Last nights concert at the Hotel-Restaurant Mont-Vully turned out to be a lot of fun which was nice considering that when we got there the place was empty and no one had even reserved!
It must be said that it was one of those cold dark wet and dreary evenings that is more inclined to make you stay home, feet up on the chair in front of you, watching anything with movement on the TV while sipping at a glass of single malt, no ice please. It’s also a fact that this hotel is not even near the village but up the hill behind it, on a small road that you would never take unless that’s where you happened to be going and that their terrace with it’s splendid view of the surrounding area is assuredly more attractive on a sunny summer afternoon…
Nevertheless we set up our gear in the usual corner, went through a few songs to get the mix right which is never that easy a thing to do – one reason being that each of us has their own ideal balance to begin with – and then sat down for a hearty meal. After 5 years of playing in various bistros around here or farther, I haven’t often mentioned the food and I suspect that one reason for this is although it is mostly OK, it is not often that exciting. I open a parenthesis here to explain that nearly everywhere, the food is offered to the musicians for their valiant efforts… just try playing in a room full of loud people shouting at each other to be heard above the music and you will see what I mean.
So usually it’s pizza, pasta or something obviously leftover and although Reto’s superb Christmas oysters were another culinary moment to be remembered with great fondness, most meals are not. So it must be said that the four meals we were served at the Hotel-Restaurant Mont-Vully this fall were not only delicious, they really made us feel welcome too! Last night’s being no exception, leg of lamb with potatoes, carrots and Brussels sprouts, perfectly cooked, spiced and sauced up… hey we’re not talking bling bling food here!
The hard part is getting up and playing after… but a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do!
Eventually a few folks did turn up, notably two youngsters, one who joined us with my guitar for a couple of songs, but it remained such a calm evening client wise that we ended up not taking a break, too worried our little audience would leave if we stopped playing… Fortunately at around 9h30 the whole kitchen team came out to enjoy the music so we ended up playing a good hour more than hired for!
A great evening!