Thomas Secor

Pretty sure the place is called El Rincon. Pretty good food (having visited Guatemala a number of times), very cheap prices, and I, like Simon cannot recall the area.

For those who have been praising the Anchor Steam, I would also strongly suggest the Liberty Ale (also put out by Anchor), which has fantastic depth of flavor, although it can be a little overwhelming for those who think beer should be something relatively tasteless, reserved for hot days. In addition, occassionally you can find Small Beer brewed by Anchor. Traditionally "small beers" are brewed using a once used mash, in Anchor's case, the mash from their barley wine beer (the exact name of which I cannot recall). Because the original batch has such high alcohol content, a second batch can be brewed from the same mash and still have some flavor and alcohol content (though nothing like the first). The rationale I have heard most often is that historically, it was not the output that was taxed, i.e. the beer itself, but rather various of the ingredients, so that if a brewer could get more product from the same amount of ingredients he would effectively be paying less tax per unit. Amusingly, Anchor Steam's Small Beer, comes in very large bottles. And is quite good. I concur that Brooklyn is one of the foremost small breweries in the States right now. For those who havent tried anything but the lager, the Pennant Ale is much crisper and cleaner (an easier switch for a bud drinker). The double chocolate stout will introduce you to the concept that the label "beer" is a tremendous umbrella. I think that Oliver Garrett (the brooklyn brewmaster) is one of the more creative brewmasters in the States. If you get a chance to hear him speak at a beer festival, you should go. He is an extremely dynamic speaker and lucid educator regarding the subject. On top of all that, the Brooklyn brewery has attempted to revive a wilting community in Brooklyn by sponsoring open houses, block parties and various other community events. Sam Adams ? Don't care much for it, I think Sam Adams is bested by numerous similar beers (including Brooklyn Lager, Red Hook, Goose Island etc.), but continues to get the kudos for being the "alternative" to the big three, which it ironically receives, because its the most widely distributed, and therefore best known and most ubiquitous, "microbrew" (a term it doesnt deserve). I think that Sam Adams is the only microbrewery (other than Red Hook) to have gone public (late 95?) and taken its distribution national. If anyone in the Northeast gets a chance to try it, I highly recommend Stoudt's line of beers, including Stoudt's Fest, which has received many awards. I believe the brewery is located in Pennsylvania. For those of you in the States who like the white (wheat) beers, you can try Celis, which promoted itself as the first U.S. belgium beer, and is amusingly located in Texa (Austin, I think). For those of you in London like myself, you can find a great range of beers, including the Anchor line, at Borough Market. Good drinking.

Probably not worth much of a detour, but they regularly have Landlord at the Northumberland arms, which is on goodge right off of Charlotte. I enjoy this place as its a good mix of the Fitzrovia media types, a few of the University profs and then your necessary elderly boozers. However, on occassion (usually Sunday, when they have a very generous special on pints of Adnams (and maybe the Landlord)) the beer has been a bit off. However, since I hit the place 2-3 times a week, it being off once in a while may not be a horrendous track record. Great beer, the Landlord. Simon, I am surprised you didnt suggest the Lamb and Flag for the pub crawl. I dont think it ranks up in the top three for the bitters/ales, but for those who havent been, its close to the Jerusalem Tavern for character (of course depending upon the day of the week, you may be surrounded by american late teen girls from the midwest ordering mudslides or some other form of satanic creation, like those ugly little bacardi breezers, but perhaps those deserve a condemning thread all to themselves).

I really enjoy the word "writhe". Stella, what can I say, your post made me smile (and it was actually about food. well, beer. so liquid food). I think the best part of your trip was that you never made it to the Jerusalem Tavern, so you can have a whole nother go at the pub crawl (although I suspect the Jerusalem Tavern may provide you with a different experience from the Wenlock Arms). And to anyone who wants to do an egullet drinkfest, I'm more than game. For those of you who enjoy real ale and cant wait for an egullet event, keep in mind that CAMRA also has social get togethers at pubs that have particularly good real ales (they have had numerous at the Wenlock Arms).

Anybody see the brief two page article in Time Out regarding real ale? It was a pleasure to see the magazine champion ale over the piss that passes for lager (giving true meaning to the phrase "getting pissed"). I noted that both the Market Porter (my favorite, if only because you can quench your thirst while noshing down Neal's Yard Dairy cheeses and whiling an afternoon away) and the Wenlock Arms (Simon's favorite, and I repeat what I have said in the past, should you ever find yourself at the Wenlock Arms, it would be a crime not to avail yourself of one of the Salt Beef sandwiches, which are close to exceptional and very reasonably priced) were held out as exceptional real ale pubs. Presumably Jerasulem Tavern did not make it since it only sells St. Peters, not all of which are real ales. Any thoughts on the other two mentioned (I dont include White Horse which was also mentioned but has been picked over a number of times), the Duke of Cambridge and the Royal Oak?

Sorry, the name of the place I was referring to is Mi Mexico and its on the west side of the street. They also have good soups.

It was a while back above, but Felonious asked for cheap mexican on the upper west side, preferably hole in the wall.....well, my idea of upper west side may be different than yours, but there is a great mexican joint on broadway between Tiemann and Lasalle Street, just south of the 125th street subway station. I havent been for a while, but the gorditas there are the best I have ever had, and the burritos/fajitas are the best I have had since I moved out of Los Angeles. But be warned, you get what you ask for, the ambience is covered in plastic and more likely than not, there will be guys drinkin corona out of paper cups playing poker for dollar bills in the back. But the food is great. Also try the porkchops, and if you dont want to stay but are just driving by, grab a few sandwiches, which are filled with your choice of filling, black beans, a little sour cream, home made pickled hot peppers, lettuce and tomato. Great stuff.

I have to agree with Simon's two choices of absolutely top rate pubs. The Jerusalem Tavern, in particular, is a very special place with some great beers. However, although the Jerusalem Tavern rotates its St. Peter's ales, it still does confine itself to St. Peter's, and as such (and because of its tiny nooks, which are usually stuffed to overflowing with banker boys on work nights), I still say the Market Porter is a better place for everyday. Although the ambience is not up to the Jerusalem Tavern's, the beers rotate at least weekly (sometimes hourly), in the winter, the fireplaces are great and in the summer, what could be better than sitting outside on the curb munching Neal's Yard Dairy cheeses washed down with one in a series of pints? It is also not generally as crowded as the Jerusalem Tavern. The Wenlock Arms is also a beer lover's paradise (and have great salt beef sandwiches, putting all else I have tried in London (including Gaby's) to shame), but it is extremely difficult to get to by tube and I have found not as friendly on a day by day basis as the Market Porter. Again, a good place to venture to once in a while, but a little much for the everyday consumption. Not in the same league as the previous three, but all great in their own right: the Lamb (Lamb's Conduit), Cross Keys (Endell Street)(the ale selection is not particularly special, but centrally located and always seems to be full of a diverse crowd having a great time), the White Horse (Parson's Green) (for beer only, the food is generally overpriced, and unless you are looking for love from a popstar wannabe, the clientele leaves much to be desired), the Engineer (Primrose Hill)(good food, good beer), the King's Head (Islington)(again, not the best ale selection, although they generally have a nice pint of Adnam's, but the theater is fun, and more importantly they are open until one), the Dove (Hackney)(added benefit of being right down the street from Armadillo). But the best pub in England? now there's a question. My vote? The Fleece in Bretforton, anyone ever been?