Training Update: 28 December 2009

So, as expected, I've been hard at work eating. It is the holidays, after all, so I'm just going to be thankful that my gym clothes are stretchy.

I had my appointment for my second opinion with my new extra super sports medicine doctor (ESSMD) earlier this week. I describe him as, "extra super" because not only did my physio recommend him, but after receiving a fax about my intentions to seek a second opinion from ESSMD, my GP actually called up, raved about him, and mentioned that he is the consultant physician to the England rugby union.

Anyway, the ESSMD checked out my scans and agreed that I don't have a normal MRI. Looking at the cross section scans, the nerve is definitely a bit compromised.

Given that, I have two options:
A. Have an epidural, performed by a doctor referred by the ESSMD
B. Resume all my old exercise slowly, and see if the situation worsens. Supposedly, I can't really do further permanent damage to myself, and my worst case is that the nerve flares up badly again.

I've opted for plan B. From what I gather, the epidural is likely an inevitability, but I would prefer to put it off a bit, if possible. Besides, I have a new gym membership that is very convenient for my new digs that I'm so looking forward to.

So, I went for my first bit of running in over two months last Tuesday. On the treadmill, two minutes jog, one minute walk for the most part. It's not particularly exciting, but it's a start. The nerve hurts a bit, so we'll see how this goes. My physiotherapist is away for the next few weeks, so this is a good bit of test time.

With any luck, it will all go well, and these posts can start getting interesting.

A number of people have asked me how my upcoming move will affect my plans for Franc v. Tube, as following a move to a new flat in January, my despised commute will be a thing of the past.

I do plan to do my little train race, even with a new home location. I'll just have to pick up a beer along the way to drink on the finish line of my old front step, rather than collecting one from my old flat.

The Sun in Splendour, Notting Hill

*Please Note: following our experience at this pub, the manager contacted us, apologized, and expressed that we had chosen his first Sunday off this year to drop in. He kindly offered us a free meal to make it up to us, which we declined. Our experience at this venue may not have been typical, and I am highlighting this because of the generous customer service which followed when Darren (the third commenter on this post) contacted them.

Today's choice, The Sun in Splendour, came highly recommended by Roland's father. Admittedly, the last time he had visited this Notting Hill spot was well before any of us were born, but it still seemed worth a go.

With the holiday season upon us, we thought it a good choice, as while visiting his family, Roland can report back that we have taken the kind advice of our elders and have put it to good use.

Joining us on the Quest today filled with festive cheer were Robin (visiting from NYC), Vera, Roland, Oscar, and Darren.

The Sunday menu is available here. Oscar was so enthused, he decided what he was going to order the night before.

All was going well until we actually arrived at this pub. Upon arriving, I found that the reservation I made for six people got us a table that wasnt meant for six people and wasn't even particularly well suited for eating. (Those are my knees in the bottom of the picture.) It was really a bit like eating at a coffee table. When I pointed ths out, the staff made no effort to offer us an alternative.

As you can also see from the picture on the left, we were given a table with someone else's garbage was on it, which we eventually cleared ourselves after ten minutes. (The Blackberry, pint of beer, and glass of wine were ours- the rest was not)

Dishes Ordered: (Pictured left to right)
Beef Roast: Robin, Oscar, Vera, Darren, & Franc

Steak & Ale Pie: Roland






Traditionally, we discuss the food a bit later in the entry, but as our meal was missing two key components that were promised by the menu, I've assembled this picture to highlight these obvious shortcomings:

When we asked about the missing yorkshires, we were told that they had run out, without apology or offer to make up for it. The swede was never accounted for. The food was cold. I bet I spent more time on this diagram than the kitchen did on our food.


Observations: (collective and individual)

• My food was freaking cold. (Everyone's food was genuinely cold, except for Roland's pie)
  
• The beef was veiny and tough. Parts of the meal were missing. (Darren)
• My Sunday is ruined (Oscar)
• Everyone thought I was lucky to have warm food! (Roland)
• Vera wants to leave England now. (Roland, speaking for Vera)
• The pub dining area is nice (Robin)
• I made a reservation for six, and got a table unsuitable for six people dining. The pub wasn't packed. (Franc)
  
• Ladies Bathrooms lacked soap, a working hand dryer, or towels. They weren't particularly clean, but I liked the Nana-tastic wallpaper - pictured (Franc)
• Mashed potatoes AND Roasted potatoes? Where are my any of my 5 a day?
  
• I lowered my environment score further after experiencing the bathroom. The urinal coming off the wall was a nice touch. (Darren)
  
• I've seen better portable bathrooms (Oscar on the men's room)
• The food was better than my mother's cooking (Robin, before she regaled us with tales of her mother's cooking, which seems to involve a lot of boiled meat and a casserole (recipe) involving Velveeta, Ritz Crackers, and God only knows what else.)
• While doing our scores, the waiter cleared our dishes. We made no effort to hide that we were doing a review and that we were tremendously disappointed, and again, the staff made no effort to apologize.
• Simply put, this was our worst pub of the year. The only good thing about it was the bar space itself, which was nice enough.
  

On to the scores: (awarded on these guidelines)








Our Updated Map of Eats:
*note: All Pubs visited including today's are noted with their scores in parentheses

View The Quest for the Best Sunday Roast in a larger map

*Amendment made after original posting.