The Parador, Reigate - Tapas Restaurant

Hope everyone enjoyed their Easter break, I spent a bit of mine worrying about the Wedding (yes, I know it'll be fine *whatever*, but doesn't stop my mind giving me worst-case-scenario dreams), and the weather wasn't exactly inspiring - I think we can probably do without all the snow on the day (as Flyingpops keeps wondering out loud if she'll be able to cope with the cold), plus (largely) finishing my wedding speech has managed to bring the whole thing rather sharply into focus...the weather also swept us off for a rather surreal meal, eating (as we were) Tapas in "The Parador" in Reigate to celebrate Mum's 60th...(Happy Birthday again Mum!)...and watching the wind blasting snow flurries past the window outside as we tucked into our distinctly summery food -

- Now, Flyingpops and I have been here to eat about once a month since we discovered it (just wandering around town as we would do when on holiday seeing if anything took our fancy), so I have tried a number of the things on the menu before, the first time I just had to try the mixed Tapas platter (pictured at the top of the next photo) which gives you a taste of about 8 different kinds of "main" tapas dish (all of which are excellent), so this time, having had my curiosity sated by previous experience, I opted to try some of the other things on the menu, the "pimentos a padron", which are griddled spicy green peppers with rock salt (and are zingy and fresh and excellent), and you might just be able to make out the Carpaccio of Beef with lemon, parmesan and rocket salad on the bottom left, I've eaten this at the Black Duck in New York City, and frankly The Parador do it much better...even though New York was amazingly good-

- pretty much everyone else seemed to go for the paella (which again is absolutely superb) and obviously adapted according to what is seasonally available, as the collection of vegetables were vastly different to our last visit (as Flyingpops can never be tempted to eat anything other than that, she is now becoming quite an authority on it)...

- anyway, great place, great company and a great meal...We'll keep coming back... ;)

The Feathers, Merstham, Review

So, last night I got told off by Flyingpops' mum for not updating my blog...*blush*...

Suffice it to say, yet again, things have been conspiring against me, being very busy at work, then annoyingly getting sick, then yesterday was spent helping Flyingpops' brother move house (typical that it was the hottest day of the year so far *pant*), but about 4*1.5 hour round trips (between the lock up where all the furniture was stored and his house in Merstham) later (filling Colin and Golf to the absolute limit each time) we were all done...hot and tired and dehydrated, for dinner, he kindly treated us to food and beer at "The Feathers" pub (just up the road from where he now lives)...and it really is a cracking pub, the selection of drinks on offer is both staggering (in it's diversity, beers from all over the world, both on draft and bottled) and shocking (in the odd things that you expect to be on offer, but are missing (Chinzano, for example)), the decor is inviting, the selection of board games (free for use) is second-to-none in Surrey and the food is largely rather accomplished.

From our covers the clear winner was the Chicken pie, fat and fine shoe pastry and full to the brim with chunky poultry, vegetables and gravy (but not what I ordered, curses...) the battered fish looked a little on the limp side (looking distinctly floppy in appearance), and was served up missing it's side dish of mushy peas, a quiet reminder to the (definitely new) waiter, resulted in it's appearance a (rather microwave obviously) short while later...the burgers (which I was rather disturbed to NOT be asked quite how I would like to be cooked upon ordering), turned up just on the well done side of medium (which was acceptable), on a nicely toasted bit of ciabatta, almost drowned in strong cheddar cheese (not sure I need quite so much, but at least it was completely melted), and served with a small heap of slightly overcooked (abandoned in trendy London pubs at least 18 months ago) "jacket wedges"...but I can let that slide, Merstham being out in the partial-sticks (just half-way between the real quality rural pubs and real gastro-London restaurant pubs)...

