Jazz Night at Americana

Tonight, the second of two music events in a row - I was at another Jazz Night at Americana. Courtesy of CT. And in the company of my sometime companion from Up in the Cheap Seats.

I worked late - I could certainly do with the extra time, especially after a software glitch rendered me unable to work for most of the day. I had to change buses - my first bus decided to finish early, but happily, at exactly the stop I wanted! Unfortunately, I waited forever for the second.. its predicted arrival time was confirmed on the display at the stop, but when it finally got to "due".. and we all leant forward a bit in anticipation, despite the biting wind.. I swear, it was another seven minutes before the thing finally appeared. Easy to see that is the terminus.. Anyway, having aimed to get there for 7, I made it at about 20 past. Just as well, despite the show being advertised as starting at 7.30, it wasn't officially slated to start until 8.30 - and we were told the music would probably get underway around 9! So, no rush then! Still, I could have done without being stuck behind a group of large people as I tried to squeeze through the door..

It's a while since I was last here, and they seem to have fiddled with the menu! Good to see wine on the "special" menu now - but I am nostalgic for the cocktails. The wine was decent, but the free glass is only 125ml. Remembering the soup to be excellent, I had that - and the chicken. Well now, I don't know what they've done to the soup, but it was really bland - and I couldn't finish the chicken, which was way too spicy. If I'm back, I don't know what I'll have for starter - but I might have steak frites for main, which I don't remember seeing on the menu before. My companion had gumbo to start - again, far too spicy for her. She mentioned it to the waiter, who instructed the kitchen to leave out the chilis from the sauce for her main course, of lamb - which did look good.

Meantime, the music started up - much later than last time, at about 8.30.

A singer and a guitarist. And they were very good - which was a shame, as hardly anyone was listening to them. Honestly, for the first part of their set, we were the only ones applauding! They played for maybe an hour, then went off for maybe half an hour. We went to the toilet (Guys and Dolls) - which was when I discovered there's a rear bar! which I see is open till 1am. Good to know.

When we came back, our desserts were ready - we both had the "Mississippi Mudslide" (or whatever it's called) ice cream sundae - and I loved it! Really chocolatey, with moreish, crunchy little pieces of fudge. Highly recommended. Meantime, the band played for another half hour, took another break, which they mentioned would be half an hour.. at that stage, we were finished, and ready to leave, so decided that was a good idea. By this time, they'd darkened the lights so much we could hardly see, we'd had enough of both food and music, and my companion had a train to catch. But hey, a good evening!

Tomorrow, storyteller Nell Phoenix - who has a newsletter I've signed up to - has just advertised a night of storytelling at Torriano Avenue! Right, that's me sorted..

On Thursday, I'm headed with London Social Detours to a talk on "Painting the Christmas Story" - a history of paintings of the nativity - at the Wallace Collection. Social afterwards, of course. Daytime, yes - but I start my Christmas holidays that day, whee! And Ivan is planning to meet me afterwards, as he could only stay for a little on the 30th, and didn't get much of a chat with me.

On Friday.. well now, I could hardly skip Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies' annual Dickens in the City, could I? No, and I'm not..

On Saturday - the Christmas social with Ivan, James, and Martin, who couldn't make it on the 30th! Unfortunately, The Approach Tavern can't accommodate us indoors in the evening, so I've now booked The Bethnal Green Tavern.. who can only guarantee our table until 8pm. Best I seem to be able to do, though..

On Sunday, I'm back to Ireland for Christmas - and yay, there's a film on I can see! Queer, with Daniel Craig, also featuring Jason Schwartzman, and directed by Luca Guadagnino, is showing in the Omniplex - I've booked to see it on Monday. Based on the novella by William S. Burroughs, it looks really interesting.

I'll be returning to London on the 5th. Have a very merry one!