Bono's Slightly Delayed 40th Birthday

Arty photo from corner of Queen Victoria building

Soooooo... who cares if it's only a couple of weeks off being three years since he actually turned 40 years of age, and we've only been waiting all that time for him to decide to hold a celebration of that event. Well, it finally happened, and this evening was that time to celebrate.

I caught the train up to Sydney, again enjoying the serenity of a train trip with only my music to keep me company. Once I arrived at Town Hall I made a quick visit to Utopia - twice in two months! - in order to make some purchases for tomorrow night's Black Sabbath concert. All of my concert metal shirts have died a violent over-wearing death many years ago, and I have been meaning to get at least one to wear to such occasions. So today I went and got myself a Dio Holy Diver t-shirt (and I've never owned a Dio t-shirt so I was quietly stoked) and an Iron Maiden hoodie (which was probably over priced, but I wanted one anyway). Good purchasing.

(May I just apologise here early for the quality of the following photo's. It has convinced me to upgrade my iPhone 2 to an iPhone 5 almost immediately...)

From here I moseyed down to Ryan's Bar at Australia Square, where I met Bono, Joel and Julian for a few pre-dinner beers. Despite it being the end of April, the weather was almost balmy, and the time and beer was pleasant.

Then it was up to the Rockpool Bar & Grill on Hunter Street for dinner. Julian, having once been involved in the establishment, was left in charge of most of the ordering apart from the main. Why so? Well, have a look at the menu and try and decide what is good! As 'preferred' guests, we also received mini hamburgers for a starter. Awesome!!

While Joel was (sensibly) left in charge of choosing and ordering the wine, Julian ordered entrees of My Steak Tartar and Chips, Charcoal Roast King Prawns and Marinated, Joselito Iberico Jamon, Jamondul Serrano Jamon Reserva, Fratelli Gallioni Parma Prosciutto and Pickled Vegetables, and Abalone. Of course, I insisted that Julian did not tell me what any of it was until after I had finished eating.

For main I went with the good old fashioned T-bone steak, which was as big as the plate and cooked to perfection. It came with condiments (two mustards and harissa was good enough for me) as well as us all sharing mushy peas with slow cooked egg, and sautéed mixed peppers with lemon and garlic, and some greens and potato grill. Terrific.

Even though there was no way we could fit anything more in, we stuffed in some crème caramel and profiteroles and other sweet stuff. Unlike other restaurants where you may pay through the nose but still come out looking for a KFC to fill your stomach, there was none of that here. We were all well and truly stuffed, and it was just magnificent.

From here we decided to have a beer at Frankies Pizza, which Julian tells me is one of the places that all of the hospitality tradies go when their shifts finish. To the outsider, it is a bit like the old Pit under Kiama Leagues Club, a concrete bunker with no escape routes (but at least no sticky floors). We had one of the worst beers that most of us had ever had (though Julian had two, so no doubt he thinks its great) before heading for our various abodes. For me, that was an overnight stay at the Cincotta household.

Well done Bono. You've finally made 40. Now just two weeks until you are 43.