This evening is notable for two reasons. Firstly, I am at home for the second night running, with a healthy homecooked meal bubbling on the stove and nary a bottle of wine in sight. No, please don't applaud - simply nod approvingly at the remarkable self-restraint shown by my good self and pretend that you don't know that tomorrow is inevitably going to end up a Tuesday Night Wine Night.
Secondly - and perhaps more importantly - this is your last chance to enter the Hilton Worldwide Hotels competition to win a share of £400 of vouchers. Many thanks to the huge number of people who have already entered - the response has been quite overwhelming, and indicates that I may have underestimated people's enthusiasm for free stuff.
See the post below for details of how to enter - the competition closes at midnight tonight, and two winners will be picked at random and notified tomorrow. However, whether you win or not, remember that any weekend breaks booked before the end of today will qualify for a 50% discount: ARE YOU READING THIS MR LIZ? Obviously you will need to get in quick - my preferences, should anyone care, would be (variously) York, Chester, Edinburgh or somewhere lovely in London. Click on the link to plan your fantasy break, but remember, you only have a few hours left to strong-arm your partner, so get nagging...
Good luck with the competition, and if either of the winners wants to write a guest post, we will all be pleased to hear what a lovely time you had, and PROMISE not to congratulate you through gritted teeth.
Monday, 31 January 2011
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Mike Garry's A Taste of Honey: Poetic Musings (and Eating) at Love2Eat Deli
Anyone who has ever read this blog will know that my life is a never-ending quest for knowledge, my eager open inquiring mind ever on a tireless mission of self-improvement, reaching for the stars at every given opportunity. Well, that's the idea anyway; in practice, my good intentions are all too often derailed by the discovery of a double-bill of America's Next Top Model, or a copy of Vogue with a particularly shiny cover.
So last night was a win-win situation: eat food and drink wine with friends whilst listening to poetry between courses - absorbing culture by osmosis, as it were. The venue was the always charming Love2Eat Deli on Burton Road in West Didsbury, its tiny room packed to the rafters, everyone there to hear Didsbury poet Mike Garry read a selection of new and favourite poems from his impressive repertoire.
The evening was called "A Taste of Honey", taking its inspiration from the play written by a teenaged Shelagh Delaney in the 1950s. If you haven't read it, do. You should also read Mike Garry's poetry, particularly if you are from Manchester, as he writes with great humour and honesty about the highs and lows of living in a city that can be both beautiful and devastating within the space of a couple of streets. Some of the newer poems debuted last night suggest a growing interest in the country as well as the city; I may perhaps have had something in my eye during the poem about the dog on the farm, ahem *wipes tear*
The evening was excellent value at £20 a head for three courses and as much poetry as you could eat, and as we'd already paid a £10 deposit each it seemed even better value. You could even take your own wine - which we did, obv - although beware going out for a drink first. I swear the staff in Silver Apples will have raised a weary eye-brow at the well-dressed but seemingly alcoholic couple with their massively clanking carrier bag.
Food-wise, we both chose the same - roasted vegetable and feta tart for starter, and honey roast chicken with pistachios and lemon couscous for mains. Reading this back, I am struck that this sounds pretty healthy, although the cake pops served for dessert definitely weren't. The food was excellent, and service remarkably cheerful and efficient considering the numbers; a particular highlight was the lemon couscous, something I was pretty sure I'd never pick as a star of ANY meal, but that's how good it was. And as for the cake pops...well, I had been looking forward to my third within a week when chief Airy Fairy Laura tweeted earlier in the day that she had just dropped a massive box off at Love2eat *applauds own remarkable detective skills*
Mike is running the evening again on the last Saturdays in February and March - full details are on the Didsbury Life website, although you'll have to be quick if you want to get a place. And me? Well, my brain is full of poetic beauty, so surely one or two episodes of America's Next Top Model couldn't hurt....
- Love2Eat Deli is at 190a Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 1LH, tel 0161 434 7077.
So last night was a win-win situation: eat food and drink wine with friends whilst listening to poetry between courses - absorbing culture by osmosis, as it were. The venue was the always charming Love2Eat Deli on Burton Road in West Didsbury, its tiny room packed to the rafters, everyone there to hear Didsbury poet Mike Garry read a selection of new and favourite poems from his impressive repertoire.
The evening was called "A Taste of Honey", taking its inspiration from the play written by a teenaged Shelagh Delaney in the 1950s. If you haven't read it, do. You should also read Mike Garry's poetry, particularly if you are from Manchester, as he writes with great humour and honesty about the highs and lows of living in a city that can be both beautiful and devastating within the space of a couple of streets. Some of the newer poems debuted last night suggest a growing interest in the country as well as the city; I may perhaps have had something in my eye during the poem about the dog on the farm, ahem *wipes tear*
The evening was excellent value at £20 a head for three courses and as much poetry as you could eat, and as we'd already paid a £10 deposit each it seemed even better value. You could even take your own wine - which we did, obv - although beware going out for a drink first. I swear the staff in Silver Apples will have raised a weary eye-brow at the well-dressed but seemingly alcoholic couple with their massively clanking carrier bag.
Food-wise, we both chose the same - roasted vegetable and feta tart for starter, and honey roast chicken with pistachios and lemon couscous for mains. Reading this back, I am struck that this sounds pretty healthy, although the cake pops served for dessert definitely weren't. The food was excellent, and service remarkably cheerful and efficient considering the numbers; a particular highlight was the lemon couscous, something I was pretty sure I'd never pick as a star of ANY meal, but that's how good it was. And as for the cake pops...well, I had been looking forward to my third within a week when chief Airy Fairy Laura tweeted earlier in the day that she had just dropped a massive box off at Love2eat *applauds own remarkable detective skills*
Mike is running the evening again on the last Saturdays in February and March - full details are on the Didsbury Life website, although you'll have to be quick if you want to get a place. And me? Well, my brain is full of poetic beauty, so surely one or two episodes of America's Next Top Model couldn't hurt....
- Love2Eat Deli is at 190a Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 1LH, tel 0161 434 7077.
Saturday, 29 January 2011
Hilton Worldwide Hotels Voucher Competition: Lovely Shiny Prizes to be Won
Just a reminder...competition closes midnight on Monday 31st Jan; let it be you that snaffles those lovely vouchers.
I live in a perfectly nice house; indeed, I would go so far as to say that I'm not far off being one of those Ikea catalogue-toting fanatics who spend hours cooing over assorted throws, candles and paint finishes at any given opportunity. I have a whole variety of rooms that I may enter at any time, a bathroom filled with quality products in actual useful-sized bottles, and an entire fridge full of wine that I may drink from whenever I please.
So why am I slightly obsessed with hotels? Essentially these are places that charge you for a smaller version of the facilities you have at home anyway, except with slightly fluffier towels and a trouser press that your husband will insist on attempting to use after he's been rooting in the minibar. And yet, no matter where we stay, I practically SPRINT down the lushly carpeted corridors to check out my new temporary home, running from bedroom to bathroom and opening every cupboard and door to see what excitement may be lurking behind each one. What's more, I am fairly sure I am not alone in this.
So it is with much interest that I note Hilton Worldwide Hotels are running a Winter Sale at the moment, offering 50% off weekend breaks throughout 2011 as long as you book before 31st January. I have had some most enjoyable Hilton Worldwide breaks in the past; indeed, when my husband worked away in London for two years, although I obviously went through much pain, anguish, heartbreak etc etc, the blow was softened considerably by the fact that I could go and visit him (soothe pain and loneliness) AND bag a weekend stay at the Paddington Hilton (drink cocktails, eat amazing breakfasts) at the same time. We have also stayed at the Hilton in Glasgow, about which my husband makes the following claims:
1. There was a bottle of whisky next to the porridge that guests could pour freely over their breakfasts should they wish (scary, but true), and
2. He met Billy Connolly there (not true - I met his hairiness there, in the bar - Mr Liz was in the toilet and missed the whole thing.)
To celebrate the half price offer, Hilton Worldwide have very kindly offered two lucky readers the chance to share £400 worth of hotel vouchers, meaning two first prizes of £200 to spend at any Hilton Worldwide Hotel in the UK. To be in with a chance of winning, simply email me the name of the famously tall building in which the Hilton Manchester Deansgate Hotel is located - have a look at their website on the link below if you're not sure, and once you've found the answer go there immediately and drink Manchester-themed cocktails in the amazing bar. Winners will be picked at random from all correct answers received by midnight on Monday 31st January; much to my disgust I must confirm that none of my relatives - or indeed me - is eligible to win.
Send your answer to manchestercomps@hotmail.co.uk to be in with a chance of winning, but if, like me, you are perennially unlucky with competitions, investigate their amazing sale anyway - full details below. Good luck, and don't forget you can share your vouchers with me as a mark of gratitude if you'd like to...
To celebrate the last week of the Any Weekend, Anywhere Sale from the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, we are offering two lucky readers the chance to win £200 worth of Hilton Worldwide UK Gift Vouchers to spend at any Hilton Worldwide UK hotel.
The sale offers you the chance to save up to 50% on weekends in 2011, so if you aren't lucky enough to win this time, why not take the family to Dublin, or enjoy a romantic weekend for two in London? You can save up to 50% at more than 3,600 hotels within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio for any weekend stay in 2011 if you book before 31 January 2011.
If that wasn’t enough, rates include breakfast and late checkout until 6pm (subject to availability) plus kids under 18 stay for free and kids under 10 eat for free at many of the properties when sharing with an adult. Book now on www.hilton.co.uk/wintersale and make the most of this massive sale before it’s too late.
For voucher Terms and Conditions please visit http://www.hilton.co.uk/giftvouchers.
