Lovage, SE1 (7th December 2010) by Junior

In keeping with tradition in recent years, it was my honour and privilege to host the Christmas RoT meeting, following a brief and entertaining sojourn to Chez Pymster's in St Margaret’s last year. The evening began with Sherry and mince pies at our new flat in Bermondsey (pronounced) Bur-mond-saaay in the hope that it sounds less like and East end crack den. The chaps braved the local streets and arrived somewhat 'light' on the mince pie front, as they daren’t go in any of the local shops without a stab vest. Nevertheless, plenty of Sherry on hand and a good turn-out including Vowler, Stimo, Bogger and the recalcitrant Pymy. We headed of to Shad Thames, a short walk to the local pub – the 'Dean Swift'.

Under new management for a number of months, the Swift has a small but well kept range of ales. We partook of the UBU and Wandsworth (can't remember the variety) which were in excellent shape. The new landlord is a young chap who, to his credit, is passionate about the place and an ale and food enthusiast. Both he and the head chef, with whom we passed some time with at the bar, were knowledgeable and pleasant and a brief look at the menu, which includes ale and cheese tasting menu, will tell you this place is worth a visit for food or ale - anytime. A packed bar testament to the popularity of the place and proof that if put the effort in, people will respond. The previous management had successfully created a soulless dive.

We then moved on to Lovage, which is an excellent high class Indian restaurant, even if it is pricey by any standards. The usual scrum for popadoms and pickles ensued, with second orders of pickles all round, due to the somewhat mean portions. Pymster then broke with the long standing tradition of RoT and allowed his current lady friend to attend the remainder of the evening. It rapidly became obvious as to why this tradition of no RoT WAGs has held out so long, as several fifty-something ‘gentlemen’ tried their best lines out on the hapless lady. Mains arrived and were rapidly consumed. Everything was generally excellent, although to no-ones surprise Zip complained about something (at least I think he did, and it seems unlikely that everything was to his liking). Lovage is a place you should visit, but I fancy it's price means that it is a special occasion venue in these austere times.