The Weekend (part 2)

I spent the day in front of the TV yesterday.  Watched a bit of the football, England beating Wales 2-0 in a World Cup Qualifier and watched the news coverage of the anti cuts demo in London (wishing I was there but to be honest it had passed me by).  I also watched the Boat Race (Oxford beating Cambridge emphatically).

After the race it was time to get ready for Clare's works night out. This was a follow on from the Christmas meal for those people that couldn't make it last time. 14 of us in total, with one or two new faces.  The meal was at Anderson's Bar & Grill in St Paul's Square.  I've already mentioned it on this blog but just to recap it specialises in steak but also has a veggie option.  Last night I opted for the whipped goats cheese with cracked black pepper, marinated beetroot and truffle honey dressing as my starter and  a lovely tart tatin for my main. Just like last time I missed out on a desert and cheese board. 

I like Anderson's and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, not only was the food good but I met some really nice people as well.  All in all a really good night out.

Today started with breakfast and newspapers at the cafe in Sainsbury's before doing the shopping. Although I had a fair amount to drink last night I was tired more than anything else (losing an hour as the clocks went forward last night, BST begins!) and so have had quite a quiet day, catching up on the TV I missed over the last couple of nights (Friday Night Dinner, White Van Man).

Clare and I did pop out early this afternoon for a walk around the park. We took some bread to feed the ducks but they were not interested.  With the daffodils in full bloom and the trees in bud the park, well bits of it, looked lovely in the Spring sunshine.

A good weekend despite England's cricketers losing to Sri Lanka in the quarter finals of the Cricket World Cup!

Anderson's Bar and Grill - St Paul's Square

It was Clare's company's Christmas night out last night.  Anderson's Bar and Grill in St Paul's Square was the venue and a good choice it was too.

The place itself is warm and inviting, located in an eighteenth century cellar, with a small  bar area where I had a couple of Gins and Tonic while we waited for our party to arrive.  It was quite busy with the remnants of an earlier office party, and quite loud, but the stragglers eventually filtered away.

A steak house is possibly not the best place for a vegetarian but there was enough on the menu to keep me happy and although I couldn't have my first choice of main course I was offered various alternatives.  I went for Butternut Squash Risotto. It was lovely but it was nothing compared to my starter! Baked goats cheese with soft basil tomatoes, balsamic syrup and fresh rocket pesto dressing was fantastic. 

Desert was a Creme Brulee.  Not my choice, it was ordered for me and I was told to down it in one. I tried, I failed. Thanks for that Mike!

I stuck to wine during the meal, going for the Hawkes Bay Pinot Noir, a New Zealand Red which was lovely.  Afterwards I had a couple of brandys to wash it all down.

I hadn't met all of the people around the table until last night but everyone was really friendly and I came away having had a really good night although I am suffering a bit this morning!

http://www.andersonsbarandgrill.co.uk/