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Tuesday 22 April 2008

Newbies...

We are off to London in exactly two weeks.

Which is nice for us and for the good people of Old London town,
obviously.

I am officially getting excited about the trip..........

......nnnnnnnnnnnnow.

It has to be better than my last trip. The first day will probably be spent sleeping. LMM is running the Belfast marathon the day before and I have a 12 hour bank holiday shift. With our flight leaving at 7am or something equally preposterous their could be swearing as well as sleeping.

The only thing we have planned is dinner at Gordon Ramsay's Claridges restaurant, oh well if I must. I also want to go to Tate Modern and pretend to understand the significance of it all. My only other plan is record shopping. I've cleared half a room for my intended purchases. I'm not joking either.

But as much as I'd like to lose myself in a world of 12 inches, 7 inches, long players (MJ you can insert obvious joke here) and associated products for four days I cant see LMM going for it. I've tried to read the many many guide books but I find them a chore. So if anyone can recommend good places to eat, drink, visit, look at, etc then please do share.



In other news....
I've seen my visitor hits nearly double over the last week or so. I mean it's like I used to drive a Ford Focus and I was happy with it then somebody put me in a Ferrari....zooooooooom. Okay maybe not a Ferrari but a better Ford Focus, with a spoiler and go faster stripes. Now I know we aren't supposed to worry about our hits and all that, we blog for the love of it blah blah blah. But not me I need the hits, man, I need them bad. Every hit is a virtual hug, even the ones who got here by accident whilst trying to find out the latest news from the rural swinging scene. True story!

So if you have come here from Waiter Rant then welcome. Here are a few things you need to know (the rest of you can move along)...

As you all know, by now, my blog is called Well Done Fillet......that's well done FILLET (with two "l's"), pronounced FIL-LET not FIL-LAY. Now I know this will be difficult for you Americans out there but you really must try. Over here we pronounce it FIL-LET and you pronounce it FIL-LAY, but when you are in my house you will use the former. And another thing the superbly ugly fish Turbot is pronounced TUR-BIT not TUR-BO. Stop it, it really annoys me. Good grief even the French pronounce it TUR-BIT. Don't even get me started on risotto (it's OT-TO not OH-TO). For those of you who don't know I took my name Manuel from the much put upon waiter Manuel from the BBC TV show Fawlty Towers. In reality I am much more like Basil.

I see you out there, hundreds of you, thousands of you in the last week. You all clicked the link from Waiter's place and now you are here. Some of you stay for but a moment some stay for hours. But none of you say much.

Why so shy?

Why?

Why?

Not commenting is like not tipping. You wouldn't stiff this waiter would you?

Would you?

45 People trying to get Manuel's attention:

Anonymous said...

I'm not shy, I'm just trying to keep a low profile as I skive off working and read blogs instead. Your writing cracking me up isn't helping.

If it makes you feel better, you're one of my bookmarks now. :-)

Cheers!

Megan McGurk said...

Yay for LMM doing the marathon.

And Yay for your bump in traffic. You deserve it and then some, Manuel.

Anonymous said...

Buddha Jazz in Denmark Hill.
http://www.buddhajazz.co.uk/
There's a map and directions on that link.
Vietnamese, very tasty. Treat it like tapas and just order starters as and when. Don't pass up on the eels, D-licious.
Every time I've been there the service has been brilliant too.

Blondefabulous said...

I got here by way of Ribeye and Upset Waitress. I started commenting right off. Course, that may not have been a good thing.....

Manuel said...

liz in la: welcome Liz! Glad you like it.....Now I have somewhere to stay if I go to LA......unlikely as that currently is....

lmm: does it every year.....for charity of course....legend! I never get to support her as we get hammered as the marathon is on....ironically...

bbb: cheers fella!

blondie: it's all good!

Paddy in BA (Quickroute) said...

The stats say that only 5% or so of visitors leave a comment - thank your lucky stars tippers ain't the same!

Manuel said...

quickie: really? I did not know that.....my tip rate is about 95% at the mo.....which is nice......

The Mistress said...

