Bar du Musee (0/5)

I've been postponing a review on this place for some time. I have actually been to eat there twice just to make sure I wasn't being unfair. My verdict is out and so is that place.

Bar du Musee in Greenwich, combines the best of all worlds when it comes to food, it's a deli/coffee house,a bar and a restaurant. And the good things about it end there. Maybe it is this large expansion into all these sections that make it weak at every thing that it offers (except for its wine selection).

Yesterday, Whimsy ChiChi and Mr. ChiChi had a visitor over from abroad. We started out at the pub, (they boast the best wines in Greenwich), having no intention of eating there (because of my bad brush with their food last time) but then it got late and our companion was hungry so we said "what the heck" and went for it. Big mistake yet again!

This time for starters I opted for the carpaccio. What I received was so beyond carpaccio it wasn't even funny. The only thing it shared with carpaccio was probably that the chef there called THAT hideous dish by the same name. There were no thinly sliced strips of meat, there was no fusion of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Hell, there was no oil and no balsamic vinegar all together. All I got was some salty greens on top of thick sliced meat laden with capers. Now, I've had my fair share of carpaccio along the years and never ever have I had capers with it. It was sour and salty. Unfortunately, I could not even finish the plate.

The bread and butter at the table had seen better days, so I stayed clear of those waiting for my main dish. I had asked for Penne with roasted vegetables. In all honesty, that was relatively good although very greasy (weren't the vegetables supposed to be roasted?) and I wasn't offered any Parmesan cheese to go with that. Huh?!

Mr. ChiChi had the endive salad for starters and ChiChi's dinner friend asked for the Goat's cheese salad. They were ok, but nothing to write about to back home. For their main course, they both chose the beef fillet which was pretty tender but the potatoes that came with it were pretty heavy.

Bar du Musee is not a place I would recommend if you've got dinner guests you want to impress. It is below mediocre and should clean up its act. This is sad because the interior of the place is absolutely divine, warm, cosy, and romantic. It even boasts an outdoor seating area for warm summer days. You come in not wanting to leave and after the food arrives you can't be coaxed back in to the place even if the food were to be given to you for free. Yes, it was that bad.

The service was below average, the toilets clean and the bill not too bad (about 30 pounds/person)

17 Nelson Road

Greenwich

London SE10 9JB

tel: 02088584710

The Greenwich WeekEnd Guide

JOIN
What: Bead & Wire Candle Holder Saturday workshop.
Why: Something different to do on a Saturday and only for five pounds.
Where: Greenwich Heritage Centre, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, SE18 (020 8854 2452)

SEE
What: Journey to the New World
Why: Marking the 400th anniversary of the first permanent settlement in America at Jamestown, Virginia, the exhibition illustrates and celebrates the importance of London the this epic voyage.
Where: Museum in Docklands, West India Quay, E14 (0870 4443857)

DRINK
What: Wine and only wine from Davy's Wine Vaults
Why: Because it's the weekend, and The Wine Vaults in Greenwich is home to some wonderful Victorian cellars.
Where: 161 Greenwich High Road or http://www.davywine.co.uk/

Views of The Chapel, Greenwich Hospital

Today Whimsy ChiChi took a visit down to The Chapel of Greenwich Hospital which is now part of the premises of the University of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music.

The Greenwich hospital was founded in 1694 as the Royal Naval Hospital for Seamen. Although it's been there for over 170 years, it only opened to the public in 1998. It has long ceased to be a hospital.

The Queen Mary Court (which houses the Chapel) was planned by Wren and Hawksmoor, but not built until after Wren's death, by Thomas Ripley. Its present appearance dates from 1779, having been rebuilt to a design by James Stuart after a devastating fire.

The chapel is decorated in a light rococo style. It's a beautiful room most famous for its organ and acoustics. It remains open to the public, where a service is held every Sunday at 11am open to all.

Store Watch: JOY of Greenwich

If you're looking for something really sexy, funky, yet unique and classy, then look no further than JOY in Greenwich, London. This shop packs those extra items that go that extra mile.

From Burlesque-how-to-guides to love cheques, JOY on 9 Romney Road in Greenwich has it all. This wonderful zany place offers a wide selection of new clothes (product of upcoming British designers), shoes, bags and this-and-that gadgets that are funny, queer and yet endearing. You feel you just have to have it, even when you know you really don't need it. And the prices don't make it easier at all. Cheap, cheap and cheap.

JOY offers a Valentine's Day twist: You can make your own glittered sign for that cute guy or loved one and hang it in their display window. How's that for a little exhibitionism? Make the trip this weekend.

The Greenwich WeekEnd Guide

BUY
Unique Valentine's Day Gift
What: Burlesque-how-to-Guide, Love Cheques, Strip poker kit & many more.
Why: Valentine's Day is only four days away.
Where: JOY Boutique, 9 Romney Road, Greenwich, UK


What: A super gift that has been hand selected by the retail team at the National Maritime Museum and inspired by their collections.
Why: Every purchase you make supports the work of the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Where: Visit the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, LONDON SE10 9NF or shop online at their website.


