A trout for lunch

Off to London on Sunday, having carefully prepared the way by asking Network Rail about engineering works and train times. We were told that there were indeed engineering works in parts at and west of Chessington South but our line was OK, trains were running as normal. Get to Epsom station to find that this was not quite right and that Raynes Park was connected to Clapham Junction by a bus rather than by a railway. Luckily there was a re-timed train to Victoria at the time we were to have caught a train to Vauxhall, so we were able to make our connection to the Victoria Line OK.

Arrived at Oxford Circus too early for Niketown, so proceeded to the Regent Street All Bar One for tea and coffee. Very reasonable place it was too. Spacious with few customers and would have been quiet but for the rather too loud musak. We thought there was no point us seniors suggesting to the young staff that it was turned down a bit.

And so onto the Wigmore Hall for the lunchtime trout from Schubert (D667), by way of musicians from the Scottish Ensemble. Plus a London if not world première of 'Bite' from Alasdair Spratt (http://www.alasdairspratt.co.uk/Home.html) by way of a starter, and quite acceptable it was too. The trout was as good as I remembered, although I had quite forgotten that it involved a double bass, a double bass which added body to the piece, body which seems to be largely missing from my old vinyl version. Slightly marred by a fidgeting programme rustler next to BH. House full, to the extent of a line of people seeking returns.

For lunch proper to Ponti's, where we started with mixed bread and olives (very nattily presented, and including an interesting black dip made from olives) and I followed with one of their fine Scotto-Italiano burgers. With a good caesar salad for BH. An establishment which we continue to like: nicely furnished, pleasant staff and reasonable prices. Food & drink entirely acceptable, although they claimed not to do Vino Santo & biscuits and I had to settle for an Amaretto & biscuits, which, as it turned out, made an interesting change.

PS: this morning I take a peek at the spratt site where, rather than reprising the bite ('“Mad, is he? Then I hope he will bite some of my other generals.” (attributed to George II, on Major General James Wolfe)'), I find myself downloading something called quicktime, seemingly some media product from Apple. Not quite working yet but you never know. Maybe after the next reboot.