Dinner Friday 8 December - Big Night Out and Thai food

Had not planned on going out tonight, but got a call from a mate I had not caught up with in ages and so we went out to enjoy the delights of Upper Street.

Met up in the usual (Pitcher and Piano) where I quaffed a few pints of Hoegaarden with lime. I have started to find beer too filling these days, but Hoegaarden seems to be the exception - very refreshing, although maybe more suited to summer than December.

Then we set off in search of food.

First stop was the

Oregano - 18-19 St. Albans Place, London , N1 0NX Telephone 020 7288 1123.

We have eaten here several times and always enjoyed it - good prawns diavolo, tasty pizzas etc. This time, all they wanted to offer us was a table right next to the door, which we did not fancy. When we declined (as the entire back half of the restaurant was empty, although "booked" according to the waitress), the manager then pfaffed around for a few minutes and offered us a table that as sort of tacked on to the end of a large party. We still did not fancy it, made out apologies and left.

There is no shortage of choice on Upper Street.

So, we wandered along chatting and looking at restaurants until we happened on Rabieng Thai. This is another place we have eaten before and enjoyed, so we decided to have some Thai.

Rabieng Thai - 143 Upper Street London N1 1QY Telephone 020 7226 2014

I selected vegetarian Poh Pia Tod (spring rolls) to start and prawn Rad Na as the main course. Rad Na is real "hawker" food - thick Chinese style noodles with vegetables and whatever meat you choose in lashing of thick, savoury gravy.

And it was pretty good as well. Here are some representative images:

Also managed to consume an entire bottle of white wine with dinner before heading home. It was a good night, but I know I cannot drink this much (nor should I).

But the evening wasn't realy about food or drink - just how nice it was to catch up with an old mate and set things to rights.