My best friend came for a visit.
Mum (Silver May) came to stay for a couple of days, so we hit the town!
We’re both in Altuzarra for Target.
Orchid print for me // Red wrap for mum
The Mr had booked us a box at Festival Hall to see Igudesman & Joo’s new show “And Now Mozart”.
We met Hyung-ki Joo on a trip to the states and quickly fell in love with him, over dinner.
He is the most wonderful pianist, who along with his friend Aleksey Igudesman, combines classical music with pop culture and comedy.
Their show is touring at the moment, so we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to go and see them.
But first, dinner.
We went for an early supper at The Strand Dining Rooms, which is just across the river from the concert.
We started with a swirl of bubbles.
To celebrate seeing each other after a few weeks apart. (A lifetime in our books!)
Without getting too soppy, not only is mum one of the kindest, wisest people I know… she’s also one of the funniest.
Which makes her a terrible person to have supper with, because breathing can become an issue.
I started our roller coaster of a meal (you’ll soon see what I mean) with seafood scotch eggs.
An odd decision I know, but if I’ve never seen something on a menu before then I just have to try it and the eager waiter promised excellence.
I have to say I regretted the decision immensely, and rather wish I’d had mum’s crab instead.
Or the Mr’s beautifully presented beetroot salad.
To follow I had deliciously pink rack of lamb and slow cooked shoulder in a rich gravy.
While mum had the meanest portion of pork belly I’ve ever seen…
Unseasoned and a bit miserable.
The steak on the other hand was delicious.
Rubbish coffees were followed by spectacularly good puddings.
Lemon tart with raspberry sorbet and treacle tart with vanilla.
Our cheerful waiter absolutely insisted on settling the bill over 3 large glasses of liqueur.
Desperate not to offend we sipped it with smiles and “mmms”, before proclaiming loudly that we really were running awfully late, and slipping away.
The staff really are a testament to the restaurant, which is in a wonderful position. However the ups and downs of the menu could do with some help.
If you’re in the area, just pop in for a slice of tart, those are excellent.
We walked across the river to the show, marvelling at the pink sky over parliament.
Met my old friend Bella, and rushed inside to take our seats.
What followed was the most brilliantly funny, clever and beautiful concert I’ve ever attended. Igudesman & Joo, accompanied by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, brought the house down.
Ever seen some of the world’s greatest classical musicians do a jig while playing?
Now you have!
The second the show ended the entire hall leapt to their feet in applause.
We whooped, cheered, whistled and clapped along with some die hard fans (including the Monty Python lot, Bill Bailey and Sir Roger Moore).
We went backstage to congratulate the boys on their resounding success, and were thrilled to find them swamped like rockstars.
Their mission is to bring classical music to a wider and younger audience.
If the selfie crew are anything to go by, I think they’re doing pretty well!
IgudesÂman & Joo are travelling the world as we speak, so if they come to a town near you (here’s the schedule)… GO!
We jumped in an Uber and headed home to our beds, still buzzing from a wonderful evening together in London.
