What are you eating and drinking tonight?

[TANGODANCER]

Tis the Bradshaw one - Crofters that was

I'd say you were unlucky with The Pavilion

Almost forget my old favourite, Sunar Gaw down at Burnden

Don't suppose anybody remembers The Kismet (next door to Prestons on Bank Street), or the Tai-Tung (opposite St Pat's Church on Great Moor Street). Bolton's first introduction to Oriental delights. Happy memories of both.

[Lord Kangana]

Quick few pointers for all lovers of Portuguese wines (Bruce et al esp), I was reading an article the other day and it listed a couple of websites for getting hold of the stuff. I know close to the square root of f*ck all about the produce of Portugal, so I can't offer any pointers as to how good any of these links are, but here they are anyway:

http://www.portugaliawines.co.uk/

http://casaleal.co.uk/

http://www.incewines.co.uk/

All new to me. Enjoy.

[William the White]

Quick few pointers for all lovers of Portuguese wines (Bruce et al esp), I was reading an article the other day and it listed a couple of websites for getting hold of the stuff. I know close to the square root of f*ck all about the produce of Portugal, so I can't offer any pointers as to how good any of these links are, but here they are anyway:

http://www.portugaliawines.co.uk/

http://casaleal.co.uk/

http://www.incewines.co.uk/

All new to me. Enjoy.

Absolutely excellent, LK, I will enjoy browsing there and have already clocked some to purchase.

i like the fact they are being offered in half dozens rather than dozens - and not bad prices either.

My recommendatiomns - should you wish to try - the reds of Douro and Dao, and the whites of Alentajo are amongst my favourites from anywhere in the world!

Go to Portugal in five weeks... Will be sampling all of the above...

[Little Green Man]

Just pogged out on Asturian black pudding, smoked haddock, poached egg, steamed Jersey Royal potatoes, asparagus and Hollandaise sauce, all washed down with a 3 quid bottle of Orvieto Classico. Yum! Better than the typical Wednesday cheese sarnie.

[General Mannerheim]

Alone in Bristol tonight, I played Mark Kermodes podcast on the way to watch the new Robin Hood flick, didn't make it to the cinema, he ripped it to shit! Then I passed Nandos and thought I'd treat myself to a chicken pitta instead... I'm not overly familiar with Nandos, but anyone who says they enjoy the 'extra hot' option is a fecking liar! hell fire! Slipped up there. but luckily I'd bought some cold beers while I was waiting which I had to use to wash it down!

[KeeeeeeeBaaaaaaab]

Salmon, poached in white wine, veggie stock and sage, served on a bed of veggie noodles and a cherry tomato, cream and parsley sauce. Perfect summer (non-barbie) food.

[Bruce Rioja]

I played Mark Kermodes podcast on the way to watch the new Robin Hood flick, didn't make it to the cinema, he ripped it to shit!

I can't think of a single story that needs telling again less than that of Robin Hood, regardless of whatever spin anyone might want to put on it. But to set out to watch anything only to turn back on the say-so of Mark Kermode sinks any vestige of credibility that I may have thought that you once held, owd lad.

[Little Green Man]

I can't think of a single story that needs telling again less than that of Robin Hood

What about the story where Gary Megson inherits a Bolton side that has only 5 points from 10 games?

[KeeeeeeeBaaaaaaab]

I played Mark Kermodes podcast on the way to watch the new Robin Hood flick, didn't make it to the cinema, he ripped it to shit!

I can't think of a single story that needs telling again less than that of Robin Hood, regardless of whatever spin anyone might want to put on it. But to set out to watch anything only to turn back on the say-so of Mark Kermode sinks any vestige of credibility that I may have thought that you once held, owd lad.

1) Spiceworld. Told once, granted, but still should have been told less than Robin Hood.

2) Kermode is - to me - a doyen of cinematic criticism, and I hardly watch films. I'll take anything he says about film as gospel, and I didn't get his favourite film of all time (Pan's Labyrinth). Mainly because he has, from what I hear on Five Live. an approach to films so simple, yet so considerate, that he knows his shit from his shine more than anyone else.

