Lunch Queen (and King)

Yesterday we had the freedom to choose where we wanted to have our Sunday lunch. This is a rare pleasure - and one that throws up just a handful of names without us having to think to hard. We wanted cosy, friendly, good service and above all, good homely food. We wanted Assaggi.

Once inside, the decor is reminiscent of a gentleman's club - not strip club - the proper old fashioned wood lined varieties that graces Mayfair in days gone by. The table settings chic and simple, the menu being the thing to jumble your mind. It's rare that more than one or two things jump off the page at you and negotiations and jostling of dishes so that all the flavours you now crave are fulfilled.

An amuse bouche of foie gras and a foie gras parfait was delivered which I have to say, was better that that served by Heston Blumenthaal at The Fat Duck, my old local. This you wanted to order as a main.

I opted for a gout fest with fresh king scallops, truffle butter and parmesan as a starter and the USDA steak with mushrooms as a main. The scallops parted with the side of my fork, the sauce devoured with the warm bread. Lip-licking good to steal an others phrase.

The main could have fed both of us and I felt terribly guilty leaving a piece, even though I had stuffed myself beyond the legal limit. Towered roast potatoes and zucchini in what I think was a honey and orange glaze? John had the belly pork, Ivan's signature dish, but I preferred my beef.

We didn't even have the room to consider desserts - what we wanted to order was belly rubs on the sofa, in front of the fire. So we rolled ourselves home (I'm sure I heard the car groan when we got in) and did just that.

Writer's camp

Now this may not look like much to you, but it is the result of my very first calligraphy course.

In between editions, I am trying to learn something new that I can master, write about in one of the magazines I freelance for, or just have fun with.

My pattisserie course at ITS is coming to an end, my first novel is taking shape and I have lined up some ideas and travels for after the Spring 2012 issue. I would have never gotten round to doing all the things I want to when I had a real job, the support and energy for my relentless enthusiasm from John is a major factor.

The course, which is 10 weeks long, is being held at the Bir Mula Heritage Centre in Cospicua, and is being run by sculptor and calligraphy practitioner,  Dorissa Vella, who you may remember from the Autumn issue (number 3) of indulge. Though the end result is tangiable, the work involves patience and focus.

Apparently, we will progress to mastering the alphabet and illumination, so this year's Christmas cards may actually be legible.

The centre is holding an introduction to Japanese Culture on the 20th and 27th January from 7.30 pm - tickets are just 5 euro.

Who says there is nothing to do in Malta?! Not me.....

The girl who went to see the movie - with her eyes closed

If you have read the Millenium trilogy, or like me, the first of the series only, you will have probably wondered how they could portray such vivid descriptions of violent and sexual acts on the big screen. Having seen (I mean, winced and with every muscle in my body contorting in sympathy with the excruciating pain inflicted on the characters) The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo last night, I can hand on heart assure you that they did it accurately.

The intro graphics alone are worth going for.

There are a few sections of the book that are cut out and just one or two that left us slightly confused - but it didn't actually affect the outcome of the story. The casting of Daniel Craig, though I am happy to see him in anything (the less the better) was a mistake I thought. Though he has the rugged handsomeness you expect, he is a bit too fit to play the Blomkvist I had in my head. Rooney Mara was just perfect as Salander. The female playing Berger wasn't as grrr as I was expecting, but perhaps I was stereotyping Craig as Bond and expecting him to be cast alongside a babe.

If you have read the books it is worth going to see and if you haven't - it is definitely worth going to see, even if you have your eyes wide shut at certain points.

Not at all Christmassy, but fun all the same!

We went to see Dingle Bells Malcom Smells at St James Cavalier last week but I got so caught up with cooking and festering food for New Year's Eve that I didn't get to tell you about it. Lucky for you, the show has been extended and I highly recommend you go.

