slacker

Was looking forward to the comedy crockery. What a shame we did'nt eat off any at the Tasting Dinner! Simple site that reflects the physical style of the restaurant. But no phone number. 01208 862622 if any one wants it.

Can you get Bruno Paillard stateside? A bit of a must at around 21UKP

Uncanny. My last meal in Winchester was HdV and, wait for it, my father had the most delctable Chocolate Fondant. Were you cooking that day, Andy? Also drank P.R. C.W.C. 19?? which was tons nicer than B.G.A. 1990 wa had just before it.

I must declare an interest in your review, Andy, as the wine man responsible for Basildog's list. BUT... What an excellent restaurant review. Excellent comparison with the East Sussex desert where you clearly have to find some small comfort in the mediocrity of the cuisine.

Good potential...........the geographical split(s) hinder(s) my participation.

'Don't drink any thing French. They won't buy our beef, why should we buy their wine? Where's your Champagne?'

Sorry, Andy, the only reason I looked at the thread was the 808 reference. I own a German thingy, non-Roland - the 309. Sounds lovely. The thing is, the 808 is retro, not a kicker..................

i know. Pick a supplier - a supermarket, a shop, a whatever - all accessible by the tasters (afraid it needs to be limited geographically). Choose 4 wines (not by committee) i.e. ME No, no, I mean Craig. Choose a time. Dictate tastng conditions, ISO glasses etc., the basic stuff. Create 4 threads, one for each wine. Then voilà. Think small at first - nothing too pricey. Try it. Nothing ventured................. The wines MUST be identical, or we may as well just post tasting notes in the normal way. Yes, think small...............then it can only become hugely successful.

Dinner 01-07-02 : Black Pig restaurant, Rock, UK Food and wine evening as follows: (notes in italic) Fino Inocente, Valdespino Brilliant, and suitably cold. Suprised many non-fino drinkers _ _ Marinated Pigeon - Potato Cake - Watercress - Cherries - Bitter Chocolate Umore Nero Pinot Noir 2001, Fugazza stunning with the balsamic marinade of the pigeon. Really fresh, with good, dark Italian bite. _ _ South Coast Crab Risotto - Roast Scallop - Garlic Foam St. Aubin Premier Cru 1997, Jean-Claude Bachelet Impressive freshness for its age - complexity comes through well on finish - creamy, rich, cheesy (!) _ _ Salad of Summer Vegetables - Hen's Egg - Truffle Dressing Jacquesson Brut Rosé NV One of the star matches. As a cleanser before the main, and as a partner to the salad. Lovely fragrance. Very Brut. _ _ Braised Cornish Leg of Lamb - Redcurrants - Tomato and Thyme Juices Château Kirwan 1995 Worrying at first (too young) then when tried with the lamb it blossomed. It emerged later that the bottle at our end of the room was not corked as such, but under-developed. Wide praise from the others. We should keep wines like this for 15 years still, but it was still great. _ _ Cornish Blue - Grilled Figs - Port and Orange Reduction Recioto di Soave 1998, Prà Chosen at my insistence. Beautiful, candied peel, pears, marmalade, sweet, not too sweet, lovely. Would have matched even better if the cheese had had a little more bite. The dish itself worked superbly _ _ Valrhona Bitter Chocolate Mousse - Raspberry Sorbet Bruno Paillard N.P.U. 1990 Everybody must try this combination. Non-conformist, but superb. As with other dishes, the wine opened up superbly with the sorbet and the chocolate, but was almost disappointing before tasting the food. Very, very good match. If I were drinking Champagne at the end of the meal on its own, I'd like a wine with more disgorged maturity. This was disgorged in 2000. Thanks Bruno! P.S. Will someone suggest a suitable avatar. the last suggestion of a pot of jam has not gone down well. P.P.S. Sorry the website SSL is broke. Viewing only.