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Waxy O’Connors in Leicester Square

8 May 2009

“Have you ever read Lord of the Rings?”

I nod, wondering what analogy is going to require a knowledge of Tolkien.

“Going into that pub,” my friend said, pointing at what could have easily been mistaken for a door to a set of flats, “is like walking into the Shire.”

After a quizzical stare at the red door with the intriguing overhang of “Waxy O’Connors” I shrug and descend into one of the most unique concept pubs I’ve seen. Designed as if built into a large tree, the Irish pub features natural-style wood work, dozens of nooks and crannies, multiple bars and at least three different live bands all playing in different parts of the enormous pub.

Waxys is located in Soho in central London and clearly a favourite with locals and visitors to the city. My guide for the evening is an old friend from Colby who is back in London for the weekend visiting her former haunts from back when she studied abroad in the city. Once in the pub, our attention is caught by a group of fiddlers kicking up some Irish jigs. The group looks as though they’ve just popped in for a few pints and happened to bring their instruments along – there’s no stage, in fact they’re sitting around a table filled with food and drinks, but they’re clearly there to entertain the other customers who are toe-tapping along while waiting at the upstairs bar.

We find a table – not an easy feat and one that required some rearrangement of the furniture – under the large tree built into the centre of the pub. Drink prices are a little steep – suggesting that Waxys is more of a evening destination than a local pub for drinking and socialising but certainly worth the visit. Now if I’m ever travelling through London with a Tolkien fan, I know the place most Shire-like to take them for a drink – and that kind of London knowledge? Priceless.

Waxy O’Connors
14 – 16 Rupert Street
Leicester Square
London
W1D 6DD
020 7287 0255

Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre

7 May 2009

My newest review is live on Spoonfed for Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre:

As I sit comfortably in my seat about halfway through the first act of Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre, I get the sense that despite your usual song-and-dance numbers, this show offers something a bit different than most West End musicals. Whether it’s a unique approach to music within the show, a surprisingly earnest and engaging cast of children or the RBC quality ballet performances, Billy Elliot stands head and shoulders over most commercial West End tourist fare.

Read on: Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre

Years of Rice and Salt at Ginglik

5 May 2009

I am descending down a set of stairs decorated with fairy lights and playbills for upcoming gigs into an underground Victorian public toilet. For a public toilet, there sure are a lot of amenities including a full bar, a large sound system and stage with a rather nervous-looking set of teenagers in the middle of a set of ska music and, what’s this? Someone asking for money and waiting to stamp my hand.

In fact, what was previously a public toilet has been completely renovated and recovered to become Ginglik, a west London indie music venue and club that hosts numerous events throughout the week. It’s Tuesday, 28 April and I’m here, with a very large percentage of the Spoonfed staff to support Years of Rice and Salt (YORAS) including their guitarist/vocalist Julian who, by day, is a member of the Spoonfed development team. YORAS are competing in a battle-of-the-bands style competition hosted by The Music League. The Music League was set up to try and give unsigned bands a platform to get their music heard and they have launched a ‘Battle of the Bands’ style competition with the final prize being a spot at a big UK festival. With the majority of the Spoonfed office in attendance, YORAS certainly takes the prize for most fans present.

Years of Rice and Salt are the third act to play – following the teenage ska rockers I noticed when I entered – and immediately stand out for their highly polished performance: these guys can play their instruments. Their music is a haunting instrumental form of rock/folk music and definitely worth a listen. When their alloted time on stage comes to a close, the applause is tremendous.

This is the first time I’ve visited Ginglik (despite a fair amount of prodding by various friends and its proximity to my flat) and it’s the perfect venue for a smaller gig such as this Music League event. As with every London location I’d put off visiting, I wonder why I’ve waited so long and make mental notes to return for more Ginglik events. As for YORAS, they’ll win hands down for the night and have another gig coming up at Half Moon Putney and if tonight’s performance is any indication, they’ll have quite a few more besides.

Check out Years of Rice and Salt on MySpace and LastFM
Check out upcoming events at Ginglik

I want to catch swine flu!

4 May 2009

Call me crazy, but why on earth isn’t everyone in well developed countries hightailing it to their nearest rumoured outbreak of swine flu to swap fluids and air space with the infected? As far as I can see, there benefits to catching swine flu at this point far outweigh the risks.

