medium rare confession

I'm feeling exceptionally hungry today. Muesli, check! Banana, check! Full English breakfast, check! French omelette, check! Now, where are my waffles?! It has been a long week but luckily, it's Friday. A time to relax, unwind and probably catch up with friends over lunch, dinner and maybe a drink or two. Life is just more interesting after 2am, the liquor taste better and the woman more beautiful. There is a saying; the night belongs to the poets and the madman. Surprisingly, I haven't been drinking much this week. In fact, other than my daytime job obligations (Yes, I do build), I've been rather good and stayed at home. Oh, that reminds me, I mustn't forget to call the brunette.

Talking about food, hospitality designs is really interesting at the moment. I have seen changes since the odd bar and restaurant projects I've done in the sector. I recently noticed that some clients are not satisfied with just an architect or interior designer. A new breed of consultants has emerged, come on in, Menu Psychologist! Clap! Clap! Clap! Some even call themselves Menu Engineers or Menu Consultants. I was told there have recently been tremendous interests in this area because clients are constantly manipulating their menu to entice customers to visit their establishment during this difficult period. According to them, adding a '£' sign in front of a price is a no-no. £12.50 is bad, 12.50 is good. In fact, 13 is better. The '£' sign triggers what is known as 'the pain of paying'. Come on folks, we all know that. Doesn't need a menu engineer/consultant/surveyor/builder/decorator to tell us that!! Some would argue that the menu should not list a price until the very bottom. Other examples includes, rounding the pence into quarters .25, .50 and .75, designing the menu with a newspaper layout in mind or even putting their speciality/expensive dishes in the middle where the eyes are drawn to. But everyone agrees that no pictures should be shown. Don't you just love those touristy restaurants you get while visiting another country with their tacky flags of languages they speak and the awful food photography for its menu? Eek!!

All this gastronomic chatter gives me an idea. I wonder whether the brunette would object if I took her to Borough Market (yum yum) for some chow on Saturday. And, while we are there a visit to Southwark Cathedral wouldn't go amiss. Sounds perfect. Sin & saviour, what a great combination! This cathedral has been a place of worship for Christians for over 1000 years. It wasn't until the early 20th century that it became a cathedral. The main part is of Gothic architecture circa 1215-1420's, thus making it the first in the London. And like many old cathedral, it is laden with history. The site was surveyed in the Doomsday Book in 1086 under the reign of William the Conqueror's half brother, Bishop Odo of Bayeux. Apparently, a convent was founded here in 606 but such claims by the Cathedral have not been proven. Looking closely, you could even see Norman stonework, much of which is done during Henry I's reign. Adding to that, the infamous Thomas Beckett preached here, a stone-throw away from Cheapside where he was born, before his fatal journey to Canterbury in 1170. Even fire has threatened the church numerous occasions (1212, several times in 1390's & 1420) but it didn't stop them from prosecuting heretic actions in 1515. During the 17th century, Wencealaus Hollar drew 'The long view of London, 1638' (see image above), what would become the most important impression of that time.

Who knows what restaurant we'll end up with tomorrow? Cote de bouef - 42, I'll take it!!