of her dedication to the art of mixology, and wanted to take us out to try the special non-menu where you get a cocktail designed for you after you fill out a questionnaire. Yeah, I know, 'Nathan Barley' already did that half a decade ago, but that's prestige bars for you. Only not, because some large-scale confusion had occurred with the way the booking system for the Special Bar was supposed to work, so we got a surprisingly rude refusal and a suggestion to re-book for the following night. Having already had mint tea and cheese platters in the ever-lovely Saf with blahflowers, we retired to The Diner with hazyjayne, braisedbywolves & pippaalice and actually had a supremely pleasant time. There were far more veggie options than expected (I had completely dairy-free, tho obv not vegan, Huevos Rancheros with deliciously hot guacamole and nommy refried beans) and they had Goose Island Orange Cream Soda. Oh, and like everywhere in the whole of Shoreditch, they do cocktails too. I didn't have one but they were apparently quite passable. A brilliant idea by braisedbywolves generated entirely from pragmatism, physical need and proximity. Knowing they have delicious soda, I will probably eat there again when in the area. Good stuff.
Saturday was Dragonmeet Day, which me made our way to much more efficiently than last year and we managed to leave the place with a bit of cash spare, so go us. Saw various people there including commlal and cartimandua, who gave me a beautiful birthday/xmas gift collection of a gorgeously sparkly amethyst bracelet and a book, 'The Practical Princess', which I look forward to reading. For those who don't know yet, Looney Labs have reworked the 'Chrononauts' mechanic to produce the Back To The Future card game; this actually works extremely well and is a lot of fun to play. I may have to order it; it would definitely be an excellent thing to play down the pub. We did some of that, then did more pootling, and ogling of rare CoC merchandise. Running some Call of Cthulhu games will definitely happen in 2011 unless utter disaster strikes. There is also a 2-player card game, which I'm looking forward to trying out at some point, and I found a Richard III board game which immediately put me in mind of the_alchemist. Sadly, the day had some downsides as it resulted in the loss of my much-beloved skull earmuffs. Do you know how hard it is to find earmuffs with skulls on?? Still, A. acquired a furry earflap hat, so it's not all bad. Plus, we got amazingly delicious breads from Whole Foods (the walnut and the cranberry pecan sourdough, which I've been nibbling all morning). Add some Starbucks soy hot chocolate with extra cinnamon, and the weather wasn't quite so forbidding.
On the train east, I saw a group of friends heading to Reclaim The Night, one of whom had customised her clown cardigan for feminist purposes! This was great, and I may post a picture later if I get round to it. She also had a home-made placard. Ladyfest craft workshops can feel rightly proud.
The second part of the Callooh Callay saga resulted in yet more misunderstandings arising over the booking which had been made, and being once again unable to access the Special Bar of magic and exclusivity. It was becoming reminiscent of the opening of 'The Last Days Of Disco', and the desperate attempts to get past the doorstaff and onto the hallowed ground of the club. We ended up with a downstairs table, which was far too loud, some good cocktails and some nice and well-priced bar food. We also got more unintentional catastrophe in the form of a well-meaning attempt to make stuff up to us with free food, which I only discovered to be chicken wings after it'd gone in my mouth. I do not like the feeling of my teeth scraping on bone, unless the bones in question are THE SPINES OF MY ENEMIES. An unfortunate bit of fail, although to give the other staff (not the very peremptory maitre d') their due, they were all extremely helpful, conciliatory, apologetic and thoughtful. I'm not sure if I'd make the effort to go back there myself, but I'll wait and see; they're good, but not so great I can't get better cocktails just round the corner already! On this note, I decided I deserved more Saf, having eaten so little there the previous night. They have a new main meal, the Pizza Trio, and OMGEEEE, THE PARMESAN!!! This stuff is like pennies from heaven. I need more. The Moonie Pie was also frankly delicious, and surprisingly seasonal for an ice cream dessert. Pumpkin cheesecake wasn't too bad, but did seem a little too cold for preference. The cocktails were, as ever, superlative, and the service charming. I stole a lot of the lovely Chocolate Fondue too.
Missed last Overground but got back fine from London Bridge, despite having to direct a lot of pedestrians around. Slept OK.
Today is Food & Essay Day! Eek!
This entry was originally posted at http://nanaya.dreamwidth.org/356169.html. Please comment there using OpenID.