Monthly Archives: January 2014

Cau, Blackheath

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Blackheath is not an area of London I am familiar with, in fact is it even in London?! “Due to adverse weather conditions” our journey to CAU restaurant was not particularly pleasant involving two tubes, a train and a bus but when we did eventually arrive the staff seemed pleased to see us and got us settled in to our table immediately.

The restaurant concept, which hopes to recreate the vibrancy and energy of Buenos Aires, focuses on the culinary class of Argentinian meats. CAU goes for the whole grass-fed theme, green blades decorate the corrugated metal interiors, and nearly everything on the menu comes from a grass-fed animal.

Still reeling from the journey, we indulged with a dulce de leche milkshake and a virgin pina colada to abide by my self-imposed ‘dry January’. To accompany our drinks we chose belly of pork tempura, tasty in flavour but seriously high in fat content!

Among other dishes, is a choice of steaks, classic cuts or more adventurous speciality options which we tried. Considering the prodigious portions, the prices are very low, ranging from £13 for the smallest cut to £32.95 for the 500g “king of steaks”. The Lomito (fillet of rump) was a little too chewy and lacking in flavour compared to the Tira de Ancho (spiral cut of rib eye) which is marinated in chimichurri and grilled slowly to ensure tenderness – very tasty. Of the chip varieties, I would recommend the chunky handcut, triple-fried for maximum crunch. Our mixed side salad looked a bit sad, not that we had room for it anyway.

To complete the meal, we couldn’t resist the Cornflake Ice Cream Sundae, highly recommended by our waitress. It isn’t the most professional looking dessert, but the components work brilliantly together, the ultimate luxury kids’ pudding.

CAU reminded me of a more family-friendly and affordable version of the Gaucho chain, and I’m sure it’s a real asset to Blackheath High Street.

More information and book here: www.caurestaurants.com

Candide, Menier Chocolate Factory

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Candide is currently taking the London theatre world by storm. As many shows wind down in January after the Christmas rush, this upbeat operetta is gathering momentum, so much so that they’ve just extended the run by another week.

Bernstein’s joyous musical comedy is filled with warm and comforting sentiment, the perfect antidote to those winter blues. I performed in this show at university and coincidentally the cast then also included the Menier’s Candide star, Fra Fee.

Crammed into the boutique theatre in London Bridge, there is a sense of camaraderie in the room as we invest in the story of Candide and his continued hardships.

The cast is superb with principals Fra Fee as Candide and Scarlett Strallen as Cunégonde giving particularly impressive vocal performances. But really the whole cast excels and it is the wonderful teamwork that brings this classic to life. If you see one show this winter, make sure it is Candide.

Continues until 1 March 2013, book here.

Fuerzabruta, Roundhouse

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My Facebook feed has been clogged up with flabbergasted Fuerzabruta participants, accompanied by blurry photos of the mad and chaotic acts.

The first show to play at the re-opened Roundhouse in 2006, it continues to thrill at this great London venue on its third run.

This contemporary theatre and circus show originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2005, created by Diqui James. Since it began, it has been witnessed by over 3 million people in 25 different countries.

Fuerzabruta translates as ‘brute force’ and this theme is evident throughout in both the action and the music. The Fuerzabruta signature soundtrack provides an energetic and clubby backbone for the production, rhythmically it motivates both the performers and audience.

Visually I found the show intermittently spectacular, and there is no doubt about the creative team’s talent. The ‘running man’ runs relentlessly on a treadmill enduring gunshots, walls of cardboard boxes, and other potentially dangerous interference. Iridescent foil covers the walls as floating dancers chase each other in the air. Then there are the impressive suspended swimming pools that hover just above ones head: we were invited to place our palms on the surface as girls splash about in the tanks. It is bizarre and unexpected, and certainly feels thrillingly precarious although it does leave you with a painful cricked neck.

There is no shortage of theatrics: smoke machines, water sprays and falling confetti are utilised constantly. After the initial euphoria and excitement, I did feel some of the acts were verging on ridiculous. With no apparent storyline, it is difficult to find reason in the performance.

Parts of the show are undeniably memorable, but I left wondering what it was all about…

Fuerzabruta continues until Sunday 2 March, book here.