What are you eating and drinking tonight?

[Lord Kangana]

To cut a very long and boring story short, through a (chef) friend of mine's parents in law (are you keeping up here?) I've had chance to spend time in Gascony, and visit some of the wineries (also to help with the pig slaughtering an butchering and foie gras farming, but those are tales for another less sober day...).

Basically, there are four producers of note in the area, the two I mentioned, plus Tariquet (used to be cheap at Asda and Co-op, 'til people understood its worth and it moved upmarket and up-priced) and Alain Brumont (exceedingly good, exceedingly over-priced). Gascon wine is a relatively new phenomenon, as they use the traditional Armagnac grapes that are the staple produce of the area (Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Folle Blanche and others) for the whites, and generally Tannat for the reds. I'd heartily recommend the vin de pays, the VDQS (St Mont, think Marks&Sparks sell it), Madiran (again Tesco were knocking "Reserve de Tuguets out for less than you could buy it in France a while ago...). Its a very interesting are, I'd advise furher discovery, as its the real up and coming wine area of France. Top notch, generally good value wines.

And on a side note, you'd love their politics, as much of the wine is produced through co-operatives, something of a tradition in the area (so much so they poke fun at it in what passes for French comedy).

[General Mannerheim]

ill probably end up having an 'off the shelf' butty from tesco!

im struggling with this eating business with life on the road, Are there any Bear Grylls types amongst you who have any good survival tips, ie what can i eat tonight? apart from fast food or pot snacks? i dont really like going in restaurants alone, pubs are not too bad but i always end up spending a packet, and ive pretty much exhausted all of the nandos menu for the time being.

i have at my disposal a fork and a kettle. can i cook pasta in an electrc kettle?

[General Mannerheim]

ill probably end up having an 'off the shelf' butty from tesco!

im struggling with this eating business with life on the road, Are there any Bear Grylls types amongst you who have any good survival tips, ie what can i eat tonight? apart from fast food or pot snacks? i dont really like going in restaurants alone, pubs are not too bad but i always end up spending a packet, and ive pretty much exhausted all of the nandos menu for the time being.

i have at my disposal a fork and a kettle. can i cook pasta in an electrc kettle?

hot instant mash with cold beans! hmmmm

will have to buy a plate...

[thebish]

i have at my disposal a fork and a kettle. can i cook pasta in an electrc kettle?

you could take down a fox with the fork and then steam it lightly with the kettle?

[William the White]

To cut a very long and boring story short, through a (chef) friend of mine's parents in law (are you keeping up here?) I've had chance to spend time in Gascony, and visit some of the wineries (also to help with the pig slaughtering an butchering and foie gras farming, but those are tales for another less sober day...).

Basically, there are four producers of note in the area, the two I mentioned, plus Tariquet (used to be cheap at Asda and Co-op, 'til people understood its worth and it moved upmarket and up-priced) and Alain Brumont (exceedingly good, exceedingly over-priced). Gascon wine is a relatively new phenomenon, as they use the traditional Armagnac grapes that are the staple produce of the area (Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Folle Blanche and others) for the whites, and generally Tannat for the reds. I'd heartily recommend the vin de pays, the VDQS (St Mont, think Marks&Sparks sell it), Madiran (again Tesco were knocking "Reserve de Tuguets out for less than you could buy it in France a while ago...). Its a very interesting are, I'd advise furher discovery, as its the real up and coming wine area of France. Top notch, generally good value wines.

And on a side note, you'd love their politics, as much of the wine is produced through co-operatives, something of a tradition in the area (so much so they poke fun at it in what passes for French comedy).

I enjoyed last night's... And feel newly virtuous knowing about the cooperatives - a lot of Portuguese wine used to be produced cooperatively also...

And today have purchased two bottles of Dao red from the coop in Bromley Cross, half price at a fiver... We intend to sample tonight and buy more if good... If Bruce doesn't get there first and clear the shelves...

[Bruce Rioja]

And today have purchased two bottles of Dao red from the coop in Bromley Cross, half price at a fiver... We intend to sample tonight and buy more if good... If Bruce doesn't get there first and clear the shelves...

Sadly, you'll be back before I can get there. I'm trying to think if there's a co-op near me?

We have an Indian visitor over for the week and it was my turn to take him out for food this evening. He's stated that he'd like to try English cuisine (that had a few of us scratching our heads) whilst he's here, and as luck would have it I landed the fish and chips call. For those of you that haven't been to Metro in Bury then I really can recommend it. Superb little place (pun avoided).

