What a week! Either time has been set to ‘half-speed’ or I’m just packing far too much into my time. One of the definite highlights of my week was Ben and my visit to Camden to see my first ever commercial property. Although the property wasn’t really worth talking about, it did allow me to discover Camden. You can read more about my day and review of Rossopomodoro, here.
Another highlight was Andrew’s birthday and being taken to the Experimental Cocktail Club and Gordan Ramsey’s at Maze. The ECC was somewhere where I’d been told about on multiple occasions but never had the pleasure of being taken. So, ironically Andrew’s birthday seemed to be the optimum time. I think, in hindsight it was more like my birthday really! Definitely a speakeasy in character, you can only enter the Club by knocking on a grungey door in the middle of China Town. You’re meant to make reservations but at 6pm on a Thursday night, we somehow managed to get a seat, albeit an uncomfortable one. On initial impressions walking up the stairs, it smelt pretty bad but on entering the bar, it lived up to some of its hype. Mirrors on the ceiling and packed, it definitely had that appeal of being a secret, almost exclusive club. The cocktail list was pretty crazy, with combinations like blue cheese and egg, and cumin and dill – which I ended up going for, and regretting. Sometimes the best things in life are the simpliest, yet people seem to love something more ‘experimental’ and then like me, end up regretting their decision and just wishing they had a G&T or glass of wine instead!
One of the many courses…. Guess what’s on the plate!
Maze was brilliant but I’ve written a review about that so feel free to give it a read here. On Friday, I visited my sister at her work for lunch which is always a gluttonous experience. After five courses of luxury, including scallops, Asian infused cod, tea smoked chicken, red velvet cake and goodness knows what else, I felt like I probably shouldn’t eat again, and that I needed a long nap. I don’t understand why companies pile their employees with such extravagance because all I’d personally be thinking about would be a) when or what I can eat next or b) ah I feel so full, I’d like a lie down. But, apparently it works – or they wouldn’t do it I guess!
White chocolate, raspberry and meringue
I also did a lot of cooking. I made Andrew’s birthday cake – raspberry, white chocolate and meringue, topped with an explosion of the latter and white mice. Although, Matt completely and utterly showed me up with some of his cake creations – wow, is all I can say:
Yep, it’s actually a cake!
I made a spicier than expected carrot, chilli and ginger soup and experimented with a new pizza dough recipe. I still haven’t cracked it and so far, I think my trusty friend, the BBC have given me the best recipe so far. But, the search continues! Alongside the cooking, I did some serious eating and drinking. By being taken out for dinner, cooking, visiting Google and being fed by Matt and Ben throughout the week, I’m not so sure the daily Insanity workouts are being justified. Ah well, next week the healthy eating begins… Yeah Yeah…. The amount of times I, and am sure many people reading this have probably said that….
Last weekend saw me managing the pub while Ben and Matt swanned off to their stately home break. All in all, it was fine. Exhausting but fine. But when you have such efficient and lovely staff, you don’t really need to do much as manager. I was so tired by Sunday that I couldn’t even manage Insanity, and went to bed at 11.30 and slept all the way through to 9.30am this morning! I hate how I STILL feel absolutely shattered though. Ah, will I ever feel alive and fresh again?!
Weekly rating out of ten? Slightly lower, purely because I’m exhausted but I did learn and enjoy myself a LOT, so a 7.5.
