albascot.net

Edinburgh Fringe 2008: 4-5 August

Posted on August 6th, 2008 by bryan.
Categories: Restaurants, Theatre.

Monday 4 August

After a wander past the performers on the Royal Mile, G and I met with my sister at Bristo Square, the scene for today’s Fringe fun.

‘Caesar Twins‘ (venue: Udderbelly) is a great concept and a total pleasure to the eye - two beautiful, athletic and flexible men performing feats that should not he humanely possible. This is by no means a freak show; more a display of what can be done if you’re committed to achieving physical perfection (but without looking like the Incredible Hulk). Parts of the performance are a bit flowery and dramatic, but that served only to demonstrate the range of the twin’s skills. Definitely a show for the whole family. Rating - ****/5.

‘Craig Hill makes your whole week’ (venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Night Club) was different, but (as always) also attracted a significant gay following. Craig Hill is a master of audience interaction and one-line put-downs, although at times he can cross the border and descend into unnecessary depths of cruelty. For this reason, I always make sure I avoid the first few rows in his performances, which nonetheless are very funny. Go with an open mind and you will enjoy. Rating - ****/5.

Kalpna is an Indian vegetarian restaurant in Edinburgh’s Southside, just round the corner from Bristo Square. I lived in this area as a student for a few years, but I was always put off this restaurant by its dingy appearance and the lack of meat on the menu (I am a confirmed carnivore). However, it has recently been refurbished and, since my sister is a vege, we thought we would take a gamble. Talk about a lucky bet: the thaalis (traidtional set meals) allowed us to try a bit of everything, all of which were at least very good. This is a restaurant I will be visiting again. Rating - ****/5. [Note: my dad hates Kalpna, although he agrees it might have improved since he last visited - 20 years ago!].

Three ****/5 ratings - a good day all round.

Tuesday 5 August

Today was a bit of a non-day, but it was also very relaxing. We watched television, enjoyed fine Scottish cuisine (beans on toast) and then tried (unsuccessfully) to buy my sister an external hard drive.

Dinner was at The Spylaw Tavern, a real ale pub in my home village, Colinton. The menu is traditional, but the quality of the food is always good. My dad and his partner joined us, which added a little insanity to the conversation, but that was no bad thing.

As I said, a quiet but relaxing day.

0 comments.