The Lane, Brick Lane

How do?

This month we went to The Lane which is a relatively new Caribbean restaurant at the bottom (scummy) end of Brick Lane. We were:

Becca
James
Linz
Pete
Sam
Will

We began in the adjacent attached bar (which, in turn, is attached to a hotel). I believe the general opinion was that it had less atmosphere than a funeral. Not to worry though, this wasn’t the main event. The restaurant itself was well laid out but virtually empty. It’s a space large enough to have two rooms, plus alcoves and a baby grand piano (unattended) in the corner. We were 1 of 2 tables when we arrived. By the time we left I think there were maybe 3 or 4 tables occupied so the atmosphere was only better than the bar beforehand thanks to our sparkling conversation and wit.

The deal was £21 for 2 courses of £38 for 3 courses. I’m still not sure whether that’s a good deal or not. Actually the more I think about it, the more expensive that seems. It was nice food though. We began with freebie amuse bouches – a cup of kidney bean soup which was quite lovely.

A new party arrived at the next table – they had a couple of kids with them and Sam, of all people, was the first to note this as a black mark against the restaurant (no racism intended). Nothing that they can do about it of course but still – kids in restaurants are rubbish.

After being diverted by my failure to properly tell the Jamaica/My Wife gag, the food came and was generally good stuff. Very ornate dishes (think Delboy’s drinks). Our mains included sea bass, jerk chicken and (naturally) curried goat.

I’m going to be honest now. The notes I wrote on the night have faded into a blur against the blue envelope I was writing them on – so I can’t really read them. And can’t remember stuff either (that’s why I write notes). So in bullet point form, here’s some other stuff:

• No one's seen the Victoria Line Funky Tramp Woman for a while
• Eggheads is indeed a quiz show where punters take on quiz champions
• Some Indian guy knocked on the restaurant window and waved at me. No idea who he was.
• Becca once travelled for several hours on business only to be told the man she was due to see had had a heart attack and was in hospital. She was pissed off with him.