I live in a perfectly nice house; indeed, I would go so far as to say that I'm not far off being one of those Ikea catalogue-toting fanatics who spend hours cooing over assorted throws, candles and paint finishes at any given opportunity. I have a whole variety of rooms that I may enter at any time, a bathroom filled with quality products in actual useful-sized bottles, and an entire fridge full of wine that I may drink from whenever I please.
So why am I slightly obsessed with hotels? Essentially these are places that charge you for a smaller version of the facilities you have at home anyway, except with slightly fluffier towels and a trouser press that your husband will insist on attempting to use after he's been rooting in the minibar. And yet, no matter where we stay, I practically SPRINT down the lushly carpeted corridors to check out my new temporary home, running from bedroom to bathroom and opening every cupboard and door to see what excitement may be lurking behind each one. What's more, I am fairly sure I am not alone in this.
So it is with much interest that I note Hilton Worldwide Hotels are running a Winter Sale at the moment, offering 50% off weekend breaks throughout 2011 as long as you book before 31st January. I have had some most enjoyable Hilton Worldwide breaks in the past; indeed, when my husband worked away in London for two years, although I obviously went through much pain, anguish, heartbreak etc etc, the blow was softened considerably by the fact that I could go and visit him (soothe pain and loneliness) AND bag a weekend stay at the Paddington Hilton (drink cocktails, eat amazing breakfasts) at the same time. We have also stayed at the Hilton in Glasgow, about which my husband makes the following claims:
1. There was a bottle of whisky next to the porridge that guests could pour freely over their breakfasts should they wish (scary, but true), and
2. He met Billy Connolly there (not true - I met his hairiness there, in the bar - Mr Liz was in the toilet and missed the whole thing.)
To celebrate the half price offer, Hilton Worldwide have very kindly offered two lucky readers the chance to share £400 worth of hotel vouchers, meaning two first prizes of £200 to spend at any Hilton Worldwide Hotel in the UK. To be in with a chance of winning, simply email me the name of the famously tall building in which the Hilton Manchester Deansgate Hotel is located - have a look at their website on the link below if you're not sure, and once you've found the answer go there immediately and drink Manchester-themed cocktails in the amazing bar. Winners will be picked at random from all correct answers received by midnight on Monday 31st January; much to my disgust I must confirm that none of my relatives - or indeed me - is eligible to win.
Send your answer to manchestercomps@hotmail.co.uk to be in with a chance of winning, but if, like me, you are perennially unlucky with competitions, investigate their amazing sale anyway - full details below. Good luck, and don't forget you can share your vouchers with me as a mark of gratitude if you'd like to...
To celebrate the last week of the Any Weekend, Anywhere Sale from the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, we are offering two lucky readers the chance to win £200 worth of Hilton Worldwide UK Gift Vouchers to spend at any Hilton Worldwide UK hotel.
The sale offers you the chance to save up to 50% on weekends in 2011, so if you aren't lucky enough to win this time, why not take the family to Dublin, or enjoy a romantic weekend for two in London? You can save up to 50% at more than 3,600 hotels within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio for any weekend stay in 2011 if you book before 31 January 2011.
If that wasn’t enough, rates include breakfast and late checkout until 6pm (subject to availability) plus kids under 18 stay for free and kids under 10 eat for free at many of the properties when sharing with an adult. Book now on www.hilton.co.uk/wintersale and make the most of this massive sale before it’s too late.
For voucher Terms and Conditions please visit http://www.hilton.co.uk/giftvouchers.
Khandoker Welcomes Gorgeous Girls' Curry Night
At this time of year, reaching Friday evening in one piece is increasingly something of an achievement. And how better to celebrate the advent of two whole days off than with the resurrection of Girls’ Curry Night? This used to be a regular event, a gathering of some of the most brilliant female minds in Manchester, coming together in a meeting of ferocious intellect in order to solve the world’s problems. And drink wine.
The premise is a simple one, subject to the following conditions:
- you have to be a girl in order to attend
- you have to like drinking wine in my living room whilst sampling an assortment of nibbles and laughing in a ribald manner
- you have to like curry.
Obviously, in this tricky period following GreyGate I should perhaps be wary of opening myself up to charges of sexism; in fact, Mr Liz is whining about inequality at this very moment, pointing out that he satisfies two of the three conditions for Girls’ Curry Night but is unable – through no fault of his own – to fulfil the first. Still, what can I do? The clue is in the name; it’s not called Girls’ Oh But A Few Boys Are Allowed As Well I Suppose Curry Night, and with very good reason. This is an evening where boys are allowed to act as chauffeurs, admire our shoes, and then leave.
Last night’s Girls’ Curry Night was a triumphant affair, with several ladies showing exceptional bravery in the face of illness, adversity and tooth ache. Our venue of choice was Khandoker, who were clearly delighted by the arrival of so many merry ladies at their family-friendly restaurant, and also perceptively spotted that several of us were dangerously undernourished, despite the array of nibbles thoughtfully provided chez Liz; at any rate, the piles of poppadoms they brought us reached pretty much to the ceiling.
Mr Khandoker himself brought our wine. I have always said he is a fine fellow, and once he had poured our wine and retreated we noticed – and this is nothing to do with me – that my wine glass was a giant amongst minnows, towering over its miniature brethren, boasting of its ability to hold twice as much wine as any of the others. Remember Alan Partridge’s Big Plate? This was Liz’s Big Glass – bravo, Mr Khandoker.
The food was exceptional, as ever. Starters included Tandoori Chicken, Lamb Tikka, Meat Somosa and Onion Bhaji in generously sized portions; indeed, some of the ladies had to leave a little of their side salad in order to save space and calories. Turned out were wise to save room for the mains, which included a fantastically spicy King Prawn Jalfrezi, Kakri Chicken with melt-in-the-mouth aubergines, and - best of all - Esa Palong, king prawns nestling seductively in a come-hither bed of really very good for you spinach.
Just as well I ate all those vegetables – I was unable to enjoy my usual power walk home as a helpful boy belonging to one of the ladies was obligingly waiting in the car park ready to give lifts. And before men across Britain rise up and lynch me, I must point out that whilst my husband may indeed have brought me tea in bed both last night and this morning, I am very busy this morning doing chores. At least, I will be once I’ve finished writing this, promise.
- Khandoker is at 812 Kingsway, East Didsbury, Manchester M20 5WY, tel 0161 434 3596.
The premise is a simple one, subject to the following conditions:
- you have to be a girl in order to attend
- you have to like drinking wine in my living room whilst sampling an assortment of nibbles and laughing in a ribald manner
- you have to like curry.
Obviously, in this tricky period following GreyGate I should perhaps be wary of opening myself up to charges of sexism; in fact, Mr Liz is whining about inequality at this very moment, pointing out that he satisfies two of the three conditions for Girls’ Curry Night but is unable – through no fault of his own – to fulfil the first. Still, what can I do? The clue is in the name; it’s not called Girls’ Oh But A Few Boys Are Allowed As Well I Suppose Curry Night, and with very good reason. This is an evening where boys are allowed to act as chauffeurs, admire our shoes, and then leave.
Last night’s Girls’ Curry Night was a triumphant affair, with several ladies showing exceptional bravery in the face of illness, adversity and tooth ache. Our venue of choice was Khandoker, who were clearly delighted by the arrival of so many merry ladies at their family-friendly restaurant, and also perceptively spotted that several of us were dangerously undernourished, despite the array of nibbles thoughtfully provided chez Liz; at any rate, the piles of poppadoms they brought us reached pretty much to the ceiling.
Mr Khandoker himself brought our wine. I have always said he is a fine fellow, and once he had poured our wine and retreated we noticed – and this is nothing to do with me – that my wine glass was a giant amongst minnows, towering over its miniature brethren, boasting of its ability to hold twice as much wine as any of the others. Remember Alan Partridge’s Big Plate? This was Liz’s Big Glass – bravo, Mr Khandoker.
The food was exceptional, as ever. Starters included Tandoori Chicken, Lamb Tikka, Meat Somosa and Onion Bhaji in generously sized portions; indeed, some of the ladies had to leave a little of their side salad in order to save space and calories. Turned out were wise to save room for the mains, which included a fantastically spicy King Prawn Jalfrezi, Kakri Chicken with melt-in-the-mouth aubergines, and - best of all - Esa Palong, king prawns nestling seductively in a come-hither bed of really very good for you spinach.
Just as well I ate all those vegetables – I was unable to enjoy my usual power walk home as a helpful boy belonging to one of the ladies was obligingly waiting in the car park ready to give lifts. And before men across Britain rise up and lynch me, I must point out that whilst my husband may indeed have brought me tea in bed both last night and this morning, I am very busy this morning doing chores. At least, I will be once I’ve finished writing this, promise.
- Khandoker is at 812 Kingsway, East Didsbury, Manchester M20 5WY, tel 0161 434 3596.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Gratuitous Greed at Foster's Fish Bar and The Mark Addy Gourmet Evening
After the excesses of Christmas, January is a time of purity and self-cleansing, purging one's body of the kilo of mince pies and gallon of mulled wine consumed the previous month, living off mung beans and boiled water with slices of lemon in. Or so you'd think. An exceptionally greedy week has seen my calorie intake go off the scale; worse still, I'm only halfway through my social commitments for the week. There is a serious chance I may have to go to work in a flowery smock on Monday, a little like the one worn by Homer Simpson in that episode where he eats plasticine to get over 300lbs.
The problem began on Tuesday and, as is often the case, can be blamed on the power of Twitter. When the lovely Kath tweeted that takeout cod and chips from Didsbury's Foster's Fish Bar were buy one, get one free all week, the selection of tired vegetables waiting hopefully on the worktop were instantly cast aside in favour of chippy tea; I admit it, I am weak. But look in your own fridge, and then deny that you are now seriously tempted to get your own tea from there tomorrow.
