The Dover Castle (Brighton)
My compliments to the Dover Castle:
43 Southover Street
Brighton
West Sussex
BN2 2UE
Telephone: 01273 889808
Eva, myself and a friend from Sweden dined there last night and had thoroughly enjoyable time and meal.
The menu specialises in fish, sourced daily from the locality, the selection on offer is written on a blackboard and as the evening wears on the dishes that run out are crossed out. Other non fish dishes are also available.
Being a "contrarian" I had the steak and chips, which was first class; the steak was tender and succulent, and the chips, onion rings, peas and tomato all ticked the right boxes taste and portion wise.
The butternut squash soup and mezze, that we also scoffed, were likewise excellent.
The selection of beers, lagers (including Asahi) and wine is decent and the staff are very friendly, easy going and service minded (eg I appreciated being offered a smaller (and cheaper) bowl of soup as a starter).
All in all a good place to have a reasonably priced, good quality meal in a friendly atmosphere.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Actimel Advert Banned
Actimel Advert Banned
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned the Actimel TV advert that claims its yoghurt supported children's natural defences.
ASA decided that evidence provided by Danone did not uphold claims that the drinking yoghurt could help normal, healthy school-aged youngsters protect against common childhood illnesses.
The ASA concluded that the advert broke rules for being misleading, rules relating to evidence and accuracy in food advertising.
Danone are reported to be "very disappointed" at the ASA's ruling.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned the Actimel TV advert that claims its yoghurt supported children's natural defences.
ASA decided that evidence provided by Danone did not uphold claims that the drinking yoghurt could help normal, healthy school-aged youngsters protect against common childhood illnesses.
The ASA concluded that the advert broke rules for being misleading, rules relating to evidence and accuracy in food advertising.
Danone are reported to be "very disappointed" at the ASA's ruling.
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Fat Apology
The Fat Apology
Good news for the 500 diners at Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant, who went down with food poisoning in January-February this year as a result of eating oysters contaminated with sewage.
They have now (some 7/8 months after the event, and following on from a critical report issued by health investigators) been offered a free meal.
Blumenthal has written to affected diners apologising for the "bad experience".
It is surprising that he took so long to make such an offer.
Good news for the 500 diners at Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant, who went down with food poisoning in January-February this year as a result of eating oysters contaminated with sewage.
They have now (some 7/8 months after the event, and following on from a critical report issued by health investigators) been offered a free meal.
Blumenthal has written to affected diners apologising for the "bad experience".
It is surprising that he took so long to make such an offer.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Keith Floyd Dies
Keith Floyd Dies
I am sorry to read that Keith Floyd died yesterday from heart failure.
His obituary, as per the BBC, can be viewed here Keith Floyd.
I am sorry to read that Keith Floyd died yesterday from heart failure.
His obituary, as per the BBC, can be viewed here Keith Floyd.
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Brighton Food Festival
The Brighton Food Festival
Brighton and Hove are hosting a month long Food and Drink Festival, this September.
I took the opportunity to wander through the festival market on New Road and Jubilee Road (which ran this weekend). It was lively and contained a veritable smorgasbord of stalls offering a fine array of food and drink; oysters, sausages, cheeses, bread, vegetables, Mediterranean cuisines, Thai cuisine, and cakes etc. There was even a live cooking demonstration.
However, I would like to make two observations:
- the prices charged by some stalls were over the top; eg £5 for a container of rice and chicken soon breaks the budget if there are several in the family, and £1.50 for basil in a pot (which could be bought in the nearby supermarket for 69p) was "taking the piss".
- At one point in the street the stalls, on opposite sides of the street, were placed too close together, thus causing a very slow moving traffic jam of people who were unable to pass by and could not easily access (or even view) the stalls in that area.
Brighton and Hove are hosting a month long Food and Drink Festival, this September.
I took the opportunity to wander through the festival market on New Road and Jubilee Road (which ran this weekend). It was lively and contained a veritable smorgasbord of stalls offering a fine array of food and drink; oysters, sausages, cheeses, bread, vegetables, Mediterranean cuisines, Thai cuisine, and cakes etc. There was even a live cooking demonstration.
However, I would like to make two observations:
- the prices charged by some stalls were over the top; eg £5 for a container of rice and chicken soon breaks the budget if there are several in the family, and £1.50 for basil in a pot (which could be bought in the nearby supermarket for 69p) was "taking the piss".