SEE
A Model Girl, the new musical
What: The events of the Profumo Affair, as they took place between the years 1961 and 1963
Why: Entertaining, and a good chance to support local production. Or just go for the music.
Where: Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES


JOIN
What: The National Trust
Why: With fairytale castles, stunning parkland, beautiful lakes and amazing coastlines, a National Trust property forms the perfect backdrop to the most romantic day of the year.
Where: Online at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/

Anna Nicole Smith Dead at 39

It's just so sad! Anna Nicole Smith dead at 39. We can all argue incessantly over the inevitability and futility of it all, and how it will probably go down as one of the most forecasted endings in the World, but the optimistic of us deep down had held the faith that somehow, some way she might one day have found the light at the end of that tunnel.

However you may have regarded Anna Nicole Smith and in whatever light you may have held her, she was in a way inspiration to all, but to all in different ways. She was inspiration to drop-out young girls that they too could make it to stardom (albeit notoriety) some day, even if it meant marrying someone 30 years their senior, or shedding their clothes to the next magazine that came along. She inspired drug addicts that they too could actually lure in 4 million viewers to a reality show where the main star could be too stoned to be coherent. And she definitely set an example to all moms how it could all go horribly wrong when we fail our young (Her son, Daniel, died of a drug overdose five months ago); In effect, she proved that it may not be enough to love our children (her son was her best friend) but to do all possible to protect them by providing a safe environment with positive role models.

And now, with the end of Anna Nicole's ever troubled journey here on Earth optimists have to again hope that there really was a welcoming light at the end of the tunnel and that she has finally found peace on the other side. May her star shine there as strong as it had once done here.

Men Just Don't Get It Ladies!

Proof of what can happen if a wife or girlfriend drags her husband or boyfriend along shopping

This letter was recently sent by Tesco's Head Office to a customer in Oxford :Dear Mrs. Murray,While we thank you for your valued custom and use of the Tesco LoyaltyCard, the Manager of our store in Banbury is considering banning you and your family from shopping with us, unless your husband stops his antics.Below is a list of offences over the past few months all verified by our surveillance cameras:

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's trolleys when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.

3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to feminine products aisle.

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official tone, "Code 3" in housewares..... and watched what happened.

5. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

6. September 15: Set up a tent in the outdoor clothing department and told shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring sausages and a Calor gas stove.

7. September 23: When the Deputy Manager asked if she could help him, he began to cry and asked, "Why can't you people just leave me alone?"

8. October 4: Looked right into the security camera; used it as a mirror, picked his nose, and ate it.

9. November 10: While appearing to be choosing kitchen knives in the Housewares aisle asked an assistant if he knew where the antidepressants were.

10. December 3: Darted around the store suspiciously, loudly humming the "Mission Impossible" theme.

11. December 6: In the kitchenware aisle, practiced the "Madonna look" using different size funnels.

12. December 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed, yelled "PICK ME!" "PICK ME!"

13. December 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, assumed the fetal position and screamed "NO! NO! It's those voices again."

And; last, but not least:

14. December 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited a while; then yelled, very loudly, "There is no toilet paper in here."

Yours sincerely,

Store Manager.

In The Spirit of Valentine!

Why does the wedding ring go on the fourth finger? According to a Chinese saying, because true love lives on eternally. To prove it, they ask you to follow these steps:

(follow the illustration above): Firstly, open your palm, bend the centre fingers and put them together back to back Secondly, the remaining 4 fingers join the tips together...


Follow the arrangement below:
1. Try to open your thumb, the thumb represent parents, it can open up, which states that our parents will leave us one day.

2. Now close up your thumbs, then open your second finger, the second fingers too open up, these fingers represent brothers and sisters, they too have their own family which is why they too will leave us one day.

3. Now close up your second fingers, open up your little finger, these represent your children. These fingers too open up. Sooner or later they too will leave us for they got their own lives to live.

4. Nevertheless, close up your little finger, try to open your fourth finger on which we put our wedding ring; you will be surprised to find that it cannot be opened at all. Because it represents husband and wife,(The Chinese believe that this whole life you will be attached to each other if it's real love).

Thumb represents parents
Second finger represents brothers and sisters.
Centre finger represents own self.
Fourth finger represents your partner.
Last finger represents your children.

Greenwich Snow This Morning!

The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

Watch out for more pictures to be posted this weekend!

Pissed Off!

We just received this email that we would like to share with you. It put a smile on our face, hope it does the same for you! Keep them coming!

If you didn't see this on the Tonight show, I hope you're sitting down when you read it. This is probably the funniest date story ever, first date or not!!! We have all had bad dates..but this takes the cake.

Jay Leno went into the audience to find the most embarrassing first date that a woman ever had. The winner described her worst first date experience. There was absolutely no question as to why her tale took the prize!

She said it was midwinter... snowing and quite cold...and the guy had taken her skiing in the mountains outside Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a day trip (no overnight). They were strangers, after all, and truly had never met before. The outing was fun but relatively uneventful until they were headed home late that afternoon.

