Category Archives: restaurant review

When I visit a restaurant, I will make some comments about the place.

Plymouth

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I am in Plymouth, and have been in Plymouth for a couple of weeks now. Driving down at the start of the week, and driving back at the end. Not too bad a journey when there are no accidents. Took me 3 hours 30 minutes last time.

Tried a few different restaurants. The Eastern Eye I can recommend for Indian / Bangladeshi food.  Large menu, and what I ate was very nice, a curry for connoisseurs.

Last night I went for a Thai, I was recommended The Thai Palace by the people I work for.  Nice smiling waitress to melt my heart, and again an extensive menu.  I went fish, and had some local scallops for starters followed by a Traditional Thai Fish Curry.

Otherwise have eaten large rib eye steaks in a steak house, at the Cafe Rouge.

Day tripper

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Good day in Edinburgh, production system configured at client. One new error found while testing. Should have that sorted on Monday, and delivered.

Ended up with time to spare, so have bought a coffee and a chocolate muffin from Cafe Nero. Yes a Cafe Nero has opened in Edinburgh airport, and they stamp your loyalty cards. Costa you have to change.

Now a long wait, was not able to change my flight to the 6.00 pm. The last seat had gone.

No walking at Luton airport

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I feel a complaint coming on. I am on my way to Edinburgh from  Luton. Because of the totally crappy bus service from the mid term car park I choose to walk. Now it is an obstacle course with fences in the way. I had to cross the road and scramble over a fence.

I understand what they are doing, keep the traffic moving. They have it wrong though, sort  the entrance to the short term, and eradicate drop offs. Put a decent walk way in from the mid term for our sanity.

Holy Mackerel

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Fishers in The City Thursday night decided it was an eating night.  Thought I would have a Thai meal, so walked over to Thistle Street to try Dusit.  Dusit is probably the best Thai Restaurant in Edinburgh.  It is small and looked rather full with several people hanging around outside.  So I gave it a miss, because across the road was a fish restaurant called Fishers in the City.  This restaurant has a good reputation.  Despite not booking, they were able to find me a spot at the bar to eat.  Only just made it in time.  It was nice to see many minor celebrities being turned away at the door.

The place serves Fish, but does have meat for those who don’t fancy fish.  There are several fish types on sale as well as shell fish, cray fish and lobsters.

I started off with some some Scallops, and Mackerel for my main course.  Both these were quite simple, but excellently prepared.  The wine was a revelation, it was the house brand Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa.  Most definitely not a French brand, because it smelt and tasted so florally and fruity.  I don’t know the name of the wine, not that it matters because it is not on general sale in the UK.

I then headed back to the Royal Mile to take some photos.  These are in the gallery.  Then dumping the camera, I headed to Whistle Binkies for some Rock and Roll.  Here I heard the first set of a  Scottish band called Three Card Trick.  (Myspace)   They were very good.  Now I have a recording of them as my ring tone.

I want to announce my Edinburgh Gallery.

I am back in town

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Yes I am back in Edinburgh for a short stay, and the weather has welcomed me with a vengeance.  It has rained pretty well all day.  The festival is in full swing, but tonight I have taken it easy, eaten at a dry restaurant.  That makes me feel very good.  Won’t last though, I am sure I will partake on Tuesday.

The meal I had was at the Kurdish restaurant, Hanams.  Ate a starter of Baba Ghanoush, and Chicken Biryani for the main.  Both very good.

I want to announce my Edinburgh Gallery.

Hev Yew Gotta Loight Boy?

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This weekend we spent a lovely weekend in Norfolk at my Father’s and Ann’s home in Norwich.  On arrival we were whisked off for lunch at the Ship Inn at South Walsham where there seemed to be a groom’s pre-wedding drinks party.  We ate outside in the sun, waiting for the forecast rain which never arrived.

Next onto Ranworth Broad where we had a pre-booked trip on the private broad in an electric boat. Being somewhat early, we had time to visit the church of St Helen.  This contains the greatest rood screen in East Anglia. It stretches right across the church, aisles and nave.  The tower was also open, so Stephen (that is the author) climbed the very narrow spiral stair case to the top and snapped some images from the tower.

Then on to Ranworth Broad in the electric boat to view birds.  I took some pictures, not the greatest, will have to purchase one of those mega paparazzi lenses or get nearer to the birds.  Anyway saw some Terns, Grebes, Cormorants, Herons, a flash of a Kingfisher, ducks and gulls.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

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Wednesday was slumming it night.  Haggis, neaps and tatties in the Last Drop, named after the gallows on Grassmarket. Then on to Whistle Binkies for some musical entertainment.

Thursday, another nice but cold day. Stay in evening today.  Spent the evening on the PC, but before that out for dinner at the Petit Paris.  Opted for the pre 7.00 menu and had  vol au vents for starters. These were filled with mussels, or rather one mussel and a delicious sauce.  Then it was coq au vin for the main course.  Of course this was all washed down with two large glasses of red wine. Yes I intend to have a pickled liver, I am fed up with being told what I can and cannot do by this Labour Government and the nanny advisors.  Maybe when the death tax is introduced, Gordon will start to encourage us to drink and smoke.

Friday, another sunny day, though a tad on the cool side.  I wish I could get my hotel room cool, was forced to open the window to let some cool air in, despite the heating being off.  Now I am sitting waiting for my flight at Edinburgh airport.

A complaint about Edinburgh Airport.  [Ed – Grumpy Old Man Moment.]  It is being “developed” and so turned into a damn shopping mall.  It’s going to become more crowded.  I hope though, when it’s finished, that they will remove the food areas that presently congest the narrowest sections of the airport, where people stand in the way, stack their luggage, move their chairs and tables into the corridor and make it nearly impassable between sections of the airport.  Yes you can negotiate the area when you have time, but in a rush its a right royal pain in the arse.

Oh I see the flight has started to board, so looks like it will be leaving on time. Home again, home again, jiggity jig.

Second week in Edinburgh Tuesday

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Up and off to work, no rain today.  Today I went for supper at the Petit Paris and ate their special pre 7.00 pm value meal.  Terrine to start with, and then tuna for the main course all washed down with a few glasses of vin de rouge.

Forgot to mention, I was proffered a glass of Kir Cassis on entry, a gift for a returning customer.  Very thoughtful.  Good meal.  I will be returning.  I see they have a special fondue evening next Tuesday.

Second week in Edinburgh Monday

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Arrived in plenty of time, queues minimal in Luton, more staff on security, though lots of rug rats running around.  Must be half term or something.  Glad I am not flying to Faro, Easyjet don’t seem to have anyone to fly that plane.  All the passengers on that flight have been sent back to the departure lounge.  Must not crow though, my flight has not yet been called. Yes it has, so now must be off.

Arrived in Edinburgh, some sun was getting through to the ground, arrived at the office and was set up ready to go by 11.00am.  All change though for lunchtime, now it is pouring with rain.   How much more dismal can this weather be?  Could be a taxi to the hotel, can’t get wet can I?

Cleared up, for the walk back to the hotel.  My evening entertainment was a meal at the Mai Thai.  Restaurant used to be by Holyrood, but seems to have moved up the Royal Mile.  It’s not now run by Alistair, he left the business.