Green Fade

Thanks for the review; I've been planning to get up there for several weeks and it's sad that I've failed to do so given that I only live about a thousand yards away. To be honest (much like Harters) I had a less than spectacular dinner at a spectacular price about two years ago and I haven't been back since. Now, however, the menu seems to have been built around all my favourite things (scallop, pork belly, lobster, duck) and even the word "crispy" failed to put me off. I've had a number of outstanding meals at the White Bull at Rib and it'd be a shame if that falls into "lesser" hands, but the Longridge Restaurant has been in need of revitalising for a bit so I'm glad that there's positive news on that front. Edit: Speaking of good Lancashire gastropubs - has anyone tried The Sparling (Warrick Dodds) since it's opened?

I'd personally go with a separate fridge and freezer but not everyone has the luxury of space. My argument has always been that if one breaks then I only need to replace one small item rather than a large item. Having said that I bought a Beko fridge (with no freezer compartment) and a Beko freezer when I moved into my flat in 2000 and I've never had an ounce of trouble with either. I have a sneaking suspicion they've seen how much I drink and reckon they can outlast me.

I had a very similar experience and did indeed use the term "curate's egg" when describing the meal to a friend who had only eaten at Mr. Haworth's pubs (The Three Fishes and the Highwayman) but never at Northcote Manor. I was initially a bit perplexed as to why the Hotpot was pre-order only, I'd have thought that it was enough of a draw to have featured as a regular menu item, but I was pleased that this fact was brought to my attention when booking because otherwise I'd have been mightily disappointed on arrival. Your review was pretty much spot on although I personally disliked the texture of the contents of the duck, chicken and bean kilner jar intensely. Conversely, If I'd been served a double portion of the scratchings and plenty of duck ham to eat with the excellent bread I'd have been a very happy man. I endorse wholeheartedly the rest of your comments. Given that I regularly eat the Ascroft cauliflowers because he sells to Booths I thought my reaction to the carpaccio was merely a case of familiarity breeding a feeling of "meh", so I'm pleased that others agree. Also "caviars" seem to have become a feature of his menus, I had a langoustine, salmon and leek dish very recently with a lemon caviar that popped and jiggled on the tongue like a pixie advertising breakfast cereal. The hotpot, however, was the standout dish, It was, and I speak as someone who has had at least fifty different hotpots all over Lancashire ranging from "manky hotput supper" grade to "posh", the apotheosis of hotpot. It was as if my nan had one magical day been assisted at the cooker by Jesus. It was relatively pricey (£42 for a hotpot for two if memory serves) but I'm pretty certain that now no other hotpot will live up to that one. I'm also sure that with the Lancashire Cheese ice cream there's an absolutely fantastic idea trapped within a fairly average plate of summer pudding and ice cream. I'm not a good enough cook to make recommendations to someone of Mr. Haworth's skill but I feel that if he made it truly cheesy and savoury then the acidity and depth of flavour would make it an outstanding partner for something else, I'm just not sure what. He seems to excel at the more "manly" dishes (like the hotpot and the "selection of meats on a log" that he serves at the Three Fishes) rather than the more effete salads and puddings so I'm sure he'll figure something out.

I can't help with the pectin but Superwhite is (I believe) Titanium Dioxide, which the good lady, um... girlfriend buys in bulk from a chap on eBay for the purposes of whitening home-made soap. She's bought it by the kilo before but the only amount on eBay currently seems to be 100g for a couple of quid. Just put "titanium dioxide" in the eBay search doohickey. Please note, I have no idea whether this product would be safe to consume. I've used my girlfriend's soap and nothing's fallen off, but it's probably better to ask the chap selling it before using it for cakes.