Revisiting An Old Friend

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.

44 comments:

  1. 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

    ReplyDelete
  2. The 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Try and see the musical if you can YP .It had a strange resonance tonight, the audience was hungry for it

      Delete
  3. I loved Come From Away! Lucky you to get to see it again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was more emotional than I remember it….the audience went mad fir it

      Delete
  4. That dinner looks magnificent...enough for two...I'll be there!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nothing 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I’m proud I did it, does that sound strange

      Delete
  6. I 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.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Whenever I see someone dining alone I think "good for them"! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Barbara Anne7:14 pm

    What 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?
    One sleep until you meet up with Nu and friends!!

    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The best piece of theatre I’ve seen in a long time

      Delete
  9. Have a great time tonight. I go to my local Indian restaurant on my own too, early.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved the theatre my even though it was packed…I’ve never seen an audience so hungry for a musical

      Delete
  10. Oh 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…

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oohhh I need to get one debbie funny we like the same food x

      Delete
  11. i 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The musical underlines that life changing time in gander for the passengers and the locals alike

      Delete
  12. PS 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol , she’s the one with the skinny legs

      Delete
  13. I (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
    Replies

    1. You are used to it….
      I am not…..it was an important change of behaviour For me…and a red letter day

      Delete
  14. The food looks yummy and the musical sounds uplifting! Enjoy your holiday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomorrow is shopping, I’m meeting my great niece at borough market and the Nu x

      Delete
  15. Gunpowder potatoes? Never heard of them but I´d love to try some!

    ReplyDelete
  16. You've had a lovely day and that is what counts. The Indian restaurant meal looks outstanding. Indian food is one of my favorites too.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I 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.

    ReplyDelete
  18. WAIT! You could have sat with Sarah Jessica Parker? Oh, John, you gay blade, you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Good 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.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks 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.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love mooching in bookshops, markets and people watching.
    It 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.

    ReplyDelete
  23. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The 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.

    ReplyDelete
  25. 토토 Wonderful article! We are linking to this particularly great content on our
    website. Keep up the great writing.


    ReplyDelete
  26. 먹튀검증 This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!

    ReplyDelete
  27. 홈카지노 what a great post... i always come for read your post because of your content. keep posting

    ReplyDelete
  28. 카지노사이트 Great beat ! I wish to apprentgice at tthe same time as you amend yor site, how can i subscribe for a blog website?
    Thee account aided mee a applicable deal. I have been a little bit familiar of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept

    ReplyDelete

I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes