On more than one occasion now, when hovering around town and feeling peckish and parched, it has become a running joke to walk past All Bar One and say, "All Bar One?" which is then followed by a fit of giggles and 'WHEY!!'s. I think that just about sums up mine and my friends terrible senses of humour, but if I'm honest, I was never quite sure why we did it. I felt that I was trying to cover up the fact i didn't quite understand, in fact, yes, I was doing just that. You see, the only time I had ever been there, it was a first year of Uni Wine Tasting event I was pushed into by a dear friend. I had a reasonable time! The venue was dimmed and subdued, possibly even closed to normal business, and i could not have really hoped for much of a contrast to my regular nights, which normally included me perched at my hall bar, nursing a pint of Carlsberg.. Utterly bewildered by the running joke I had somehow become a part of, I decided to go. Alone.For lunch.
Walking in, I knew I was familiar with the creams and greens of the bar space, but what struck me was the number of ladies who lunch and business men sneakily wolfing down a bit of a lunchtime tipple.
Approaching the bar, I somehow felt comfortable. Despite the fact I was not top to toe in a high end Marks and Sparks or Versace suit, I had one thing in common with the majority of people in there, I was on my own. When I caught a glimpse of the menu, the prices shocked me. The drinks are ridiculously expensive, and the food is more than one would normally expect in a bar. I'm not bothered if they want to jazz up their menu using extra spices and techniques, save that for the evening meals! I suppose I may have overreacted somewhat, as they were still less than you'd be paying at a high street chain such as Pizza Express, for example. I think what puzzled me was the fact that it was a little extravagant an eatery to frrequent on ones own for lunch, if you want something special, why not go the whole hog and go to a swanky restaurant, or failing that, make your own lunch! I could only hope that someone was late and meeting them in 5.
The food itself was lovely. My rumbling belly was very ready for food, and it was better than I had anticipated.
If you are out for an evening and want somewhere a little more upmarket to go to, I would look elsewhere if I'm honest, as there are better venues to go to. If you are or are approaching middleaged however, and fancy meeting some likeminded folk, this might be more up your street. read more