Everyone with plans to attend the champagne reception which followed the Quit Rents Ceremony walked to the nearby Inns of Court--we walked with the lady who had recommended Richard as speaker. We had a grand time in a nice-sized room during which I met the two new Sheriffs of the City of London and gave each of them a uniform shoulder patch from where I work (the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office) which both of them thoroughly enjoyed receiving and showing to those nearby, saying, "Look what Lynette's given me, from her Sheriff!" I also introduced myself to the Queen's Remembrancer who, when he found out I'm from Portland, took off looking for his son Felix. I think he said Felix' godmother is from Portland--I wonder if I remember that correctly? Felix and I talked about Portland--he lives in NYC and had come home to attend this event, his father's last since he's retiring. Turns out Felix is friends with Portland's own Storm Large! Not that I know her, but I've seen her perform at Pioneer Courthouse Square! Small world. Richard and I made our way out of the building. On the way out, Richard wanted me to see this huge room, all set up for a dinner. Amazing space. I believe he said that at some point he'd attended an event in it--set up at that time as a disco! I wish I could remember more--there was something else about Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream.
One of my favorite signs seen on the whole trip, as we exited the Inns of the Court. We took a black cab to Richard's hotel.
Ah, so nice to sit and relax in the Malmaison bar with a cup of tea. Richard went upstairs to change while I enjoyed the quiet. Don't you love the effect of the glass tabletop? I certainly do!
Dinner for four at St. JOHN Restaurant. A collage. Richard's tripe with fennel & bacon; my roasted mutton, carrots & aioli; Paula's hake, white beans & green sauce (Paula who lives in London is a friend of Juliet's son Tristan who lives in Brooklyn); Juliet's rabbit saddle & braised red cabbage; our new potatoes and Savoy cabbage; two desserts whose names I didn't get because Richard and I ordered that plate of what turned out to be too many madeleines. I never thought I'd think such a thought, much less live through it--too many piping hot madeleines. I wish I had a couple of them right now! Juliet had her much-desired bone marrow parsley salad as an appetizer--I forgot to take a photo! Anyway, now we've dined at the number one eatery on Anthony Bourdain's 2009 list of the thirteen places where one should dine before one dies!