Then last night was the monthly Mark Addy Gourmet Evening, held on the last Wednesday of every month and offering six glistening courses of all that is good and tasty in the world. Last night's meal was a more intimate affair than normal (perhaps some folk ARE actually following the worthy nonsense from the first paragraph; or maybe they just drank too much at the Burns' Night shindig the night before) but this mattered not a jot to the fifteen loyal Addyists gathered together to witness Robert Owen Brown produce perhaps his tastiest menu yet. This is what I ate, and yes, I'm afraid I did eat pretty much all of it:
* Trio of Beetroot with Leagrans Cheese: you can't fault the concept of this dish - take something astonishingly healthy like beetroot, roast it, and then "garnish" with a canoe-sized piece of cheese.
* Celeriac Soup with Small Bacon Dumplings: as celeriac is the world's ugliest vegetable, the lucky legumes (I hope celeriac is a legume - I rather like the alliteration here) that made up this silky smooth soup must have been besides themselves with gratitude; I think I even saw one of them crying tears of sheer joy at its transformation.
* Oyster Bhaji, Bloody Mary and Pan-Fried Scallops: words cannot express the beauty of an oyster bhaji, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, a little like an armadillo. I wanted to photograph it for Twitter, but found I was unable to on account of how I had already eaten it.
* Saddle of Hare with Jerusalem Artichoke, Curly Kale and Chestnuts: goodness, where to start with this one. Tender meat, cooked to rare perfection, draped seductively over a pile of nature's trumpiest vegetables - a marriage made in heaven.
* Oven Baked Spiced Toffee Apple: this was perhaps my least favourite of the courses, but only because I'm not good with toffee. It's been a quiet day today though, as Mr Liz'a teeth are still welded together from the sticky remnants he insisted on chiseling up from his plate.
* Cheese: I'm afraid I can't be specific with this one as the names weren't listed on the menu, but I will flaunt my culinary knowledge and go with "a good strong cheddar and a lovely stinky orange one with blue bits in." Don't worry if you're not quite au fait with the technical language I've used here - you must remember that I am a professional cheese eater, so it's natural for me to sound clever; if you pay a lot of attention, you may one day be as expert as I am.
Please make sure you book for next month's dinner - this is exceptional cooking from one of the country's best chefs, and represents great value for money at £30 a head. Last night was owner John's birthday, and next month's Gourmet Dinner is on Mr O-B's; come along and wish them well.
So, I may have been greedy, but at least I can eat lettuce for the rest of the week. Oh no, wait - tomorrow is Girls' Curry Night, and Saturday sees Mike Garry regaling happy diners with his poetry at Love2Eat Deli in West Didsbury. More news on these, and the smock, next week...
- Foster's Fish Bar is at 812 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6UH
- The Mark Addy is on Stanley Street, Salford, Manchester M3 5EJ, tel. 0161 8324080
The problem began on Tuesday and, as is often the case, can be blamed on the power of Twitter. When the lovely Kath tweeted that takeout cod and chips from Didsbury's Foster's Fish Bar were buy one, get one free all week, the selection of tired vegetables waiting hopefully on the worktop were instantly cast aside in favour of chippy tea; I admit it, I am weak. But look in your own fridge, and then deny that you are now seriously tempted to get your own tea from there tomorrow.
Then last night was the monthly Mark Addy Gourmet Evening, held on the last Wednesday of every month and offering six glistening courses of all that is good and tasty in the world. Last night's meal was a more intimate affair than normal (perhaps some folk ARE actually following the worthy nonsense from the first paragraph; or maybe they just drank too much at the Burns' Night shindig the night before) but this mattered not a jot to the fifteen loyal Addyists gathered together to witness Robert Owen Brown produce perhaps his tastiest menu yet. This is what I ate, and yes, I'm afraid I did eat pretty much all of it:
* Trio of Beetroot with Leagrans Cheese: you can't fault the concept of this dish - take something astonishingly healthy like beetroot, roast it, and then "garnish" with a canoe-sized piece of cheese.
* Celeriac Soup with Small Bacon Dumplings: as celeriac is the world's ugliest vegetable, the lucky legumes (I hope celeriac is a legume - I rather like the alliteration here) that made up this silky smooth soup must have been besides themselves with gratitude; I think I even saw one of them crying tears of sheer joy at its transformation.
* Oyster Bhaji, Bloody Mary and Pan-Fried Scallops: words cannot express the beauty of an oyster bhaji, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, a little like an armadillo. I wanted to photograph it for Twitter, but found I was unable to on account of how I had already eaten it.
* Saddle of Hare with Jerusalem Artichoke, Curly Kale and Chestnuts: goodness, where to start with this one. Tender meat, cooked to rare perfection, draped seductively over a pile of nature's trumpiest vegetables - a marriage made in heaven.
* Oven Baked Spiced Toffee Apple: this was perhaps my least favourite of the courses, but only because I'm not good with toffee. It's been a quiet day today though, as Mr Liz'a teeth are still welded together from the sticky remnants he insisted on chiseling up from his plate.
* Cheese: I'm afraid I can't be specific with this one as the names weren't listed on the menu, but I will flaunt my culinary knowledge and go with "a good strong cheddar and a lovely stinky orange one with blue bits in." Don't worry if you're not quite au fait with the technical language I've used here - you must remember that I am a professional cheese eater, so it's natural for me to sound clever; if you pay a lot of attention, you may one day be as expert as I am.
Please make sure you book for next month's dinner - this is exceptional cooking from one of the country's best chefs, and represents great value for money at £30 a head. Last night was owner John's birthday, and next month's Gourmet Dinner is on Mr O-B's; come along and wish them well.
So, I may have been greedy, but at least I can eat lettuce for the rest of the week. Oh no, wait - tomorrow is Girls' Curry Night, and Saturday sees Mike Garry regaling happy diners with his poetry at Love2Eat Deli in West Didsbury. More news on these, and the smock, next week...
- Foster's Fish Bar is at 812 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6UH
- The Mark Addy is on Stanley Street, Salford, Manchester M3 5EJ, tel. 0161 8324080
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Airy Fairy Cake Pops: Local Girl Admits She Was Wrong
A lot of the time, I like to think I am right about stuff. I know, for example, that you should put the milk in the cup after the tea. I know that if you paint clear nail varnish on to the posts of cheap earrings they will no longer make your ears go large and purple. I know that if you are following a recipe and are missing an ingredient you can normally substitute it for something else without sending an emergency runner to the shop. All in all, I'm the smug one, who always gives advice, even when it's not wanted.
So I was pretty confident that cake pops - cannon balls of cake impaled on a stick, smothered in icing and assorted nuts and sprinkles - were never going to be a match for the cupcake. Just too gimmicky, another example of us rushing to follow what our healthy role models across the Atlantic decree to be the latest in baked goods trends. What's wrong with a cake? With icing on the top?
Anyway, then two cake pops arrived last night, courtesy of the chief Airy Fairy herself. And I did have to admit, they looked very nice, nestling in their pretty box, glancing admiringly at each other as they jostled for my attention. So being a good, kind person, and taking my duties as an Airy Fairy taster panellist very seriously, I ate one. And if my mouth hadn't been so full of cake, I would have eaten my harsh words about cake pops, for they are delicious.
Out of the two, the Naughty Nutella, rolled in chocolate icing and dipped in crushed nuts, was the more irresistable, but only by a whisker. The Very Vanilla, covered with white chocolate and pretty sprinkles (many of which now adorn my kitchen worktops) was a very close second. I had failed to realise that cake which has been rolled into a ball and cloaked in a thick layer of chocolate is the moistest cake in the known universe, producing a texture that manages to be light, sticky and substantial all at the same time. My only criticism? I found it hard to eat them off the sticks (hence the sprinkles all over the kitchen - I have visions of tiny mice in pink tutus having a field day with them later), so simply removed the stick and ate them like a big round cake.
You can find out more about these caketastic marvels at the AiryFairyCupCakes website; I attach a link so that Mr Liz may click through and see that they are also doing a sensible collaboration with gorgeous Didsbury shop The Flower Lounge for Valentine's Day. Now, if only I could learn how to draw a big Radio Times-esque circle aroud the items I particularly desire...
So I was pretty confident that cake pops - cannon balls of cake impaled on a stick, smothered in icing and assorted nuts and sprinkles - were never going to be a match for the cupcake. Just too gimmicky, another example of us rushing to follow what our healthy role models across the Atlantic decree to be the latest in baked goods trends. What's wrong with a cake? With icing on the top?
Anyway, then two cake pops arrived last night, courtesy of the chief Airy Fairy herself. And I did have to admit, they looked very nice, nestling in their pretty box, glancing admiringly at each other as they jostled for my attention. So being a good, kind person, and taking my duties as an Airy Fairy taster panellist very seriously, I ate one. And if my mouth hadn't been so full of cake, I would have eaten my harsh words about cake pops, for they are delicious.
Out of the two, the Naughty Nutella, rolled in chocolate icing and dipped in crushed nuts, was the more irresistable, but only by a whisker. The Very Vanilla, covered with white chocolate and pretty sprinkles (many of which now adorn my kitchen worktops) was a very close second. I had failed to realise that cake which has been rolled into a ball and cloaked in a thick layer of chocolate is the moistest cake in the known universe, producing a texture that manages to be light, sticky and substantial all at the same time. My only criticism? I found it hard to eat them off the sticks (hence the sprinkles all over the kitchen - I have visions of tiny mice in pink tutus having a field day with them later), so simply removed the stick and ate them like a big round cake.
You can find out more about these caketastic marvels at the AiryFairyCupCakes website; I attach a link so that Mr Liz may click through and see that they are also doing a sensible collaboration with gorgeous Didsbury shop The Flower Lounge for Valentine's Day. Now, if only I could learn how to draw a big Radio Times-esque circle aroud the items I particularly desire...