Lupe's East LA Kitchen, New York - Review

So for lunch, I left the choice of the venue to my NY colleages (we were expensing lunch for everyone as it was a celebratory meal to welcome a new team member) and they chose "Lupe's", which is an unassuming little Mexican place (staffed by what appear to be genuine South Americans) situated on the Avenue of the Americas...(and was packed with lunchtime guests (an excellent sign))!

We started off with a plate of nachos with guacamole (which was wonderfully fresh, creamy and sweet) and an extremely ripe tomato salsa...

...which I followed up with Chicken Tamale (had to have it, I had Googled it after Brent Spiner used the phrase "The Full Tamale" in the movie "Indepenence Day" and was always curious to taste one), as it turns out, it's spiced chicken and something unidentifiable, (but definitely vegetable-ish) which is brown and mushy moulded into sausage shapes and steamed in the green leaves that normally surround corn on the cob - I probably didn't make it sound that amazing but it was actually delicious, especially with the addition of some sticky, spicy BBQ chilli sauce drizzled over the top...it came served with a little salad (could have done with some more tomato in there) and the best refried beans I have ever eaten (the last few times I have had them basically put me off them completely), but these were amazingly creamy, actually had good texture and were perfectly seasoned, oh and a little rice (that tasted vaguely of tomatos, but didn't make up for the salad)...
If every Mexican place was as good as this, I would be a convert, but I think the cuisine requires a level of skill to get *right* that most people who actually sit down to cook it really don't either appreciate or possess (especially if they start by picking up an Old El Paso box, criminally if they are doing it professionally ;) incorrectly thinking they can cover up their lack of skill with loads of chilli...this place really is a diamond in the rough (especially for Manhattan, which certainly isn't famed for it's Mexicana)...Try it! ;)

Oh, and just opposite where we ate is what has to be the narrowest restaurant in the world, it doesn't even look like there is even room for the customers to go inside, they have to huddle under the blue plastic awning!

In other news I got a text from my sister, she has arrived safely in the city, so tonight we go to eat pizza at Lombardis! Hurrah!

More later... ;)

Mudville 9 - Review

Yes! Found it...! And it was too good to be true...6 people minimum for the infinite wings and beer, so I went for the combo...specifically the WOW combo...

...and my God, did it deserve that name...super sticky ribs (there you go Tommo ;), wonderfully crispy spicy fries (with blue cheese dip) and those wings...those killer wings....I broke out in a sweat with the first bite...! Outstanding!!

Exploring Downtown New York - Sal's Pizza

Well, took a little walk around, was out for about two and a half hours I suppose (covered about 6 blocks in 3 directions from base camp), blazing sunshine and urban heat island meant I didn't need my coat, scarf or gloves, just my huge Animal hoodie jumper (earning me a few "Jeez, dontdisguy needa jaCKet?"-type looks from the "boyz in the 'hood", whose standard dress code is 10 inch thick beige puffer, gloves, scarf, earmuffs and wool hat)... -

- Speaking from a sociological and cultural point of view - the population of this part of downtown (upon initial observation, at least) appears to be 29% Italian-American-looking white males (in, or just outside pizza/pasta resturants), 1% Afro/Carribean-American (most of whom appeared to be selling goods in/around Canal Street/Market) -

- and 70% Asian-American (who are doing everything else, from sweeping the streets)...

- (to performing (the slightly frightening-sounding) "Grand Master Back Foot Rub") -

Thus far though, I am loving this part of town, it's totally unpretentious, I would liken it to Camden before it got cool, only with this strange mix of cultures, as if the little war for dominance between the resturants never actually ended with any sort of demarkation (as seems so obvious in London)...the buildings are obviously a lot lower than mid-town, actually giving it a much more London-like feel (being able, as you are, to see more than a sliver of sky at any given moment, should one choose to glance in that direction) -

- For food, I ended up at a place called "Sal's" (just followed my nose, didn't plan it...) where photographs and press clippings inside illustrate loudly all the famous folk who have eaten there previously -

