Bar du Musee (0/5)

I've been postponing a review on this place for some time. I have actually been to eat there twice just to make sure I wasn't being unfair. My verdict is out and so is that place.

Bar du Musee in Greenwich, combines the best of all worlds when it comes to food, it's a deli/coffee house,a bar and a restaurant. And the good things about it end there. Maybe it is this large expansion into all these sections that make it weak at every thing that it offers (except for its wine selection).

Yesterday, Whimsy ChiChi and Mr. ChiChi had a visitor over from abroad. We started out at the pub, (they boast the best wines in Greenwich), having no intention of eating there (because of my bad brush with their food last time) but then it got late and our companion was hungry so we said "what the heck" and went for it. Big mistake yet again!

This time for starters I opted for the carpaccio. What I received was so beyond carpaccio it wasn't even funny. The only thing it shared with carpaccio was probably that the chef there called THAT hideous dish by the same name. There were no thinly sliced strips of meat, there was no fusion of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Hell, there was no oil and no balsamic vinegar all together. All I got was some salty greens on top of thick sliced meat laden with capers. Now, I've had my fair share of carpaccio along the years and never ever have I had capers with it. It was sour and salty. Unfortunately, I could not even finish the plate.

The bread and butter at the table had seen better days, so I stayed clear of those waiting for my main dish. I had asked for Penne with roasted vegetables. In all honesty, that was relatively good although very greasy (weren't the vegetables supposed to be roasted?) and I wasn't offered any Parmesan cheese to go with that. Huh?!

Mr. ChiChi had the endive salad for starters and ChiChi's dinner friend asked for the Goat's cheese salad. They were ok, but nothing to write about to back home. For their main course, they both chose the beef fillet which was pretty tender but the potatoes that came with it were pretty heavy.

Bar du Musee is not a place I would recommend if you've got dinner guests you want to impress. It is below mediocre and should clean up its act. This is sad because the interior of the place is absolutely divine, warm, cosy, and romantic. It even boasts an outdoor seating area for warm summer days. You come in not wanting to leave and after the food arrives you can't be coaxed back in to the place even if the food were to be given to you for free. Yes, it was that bad.

The service was below average, the toilets clean and the bill not too bad (about 30 pounds/person)

17 Nelson Road

Greenwich

London SE10 9JB

tel: 02088584710

The Greenwich WeekEnd Guide

JOIN
What: Bead & Wire Candle Holder Saturday workshop.
Why: Something different to do on a Saturday and only for five pounds.
Where: Greenwich Heritage Centre, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, SE18 (020 8854 2452)

SEE
What: Journey to the New World
Why: Marking the 400th anniversary of the first permanent settlement in America at Jamestown, Virginia, the exhibition illustrates and celebrates the importance of London the this epic voyage.
Where: Museum in Docklands, West India Quay, E14 (0870 4443857)

DRINK
What: Wine and only wine from Davy's Wine Vaults
Why: Because it's the weekend, and The Wine Vaults in Greenwich is home to some wonderful Victorian cellars.
Where: 161 Greenwich High Road or http://www.davywine.co.uk/

Views of The Chapel, Greenwich Hospital

Today Whimsy ChiChi took a visit down to The Chapel of Greenwich Hospital which is now part of the premises of the University of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music.

The Greenwich hospital was founded in 1694 as the Royal Naval Hospital for Seamen. Although it's been there for over 170 years, it only opened to the public in 1998. It has long ceased to be a hospital.

The Queen Mary Court (which houses the Chapel) was planned by Wren and Hawksmoor, but not built until after Wren's death, by Thomas Ripley. Its present appearance dates from 1779, having been rebuilt to a design by James Stuart after a devastating fire.

The chapel is decorated in a light rococo style. It's a beautiful room most famous for its organ and acoustics. It remains open to the public, where a service is held every Sunday at 11am open to all.

Store Watch: JOY of Greenwich

If you're looking for something really sexy, funky, yet unique and classy, then look no further than JOY in Greenwich, London. This shop packs those extra items that go that extra mile.

From Burlesque-how-to-guides to love cheques, JOY on 9 Romney Road in Greenwich has it all. This wonderful zany place offers a wide selection of new clothes (product of upcoming British designers), shoes, bags and this-and-that gadgets that are funny, queer and yet endearing. You feel you just have to have it, even when you know you really don't need it. And the prices don't make it easier at all. Cheap, cheap and cheap.

JOY offers a Valentine's Day twist: You can make your own glittered sign for that cute guy or loved one and hang it in their display window. How's that for a little exhibitionism? Make the trip this weekend.