Category: Food & Drink

Restaurants and a Requiem

Oh dear, I’ve gone into reverse. Today’s post is about Saturday evening. Over many years I have had memorable meals in some pretty swanky restaurants, often paid for by a special friend.

Planning Application

There was a rumour that the empty retail space at Barons Court station would be taken by Tesco for a mini-store. If so they have been beaten to the draw by Aussie baristas, The Roasting Party.

Food for Thought

FTSE is down 1.6% this morning and holding above 7,000 – so far. A good moment to see how defensive my portfolio is.

Cod & Prawns

“Beautifully simple recipe: cod & prawns with fennel & white wine. (Prepare 5 minutes, Cook 25 minutes.)” I was enchanted by this tempting supper on a Waitrose shelf.

Rokeby’s Half Crown

Rokeby Hall is a fine Georgian house in Co Louth not far from Grangebellew. It was built for Richard Robinson, 1st Baron Rokeby and Archbishop of Armagh. My brother, also a Baron, is at present only a Diocesan Reader in Armagh but I have hopes that he may follow in Lord Rokeby’s ecclesiastical footsteps.

Among the Chickens

It’s a fine thing to keep free range hens if they can be kept out of the flower beds and safe from foxes. They make soothing clucking noises, lay eggs and look decorative.

Gaucho

Investec winces at being called a stock broker, it prefers to be known as a wealth manager – how common. It is perhaps not surprising that this financial services behemoth sponsors sporting events including the Epsom Derby.

Quarkini

Forgive me, for I have sinned; sins of omission are my special weakness. Earlier this summer I moaned about the bus replacement service after Ariadne auf Naxos at Longborough. You were entitled to think that I was on that bus when the reality is that I went back with my host in an ultra-comfy BMW.

Prom Virgins

I was a little surprised that neither of my guests on Thursday evening had been to the Proms before, especially as one is a little older than me, but they do live in Ireland.

Ham-Class

Ninety-three Ham-class minesweepers were launched between 1954 and 1959 and they cost a bob or two.