A la Colthard/The Ivy, Burnt Orange & Garrick Club
This time of year I develop mal de foie as I’ve had 3 consecutive long lunches.
On Sunday we – my two companions being a French friend and her friend – were greeted at the Ivy In the Lanes Brighton by a woman who looking into her iPad could find no trace of our reservation.
She eventually did and she referred us to the greeting desk who repeated the questioning.
The table was not ready so we went to the bar where the barman asked for our ID.
I was flattered that anyone could think me under age but my friends were less amused. It was as if the border controls when the pandemic control are on force!!’
I was due to return there on Tuesday but went to Burnt Orange instead.
My friend, a wine connoisseur, was a bit sniffy about a Chilean Pinot Noir he ordered.
He asked to see the bottle and it was not Pinot Noir, but their upgrade.
This is naughty. Tell the diner you don’t have that wine.
Oddly enough, the same trying happened at The Pig restaurant/hotel in Madehurst, Arundel.
I like the chain.
This was similar to The Pig at Brockenhurst, a shabby/chic conservatory with great views over the South Downs with basic cutlery, no table cloth & the seating not that comfy.
Two of us ordered apple crumble with berries.
However my Crumble had rhubarb and my guest’s no berries at all.
When we pointed this out, the waiter said they had run out of berries.
As The Pig makes a virtue of using its own produce I found this surprising.
Again, we should have been told.
To the Garrick Club yesterday.
It’s a magnificent building with well-appointed rooms.
As a woman I was in the minority and was aware of the campaign by one to be admitted.
As my friend, who was in favour of women membership, pointed out the procedure is by invitation – not application to the High Court.
The food was good, especially a hearty boeof bourguignon.
The Garrick has 1000 paintings including a considerable collection of theatrical pictures by Johan Zoffaany, theatrical library and memorabilia. It really is worth seeing especially if you are a woman.
