Restaurant: Cote Covent Garden

Today, I was thinking film.. always the reason for a delay in previewing upcoming events, I have to wait for the listings. Anyway, I booked to see a film with the London Movie Club for once - we were headed to Trust Fall, a documentary about Julian Assange, as well as wider issues around freedom of information! First time I'd have actually gone to a film with them - it was at The Garden Cinema, and a bit early - I'd have to leg it from work.

Predictably, work ran on - it would have to be today that it got really busy - and I was just that bit late. For a regular cinema, it wouldn't have mattered, but this one specifically warned that it doesn't show ads! It was a close-run thing.. I went so far as to get the bus in, and there were only minutes in it, but I was definitely going to be late, by several minutes, and my seat was right in the middle of a row. Nope, sod it, I messaged the group to say I couldn't make it - one person was kind enough to say that was a shame. I was hungry, so I took myself for food..

Really, there was only one place on my mind - Cote Covent Garden was just up the road. So, with no reservation, I bravely schlepped up there - and wouldn't you know it, she checked the reservations. I was watching, and saw her locate someone who was 25 minutes late for his booking - I got his table. And wow, was I lucky.. a couple of ladies right behind me said they were on the same mission, and were told I had the last table! They even said they'd wait, but were told the place was booked for the entire evening. So, you know, every cloud..

I had my usual baguette and steak frites, with madeleines for dessert.. there's a reason I always do! And yes, treated myself to the dessert wine again.. and on the way home, picked up my new U2 book, then spent most of the evening reading it. So yes, not a bad evening, all in all..

Tomorrow, my monthly catchup with ex-colleagues - this time, only James can make it, what with Ivan rehearsing and Martin at the theatre. Anyway, we're off to Brasserie Zedel, which I had such a great impression of before! Lunch, and then I'd like to check out the bar..

Sunday is, of course, Patrick's Day - and Buddies on a Budget is off to the parade! And so am I. And afterwards, I'm off to Seven Drunken Nights at the Dominion Theatre - well now, I could hardly resist! The title comes from the famous song by The Dubliners.

Now, I was going to go to a film on Monday as well.. and Up in the Cheap Seats are off to Just For One Day at the Old Vic, the following day! The musical about Live Aid, dontcha know.. Ooh, sez I.. I couldn't resist this, if only to see someone portray Bono! Wonder how many more I'll recognise.. I booked through Seatplan.  Anyway, I was rather frazzled when I was booking this, on Monday night, having just flown back to London - my mother's landline was down, and of course it was up to me to do what I could to fix it. (It eventually fixed itself by means of her dropping the handset on the floor.. works fine again now..) Well, wouldn't you know it, I accidentally booked the show for Monday instead of Tuesday. Darnit! They won't let me change it - ah well.

So now I'm going to a film on Tuesday instead - and that would be Article 370, a Hindi film about a young woman in the police or something. And I have to go all the way to Cineworld Wembley to see it..

On Wednesday, back at last with London Classical Music and Theatre Group! We're off to the Opera House for a ballet..

And on Thursday, I'm back with London Social Detours at last.. she usually runs daytime events that I can't make. Anyway, we're off to a free concert by the Guildhall School Big Band, at the Barbican.. And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again!