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Accidental Lunch at The Didsbury Yields Unexpected Pie Triumph
I think it can be generally agreed that shopping is a tiring business. Not only do you have to walk from your house to the car, and then from the carpark to the shops, but factor in that you are wearing FitFlop boots and have purchased three pairs of Office shoes and two bottles of pink champagne that your husband refuses to carry, and you are pretty much looking at full-on exhaustion.
Thus it was that we accidentally ended up stopping off at The Didsbury for lunch on the way home; it just looked so inviting, and as I was by now dangerously thin from carrying the heavy bags etc it made sense to call in for an enormous meal. The Didsbury is always busy, and our visit didn't get off to the most auspicious start - we waited for five minutes to be seated as a number of staff ran around with plates, resolutely ignoring us, and then were sent to the least desirable table in the whole place.
Spotting that a tantrum was fast approaching, Mr Liz quickly distracted me with the menu, and more specifically the excellent value lunch deal, and then indeed all was well. Monday to Saturday, between 12 and 5pm, you can choose from selected main dishes priced between £4.99 and £6.49, and then pick a starter or dessert for just £2; otherwise I would never have had a starter - I am due at a dinner party in a shade over three hours and currently feel like a wafer thin mint would tip me over the edge.
Still, at £2 a throw it would be rude not to, so I had the chicken and honey pate and Mr Liz went for the stilton mushrooms; both were delicious, with a tell-tale blob of stilton, cream and peppercorn sauce remaining in the centre of the table throughout our meal as sadly incontrovertible evidence of my mushroom thievery. This being The Didsbury, portion control had gone wildy awry, with generous piles of light-as-a-feather toast meaning that I was more or less full by the time the waitress removed our plates (with barely a glance at the greedy-girl mushroom splodge - very professional.)
Luckily I had only ordered a modest, low-fat main course. Oh no, wait, I've actually ordered the world's biggest plate of food - steak and ale pie with chips, veg and gravy. Now, my husband reckons himself something of a pie expert, hailing as he does from up near Wigan; indeed, he asked that he be referred to in this post as a "pie witness", with a smirk on his face that suggested he was most pleased with this rather lame witticism. He proclaimed The Didsbury pie a triumph - a proper, free-standing, pastry-all-the-way-round-none-of-this-pie-in-a-pot-with-just-pastry-on-the-top nonsense, and filled with a richly unctious mix of tender meat and sticky gravy. You can also tell a lot about a pub by the quality of its vegetables, many of which are mushy, watery specimens, but my carrots were nicely al dente and the broccoli and cauliflower still had a good bit of bite (I suspect this may be the reason my husband married me - eat all the vegetables and leave half the pie for hungry boys to hoover up.)
All in all, the meal was excellent value at £8.49 a head, even though it has made my trousers a little too tight. Still, three hours is a long time - I'm sure I'll be able to manage another few courses by then, although I might just go and seek out some loose-waisted trousers, just in case.
Thus it was that we accidentally ended up stopping off at The Didsbury for lunch on the way home; it just looked so inviting, and as I was by now dangerously thin from carrying the heavy bags etc it made sense to call in for an enormous meal. The Didsbury is always busy, and our visit didn't get off to the most auspicious start - we waited for five minutes to be seated as a number of staff ran around with plates, resolutely ignoring us, and then were sent to the least desirable table in the whole place.
Spotting that a tantrum was fast approaching, Mr Liz quickly distracted me with the menu, and more specifically the excellent value lunch deal, and then indeed all was well. Monday to Saturday, between 12 and 5pm, you can choose from selected main dishes priced between £4.99 and £6.49, and then pick a starter or dessert for just £2; otherwise I would never have had a starter - I am due at a dinner party in a shade over three hours and currently feel like a wafer thin mint would tip me over the edge.
Still, at £2 a throw it would be rude not to, so I had the chicken and honey pate and Mr Liz went for the stilton mushrooms; both were delicious, with a tell-tale blob of stilton, cream and peppercorn sauce remaining in the centre of the table throughout our meal as sadly incontrovertible evidence of my mushroom thievery. This being The Didsbury, portion control had gone wildy awry, with generous piles of light-as-a-feather toast meaning that I was more or less full by the time the waitress removed our plates (with barely a glance at the greedy-girl mushroom splodge - very professional.)
Luckily I had only ordered a modest, low-fat main course. Oh no, wait, I've actually ordered the world's biggest plate of food - steak and ale pie with chips, veg and gravy. Now, my husband reckons himself something of a pie expert, hailing as he does from up near Wigan; indeed, he asked that he be referred to in this post as a "pie witness", with a smirk on his face that suggested he was most pleased with this rather lame witticism. He proclaimed The Didsbury pie a triumph - a proper, free-standing, pastry-all-the-way-round-none-of-this-pie-in-a-pot-with-just-pastry-on-the-top nonsense, and filled with a richly unctious mix of tender meat and sticky gravy. You can also tell a lot about a pub by the quality of its vegetables, many of which are mushy, watery specimens, but my carrots were nicely al dente and the broccoli and cauliflower still had a good bit of bite (I suspect this may be the reason my husband married me - eat all the vegetables and leave half the pie for hungry boys to hoover up.)
All in all, the meal was excellent value at £8.49 a head, even though it has made my trousers a little too tight. Still, three hours is a long time - I'm sure I'll be able to manage another few courses by then, although I might just go and seek out some loose-waisted trousers, just in case.
Friday, 21 January 2011
Hilton Worldwide Hotels Competition - £400 of Vouchers To Be Won
I live in a perfectly nice house; indeed, I would go so far as to say that I'm not far off being one of those Ikea catalogue-toting fanatics who spend hours cooing over assorted throws, candles and paint finishes at any given opportunity. I have a whole variety of rooms that I may enter at any time, a bathroom filled with quality products in actual useful-sized bottles, and an entire fridge full of wine that I may drink from whenever I please.
So why am I slightly obsessed with hotels? Essentially these are places that charge you for a smaller version of the facilities you have at home anyway, except with slightly fluffier towels and a trouser press that your husband will insist on attempting to use after he's been rooting in the minibar. And yet, no matter where we stay, I practically SPRINT down the lushly carpeted corridors to check out my new temporary home, running from bedroom to bathroom and opening every cupboard and door to see what excitement may be lurking behind each one. What's more, I am fairly sure I am not alone in this.
So it is with much interest that I note Hilton Worldwide Hotels are running a Winter Sale at the moment, offering 50% off weekend breaks throughout 2011 as long as you book before 31st January. I have had some most enjoyable Hilton Worldwide breaks in the past; indeed, when my husband worked away in London for two years, although I obviously went through much pain, anguish, heartbreak etc etc, the blow was softened considerably by the fact that I could go and visit him (soothe pain and loneliness) AND bag a weekend stay at the Paddington Hilton (drink cocktails, eat amazing breakfasts) at the same time. We have also stayed at the Hilton in Glasgow, about which my husband makes the following claims:
1. There was a bottle of whisky next to the porridge that guests could pour freely over their breakfasts should they wish (scary, but true), and
2. He met Billy Connolly there (not true - I met his hairiness there, in the bar - Mr Liz was in the toilet and missed the whole thing.)
To celebrate the half price offer, Hilton Worldwide have very kindly offered two lucky readers the chance to share £400 worth of hotel vouchers, meaning two first prizes of £200 to spend at any Hilton Worldwide Hotel in the UK. To be in with a chance of winning, simply email me the name of the famously tall building in which the Hilton Manchester Deansgate Hotel is located - have a look at their website on the link below if you're not sure, and once you've found the answer go there immediately and drink Manchester-themed cocktails in the amazing bar. Winners will be picked at random from all correct answers received by midnight on Monday 31st January; much to my disgust I must confirm that none of my relatives - or indeed me - is eligible to win.
Send your answer to manchestercomps@hotmail.co.uk to be in with a chance of winning, but if, like me, you are perennially unlucky with competitions, investigate their amazing sale anyway - full details below. Good luck, and don't forget you can share your vouchers with me as a mark of gratitude if you'd like to...
To celebrate the last week of the Any Weekend, Anywhere Sale from the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, we are offering two lucky readers the chance to win £200 worth of Hilton Worldwide UK Gift Vouchers to spend at any Hilton Worldwide UK hotel.
The sale offers you the chance to save up to 50% on weekends in 2011, so if you aren't lucky enough to win this time, why not take the family to Dublin, or enjoy a romantic weekend for two in London? You can save up to 50% at more than 3,600 hotels within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio for any weekend stay in 2011 if you book before 31 January 2011.
If that wasn’t enough, rates include breakfast and late checkout until 6pm (subject to availability) plus kids under 18 stay for free and kids under 10 eat for free at many of the properties when sharing with an adult. Book now on www.hilton.co.uk/wintersale and make the most of this massive sale before it’s too late.
For voucher Terms and Conditions please visit http://www.hilton.co.uk/giftvouchers.
So why am I slightly obsessed with hotels? Essentially these are places that charge you for a smaller version of the facilities you have at home anyway, except with slightly fluffier towels and a trouser press that your husband will insist on attempting to use after he's been rooting in the minibar. And yet, no matter where we stay, I practically SPRINT down the lushly carpeted corridors to check out my new temporary home, running from bedroom to bathroom and opening every cupboard and door to see what excitement may be lurking behind each one. What's more, I am fairly sure I am not alone in this.
So it is with much interest that I note Hilton Worldwide Hotels are running a Winter Sale at the moment, offering 50% off weekend breaks throughout 2011 as long as you book before 31st January. I have had some most enjoyable Hilton Worldwide breaks in the past; indeed, when my husband worked away in London for two years, although I obviously went through much pain, anguish, heartbreak etc etc, the blow was softened considerably by the fact that I could go and visit him (soothe pain and loneliness) AND bag a weekend stay at the Paddington Hilton (drink cocktails, eat amazing breakfasts) at the same time. We have also stayed at the Hilton in Glasgow, about which my husband makes the following claims:
1. There was a bottle of whisky next to the porridge that guests could pour freely over their breakfasts should they wish (scary, but true), and
2. He met Billy Connolly there (not true - I met his hairiness there, in the bar - Mr Liz was in the toilet and missed the whole thing.)
