I managed to find a special offer for the River Cafe in the Guardian on Saturday a couple of weeks ago – I tried to book it for my dad’s birthday but they where fully booked – I asked to go onto the waiting list just in case there were any tables that became available – there weren’t. A couple of weeks ago they phoned me (three times…) to tell me that they had extended the off and to ask if I wanted to come another day – I said “Yeah Baby” and booked a table for 4. Jim,Kelly and Helena (all 43thingers) came with me and we had a lovely meal. It is a lovely setting.

I ate the spaghetti with tomato sauce (see picture) – the tomato sauce is made in the summer with the best tomatoes and then preserved until the winter – it was simple and yet delicious – I followed that with the sea bass on roasted fennel and spinach and for pudding I had the pear and almond tart – all very good. A campari and soda to start, a nice white for main and a small red glass of red too. One thing that really impressed was that the staff were super helpful and excited about the food and wine and loved explaining. My friends all loved the chocolate nemesis slightly too much….

All very good. I can recommend.