Christmas is a time for traditions and for me growing up, it meant being taken to a show, most often The Nutcracker ballet, which I went to every year for many years. I’ve started that tradition with the grandsons and have tickets again for just after Christmas. However, a new tradition has also come in the shape of the Old Vic’s highly acclaimed and magic production of A Christmas Carol. Oldest grandson Freddie (now 10, nearly 11) and I went last year and I thought it was one of the best, most entertaining and magical shows I’ve ever been to. So we just had to go again this year – the production’s ninth year. 

Freddie was keen to eat at Tas, a Turkish restaurant in The Cut (in the same road as the theatre) again, as we did last year. Another family tradition is a love and interest in food, which Freddie has taken up with enthusiasm. Thus a table was booked and we arrived at 5.30, a couple of hours before the show started. I’ve been to Tas in The Cut (and other branches) many times over many years. It was once a regular eating place when I went into London to the theatre more often than I have recently, or sometimes just to meet up with friends. There are a few set menus and I left Freddie to choose. He opted for the Renk Meze Menu (£24.90 a head; minimum of two people to share).  Despite my many past visits, I’d never had this menu and so was quite excited to try it.

When it arrived it was a ‘wow’ moment. There was so much – and it all looked delicious! 

Freddie had a particular memory of the wonderful bread and it’s always been a favourite of mine. In the photo above, top left to right and top to bottom:

Spinach with yogurt; Borek – filo pastry triangles filled with spinach and feta; Falafel – fried chickpea and beans patties; Tabbouleh – salad of parsley, red onion with pomegranate seeds; Humous; Zeytinyagli Patlican – aubergine cooked slowly in olive oil with tomatoes, chickpeas and garlic; Cacik – strained yogurt with cucumber and garlic; Prawn skewers; Calamari; Kisir – bulgur salad with herbs, spices, vegetables, nuts and pomegranate molasses.

It was fabulous; such an exciting selection of dishes and many favourites. Freddie likes prawns but hadn’t tried calamari before – but loved it. He was also particularly keen on the Tabbouleh. I liked it all but my favourites (apart from the wonderful bread!) were the aubergine dish and the Kisir, which was just fabulous. 

We didn’t quite finish it all and I’m pretty sure Freddie managed to eat more than me. And still had room for dessert, choosing ice cream (choice of two flavours and he had coconut and chocolate). I settled for just an espresso. We’d drunk homemade lemonade (Freddie) and a glass of Picpoul (me) with the meal.

We made our way along The Cut to the theatre and went up to the bar area where our seats were. 

When the doors to the auditorium opened and we went through to our seats, it was a magical sight – a real sense of Christmas coming. People came round with free mince pies to hand out and satsumas. 

It was a fantastic show again – lots of lovely audience participation – and a wonderful evening. Christmas traditions are special things and where lovely memories are made.