Happy New Year!

Posted on January 8th, 2009 by bryan.
Categories: General, Holidays, Restaurants, Theatre.

2009!  Where did that come from??

The festivities proper started on 19 December, with an indoor picnic and party games at my last day in the office in 2008.  In the evening, a friend and I went to Cadogan Hall, where the London Gay Men’s Chorus (including Graeme) was performing “For Christmas’ Sake”, featuring carols, comedy and very exhausting audience participation.  This was my second LGMC concert, and they’ve both been great - although there is one member of the Chorus that I just wish would choke on his microphone!  Never mind, I got to gush over my ’star’ boyfriend and I even won a raffle prize - a very impressive set of xmas tree baubles!  It wasn’t a very late night, because I was up early the next day to head to Edinburgh.

It was another early start on 23 December, but this time it was for a visit to the dentist and the news that I’ve to get a wisdom tooth out under general anaesthetic - great!!  I then met a friend at Le Sept, probably my favourite restaurant in Edinburgh.  I know smoked haddock and crayfish crepes won’t appeal to everyone, but I’ve yet to be disappointed!  As my friend was abstaining from alcohol, it wasn’t one of our usual marathon lunches, and I spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening attempting (unsuccessfully) to finish my xmas shopping.

Christmas Eve was relatively quiet - just a visit with my Dad and Sister to Edinburgh Zoo.   Unfortunately, my Sis was working night shifts over xmas, but I still had Graeme to look after me - amazingly, it would be the first time that we would wake up together on Christmas Day.  After opening a few presents, Graeme, my Sister and I went round the corner to my Dad’s house, where we exchanged family presents and tucked into brunch.  Graeme and I then went to wish the animals at Edinburgh Zoo a ‘Merry Xmas’ - yes, my second visit in as many days!  Meanwhile, my Sister was preparing an informal (but very tasty) haggis supper, which we had to throw back before she started her night shift.  Graeme and I spent the evening lounging in front of the TV, enjoying the traditional xmas nonsense - although Wallace & Gromit’s “A Matter of Loaf and Death” was excellent!  Boxing Day was our formal family xmas celebration, with a steak pie dinner at my dad’s house.

Our trips to Edinburgh are always pretty manic, and we never have enough time to see everyone and to do everything that we want.  However, on 27 December, Graeme and I met up with my long-time friend, David.  We had dinner at the Smoke Stack, which is definitely in my list of top five restaurants in Edinburgh, and drinks at The Street; but we had no energy for the clubs.

We had a relatively quiet day on 28 December, but after dinner at dad’s house, Graeme, my sister, a couple of her friends and I headed to The Spylaw Tavern, to test our brains in the local pub quiz.  Amazingly, we came second in the main event, and somehow won (yes, won!) the bonus round and the £50 prize!  In the mood to celebrate, but not quite dressed for the occasion, we bought pizzas and alcohol and headed back to my sister’s house, going to bed in the wee small hours.  After a late rise the next day, we sought some retail therapy for our sore heads at The Centre, Livingston.  30 December brought our annual dinner with family friends - it’s one of those ‘traditions’ that nobody remembers why or when it started, nor indeed (if I’m being totally honest) why it continues.  Oh well!

Hogmanay is one of my favourite times of the year - Scottish, world recognised … and really, really fun!  Graeme and I celebrated with dinner at the Smoke Stack (I said it was one of my favourites!) and drinks at The Street (sound familiar ??), before watching the fireworks that heralded the arrival of 2009.  The pyrotechnics are impressive, but the best part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations is the sight of over 100,000 strangers cheering, dancing and embracing as if they were ‘well kent’ friends - I’ve only spent one New Year’s Eve in London, but it definitely lacked the atmosphere that you get in the Scottish capital.  After the fireworks, we headed to what is now a traditional Hogmanay flat party, hosted by more or less the same people for almost 10 years.  Needless to say, there was chatting, drinking, singing, drinking, games … and a bit more drinking!  Continuing the Scottish theme, we finished a great night of celebrations with a haggis and sausage from Rapido, undoubtedly my favourite chip shop.

Despite not getting into bed until the wee, wee small hours (i.e. 5am), I was up on New Year’s Day at 9am to officiate at the Portobell Promathon, a surprisingly popular (to the extent that it does not have to be advertised) race that attracts hundreds of runners.  I don’t understand the attraction of running practically in the North Sea during a Scottish winter, but then again I go along every year to watch.  Weird!  Anyway, I was shattered and hungover, so I spent the rest of the day at my dad’s house.

