Tribute Show: Sinatra & Friends

Last night, the second of two in a row with TAC, I was at at Sinatra & Friends with Gary Williams, a tribute show at the Crypt Cafe at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. St. Martin in the Fields kindly emailed me the ticket yesterday, and explained that the cafe would open an hour before the show, encouraging me to arrive early and avail of food and drink. However, although I have eaten there before and liked it, I hardly thought the kitchen would be open that late for anything substantial. So I decided to eat in the nearby Prezzo - I've never needed to book, so I didn't.

I should have. The place was buzzing. The staff were very friendly, but did warn any of us without bookings that we could have a 15-20 minute wait - I'd managed to come out early, so agreed. In the end, it was 25 minutes - they did thank me for waiting. Anyway, they don't really seem to do starters here any more - so I had a main, with garlic bread on the side. They do great garlic bread. For main, I didn't fancy pasta - I had the saltimbocca chicken instead. Honestly, it was ok, but I wasn't mad about it - should have had the carbonara, which is excellent. As was the wine. I even had time for dessert - except they didn't have the moreish gianduiotta bar I wanted, with chocolate, hazelnut, and salted caramel.. they were sold out. He did his best to tempt me - offered me chocolate ice cream, said he'd even add salted caramel! Nope, not the same - I headed to the church a little early.

Handily, they were letting people in early. And wow, this is a great venue in the evening - blue mood lighting, candles on the tables - unfortunately, as you can see if you look closely, the whopping great pillar beside me blocked much of my view of the stage. I couldn't see the singer at all. But as I explained to a friendly lady at my table, if I were a fan of the singer, that would be a problem for me - I wasn't, so it wasn't so bad. And I could hear the music fine. Still, it was mildly annoying. But I was right beside the toilet, conveniently.

As to the food, you could order pizza - presumably from somewhere nearby, which would deliver. Or "light bites", such as a charcuterie board - I was wise to eat beforehand. You order from the bar, food is delivered to your table. They have four white wines - one is a Sauvignon Blanc, but French.. I passed. Started with the Chenin Blanc from South Africa - unfortunately, that was a bit sour to my taste; I then moved to the Australian Chardonnay, which was much more palatable.

The music was fantastic - he is a terrific singer, and I recognised most of the set: which, of course, finished with My Way. For the second half, he took requests - and plenty of audience members were celebrating something, and happy to fill out requests. All the music was of roughly that era - the 60s - and that style, but as we agreed at the table, not all probably Sinatra himself. Well, it does say "& Friends"..

Overall, a terrific night - highly recommend this venue as a nightspot: it's not too expensive, it's convenient, and very atmospheric! I'm at the office today, so couldn't blog last night, had to be up early.

Next, two Meetup socials in a row. Tonight, I'm headed to The Hideout's "Summer Social Part II" - in conjunction with another of their groups, which used to be called The London Movie Club, and is now known as Movie Roadhouse London. It's in the BFI Riverfront Bar - there was a little confusion as to whether it's upstairs, as usual, or downstairs.. the description said both.. but now it's confirmed to be downstairs. Ouch, noisier.. I'll eat in Black & Blue beforehand. Actually would have eaten in Cote Covent Garden, but they seem to be closed till next month..!

Tomorrow, I'm back with the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners - first time in an age! Not a walk this time though - no, this is a pre-trip social for those who've signed up for the trip to Bucharest and Transylvania in October! Yes, I finally got around to booking it - it's at the beginning of October, I suppose to avoid the Hallowe'en crowds. The social is on the Tattershall Castle - long time since I was there. I've put in the holiday request at work, still waiting for approval - perhaps they're waiting for my probation review, which happens in the meantime..

Saturday and Sunday, I've planned film, but not booked - so my plans are subject to change: Blink Twice is coming out, and just rated - but not highly enough to interest me yet. On Saturday, the plan is to go to Alien: Romulus at last - showing in my closest, the Curzon Aldgate. There are three different showings that day, so I'll wait and see what suits!

On Sunday, I'm delighted to see that I finally get a chance to see Crossing! I saw the trailer for this ages ago and it looks fascinating - it was just never on at a time that suited. Well, on Sunday, it's showing at the ICA - Lordy, haven't been there in a while! Doesn't seem possiblt to book, there.

Monday is also film - back with The Hideout, who are off to see the extended cut of The Shining, in the BFI! Ah yes - sounds better than anything else I might have gone to that day, and anyway, it'll be lovely to be back with them again. I'll eat in Black & Blue again beforehand - don't much like the limited fare in the BFI. And as all that's happening a bit early, it's just as well it's a bank holiday!

On Tuesday, I'm off to see MJ The Musical! Well now, that should be an enjoyable nostalgia-fest.. I tell you though, I had terrible trouble with the official website! It was inconsistent in showing available seats, I tried several times to book but it didn't go through - I ended up having to pay a couple of quid more to book with TodayTix!

Then, two more Meetups in a row. On Wednesday, I'm back with London Literary Walks for a walk entitled Van Gogh, Harold Pinter, EM Forster. We're meeting in The Old Pack Horse. Now, they seem to have a Thai restaurant - but when I looked before, I couldn't see how to book! I've since managed it..

Next Thursday, back with The Hideout! Goodness, they are providing lots of fun these days - they're off to the American Horror Film Festival, which turns out to be an evening of short horror films. I love short horror films! so even though, predictably, I'm not familiar with any of them - well, I just can't resist. This is in the Close-Up Cinema - pity it's so close to home for me, as I'll be in the office that day! It's just off Brick Lane, so I've booked Cinnamon - another place I haven't been in ages! Must remember they're now BYOB.. And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.