- including one Mr Bush (and a number of other people I really didn't recognise, but have probably had illustrious sporting careers in the US), oh and apparently they are the delivery of choice for the New York Fire Department (hence Mr Bush having some, he didn't actually come to the restaurant, just attended a post 9/11 pizza dinner with the boys of the brigade) -

- I ordered the smallest pizza they had on the menu (which was roughly 9", just a little larger than a "Pizza Express" job, back home) with a few extras (it worked out dissapointingly expensive considering the unexceptional aspect with which it came from the oven, both in a visual sense and in it's flavour), tellingly (perhaps), the place was absolutely packed with Germans, who, in my limited experience (admittedly mostly Lidl), like a pizza pretty far away from the Italian classic and more like this mediocre New York affair...not a sniff of basil or olive oil...and there is something quite wrong about that, where Pizza is involved (in my humble opinion)...but, each to their own...

Anyway, I walked back to the hotel (this is the shop next door, well, bar a building site with signs warning of "Blasting" and what to listen out for...as if one needed telling...) -

- got back to my room (window was still in the frame, you will be pleased to hear), and was typing this, thinking about what I should do to burn the next 5-odd hours (as I'm not sure I'm going to be hungry after all that pizza to actually have much of a dinner out tonight, plus the jet lag always seems to rob me of my appetite anyway), turned on the TV and Star Wars: The Empire Stikes Back was just starting on one of the free channels! So that probably answers that question...

Night night UK...Wish me luck staying awake...(Oh God, it's only 6pm)... ;P

Update - Just seen on the news, couldn't believe it, just couldn't believe it is even possible - 100 inches of snow in the last couple of days in upstate New York...State of emergency has been declared...even the sea is clogged with ice...Jeez, 2 inches of snow and the south east of England falls to bits...just imagine 100 inches, forget getting out the front door!! Don't worry about me though, temperatures on the rise in NYC tomorrow by all accounts... ;)

Off to New York City...

Well, starting to get my shit together for my impending trip to New York (setting off on the 9th of Feb), only two mishaps so far, namely both my cash advance form and my Virgin eTicket arriving with my name spelled wrongly (issued by different people)... >;(

Hopefully this can be sorted out in time as both these items are rather important to the trip... ;)

Anyway, I'm staying downtown slap bang in the middle of Soho and Little Italy at the Holiday Inn, it's only about a 5 minute walk from the office, and I haven't seen much of downtown, so it'll be a nice change...

I've been looking for interesting places to eat and found a few in the vicinity that look like they are worth trying, first up is Mudville 9, found using Google Maps, who offer the irresistable (and potentially fatal) sounding "Wing Ding", which basically amounts to two hours of infinite beer/chicken wings/fries for $18 (per person), so with current exchange rates about £9(!!)...next up is the famous "Katz Deli" (most notably of "When Harry met Sally" fame, but it's been in lots of movies), for most likely hot dogs or the american version of Hot Salt beef (called Corned beef, oddly, it's nothing like we get out of a tin from Tesco though)...oh and of course I'll most likely go back to Lombardi's (been making pizza in that building in New York city for 100 years!), with it's coal powered oven...mmmm...

I need a rib joint (perhaps back to Blue Smoke?) but that's about as far as I have got with my pre-planning, anyone got any other suggestions?

Update - "M" from the office has suggested one of the last remaining original 70's diners, part of "Forgotten New York" (not far from our office out there) The charmingly named "Moondance Diner" - so retro it doesn't even have a website...! <:0

