Tea Wars

 

In case you've hit your head, here's a reminder on how to make a proper cup of tea. Hope this helps! ☕️pic.twitter.com/lu2VgnB7qI https://t.co/aMXuBT6mxY

— British Embassy Washington (@UKinUSA) January 24, 2024

Advice To Chefs - Stock Up On Knives Now!

 

'We have to stop the buying and selling of knives.’

Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell, sets out Labour's plans to prevent and tackle knife crime. pic.twitter.com/JyVMJQjWW0

— GB News (@GBNEWS) January 24, 2024

Adieu La Gavroche!

 

La Gavroche, that grand old dame of London fine dining, is shuttering its doors. After 53 years of waltzing with Escoffier's ghost and tickling taste buds with three-Michelin-starred sorcery, she's calling it a day. Last orders were last night. Now, before you drown your Wagyu in a river of Cristal tears, let's raise a glass, not to mourn, but to celebrate a legend.

Michel Roux Sr., the original maestro of this culinary circus, was a titan. A bloke who could coax symphonies from a celeriac and pirouette a pigeon into a masterpiece. He built this place on sweat, precision, and a sprinkle of Gallic charm. La Gavroche wasn't just a restaurant, it was a bloody institution. The Queen supped here, presidents preened, and oligarchs coughed up more for a souffle than some of us earn in a year.

And the food? Well, it was the edible equivalent of a Mozart concerto. Every plate was a meticulously orchestrated dance of textures and flavors. You'd bite into a scallop and hear the ocean whisper, savor a sliver of lamb and feel the sun-warmed fields it grazed. This wasn't just fuel, it was art, a fleeting glimpse into the divine.

But like all good shows, even the curtain on this culinary masterpiece had to fall. Michel Jr., the inheritor of the toque, kept the magic alive for years. But times change, palates evolve, and the restaurant game is a fickle beast. Rents skyrocket, trends morph like chameleons on espresso, and suddenly, even the most exquisite soufflé can feel a tad passé.

So, should we wallow in the gravy of what's lost? Nah. Instead, let's tip our toques to the legacy. Let's remember the nights when La Gavroche made us gasp, giggle, and shed a tear (mostly from the bill, but hey, that's the price of perfection). Let's raise a toast to the white tablecloths that cradled countless dreams, to the silver service that glided like whispered secrets, and to the symphony of flavors that danced on our tongues.

La Gavroche may be closing, but its whispers will linger in the hushed tones of Michelin inspectors, the reverent murmur of food critics, and the misty memories of those who were lucky enough to have danced with culinary royalty. And who knows, maybe one day, the grand dame will rise again, her silver gleaming anew, her kitchen humming with the ghosts of Escoffier and Roux, ready to once more orchestrate a symphony of epicurean delight. Until then, let's savor the echoes, and remember, a legend never truly fades. It just waits for the next curtain call.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a good bottle of Rioja and a fat stack of Michel Roux cookbooks. Time to recreate a taste of that magic in my own little kitchen. And who knows, maybe one day, my own culinary ditty will find its way onto the grand stage. In the meantime, chin up, foodies, and remember, even the last bite leaves a taste.

Now, go forth and spread the word. Let the world know that La Gavroche may be gone, but its legend will simmer on, a whisper in every Michelin-starred kitchen, a ghost in every perfectly poached egg.

Si Signore - Revisited

 

Yesterday Eva and I went back to Si Signore, a lovely Italian restaurant in central Brighton.

12 Sydney Street

Brighton, 

BN1 4EN 

01273 671 266

As per its website: 

Si Signore opened its doors on 18th April 2006. Situated in the North Laines in Brighton is the perfect place whether dining solo, on a date night, celebrating with your family or to experience home made Italian cuisine.

Get your meal started with a glass of Italian wine or cocktail and to follow try our homemade Bolognese, oven baked lasagne or signature dish, they will impress you at the first bite. Part of the experience of dining at Si Signore is trying our homemade tiramisu paired with a shot of Italian liquor or a great espresso.

If that’s not enough, our friendly staff always ready to help and welcome you and our décor and lovely atmosphere will let you feel relaxed and thrilled to come back

 GRAZIE MILLE!

This has become one of our favourite restaurants in Brighton; not only is the food excellent, but the welcome and service is genuinely warm and friendly. Regular customers are made to feel as though they are friends dining in someone's home.

We had a lovely evening.

It is without doubt well worth visiting, and we will most certainly be coming back in the not too distant future!

The Cleveland Arms - Brighton

Eva and I went for a late lunch at the Cleveland Arms yesterday, and a splendid time was had by all!

Rated by Tripadvisor, they have been awarded both their certificate of excellence 2020, 2021 & 2022 & Travellers Choice 2020, 2021 & 2022!!

The Cleveland Arms are an independent, traditional family run Freehouse pub serving home cooked food 7 days a week. Their meat is locally sourced and fish is sustainably caught locally. Offering Sussex Ales including Harveys, Dark Star and Long Man.

