Steve Coogan: Stand Up Down Under
Tue Aug 6 9-10pm, Sky Atlantic
Steve Coogan jokingly refers to these shows as a ‘’90’s revival tour’. But this 2009 trip to Australia is a little more than that. Weirdly, Coogan has never played in Oz before so the trip is something of a punt, taking in reasonably small venues and offering a surprising sense of lo-fi make do and mend.
Have catchphrase, will travel, though. It’s not long before autograph hunters are exhorting him to ‘enjoy Linton travel tavern’ and asking for ‘Cock Piss Partridge’ to be written on their programmes. It’s an intimate portrait, but Coogan still seems somewhat unknowable: simultaneously needy and oddly distant. The film concludes tomorrow night with hecklers and a spot of disillusion. Not essential but, with ‘Alpha Papa’ fever rampant, perfectly timed.
Comments
Gogi
This Korean bar and grill in Maida Vale certainly looks bang on trend - there's loads of bare brickwork, imposing chrome ducts and exposed filaments dangling over the bar. There's a contemporary feel to the food too, with classic Korean dishes often given a modern twist or two. Traditionalists shouldn't fret, though. Dishes such as kimchi, bossam, jap chae noodles and beef bulgogi all feature, as do various dolsot bibimbaps - stone pot dishes of mixed rice with an oyster sauce. Steak tartar - here seasoned with sesame sauce and served with sliced pear and egg yolk - is an example of the more imaginative side of the menu. A short wine list keeps the focus on big-hitting old world regions, but bottles from Argentina and Chile feature too. Cocktails include a selection based on soju (the popular Korean spirit), while beers include Asahi and Hite - the latter from Korea. Keep an eye out for lunch deals, too.
Venue says: “Spring has sprung in Little Venice, and we've got your perfect dinner after an afternoon of exploring 🌸☀️🍴”
