slacker

NO NO NO! Beans HAVE to be wrong. Think about it! When did they appear on the scene? 1910? Traditional? No way. I don't mind beans on my breakfast, but there's plenty of moisture from the tomatoes and egg. Bacon sandwiches are sandwiches. Aren't we talking sit-down?

Beans are NOT part of the true FEB. And that soggy toast is good for stubbing out your fags, Basildog.

I'd like to do this, but sorry WG, all those dates are bad for me. I can't generally do Wed or Fri evenings and evenings are better than lunches. And thanks for the B&B note. I tend to have a pint and drive, though. It's only an hour from Exeter really.

That sounds fine. And when? God knows. Just pick a date when you can. I'm coming a little way, so don't fit in especially for me.

I'm all for the fish shed. New ground!

You're on. I had Stein's F&C the other day. Monfish, Chis and peas. Very very good (esp. with Champagne that I just happened to have open.) Also went out for lunch yesterday - to Middle Street Café, the most reasonable of Stein's sit-downs. Very good salt and pepper prawns. Very good Stein's Champagne (5.25!!) (esp. when the first flat glass had been replaced without question), but a rather scrambled egg brulée in place of the crème that I'd ordered. Good muscat to accompany, though, and I must confess that I ate it all anyway. The recipe was good! My host had Pho with Prawns, a glass of good Haut Poitou and coffee. Good chunky bread, unsalted butter. £33.60 inc. £3 tip. If anyone's around in Padstow, I'd happily accompany them to Middle Street Café!

Definately agree about Nobody. I'm still up for a cheesey day there some time. Perhaps a less ambitious South West roundup? It would be good to have a chinwag - if we can stop fighting over the last piece of Epoisses (sp?) for a second. Thanks wgallois for the update.

I'm all for dirty in its various hues, but for god's sake by PM, not on the UK forum, dear. Exeter by train is from Paddington or Waterloo - both direct - and Paddington usually quicker, but worth a check. 2 hours at least, then by taxi/car to Gildleigh Park. Miles. But worth it. ****Thinks: 'We could always do the Royal Clarence in Exeter instead....but I fancy Country House Grandeur, particularly daytime.'****

Anyone been recently? I'm thinking of a sneaky lunch there soonish - Nov. Sneaky in that anyone could join in. As opposed to a dirty lunch, you see.

Some things just won't go away. And certain board members have such willpower - however could curlywurlyfi not have eaten the pot of marmade if have just started in a bacon-sandwiches-with-marmalade-after-rowing feeding frenzy? Even the Rev. P.B. was unable to resist. And how on earth does mummy get such a good set? And how, well, traditional to be topped with wax! It's dark, bitter, chunky and with plenty of offset sweetness. YUMYUMYUMYUMYUM. And thanks indeed. It was well worth the wait.

This was truly yummy. I regretted being about 6 up on everyone when the evening began, having been tasting wine since 10.30. The dry meat (Which I somehow forgot about ) was gorgeous, and the fish, too. The Jaboulet CDR was the best, easily, with the food. The claret the worst. (what on earth were you thinking of?). The company was A1, and yes it's a small world - cos Tom's brother is Godfather to my daughter. We were in the same House, long after the biscuit game had finished, thanks Bapi.

Yes. The English are still referred to as "les rosbifs", an almost exact parallel to the use of "frogs" to describe the French. The parallel stops there. I know of no country where they eat *********. Edited for profanity. I forget which board I am on from time to time.

What is it, Gary? Do you not compare family?

Basildog, When I sell out of Krug 88, shall we go to Leeds on a fact-finding, Porsche-burning, belt-buying, selfless expense account pilgrimage of culinary and vinous faith? Perhaps in mid-October or even mid November, or what-the-hell mid August?

I can't believe what a farce it is. In the Aussie jungle, what did the celebs have to do? Nothing too skillful. But in the kitchen, they are all fish out of water. I imagined producers convincing each other that it might work. Poor Belinda with her ravioli. What could she be expected to do? Amanda (?) and her ribbon stage? No way. These things take so much time to learn - if indeed you are a cook in the first place. I wouldn't mind knowing just how 'real' the place is. The diners certainly seem to have low expectations. I see at this early stage more harm than good for everyone involved.

No offence meant to Cornwall - we're just bitter because you get all the glory for pasties That's really funny, because I read it as 'can't stand the pace.' I'm afraid that as with everything, there are good and bad examples of cream and (especially bad) pasties. One small point. I wouldn't expect to get an authentic curry in Cornwall, so don't expect authentic Clotted Cream unless you're in Cornwall.

We (well, she) shop at Tesco. We have a nursey friend who insists we buy organic carrots, which we do (esp for the children). They taste good. Last night another friend brings Guacamole, Tortilla chips, Carrots and celery for nibbles at our dinner party. The guacamole is great, but the carrots taste absolutely disgusting. They are tender and juicy, which desn't help when the juice tastes of chemicals. I was amazed. No more crap carrots. Ever. (My parents live in Normandy and have a continuous supply of sandy carrotes de Créances. Sweet and tender. Mmm. Parsley Sauce. Mmm. Broad Beans - Grazed Knees - Jumpers for goal.......contd. p97)

everyone stares at you in the wolsely in case you're a celeb... x that's the fun thing about the ivy walk stridently through the place and watch the necks crane to see if you're somebody. like a restaurant full of meercats unfortunately unlike slacker who resembles many debonair english actors i most closely resemble martin clunes not really a claim to fame. gary Kindly remove that tongue from your cheek you charming, self-effacing Yorkshireman.

I had a really really good, but poorly described Croissant aux Amandes (filled with hazelnuts) there on Tues morning. With four good Cappucinos the bill was £11. Anyone care to price the same from Starbucks/Cafe Nero? I loved the style of the place and the theatrical route to the bogs down the spiral staircase. Pricing looked very reasonable. I'm going again for breakfast. Also, everyone stared at me, but I don't think that's because I'm a celeb.

Well I tried. The curlywuryfi pot remains in London. I breakfasted at The Fox and Anchor, near Smithfield, and then at The Wolseley (same morning), but it was not until Wednesday that I came across this in Balham:- It followed excellent egg and bacon chez Godmother (free range Wiltshire - a farm near Swindon with clearly good marketing). Oddly, the Fox and Anchor egg arrived broken.

I too was delighted, and even surprised that this tasted so good. Having tried c30 SB from New Zealand over the last few months, it ranks with the best, while remaining overpriced. Te Koko 2001 was tasting downright weird. Smelt of Moules Marinières. But faultless, certainly. The star of the range was this time the Chardonnay 2002 - one to keep for a couple of years still. Pinot Noir 2002 good but not outstanding. Perhaps to keep, too.

I've been disappointed with recent Pelorus vintages, myself - problems include too large bubbles, and confected flavours. I tried the NV and 1999 last week: NV way off mark and lacking quality. 1999 - confected, yes and a little too sweet. They don't half sell well though!

Hi Jean. As a wee independent seller of wine from SW UK, I have precious little to offer the Cognoscenti here, but enjoy the experience nonetheless. It's always good to see what make others race to the checkout/cellar/dustbin. best,

So not too bad a price, but hardly a bargain.....

Sorry folks. Case price. How could it be bottle?