2 January was our last full day in Edinburgh, so we had a lot to fit in - lunch with my friend Laura and her fiance, coffee (and PlayStation 3) with David and lastly dinner with my Dad and his partner at another favourite haunt, Katie’s Diner (the food is great and the owner is hysterical).  Then it was up early on 3 January for the return journey to London, work and a bit of a rest!

So that was how I ended 2008, and welcomed in 2009.  Who knows what the year ahead has to offer, but it looks set to be ‘interesting’ - a looming recession, soaring unemployment, a general election, pointless wars, a dying planet.  As you can see, I’m staying positive.

Happy New Year!

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Edinburgh Fringe 2008: 8-10 August

Posted on August 11th, 2008 by bryan.
Categories: Restaurants, Theatre.

Friday 8 August

We had good intentions for today, but then I remembered it was the opening ceremony for Beijing 2008. I’m a bit of an Olympics fanatic, so we retired to the couch for four hours of the biggest, brightest and most extravagant ceremony that I have seen. I’m sure the money could have been put to better use, but to me this is the sporting event. It’s also China’s opportunity to tell the world what it is and what it can be. And boy did it do that! Here’s to 16 days of sporting excellence.

The ceremony was obviously too much for us, because we didn’t move far from the couch. My sister and two of her friends were having a night in and we decided it would be rude to leave them - so it was Chinese food and wine all round. We also watched The Kite Runner (2007), a moving film about the life of two boys born and brought up in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, it had subtitles, so it was not the best film to have on in the background, but I will be looking out for it in the shops.

Saturday 9 August

We have been members of The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland for ages, but we only ever visit Edinburgh Zoo. Today we changed that, with the shorter than expected drive north to the Highland Wildlife Park, near Aviemore. I have always thought of the Park as the poor cousin of the Zoo, and to an extent that’s true: it’s in the middle of nowhere, it’s smaller, the animals are less ‘exciting’ and its layout is not very visitor friendly. But there is evidence of things changing, with more exotic animals being transferred from the Zoo to the Park, including red pandas, Amur tigers and Japanese macaques. It also offers something different - a main reserve, that allows you to get up close to the animals (including reindeer, yak, elk and bison), with only a car door in between. We have been wanting to do this trip for a couple of years, and it was no disappointment - we even avoided rain and the infamous traffic jams on the A9. The Zoo will remain my favourite, but we’ll be back to the Highland Wildlife Park soon.

Sunday 10 August

All good things must come to an end, including holidays.

My dad, sister and I had lunch at the Royal Ettrick Hotel, which to be honest was nothing special; in fact, it was pretty awful. We waited ages to be served, the food was average, the restaurant too hot and it took them forever to calculate the bill. Rating - */5.

My sister then took me to the station, where G and I started a very uneventful First Class return to London.

As ever, the break was over in no time at all and I am now gutted to be away from my home, friends and family. There is something very special about the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (not least its location), especially when you can enjoy it with those that you love. The 2008 season is over for me, but I’m already looking forward to next year. For now, it’s back to London, fully rested and re-charged.

The official website of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

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Edinburgh Fringe 2008: 7 August

Posted on August 8th, 2008 by bryan.
Categories: Restaurants, Theatre.

Thursday 7 August

After my second visit to the dentist in as many days (this time for a filling !!!), my sister and I went for tea and scones (with post-filling dribblings) at Colinton Kirk, where my dad’s partner started recently as a volunteer. I think we helped her to score some Brownie points with the other volunteers and it was a good opportunity to demonstrate that we’re not evil ’step-children’ (which, for the record, I’m certain she doesn’t think). It was then onto The Gyle for some window shopping, before I joined G in town for an afternoon and evening of Fringe frivolities.

‘Joan Rivers - Work in Progress by a Life in Progress’ (venue: Cow Barn) was different, but very special. It’s a play based around her life, interspersed with comedic and moving monologues direct to the audience. It charts her career(s) as a struggling actress, late-night TV sensation, bankrupted widow, ‘red carpet’ Dame and QVC Queen, each with its own jokes, personalities and intimate revelations. Admittedly, Rivers is not a great actress, but she makes up for all that and more with her humour and insight into life as a Hollywood star. A theme throughout this ‘play’ is that age should not be a bar to anyone or anything - at 75, Rivers more than demonstrates why this should be the case. Rating - *****/5.

