On my way through Chinatown soho
Tomorrow, after some shopping I will meet up with Nu and a lot of old faces.
Today, I’m on my own
London was hot this morning, but not as drastically hot, by all accounts as yesterday. I popped down the Northern line to Waterloo and ambled under the trees on Southbank’s Queen’s Walk, where I drank coffee and watched people for an age.
From there I mooched back into town, had a drink in Soho and perused the bookshops and arty bespoke shops down the side streets of Covent Garden
I am now having an early dinner at Dishoom on upper St Martin’s Lane before I go to the theatre.
Dishoom was a favourite restaurant when I was married.
It was nice to reclaim it again.
Going to a restaurant on my own is another milestone for me. Before I’ve always had the cushion of friends to buffer that feeling that I am a singleton. But today, I’ve grabbed the bull by the horns and booked myself a table…FOR ONE !!!
It’s all rather New York….well that’s what I’m telling myself anyway.
Dishoom has delightful food.
I’ve ordered the spicy lamb chops, the house black daal, the gunpowder potatoes and a Naan.
My iPad is my buffer, but to be honest, I realise that no one gives a flying fuck if I’m sat on my own or with Sarah Jessica Parker.
I’ve told you already that I’m returning for a second visit to see Come From Away tonight. The musical has reopened just yesterday and I adored its story of kindness and hope amid the chaos and destruction of 9/11, when I first saw it.
For those few that don’t know, Come From Away explores several themes and stories set during 9/11 where over seven thousand people were stranded from 38 planes in the small Newfoundland town of Gander. The townsfolk had to house and feed AND clothe the passengers during those very dark days in 2001 and that story makes for an uplifting, tale of the goodness of people.
Is it Moroccan by any chance John?-I was rather partial to the occasional one in my younger days-during one meal there were not enough chairs unfortunately-it was ok though as a dishy Moroccan man kindly said I could sit on his lap throughout which was very kind of him x
ReplyDeleteIndian flis
DeleteThe meal sounds and looks delicious - with no conversation to interrupt your enjoyment. Never heard of "Come From Away" but it sounds like a good 'un. Enjoy the rest of your weekend John.
ReplyDeleteTry and see the musical if you can YP .It had a strange resonance tonight, the audience was hungry for it
DeleteI loved Come From Away! Lucky you to get to see it again.
ReplyDeleteIt was more emotional than I remember it….the audience went mad fir it
DeleteThat dinner looks magnificent...enough for two...I'll be there!
ReplyDeleteIt was quite lovely
DeleteNothing quite like a good mooch and a bit of people watching! Good on you for dining alone in a favourite restaurant. It must have felt strange at first, but now you've done it once... xx
ReplyDeleteYes, I’m proud I did it, does that sound strange
DeleteNot at all. xx
DeleteI quite like dining on my own in restaurants John. A book is always a good accessory although I never find it necessary to open it.
ReplyDeleteI wrote my blog after the daal
DeleteWhenever I see someone dining alone I think "good for them"! :)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn’t want noticing
DeleteWhat excellent use of this day, going places that are lovely this time of year, people watching, an amazing meal, and then the theater. I've never heard of Come From Away either. I wonder if it's a book or movie by now?
ReplyDeleteOne sleep until you meet up with Nu and friends!!
Hugs!
The best piece of theatre I’ve seen in a long time
DeleteHave a great time tonight. I go to my local Indian restaurant on my own too, early.
ReplyDeleteI loved the theatre my even though it was packed…I’ve never seen an audience so hungry for a musical
DeleteOh wow ! Dishoom I love that Indian I’ve been to the one in London and the one in Edinburgh and I always have the 3 spicy lamb chops, black daal & the gunpowder potatoes, I have the Dishoom cook book. Have a fabulous time in London…
ReplyDeleteOohhh I need to get one debbie funny we like the same food x
Deletei love eating in a nice restaurant by myself. i'm a loner by nature and enjoy doing most things by myself. i also love indian food and make it quite often. a good friend of mine spent time in gander during 9?11 and it really changed his life. have a fun weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe musical underlines that life changing time in gander for the passengers and the locals alike
DeletePS I would recognise John Grey, if I saw him at the next table; but just had to look up Sarah Jessica on Google, as I'd never heard of her!
ReplyDeleteLol , she’s the one with the skinny legs
DeleteI (and countless other people) eat alone regularly when travelling for business reasons. It has never occurred to me that I should feel uncomfortable or odd doing so. And actually I like it.
ReplyDelete
DeleteYou are used to it….
I am not…..it was an important change of behaviour For me…and a red letter day
The food looks yummy and the musical sounds uplifting! Enjoy your holiday!
ReplyDeleteTomorrow is shopping, I’m meeting my great niece at borough market and the Nu x
DeleteGunpowder potatoes? Never heard of them but I´d love to try some!
ReplyDeleteSpiced and wholesome
DeleteYou've had a lovely day and that is what counts. The Indian restaurant meal looks outstanding. Indian food is one of my favorites too.
ReplyDeleteI would come over to you at your table and have a chat. Would you be up for that? To me, by yourself, you would be approachable.
ReplyDeleteWAIT! You could have sat with Sarah Jessica Parker? Oh, John, you gay blade, you.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for enjoying a dinner alone at a fine restaurant! I enjoy doing some things alone and being able to do whatever I feel like.
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining Come From Away. That's a lovely story. I got used to going out alone before I got divorced. That made it easier for me.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I love mooching in bookshops, markets and people watching.
ReplyDeleteIt can be hard to have a restaurant meal alone if there are mostly groups and couples dining at the time. Glad you have taken the step forward.
Your weekend sounds so enjoyable.
I have just told Rachel that I always liked travelling on my own, and now I am telling you that I loved being in hotels on my own and eating in restaurants alone too. It is a different sort of pleasure when you can just decide for yourself in your own time and at your own pace.
ReplyDeleteThe people of Newfoundland are absolutely as genuinely wonderful as they are portrayed in the play. We have multiple "Newfies" married into our family. My father in law worked there mechanizing the lighthouses in the 60s. My cousin has bought a place on the ocean there. Hopefully we can make they trip ourselves next summer.
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