Wong Kei - Home of the "Crispy"

Wong Kei is a restaurant close to my heart. Not because it is full of sweary and rude Chinese people (I am a little sweary but not in the least bit rude), but for two reasons. University and my betting shop.

Back in university days, we always thought it wise to try and fill ourselves up with carbs and protein before filling ourselves up with beer and spirits. Looking for a good cheap place to fulfill all of the requirements above, we would normally settle for a "crispy". A "crispy", to the uninitiated, would be a plate of crispy pork (siu youk) and rice covered in a thick gravy from Wong Kei's (or if we are reverting back to Uni speak, Wonkees). We tried others, but Wonkees was by far and away the best and we would always inevitably gravitate towards this restaurant above all others in Chinatown.

After university, I carried on my job as a bookie and was stationed in the Ladbrokes right next door to Wong Kei's. It must have been fate. Now all the sweary waiters were at my beck and call as I was master of their betting slips (I know its a stereotype, but Chinese like to bet, especially those in Chinatown). They started showing me a little more respect and all though they still swore at me in Cantonese and called me fat boy, I would often find myself the recipient of an extra large "crispy" or a few extra wonton in my soup if they had won big at the races.



History aside, I haven't been here in a while and when a few of my old uni mates suggested meeting up, all one of my friends had to do was utter the "c" word and we headed straight for Wardour Street. That's really where the nostalgia ends. The main draw for me was always the luscious gravy they poured over the meat to loosen and lubricate the dish, where most restaurants scatter a watery dribble over their roast meats. However, on this visit, It was overly sweet and over powered the still high quality roast meat underneath. Don't get me wrong, still good but the thing that made it great just so happened to leave a disappointing taste in my mouth.

Full and semi satisfied we happily stuck to the norm and topped up the carbs and protein with a healthy dose of beer and spirits. Let the good times roll.

Wong Kei - 41 Wardour Street, Soho, W1D 6PX

You having a laugh?

Just a brief post here to wish my old mucker the cockroach a happy 31st Birthday.

The old man of Sidcup rounded up a few of his massive and after a brief pitstop in the notorious Wong Kei's for a "crispy", we all headed down to the Comedy Store on Oxendon Street. Amongst the motley crew were badger, big Dave, little Dave, the wodge, Northern Will and the Steer. There was also a guest appearance from Bottles at half time but I think we are still debating whether he was actually there or merely a figment of our imagination.

The Comedy Store is a bit of an institution. Its been around for over 20 years and is by far and away the premier funny spot in London. It has seen legends such as Robin Williams, Steve Coogan and Eddie Izzard do their thing. Anybody who considers themselves a comedian aspires to tread this stage.

Wednesday night is the "Comedy Store Players", an improvisation night which has been running for as long as the club itself and we were lucky enough to watch Josie Lawrence, Phil Jupitus and Neil Mullarkey amongst others doing what they do best, improvising and making us laugh. Items included an Italian Carry On set in a biscuit factory, Josie Lawrence correctly identifying that she picked the corn off the cob with a harmonica and put them into Tin-Tin tins in a church for an occupation (she's good) and a Roman crime thriller revolving around the theft of a cursed helmet. Really, you cant make this stuff up!

Anyway, it was a good night. The lure of late night poker was strong but I am committed to the cause, so off to home I went as I had a long day ahead.