*holds back on obvious joke for the moment*

I see LMM's bag is packed.

Do you have to pack a separate suitcase for your giant underpants?

Manuel said...

mj: ha!

Anonymous said...

Will you be posting while on vacation? We'll miss you if you don't but certainly understand if you need a vacation from the interweb as well...

Wondrous on the repeat marathon! i ran my first (and probably last) half-M last year. My son was at mile 11 - and my daughter caught the photo of him blowing cigarette smoke as i approached them...an art shot, of course. if i wasn't near death, i'd have whacked him one...

Manuel said...

daisyfae: oh hell yeah I'll be posting.....I couldn't stop even if wanted to....

Anonymous said...

We find you offense and a disgrace to the waiting industry and demand you hang up your snooty attitude or be stripped of your pinny at the grand counsel of waiters.

Old Knudsen said...

Ok that last one might have been me.
You hits hoor for LMM's info they are called 'Snickers' now so enjoy.

In London there is this nice wee sushi place you should check out, just follow the shifty Russians.

Old Knudsen said...

If I knew you thought comments were like tipping I wouldn't have given you such big generous comments over the last year, all you would have gotten was ;)

shoubu said...

Greetings from OZ, love the blog.

Was in Ireland recently talking to a Dublin food writer and some other restaurant related peeps - FOH and BOH - about the Irish Work Ethic, cue blinding white light and heavenly choir.

Said writer took me to task straight up when I commented on the amount of standing around and gabbing by waiters going on in Dublin restaurants. Apparently the friendly atmosphere of service was being threatened by an influx of surly but efficient new world waiters.

Not sure how things are in Belfast?
Feel like convict labour is dragging your amicable culture down?

BTW - Had a bloody great time in
Ireland, so not bitching just curious.

Anonymous said...

im not shy either lol im just lazy, sorry!...just wanted to say hi and that i love your site i first started reading waiter rant which is also a great site and here i am, i actually read all of ur posts from ur archives ..i am hooked!lol...have fun in your trip!

Mudflapgypsy said...

Neals Yard - cheese shop. I was too afraid to go in as the smell coming out the door scared me and I've been in a cheddar factory before!

Go on you can do it....

Have a fun time. And good luck air freighting the vinyl home.

Unknown said...

How long are you going for? Time for Camden Market / Portobello road?

Anonymous said...

Tell LMM to look out for a sheepish runner too (and good luck to her)...

You gonna be looking for Chamionship Vinyl?

Anonymous said...

Have a good time....did you take up my recommendation for the Hotel....? You didn't ask me to get you 'mates' rates!! Whats up with you, do you enjoy paying full whack?

Knudson's right you're nothing more than a hits hoor.....you need help! :)

Anonymous said...

but will you remember us loyal readers from the good old days - that's the question :-) My memory of the Tate Modern is a piece that consited of a shelf with a glass of water on it. I really did't know what to make of it.

Manuel said...

the waiters of the world: pfft......I find your grammar to be be poor....

old k: ha! I should have guessed......

la sinistra: Welcome! I have to say I find that odd.....aussie waiters/bar tenders tend to be amongst the laziest.....very friendly and what have you but unlikely to break a sweat......now The Polish they can show us all how to work.......

bless: welcome! Ta ta

muddy: cheers muddy, I have special bags........special......

conan: 4 days....it's on the plan.....

sheepo: you too? Jesus, I have you all wrong......championship vinyl? ha!

queenie: hello? where have you been? I'm very shy.......

conortje: oh now don't say that......lmm will never stand for such nonsense.......

Dea said...

Ah shit Manuel... not commenting is like not tipping? Ouch. I'm here I really am... just grumpy and busy of late. I'll try to be better.

Dea said...

Oh... thought this would make you smile! http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/lifestyle/lifestyle-catchall/2008/04/20/burger-king-78057-20388483/

Manuel said...

DEBS: You are excused.......hows the new thingy goin? I suppose I should just pop over n see.....

Anonymous said...

Manuel: Na, I'm guessing you've got me right, but trying my hardest to be good and healthy the past few months (weekends excluded, obviously)

Anonymous said...

