From East Sheen to Claridges to Randall & Aubin
Early afternoon drinks at Claridges...the bar was ok, it is your average posh hotel bar, the julep drink was a bit too strong but the hot chocolate was perfectly choco-liscious. There were bottles of champane and wine on the menu for £4,000-£12,000+ now if you are spending that much on wine/champagne surely you are too rich and hopefully you are supporting tonnes of charities in third world countries, non? (I hope so!)

Anyhow...the best part about the Claridges experience is the grand, art deco staircase in the lobby and the ladies room which brought you to another era - absolutely beautiful - the staff are also quintessentially polite and make you feel at home.
Dinner was at the wonderful fish restaurant in Soho called Randall and Aubin, we had the cutest waiter - Roberto who was superb and recommended the best starter and Argentinian wine - he took very good care of us and was so cute!

Starters - scallops with a caper and garlic sauce. Mains - I had the crab salad and DJ had the langoustines which were fab - but so small - I am used to big fat lobsters from The Lobster Trap - like Dorothy said, 'Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore...'

The gay friendly establishment had the best looking waiters and they played classic Madonna which made the meal and atmosphere even better. Of course, my handsome dinner partner got lots of stares from the men ! Thx for din din DJ.

I was spoiled Saturday & Sunday evening with some fine food and drink....what a lovely weekend - my kitchen did not see me at all :)

Love Shack - Lobster Trap
It has been a busy week but I managed to eat at two fab restaurants this past week. On Monday it was at Joso's on Avenue Road and Davenport and on Wednesday it was Lobster Trap on Avenue Road. Both great restaurants for seafood. More on Josos later.

Lobster Trap has been around for many many years, I can't remember how long from the blurb on the menu...my memory fails me as many of you know...but it never changes - the decor, the lighting, the plates, table cloths all are the same. I was there seven years ago and it was just as I had remembered it.

Very basic, rustic, homely but it works. If you want fresh lobster then you go there, upon entering you walk by the tanks of the fresh crustaceans and then you are served it in the simplest of ways, either broiled or steamed only a little while later.

They do have a variety of other fresh fish but as the name of the restaurant is Lobster Trap, lobster is the order of the day! We had oysters to start and my companions ordered their infamous lobster bisque soup. Unfortunately, I am cream intolerant so only had a taste but it was great. I ordered the 2lbs of crab and it was huge! It had to be taken home for crab salad the next day. All of their fish is served with fresh lemon or melted butter - all was delicious.

Our server was super nice and my two guests were on 'diets' but orderered some questionable items from the food and drink selection...they are too funny and great company! Thanks for dinner Mrs. D. They are dining at Phoenicia's in Michigan this weekend- maybe they are sitting in Bill Clinton's chair.

Have a great sunny Saturday!
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