Arkle Manor, Betchworth - Review

So on Friday night, by way of thanks for his board and lodging at "chez Fink" , Ratty took Flyingpops, Jinx and I out for a treat...the choice was ours and I think we jumped up and down, shouting "Arkle Manor!!" loudly and repeatedly enough to secure the booking (and yes, you do need to book, it's got rather busy in there since the tatty "Harvester" closed it's doors and the subtle and sympathetic conversion back to a nice country pub took place...the pricing on the menu is reasonable, but expect to pay about £25 a head (if you are going for starter, main and desert), plus drinks, oh and on that note, I counted 11 draft beers on tap (all sorts of English and European brews)...quite impressive.. ;) For starter we decided to share a whole roasted camembert, which arrived, studded with rosemary (still in it's little box) swimming in a sweet and fresh cranberry/red grape compote with plenty of hot herb bread to dip into the lushous creamy centre...So inspired by this dish was I, that I made exactly the same thing as a starter for us on Saturday night (but I managed to keep mine from bursting ;) Their's, though, was classically presented, and quite, quite delicious...

Fillet Steak, medium rare was mine for main...accompanied by a suitably complex deglaze that wonderfully complimented, but didn't overwhelm the simply melt in the mouth flavour of the beef, a subtle horseradish (more cream than bite) topped it off, leaving your palate free to explore the sweet and perfectly cooked vegetables...

For desert I had a very fragrant blue cheese, served with fine and fruity home-made chutney and Scottish oat cakes (joined by a small glass of port) which was sublime in it's harmony...

All in all, this is, without question, the best meal I have eaten in Surrey in a very long time...bravo... ;)

Frankie and Bennys Redhill - Review

Been here once before (in Feb last year), this return visit to Frankie and Benny's in Redhill was by way of celebrating DJMathu's impending transition into a state of wedlock (followed up by a number of drinks in the "Sun" pub)...

Service was attentive (most likely because we were just about the only people in the place), the mens toilet was broken, and the air conditioning was stuck on "arctic" (and remained so despite at least five separate complaints), but the company was good and the food wasn't too bad either, for my starter I opted for the "Regular" sized "BBQ Chicken Wings" (if you go large you get twice as many, but I was worried about finding room for my main course) they were smokey, suitably BBQ sweet and sticky (wet wipe not optional)...not sure what I was supposed to do with the cocktail stick, probably pick burnt bits out of my teeth, but worrying about getting the sauce all over my chops I was careful to make sure it all went down the right way, they must be used to messier eaters... ;)

Main course I went for "BBQ Chicken and Ribs" (with fries), which went almost all the way to doing what it said on the tin, the ribs weren't a patch on *real* American ribs, but because I already knew they wouldn't be (why can't we do American ribs in England...why??) my expections were managed and I quite enjoyed the way the meat *almost* fell off the bone like the "knife and fork" variety from NYC, just a shame the "rack" was about 80% bone and the whole affair could have been neatly fitted into a pack of playing cards... :(

Anyway, a great evening was had (thank you Flyingpops for coming to pick me up!), and the aforementioned wedding is tomorrow, for which (and at which) I have certain duties to attend to, but a few shots, no doubt, when the celebrations and ministrations are complete...

Have a good weekend everyone... ;)

Picasso, Tapas House, Worthing review

Second birthday celebration in a row (wow, really dirty-stop-out behaviour going on lately!), Saturday night found us down in the distinctly "Balearic resort"-style, south coast town of Worthing (a mish-mash of largely shiny, inviting bars, resturants and clubs containing a large number of drunk people, although not as many as I had *expected* there to be, I guess Brighton is stealing some of the thunder)...

- we enjoyed a couple of drinks in chain-pub Yates (much like any other Yates) and then on to the simply divine Picasso resturant, hidden away behind the Guildbourne Centre on Annes Road-

Walking up the stairs you find yourself simply transported to Spain, the buzzing atmosphere, the wonderful aroma and the music, the warm sunny decor (looked like the Spanish flag?) all combine to create a perfect ambience -

- if you come here, please, don't miss the Tapas...it looks a bit like a set menu, and it is, in a way, you pay a certain amount per head (depending on how many of you there are) and can select from 3 lists, one largely chicken and seafood, one largely pork and beef and one wholely vegetarian, we went for a selection of all three and I can quite honestly say the smile never left my face...roughly 40 dishes were delivered to the table from ensalada, melt in the mouth garlic bread, deep fried squid, beef in red wine, garlic mushrooms, spanish tortilla, deep fried chicken with chilli, herb roasted spuds with garlic, Paella...the list went on and on...and *every* *single* *dish* was *perfect*...

