In Which I Do Not Risk Death At The Tate Modern

So off up to that there London I went yesterday to get some culchah and to not risk a possibly hideous choking death.

It was a nice afternoon, so I took the camera along as I’m off on holiday in a couple of weeks and felt I was a bit out of practice. Good thing I did, as on review, I was over exposing like a bastard. So will try and get out a couple more times to get my ‘eye’ back in.

Friend Heddle was on time despite a traumatic journey of cancelled trains and engineering works, so off we trotted to the Turbine Hall balcony to gaze (from a Health & Safety mandated distance) at the artwork.

Our opinion: Distinctly underwhelming, as Heddle pointed out (and you can see from the pictures) Unless someone told you they were sunflower seeds, from above they could have replaced the whole lot with gravel and you’d be none the wiser. All very ‘meh’ and certainly not what the artist intended, so what is the point in continuing to exhibit it.

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So that was done, and I can tell you that as far as we were concerned there is no danger of repeated or prolonged exposure on our parts (unless they open it again and I will then go back).

Off we strolled for a very pleasant walk  along the South Bank to Charing Cross and thence repaired to The Garrick for some much needed liquid refreshment.

Then the second disappointment of the day, ‘quelle horruer, zut alors’ The Tokyo Diner had a power failure. No Katsu Curry. 

“Come back in an hour” they said “It might be fixed by then”

So there was nothing for it, but to retire famished to the Slug & Lettuce for some more liquid refreshment. The hour passed quickly as it always does, when in good humour, good company and good conversation and back we went.

Nope, still closed. What to do, you’re all geared up for a Katsu Curry and it’s whipped away from you, I have to tell you best beloved, we were downcast and had to return to the Slug & Lettuce for some more liquid refreshment to bolster our sagging spirits.

(and before anyone pops up in the comments with “But Waggamamas do a Japanese Curry and it’s just round the corner”. Let me tell you Waggamamas Japanese Curry is as close to an actual Katsu Curry as a Findus Crispy Pancake is to actual food)

But then like a flash of lightning on a dark night, a memory surfaced of Little Bro telling me they were opening a Japanese Diner at the Japan Centre, a quick call to confirm this was the case and garner the location and we were off. 

It being several minutes walk away, we did have to stop en-route for more liquid refreshment at The Captains Cabin and then….

Yes the diner was there, yes it was open and yes, they did a Katsu Curry, Huzzah!!!

The curry certainly tasted authentic, (and they had sweet pickles, my favourite) however it was more of a gravy than a sauce, a bit thin. With none of the lovely chunks of carrot and potato that you get in the Tokyo Diner. Price £10. However that was the only reasonable price in there, the rest was ridiculously priced e.g. £4.00 for 2 yakitori sticks and £4.00 for a small tin of Asahi.

As a fall back, it certainly saved the day for the Katsu Curry craving, but I don’t think I’ll be going back.

Suitably replete, we heid back to The Garrick for some more liquid refreshing and chat. I then saw the Heddle off at the tube station, hugs were exchanged and a wave goodbye.

I then wended my merry (very merry) way back to Bexleyheath, to sleep the sleep of the innocent, bathed in the warm golden glow you only get when you know you’ve had a thoroughly good time.

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