Last Wednesday I successfully ended my search for a coat that was comfortable but warm in a wheelchair. Luckily the ‘Coccoon’ & ‘Boyfriend’ styles seem to fit the bill. They don’t restrict movement too much but there can be a lot of cloth to deal with – I guess it’s a trade off. Don’t be as stupid as me – I bought light beige from Jigsaw and it’s got marks from my wheels already! I love how it looks though….
So in my new coat I went to One Aldwych for afternoon tea which was delicious, it’s “Inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. Candy floss not being suitable for a woman of my age we cherry picked from the menu which included mini egg baguettes and eclairs.
I definitely left on a sugar high to meet Lieutenant No2 for cocktails at the London EDITION (previously reviewed here). I knew this as I instigated a conversation about wheelchairs with the Black Cab driver and for once I bored him to death. I have to say that the Hailo cab system in London works well if your disabled as you call a cab by mobile and don’t have to wait on the street. They tell you how long they’ll be and there’s a review system if you have a complaint, you can also pay by card. They’re in other cities in USA and Europe but not the rest of the UK yet.
At the London EDITION Lobby Bar I went for the Vermillionaire cocktail which is not too sweet but definitely added to the high which again was characterised by a long conversation about the perfect hair of the very attractive doorman……I think he found it funny??? This is definitely the latest place for cocktails and the atmosphere of the place is complemented by the music which this time included some great Tamla Motown tracks………
After this night out I had to stay in for a while but my Purdah was broken by a visit, with the Sartorial Lieutenant, to the new restaurant/bar in Shoreditch – Merchants Tavern. It used to be an old pub and is massive inside with a great bar area, with a wood burning stove and old style leather chairs. I thought I’d had enough of Shoreditch and the Shoredies, (men with beards, tight coloured jeans, caps & body cross bags) but this place changed my mind as it’s a welcome return to an old style ‘Boozer’ with a restaurant at the back.
Food was ‘modern british/french’ I guess? The Quail starter with Hazel Nut Pesto & Fois Gras’ in particular was very tasty but my companion, the Sartorial Lieutenant, thought his Mallard was too small to satisfy his hunger (see the menu). What impressed me most was the friendliness of the staff and the wine knowledge of our waiter, he suggested a beautiful light red wine (no I can’t remember it’s name), to go with my fish and the Mallard!
Definitely going again but probably just to try the bar snacks which look inventive & yummy. The only thing to be aware of is that even though they say it’s flat access there is a step to get in and the road is narrow so even the taxi ramp was difficult to position at the entrance. However there are plenty of people to help get you through the double doors & the disabled toilet is good! There’s plenty of room for wheelchairs and the table heights are just right for my chair at least. Definitely 2.5 BBS Ticks.
See you next week and look out for piece we’re doing on ‘Attractive Prosthetics’.