The DinerI had what I thought was food poisoning but was told that was a bad flu bug that is going around; either way the sight or smell of food put me off in the last two days and I found it difficult to do food research or even blog about food.

I am feeling better now and can actually look at the bean burger in the above pic. I ate it with such joy the other night at The Diner on Curtain Road in Shoreditch. It was after the Sickboy opening night. Spoken about as the next Banksy, Sickboy is the graffiti artist who has decorated many a wall in the east end. His show was an interesting mix of pieces large and small and even a funny house that was up for grabs if one had the 'magic key', Charlie and the Chocolate Factory style, remember the golden ticket?

(Babushka below without her furry hat)In the buying frenzy of some very young and trendy people - my friends and I got into the spirit and bought a piece each. K should get a commission, as we had no clue about this until we got the invite last minute. At our dinner afterwards at The Diner, Stu entertained the ladies, and we all devoured our burgers and fries and ate the most fattening items on the menu - 'tis the Christmas season to eat out every night! The only thing I have in the fridge is a jar of jam and some GU desserts.Next time we go to The Diner I will order a soda float (I have only had those in Canada) and an all day greasy breakfast. 'Free your mind and your ass will follow,' £2k (this one was snapped up quickly!).
The 'house' with a conveyor belt which spat out some Sickboy candies.

Which wine do you drink on date 5?I have been having frustratingly bad net connection this week - not sure why, as we pay enough for it from a look at our monthly bill!? So there is a lack of posts and seems like my laptop has exceeded its memory limit so need to get another external hard drive....why don't I have a computer geek as a boyfriend - it would definitely make all this techy stuff easier!

Today it is supposed to reach 17degrees and it has been sunny all weekend, it may be premature to say spring has sprung but the tulips on our balcony seem to be confused and emerging anyway!

The weekend was filled with Shoot BAFTA fun in the sun and some great wine and food with the Am-Dram team in Shoreditch, Trevor and some non-PRs along with a JWT ad agency guru (who has an entertaining 5 date rule) from Toronto.

Kitty announced the name of the wine we were drinking (it is her fave), Montepulciano - d'Abbruzzo in her funniest Italian accent - while C and I enjoyed listening to her funny Italian vocab. I think she knows how to say 'leave me alone' and a few other key phrases to fend off the men - well she is the honey monster so this is probably necessary!

Out to enjoy the sun and blue skies and see Moatsem's latest collection at the Metropolitan Hotel. Good to luck Sabina at the start of London Fashion Week!

Shoreditch shenanigansmore to follow...

"Little Hanoi" in Shoreditch

I have to say that I have not had a Chinese or Vietnamese experience that I have enjoyed unless it was at an extremely expensive restaurant. Tonight I went to a Christmas party at a Vietnamese restaurant and it was cheap and cheerful but nothing else - the tastes don't impress and the food always seems so greasy. I ordered the tofu vegetarian option as I always find the quality of the meat to be suspicious.

Along the Kingsland Road in Shoreditch there are several Vietnamese restaurants and the strip is nicknamed Little Hanoi - it was also BYOB which was nice. The service was excellent and the staff super nice but the food to me is always lacking...is it just me or unless you go to the likes of the Prince Hotel for Chinese or Vietnamese you don't get the greatest meal?! Maybe I just don't like Vietnamese or maybe I haven't found a cheap and cheerful restaurant that is actually fabulous quality like Street Hawker in Maida Vale is for Thai food.

Oh well...am sure I will survive this dilemma.

:)