- At one point in the street the stalls, on opposite sides of the street, were placed too close together, thus causing a very slow moving traffic jam of people who were unable to pass by and could not easily access (or even view) the stalls in that area.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Fat Duck Food Poisoning
Fat Duck Food Poisoning
It seems that the much publicised food poisoning outbreak that caused illness to more than 500 diners at Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant, in Berkshire, was probably caused by raw shellfish contaminated with human sewage.
Inspectors from the Health Protection Agency have released a report that highlights the probable cause, and criticises the food safety standards in the kitchens.
Sick staff continued to work and handle the shellfish. Unsuitable products were also said to have been used to clean kitchen surfaces.
The HPA stated:
"Oysters were served raw; razor clams may not have been appropriately handled or cooked; tracing of shellfish to source showed evidence of contamination and there have been reports of illness in other establishments associated with oysters from the same source."
It seems that the much publicised food poisoning outbreak that caused illness to more than 500 diners at Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant, in Berkshire, was probably caused by raw shellfish contaminated with human sewage.
Inspectors from the Health Protection Agency have released a report that highlights the probable cause, and criticises the food safety standards in the kitchens.
Sick staff continued to work and handle the shellfish. Unsuitable products were also said to have been used to clean kitchen surfaces.
The HPA stated:
"Oysters were served raw; razor clams may not have been appropriately handled or cooked; tracing of shellfish to source showed evidence of contamination and there have been reports of illness in other establishments associated with oysters from the same source."
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Momma Cherri's (Brighton) Closes
Momma Cherri's Closes
I am sorry to see that Momma Cherri's, once "saved" by Gordon Ramsay, has closed.
Eva and I first visited Momma Cherri's in 2003, before Ramsay.
It seems that it over expanded and moved into larger, less cosy, premises where it simply did not get the covers necessary during the week to cover operating costs.
I am sorry to see that Momma Cherri's, once "saved" by Gordon Ramsay, has closed.
Eva and I first visited Momma Cherri's in 2003, before Ramsay.
It seems that it over expanded and moved into larger, less cosy, premises where it simply did not get the covers necessary during the week to cover operating costs.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Perfect 10
The Perfect 10
Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant in Berkshire has topped the 2010 Good Food Guide, despite a health scare earlier this year.
The restaurant was shut for more than two weeks from 24 February after 400 diners complained of having fallen ill from norovirus was to blame.
The Fat Duck scored a perfect 10 for the second year, beating Gordon Ramsay's restaurant Chelsea.
Now the only way it can go is down!
Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant in Berkshire has topped the 2010 Good Food Guide, despite a health scare earlier this year.
The restaurant was shut for more than two weeks from 24 February after 400 diners complained of having fallen ill from norovirus was to blame.
The Fat Duck scored a perfect 10 for the second year, beating Gordon Ramsay's restaurant Chelsea.
Now the only way it can go is down!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Customer, Not The Chef, Is King
The beleaguered celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, has relearned an old maxim that the customer (not the celebrity chef) is king.
He was at one stage advised to file for bankruptcy, as profits fell from £3M to less than £400K.
He told Fox News:
"Heading out of global economic downturn has been tough but for me it has also been a breath of fresh air.
The industry was getting far too arrogant, they weren't respecting customers enough and they forgot the customers were king.
Customers just disappeared. Those that were in the restaurants weren't drinking wine. All were on tap water.
Then we had a huge downturn, Monday to Thursday. Your staff costs are the same, your running costs are the same. It was a nightmare."
He was at one stage advised to file for bankruptcy, as profits fell from £3M to less than £400K.
He told Fox News:
"Heading out of global economic downturn has been tough but for me it has also been a breath of fresh air.
The industry was getting far too arrogant, they weren't respecting customers enough and they forgot the customers were king.
Customers just disappeared. Those that were in the restaurants weren't drinking wine. All were on tap water.
Then we had a huge downturn, Monday to Thursday. Your staff costs are the same, your running costs are the same. It was a nightmare."
Monday, August 10, 2009
The Terraces (Brighton) Revisited
The Terraces (Brighton) Revisited
Eva and I revisited The Terraces on Saturday evening, and had a splendid meal.
