Restaurant: China-Ki & Film: The Gift

I'm in Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - and again, no films to speak of that I can watch while I'm here. Just as well really, as my mother has just gone into hospital - think I'll be a bit busy. After today's visit - and with nobody but the cat waiting for me at home - I decided, for the first time, in a long time (in Ireland), to eat out. The last restaurant on my route back is China-Ki - and when I was passing, at 3.45pm, the OPEN sign was lit. However.. the door was locked! I checked online, and apparently they open at 4. I decided to try elsewhere - there's another Chinese in Corbally, whose signage says it's the Lotus, but which is listed on Google Maps as Golden State (the website continues the dual identity, with a URL that references the Lotus, but a title referring to the Golden State).. I headed up there, and wouldn't you know, they only open at 4 too! Checking the time, I realised that China-Ki would be open by the time I got back there. So, back I went.. and after listening to the news on the radio, sure enough, the door was open..

Ah, it's over three years since I was last here.. it wasn't at all busy, and he told me I could sit wherever I liked. 

Set menu, a la carte, wine list. The wine list only mentions bottles, but they do quarter-bottles too - I don't think you have a choice in those, apart from colour. Everything I wanted was on the set menu - (meat) spring rolls, ice cream for dessert - and ooh, they have General Tso's Chicken! So long since I saw that.. basically my favourite Chinese dish, sweet and spicy. Naturally, I had that.

Happily, they also provide free prawn crackers, which I love. The spring rolls were good, if a little greasy, the main course very moreish. And the ice cream was nice and firm, not melted - sadly, that had happened the last time I had it! A very nice meal, with attentive service - happy to visit again, after so long!

Plenty of films on TV tonight, most of which I'd seen - I thought The Gift sounded intriguing, with Cate Blanchett as a clairvoyant, recruited to solve the murder of a woman (Katie Holmes) in a small town. Greg Kinnear is her fiance, Keanu Reeves the local bully. Gary Cole is the prosecutor, J. K. Simmons (who, honestly, reminds me so much of one of my flatmates) is the sheriff. Directed by Sam Raimi, co-written by Billy Bob Thornton..

It starts quite well - Cate Blanchett is excellent, as ever (and by 'eck, she looks young - but this was made 25 years ago), and the signs and portents she sees are kinda scary. But, you know, once the body's been found and the court case gets underway, well, it just gets very pedestrian. And frankly, the ending is a bit silly. Has its moments, but ultimately unsatisfying - I wouldn't recommend it. 

On Tuesday, back - after too long - with North London Friends! We're headed to House of Games, in Hampstead Theatre. And what a tragedy it is that Ye Olde Swiss Cottage seems to have closed..! It was my go-to, there, and they served excellent food..

On Wednesday, back with London Literary Walks for the 101 Dalmatians walk! We're meeting in The Globe - I've booked to eat there beforehand. 

On Thursday.. flamenco!! Which I love. Found a group, Flamenco Events in London, and have requested to join - no word yet, and there probably isn't going to be! Anyway, have booked for this concert in St. John's Church Hoxton. Tickets from Eventbrite - free after-show party, but I'm passing- have work next day, of course. Have booked with Schnitzel Heaven for beforehand. 

On Friday, back at Sadler's Wells with Up in the Cheap Seats again, for Oona Doherty-Specky Clark. Which sounds.. curious, being an interpretation in dance of a family history involving a family of butchers and, on the other side, working in an abattoir.. Anyway, eating at The Wilmington again.

Next Saturday, I was to be back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies.. this time, for The Wallace Collection. But sadly, he's now postponed it till next month. Never mind, it isn't a complete loss - Helen is coming to town! We have a rough plan to have lunch at The Archduke, then follow our noses for the afternoon..

I was leaving the 11th free in case my ex-colleagues could come to a consensus to meet that day! But as it happens, Ivan can't make it that day, and with the sudden news of a cousin visiting, James isn't sure what he's doing for the whole month. So, for that day, I spotted an event from London Museums A-Z: for Gen Xers and Millennials (LoMAZ). I never heard of them before, but they're already up to T - for Tutenkhamun: The Immersive Exhibition, which apparently uses VR to put you right back in Ancient Egypt. Booked through an outlet called Fever, which I'd never heard of - also available on Eventim. Sounds interesting - and I do love VR. No problem in joining straight away, either..

And on the 12th, heading with my companion from the Swiss trip to a classical concert in St. John's Waterloo - booked with Eventbrite. We're eating at The Archduke beforehand.