The Pryordurkins

Posts Tagged ‘music’

We decided to have a no brain activity evening last night and headed off to Clifton Moor to grab something to eat and take in a mindless but entertaining film at the Vue Cinema. We noticed a Frankie & Benny’s restaurant and despite the awful music they insist of piping outside the front door, we decided to go in. It was not a good start. The ‘greeter’, a man with a huge jaw, scowled a little and showed us to a cramped tiny table with paper napkins (I have a thing about paper napkins OK?) and plastic menus. Sitting a little while we noticed a second table who were seated after us where already placing their orders, so I stopped a passing waitress and asked if we could order. To give her credit, she was very pleasant and professional. Anyway the food was ordered, the drinks arrived and we waited for our starters.
Taking in the surroundings as the restaurant filled up, it quickly became almost impossible to hold any type of conversation due to the noise of the place. The incessant background music, mixed it seemed every five minutes by Happy Birthday and a Congratulations track by Cliff Richard was just too much to take in. To get over this, it seemed every other diner in the room was shouting to make sure they were heard.

Anyway we looked forward to getting our food and getting out quickly (which is exactly what these places are designed to do). The starters arrived and were ok. The table was cleared and yes they did replace the cutlery for fresh ones, so we were happy with that. The mains arrived and I tucked into my full rack of ribs. However Dusty was not so lucky. The fish he had ordered was not properly cooked so he had to send it back for a replacement. Again the staff were quite professional and made no fuss about ordering up a second meal. Dusty finally got his meal as I finished mine and this time, the fish was fresh and cooked properly.

Finishing off, we paid the bill, tipped the staff who were actually good and headed off swearing blind never to return to such a noisy place again.

Score: 1 Star. Visited April 2009

A Theatre-Rites, Ockham’s Razor and Lyric Hammersmith co-production in association with York Theatre Royal was the performance we went along to see last night at our favourite local theatre. I’d seen the performance advertised on the theatre website and was curious from the start. As we arrived for the show, we had no idea what it was about and so the performance that unfolded for the next 60 – 70 minutes simply surprised and amazed in every way.

As their promotional material says “Hang On catapults you into an aerial world of dizzying new thrills where the impossible becomes possible. Tantalizingly high, a giant spinning mobile appears before your eyes.”…”Hang On is a perilous and playful journey into the stratosphere from two of the most inventive award-winning companies around, Theatre-Rites and aerialists Ockham’s Razor. A family spectacle, suspended dramatically above the stage, mixing contemporary circus, movement, humour and live percussion.”

We were captivated from the start. It was surreal, it was funny, it was brilliant and it was graceful. As aerialists, they combined humour, movement, strength and music to grab your attention; entertaining and amazing you for just over an hour. The subtle understated lighting only added to the experience and everything came together as a perfectly balanced show.

I loved every minute of it and would go out of my way to recommend it.

Pryordurkin rating. 5 stars.

Having finished work on Wednesday with two colleagues I set off for a spot of dinner at a restaurant in Reading.  On our way we stopped for a pint at the Allied Arms on St Marys Butts in Reading.  A strange name I thought for a location, but as I learnt more about Reading from the locals inside discovered it has quite a history when it comes to monks, nuns and religion in general.  The outside of the pub would normally have resulted in me walking on by, but my colleagues seemed confident that what lay inside would be good.  Stepping through the door and having ordered up our drinks we took a table near the window.  One colleague then wandered back outside to make a phone call, the t’other went off to the loo and I was left at the mercy of a very small man with a limp, a scar and a broken arm who seemed to think we were long lost buddies and that we needed to get reacquainted.  He proceeded to ask lots of questions but those who know me, will realise the futility of that particular tactic.  Nonetheless he chatted away for the next twenty minutes without stop.  My colleagues had returned by this point but it made little difference and one colleague who professed to be good at empathy kept acknowledging the conversation and egging this bloke on.  However after a while, my miserable non responsive, emotionless face must have eventually worn him down as he finished off his drink and left the pub completely.

The pub itself serves up real ale which for people who understand these things is apparently very good and I could see and hear from the other punters that this place has a real following.  Cosy traditional and probably a great place to spend a few hours on a cold winters evening.  However it isn’t quite my cup of tea as there were no flashy lights, no house music and no eye candy to speak of.

Pryordurkin 3 stars.  (it might not have been my thing, but this is clearly a well liked traditional pub serving real ale, hence the three stars)

This week had me staying a couple of nights at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Reading.  Sitting on the River Thames, it was easy to reach by car as I came into town from the general direction of Oxford.

