Posted by pop at Nov 8, 07 11:58 PM
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For a third anniversary celebration, we took ourselves to (Royal) Tunbridge Wells to check out what it had to offer. It has similarities with Guildford to some extent but the new (commercial) and old ('Pantiles') ends of town were very separate, different kettles of fish.
We pre-booked a table at Thackery's at 1.30pm so wandered around the new end of town for half an hour or so. Nothing jump-out and bite-you special, but I did over hear a conversation in the pet shop about how they'd like to make the punishment fit the crime and bring back stoning or something - very 'Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells' I thought!
Anyhow, Thackery's is a villa built c.1660 to serve the people using the spas in the town. Here's a pic:
Inside we are very well looked after and join a number of other diners (an old couple next too us blatently listening to our coversation and two old boys on the otherside talking about falling off step-ladders). Here's what we chose:-
Amuse Bouche
Amused we were, with a lovely pumpkin ravoili
Starters
Me: 'BALLOTINE' OF GRESINGHAM DUCK with Green Bean and Autumn Truffle Salad, Celeriac 'Remoulade' (rather subtle flavours (perhaps a little too much so) but just the right size for a starter, all served on a long rectangular glass plate
Husb: LAYERS OF 'OAK' SMOKED SALMON, YOUNG SPINACH AND LIME CRÈME FRÂICHE with Horseradish Cream, Deep Fried Breaded Oysters, Dill Toast (Husb was delighted with this - the layered salmon looked fantastic)
Mains
Me: BUTTER ROASTED "GNOCCHI" Sautéed Wild Mushrooms and Tarragon Roast Globe Artichokes, Parmesan Crisp ('hmm very novelle cuisine' as the woman on the next table said when our food was brought out)
Husb: Haddock (tbc)
Dessert
Me: Carrot and Macerated Raisin Cake with pumpkin parfait and carrot and orange sorbet (not overly sweet, but very interesting indeed)
Husb: Cheese board (with about 1000 crackers to choose from, but the waiter didn't tell him what the cheeses were)
Coffee & Petit Fours
This was great fun - a pretty little raspberry tart, a piece of nougat, a homemade chocolate and the pièce de résistance had to be two little chocolate balls on cocktail sticks resting in a shot glass full of what looked like sherbert. They turned out to contain ice-cream, though I have no idea how this is physically possible to achieve. We did have some debate about whether we were supposed to eat the 'sherbert', and after a quick dab it was found to be coloured sugar...which was a shame:)
We were incredibly well looked after, service was prompt, food presentation was excellent, and overall I would say the seafood lovers amongst you would be better served by Thackery's in terms of choice from their various menus, but nevertheless it was thoroughly enjoyable.
The bill came to c.£100 (without wine).
Posted by pop at May 12, 06 11:13 PM
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As luck would have it, I won some tickets to a The Charlatans gig. Back in the 1990s I was a moderate fan of theirs, but hadn't exactly kept track of their comings and goings since. Tickets arrived courtesy of Virgin Mobile, and husb and I took off for a very short break in Birmingham.
We stayed in the Copthorne Hotel, which is rather close what is laughingly known as "Paradise Place" (somewhere that you can very easily imagine getting murdered) in what seemed to be the rougher end of town. We casually made our way to the
Carling Academy and found ourselves at Bar Epernay in the Mailbox.
Initially we thought that Bar Epernay would be a bit of a gamble (a little faux posh) but actually we were incredibly impressed by the food:-
Starters
Me: carmelised goats cheese encroute with pear,red onion marmalade and rocket salad
Husb: parsnip and honey soup
Mains
Me: cornfed chicken wrapped in crispy pancetta with honeyed parsnips, served with risotto (all went very well together)
Husb: Sunday Roast Beef
Dessert
Me: Apple Pear and Pecan Pie (this was gorgeous!)
Husb: Double white chocolate cheesecake with basamic-marinated strawberry compote
All washed down with a bottle of...
Beyerskloof Pinotage 2004
All quite impressive and when totalling £62, we were very happy and in fact, quite merry! One question I do have to ask - why did their pianist (who was sat on a rotating platform) 'skip' at one point like a scratched CD??!
We then walked to the gig (noticing on the way that Birmingham city centre consists of lots of very large brand new buildings & sculptures - we felt miniturised!).
The Charlatans were great, and even better because I could see Tim Burgess singing from the sofas on the mezzanine level (oh what I would have done in 1996 to get near the stage!!).
Posted by pop at Apr 28, 06 11:14 PM
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This restaurant has been open for approximately one year. The interior design is fabulous - the feel is modern, minimalistic with almost an 'at home' feel. I noticed an amazing piece of ceramic artwork close to our table - a spiral design handcrafted plate and it was for sale - fantastic at £395!