1) Time off work
It’s a busy year for everyone so who couldn’t do with a few days off work? And rather than getting dirty looks from your boss when you return a few days later for using up questionable sick days, you’ll be hailed as a survivor all for getting some much needed rest.

2) Obsessive doctor care
At this stage, everyone is so cautious about swine flu that you’ll be fitted with a highly trained and overly attentive medical team to ensure your full recovery.

3) Media Attention
You might be a bit strapped for cash these days but with the media frenzy surrounding swine flu, networks will be more than willing to pay for the story of your experience and the exclusive of your recovery.

4) Some Alone Time
You’ll be in quarantine so no demands from the landlord, no catering to the kids, no awkward smalltalk with that person you see every day on your way to work – just some well deserved peace and quiet.

5) Access to Tamiflu while supplies last
In the event swine flu does become a global pandemic affecting high percentages of the population, Tamiflu use and stockpiling will limit supplies and drive prices through the roof. Better get in on the supplies now.

6) Immunity
Although the flu virus is mutating quickly so you’re not exactly guaranteed immunity in the future, having given you body exposure to this form of the virus early will make it much more likely it can defend itself when the virus spreads through larger portions of the population.

So looking at that list, I’m willing to risk the uncomfortable symptoms (fever, cough, tiredness, chills, aches, and other seasonal flu symptoms – if you experience these, especially if you’ve recently been in an area of swine flu rumoured outbreak contact your nearest heathcare professional by phone) and the unlikely event of death. Look out swine flu, I’m coming to catch you.

**Disclaimer: This is an attempt at black humour and a joke. I am certainly not a medical professional and anyone who is would never recommend this ridiculous course of action. Not to mention, biologically speaking, this is about the most selfish thing anyone could do and would spread the disease exponentially. So, read, enjoy, and continue to decorate your surgical masks.

Teacups and Cupcakes

4 May 2009

This post is incredibly long overdue (by a good few months). Back before Christmas, my flatmate Ann got me possibly the most adorable Christmas present ever and since then I have been the owner of my very own tea pot and matching tea cup – an fairly important piece of property for someone who drinks (and writes about) tea as much as I do.

The set has made appearances on special occasions or, as is the case today, when the weather is particularly rubbish and I feel an English tea set will complete the scene.

In honor of the cupcake design of my tea set, I’ve included below a recipe for the best cupcakes you will ever taste in the world.

White Velvet Butter Cake – Modified for Cupcakes
Ingredients
– 4 liquid oz of egg whites (around 4 large egg whites)
– 1 cup milk
– 2 1/4 teaspoons vanilla
– 3 cups sifted cake flour (important! make sure you use cake flour and not all-purpose flour)
– 1 1/2 cups sugar
– 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 12 tablespoons (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

Directions
Preheat oven to 350F and fill two 12-hole cupcake trays with cupcake wrappers. In a medium bowl, combine egg whites, vanilla and 1/4 cup milk.

In a large mixing bowl, combine cake flour, sugar, baking powder and salt and mix together to blend. Add the butter and remaining 3/4 cup milk. Mix on low speed until dry ingredients are moistened. Increase to medium speed (high if using a hand mixer) for 1.5 minutes. Then add the egg, vanilla and milk mixture in three equal parts, beating for 20 seconds between additions.

Pour the batter into prepared cupcake trays. Try to fill each cake with an equal amount of batter. Try using an ice cream scoop to help make scoops of batter even. Each cupcake wrapper will be about 2/3-3/4 full. Place trays in the oven for 15-20 minutes, remove when golden yellow and a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then place on a cooling rack. Let cool completely before frosting.

Frosting Recipe
– 16oz (2 sticks) unsalted butter (room temperature)
– 4 cups powdered sugar
– 1 tablespoon vanilla
– 1 tablespoon milk

Frosting Directions
Combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and beat until frosting is spreadable but still firm. If you over beat it, it will not hold its shape. Apply frosting with a pastry bag and tip, or just with a spatula.

Makes 24 cupcakes

What? Too girly for you? A girl can’t talk about tech and travel all the time! 🙂