Go, you cannot possibly be dissapointed...and the huge seafood paella the table behind us had delivered, with mountains of mussles and about 40 king prawns...there's more, definitely much more to discover once you have tried the Tapas, although I'm not sure I'll be able to resist having exactly the same again next time...extraordinary...and the bill worked out at about a tenner a head (before drinks)...so excellent value also...

I'm not ashamed to say, I asked and was allowed in to meet the chef and I shook him by the hand...

We'll be back! ;)

Friday and Cardamon, Cranleigh (curry) review

Another really late night (working) on Thursday meant I was looking forward to my break on Friday with the same earnest desperation as you can clearly see reflected in the begging eyes (and trailing drool) of a hungry dog (seated directly below you, resting it's chops on your leg) under the dinner table when (said hound) is perfectly aware that you are about to enjoy an extra large, extra rare, fine and juicy steak dinner (and they are so obviously hoping you haven't quite the heart to push them away)...

I was up at the crack of dawn with Flyingpops, got to the station 40 minutes before my train, so I popped over for a cheeky McDonalds Double Sausage and Egg McMuffin for breakfast (because I could)...I ate it sat right here watching a succession of college students arriving, blocking the top of the stairs while they waited for their trains to Reigate College (totally ignoring the increasingly desperate station announcements begging them to "*please* use the whole length of the platform and not prevent other passengers from leaving the station!") apparently quite oblivious (not that it bothered me) -

- Tommo picked me up right on schedule at Chilworth and we proceeded directly to his new country mansion (the hall by the front door could double as a perfectly reasonable living room), we spent the morning slavering over Elder Scrolls Oblivion on his exquisite video card, as always (blissfully) reminising on old times, catching up on new discoveries (literary, cinematic, televisual, interactive and virtual), oh, and sinking a beer or two (all of which to great mutual delight), and then (when hunger called) off for lunch (not Chinese for a change!) -

- we happened, quite by accident on an unexpected Indian (right by the car park in Cranleigh) called "Cardamon"...we got there pretty early, but even so, it took the staff a few minutes to wake up to the fact we had arrived (I guess a lot of these places operate more at night than on lunch covers, apart from Sunday of course), we made our selection from the menu, I had a special request for my main course (Chicken Tikka Dansak, not on the menu) which was "No problem Sir"...and at a pace (perfect for our circumstances, but not otherwise (had we been on a work lunch we might have been in trouble) as it was) somewhat leasurely, the first courses arrived -

- I had ordered Lamb Tikka (starter), which seemed to be a little on the small side, and was certainly on the chewy side, but perfectly spiced...Main courses arrived, and considering my dish wasn't even on the menu, they did a wonderful job...

If I were to have one minor compaint it would be that the Dansak gravy was a *little* on the dry side...

If I were to have one minor compliment, it would be that the Dansak gravy was nicely on the spicy side...

The Garlic Naan was flawless... ;)

Popped to the "Gentleman's Salon" (before our departure), and noticed (what I am *sure* is just a borrowed) shopping trolley full of recycling (from the local supermarket) in full view in the courtyard behind the kitchen...could have probably lived without that experience... ;)

Rest of the day was spent mostly on the xbox, drinking some *more* beer, watching an *amazing* NT single actor monologue (that Tommo had recorded using Sky Plus) covering (sorry Tommo, can't remember the chaps name) a Jewish chemist's (obviously unpleasant, but occasionally ludicrously hilarious) way through the Auchwitz experience...through to late night Derren Brown mimickery (by me) (which *almost* worked)...I tried the card suggestion thing and we were one number away (on my first go)!!

