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Definitely the most enjoyable performance of the night - and the best costumes (by Jean-Paul Gaultier). With Toumani Diabate and Sidiki Diabate, and Matthieu Chedid and Fatoumata Diawara
This portrait of my daughter didn't come out bad, but there are definitely places it can improve. The natural light and cute subject is a great place to start though.
Apparently once described by Time Out as âthe best thing that has happened to Vauxhall - possibly everâ, COUNTER is definitely one of my favourite places in the area. A bar and brasserie restaurant living under one of the railway arches, COUNTER combines the fun, offbeat and slightly eccentric industrial vibe of New Yorkâs Meat Packing District with the familiar gritty surroundings of Vauxhall (which has always been great, yâall naysayers be damned!). Its front entrance is mere yards from the tube and train exits, though due to the somewhat labyrinthine and busy structure of the tunnels/street, it is harder to find than you may expect. Look out for the orange graffiti mural out front.
COUNTER claims to be Londonâs longest restaurant (Iâm not sure if they have verified this or not, but it is 60m in length!), and is divided into two halves. One side is the restaurant/bar proper, and the other side you shall find BackCounter - which is a cocktail lounge and event space. I spent most of my time in the restaurant area, testing out their food (which was quite a bit better than I expected) - they passed the 'blue steak test' with flying colours! The food on the main part a mix of American (those New York influences again) and French - for some reason. Drinks: some interesting craft beers, plus French and American wines (like the food, ONLY French and American choices to be had here - and nothing too expensive either). Thereâs also a reasonable selection of cocktails, many of which making reference to the local area (think: âVauxhall Slingâ). The bar is pretty cool too, all shiny brass running straight down the middle, mirror-adorned walls and secluded, comfortable booths.
Philip Reicherstorfer, the owner, is a happy German guy and Vauxhall resident - formerly in banking but raised in a hotelier family (he told me that because of this he knew heâd always come back to food). His vision for the place combines the lightheartedness of the gay scene with high quality food, and towards this end he managed to get Dan Blucert, ex head chef of The Big Easy in Covent Garden. You probably donât think of Vauxhall as much of a place to go for restaurants but COUNTER could and hopefully will have a part in reversing this trend. Iâd rate the overall experience as 8-9 out of 10 and am recommending it to all and sundry! Very well done COUNTER, hope to see you soon ^_^
Ali and Deborah climbing up the opposite bank along Pocket Creek. We were blazing our own trail here, having cut cross-country from the Meadows Creek Trail and headed towards Road 3540 (which hugs that forested hill up ahead). It was about 15-20 minutes of weaving through the trees to get there. Our off-trail trek was the only time we used our snowshoes since the trail was so packed we didn't need them. After carrying them all day, it was nice to actually use them for a bit.
Pocket Creek Sno Park near Mt. Hood, Oregon