‘Adventures of Pink Peter’ (venue: Sweet Teviot Place) stars Stuart Miles, former Blue Peter presenter turned ‘comic’. He plays four women, offering advice on topics ranging from fashion, diet and cosmetic surgery - a bit of a change from his days as a children’s TV presenter. Some of his gags were funny, but it was all a bit too ‘gay’ for me, as though he had decided to leap forth from the Blue Peter ‘closet’! Rating - **/5.

We had dinner at Katie’s Diner, an ‘American-style’ restaurant in the Bruntsfield area of Edinburgh. It’s operated by husband-and-wife couple, Geoff and Kate Ness, who have built-up a strong following. The food, particularly the steaks and burgers, are excellent, always cooked to perfection and very filling. The restaurant is licensed, but it also has a BYOB policy. Geoff Ness, who leads front-of-house, is an accomplished (and slightly eccentric) host, who will always make you feel welcome. This time I had the scampi platter for my main course and G had a bacon and cheese burger - both were very good, but I was jealous when I saw G’s plate. For quality food, in good portions and at reasonable prices, you will struggle to find a better restaurant in Edinburgh. Rating - ****/5.

‘Les Miserables’ (venue: Church Hill Theatre) stars the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF), regulars at the Edinburgh Fringe. Unlike the version that’s been playing in London’s West End for 22 years, the whole Les Mis story is told in 90 minutes - no mean feat. All of the cast are young actors, some of whom sang and performed beyond their years: particularly those in the roles of Javert, Valjean and Eponine. Although the speed detracted slightly from the story, making it harder to follow for Les Mis first-timers, this was a great performance of a classic musical. Rating - ****/5.

‘The Improverts‘ (venue: Bedlam Theatre) have been enticing packed crowds with improvised comedy for 19 years, with the ‘players’ performing spontaneous sketches based entirely on audience suggestions. I first saw The Improverts when I was a student, at their regular Friday night shows; I have been a fan ever since. Rating - ****/5.

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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.

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Edinburgh Fringe 2008: 1-3 August

Posted on August 4th, 2008 by bryan.
Categories: Restaurants, Theatre.

It’s August, so it must be time for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and our annual trip north.

Friday 1 August

We treated ourselves to a First Class trip to Edinburgh. For once, it was pretty uneventful, except for seeing my dad and his partner hanging out their bedroom window waving with towels to the train. The tourists in our carriage looked a bit bemused, but I’m sure they thought it was a quaint Scottish custom!

We spent the evening playing Wii Mario Kart at G’s sister’s.

Saturday 2 August

We spent the afternoon at Edinburgh Zoo, with my sister and her friend. It was our first visit to the Budongo Trail, the chimps’ new multi-million pound enclosure: it’s much more realistic and focuses more on visitor education, which is what zoos should be all about. We also saw the new patagonian sealion, which is still technically in quarantine and to be joined by some new ‘friends’.

After the zoo, we spent the evening relaxing, eating and ‘Wii-ing’ at G’s sister’s - have you spotted a trend?

Sunday 3 August

The first Sunday of August always hosts the Edinburgh Festivals’ Cavalcade, a series of floats that proceed through the centre of town advertising Festival and Fringe events. It started years ago as an opportunity for community groups to raise awareness of their work in and around Edinburgh, but I think this is now considered to be too ‘amateur’. There were still some community floats, including the annual entry from Radio Lollipop, a charity providing play, care, comfort and entertainment to children in hospital. I used to volunteer with RL, so it was a good opportunity to catch up with some old (and not so old) friends. In the past, we helped out on the float, but we had to leave before the Cavalcade started to go to our first show of Fringe 2008.

‘What’s wrong with angry?‘ (venue: C+1) is set during the Section 28 era, when British schools were prohibited from ‘promoting’ homosexuality and there was an unequal age of consent. The plot is simple - a 16 year old falls for, gets and then leaves behind the closeted school jock. Although at times emotional, the play is now slightly dated, with Section 28 (and Scotland’s Clause 2a) abolished and the ages of consent equalised. But as a ‘love story’ and a depiction of gay discrimination until only very recently, it is excellent. Rating - ****/5.