Here are the extra dates:

Thurs 5th Jan 8pm - EXTRA SHOW

Friday 6th Jan 8pm - EXTRA SHOW
Saturday 7th Jan 8pm - EXTRA SHOW

Sunday 8th Jan 8pm - EXTRA SHOW

Featuring Malcolm Galea and Chris Dingli directed by Wesley Ellul, this brand new show sees the trio take on even more improvised scenarios than ever before. This is the show where everything, from the title of the show, to the genre, the storyline, the characters and the lines they say, even who plays what is decided by the audience on the night. Have a look at a clip

Tickets starting from 10 Euros available from 21223200 or Online from www.TheatreGoneWrong.com 

Hitting the low and high notes...

Last Saturday morning, we were lucky enough to be part of the Community Chest Fund event with the jurade of Saint Emillion which started off with mass at St John's Co-Cathedral with Joseph Calleja singing. We cut short a trip to London to be present, and though amazing to be part of it, I was more than miffed to have the service ruined by 3 individuals (all of whom you would expect to know how to behave) videoing the tenor singing with their iPhones, arms stretched out like a Nazi salute, DURING the mass. Lucky for me to be in the right place to ask for forgiveness for my thoughts about them. They cemented my desire to start on my next business venture though - a school for etiquette - and I shall be contacting them directly to graciously invite them to book their places.


Last night saw the 17th edition of LOL's Stand Up at the Dolmen Resort in Qawra. We left it to our friends to pick a table which, when we saw where they had picked, thought it was dangerously close to the stage. It took the compare about 5 minutes to start on Nigel, which started the laughter off.

The first act wasn't my cup of tea, but he was on the same wavelength as one half of the room and did have some funnies up his sleeve. The second act, Junior Simpson, was hilarious. He picked on Nigel's wife, Jan, and the joke carried on through his act and after the show..... As is normal with these events, you think you will remember the jokes, but they seem to dissolve by the time you reach the car.

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Christmas shopping - I have the BEST online site for you

Having spent a week in London where I came back within the baggage limits, I still need to shop. Being strict with myself due to an imminent house purchase, I am not buying things I have something remotely similar to and decided I am making foodie gifts for those deserving enough for such effort......

An ad on the tube stuck in my mind and browsing it on my return am overjoyed that I have the opportunity to do some guilt free, selfless shopping. Have a look at Good Gifts and tell me there isn't something you want to buy. 

There are turkeys for just 6 euro for an African widow to help earn the few cents they need to survive, dresses for destitute war widows, shoes for kids to avoid disease and singing lessons for shoolkids, hampers for neglected elderly people, trees to protect woodland and beer! There is something for everyone, that awkward aunt, the secret Santa.

Please have a look, please.

Seriously, book to see this...

We had a hoot last night at Love, Lust & Lynching at MITP (St Christopher Street, Valletta). The cast, directed by Wesley Ellul, didn't miss a beat. The delivery punchy, the management of the audience timely and the energy level of the whole cast, like a quality control meeting at a Red Bull factory. Even the prompts were enjoying themselves.
The play is about a Spanish village and its struggle against a tyrant - where's the humour you ask? Go see. But don't think you will just be rolling around laughing. They have you on your feet, at a lynching and a few members of the audience on the stage. Indeed, one last night, didn't want to leave!
But it's not just well done, there are actors who make you sit up and take notice of them; Jo Caruana's delivery in a certain scene made my eyes well - she was so passionate. And the gorgeous Julia Calvert and Jean-Pierre Busttil are a combo that should be paired up for a lead part. At one point in the play, Jean-Pierre was alone, on stage and in the dark, waiting  to start, but he already had the audience laughing. And had us laughing all the way home.

Tickets are available for shows on :
Saturday, 26 Nov, 2011
Sunday, 27 Nov, 2011
Friday, 02 Dec, 2011
Saturday, 03 Dec, 2011
Sunday, 04 Dec, 2011

Book yours now: www.ticketline.com.mt