Then I passed out while trying to read the first few pages of Tad Williams - Otherland...which has just lost me all respect for the guys that thought up "Second Life"...get to chapter 3 and all their inventiveness suddenly seems, well, a bit "second hand"... ;)

The Countryman, North Petherwin, Devon - review

Right, forget September, whip yourselves back to August 29th (so little time for blogging in this busy world!)...after a succession of criminally overcooked steaks (elsewhere) we fell back on an old favorite...the *awesome* Countryman pub in North Petherwin (it's right near the Tamar Otter Sanctuary, follow the signs from Launceston and you'll pass it on the right)...a classic Devon sunset preceded the glorious feast...

- Flyingpops' was off seeing her old mate Sam (I'd spent the day playing "Field Commander" on the PSP, reclining on the bed making a start on "Inside Hitler's Bunker" in the caravan and not drinking *too* much ;) so I was companioned by her folks for *certainly* the finest meal of the break (and this includes Rick in Padstow) - (oh sorry, that sunset, the landscape *pulled* me across the road to take the shot) -

- now, I got a bit carried away when I saw the menu, I freely admit it, quite what possessed me I don't know, but I gleefully (and probably greedily) ordered the King Prawns with garlic...quite failing to consider the logistics of dealing with said dish being, as I was, in posession of a broken finger...

...suffice it to say, I left the fingerbowl and napkin quite exhausted by my inelegant ministrations...

...and now (drumroll please) the main course...

This was (and I don't know these guys from Adam) (and I have eaten many, many cuts of beef steak the *world* over) quite honestly the BEST STEAK I HAVE EVER EATEN, going straight in at number one (sorry Cologne T-Bone)!

Fillet Steak "a la Countryman" is a *dream*, a BIG FAT CUT (this stuff costs a fortune and the portion was extremely generous), lovingly cooked, the cut means the moisture stays firmly inside...this redefines "melt in the mouth"...my pallet sang along with the orchestra until the meat was all gone...I'd drive down there (5 hours from where I live) for another one...

Nuff said...

Well, alright one more comment - only problem? The veg was boiled into utter desolation...

Konstam at the Prince Albert - Review

Okay, so, finally got my act together and made it out to the Konstam at the Prince Albert -

- (blogged about this before, but just to cover base - it's the resturant run by Oliver Rowe (new celebrity chef) where all the ingredients (well, as far as possible) are sourced from within the loop of the M25, or just *slightly* outside from what we actually experienced) with my usual Friday lunch crowd (this exercise was suggested by Fraggle, who is a rampant foodie, seconded by me (an excitable amateur), and partially-thirded by Whittleman (wannabe pro-chef) who rescued us during the booking process ;) we bagged a table for 9 (even got confirmation back via email! Unhelpfully the phone number on their website is currently wrong, the actual phone number you need to ring is 0871 0752385, thanks Mr W.) so...what is it actually like to eat there?

Well...when the advance party got there? It was actually closed...the doors were locked, *and* we were, even at that stage, rather late...I didn't like that, I thought the staff should, if it is advertised outside that the doors open at 1230hrs - simply open the doors at 1230hrs...shouldn't be too tough? I mean, stood in the road we could clearly see staff bobbing about...leaving us dodging the smelly chavster beggars on the Kings Cross Road for ten minutes was a little unkind...When we did finally gain access, I asked if I might be permitted to shoot a few shots around the place and the (almost, "why are you even asking?") response was "Of course?", the staff were obviously rather laid back(and indeed) perhaps a little jaded to the lens, what with the TV show being filmed there (excellent ;) -

- The decor was a bit on the "interesting" side, obviously being designed with night covers in mind, consisting (as it does) of thousands of ball-bearing chains draped around tiny modern ceiling lights, looking just a little bit BDSM for lunchtime, but not *completely* out of place (I guess) with the massage parlour opposite (note the regulars outside ;) -