[William the White]

Kermode is annoyingly opinionated and annoyingly more often than not very perceptive... apart from his adoration of the horror genre which is absolutely beyond me...

Oh, I didn't rave Pan's Labyrinth either - but it's at least three stars for two great ideas that never manage to conflate - quite (my major problem with it) but approved wholly of the expose of the cruelty of spanish fascism...

[General Mannerheim]

Well I wasn’t overly excited about watching Robin Hood it in the first place, just wanted summat to do, there wasn’t much else on, and I didn’t fancy Sex in City 2 either - listening the podcast where it also had callers slating it, Simon Mayo slating it (well no so much slating it more taking the piss out of it) they played clips of Russell Crowe's dialogue, in which they were trying to pin down his accent, they couldn’t because it seemed to change from scene to scene, every contributor said how terrible his accent was, which is kind of a big problem for me in films and would probably have me tearing my hair out! So it was a collection of reasons i didnt fork out a tenner to watch it, ill see it soon enough on sky.

I don’t just take Kermode as gospel, but he has never been far off the mark – and Pan’s Labyrinth is abso-cocking-lutely ACE!!! (although I thought his fave film of all time was Exorcist?) i usually try to watch a film before i read/listen to Kermodes opinion, and its always pretty bang on. to listen to him before, with his reviews being so in depth you end up watching the film trying to spot the mistakes he was on about!

‘Eyes wide open’ (Einayim Petukhoth) next week, wont be changing my mind on that one!

[CAPSLOCK]

Crowe does an excellent Yorkshire accent, which would have been fine for the part!

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

I think the fuss over the accent is overdone. It wasn't something I was particularly distracted by.

[General Mannerheim]

I think the fuss over the accent is overdone. It wasn't something I was particularly distracted by.

bad accents just bug me in films, there are millions of actors - just choose one who can do the lingo. if the film is pretty much written for a certain actor, id prefer it if the actors did the whole film in their natural voices if they cant master someone elses.

sorry to continue this in the wrong thread, but did you enjoy the film? or is it really just a gladiator/braveheart rehash?

[Lennon'sEleven]

Bought a slow cooker about 6 months ago for £15 in the Sainsbury's sale, and I must say I'm blown away. It's amazing.

I'm no cook, never have been, but this thing makes me feel like one.

Beef stew? No problem.

Sausage casserole? On its way!

Fish chowder? Coming right up!

Butter chicken? Hand me my garam masala!


And the best thing is popping it on in the morning, and coming home from work.

Through the door. "Ooooh- that smells nice. Who's cooking? Ahhh - that'd be me."

Sorted.

Chicken chasseur - falls off the bone. Go forth and make one, good Sir. You'll be delighted (and if you're not I'll come round and eat it for you )

I went forth and made one.

Lovely it was too - although it's the first time I've eaten chicken chassur, so I can't say how authentic it was.

It was quite sweet. Is it siupposed to be sweet?! There's caster sugar in the recipe, so I guess it is.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

I think the fuss over the accent is overdone. It wasn't something I was particularly distracted by.

bad accents just bug me in films, there are millions of actors - just choose one who can do the lingo. if the film is pretty much written for a certain actor, id prefer it if the actors did the whole film in their natural voices if they cant master someone elses.

sorry to continue this in the wrong thread, but did you enjoy the film? or is it really just a gladiator/braveheart rehash?

As I say, I didn't find the accent to be particularly bad... I even know of one review, penned, I think, before Lawson's interview with Crowe, that complains of Crowe's accent being too 'authentic'. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/439df04a-5ddc ... ab49a.html

Unfortunately, that review is pretty fair. Personally, I would have loved a 'Gladiator II' because I really enjoyed the first one. I don't think Robin Hood is even in the same league. I'm a big fan of Crowe, but he's a bit wasted in this one and never really develops any convincing hero status (not like Maximus, at any rate...).