The blue-green hues of the walls are restful, which is just as well, because we needed a lie-down after this meal!
The dishes:
* Cauliflower with fried breadcrumbs and garlic
* Battered Salt Cod
* Spanish Tortilla
* Roasted vegetables (much like rattouille)
* Garlic bread
...amongst others...
The waiting staff were attentive and friendly, almost treating us like part of the family!
10/10!!!
Posted by pop at Apr 15, 06 11:15 PM
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After struggling to get into Brighton by car, parking in Regency Square then sitting down for a quick coffee at the Thistle hotel on the front, we headed into town to wander the Lanes. Shopping highlights were Ollie & Nic (pretty bags in lovely colours) and Kurt Geiger Shoes (bargainous boots).
The intention in going via Brighton was to take in some fantastic vegetarian food at Terre a Terre before heading down to E'bo. However this was not to be - we had a Meatatarian in our midst. Apparently it wouldn't be possible to enjoy a meal without meat, so this visit was postponed! We had thought we could bring a sachet of Iams in gravy that could be squeezed over his plate of veg, however, we settled (wisely) for Gars.
Gars is a modern restaurant with minimalistic interior design - no waving cats and dragons here. As there were six of us, we chose the set menus. As is traditional, we had the starters (king prawns, prawn toast, seaweed, scallops etc..) and felt full. The waiting staff gave us a break before the crispy duck pancakes and then we launched into a vast array of main courses (yellow bean chicken with cashew, crispy chilli beef, lamb shank, more chicken...more veg...). All of which was fresh and lovely.
All diners were given fortune cookies, but husb had no slip of paper in his! This is a step forward, as the last cookie he opened at
Yellow River Cafe said words to the effect of "all your friends are plotting against you"! Nice fortune. We are hoping for a mediocre fortune next time :)
Posted by pop at Nov 5, 05 11:20 PM
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We headed into the Bollinger Bar at Palm Court on the ground floor of the hotel to take in some cocktails (a Long Island Tea for me and a Moscow Mule for husband). The lounge was strangely cosy for such a grand room. Soft lighting and an elegant atmosphere were topped off by a pianist playing the classics.
At eight o'clock we made our way down to the basement of the The Balmoral and into the secluded crimson enclosure of Number One, making ourselves comfy on a high-backed semi-circular gold velvet seat.
We were greeted with an extensive wine menu and canapes. The waiter described each canape and offered us some freshly made bread (a choice of basil, cheese, tomato, brown or white) and took our orders from the food menu. This was an extended meal that allowed us to become further intoxicated by a brilliant Chilian red for 2 hours or so:
Both: Amuse Bouche with truffle oil
Starters
Me: smoke duck salad with red cabbage
Husb: courgette soup with a salmon ravioli
Main Courses
Me: Beef fillet
Husb: Venison with a potato mash
Me: Elderflower jelly with chocolate sorbet
Deserts
Me: Raspberry Soufflé and raspberry sorbet encased in dark chocolate
Husb: Selection from the cheeseboard (a choice of 25 cheeses!)
Both husband and I concluded that this was probably the best meal we have ever had (or can recall!). The restaurant makes every effort to select produce that is local or at least Scottish. The waiting staff had fantastic knowledge of the food they were serving and were really attentive - there were probably five looking after us at different stages during the meal.
The quality and attention to detail in terms of the food and the atmosphere makes this place justifiable at least once in your life. Michelin-starred Chef Jeff Bland and his staff are to thank for a spectacular first wedding anniversary dinner!
Posted by pop at Nov 5, 05 11:19 PM
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Viva Mexico is an example of an authentic mexican that is far far away from the processed likes of commercialised tex-mex style foods.
Based just off the Royal Mile its easy to find. The interior of the restaurant was decorated with lots of mexican imagery, the owners had obviously gone to some trouble to create an experience. The menu was standard fair in terms of choice (lets be honest, mexican menus are rarely obscure!) but the food was great.
To Drink:
Plenty of rather strong lime margharitas (Viva provide liberal shots of tequila!)
Shared Starter:
Both: Nachos
Mains
Me: Chicken Flautas
Husb: Chicken Enchilada
Dessert
Both: Chilli Cheesecake
The restaurant became gradually full over the duration of our meal, but the service remained good and fast. Of the things consumed, the chilli cheesecake was memorable. It was what you might call a 'slow burner' - the full effect of the chilli was not noticed for sometime, but it kept us warm for our Mercat Ghost Tour around the town at 9.30pm - spooky!
Posted by pop at Sep 25, 05 11:22 PM
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This weekend we went on a countryside jaunt into the New Forest (for a captive animal education weekend!) We booked ourselves into The Candlesticks on Christchurch Rd, Ringwood (see ting-a-ling for more info).