- and the kinky leather clothing store 3 doors down...We skipped starters and puds (which would have added £11 per head (at least)) and went right for the main course...I opted for the "Sevenoaks rump steak with Bercy butter, braised chard and mashed potato"...One real high point that must be noted here is that you watch the chef cook your food, no matter where you are in the resturant, you can see the range and the preparation area... ;)

- The service? Way slower than snail's pace - not sure who their usual lunchtime clientelle are, but they certainly aren't in any massive hurry...I can picture a lovely evening meal, working one's way through the rich offerings sipping the *very* well selected English wines taking the best part of 4 hours...(and very pleasant that would be indeed)...

...but this is absolutely not suitable for a standard work lunch trip...

The food? Well, my steak, and I'm loathed to say this, was actually a lot worse than average in my opinion, *perhaps* I had been spoiled by the "Exmoor reared" from the weekend (which was frankly superb)...M25 beef? 'fraid I think it's actually rather poor...perhaps those cows need a few hills to walk up to develop the flavour, and a bit less of the CO2...there is a reason people ship in beef from Aberdeen then...

Duck, Chicken and Lamb were excellent though (I am told)...actually tasted a bit of the chicken which was *fantastic*, but was (and thanks to the layout we saw this done) effectively deep fried in about half a pound of butter....extremely rich, but extremely good...

Update - Read DJMathu's review here...

The Old Inn, Halwell (A381, Devon) - Review

So for dinner on the Sunday night (it being the last night of the break) we decided to try the local pub to the site which was "The Old Inn", located on the A381 in Halwell, the pub has been in existence since at least 1850 (although records do state that it had to be rebuilt in 1874 after being destroyed by a fire, you can read more on their not exactly easy to find website)...we parked in the good sized car park out the back and walked in to find a very comfortable bar, populated only by what looked like 2 locals and one family of 4 busy eating (the place was almost empty)...

The portly barman greeted us politely enough but with a frown on his face, I put on my best friendly smile, ordered some drinks and enquired of him if we might order some food, to this he said "Well now, that all depends...'ave you booked?", slightly bemused I glanced around the empty pub clocking vacant table after vacant table, each and every one of which, it slowly became apparent, sporting a tiny "Reserved" sign that I had failed to notice before..."Urm, no"...I was forced to admit, "Well, I'll 'ave to check for yer" said he, shaking his head, and vanished from behind the bar...returning moments later he said "You're lucky, last table", so we opened a tab and retired where he directed, a small resturant style-extension out the back (where there were two tables without reserved signs)...

Shrugging the peculiarity of our welcome aside, the menu was excellent, I opted for "Exmoor reared serloin steak" (they are really good around here for using local produce, Surrey could learn a thing or two from Devon, it looks like a local council initiative), Al went for the Mixed Grill, Vodqueen the Roast Beef and Flyingpops decided to have stir fried vegetables with cashew nuts (the full menu is here, but it was certainly impressive in it's range! We found out later via campsite gossip that the wife (and head cook) is a Phillipino immigrant, which explains some of the more unusual menu options for a Devon pub!)...

The steak was *perfect*, wonderfully tasty and cooked to perfection, melt-in-the-mouth juicy goodness, chips were a bit undercooked, but I didn't have much room left after the steak and veg anyway... ;) Flyingpops was very pleased with her stir fry (until I tried a bit and told her I thought it was cooked with Oyster sauce), Al obviously enjoyed his Mixed Grill because he didn't say a single word until it had largely dissapeared, and Vodqueen expressed some displeasure at the roast's bland (standing around in the kitchen until needed) flavour and presentation...

