boozy
Quite the boozy weekend.
Friday: Post work libaitons with the Barcelona Temperance Society. A few beers, then home to see ‘Jam & Jerusalem,’ the new one from Jennifer Saunders. I liked it. Episode one, very promising. Not AbFab, of course, which is the problem - The temptation to do a John Cleese (he enver wrote another sitcom after Fawlty Towers) must be immense. Whatever you do, someone will complain that it’s too different/similar, not as funny/intelligent or whatever. It’s got too many characters in it for a traditional sitcom, but I see it as more of a ‘grower’ and have very high hopes.
Saturday was a dinner party chez nous for my parents as well as the lovely Saira and her friend Jennifer.
I cooked: Brushcetta for starters. Yes, I know. Hardly seasonal. But there were some really fat red juicy looking tomatoes at the market, and (even though they came from Poland and thus probably broke my food miles limit for the meal), they were too good to leave. Shredded basil leaves, a little (perhaps a little too much) garlic, a spoonful of pesto, a splash of Balsmico, and leave to meld at room temperature for as long as you like. Delicious, although I think the griddled country bread I served it on was a little too thick. Still, a minor complaint.
Lamb with Hoummous, toasted coriander and fennel seeds, raisins and pinenuts, from Rachel Allens first book. Delicious, incredibly simple, if a little pale. Still, the addition of a couple of handfuls of finely chopped coriander just before it goes to table takes care of that. Alongside that - buttered couscous with chopped peppers, apricots parsley, more fresh coriander and black pepper, and a simple undressed green salad.
And to finish: Chocolate pots. One pint of single cream. 400g of 86% chocolate, 4 egg yolks and a huuuge glass of brandy. Too chocolately. Too rich. To alcoholic. Too good. Should have had enough for 6. Appear to have ended up with enough for 10. Ah well, desert is covered for the next day or two.
All washed down with lots of red wine and a game or two of Buzz, to which we’ve become quite addicted, thanks to him.
Yesterday, a great couple of pints at Rupert Street, followed by a lovely dinner at Balans.
Then off to see Scissor sisters at Wembley.
A little disappointing. D loved it. The crowd were largely appreciative but flat, which makes it very very difficult to really get the buzz at a concert. I thought the sound was beyond shit. One huge wall of noise. Not their fault, but a real shame. Visually, very nice. Not spectacular - just very clever use of lighting, backdrop and perspectives. Musically - a smattering of the first album (the singles, basically) and a lot of the new album, which holds up quite well.
Although Both D and I noted that the main difference (for us) between the two albums is that while we are note perfect on every single lyric on the first album, the second one seems to consist of
“I don’t feel like dancing
Dum dum dum dum dum dum dum
I don’t feel like dancing
do do do do do do do”
and
“She’s my man
doo doo doo doo doo doo doo do”
Which is either a reflection of the fact we’ve been too busy to live with this album like we lived with the first, it’s been less personal to us, or it’s just not that special.
Whatever, a good night - but the earlier part was much much better.
Georgious Myknonos tomorrow night. D was a bit sniffy when I said I felt a bit underwhelmed by SS. “Bet they’re still better than George Michael” he said. At which point I closed my eyes, and sulked until I fell asleep. 