London Group organises several social events - normally meals out in London. If you want to come along or have ideas for a venue just email Paula. We are also looking for a new social secretary for the group as Paula has completed her 3 years so if you are a sociable person and like organising just drop us a line.
2010 Social Events
Thursday 30th September - Dave's Devilish Curry Night. Meet 6.30 at Shooting Star (Fullers) Pub, Middlesex St, just around the corner from Dirty Dicks. Then a short walk to arrive for 7.30 at Masala, 88 Brick Lane E1 www.masalabricklane.com Dave has been promised 2 rounds of free drinks AND a 25% discount, not to mention World peace, happiness to all and England to win the next 2 world cups. We think only 2 of those might be true but which ones......? To book your place as usual email social@ldwa-london.org.uk Dave says it will be better than Don's so don't delay!
Recent Social Events
Kathy's Lebanese Evening
8 members enjoyed Kathy's well organised Lebanese meal in High St Ken. Many thanks to Kathy for organising this, her second social event this year.
'Up for the Cup'
Kathy Larasso organised a fabulous walk followed by a social evening at Smollensky's in the strand, based around the England v USA game. It was well attended and very much enjoyed and a success all round - even if the football is long forgotten! Many thanks to Kathy for planning and organising a novel event.
Don's Mediteranean Specialities
Another great turn out! 17 members got together to enjoy a drink at the famous Coal Hole pub followed by great value eats at BISTRO 1 near Covent Garden where Rob celebrated a BIG birthday and got away with a cheap night out. Another great evening Don.
Don's Curry Night Success
19 members met in March at the very busy Hamilton Hall pub at Liverpool St, where lip reading and sheltering from beer and umbrellas raining from the balcony were the name of the game. Having lost and found a few on the way, and dodged the restaurant touts, we arrived at Don's favourite, the Shampan curry house on Brick lane, who did us proud just like the old days. At the last moment we were pleased to welcome Ralph (Don's son and original scout for this excellent restaurant) who disappeared just as quickly for a beer with his Dad. Thanks to Don for organising this one and to all who made it fun.
After February's lively AGM in the Rose and Crown near Waterloo, 20 members adjourned to Tas, a nearby Turkish restaurant to enjoy a mezze feast starter, really tasty Turkish mains and, of course plenty of wine and water.......
In line with recent tradition, London Group Christmas meal was held in January at Little Bay Restaurant in Farringdon www.littlebay.co.uk Over 20 booked for the event although a few were thwarted by the snow and ice.... In spite of everything, 16 members (including Rob who gets the prize for making the most effort) made it for a fabulously good value 3 course meal for just over £10. Dave recommended the pre dinner pub, which luckily turned out to be OK (he hadn't been there for 30yrs!) and Paul led his first walk (yeh right!) through the ice to his local after the meal, where the festivities continued. A great evening all round.
The Panto party report......
After slaking our thirst in the Marie Lloyd bar (which had been partly taken over by a jumble sale) 12 of us climbed to our precipitous seat in the Upper Circle of the Hackney Empire, a beautifully restored - all red & gold - former music hall. With a great view of the orchestra pit & the stage we were soon being serenaded by a singing camel (oh yes! We were!), gazing in wonder at the fabulous thighs of the principal boy (which she slapped regularly), booing the evil Abanazer & cheering Widow Twankey (look behind you!). Clive Rowe is in his 8th year as the Empire's pantomime dame & he carries it off extremely well, clad in voluminous, inventive (a washing line on his head? In a Chinese vase?!!) & colourful frocks. As ever, the old jokes were the best ones & there was lots of clever stagecraft including a pink Morris Minor & a flying dragon. Finally everyone lived happily ever after & we repaired to a local Turkish restaurant for a feast. Perhaps the one disappointment was that the LDWA was not name-checked along with the 8 & 82 year-olds' birthdays or the proposal of marriage to a woman just along from us who appeared to accept with appropriate shyness to the cheers of the audience! It was a fine evening of traditional panto spiced with 21st century local colour.
In October we went to Vapiano on Gt Portland St. Don't know why I hadn't thought of this before.... a German concept serving pizza, pasta, salads all freshly prepared to order where everyone has their own credit card to pay at the end. After meeting in a very busy pub we arrived to find a very busy restaurant (I suppose it was shopping night on Oxford St so not surprising!) but managed to settle ourselves eventually at a comfy long table. The food was excellent and extremely good value and the system worked well. Although there were a few who couldn't make it at the last moment, one member who never did find us and another who popped in unexpectedly, it was a very plesent evening all round.
In September we went to Benito's Hat, www.benitos-hat.com. A great little TexMex place where you choose fillings from the counter, then sit down to try and work out how to get your mouth round the biggest burito you ever experienced! Squashed into our cosy booth, it felt like a picnic.... and we had plenty of time for another pub before home time.
In July we visited Tibits vege restaurant (recommended by Kathy) just off Regent St - in a lovely cul-de-sac with different restaurants and tables outside. Starting upstairs in the bar, we discovered the organic beer, which made up for the lack of meat........and then took up residence downstairs where we made endless trips to the 'food boat' and still more to the bar. Really good value food you pay for by weight - if anyone fancies it we would recommend it - have a look on www.tibits.co.uk. Susanne started the dancing not long after that - she even had the chefs on the floor (the dance floor of course!) We had the basement to ourselves (no idea why!) and a great evening was had by all.... especially Susanne..... and Corrine.....and Paul.....and Dave .......and ...well everyone! (The evidence is on my phone if anyone wishes to cross my palm!)