Sitting here in the airport after the end of our week holiday.
Last flight out of the airport, all very quiet now. Goodbye Guernsey, till next year.
Category Archives: restaurant review
Holy Mackerel
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
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?
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
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
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
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.
Bradford and the Giant Nan Bread
I had a night away in Bradford, yes the early get up, the rush to Stevenage and train to Leeds, then on to Bradford. At least I can get a couple of hours sleep on the train.
In the evening I did manage to get out and have a curry. The first suggested curry house was rejected, lack of beers. So Mike chose Omahs, a balti house, again dry, but what the hell, it was 9.00pm and we were hungry.
Started off with a mixed grill for a starters. When I had finished eating that, a feeling of surfeit was already on the horizon. Imagine my surprise at the Nan bread which accompanied my balti curry. I was informed it was a small Nan. I should not have been surprised, on the door was a challenge, if you could eat one of their large Nans, then you could go away with £50.
We left having eaten well, leaving behind a substantial portion of food, all for £25. Next week I will be a little more careful on choosing the quantities.
Edinburgh and Bradford
It’s been a busy week using up my carbon credits; up before six to catch the Easyjet to Edinburgh to start a project with my favourite client. I was back in their office in Dundas Street where I had started consulting for them more than six years ago. The office has been renovated and was very smart, with a great canteen.
Evening I tried the Mussel and Steak on Grassmarket, where I had a memorable steak, and some red wine to wash it down.
I had forgotten all the hills in Edinburgh, and my recent sedentary life caused a certain stiffness to the legs in the two days I was there.
On Wednesday I flew home on a late flight arriving home at ten in the evening, quick nap in bed, and up at 4.45 in the morning to travel back up North to Bradford for a days consultancy. Home again at ten in the evening.
I definitely feel retirement coming on. Hopefully less travelling next week, or at least not having to rise so early in the morning.
Indian takeaway from Chadnis
The other day we had been out for a drink in Quainton with our friends. Alas we have to travel now that the local pub is closed, and the next in walking distance, the Crooked Billet, serves a not very good pint of real ale. Anyway I digress, we decided to have an Indian takeaway for supper. Quick phone call to order our food from my mobile phone (yes, I have the local Indian takeaway phone number in my mobile, along with lots of other useful numbers). Stopped off at the said local, Chadnis in Waddesdon, on the way home and picked up Rosemary’s Chicken Byriani and my Chicken Vindaloo.
Back home I started to eat my Vindaloo, normally I am disapointed by these curries. They are meant to be hot, and generally I can’t taste any heat in them, and don’t break out in a sweat. Yes I like hot, hot food. Chadnis Vindaloo is a different kettle of curry. It was hot, very very hot. I sweated, and I had chilli burn, I was almost defeated, but not quite.
So if you want a good hot Vindaloo, you should not be at all disapointed by our local Waddesdon offering.