Dinner and Cigars

For Bill's birthday night I found the perfect spot in Belgravia, an upscale neighborhood in London.

 The restaurant was Scottish, with lots of dark walls, tartan seats, art work everywhere.  It was made up of many small rooms - we sat in a cozy candle lit room.   Despite the fact that no one is in these photos, I was lucky to score the reservation at the last minute.  But booking late means eating early - the only table available was 6 pm.  We seemed to be the first to arrive when the restaurant opened.

Fletch, I took these because I know how much you like pictures of food!  Bill started with oysters while I had the scallops on haggis and dollops of mashed potatoes.

 Followed by steak for Bill and a rabbit and mushroom pie for me.

 The food was delicious but I think Bill's favorite element of the meal was the heading up to the cigar terrace when it was over.  That was almost empty as well when we got there but it seemed like only a matter of minutes before the place was packed.  Since it's out side they have tartan wool bankets on the chairs to put over your legs to keep warm.

Half way through Bill's first cigar we met Alex and John at the next table - a couple of old buddies who have a long history together.  One was a golfer, one was adopted and recently met his biological siblings.  They both liked scotch and have traveled the world together.  They had plenty of stories so we settled in for a long chin wag and another cigar...

 Bill is the best at chatting up strangers and making small talk lead to a night with lots of laughs and new friends.