Friday night we wandered along the quiet High Street and concluded a indian was in order. We took a shine to The Curry Garden which at 8pm was fairly empty (but by the time we left it was packed to the rafters).
We grabbed ourselves a couple of supersized Cobras and some poppadums (with lime, mango, mint and onion/tomatoes) and ordered the following:-
Tandoori Chicken Tikka (succulent meat and fresh salad - yum)
Lamb Pathia creamy and tangy
Curried Chickpeas tasty and healthy!
Naan so fresh and so soft!
Rice well, it was rice
All in all I would definately recommend this place, on the basis that:
Decor: light and modern
Service: excellent and friendly - it seemed that they had many regulars
Price: A good deal for more than two can eat (how do you not over-order in an Indian??!)
Go here if you find yourself nearby.
Posted by pop at Sep 25, 05 11:21 PM
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Evening two of our zoo-weekend. We go this time, for a Michelin starred, Good Food Guide blessed restaurant called the The Three Lions Restaurant.
After getting past the gathering of local monied sorts propping up the bar we were shown to our table. We chose the following bits and bobs:
Me:
Goats Cheese and Tomato Relish - this was far greater than expected. A partially encased slice of cheese sat on the relish surrounded by salad leaves.
Free Range Pork and Crackling meat fine, veg fine, crackling low-grade
Hub:
Gravalax - ok, Husband has made his own gravalax using vodka and a heavy book at home, so this didn't really cut the mustard! It must have been sliced using a lab-quality tissue slicer and a microscope, there was nothing to it really. Literally. Even at Simply Simons good ole Si cut it thick.
Venison - while we were deer watching in the forest, Husband's mouth must have been watering. Husband seemed to bear a grudge towards the Three Lions after the gravalax, and I think this made him realise the Venison was nothing overly special (and it was £18 not including vegetables).
Husband doesn't like desert at the best of times, but last night the 'Gravalax Incident' as I will call it, forced him to eject us from the restaurant asap. Needless to say, he said the meal was 'fine' when asked. I challenged him over this (he was threatening to write to the Good Food Guide and the Restaurant in sheer disgust two minutes beforehand) and he explained this was simply the bottom of the compliments range, and thus a backhanded insult:
1*. "Fine"
2*. "Superbly tantilising"
3*. "Marvellously Delicious"
4*. "Extraordinarily Fantastic"
5*. "Incredibly Sublime"
Now, I have never had this problem. I have never made anything myself that wasn't trumped by something vastly superior in a restaurant (apart from Cafe Rouge's separated Hollandaise Sauce on an Eggs Benedict (sinful!).
So just to conclude:
Clientele - old money rah rahs, who have never left the village.
Decor - like Aunt Meredith's sitting room - a bit twee
Overheard words - 'mummy and daddy', Cloisters
Value - overpriced and lapped up by those who don't know any better, or just don't want to know.
Now, where's that letter template....
Posted by pop at Aug 28, 05 11:27 PM
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The Wine Vaults is a walk down memory lane. It reminds me and the husband of the days when we were free of...
1. A mortgage
2. A job
3. Money
He was a student in Portsmouth and we'd go to the Wine Vaults and have the classic combination of:-
1. Deep Fried Brie and Redcurrant Jelly
2. Chilli Nachos to share
So, we took a day trip down on the train to Pompey and you can guess where we ended up and what we ate. It was lovely and fresh, particularly (2) as they had completely forgotten to make it, and after about 30 mins, I enquired, and the meal was created in about 60 seconds, and swilled down with our complimentary drinks.
Food: fantastic
Service: forgetful this time, but usually immaculate
Ale: apparently nice, light and slightly vanilla-y
Though we have all three of the former, the experience was warm and fuzzy, and completely carefree.
Posted by pop at Jun 12, 05 11:29 PM
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Simply Simons was a fantastic, small and delicious place to eat. They made great modern British food with high quality ingredients. Trouble was, it was never packed to the rafters with people, and sometimes the personal touch, ain't all it's cracked up to be....
One birthday I took a friend and we went for the full three courses. We ordered a lemon meringe pie. The base was like concrete, but tasted good, so we just kept on chipping away at it with our spoons, enjoying it as we went along. The owner was serving the customers personally which was a great thing, until....
The other remaining table called him over - they had found some glass in their desert. The owner was so incredibly apologetic, so all over them in concern and did everything he could to ensure they wouldn't leave too distressed. The real personal touch!
Then as he walked past us, chipping away at his rock-hard desert, he said:
"Now you are really beginning to embarass me with that base!"
Aghast, mouths open, we could barely believe our ears!! We took our custom elsewhere. Now it looks as though everyone else did too.....Oh well, you can always hire him for private catering:)