Welcome to Issue 4 - I hope you enjoy it!
Good-time Charlie is an irregular newsletter containing items that I hope will be of interest you, our readers. It is based on eating, drink, music, fun stuff and well … good times!
This Issue, we will start with a Leader Comment - just like a proper newspaper
Good-time Charlie
LEADER COMMENT
For the last 45 years, my carefree experience of a visit to a pub had two concerns and two rules
The concerns were:
1) Is it a suitable venue - Is the decor appealing to the eye and comfortable, are the other patrons suitable people to be with?
2) Are the drinks on offer to my liking and does the establishment offer reasonable value for money?
The rules were equally straightforward:
1) Do not offend the other patrons, landlord and / or bar staff
2) Do not get drunk and start a fight
Now, in addition to the above general rules of thumb, come more concerns and rules of a highly specific and mandatory nature.
Concerns:
1) Do I have a face covering with me that ticks the boxes of fit, style and comfort - does it cover both nose and mouth?
2) Have I a smartphone loaded with the NHS App so I can login to Track and Trace?
3) Have I a QR reader on my phone to order drinks and food?
4) Do have I have a contactless debit or credit card with me, as my cash is no longer good enough in here?
5) Can I remember my name and phone number to give upon entry?
6) Do I want to admit to being in this establishment with the person I am with?
7) Does the establishment appear to operate in a 'Covid secure' manner?
8) Are there enough staff to provide table only service with the rapidity that I require?
9) Do I have the pubs app to order drinks without going to the bar?
10) Have I booked a table or as a walk-in risk being rejected due to the establishments’ occupancy limit?
11) Do I have a temperature, in case they check? Kiss goodbye to hot and sweaty pre drink goings on!.
Rules:
Loads: In no particular order - hand sanitise on way in; wear a face mask until seated and replace mask when visiting facilities or going for an inhalation of nicotine; social distancing; not mingling; only bringing up to 5 chums; does the lady I am with live in my household or bubble (I wish!); is she really my niece; don't touch anything; don't sing or talk loudly; don't talk to the people on the next table; do not complain; do not ... just to be clear, DO NOT …
And of course, last orders are at 9.30pm so you can be gone by 10pm - just don't forget your takeaway 6 pack, so you can carry on socialising 'un-socially distanced' round at your mates gaff!
On balance it may prove best to stay at home even if it does open up the possibility of breaking the first rule of survival - do not become a source of irritation or focus of 'jobs for the weekend' for ones’ partner!
Despite having had a largely non-existent 2020 we are taking a positive view on 2021 and a featuring two Forward Planning items:
The first is a rather delightful and workman like calendar from Shoreditch based Labour and Wait
Remember – important dates
The second is a well organised and decidedly forward thinking Life Planner from Clerkenwell based Present and Correct
Plan – for the future as any true Stoic would
Next, we move swiftly on to two dining establishments that have had very positive reviews:
There is nothing quite so positive and life affirming as a well-made pie and The Windmill in Mayfair is just such a place. It has long had a Pie Room – I know, I have been there – but it has had a make over from the team at the nearby and highly praised Guinea Grill – winderful or should that we wonderful!
Eat - heartily
Another food type that brings a glow to the cheeks of Good-time Charlie is of the French variety. A newly opened establishment called Maison Francois, immaginatively named after its’ owner – Francois seems just the ticket on an autumnal day – A long lunch preferably.
Eat – A La Francais
Well that wraps up Issue 4 … next week there will be a Travel Special, but don’t get too excited … it is a Staycation on the Essex coast!
Thank you for your support.