My chorizo and poached egg starter was sublime, and my rack of lamb tender, succulent and unctuous.
Eva's fish, chips and mushy peas were cooked to perfection.
The service was first class, and very friendly. We were offered blankets when the wind became chilly, and were found a table inside when the elements finally defeated us without any fuss.
There was even a free firework display by the pier (not laid on by the restaurant) that topped the evening off.
I wish the new manager (who started a couple of weeks ago) all the very best.
Well worth visiting!
Eva and I revisited The Terraces on Saturday evening, and had a splendid meal.
My chorizo and poached egg starter was sublime, and my rack of lamb tender, succulent and unctuous.
Eva's fish, chips and mushy peas were cooked to perfection.
The service was first class, and very friendly. We were offered blankets when the wind became chilly, and were found a table inside when the elements finally defeated us without any fuss.
There was even a free firework display by the pier (not laid on by the restaurant) that topped the evening off.
I wish the new manager (who started a couple of weeks ago) all the very best.
Well worth visiting!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Nasza Revisted
Eva and I revisited Nasza (Brighton's Polish restaurant) again last week, to see how they were getting along following up on my recommendations.
I am pleased to say that the issues identified in my earlier review have been addressed:
1 The service was far better.
2 There is now a vodka list.
3 There is now a modest wine list, of wine that is drinkable.
4 Credit cards are now accepted.
Nasza is now worth visiting.
I am pleased to say that the issues identified in my earlier review have been addressed:
1 The service was far better.
2 There is now a vodka list.
3 There is now a modest wine list, of wine that is drinkable.
4 Credit cards are now accepted.
Nasza is now worth visiting.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Haggis
Haggis
I see the media reports that Haggis may in fact be an English dish, having been mentioned in an English cookbook (The Hus Wife) in the 17th century, some 200 years before Burns wrote a poem to it.
I remain sceptical, and doubt that the Scots will be convinced either.
I see the media reports that Haggis may in fact be an English dish, having been mentioned in an English cookbook (The Hus Wife) in the 17th century, some 200 years before Burns wrote a poem to it.
I remain sceptical, and doubt that the Scots will be convinced either.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Organic Food No Better For You
Organic Food No Better For You
Despite sky high prices, and the perception by the gullible that it is better for you, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has stated that organic food is no more healthy and provides no significant nutritional benefit compared with conventionally produced food.
Needless to say, those organisations that make a nice living out of selling overpriced organic food dispute the findings.
Despite sky high prices, and the perception by the gullible that it is better for you, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has stated that organic food is no more healthy and provides no significant nutritional benefit compared with conventionally produced food.
Needless to say, those organisations that make a nice living out of selling overpriced organic food dispute the findings.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Croydon Park Hotel
Croydon Park Hotel
Full marks to the Croydon Park Hotel for mixing the best Mojito I have had in long time, and for a most excellent lunch of roast pork carved on the trolley.
Keep it up!
Though, given that it is still July, I do consider that the animated 1 foot high Santa Claus in the entrance lobby to be a tad early!
Full marks to the Croydon Park Hotel for mixing the best Mojito I have had in long time, and for a most excellent lunch of roast pork carved on the trolley.
Keep it up!
Though, given that it is still July, I do consider that the animated 1 foot high Santa Claus in the entrance lobby to be a tad early!
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Hanover Pub (Brighton)
The Hanover Pub (Brighton)
Eva and I tried out the Hanover pub yesterday for Sunday lunch. Sadly it was rather disappointing.
The starters (leek and potato soup and chili on nachos) were very good.
However, the roast beef took 1.5 hours to arrive from the time when we placed our order at 1PM.
Additionally, the beef was somewhat tasteless and overcooked, neither was it particularly tender.
It is unlikely we will return, as there are many other pubs in the Hanover area that serve Sunday lunch.
Eva and I tried out the Hanover pub yesterday for Sunday lunch. Sadly it was rather disappointing.
The starters (leek and potato soup and chili on nachos) were very good.
However, the roast beef took 1.5 hours to arrive from the time when we placed our order at 1PM.
Additionally, the beef was somewhat tasteless and overcooked, neither was it particularly tender.
It is unlikely we will return, as there are many other pubs in the Hanover area that serve Sunday lunch.
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