I immediately thought this hotel was going to be nice as I pulled up.  Not only did I find a car parking space right in front of the hotel; it looked modern stylish and well kept as I headed into the reception area.  I was immediately greeted by a friendly chap who had all the paperwork prepared and having simply applied one signature I was on my way to the room.  The lift door was a little slow in closing, I thought the floor button wasn’t working but apart from that it was smooth and importantly clean.  Entering my room, I was again very happy.  It was large, had a view of the river and included a seating area along with a desk and reclining chair to work at with full internet connectivity available.  The bathroom although small was well appointed and sparkling clean.  The complimentary toiletries were of reasonable quality and the towels soft and fluffy.  Even the loo roll was more your Andrex, than your Aldi variety, which is a nice touch.. literally!

Anyway after I’d unpacked my case and hung the suit up I decided to try the Spa.  The pool as you can see was very good indeed. Not your usual mis-shaped hotel pool, but properly square and 17 metres long, which allowed for a decent stroke.  The Spa also included a very nice gym with a good range of equipment, although I only saw it through the window as I relaxed in the Whirlpool.  Heading out, I passed a steam room, sauna and a number of treatment rooms.  With nice chill out music playing in the background I could easily have forgot I was in Reading and might have imagined I was back in Cyprus.

With all this exercise behind me I decided to order up room service.  Again I was delighted.  The quality of the food really surprised me.  None of the usual thrown together affair usual to hotels, but a well cooked meal.  My rib-eye steak was cooked medium rare as requested and came with chunky chips cooked in Goose fat.  (Note to Paul) They were cooked so well, they were not greasy at all.  Nice, light and very tasty.  A lovely meal all in all.

A good nights sleep lay ahead after I turned the air conditioning down to 18 degrees and waking up the next day I felt refreshed and ready to face the world.  Before that breakfast in the restaurant lay ahead.  A good breakfast was available with healthy choices all round.  I went for cereal with added sunflower seeds which were to the side with other nuts and optional extras (a nice touch).  I skipped the fry up, more out of will power than anything else, because it looked great.  The coffee brought to my table was  also very good.  Smooth, full flavoured and freshly made.

The rest of my stay continued in the same veign.  The service was excellent and because this is not one of the biggest Crowne Plaza hotels you come across it always had a nice local warm welcoming feel about it.  I look forward to going back next week.

Pryordurkin rating.  5 stars.

Hotel Reservations: 0871 423 4896

Hotel Front Desk: 44-1189-259988

Having complete dinner at a nearby restaurant last night, with a colleague I went to the Island Bar and Restaurant on Pipers Island near Caversham Bridge in Reading.  The place was near empty except for a couple and the bar man.  The place has clearly been renovated and is actually very stylish.  It has both indoor seating and outdoor decking where during warmer weather I could imagine many people enjoying themselves.  The music playing in the background was very mediteranean in style and this only added to the sophisticated nature of the place.   We ordered up a couple of Remy Martin Brandies and I was very pleased when the said bar man offered to warm our glasses and bring our drinks over to where by this point we had taken a seat.  With fantastic views of the river and only a short stroll from my hotel room at the Crowne Plaza a pleasant wind down from a reasonably busy day was underway.

I would certainly go back here and look forward to the warmer weather if I am in Reading again.

Pryordurkin rating. 4 stars.

Telephone +44 (0) 1189 479530

We visited the Biltmore Bar and Grill on Swinegate in York on Christmas Eve for a couple of pre-dinner drinks.  We arrived around 6.30pm and the place was already quite busy.  It had a mixed set of clientele generally in their 30’s to 50’s.  Very contemporary in style, this bar is housed in what used to be the former Elim Pentecostal church.  On the first floor, where you can down into the main bar area below, there is seating for both people wanting to sample the grill menu and also a separate Champagne Bar area with comfortable sofas to rest while parting with large chunks of cash.  We opted for a few drinks downstairs and started with a couple of Gin and Tonics, which came to £13.60 for two doubles of house gin.  (No Bombay Saphire in sight!)  Not cheap, but if it keeps the riff raff out then worth it.  There was music playing in the background and with the wooden floors and chatter from other customers, it was difficult to hold a conversation, so we settled for people watching instead.  With some eye candy scattered around, we enjoyed the next hour and half in what was a relaxing and generally pleasant environment although we could see there were a few clique groups of customers who seemed to get better service/attention from the staff/owners than the rest of us punters.

Pryordurkin rating. 3 Stars.