[CAPSLOCK]

When I was in Bradford, I could buy mutton from any one of a hundred places

Ideal for currying

Anybody know where I can get some in North Bolton?

Or even Bolton Market?

Tried my local butcher yesterday and he looked at me like I was from Pluto

[Bruce Rioja]

When I was in Bradford, I could buy mutton from any one of a hundred places

Ideal for currying

Anybody know where I can get some in North Bolton?

Or even Bolton Market?

Tried my local butcher yesterday and he looked at me like I was from Pluto

What about miladdo on Tonge Moor Rd? Or perhaps Malcom Carr in AB?

[Lord Kangana]

My hunch would be to pop up Daubhill or Deane.

[CAPSLOCK]

My hunch would be to pop up Daubhill or Deane.

You're probably right

Not sure I can grasp the park in the middle of the road thing they do up there

[CAPSLOCK]

When I was in Bradford, I could buy mutton from any one of a hundred places

Ideal for currying

Anybody know where I can get some in North Bolton?

Or even Bolton Market?

Tried my local butcher yesterday and he looked at me like I was from Pluto

What about miladdo on Tonge Moor Rd? Or perhaps Malcom Carr in AB?

I'll make some calls

[boltonboris]

I went to an all you can eat Chinese buffet in Town after watching the Manchester Day parade.. I've also remembered why I hadn't been to one in years

They're shit

The Chinese I mean, not the Parade

[Lord Kangana]

The Chinese in general, or just the buffet?

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

The Chinese in general, or just the buffet?

[boltonboris]

The Chinese in general, or just the buffet?

All buffets.. Most chinese takeaways for that matter and most Curry houses. I swear they have a massive curry pot buried in the core of the earth and every takeaway sticks a bucket down a well and scoops some up to sell to us, the unsuspecting public.

Only Chinese I've had that doesn't taste the same as any others is Wok 2 Go (takeaway chain) and Wings in town. Went to that Sweet Manadarin place too, it was gash

Curry wise. East Z East, Antelope and Karims is probably it and they're restaurants rather than takeaways

[Worthy4England]

The Chinese in general, or just the buffet?

All buffets.. Most chinese takeaways for that matter and most Curry houses. I swear they have a massive curry pot buried in the core of the earth and every takeaway sticks a bucket down a well and scoops some up to sell to us, the unsuspecting public.

Only Chinese I've had that doesn't taste the same as any others is Wok 2 Go (takeaway chain) and Wings in town. Went to that Sweet Manadarin place too, it was gash

Curry wise. East Z East, Antelope and Karims is probably it and they're restaurants rather than takeaways

I'm tunnelling already, trying to find it.

[Lord Kangana]

most Curry houses.

Blame Pataks big f*ck-off catering jars of curry sauce. Thats what the generic taste is, I promise you.

[Worthy4England]

most Curry houses.

Blame Pataks big f*ck-off catering jars of curry sauce. Thats what the generic taste is, I promise you.

Wing Yip is usually good for a trip out. Plenty to choose from there...

[boltonboris]

The Chinese in general, or just the buffet?

All buffets.. Most chinese takeaways for that matter and most Curry houses. I swear they have a massive curry pot buried in the core of the earth and every takeaway sticks a bucket down a well and scoops some up to sell to us, the unsuspecting public.

Only Chinese I've had that doesn't taste the same as any others is Wok 2 Go (takeaway chain) and Wings in town. Went to that Sweet Manadarin place too, it was gash

Curry wise. East Z East, Antelope and Karims is probably it and they're restaurants rather than takeaways

I'm tunnelling already, trying to find it.

Just go to Pukka spice and ask them where X marks the spot. They're interlinked with a highly complexed tunnelling system, I'm telling you

[Worthy4England]

The Chinese in general, or just the buffet?

All buffets.. Most chinese takeaways for that matter and most Curry houses. I swear they have a massive curry pot buried in the core of the earth and every takeaway sticks a bucket down a well and scoops some up to sell to us, the unsuspecting public.

Only Chinese I've had that doesn't taste the same as any others is Wok 2 Go (takeaway chain) and Wings in town. Went to that Sweet Manadarin place too, it was gash

Curry wise. East Z East, Antelope and Karims is probably it and they're restaurants rather than takeaways

I'm tunnelling already, trying to find it.

Just go to Pukka spice and ask them where X marks the spot. They're interlinked with a highly complexed tunnelling system, I'm telling you

I usually order from Woks in Bongs - I actually don't like the one from Wok 2 Go.