Özer-like restaurant image generated with Nano Banana 2 via Google Flow
The diary is light on details. Frankly, the memory is similarly light on some.
Meeting Up With John White, Starting At “FOB Office”, 19 June 2001
John was Chief Executive of The Federation Of Bakers at that time. My e-mail archive, usually so good at digging out details, draws a blank on this one. Perhaps John had just started there and we set up the whole thing by phone. For sure I scribbled down the Catherine Street address and telephone number in the diary. I suspect that we had a drink somewhere more than half decent in Bloomsbury, followed by a meal nearby in a restaurant that was also more than half decent.
Janie & I Visit Brendan & Fi For Dinner, 22 June 2001
Brendan was a client in his capacity as Chief Executive of the Marine Stewardship Council. Fi also worked there. Brendan & Fi very kindly invited me and Janie to their pad in Farringdon for dinner. I recall a very jolly evening.
In particular, I remember that Brendan had a very grand piano – I think it might actually have been a mini grand – around which we stood and sang some spoof songs. Brendan was really a classical pianist, so we spoofed pop songs that have been written to classical tunes. Billy Joel (This Night), Eric Carmen (All By Myself) and Barry Manilow (Could It Be Magic) all got the treatment.
Özer Restaurant With Kim & Micky To Celebrate Janie’s Birthday, 26 June 2001
I remember this meal very well. We all wanted to try this new Özer Restaurant in Langham Place and we were not disappointed – the food was excellent. I came hot foot from a Z/Yen boat trip, upon which I had been suitably abstemious so as not to impede the birthday celebrations.
I always was happier on dry land in a middle-eastern restaurant than I was on a boat trip and probably always will be.
I recall everyone being on good form and a super midweek evening.
I can see from my diary that I had a busy day the next day, including a return to Marylebone for rare business lunch at Caldese.
No wonder I had more trouble maintaining my weight back then, than I do now.