Kikujiro

I stayed at the Hollywood Roosevelt (during the Democratic convention) and it was great, a kind of hyperreal version of what's already a hyperreal place. Don't miss out on the MJT. Honestly. And try not to read up on it too much in advance.

No, they just didn't start the pizza on time. I thought the film was overall very good. Films on this subject face a number of significant challenges, not least the fact that -- appalling though the notion might be -- some of the key elements of the ghetto experiences, particularly the arbitrary and obscene violence perpetrated by the Nazis, are so overfamiliar they are almost clichés. In this respect, one of the most powerful vignettes during the ghetto section involved an old Jewish man -- either drunk or (understandably) going mad -- cheerily approaching some German officers and bumming a cigarette off them. They gave him one. You kept waiting for something awful to happen but -- just this once -- it didn't. But you knew it could, at any point. Somehow this underlined the reality of the situation of living under that kind of absolute power more effectively, and less familiarly, than the scenes in which unspeakable horrible did happen. On the whole, the film, at least in the first half, seems almost anonymously directed (for Polanski), which makes it even more successful. It also makes sense when you learn that Polanski's own wartime experiences -- surviving the ghetto, losing a parent to the camps -- are not that far removed from the protagonist, Szpilman, whose book the film is based on. Szpilman's book is apparently likewise almost distanced and unemotive, letting events speak for themselves; the film's most horrific scenes are often viewed from a distance, with little underlining from the camera or the soundtrack. It's certainly Polanski's best film for ages. Brody, whose role is often fairly passive and reactive, is excellent. Tech roles -- cinematography, production design, and appropriately sparing use of music -- great throughout.

I was more responding to the 'slimy' line than their value in the context of the sandwich. (I confess I do usually go for the pepper -- although oddly I always feel slightly guilty doing so, like I know I'm doing the wrong thing.)

Brindisa's canned piquillo peppers rock.

Adam, are the ones that you brought back notably better than/different from those available in good Italian delis here? (Oddly, I was planning on making a sausage sauce tonight before I read your post. I wish I'd remembered that a couple of hours ago, when I ordered sausages for breakfast.)

I can't take credit for Jon's post, especially as I've never had anything at GBK other than the cheeseburger. Last time I was there they told me they weren't allowed to cook my burger rare, but overall it's as good a burger as I've had in the UK. I've never got Konditor and Cook (the Chancery Lane branch is very near me), maybe because I react badly to the clingfilm wrapping that seems to suffocate the sandwiches. I really, really, want to go to Barcelona. Damn. Must sort this out.

Made in Italy pulled off a form of offence today that nobody has managed for years: they made me miss the beginning of a film. The film being Polanski's generally excellent The Pianist, this was particularly outrageous. However, I shouldn't be too hard on them: we had less than 50 minutes to be in and out, and I don't think the waitress took in our initial declaration of limited time. Later, however, the Italian reaction to English tension only functioned to raise it. Don't worry, she said. We are worried, we replied. Otherwise, MiI turns out to be a blatant, and to a limited degree successful, attempt to replicate the Pizza Metro formula. Similar style of pizza, several of the exact same songs playing on a loop, and half of the staff (including the apparent capo) are PM graduates. Similar but duller menu: the pasta dishes read much more run-of-the-mill than PM's tighter and more convincing focus on seafood. They also looked less distinctive from the brief glances I managed. Bread was very close. Slightly too firm around the edges, perhaps, but a very good rendition. Buffalo mozzarella, which we took on suggestion from the head waiter (have some bread and mozzarella before your pizzas arrive, why doncha), was the first sign of weakness: fine, but not nearly as good as PM's. Attention to detail in ingredient sourcing is really one of the things that makes PM stand out -- Alberto flies in his own tomatoes, for example, and they're superb. In the face of ongoing success, he's even improved things recently -- black pasta arrives from Naples every week, and the coffee, once a near-weak point, is now excellent. Back to MiI: so the bufala was okay, surrounded by a couple of bits of ham and some rocket and some olives, and these last were the second whiff of feet of clay, as they appeared to be tinned. Ew. We'd ordered a 50cm pizza, half prosciutto/pomodorini/rucola and half salsiccia/funghi. Tackling the former first, I was impressed again: dough getting close to the PM ideal, other toppings fine. The sausage and mushroom half was more of a letdown: nondescript sausage and way, way too much cheese. Didn't help that I had to bolt it to go see Adrien Brody. House red unusually drinkable. Overall, it coulda been a contender but someone didn't care enough. But if you need a pizza around Kings Road, it's more than adequate. edit: I don't know if the above reflects the fact that it was definitely among the better pizzas I've had in London outside PM. edit 2: dough was too thick even on the good half of the pizza

I dunno from upscale European (wasn't that wowed by Campanile a couple of years back) but if you don't go to the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City (assuming you haven't already), you will be missing out big time.

It was the fact that nobody else had been able to tell him that worried me. The tourist knew very well who Nelson was. I find American tourists to be often very knowledgeable and engaged with their destinations. Usually there are a few dining with me in good restaurants in Italy.

You must have been energetic in your youth

[pedantry]Technically speaking, of course, it's not a farmers' market[/pedantry]

There is a Neal's Yard dairy, but the toasted cheese sandwich is a bit dull, despite best ingredients (can't remember which cheddar -- Keen's? -- and Poilane bread) -- and marred by weird chopped-oniony addition. Am still addicted to the Brindisa chorizo rolls; there's a reason the queues are so long. Grilled scallops also good (if you're there on a Saturday), although you can pass on the bacon and veg that come with. Monmouth coffee; Artisan hot choc (pace Tony). edit: fuckwit can't spell cheddar.

A while ago I was stopped in the West End by an American tourist. He pointed at a statue and asked me if I knew who it represented. He had asked numerous local people, including a couple who operated stalls right by it, but nobody could help. I explained that it was Nelson on top of the column.

Note to self: ex-colony type people seem to know more British history than I do.

You forgot to invite me, but it's okay to just send a taxi round with my food and drink. The only problem is transporting the drinks.

I think Steve's comment is reasonable. On the other hand, I am utterly unable to divorce food and drink from their context: I supose I'm an absolute relativist.

The talk about DT's book has brought Nahm back to mind, especially as a friend asked a few minutes ago for suggestions for high-end SE Asian dining in London. A quick search on the UK board brings back no recent detailed comments (although it did unearth Simon's very first eG post). Further, the older members reviews are as divided as the original newspaper writeups were. Anybody had a more recent experience there?

Ah, I was hearing about this place, but only in terms of somewhere underground where lots of Malaysians go. Where is it?

apart from you, I presume Otherwise, I agree with Tony: Peter's best post to date. Thanks.

Single Malts are on my list of Things I Am Relatively Ignorant About But Shouldn't Be. (It's a long list.)

I've been looking for a reason to visit Edinburgh. I've never been to Scotland, despite being contaminated by 1/4 Scottishness.

Adam, I hope you're cooking for us. Especially if Gavin is dragging up as Drake.

Paging J Acord.

This is good.

Even more confused now. There are at least two more varieties of cinnamon than I realised.