Wagamama

I didn't tell you about my snood did I?  I'm saying "snood."  That's what they used to call them and I have no idea if that's what they still call them but, think of a polo necked jumper, with the polo neck cut off... and over sized, and I think that's a snood.  Anyway, last week, I nipped into Warehouse and it was bedlam, people everywhere, bargains to be had, and I'm not good in situations like that, I can't scrabble no matter how good the bargain, still, there, on the rail were snoods hanging off hangers,  looking terribly warm and inviting in these chilled temperatures, they had rose pink and grey and while I loved the grey, I'm not sure my complexion loves the colour so much so I opted for the rose pink.  The reason I opted... £2 reduced from £18 so major bargain, I really couldn't leave it on the rail for that now could I?

It's now Friday 27th April and it's been an odd week.  It looks and feels like autumn.  It's chilled and wet and windy and drags you down a bit.  Seems silly that parts of the country have declared drought, yet we've had torrential rain every day this week.  I've got soaked everyday, getting to, and or from work, every day, there is no let up. 

My cold has almost gone and is just lingering to annoy me I think.  I've slept well every night this week, yet every morning, I've hit the snooze button at least three times and have had to peel myself from the mattress just in the nick of time, every day.  Not quite sure what is going on.

Work has been boring beyond belief, everyday you go in to a different, mind numbing task, still... "needs of the business," and at least we still have jobs, which is about the most positive thing you can think of saying.

Anyway, now for something fun, you know how much I love dining at Wagamama's?  Well, just around the corner from my usual coffee haunt, is about to open the newest Wagamama's.  Could I be any luckier????  

So, I got J to register us for preview tickets, sure enough, we got lucky and booked in for a free meal on one of the preview nights.  I've worked in a brand spanking hotel and the same goes for new restaurants, these are important times where the staff get to practise and iron out any crinkles before they go live...  how exciting.  And, can I just say, I am the worlds greatest mystery shopper.  I always fill in the comment cards wherever I go, I have a keen eye for detail, I always look for the "gone wells" and I point out areas in which they could do better... no one has thanked me so far, but that doesn't put me off ;)   So, J and I were booked in for 6pm, we started the night by chatting to the area manager.  Took me way back to when I worked in hotels and I was so excited for them.  These preview nights were the chance for them to get their feet wet with real, live customers, and I was so excited for them.

J and I could have a starter between us, a main each and a desert to share, plus two drinks each, all for free, with the one request, that we complete a comment card... as if they need ask. 

Our waiter, Thom, recognised me from Starbucks!  What are the odds?  Anyway, he was great, friendly, professional and efficient, what more could you ask for?  My wine arrived via someone else, and it was a red instead of white, so that went back.  (I do like red but didn't want to accept it when it wasn't what I'd asked for on a practice night.)  J and I decided to go wild and opt for a starter we'd never tried before; Negima Yakitori, (chicken and spring onion skewers,) absolutely delicious, we each had Yaki Soba, our favourite dish for main, in hind site, we should have shared one and tried something new, then we had cheesecake for desert, J's favourite, White chocolate and ginger, I had a fork full and stuck to my wine, but J thoroughly enjoyed it.

The area manager came over once we were up to coffee, I told him that while delicious, my main could have been hotter, J's had steam coming off it but mine was look warm at best on arrival, but, that is what preview nights are for and it certainly wouldn't put me off going back.

The restaurant is in a lovely setting, it has a great feel, and I think I will be there often.  I think they officially open today, so good luck, I wish them the best and I will be back in there very soon.

Today is Saturday.  I worked out for an hour, as I did yesterday, sweat was dripping from me after the hour, surely that counts for something?  I had my coffee in peace and read a little more of Eat Pray Love, I'm almost at the end, believe it or not.  I stopped in many shops, just to have a look around, recycled then headed home to email and do housework.  Yep, the housework whirlwind continues.  I've now become obsessed with skirting boards and pipes.  Not that I go around looking at anyone else's but my own... I do... big time, so that's what I've done today, and that's another Saturday over with.