As for Bruce's complaint that the Robin Hood story doesn't need retelling - to be honest, if you were just plonked in the cinema and didn't know what was on, you'd almost struggle to realise that you watching a film about Robin Hood.

It's weird - I was disappointed by it, but yet still quite enjoyed it.

[William the White]

It was just baked salmon fillet, and jersey royals, and asparagus and broccoli, then crackers and tasty Lancashire cheese, and a Chilean on-offer-at-Morrison chardonnay, served late cos I had a late meeting... And was just perfect... Sigh...

[TANGODANCER]

Unfortunately, that review is pretty fair. Personally, I would have loved a 'Gladiator II' because I really enjoyed the first one. I don't think Robin Hood is even in the same league. I'm a big fan of Crowe, but he's a bit wasted in this one and never really develops any convincing hero status (not like Maximus, at any rate...).

As for Bruce's complaint that the Robin Hood story doesn't need retelling - to be honest, if you were just plonked in the cinema and didn't know what was on, you'd almost struggle to realise that you watching a film about Robin Hood.

It's weird - I was disappointed by it, but yet still quite enjoyed it.

I'll watch Robin Hood because I like historical films with a bit of swash and buckle, , but please tell me He doesn't marry Maid Marian at the end and the ceremony's held up when King Richard rides up with all his knights just in time to give the bride away.

[Lord Kangana]

Absolutely excellent, LK, I will enjoy browsing there and have already clocked some to purchase.

i like the fact they are being offered in half dozens rather than dozens - and not bad prices either.

My recommendatiomns - should you wish to try - the reds of Douro and Dao, and the whites of Alentajo are amongst my favourites from anywhere in the world!

Go to Portugal in five weeks... Will be sampling all of the above...

This discussion having whetted my (previously disinterested) appetite for Portuguese wine, I've decided tommorrow to pop down to the local Waitrose and take the plunge. It was here or Lebanon that was going to get a run out, but its Portugal by a nose...

Sadly their selection is limited to red (if we dismiss the £250 bottles of Madeira they're punting out), so I s'pose my next question is - what does it go with? I'm probably starting off with the Douro (best and biggest selection), would it fit "Tapas" food (I'm in a Tapas mood I think), so black olives, cured ham, bread and oil etc? Or are they too heavy?

They also have Alentejo red, Dao, Algarve and Ribatejo. None of which I have a clue about.

[William the White]

Absolutely excellent, LK, I will enjoy browsing there and have already clocked some to purchase.

i like the fact they are being offered in half dozens rather than dozens - and not bad prices either.

My recommendatiomns - should you wish to try - the reds of Douro and Dao, and the whites of Alentajo are amongst my favourites from anywhere in the world!

Go to Portugal in five weeks... Will be sampling all of the above...

This discussion having whetted my (previously disinterested) appetite for Portuguese wine, I've decided tommorrow to pop down to the local Waitrose and take the plunge. It was here or Lebanon that was going to get a run out, but its Portugal by a nose...

Sadly their selection is limited to red (if we dismiss the £250 bottles of Madeira they're punting out), so I s'pose my next question is - what does it go with? I'm probably starting off with the Douro (best and biggest selection), would it fit "Tapas" food (I'm in a Tapas mood I think), so black olives, cured ham, bread and oil etc? Or are they too heavy?

They also have Alentejo red, Dao, Algarve and Ribatejo. None of which I have a clue about.

Douro reds are medium bodied for the most part, which is why I like them... I really wish they were easily available up here, in Waitrose-free land. I'd have them with all of the above and fresh grilled sardines, pasta tomato dishes... They are smooth, warm, friendly wines, an hour to breathe, I reckon, or decant... Dao wines are slightly heavier usually, but still not impossible with your tapas... I think Alentejo is better for whites, and these can be very, very good, fragrant and dry, but you pay for them... Wouldn't be surprised if their reds were good also, just not on my radar...

The only time I've tried a Lebanese red (can't be sure of where from - the Bak'aa valley?) I was deeply, deeply impressed... That, of course, is not including Leb Red which was a mind polluter of the first order when I innocently used to breathe in the smoke of friends...