To celebrate the half price offer, Hilton Worldwide have very kindly offered two lucky readers the chance to share £400 worth of hotel vouchers, meaning two first prizes of £200 to spend at any Hilton Worldwide Hotel in the UK. To be in with a chance of winning, simply email me the name of the famously tall building in which the Hilton Manchester Deansgate Hotel is located - have a look at their website on the link below if you're not sure, and once you've found the answer go there immediately and drink Manchester-themed cocktails in the amazing bar. Winners will be picked at random from all correct answers received by midnight on Monday 31st January; much to my disgust I must confirm that none of my relatives - or indeed me - is eligible to win.
Send your answer to manchestercomps@hotmail.co.uk to be in with a chance of winning, but if, like me, you are perennially unlucky with competitions, investigate their amazing sale anyway - full details below. Good luck, and don't forget you can share your vouchers with me as a mark of gratitude if you'd like to...
To celebrate the last week of the Any Weekend, Anywhere Sale from the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, we are offering two lucky readers the chance to win £200 worth of Hilton Worldwide UK Gift Vouchers to spend at any Hilton Worldwide UK hotel.
The sale offers you the chance to save up to 50% on weekends in 2011, so if you aren't lucky enough to win this time, why not take the family to Dublin, or enjoy a romantic weekend for two in London? You can save up to 50% at more than 3,600 hotels within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio for any weekend stay in 2011 if you book before 31 January 2011.
If that wasn’t enough, rates include breakfast and late checkout until 6pm (subject to availability) plus kids under 18 stay for free and kids under 10 eat for free at many of the properties when sharing with an adult. Book now on www.hilton.co.uk/wintersale and make the most of this massive sale before it’s too late.
For voucher Terms and Conditions please visit http://www.hilton.co.uk/giftvouchers.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Things To Do in Manchester Burns' Night 2011
As a teacher of English, I am always delighted to observe celebrations held in honour of anything remotely literary. And yet I have a sneaking doubt about the sudden explosion of Burns' Night events being held next week in and around Manchester - I cannot remember there being this many ever before, so it appears that one of two options must apply here. Either there has been a sudden and marked increase in the appreciation level for Scotland's best known poet, presumably soon to be seen on our streets in the form of romantic souls wandering about quoting wholesale from Mr Burns' collected works, or - and I pass no comment on the likelihood of this second one - people in England are fed up with January and, having used up their Christmas allowance for another year, are looking for an excuse to drink whisky and eat meaty food items.
Whatever the reasons, some of the events on or around the 25th January - Robert Burns' birthday, although obviously if you're celebrating the occasion you already knew that - look exceedingly tempting for anyone who thinks they've eaten dangerously sensibly for the past few weeks. Here is a small sample of what's on offer:
1. The Didsbury Pub, Didsbury is offering a four course taster menu on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (after 5pm, as obviously drinking large quantities of whisky before the sun is over the yard arm would be wrong) - give them a ring on 0161 445 5389 for details or to book. The menu looks good value at £17.99 a head, and includes smoked salmon, haggis, neeps and tatties, venison loin and cranachan; basically all Mr Liz's favourite things, although he is concerned there is no mention of the traditional alcohol accompaniments.
The Didsbury is also to be commended for offering an "Instant Burns' Fix", which is not a soothing word and the careful application of a Mr Bump plaster but a special haggis starter for £4.99 - bravo Mr Johnson for avoiding the potentially nightmare scenario of hungry folk running around calling out for an instant fix of something suitably Scottish and poetic. See the website for more details.
2. The Lime Tree, West Didsbury is following the success of this week's Game Taster Night with a trio of Burns' Night celebrations next week. The "Scottish inspired" menu is available Monday - Wednesday, with three courses at £17.95, or £30 for a glass of wine with each course as well; options include Shetland mussels for starters and breast of pheasant (with haggis, neeps and tatties, naturellement) for mains. Call 0161 445 1217 to find out more.
3. Fat Loaf, Didsbury is also offering a special menu on the 25th at 22.50 per person - four courses, including - go on, guess - haggis. This one does also offer a rather enticing Aberdeen Angus Rib Eye, and also clearly specifies on the menu that single malt whisky will be served along with coffee *watches as husband carefully writes all this down*
Give them a call on 0161 438 0319, or visit their website for more details.
Bearing in mind that The Mark Addy is also doing the Burns' Night celebration mentioned in a previous post - Robert Owen Brown needs little excuse to whip up a towering feast, so that one looks more than promising - and it's really quite an embarrassment of riches. Please do make sure you've swotted up on your poetry though; I will be flitting around a selection of venues on the night testing your Burns' knowledge - just to check you're not there purely for the whisky, of course.
Whatever the reasons, some of the events on or around the 25th January - Robert Burns' birthday, although obviously if you're celebrating the occasion you already knew that - look exceedingly tempting for anyone who thinks they've eaten dangerously sensibly for the past few weeks. Here is a small sample of what's on offer:
1. The Didsbury Pub, Didsbury is offering a four course taster menu on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (after 5pm, as obviously drinking large quantities of whisky before the sun is over the yard arm would be wrong) - give them a ring on 0161 445 5389 for details or to book. The menu looks good value at £17.99 a head, and includes smoked salmon, haggis, neeps and tatties, venison loin and cranachan; basically all Mr Liz's favourite things, although he is concerned there is no mention of the traditional alcohol accompaniments.
The Didsbury is also to be commended for offering an "Instant Burns' Fix", which is not a soothing word and the careful application of a Mr Bump plaster but a special haggis starter for £4.99 - bravo Mr Johnson for avoiding the potentially nightmare scenario of hungry folk running around calling out for an instant fix of something suitably Scottish and poetic. See the website for more details.
2. The Lime Tree, West Didsbury is following the success of this week's Game Taster Night with a trio of Burns' Night celebrations next week. The "Scottish inspired" menu is available Monday - Wednesday, with three courses at £17.95, or £30 for a glass of wine with each course as well; options include Shetland mussels for starters and breast of pheasant (with haggis, neeps and tatties, naturellement) for mains. Call 0161 445 1217 to find out more.
3. Fat Loaf, Didsbury is also offering a special menu on the 25th at 22.50 per person - four courses, including - go on, guess - haggis. This one does also offer a rather enticing Aberdeen Angus Rib Eye, and also clearly specifies on the menu that single malt whisky will be served along with coffee *watches as husband carefully writes all this down*
Give them a call on 0161 438 0319, or visit their website for more details.
Bearing in mind that The Mark Addy is also doing the Burns' Night celebration mentioned in a previous post - Robert Owen Brown needs little excuse to whip up a towering feast, so that one looks more than promising - and it's really quite an embarrassment of riches. Please do make sure you've swotted up on your poetry though; I will be flitting around a selection of venues on the night testing your Burns' knowledge - just to check you're not there purely for the whisky, of course.
Monday, 17 January 2011
Things To Do in Manchester for Valentine's Day 2011
That time of year is fast approaching, when newly be-coupled men are found quivering nervously in the lingerie section of department stores, and those long-married are spotted frantically scanning the card rack at the local corner shop for something that might just pass muster...yes, Valentine's Day is almost here.
First off, I must say that I will not be out and about this Valentine's. I am not a big believer in enforced romance, and am trying to train my husband in the general direction of celebrating our relationship by buying me a little something pretty much every day. And anyway, Valentine's this year falls on a Monday, which is a rubbish night for a lavish celebration - all those oysters etc are likely to play havoc with your digestion during the six classes you have to teach on a Tuesday. I will merely say that I am very partial to Angie Gooderham jewellery and that I am dangerously low on Chloe perfume, just in case Mr Liz happens to cast an idle eye over this blog in passing.
Having said all of that, I cannot help noticing that there are some rather nice things going on in Manchester this Valentine's Day. Top of any sensible girl's wish list may well be the offer on at Harvey Nichols' Second Floor Restaurant, where £99 per couple will procure you a drink on arrival, a five course meal, and a turn on the Manchester Wheel afterwards. This seems like a fine night out to me, although I would sound a cautionary note about eating and drinking too much before spinning around on what is essentially an oversized Ferris wheel. Still, brave souls can find out more on the website or by calling 0161 828 8898.
Or, if you're on a slightly tighter budget, a good value option looks to be Dilli in Altrincham, a restaurant that offers reasonable deals all year round. Valentine's is no exception - the Sunday buffet on the 13th is £11.95, or you can have three courses for £17.95 on the Sunday or Monday night. Clearly a sensible approach is required to taking your date for curry - make sure you both eat the garlic nan or it could all fall a bit flat. Call Dilli on 0161 927 9219 for more details.
Finally, you could always take a leaf out of the sensible man's book. Simply purchase some beautiful flowers (The Flower Lounge on Barlow Moor Road in Didsbury is a good place to start), hand over the gifts, and stay in and watch Glee. You know it's what she really wants.
First off, I must say that I will not be out and about this Valentine's. I am not a big believer in enforced romance, and am trying to train my husband in the general direction of celebrating our relationship by buying me a little something pretty much every day. And anyway, Valentine's this year falls on a Monday, which is a rubbish night for a lavish celebration - all those oysters etc are likely to play havoc with your digestion during the six classes you have to teach on a Tuesday. I will merely say that I am very partial to Angie Gooderham jewellery and that I am dangerously low on Chloe perfume, just in case Mr Liz happens to cast an idle eye over this blog in passing.