With a bright open plan space The Cleveland Arms can cater for small or larger groups. They are very family and dog friendly showing live sports via BT Sport, live music nights, quiz nights, cheese and wine nights and charity events.

The food was bloody marvellous, the welcome was genuinely warm and the service cheerful and professional.

What's not to like?

We will definitely return! 

Cleveland Arms

27A Cleveland Road

Brighton

01273 502396

Happy Beaujolais Nouveau Day!

 

The Plough Inn - Rottingdean

 

Eva and I had a late lunch on Friday in The Plough Inn in the village of Rottingdean.

The Plough Inn, 

Vicarage Lane, 

Rottingdean, 

BN2 7HD, 

01273 390635

As per the website:

"We’re very lucky at the Plough Inn to have an enviable spot right by the village pond & green in the beautiful seaside village of Rottingdean.

The pub dates back to the 1840s, and some of the original flint walls are still intact from that time. The impressive brick building is home to a popular and vibrant village pub with a great reputation for both food and drink.

Step inside and you’ll find not only a cosy traditional pub, complete with oak beams and wood panelling, but also a warm welcome and friendly service. We are child and dog friendly too!

Our small but perfectly formed garden offers the chance to take drinks and dining outdoors in the fresh air.

A sun trap in the summer and heaters for the cooler weather it’s good to get outside."

The welcome was warm, the service friendly and efficient and the food was first class (especially the faggots!).

We are more than happy to recommend The Plough, and we will most certainly be making a return visit.

 

Si Signore - Brighton

 

On Friday Eva and I went to Si Signore, a lovely Italian restaurant in central Brighton, for the very first time.

12 Sydney Street

Brighton, 

BN1 4EN 

01273 671 266

As per its website: 

Si Signore opened its doors on 18th April 2006. Situated in the North Laines in Brighton is the perfect place whether dining solo, on a date night, celebrating with your family or to experience home made Italian cuisine.

Get your meal started with a glass of Italian wine or cocktail and to follow try our homemade Bolognese, oven baked lasagne or signature dish, they will impress you at the first bite. Part of the experience of dining at Si Signore is trying our homemade tiramisu paired with a shot of Italian liquor or a great espresso.

If that’s not enough, our friendly staff always ready to help and welcome you and our décor and lovely atmosphere will let you feel relaxed and thrilled to come back

 GRAZIE MILLE!

The menu has a great range of starters, pasta, pizzas, meat and fish dishes to choose from. 

Eva had the prawns then the crab ravioli, and I started with the meatballs followed by chicken in a mushroom and bacon cream sauce.

The atmosphere, food and professional friendly service were all first class!

I have no hesitation in recommending this restaurant, and we will most certainly be returning there in the very near future.

The Crooked House Pub Fire Under Investigation

 

#UPDATE: A joint investigation into the cause of the fire at the #CrookedHouse pub is continuing today.

This incident has caused a great deal of speculation and we understand the significance of the building within the local community.

Read more here: https://t.co/EdWWQcNWff pic.twitter.com/IpHRgfPb8b

— South Staffs Police (@SStaffsPolice) August 7, 2023

The fire started on Saturday, August 6, 2023, at around 10:00 PM. The pub was empty at the time, and no one was injured. The fire caused extensive damage to the pub, and it was later demolished.

The police have interviewed witnesses and reviewed security footage, but they have not been able to determine the cause of the fire. They are also working with fire experts to determine the fire's point of origin and the speed at which it spread.

The police have said that they are keeping all possibilities open, including arson.

 

Restaurant Employs Kitchen Staff Based On Their Skills - Shock Horror Probe!

 

London restaurant suffers furious backlash over Instagram photo of all white-male chef line-uphttps://t.co/xJSl3IraaO

— GB News (@GBNEWS) August 1, 2023

Fish and Chips In Harrods - £35!!!

 

Fish and Chips from celebrity chef #TomKerridge

35 Quid 😳

What do you reckon??#Hospitality pic.twitter.com/5Zi2sOES3S

— Rt. Hon. Alan B’Stard MP (@NoWayWoke) July 19, 2023

Happy National Fish and Chips Day!

 

Takeaway Inflation Exceeds Restaurant Inflation

 

Fish and chip prices are up 19% in the past year. Groceries also cost 19% more. Restaurant prices, meanwhile, are up 10%.
Eating in is not the value for money option it once washttps://t.co/85tOrlkpse

— Philip Aldrick (@PhilAldrick) May 3, 2023

Happy British Pie and National Butchers' Week

 

Poulet au Pot

 

Ingredients

- good quality chicken

- onion peeled and studded with cloves

- leek chopped

- turnips peeled and cubed

- carrots chopped

- garlic

- bay leaves

- lemon quartered

- thyme

- parsley

- stock 

- salt/pepper

Method

Place all ingredients in a large pot and cover with water.

Bring to the boil, then simmer very gently for about 80 minutes.

Serve with mash and a mushroom sauce.