I mentioned last week I was going to West Ham to see ManU play with Lieutenant No.1 and on the way we stopped off in Shoreditch for something to eat. We went to Albion which is the ‘caff’ part of the Conran, Boundary hotel.
I love this hotel as they have accessible rooms and although small they’ve made enough room for wheelchairs, even electric ones. I particularly like the Rooftop bar – it was sunny but not sunny enough for that. The Boundary gets 3 BBS Ticks
Albion is a ‘home-cooking’ style of restaurant and although I loved my crab omelette and N0.1 loved his salt beef we really came for the desserts/cakes. I had the biggest slice of Victoria sponge, which was filled with butter cream and jam, delicious, it was just like something you would buy at a village fete or WI shop. I want some now!! Albion gets 3 BBS Ticks.
So, feeling replete we ventured on to the East End and Upton Park, it was b***** miles away, no wonder they want to move to the Olympic Park. The match was OK and a draw but getting home was nightmarish and took nearly 2 hours to get back to the civilisation of West London. I’d say never again but surely Boris must improve links between East & West, it’s like the Berlin Wall all over again.
I also went to the National Theatre to see Othello and ate at their Mezzanine restaurant.
What a treat! The food was as good as any I’ve eaten at more swanky places. I had some beautifully cooked halibut with an apple sauce, mussels and deep fried anchovies. The only thing that’s tricky is the stair lift which we used for speed, you can access via a passenger lift but it’s the long way round. Apparently they’re improving access with the NT refurbishment. In the meantime using the lift felt very precarious and more like a fairground ride, thank goodness a man was there to keep me in the seat.
Mezzanine and Albion both get 2.5 BBS Ticks
Othello was amazing with a contemporary setting in a military compound resembling Afghanistan or Iraq. It opens with a scene that reminded me of my trip to West Ham: Iago and Rodrigo were standing outside a darkened pub having a fag!! Iago would not have been out of place at the football. Rory Kinnear played Iago and Adrian Lester, Othello, both received a standing ovation. The acting was great, the set was intriguing and the music added to the atmosphere of foreboding i.e. that Othello was going to murder his wife. All was well until the end when the door to the barracks fell off – but not everything can be perfect and it released the murderous tension. A highly recommended night out, if you can get tickets!? Oh and BTW the disabled seating is in the Stalls with a good view of all the action.
Finally to round the week off more football and my beloved team Man United won the League for the 20th time – need I say more except Championes and ooooohh Robin Van Persie!! See you next week xx.