Having said all of that, I cannot help noticing that there are some rather nice things going on in Manchester this Valentine's Day. Top of any sensible girl's wish list may well be the offer on at Harvey Nichols' Second Floor Restaurant, where £99 per couple will procure you a drink on arrival, a five course meal, and a turn on the Manchester Wheel afterwards. This seems like a fine night out to me, although I would sound a cautionary note about eating and drinking too much before spinning around on what is essentially an oversized Ferris wheel. Still, brave souls can find out more on the website or by calling 0161 828 8898.
Or, if you're on a slightly tighter budget, a good value option looks to be Dilli in Altrincham, a restaurant that offers reasonable deals all year round. Valentine's is no exception - the Sunday buffet on the 13th is £11.95, or you can have three courses for £17.95 on the Sunday or Monday night. Clearly a sensible approach is required to taking your date for curry - make sure you both eat the garlic nan or it could all fall a bit flat. Call Dilli on 0161 927 9219 for more details.
Finally, you could always take a leaf out of the sensible man's book. Simply purchase some beautiful flowers (The Flower Lounge on Barlow Moor Road in Didsbury is a good place to start), hand over the gifts, and stay in and watch Glee. You know it's what she really wants.
Friday, 14 January 2011
January Restaurant Deals in Manchester - Get Bigger for Less!
I am somewhat surprised to find that the pages in my swot-tastic Moleskine diary are looking pretty full for January, with most of the social engagements revolving around food (yes, pick yourself up off the floor - I agree that this is most unusual). Perhaps it's the fact that when routinely wearing ten layers of clothing to work it scarcely matters whether a teensy tiny muffin top is starting to form underneath, or maybe it's the stomach-flattering properties of a good sturdy pair of tights, but January just seems to invite a bout of significant overeating.
Here are a few suggestions where to bank those life-affirming calories:
1. The Limetree, West Didsbury. This is one of Manchester's best restaurants, full stop. The food is superb, so I'm beyond excited at the prospect of the Game Menu they are running between Monday 17th and Wednesday 19th January: three courses for £17.95, or £30 including a glass of wine with each course. The menu offers a choice from three options for each course; I have my beady eye on the pheasant and pork terrine for starters and the partridge breast with red cabbage for mains. The dessert options are not listed on the website, but I am assuming they will be fairly traditional pud choices rather than rabbit rice pudding or pigeon profiteroles; I'll let you know though. Visit the website for more details or call 0161 445 1217 to book.
2. Room, Manchester. One of central Manchester's classiest restaurants is once again running its Great Winter Sale, offering a Diner Discount card that entitles the greedy bearer to 50% off the a la carte food menu. The offer is available Monday - Friday until 7.30 until February 11th; you do need to visit the website and sign up but this is fairly painless. A word of warning; Room has an excellent bar which is NOT part of the 50% off deal, and if you get through assorted cocktails, a bottle of champagne and a little something off the wine list, the saving on your food might not look quite such good value and you will find yourself on the bus home. I speak entirely hypothetically, of course.
3. The Mark Addy, Salford. The Addy can always be relied upon to provide an array of interesting events, and this January is no different. Readers of a poetic bent may wish to celebrate Burns Night on the 25th, with an evening that tantalisingly promises "As usual, Haggis, Whisky etc will be enjoyed, amid some Gaelic dancing and ri-ra" - one rather wonders what the "etc" might be (well, Mr Liz is not wondering, as he has been unable to get past the words "haggis" and "whisky" and is busy putting his shoes on); or, like us, you may wish to go to the six course Gourmet Evening the following night. Apparently I have promised to drive on Gourmet Evening, an allegation I find difficult to believe, so if you see a couple arguing very quietly but very fiercely, pushing car keys at each other with increasing ferocity, that'll be us; see you there....
Here are a few suggestions where to bank those life-affirming calories:
1. The Limetree, West Didsbury. This is one of Manchester's best restaurants, full stop. The food is superb, so I'm beyond excited at the prospect of the Game Menu they are running between Monday 17th and Wednesday 19th January: three courses for £17.95, or £30 including a glass of wine with each course. The menu offers a choice from three options for each course; I have my beady eye on the pheasant and pork terrine for starters and the partridge breast with red cabbage for mains. The dessert options are not listed on the website, but I am assuming they will be fairly traditional pud choices rather than rabbit rice pudding or pigeon profiteroles; I'll let you know though. Visit the website for more details or call 0161 445 1217 to book.
2. Room, Manchester. One of central Manchester's classiest restaurants is once again running its Great Winter Sale, offering a Diner Discount card that entitles the greedy bearer to 50% off the a la carte food menu. The offer is available Monday - Friday until 7.30 until February 11th; you do need to visit the website and sign up but this is fairly painless. A word of warning; Room has an excellent bar which is NOT part of the 50% off deal, and if you get through assorted cocktails, a bottle of champagne and a little something off the wine list, the saving on your food might not look quite such good value and you will find yourself on the bus home. I speak entirely hypothetically, of course.
3. The Mark Addy, Salford. The Addy can always be relied upon to provide an array of interesting events, and this January is no different. Readers of a poetic bent may wish to celebrate Burns Night on the 25th, with an evening that tantalisingly promises "As usual, Haggis, Whisky etc will be enjoyed, amid some Gaelic dancing and ri-ra" - one rather wonders what the "etc" might be (well, Mr Liz is not wondering, as he has been unable to get past the words "haggis" and "whisky" and is busy putting his shoes on); or, like us, you may wish to go to the six course Gourmet Evening the following night. Apparently I have promised to drive on Gourmet Evening, an allegation I find difficult to believe, so if you see a couple arguing very quietly but very fiercely, pushing car keys at each other with increasing ferocity, that'll be us; see you there....
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Three Pairs of Shoes? You're Having a Giraffe....
I have spent today in the delightful environs of the MacDonald Manchester Hotel and Spa; sadly not as a berobed guest, padding from hot tub to treatment room with muddy face and steamed pores, but as an altogether different guest, there to learn all about last year's A2 English Language paper from the exam board. Oh well. The homemade fairy cakes at tea time were quite outstanding, and I shall be sniffing around for any forthcoming courses that may provide opportunities to access the elevenses rocky road bars again.
Apart from baked goods, the other advantage of attending a course in Manchester is, well, that you're in Manchester, and a four o'clock finish allows for plenty of bonus shopping time. It is hardly my fault that I found myself in the Selfridges shoe department, the lone shopper amidst a great baying gang of helpful sales assistants, who clearly wanted to ply me with every shoe imaginable. I am to be commended, really, for only buying three pairs.
Mr Liz then joined me for a swift drink at All Bar One - you try hiding two enormous yellow bags behind your small wooden chair - but the place was packed with loud men in suits and expensive watches, so we drank up and moved on to our dinner destination. Now, nine times out of ten I prefer to eat at an independent restaurant rather than a chain, but some chains are pretty good. Felicini is one; Giraffe is another, and inspired by the oh-so-cute new baby giraffe whose picture graces tonight's Manchester Evening News, we set off for Spinningfields.
First off - Manchester City Council, please install a few streetlights. Yes, the blue twinkly tree lights are very pretty, but all of Spinningfields is a little bit dark and a little bit scary. Luckily, the welcome at Giraffe was shiny and smiley, and although it was reasonably busy, the giant yellow bags clearly worked their magic and we were shown to a lovely large booth with lots of space for unwieldy boxes of new footwear.
There are a couple of things you should know about Giraffe. Firstly, if you go between 5 and 7pm, Monday to Thursday, selected drinks are half price on the Bar Buddies promotion, which means you can have a decent bottle of red for £7.48. Secondly, if you join their Hug Club via the website, every so often you get vouchers like the 40% off one we used tonight (although, it does have to said that I've not had any actual hugs yet - disappointing.) It is also an ideal venue for hungry boys, as the portions are generous and the menu suitably meaty. We had potato wedges topped with cheese, salsa, sour cream and guacamole from the "sharing dishes" section for starters; my husband sulked a little about being forced to actually share food with a girl, although when it arrived even he was forced to admit that six pounds of potatoes would be a little too many for one person.
For mains, we both had burgers - Rodeo Chicken Burger for him, Lamb Focaccia Burger for me, both served with fries. I didn't really get near the Rodeo Burger, which seemed to be some kind of chicken/onion ring/bread tower for giants, but my lamb burger was lovely, and came with plenty of tzatziki and feta cheese, just so I smell really fresh for work tomorrow. I couldn't finish the chips, but luckily a gust of wind must have carried them off, as they seemed to disappear at some point when I wasn't looking.
The bill came to £25, although do bear in mind we had 40% off our food and 50% off our wine. Still, Giraffe is a good value night out, and I feel confident in saying that the money I've saved tonight almost entirely wipes out the shoe debt - winner.
- Giraffe is on Hardman Square, off Deansgate, Manchester M3 3AB, tel. 0161 839 0009.
Apart from baked goods, the other advantage of attending a course in Manchester is, well, that you're in Manchester, and a four o'clock finish allows for plenty of bonus shopping time. It is hardly my fault that I found myself in the Selfridges shoe department, the lone shopper amidst a great baying gang of helpful sales assistants, who clearly wanted to ply me with every shoe imaginable. I am to be commended, really, for only buying three pairs.
Mr Liz then joined me for a swift drink at All Bar One - you try hiding two enormous yellow bags behind your small wooden chair - but the place was packed with loud men in suits and expensive watches, so we drank up and moved on to our dinner destination. Now, nine times out of ten I prefer to eat at an independent restaurant rather than a chain, but some chains are pretty good. Felicini is one; Giraffe is another, and inspired by the oh-so-cute new baby giraffe whose picture graces tonight's Manchester Evening News, we set off for Spinningfields.
