bakerestates

I had dinner here last night. I thought the food on the whole was enjoyable without being memorable. Hors d'oeuvre - rabbit rillets, anchovy custard, salsify fritters, pickled herring - all well executed, flavourful getting the taste buds going. Could easily eat lots of these for lunch. Couldn't tell whether the dip with the fritters was aioli or mayonaise - needed more bite either way. Proper starters of pike boudin, smoked eel salad, foie gras terrine, escarole salad with stilton dressing. I have not had boudin before but found it a little dull - more creamy potato with a mild hint of fish really. Mine was also considerably smaller than another on the table....not that size matters of course! Salads were good, jelly with foie, fridge cold. Main Courses of squab pigeon, lamb, pork, haddock. They gave us the wrong haddock dish (essentially a kedgeree that had been on at lunch apparently). All tasted exactly as they should have - thought the portions a little small (this may be a country thing - we generally serve more than two very thin slices of shoulder pork & a blob of apple puree for £16!). My squab pigeon was beautiful rare and tender but had no indication it had been cooked on the rotisserie. The root vegetables with it were mainly carrots. I thought it odd our starter plates were the same size as our main course plates. My pudding of custard tart with stewed rhubarb was okay - fridge cold so couldn't really taste much. What really struck me though was the service. I know people have mentioned it before but I would have expected better by now especially given the number of staff to customers and the fact they were not rushed off their feet. We were asked to go to the table before our full party had arrived (though not late). It took an age to get an answer about the haddock which meant we couldn't be bothered to change it when they offered. (They did take it off the bill). Coffee order was taken with pudding order and delivered with pudding so I sent them away only for them to take a long time to reappear when we asked for them twice - no crema on my esperesso. Pudding plates left infront of us for at least 15 minutes from when we finished. Had to ask twice for sugar with coffee. But hey ho, they were busy, most customers looked happy to be there and the food was fine - I just didn't feel service was that gracious, something I had also experienced at lunch earlier that day. piers

I have not been here but have to the Gurnard Head, their sister pub in Zenor, Cornwall which was lovely. Here is the link to their pub in Wales Felin Fach Griffin Though looking at the map, not sure if too far off your route. Worth trying the Gurnard's Head though when you are in Cornwall, about 1 hour south of Padstow.

It is said to be bad luck to change the name of buildings that were pubs - I don't know if The Walnut Tree was or not but given its location I think it must have been. Even if they did change the name it would always be known as 'that place that used to be the Walnut Tree'. I don't think you would have Ford changing the name of Jaguar or Volkswagen changing the name of Bentley.

me too.....I got a book from mrs b yesterday on how to build one and as we currenlty have builders on site building us a kitchen, I handed it to them this morning. Aside from cured meat, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, I too haven't spotted too many packet stuff. I am not sure how you can put Jamie's series in the same bracket as Nigella.....partly for this and also what they are cooking.

so it will be The New New Angel in Dartmouth now

correct

Probably at some stage but it is a bit close to our final destination so unlikely add to which I haven't ready anything that draws me there here - sounds like you know of somehwere. thanks

so I guess some clues are needed. Okay.......the chef of Gary's menu I believe worked for him in London before he opened close to where I am (see signature)......a long time ago.

no

Terrine of Chicken Livers Ragout of Turbot, Crown of Carrots with Peas, Rice Tarte Tatin

I can not abide early morning flights especially with two kids so intend to fly to Madrid and drive down to a property 45 minutes west of Granada. Looking at a map and reading various topics here I see a route via Toledo, Valepaneas, Urbeda, Granada and on to the house (on lake Iznarja). Any suggestions of where to stay and more importanlty eat en-route would be welcome. By all means, give me links to some threads I may have missed. Muchas gracias Piers

Shaun Hill, Merchant House, Ludlow

The Skate, celeriac remoulade deep-fried squid reminds me of a recipe from a Stephan Bull book I once had which someone nicked, so with a little help from google on Stephan Bull I would say Blanford Street.

Bangkok street food?

oui

afraid not

thank you! from april 1999 snails garlic butter foie gras terrine, baguette leg of lamb on the bone couldn't eat pudding....too full

Henry Harris Fifth Floor at Harvey Nics

yes - thought it might be obvious to those who had been or had seen a menu. It was in deference to the Bill Burford Heat book I am reading at the moment.

I meant reading the FT, not eating, doh. Okay..... Cardoon Gratinato with Artichokes and Radicchio di Treviso Rigatoni with Five lilies and ricotta salata Fennel Dusted Sweetbreads with Sweet and Sour Onions, Duck Bacon and Membrillo Vinegar Saffron Pannacotta, Qunice, Pink Peppercorns, Quince Sorbetto

ah, I remember eating about this in the FT Walnut Tree Inn - Shaun Hill?

bacchus?

A fruit & veg supplier I had the misfortune of dealing with due to them taking over the supplier I was using, have gone bust about 6 times but each time seem to reappear a day later buying from the same local growers but trading under a different name.....I say different but the lastest name was the old name with 2006 stuck on the end. It taught me never to pay suppliers in cash again, regardless of the reciept you get.

I'm hearing on the Essex grapevine that The Cock has either closed or not doing food anymore. Two chefs have decamped to the nearby White Hart in Coggeshall and there is apparantly no beer on tap. Their answerphone message says they are not taking any bookings for the moment.

Your photos look great and I am going to get there before the year is out (if I had a boat it would be dead easy from us, just hop on at Mersea) as it seems an inspiring place for anyone into food and more.