Christmas Markets

I have wanted to go to a Christmas Market for a while.

When I lived in Tunbridge Wells, I lived just off Camden Road.  I loved it.  With the mix of charity shops, record stores, photographers and tattoo artists - I was, without realising it, part of a people in my future too....
The winter before I left, Claque Theatre group decided to perform The Vanishing Elephant.  The play was a play in-the-round about generations of people that lived in the area.  It was fascinating but sadly, one that I went to alone, as I didn't have many like-minded friends then!
As part of this new "festival" with the play, they invited the community to make lanterns for a procession through the area to celebrate the eclectic mix.  My roommate Laura and I went along to the local school one Saturday and made our lanterns.  We joined the procession on the day/evening along with carnival drums and hoards of people.  It was such fun and we danced as we went with the crowd to end at the school near our house.

So today - 3 years later.  I see that the Lantern Festival has progressed further to a Christmas Market.  There were stalls of crafty goods, similar to those I have in my mind for future projects.
And then, there they were - the carnival drums with the costumes of red and gold.  For old times sake, I tapped my feet to the beats only to see my Dad not enjoying it at all!  He said it was hurting his head.  I was quite frowny at that but kept walking with him.
We came upon another sound of music and my Dad sped up.  As I caught up he said "now this is more like it... banjos!"  It made me smile.  He really would love the Bluegrass in North Carolina.  He refuses to believe he would love life there..... Oh to win that lottery and whisk him away!!

Anyway!  We were also there to see my friend Olivia play ukulele with her band of friends.  It was fun and I sang along with their take on popular "hits".  A little cheesy at times and an occasional loss of timing but they gathered quite the audience and appealed to a great mix of ages.  I have heard how much fun the group are and have been invited to join them for their bi-weekly meet ups.  It sounds like fun.

Well done to Claque Theatre and Jon Oram for the development in the past few years.

http://www.claquetheatre.com/2011/12/16/camden-road-this-christmas/

Le Rendez-vous your restaurant review here!

So much to talk about today!

I'll start with food as that is a very good place to start ;-)
for my lunch today I, hand-on-heart, had the best meal I've had for about a year.
I know what kind of food I like and this was it.
My Dad and I went to a Christmas market today - more about that later.
Afterwards, he said that he knew of a place for us to have lunch.  As we walked, I kept trying to guess where it was and he wouldn't say.
The place was Le Rendez-Vous on Camden Road in Tunbridge Wells.

This quaint restaurant, with it's sweet wooden tables and chairs, chalk board menu down one wall and open kitchen to see all the delicious meals being made, had a warmth to it that made me wish there was an armchair for me to pretend reading while I actually people-watched!

My Dad chose an Italian platter to start for us to share.  It was a platter of £6 heaven. Smoked cheese, Parmesan, salami, Parma ham, artichokes, sun blushed tomatoes, olives, oil and balsamic vinegar and a slice of ciabatta each to mop up the goodness.  Having been in North Carolina for a couple of years I have been lacking in Italian foods like this that are a particular favourite of mine.  Seriously, every mouthful.....HEAVEN!!

I then chose the slow roasted pork belly with "frites" and vegetables.  The meat was melt-in-the-mouth and soaked in a tasty gravy.  The frites - perfect.  The vegetables - no broccoli or carrots in site.  (These are vegetables that are usually cooked plain here and bore me!)  Instead I had courgettes, green beans and spring greens.  All together delectable and even writing about it makes my mouth water.

Why no photos you ask??

I'm sorry readers..... My eyes are obviously bigger than my brain which would have taken shots of these platefuls.

That is not all though!!! Oh no!!

For dessert I had sticky toffee pudding.  (My Dad had brownies.  Very bitter and not as oozing as true American brownies, I'm afraid). 

The pudding came with a caramel sauce and ice cream.  Perfect texture.  Perfect ooziness.  (That a word?? Oh well.)

Overall, the meal was better than any I've had for a while.  It was also washed down the Sauvignon Blanc.  Another favourite of mine.  Despite it being French..... de-lish.

Meal for 2 = £54.  So that is 3 courses and half a bottle of wine for £27 each.  In all honesty..... great value.  I will, without a doubt, go back to Le Rendez-Vous for food again.

Can you recommend any restaurants in the area?  Go for it!!

Eating out is such a treat in England that I want to know where to go for a particularly good meal!