I did a random gig in an oyster bar (see pic), and no, I didn’t just jump over the bar and launch into an improvised set, it was planned; like some children. But I digress. The point is, there was somebody there who writes a blog and doesn’t eat gluten (no relation, I think) and he wrote the lovely review below. So thank you Mr. Coeliac. Best thing since sliced nut-loaf.
Thanks Coeliac Man! Thank goodness you had the salmon. 
Every second Sunday in the month,
J Sheeky’s Oyster Bar in the West End suddenly transforms into a soupçon of vaudeville. For three hours, both at lunchtime and evening, the bar area becomes the smallest and most intimate stage on earth, with a selection of marvellous acts ranging from singing comedians, a drag act and a mind reader.
Before the economy was truly crunched under the banker’s boot, my wife and I would treat ourselves every six weeks to a ‘date night’ at Sheeky’s. We became addicted to its signature oysters served with wild boar sausage, and always finished with the iced berries drowned in warm, white chocolate sauce. I am now typing and salivating at the same time, no easy feat!
So for our wedding anniversary, we decided to sign up for an evening of wine and song. More importantly, there would be entertainment and constant distraction just in case the conversation dried up! It was the best medicine, and with photos of great actors such as Derek Jacobi and Benedict Cumberbatch peering over our shoulders from the restaurant walls, delicious food was served with deliriously funny acts.
Compere for the night was
Des O’Connor (not the butt of Morecambe and Wise jokes, more like his evil twin) who is well-known in the burlesque club scene. He set the tone for the night, strumming his ukulele while singing Noel Coward-esque ditties which got fruiter as the evening drew on. All the performers are only inches away, so audience participation is inevitable.
Des encouraged everyone to sing-a-long and then asked: “Who is in love? Does everyone want to hear a song about love?” Of course, my wife and I shouted, and gazed into each other’s eyes. My wife rested her head on my shoulder, and Des then serenaded us all with his romantic song, “Psychopaths in love”. It was a touching moment on our eighth wedding anniversary, particularly as an ode to lunatic lovers such as Fred and Rose West, Adolf and Eva Braun, and Myra Hindley and Ian Brady. Probably one of the funniest moments of our lives!
All the acts were brilliant, especially
Ria Lina, an outrageously dry, clever and self-deprecating comedian, who plays on her half Filipino and half German roots. One of her songs summed up her dilemma that she got her “yellow skin and smile from her mother but my point of view from my father”. The punchline is not one for the closing of a Bar Mitzvah party, but still hilarious.
As ever the Sheeky staff were delightful and attentive, and were quick to adapt to my GF requests. I had shamefully forgotten to mention my requirements and announced them on arrival. They didn’t even question it and it was sorted. A crab roll was quickly supplemented with a crab salad and some fresh salmon was rustled up to replace croquettes.
Overall the culinary equivalent of the Cabaret Voltaire! I hope it catches on…
original link: http://citycoeliac.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/lifes-cabaret-at-j-sheekys-speakeasies.html?spref=tw
