22 December -

We spent a quiet morning at home in preparation for another trip into London for another concert.  Tonight we have tickets for the Family Christmas Concert at St. Martin-in-the-Fields.  If you’re not familiar with it, the Chamber Orchestra of the Academy of St Martin-in-the Fields is one the premier ensembles in the world. I was lucky to get the last two tickets.  We took the train into town early and went to Tom Kerridge’s Bar and Restaurant. We had eaten there a couple of years ago after watching him on The Great British Menu.  This time we opted to just have a drink and bar food.  The restaurant is really beautifully designed; elegant but inviting.

The specialty cocktails are wonderful. Bruce ordered A Trip Through the Mediterranean, made with gin, St. Germaine, italicus, lemon verbena, green Chartreuse, lemon bitters, supasawa & sparkling wine. I had a Winter Pirate: Appleton 12-year-old scotch, yellow Chartreuse, winter spices and citrus. Both were excellent.

Bruce ordered battered sausages with Matson spiced sauce and loaded French fries from the bar menu.  I ordered mushroom “risotto.”.  It was actually finely diced mushrooms in a cream sauce with Parmesan - wonderful.

We walked to Trafalgar Square where St. Martin’s is located, cruised the Christmas market a bit then went to the outdoor café that St. Martin’s had set up.  I had a yummy, if sweet, hot chocolate.  Bruce had a G&T.

We made our way to the entrance and then upstairs to our seats. I was really surprised to see how many no-shows there were.  That worked out well for us, because Bruce and I were able to move to better seats. The concert was divine, the level of musicianship incredible.  The chorus’ rendition of Sussex Carol arranged by Elaine Hagenberg was glorious. It was a short concert, just an hour, but sheer perfection.

I love the optical illusion window.

Back through Trafalgar Square, then home.