Le Cafe Anglais or Nahm are meant to be v. good.
The science museum is a bit of fun

Anonymous said...

Cecconis in Knightsbridge (close to Green Park tube) is another worth looking at. Service can be excellent or less so but when it's on it's 10/10. The decor and ambience are fantastic, food delicious. They now open right through from breakfast.

Manuel said...

sheepo: god loves a trier.......fair play young fella.....by the way I sent some stuff to our mutual contact/friend.....

anfearbui: cheers! Is it a science and shoe museum? LMM wont be having it otherwise.....

bbb: quality mate cheers.....

Sadhbh said...

Manuel, so glad to hear everyones looking (and some commenting) at your site...you deserve it, its super funny!!
I get a whole two hits a day (yay) and i know that one of them is my little sis!! Did it take you long to build up such a following??

Manuel said...

sadhbh: a full year to be honest. You have to keep plugging away, regular updates and good writing.....well that's what i try to do.......

Anonymous said...

Not sayin' anything because I know better than to piss off the waiter... just sayin'.

Anonymous said...

Manuel: Ah great! Hope all goes well.

Manuel said...

stfarmer: Welcome. no no carry on....I enjoy a good joust....what's on your mind?

sheepo: fingers crossed.....

Anonymous said...

Glad to I've contributed to your increase of hits. You're one of my bookmarks now as well. Given that I eat out in Belfast at least twice a week no doubt we have bothered you at some time at work. Will try to keep your customer tips in mind!

Manuel said...

miffy: welcome, so what's you current favourite place to eat in Belfast?

Anonymous said...

anuel, if you have never done it, and even if you have, the natural history museum is the best thing in london EVAH!1 - sign up to do a behind the scenes tour (its free, the whole thing is free) and you get to wear a lab coat and go into the back storage areas - its utterly class..

lorraine@italianfoodies said...

enjoy London, looking forward to hearing about GR!! Sooo jealous!!

Anonymous said...

Have a fab and relaxing time - hope you're going to do a full write-up on Ramsay's place :-)

Someone recommended The Salt Yard on Googe Street to me - I haven't been yet but it's on my list for next time: http://www.saltyard.co.uk/01_intro.htm

PS Don't fall into the 'art' crack in the floor of the turbine hall at Tate Modern - if it's still there, that is - could be something else by now. Lovely building though.

Sharon McDaid said...

I left a comment yesterday but the gremlins must have eaten it. Or I effed up.

Good for LMM running the marathon, I hope to go out to cheer them on for a bit. If she writes LMM on her top I'll be able to give her an extra loud cheer.

I embarrassed myself a few months ago in Tedford's by pronouncing the fish tur-bo. I really thought that was right! My husband whispered the correct way to me when the waiter went off, probably sniggering at my mistaken pretension. Ah well, so now I know.

I wrote about my last London trip here and it's nearly all about the food.

This time round, I liked the British Museum, a lovely record of a nation's plunder. There's a Wagamama just across the street too when you need noodle replenishment.

Manuel said...

toast: I'll put it on the list......my list not "our" list....

lorraine: me too, was looking at the menu yesterday.......mmmmmmmmmmmmmmexpensive

jen: I'll check the salt yard out......tata

sharon: tefords eh......love tedfords, alan is a great chef.......LMM is far too shy to be putting anything on her bib thing......

Anonymous said...

I love Brits but you all pronounce everything wrong. No offense. e.g. schedule, oregano....the list goes on.

love your blog!

Manuel said...

lauren in nyc: Welcome! Brits? Pfft.......Irish, if you please......and we are even worse than the brits at pronouncing things.....

Anonymous said...

If not commenting is similar to not tipping then I'm a terrible customer because I've been reading this blog since it got a mention in the guardian tv guide and can't remember if I've even commented once...

Love it by the way.

Also I didn't know it was normal for americans to pronounce fillet that way. I sell fish in a supermarket for a living and when an american customer asked for haddock "fillay" I found it very hard not to laugh (lol - she thinks she's in france)!

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