‘The Meeting’ (venue: Pleasance Courtyard - The Meeting Point) is a great concept - instead of performing a play in front of people, you perform it around them. We were taken to a real meeting room, sat around a table and then … subjected to an hour of discomfort, boredom and pretty poor acting: which served only to remind me of some painful meetings that I have attended! Rating - */5.

‘Russell Kane: Gaping Flaws’ (venue: Pleasance Courtyard - Cavern) is an hour of non-stop, top humour about the ‘flaws’ of Britain and our hatred of perfection. He covers everything from the Scottish diet to his father’s lack of pride about his son’s achievements, moving seamlessly from one tale to the next. G has seen Russell Kane a couple of times in London and promised a quality stand-up show - and that’s exactly what we got. This is likely to be the only show we see with G’s sister and brother-in-law, but we’d have struggled to find anything better. Rating - *****/5.

G and I had dinner at Edinburgh’s original Vittoria restaurant, a long-time family favourite. I recommend the mussels and the salmon pasta, but beware of the big portions!

I love this time of year!

The official website of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

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Browns on the Green - The Green, Islington ****

Posted on November 5th, 2006 by bryan.
Categories: Restaurants.

The day started badly - it was a Saturday morning, and I was on my way to university for a seven hour class on the history of corporate governance and how to wind-up a company! I won’t bore you with the details - needless to say, it wasn’t the highlight of my week. Things got better though, rapidly - I met Graeme in the early evening for a bottle of wine at The Green, a gay bar with lovely staff on Upper Street! Clearly, studying had frazzled my brain, because it didn’t take long for me to feel tipsy - although it rarely does.

However, after an hour or so of drinking and ogling, I managed to stagger across to Browns on the Green where yet another cute waiter was on hand to open yet another bottle of rose! Graeme started with the very seasonal pumpkin soup; i had a mushroomy starter - both disappeared quickly. For mains, G had the confit of duck - his current ‘favourite’ - and I had a burger with half a tonne of everything on it. Again, very good. It was the pudding, however, that won it for Graeme - ‘the best sticky toffee pudding ever’ I think he sputtered, with a broad smile and licking his lips. I took the healthy option and had a cappuccino - in fact, the only disappointment of the evening. Total price - £53.65.
I always enjoyed going to Browns in Edinburgh - there’s something about its informal-formal atmosphere, the quality food, the eclectic clientele and, not to put too fine a point on it, the cute waiters in their whites! Browns on the Green was, thankfully, no different.

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Ristorante Cappuccetto, 8/9 Moor Street, Soho ****

Posted on July 17th, 2006 by bryan.
Categories: Restaurants.

Ristorante Cappuccetto, on Soho’s Moor Street, is one of my favourite Italian restaurants. Although the decor is a bit ‘dated’, both the quality and the quantity of the food is excellent, and the service is generally first class. Admittedly, Ian and I had downed a couple of bottles beforehand (at the Rupert St Bar), but past experience confirms that this gem is unlikely to disappoint. The spaghetti carbonara is one of the best around - I should know, it’s my steady diet - and the quattro stagioni (’four seasons’) pizza disappeared in no time. There is a reasonably priced and stocked wine list which, unlike the Venetians on the wall, is authentic Italian. This is a great restaurant for singles, couples or groups, and I didn’t have to think twice about giving it four stars!

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The Harbour, 302 Upper St, N1 ***

Posted on July 9th, 2006 by bryan.
Categories: Restaurants.

With our friend Ian visiting from Edinburgh, Graeme and I had a good excuse to return to The Harbour, a popular Sunday restaurant in N1. We’ve been a couple of times before, and always enjoyed the atmosphere and food - especially at £10.95 for three courses!

Graeme started with a more than ample bowl of mussels with a light garlic sauce. Although my feta pastry was relatively bland, Ian’s celery soup seemed to go down well. For mains, Ian and I both chose the chicken, which was tainted slightly by too much of a strong tomato and herb sauce. Graeme went for the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, which looked as good as traditional home cooking. The veg - cabbage, carrots, peas and roast potatoes - were delicious. The puddings (strawberry ice cream, sherry trifle and creme brulee) were all well received, although Graeme was devastated to hear that they had run-out of sticky toffee pudding!

Together with a bottle of Pinot Grigio, an amaretto and drambuie and two cappuccino, the bill came in at just over £60. Not bad for an enjoyable Sunday dinner, with a World Cup final thrown in - forza Italia!

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