First off - Manchester City Council, please install a few streetlights. Yes, the blue twinkly tree lights are very pretty, but all of Spinningfields is a little bit dark and a little bit scary. Luckily, the welcome at Giraffe was shiny and smiley, and although it was reasonably busy, the giant yellow bags clearly worked their magic and we were shown to a lovely large booth with lots of space for unwieldy boxes of new footwear.
There are a couple of things you should know about Giraffe. Firstly, if you go between 5 and 7pm, Monday to Thursday, selected drinks are half price on the Bar Buddies promotion, which means you can have a decent bottle of red for £7.48. Secondly, if you join their Hug Club via the website, every so often you get vouchers like the 40% off one we used tonight (although, it does have to said that I've not had any actual hugs yet - disappointing.) It is also an ideal venue for hungry boys, as the portions are generous and the menu suitably meaty. We had potato wedges topped with cheese, salsa, sour cream and guacamole from the "sharing dishes" section for starters; my husband sulked a little about being forced to actually share food with a girl, although when it arrived even he was forced to admit that six pounds of potatoes would be a little too many for one person.
For mains, we both had burgers - Rodeo Chicken Burger for him, Lamb Focaccia Burger for me, both served with fries. I didn't really get near the Rodeo Burger, which seemed to be some kind of chicken/onion ring/bread tower for giants, but my lamb burger was lovely, and came with plenty of tzatziki and feta cheese, just so I smell really fresh for work tomorrow. I couldn't finish the chips, but luckily a gust of wind must have carried them off, as they seemed to disappear at some point when I wasn't looking.
The bill came to £25, although do bear in mind we had 40% off our food and 50% off our wine. Still, Giraffe is a good value night out, and I feel confident in saying that the money I've saved tonight almost entirely wipes out the shoe debt - winner.
- Giraffe is on Hardman Square, off Deansgate, Manchester M3 3AB, tel. 0161 839 0009.
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Mind the Gap Bring Of Mice and Men to Contact, Manchester
Truth be told, I sat my GCSE exams longer ago than I care to admit; indeed, my current students look at me with a mixture of pity and disbelief when they demand to know how many A* grades I got, only to be told that they didn't even exist in my day (obviously, if they had, I would have got loads, several hundred probably.)
Still, it doesn't really seem to matter how many years ago you sat your English Literature GCSE - the texts appear to have not changed in the slightest. I did Pygmalion, To Kill a Mockingbird, Macbeth and An Inspector Calls, amongst other texts, although I did consider myself a pretty original and forward-thinking teen when I selected The Catcher in the Rye as my choice of text for my independent coursework; if only I had known then how my teachers were probably rolling their eyes behind my back, thinking "just smile and nod, and let her think that no other teenager in the history of the world has ever discovered this book."
The one text I didn't do at GCSE that seems to have become more or less compulsory these days is John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. I suspect it has become ubiquitous largely due to its short, student-friendly length, the fact that it allows teachers to ramble knowledgeably about The American Dream, and - let's face it - it's a pretty good story. George and Lenny are farmworkers in 1930s America, forced to travel the country in search of work and therefore never able to put down any permanent roots. Their dream is to have their own little piece of land, where they can live and work; in the meantime, all they have is each other. George is sharp, always looking out for Lennie, who doesn't always understand his own strength, or what constitutes appropriate behaviour. I won't spoil the ending, but it may be a good idea to have a tissue or two handy.
Now the stage version of this ever-popular tale is coming to Manchester's Contact Theatre. Mike Kenny's adaptation will premiere here between 16th and 19th February 2011 before touring the country, and as the theatre company behind the production is Mind the Gap, it promises to be well worth a look. For the uninitiated, Mind the Gap is the leading theatre company in the UK working with learning disabled actors; remarkably, the production is the first stage adaptation to feature an actor with learning disabilities in the role of Lennie. The play has run three times before to consistently positive reviews, so do your best to catch it before it moves on.
Tickets and further details are available from the Contact website, and you can read more about Mind the Gap at their own site. Tickets are very reasonably priced at £12 (£7 concessions). Just one word of warning: last time I went to see a "set text" - Othello - at the theatre, the place was FULL of students. Rather horrifically, some of them were mine. And whilst their behaviour was without fault, it does make you feel so very very old when you have to queue for your ice-cream amongst such youth.
- Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA; tel 0161 274 0600.
Still, it doesn't really seem to matter how many years ago you sat your English Literature GCSE - the texts appear to have not changed in the slightest. I did Pygmalion, To Kill a Mockingbird, Macbeth and An Inspector Calls, amongst other texts, although I did consider myself a pretty original and forward-thinking teen when I selected The Catcher in the Rye as my choice of text for my independent coursework; if only I had known then how my teachers were probably rolling their eyes behind my back, thinking "just smile and nod, and let her think that no other teenager in the history of the world has ever discovered this book."
The one text I didn't do at GCSE that seems to have become more or less compulsory these days is John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. I suspect it has become ubiquitous largely due to its short, student-friendly length, the fact that it allows teachers to ramble knowledgeably about The American Dream, and - let's face it - it's a pretty good story. George and Lenny are farmworkers in 1930s America, forced to travel the country in search of work and therefore never able to put down any permanent roots. Their dream is to have their own little piece of land, where they can live and work; in the meantime, all they have is each other. George is sharp, always looking out for Lennie, who doesn't always understand his own strength, or what constitutes appropriate behaviour. I won't spoil the ending, but it may be a good idea to have a tissue or two handy.
Now the stage version of this ever-popular tale is coming to Manchester's Contact Theatre. Mike Kenny's adaptation will premiere here between 16th and 19th February 2011 before touring the country, and as the theatre company behind the production is Mind the Gap, it promises to be well worth a look. For the uninitiated, Mind the Gap is the leading theatre company in the UK working with learning disabled actors; remarkably, the production is the first stage adaptation to feature an actor with learning disabilities in the role of Lennie. The play has run three times before to consistently positive reviews, so do your best to catch it before it moves on.
Tickets and further details are available from the Contact website, and you can read more about Mind the Gap at their own site. Tickets are very reasonably priced at £12 (£7 concessions). Just one word of warning: last time I went to see a "set text" - Othello - at the theatre, the place was FULL of students. Rather horrifically, some of them were mine. And whilst their behaviour was without fault, it does make you feel so very very old when you have to queue for your ice-cream amongst such youth.
- Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA; tel 0161 274 0600.
Monday, 10 January 2011
Things to do in January, Part Two....NO Shame in Being a Gleek
Many of you will know that I have a day job, in which I masquerade as a mature and sensible person; indeed, a person with some degree of knowledge - as proved by the fact that I know full well that I have just used an example of litotes (which, by the way, is an excellent made-up illness to ring in sick with, along with my other favourite, stichomythia; as in "I'm sorry, I can't come in today. I have a nasty case of litotes and I fear my partner may have stichomythia." NB, this will not work if you are employed in an English department.)
So anyway, I spend my days talking about modal verbs, syndetic listing and deictic references; sometimes, I even spend my evenings reading worthy fiction by proper, grown-up writers (Marilynne Robinson is languishing by my bedside as we speak.) But, sometimes, I don't. January is a cold, wet, dark month (asyndetic list), and as such is an excellent opportunity to loll on the sofa (or "day bed", as Mr Liz rather sarcastically refers to it) reading a trashy book or watching lowbrow telly. To this end, I spent the weekend reading the new Karin Slaughter book (Marilynne glared venomously on as the brash newcomer ousted her from pole), and I will be spending a happy hour between 9 and 10 this evening watching Glee.
I make no apologies for this. Glee is a magnificent televisual creation, combining sly adult wit with lots of lovely shiny teenagers singing rousing show tunes; in other words, exactly what you need after a day spent with English teens who show little or no inclination for bursting into song or mastering even a simple dance routine during class. As everyone must surely know by now, the ones to watch are Sue Sylvester, a woman of such track-suited magnitude that non-PE teachers across the country are hurriedly investigating whether it's too late to change specialism; Kurt, whose blossoming relationship with his initially homophobic father must have brought a tear to even the hardest of hearts; and Brittany. Brittany is far and away the best character in Glee; she is sweet, she is sluttish, and she is stupid, a girl who has slept with everyone in school and is under the impression that dolphins are just gay sharks. Look, I didn't say she was a role model.
So I WILL be watching tonight, desperately hoping that the rumours I've heard about series two using more "contemporary" music are unfounded; I WILL be excited about the Britney Spears episode; and I WILL still be hoping for an unlikely romance between Kurt and Mercedes. But I would like to stress that any gossip you've heard about Mr Liz giving me a Glee CD for Christmas that I have listened to repeatedly is cruel and, erm, completely untrue; I'm FAR too busy reading this Marilynne Robinson book.....
So anyway, I spend my days talking about modal verbs, syndetic listing and deictic references; sometimes, I even spend my evenings reading worthy fiction by proper, grown-up writers (Marilynne Robinson is languishing by my bedside as we speak.) But, sometimes, I don't. January is a cold, wet, dark month (asyndetic list), and as such is an excellent opportunity to loll on the sofa (or "day bed", as Mr Liz rather sarcastically refers to it) reading a trashy book or watching lowbrow telly. To this end, I spent the weekend reading the new Karin Slaughter book (Marilynne glared venomously on as the brash newcomer ousted her from pole), and I will be spending a happy hour between 9 and 10 this evening watching Glee.
I make no apologies for this. Glee is a magnificent televisual creation, combining sly adult wit with lots of lovely shiny teenagers singing rousing show tunes; in other words, exactly what you need after a day spent with English teens who show little or no inclination for bursting into song or mastering even a simple dance routine during class. As everyone must surely know by now, the ones to watch are Sue Sylvester, a woman of such track-suited magnitude that non-PE teachers across the country are hurriedly investigating whether it's too late to change specialism; Kurt, whose blossoming relationship with his initially homophobic father must have brought a tear to even the hardest of hearts; and Brittany. Brittany is far and away the best character in Glee; she is sweet, she is sluttish, and she is stupid, a girl who has slept with everyone in school and is under the impression that dolphins are just gay sharks. Look, I didn't say she was a role model.
