Yardbird

A few weeks ago, my friend John said that he was going to be in Liverpool and arranged to meet up with our mutual friend, Rob*. I’m not sure whether I was invited along or I just gate-crashed but, anyway, I got on board somehow.

My enthusiasm was slightly diminished, however, when it turned out that one of the world cup matches would be playing that night: Rob and John are both keen fans of the game, I am not.

I arrived down in Liverpool – where Rob and I were at university together – at about six o’clock and met him for a couple of beers in Ye Cracke before we proceeded along to his latest restaurant/diner, ‘Yardbird’, where John joined us.

It was, as with all Rob’s culinary ventures, a great restaurant, both in terms of the setting and food. It’s funny to be reminded from time to time how this old friend of mine is also someone who has had such a huge impact on Liverpool’s eating scene (if that’s the right term to use).

But it’s not just restaurants and after eating we went to one of his bars, ‘Motel’, which is also a great place. As we walked along from the restaurant, I asked if this match – a semi-final – was likely to be any good and the chaps admitted that nil-nil was not an unlikely result. I wasn’t too worried by this, though, as I always have a book with me.

We were all very surprised, then, when Germany scored five goals against Brazil in 18 minutes and, consequently, I found myself watching the whole match, enjoying John and Rob’s delighted bewilderment.

*Although ‘Bob’ to me.