metro Arts & Entertainment Kissing Marigolds In Town Tonight Woman walks out on man. Man heartbroken. Man calls Dial-A- Friend, guaranteed to have your heart mended in 24hours or your money back, in this snappy, bawdy black comedy by Patrick J OReilly and Red Lemon Until Sun, Filmbase, Curved Street D2, 1pm, 11 to 13. Tel: 1850 374 643. www.fringefest.com Crash Test Cabaret A cabaret lucky-dip in which seasoned performers and virgin wannabes compete for audience approval. Smash hit or crash-and- burn? You decide only after trying your hand at whatever tasks are thrown at you Until Thu, Filmbase, Curved Street D2, 9pm, 13 to 16. Tel: 1850 374 643. www.fringefest.com Lavender Winners of last years Spirit Of The Fringe Award, Jouissance return with an equally beguiling-cum- barmy performance that straddles the gap between life and death, memory and premonition Tonight until Sat, Project Arts Centre, 39 East Essex Street D2, 7pm & 9pm, 12 to 15. Tel: 1850 374 643. www.fringefest.com life Book Now Arctic Monkeys The Monkeys third album Humbug displays few, if any, signs of a band losing its grip. A muscular production courtesy of Queens Of The Stone Ages Josh Homme, the record demonstrates a new maturity while still retaining the rapscallion appeal established by the groups scruff-of-neck-grabbing debut Whatever People Say I Am, Thats What Im Not. One wonders when the inevitable backlash will start but given that an arena tour is afoot the quartet probably dont give a monkeys Nov 26, The O2, East Link Bridge, North Wall Quay D1, 6.30pm, 42.20. Tel: 0818 719 Restaurant Review One Pico Going Out Food & Drink Saline but not sol ublin taxi drivers are synonymous with many things but gastronomy is not usually one of them. But when one such gentleman recently discussed the merits of One Pico, the multi- award-winning bistro, I believed him. Its most recent international plaudits include Cond Nasts Official Selection and a recommendation in Frommers travel guides, both last year plus a salivating review from my sister and her husband who couldnt speak any more highly of their meal last New Years Eve. So I took them for a revisit. I arrived 20minutes early, thinking I could have a billy-no-mates apritif at the front bar. But it wasnt yet open for business so I was banished by the matre- d; an unwelcome trot around the block, since my gladiators had already given me two great blisters. A short while later, I was back with the Picophiles in tow and D surveying the three-course set-menu in a dining space that wouldnt look out of place in a David Lean film understated elegance, at once bygone and timeless. It was only 6pm but the tables were filling up fast, adding to an ambience already established by background music that was so background I dont remember it at all, which is no bad thing if it were Kenny G, itd have been etched on our besmirched brains. The three-course set menu is priced at 39 excluding side orders. I chose the langoustine risotto which had a 4.95 supplement on it. Was it worth it? Not quite. Saltier than a Tommy Tiernan punchline, the rice was beyond over- seasoned. Peas and a bisque foam did little to temper the dominant sodium flavour further compounded by the actual langoustine, which were admittedly fresh-tasting and plump to perfection. The other diners relished the seared red mullet a melt-in-the-mouth portion buoyed up with fennel, tapenade and a striking, Jackson Pollock-esque drizzle of saffron aioli. A selection of bread arrived with the starters, my black olive roll and her baguette paling into insignificance next to Birthday Boys curveball: a curried bun. My main, once again, was overseasoned, the (chewy) pan-seared cod maligned by salty mash. The chive beurre blanc and finely chopped greens were gorgeous, though, ditto the side dishes of firm green beans and a spinach and potato gratin a superbly creamy coronary-in-a-pot. His mash and her morel and pea risotto were also salty, but this didnt hamper their overall pleasure; he savouring the tender chicken, she the runny poached egg atop the rice. The desserts, though, got a unanimous high-five, their warm chocolate fondants volcanic sponges of hot cocoa lava, while my cheesecake was vanilla pod proper and accompanied by a marvellous, lip- pursingly tart red berry ice-cream. The bill totalled 177 including six (overpriced) bottles of Heineken, and exceptional service. One Pico was everything I heard it would be grand, classy and pricey although the sum of its parts is better than some of its saltier parts. Lucy White 5-6 Molesworth Place D2. Tel: (01) 676 0300. www.onepico.com Desserts got a unanimous high-five, their warm chocolate fondants volcanic sponges of hot cocoa lava 12 metrolife Tuesday, September 15, 2009 We have a pair of tickets to see CRASH TEST CABARET tomorrow at Filmbase, 9pm For a chance to win, e-mail your answer to the question below to life@metroireland.ie by noon today with Hot Tickets in the subject line. With your answer please include your name, address and a number where you can be contacted between 1pm and 3pm. Strictly one entry per person; entrants must be age 18+. Q. Crash Test Dummies scored a huge hit with which song? A. Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, Mmm B. Oink, Oink, Oink, Oink The winner of yesterdays tickets to see Morrissey is: Johnny Shields THE HOTTEST TICKETS IN TOWN index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html