Spice of India, The Cut, Waterloo (11th November 2008) by mikebate

Tonight was a special occasion as RoT had the honoured responsibility of hosting an American Fraternity Brother of mine (Mr. John Mengucci), his COO (Mr.Macy Summers) and a very important lady - I am not allowed to explain her duties this visit - Mrs. Linda Foster. They were on a flash business tour and were desperate to take advantage of RoT's renowned hospitality.

It should not go without comment that polite, respectable members of RoT such as Jezza(apparently 'on business' in Amsterdam) and Junior (literally on business in India) and Vowler (never a realistic excuse) sent a note of apology that they would miss the monthly meeting. This was not the case with the rudest members, if they can be called members due to their unreliability, namely Craig Stimpson and Brother Cress.

The Kings Arms on Roupell Street has become a monthly haunt of RoT on account of the fact that certain members (ie. Newtsey who lives where Dr. Beeching purposely targeted, and Tomo whose train stops at every town in the universe from Wokingham) do not have the desire or capability to stray too far from Waterloo Station. However this pub is now an old favourite of ours as it has atmosphere, good beer (occasionally a slip up when they run out of Green King IPA) and it is on an original Victorian Street in a conservation area. It is basically unspoilt. so, in attendance were Me, Tomo, Pymster, Bascy, Newtsey (late), and our US guests highlighted above.

It was as busy as usual but we managed to secure our usual round table by ousting some foreign birds who dared to go for a smoke - the 2 second rule is internationally recognised. Gooch was drinking several pints of Gunness, Macy sampled the beer with the lads and Linda joined in admirably by drinking pints also. We didn?t tell her until we were leaving that girls just don't drink pints in England but hey - she was fun!

The short excursion to The Cut, under the railway arches of Waterloo East brought us to The Spice of India which has been upgraded since previous reviews and has a cosmic, contemporary blue lighting atmosphere. This is totally inappropriate but makes it appear a modern and chic place to eat (why we were there of course).

The food was pretty good this night - it can range from mediocre to good - and the full variety of dishes was consumed by the hungry diners. Our US bretheren were impressed by the variety of spices and flavours that their palets are never able to experience in the land of Burger King, Pizza Slut and Mickey D's. They became very confused when the usual US formality of a salad was not served before the main course. This was more appropriately replaced by delicious pappadams ( a spelling which is a current subject of discussion on RoT 'Eat and Learn' evenings).

Astonishingly to me, as I used to have to turn him upside down to even get a few cents off him at college, Gooch paid for the meal! This was highly appreciated actually and is generosity never previously experienced at a RoT meeting because most of us, excluding me, are tight-arses. Carriages were called at some late hour which I forget but not too late to get Tomo and Newtsey home in time for their cup of hot chocolate.