Carlovski

I'd second the Science museum/The Ox suggestion, they are right by each other, and the science museum is one of the best museums in the country - better than the one in London I think.

I could imaging a particularly mineral rich water slightly altering the taste (but not necessarly in a good way) as in carrots vichy, but I doubt it would be very perceptible.

Probably not really what you are looking for, but there used to be a little Cafe (With a hatch selling chips on matchdays!) right near the ground. Bizarre mix of standard fish and chip/cafe fare, but with a load of greek specials. My dad used to go there all the time for Kleftiko. Just reminscing really, it's probably been knocked down now. Is Lou Macari's fish and chip shop still there? Again, Manchester might be a better bet, or you could hop on a Tram to Altrincham and go to Juniper?

The Tesco near me used to have a small fish counter, but recently removed it with a sign saying customers preferred the prepackaged fish, and it gave more room for a wider range of products. I think they extended the sweets shelves to fill the gap There is no longer anywhere to buy fresh fish in either the town where I live, or where I work, and as I don't drive, it is a pain getting hold of it (The waitrose in southampton isn't too bad, if I venture there).

Rice (Normally Basmati and some sort of italian rice) Pasta (At least one short, and one long - usually penne and linguini) Tinned Tomatoes Tinned pulses (Chick peasand cannelini beans at least) Lentils Frozen peas Garlic, onions and ginger Bacon Parmesan With that lot, I can always make make something tasty and filling, without having to go shopping.

I am not sure whether this traditional british revival is a genuine one, or yet another fad, where as 5 years ago, every new place tried to offer south east asian, or fusion, then it was Tapas style eating and now this (I have actually seen the same place go through these changes, one day offering Laksa and Tom Ka, and then the next week, when it is no longer the in thing churning out tortillas and Calamari) It would be nice to think that it is a genuine appreciation of the culinary history, and fantastic produce available in our fair land, but cynical me still thinks that in a year or two, it will be the next new thing ( Any guesses? My money is on 'Authentic' mexican, which will be nothing of the sort)

The rise in popularity of farmers markets is another good thing, though again, I am pretty sure they are mainly populated by Waitrose shoppers. Shame, as well as being generally high quality stuff, a lot of the produce is cheaper than the supermarket, especially seasonal produce in a glut (Which hardly seems to affect supermarket pricing).

That Durham safeway was bad, but it was probably better than having to get a kebab from saddlers.... Anyway, I thought processed cheese toasted sandwiches were what students were meant to live on!

It's got to be bad if you would rather say you lived in Whitefield.... (Roma deli and the Church inn excepted) I did go in the White Horse (And the Circus) - it's great being in a pub which is actually smaller than your living room! Unfortunately live in the south now, but Winchester has some decent pubs, including the Wykeham arms, which was Gastropubby before the term was invented (Also sells excellent sausages over the bar, thus fulfilling my Gastropub criteria)

I like the pokey dark small pubs! I had a great time at Christmas wandering round the pubs - probably couldn't get more than a pickled egg, but good beer. Have to admit though, I was diverted by bright lights and the prospect of fast noodles, so ended up eating in Tampopo! The corporate kitchen type approach to pub food is a shame, but unfortunately it is very hard for a pub to do what we would like to see, maybe no pretentions of great food, but a few home cooked specialitites (Betty's hotpot!). Unfortunately unless a pub has a high enough food trade, it cannot justify the expense of having a 'professional' style kitchen in order to pass health and hygiene regulations. P.S Thom, I spent 7 years living in Radcliffe!

If I ever move back home (Which I've been threatening my folks with for the last year or two!) I'll join you!

What have I started I hope I won't have to go in disguise if I do venture to Altrincham! For the record, I think any attack on his stance on beef cookery is justified, after all his website in effect attacked other restaurants for serving what in Paul's eyes is an inferior cut of meat. Some of the reactions to the rest of his cuisine, not based on first hand experience has been unfair though. Andy, it would be great if we could here from the man himself.

You could try stuffing it into a Camel

Ah, Rusholme. The true culinary centre of Manchester!

As well as the boring old hot and cold taps, I would have chicken stock and wine.

Thom, Cheers for adding a bit of objectivity - those Americans take there steak seriously don't they! I'll have to give it a go when I am next back in Manchester, but I doubt any of my Family would be overly impressed (Probably have toget a bag of chips on the way home!)

Eeeeeee and yuuuuuuuukkkk. Those are generally still referred to as Cement Mixers. The Bailey's curdles from the Rose's. Bleh!!! I was working in the bar one night in my third year, and thought I'd get a first year with one of those when he asked for something different. He actually liked them, and came back and had (And paid for) 4 more!

I know it is probably a bit far up north for most of you! I inadvertantly started a bit of unsubstantiated abuse against the place in the general food topics forum - see Here. Can anyone stand up for the place? I haven't been either.

Andrews liver salts is a sort of fizzy powder you add to water and drink (Very quickly) to get rid of indigestion. It works very well as a hangover cure, I used to actually like the taste as a kid, very fizzy, with a metallic tang.

It's basically a simple meat stew, food for the poor. See here. lobscouse

That's more like it! Lemon suet pudding still sounds a bit nouvelle cusine to me though

Chateaubriand with foie gras is definitely moving out of the gastro pub domain! (Could we make a generalisation that if it offers a prix fixe, with supplements, it is really a restaurant, even if it is in a pub?) I think a good rule of thumb is that if it doesn't offer something resembling either sausages, or a pie (It can be a posh sausage variant, or a posh pie) then it doesn't join the club. On the Fifteen comment, based on what was covered on Return to Jamies Kitchen, he has to charge that, and still doesn't make any money.

On the UK front, how about lobscouse for Liverpool? And maybe Manchester pudding/tart. Can't really think of anything else genuinely linked to a particular city.

It's not law to be non smoking, but more and more places are (It is illegal to smoke at a 'food preparation area', which technically includes the bar) And I resent the slur on Manchester! I might post a topic in the UK forum, see if anyone has actually been there - Jay Rayner definitely has has reviewed it. For another view, and a couple of recipes see Here.. I like the sound of the curried marshmallows. Not sure about the soy sauce mayonnaise though!

I think you will find a lot of meat snobs on these boards!