I trotted off to the bar to get a second round of drinks for everyone at some stage during all this and stood in a queue behind a young couple (long haired surfer types) who were being told "I 'opes you don't want to eat, we're packed!" (at this he opened up the hatch to the kitchen and barked "We're really getting busy out 'ere now!" to no-one in particular) prompting a similar confused look to the one I gave (around the empty bar) from the surfers, who smiled, shrugged and left...I had to wonder quite why they couldn't manage to serve more than one meal per table per evening, most other places manage alright...but it's his pub, not mine, I guess... ;)

When I got to the front of the queue I ordered beer (fine) but you should have seen the scowl he gave me when I tried first to order a "Pimms", "No Pimms 'ere", and then a "Malibu and Lemonade" (the Malibu had run out)...one of the locals turned to me and whispered "Try as you might, you'll never manage to wipe the smile off that one's face" and winked...summed it up perfectly I think... ;)

Conclusion? Great grub (but order something freshly cooked), book your table and keep the drinks simple for the poor man (oh and he was apparently nice as pie to Flyingpops when she went up to settle the bill, so maybe send the girls to the bar... ;)

The Urban Chef BBC2 / The Prince Albert, Kings Cross

Cool! A new (ten part) TV show starts airing tonight on BBC2, it's called "The Urban Chef", it's set in Kings Cross (i.e. right around the corner from me!) in the restaurant owned by new-face celebrity chef Oliver Rowe, not sure of the name, but it apparently lurks behind the dark green facade that was the "Prince Albert" pub at the actual Kings Cross...now, this is interesting for two reasons -

1. It's nearby, and apparently fairly reasonable, so I might be able to go and eat there...(although I wish I had found out about this before the TV show, as it's going to be impossible to get a table now as a result)...
2. He is a man with a mission, every single ingredient used in the resturant has (by self imposed rules) to be locally grown/produced and sourced from within the M25...(so where does he get his black pepper from then? ;)

Anyway, hopefully I can get back in time to see the start (1830hrs)! ;)

Update - Missed about 5 mins, but a really good show!

Update update - Finally made it to the resturant to eat! Check out my pics and write up!

The Lincoln Lounge and Chop Chop!

Bit worse for wear today, went out for a few drinks last night with some chaps from the office...it *was* going to be karaoke in Soho, but that was all booked up, then it was going to be pool at the "Elbow Room" in Islington, but then there weren't enough of us, so we ended up in the Lincoln Lounge, which is a very small, normally smoke filled and packed out (ages to get served) bar (with interesting decor) -

- just across from the office...the choice of beer has improved since my last visit (about a year ago), and thanks to the decidedly clement weather most people were standing on the pavement outside -

- so it was largely smoke-free and actually very easy to get served...! We whiled away a pleasant few hours chatting, and then (as blood sugar levels began to plunge) sought food in the form of Chinese at the perfectly named "Chop Chop!" -

- which is basically the "McDonalds" of the Chinese food world, in fact, and sorry for not taking a picture of it, but it's worse(better?) than McDonalds because you actually have to fill out a form to make your order, it looks a bit like a national lottery slip...everything has a number on the menu and you just put a tick next to what you want, and specify a quantity...so I had hot and sour soup for my starter (which was very tasty indeed, but spilt all over the saucer by the hasty waiter) -

- the others had a selection of other classic dishes, which arrived within about 90 seconds of ordering (looking pristine) -


- the nice thing was, despite the conveyor belt-style rapid service, they were still able to knock me up a sweet and sour pork (hong kong style) that wasn't on the menu (why?) for my main, and the *really* nice thing is nothing on the menu is more than about £3.90 (and the portions are extremely generous... ;)
Anyway, my last train home was at 21:55, so I had to dash from the table (before paying my bill, so I owe someone some cash), but missed my connection at East Croydon and had to sit around for 25 minutes, ran from the train when I got to Redhil to the bus stop (as there was a bus sitting there) but unfortunately it was going the wrong way, the driver said he would be back round "in ten mintues" - so I wandered around Redhill a little bit to waste some time -

- but twenty minutes later the 100 turned up, so I got on that, but the 100 stops at the hospital, so I had to walk the balance, suppose I finally got in at about half twelve... :(

Bah...