They were driving back down the mountain, when she gradually began to realize that she should not have had that extra latte. They were about an hour away from anywhere with a rest room and in the middle of nowhere! Her companion suggested she try to hold it, which she did for a while.

Unfortunately, because of the heavy snow and slow going, there came a point where she told him that he had better stop and let her go beside the road, or it would be the front seat of his car. They stopped and she quickly crawled out beside the car, yanked her pants down and started. In the deep snow she didn't have good footing, so she let her butt rest against the rear fender to steady herself.

Her companion stood on the side of the car watching for traffic and indeed was a real gentleman and refrained from peeking. All she could think about was the relief she felt despite the rather embarrassing nature of the situation.

Upon finishing however, she soon became aware of another sensation. As she bent to pull up her pants, the young lady discovered her buttocks were firmly glued against the car's fender. Thoughts of tongues frozen to poles immediately came to mind as she attempted to disengage her flesh from the icy metal. It was quickly apparent that she had a brand new problem due to the extreme cold.

Horrified by her plight and yet aware of the humor of the moment, she answered her date's concerns about "what is taking so long" with a reply that indeed, she was "freezing her butt off and in need of some assistance!" He came around the car as she tried to cover herself with her sweater and then, as she looked imploringly into his eyes, he burst out laughing. She too, got the giggles and when they finally managed to compose themselves, they assessed her dilemma.

Obviously, as hysterical as the situation was, they also were faced with a real problem. Both agreed it would take something hot to free her chilly cheeks from the grip of the icy metal! Thinking about what had gotten her into the predicament in the first place, both quickly realized that there was only one way to get her free.

So, as she looked the other way, her first-time date proceeded to unzip his pants and pee her butt off the fender. As the audience screamed in laughter, she took the Tonight Show prize hands down... or perhaps that should be "pants down." And you thought your first date was embarrassing. Jay Leno's comment .. "This gives a whole new meaning to being pissed off."

One Week To Valentine!

There's only one week left for Valentine's Day. So if you're still not sure what to do or what to get or if you feel like you've 'Done this, Tried that', you might still be pleasantly surprised at what you could do to make your better half feel special. I've put a list here to help you get through Valentine's Day with as little damage as possible. For more gift ideas check out Whimsy ChiChi's fashion blog.

"Roses are red, Violets are blue, honey is sweet and so are you". The age-old saying 'A girl can never receive too many roses in her lifetime" holds true. If you've done it once or a million times (even if for the same girl), then one more rose just won't kill you. Hell, if you're really into roses, why not name a rose or a whole bunch of them after her. That should make any woman feel special.

A note to the wise: flowers from the curbside are a no-no (those old romantic gestures of stealing someone else's flowers have long passed). In the likelihood that you are one of those lucky persons to find a flower to snatch however, make sure it doesn't have any dog poop or any foul smelling, creepy crawly something on it. Play it safe, and order yours online at Mark & Spencer.

Give her something to remember by renting a private hot air balloon, reciting some poetry, and offering her one heck of a piece of bling . A note to the wise here: you may want to check if she's afraid of heights or flying before you decide to do this. I know you really really want to but it's her day today and she may not appreciate the gesture. So there, live with it.

If you've done your homework, and she's not keen on hopping into air balloons, then take her to lunch on the Orient Express, they've got excellent deals for Valentine's Day. Then finish the afternoon off with Valentine's Tea for two at the Savoy.

Today Is Sickie Day!

The first Monday of February is officially - or perhaps unofficially - the most popular day of the year for workers to pull a sickie. Post-Christmas blues, poor weather, credit card bills and a long wait for the next holiday have all been blamed. Of course it's going to cost the economy, but can I help it? Can You? We're tired and even the thought of Valentine's Day is enough to keep most of us hybernating through February.

So here I am this morning, faced with the dilemma 'ToWork or Not to Work", when it suddenly dawned on me: What alternative have I got? See, yesterday, was Sunday; no working, no ironing, no cleaning, no washing day, just plain about nothing day. Nada again on Saturday before that. Fantastic.

Now come Monday though (survey or not), one becomes a little skeptical. I could work a bit, (not too much though, afterall wouldn't want to ruin the survey) then give myself a long break around lunch time - one that extends itself to tomorrow morning.

However, Leslie Nielsen once said: "Doing nothing is very hard to do ... you never know when you're finished". Having remembered that, the past two days have absolutely exhausted me out. What harm could one more day do I reason as I reach for the phone. "hello, boss, cough cough..."

When You Cover Your Ass!

With Tony Blair being interviewed for a second time on the Cash for Honours situation, whimsy ChiChi thought to share this email we received today. Of course, it has nothing to do with PM Tony Blair, but it just seems an appropriate moral of the day. Hope it makes you smile. Have a great day everyone!

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Forgive.
3. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
4. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
5. Give more. Expect less
   
   

NOW ............ Enough of that crap . . . The donkey later came back, and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him. The gash from the bite got infected and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.

MORAL FROM TODAY'S LESSON: When you do something wrong, and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.