Opening Hours
Monday 4pm till Midnight
Tuesday to Friday 12pm till Midnight
Saturday 12pm till 1am
Sunday 1pm till Midnight

Telephone 01904 610075

As I wandered into town for a little fresh air today, I came across a band who were playing open air on Piccadilly corner in York.  Like most weekends there is usually something going off in York and I thought this was just another example as I continued walking up towards the main shopping area.  However I was stopped in my tracks when I heard them play and start singing.  This was not the usual run of the mill busking band, but as it turned out a professional group who, I discovered on doing a little web research, have quite a following.  I found myself staying around Piccadilly for a good hour or so just listening to their music and the banter they had with the crowd who like me, had gathered around.  A guy was handing out leaflets to people listening and it explained that the band were playing at the Grand Opera House in York on the 24th and 31st January, tickets selling at £15.  Again from the web research I did when I got home, they do indeed have a loyal following and come with many a recommendation.  Berwick Kaler being someone who has earned our respect is one of the people to have recommended them and on that we’ve decided to book tickets and go see them play at the Grand Opera House in York.

Finally why were they playing open air on Piccadilly corner today, if they are so good, I hear you ask.  Well they were giving up their time for St Leonards Hospice  and inviting the gathering crowds to donate some money for that most worthy of local charities.

http://www.hugepartyband.co.uk/home

It’s been a pretty fast paced week that ended with me picking Paul up from York Railway station last night at 10.00pm.  Paul had been into London on some science people type meet up.  Earlier in the week, I had been into London for a couple of meetings and a couple of Jollys.  We’ve also welcomed a new review to the Pryordurkin website from my fellow diner and friend Sticky T (read it here).   We’re still waiting for our Australian correspondent to submit her first review!

Before Paul got back last night I took the opportunity while he was away to put up some tacky flashing Christmas lights outside the house.  A nice blue LED lit doorway awaited his return.  Those who know him well can only imagine the look on his face.  It was priceless and worth every penny I spent at Barnitts buying them.

Having a fairly leisurely start to the day this morning, while Paul was ignoring me by playing with Lara Croft downstairs (the game – for those who don’t know Paul!), I found myself stumbling across some good music on BBC Radio Three and enjoying it for the next hour or so.  I remembered while listening that the general rule of thumb when it comes to getting old in England is that you start life by listening to Radio One, move onto Radio Two when you hit your thirties.  This is then followed when you reach middle age by becoming an avid BBC Radio Four listener telling your friends and colleagues it’s for the news and comedy only.  The final stage before you order the box that will take you into the ground is listening to BBC Radio Three and being intolerant of noise, children, the general public and basically anyone who gets in your way when walking on a pavement, into a post office or queueing at Marks and Spencer for a little treat.

Those who know me, will realise that this brief encounter with BBC Radio Three is just that because I have never displayed any of the other aforementioned symptons.

The trusty 20gb Ipod classic we bought many moons ago in the old John Lewis store in Cambridge has finally been retired after years of good reliable service.  This particular Ipod held fond memories because when we went into the old John Lewis store, we had to remind them that they were never knowingly undersold and having seen the same Ipod for a few pounds cheaper in Argos, they sent a Saturday girl running down the road to confirm this before lowering the price to us, so that it matched the Argos price.  (we do like a good deal)

Anyway, what brought about this early retirement is our music and photo library now exceeding 20gb which meant we could no longer keep all our Ipods in sync.  So this morning with the arrival of a slimmer younger, more stylish model, it was time to erase its memory, delete its profile and throw it to the back of the cupboard to gather dust for ever and a day.

The younger sexier model is now configured in Pauls name, has all the latest tunes and photographs installed and looks clealy eager to please Paul when he gets home from work.

As I travelled back from Ross on Wye today having spent a tutor day at the Leadership Trust, I found myself listening to Danny Baker and Zoe Ball on Radio 2, who are temporarily covering the slot vacated by Jonathan Ross since his suspension.   I was delighted to find, that I was actually enjoying listening to Radio 2 on a Saturday morning, where normally I instantly turn off when I hear Jonathan Ross and his inane dribble that usually pours out.  Danny and Zoe, were intelligent, articulate, entertaining and good fun. I enjoyed the interactions with the listeners, the good clean intelligent humour behind those interactions and best of all, I enjoyed the selection of music they played.  What a brilliant piece of radio broadcasting this was.  I just pray that they become a permanent feature on a Saturday morning, because I for one really enjoyed their show.  Pryordurkin rating. 5 Stars.