So I WILL be watching tonight, desperately hoping that the rumours I've heard about series two using more "contemporary" music are unfounded; I WILL be excited about the Britney Spears episode; and I WILL still be hoping for an unlikely romance between Kurt and Mercedes. But I would like to stress that any gossip you've heard about Mr Liz giving me a Glee CD for Christmas that I have listened to repeatedly is cruel and, erm, completely untrue; I'm FAR too busy reading this Marilynne Robinson book.....
Monday, 3 January 2011
Things to do in Manchester in January
So. January it is then. Personally, I have always had something of a fondness for this most unpopular of months, with all its connotations of fresh starts and new diaries; I also like the fact that already the days are visibly getting longer, although this will be hard to believe as I set off for work tomorrow in the pitch black. There are those, whoever, who just don't have a good word to say about poor old January; here are a few suggestions that might cheer up those doubters while we all wait for Spring.
First up, is the Not Part of NYE Festival 2011, a one-day variety show involving theatre, comedy, music, poetry and dance on Saturday January 15th. Not Part of was established in 2007, and runs alongside Manchester International Festival in the summer. This one-off winter warmer will feature more than thirty different acts, and - even better - these brave souls will be spread over all three floors of FAC251: The Factory. The thinking here is logical - Not Part Of aims to uncover new, up-and-coming talent rather than the established acts commissioned for the main festival, so where better than the hallowed grounds where so many great bands began? Plus, people in their thirties who refuse to let go of their youth will be able to go all misty-eyed and nostalgic as they relive the ghastly mistakes of their student days (apparently - obviously this doesn't apply to myself). It all sounds very interesting, and tickets are just £8 on the door. Further details from www.notpartof.org.
If that's too much culture for you, you could always take a leaf out of my book and spend January eating and drinking (as opposed to doing this in any other month, naturally). This is a poor time of year to start a diet, as restaurants will do virtually ANYTHING to get you off the couch and through their doors this month. My own favourite January offer is for Gusto, the classy Italian pizza chain, whose Didsbury branch is having a commendable "online sale". If you book your table online between now and the end of January, you get 50% off your total food bill (excluding Saturdays and - in case you were really thinking of pushing the boat out - lobster). Full details on the Gusto website.
Finally, I feel duty bound to offer you something to work off all those half-price pizzas. A friend whose opinion I do generally hold dear has been raving about something called Zumba, a fitness class that is apparently both fun AND promises to have you whittled down to a sylph-like figure in no time. Should you wish to test this out, classes run at Parrswood High School in East Didsbury every Tuesday at 6.30; or, you could dabble with a spot of belly dancing at 7.30. You can find out more at www.zehara.co.uk; personally, I think it's hard not to be enticed by a flyer that proclaims "leave the telly, move your belly" (although I do have visions of men across Britain clinging on to their beloved set crying "noooooooooo" as their mean wives grasp their feet and try to drag them to exercise class). Anyway, I might just see you there; otherwise, I'll be stuffing my face with the estimable seafood risotto down at Gusto.
First up, is the Not Part of NYE Festival 2011, a one-day variety show involving theatre, comedy, music, poetry and dance on Saturday January 15th. Not Part of was established in 2007, and runs alongside Manchester International Festival in the summer. This one-off winter warmer will feature more than thirty different acts, and - even better - these brave souls will be spread over all three floors of FAC251: The Factory. The thinking here is logical - Not Part Of aims to uncover new, up-and-coming talent rather than the established acts commissioned for the main festival, so where better than the hallowed grounds where so many great bands began? Plus, people in their thirties who refuse to let go of their youth will be able to go all misty-eyed and nostalgic as they relive the ghastly mistakes of their student days (apparently - obviously this doesn't apply to myself). It all sounds very interesting, and tickets are just £8 on the door. Further details from www.notpartof.org.
If that's too much culture for you, you could always take a leaf out of my book and spend January eating and drinking (as opposed to doing this in any other month, naturally). This is a poor time of year to start a diet, as restaurants will do virtually ANYTHING to get you off the couch and through their doors this month. My own favourite January offer is for Gusto, the classy Italian pizza chain, whose Didsbury branch is having a commendable "online sale". If you book your table online between now and the end of January, you get 50% off your total food bill (excluding Saturdays and - in case you were really thinking of pushing the boat out - lobster). Full details on the Gusto website.
Finally, I feel duty bound to offer you something to work off all those half-price pizzas. A friend whose opinion I do generally hold dear has been raving about something called Zumba, a fitness class that is apparently both fun AND promises to have you whittled down to a sylph-like figure in no time. Should you wish to test this out, classes run at Parrswood High School in East Didsbury every Tuesday at 6.30; or, you could dabble with a spot of belly dancing at 7.30. You can find out more at www.zehara.co.uk; personally, I think it's hard not to be enticed by a flyer that proclaims "leave the telly, move your belly" (although I do have visions of men across Britain clinging on to their beloved set crying "noooooooooo" as their mean wives grasp their feet and try to drag them to exercise class). Anyway, I might just see you there; otherwise, I'll be stuffing my face with the estimable seafood risotto down at Gusto.
Saturday, 1 January 2011
New Year, New Diary, New Primeval, Same Old Greed
Ah, New Year's Day. Across Britain, people are waking to one of two trains of thought: a/ did I really drink that much, who are you, and where are my shoes, or b/ who on earth was the crazy lady on with Jools Holland, has Kylie put on a bit of weight, and thank God for Plan B. I myself fall in to the second camp - I am not a fan of going out on New Year's Eve. I object immensly to pubs and bars you have patronised all year suddenly charging you to get in just because it's NYE; I dislike crowded places where I can't have a nice sit down and actually hear the people I'm with; and I also appear to live in an area where taxis become as rare as rocking horse waste product after midnight. Although, fair play to The Didsbury, who refused to charge and were therefore, quite rightly, apparently packed out before 9pm.
Thus, I am as fresh as a daisy today, on one of my favourite days of the year - New Year's Day. I have read a terribly high-brow, mind-improving book (oh, OK then, Jo Nesbo's The Snowman - at least it's seasonal), spent a happy hour writing important dates onto the enticingly virginal pages of my new Moleskine diary (to my horror, the Spring Term appears to be MASSIVE, almost as big as China), and remarked with pleasure that a new series of Primeval has begun. Primeval is proper Saturday night telly, although my husband likes to knock it on the grounds that it's terribly unrealistic that all the anomalies appear within a very small area of central London. He has also just remarked to me now, as we watch it off the hard drive, that Andrew-Lee Potts would have more facial hair after a year in the wilderness. I try to resist the urge to point out to him that these quibbles really are pointless - THEY ARE INVESTIGATING ANOMALIES! BREACHES IN TIME AND SPACE! WITH DINOSAURS RUNNING ABOUT IN THEM!
Anyway, we have also been out this evening, to the mighty Khandoker curry house in East Didsbury. The number of customers suggested that many are catching on to our way of thinking - stay in on NYE and go out on NYD - and went some way to proving the theory that people fed on nothing but turkey, sprouts and roast potatoes for a week will pretty much sell their soul for a curry. The food was as good as ever: we had pappadums (obviously), tandoori chicken for me and chicken puri for him, and chicken shabji style and chicken tikka massalla (husband clearly in post-Christmas ironic mode) for mains. The food here is simply delicious and the service friendly and charming; just the job to see in 2011 and trump in the face of any dreary New Year resolutions. So raise a glass with me, and herald the dawn of a new year in which I shall, no doubt, repeat exactly the same patterns of ill behaviour as last year. Oh well.
- Khandoker is at 812 Kingsway, East Didsbury, Manchester M20 5WY, tel 0161 434 3596 or visit the website at http://www.khandokerrestaurant.co.uk.
Thus, I am as fresh as a daisy today, on one of my favourite days of the year - New Year's Day. I have read a terribly high-brow, mind-improving book (oh, OK then, Jo Nesbo's The Snowman - at least it's seasonal), spent a happy hour writing important dates onto the enticingly virginal pages of my new Moleskine diary (to my horror, the Spring Term appears to be MASSIVE, almost as big as China), and remarked with pleasure that a new series of Primeval has begun. Primeval is proper Saturday night telly, although my husband likes to knock it on the grounds that it's terribly unrealistic that all the anomalies appear within a very small area of central London. He has also just remarked to me now, as we watch it off the hard drive, that Andrew-Lee Potts would have more facial hair after a year in the wilderness. I try to resist the urge to point out to him that these quibbles really are pointless - THEY ARE INVESTIGATING ANOMALIES! BREACHES IN TIME AND SPACE! WITH DINOSAURS RUNNING ABOUT IN THEM!
Anyway, we have also been out this evening, to the mighty Khandoker curry house in East Didsbury. The number of customers suggested that many are catching on to our way of thinking - stay in on NYE and go out on NYD - and went some way to proving the theory that people fed on nothing but turkey, sprouts and roast potatoes for a week will pretty much sell their soul for a curry. The food was as good as ever: we had pappadums (obviously), tandoori chicken for me and chicken puri for him, and chicken shabji style and chicken tikka massalla (husband clearly in post-Christmas ironic mode) for mains. The food here is simply delicious and the service friendly and charming; just the job to see in 2011 and trump in the face of any dreary New Year resolutions. So raise a glass with me, and herald the dawn of a new year in which I shall, no doubt, repeat exactly the same patterns of ill behaviour as last year. Oh well.
- Khandoker is at 812 Kingsway, East Didsbury, Manchester M20 5WY, tel 0161 434 3596 or visit the website at http://www.khandokerrestaurant.co.uk.
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