http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2010/aug/25/stella-artois-black-lager

Why is everyone going for black now? Amex started it by introducing the black Centurian, they then upgraded it to titanium and increased the price by 3 fold.

E

August 2010

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7962576/Pasta-sauce-and-potatoes-should-be-included-in-5-A-Day.html

Is this real or part of  the silly season?

E

August 2010

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/drink-of-water-before-meal-aids-weight-loss-2060142.html

We don’t do diets at Bottles and Cooks but this looks a good one!

E

August 2010

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/english-winemakers-beat-the-french-at-their-own-game-2058853.html

Well, you tell me.

I still have to find an English or South African or New Zealand wine that I rave about. They are very drinkable. My top 3 for great wines are still France, Italy and Spain. US  is next as they produce some very good cab and chardonney – not sure about the pinot noir. I had a bottle of 2001 Peter Michael’s Moulin Rouge the other day and it was very good with long lasts but it did not have the depth of flavour when compared with a Richebourg …..

E

August 2010

E

Click under competition

http://money.uk.msn.com/markets/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=150092416&ocid=today

I only do expensive wine NOT food.

E

Web site: www.joelrobuchon.co.uk

Approx. cost per head: 70 pounds

Comments on wine list/beer:

Media link:

Review:

Disappointing.
The four of us had a selection of small tasting dishes to share as a starter; they were competently done but failed to deliver in terms of flavour.
The fresh mackerel on thin tart didn’t taste too fresh; the aubergine canelloni was bland though the red mullet and scallops were good.
Our mains included the sirloin steak, veal paillard and the lobster salad – all OK but not great.
We found our desserts lacking. La Perle de Chou would have been trumped by a Wall’s Magnum. Les Fruit Rouges was only just that with a multivitamin sorbet which may have been long on vitamins but was short on anything else.
Any shortcomings with the food was certainly enhanced by the poor service. Our waitress communicated poorly and frankly seemed disinterested. The sommelier lacked experience and was not able to advise.
Confidence with the staff was lost by the end.
Overall, the food and particularly the service failed to justify the premium that was paid and meet the expectations associated with Joel Robuchon.

Address: Freith Road, Bovingdon Green, Near Marlow SL7 2JF

Telephone number: 01628 488611

Website: www.royaloakmarlow.co.uk

Date of visit: 19 August 2010

Approximate cost per head: Around £20 for 2 courses.

Comments on wine list/beer: Pretty extensive wine list with top red at £45 – Amarone. No upmarket wines on the list. Lots of halves and wine by the glasses (different sizes). Rebellion on tap (IPA @ £3.10 a pint)

Summary:

The pub is managed by the Sailsbury Family. They also manage The Swan Inn and The Old Queens Head in Buckinghamshire.

This pub appears in the Michelin Guide as well as Sawday’s. I usually take that as a pretty good recommendation.

The inside of the pub consists of a large room with most of the tables laid out for dining. There is also a large outside area for dining. Paper napkins and no table clothes.

In the Michelin guide, the cuisine is described as modern British with an oriental influence. On the day I went, I can only describe the menu as modern British/European.

I had my two starters as usual. My guests simply had the main course.

We were not offered any bread – you pay extra for that.

I had the salt beef (£6.75) followed by bubble and squeak (£6.25). The salt beef was not too salty but it was served with a strange salad dressing – it tasted like Heinz Salad Cream enriched with extra egg yolk. Overall, it was very good. The bubble and squeak was a large rissole of mash potato, cabbage and carrot julienne, bread crumbed and fried. This sat in a large pool of hollandaise sauce. On top of this was a poached egg (soft yolk) and a slice of smoked bacon on the side of the rissole. It was very visual and tasted as good as it looked.

One of my guests had the bubble and squeak as a main course (£11.75) and it was exactly the same but with 2 rissoles, 2 poached eggs and 2 slices of bacon – this turned out to be too much for her.

The other guest had the grilled cod fillet (£14.50) with a pea risotto and a soft boiled egg. The cod was perfectly cooked, came as a thick chunk with crispy skin. The pea risotto was too wet for my liking, but then most risottos served in this country have too much liquid – it tasted fine. The soft boiled egg turned out to be hard boiled – the only blemish of the meal.

The service was very good and efficient. With 2 pints of Rebellion and 3 Persi, the total bill came to £49.65 without service charge.

I like the place and the food.

E

PS  if you use the postal code supplied in this article on your tomtom, you will be taken to a place 300 meters south of the pub – same road. 

Location: 66 Wind Street, Swansea, SA1 1EQ

Web site: www.ilpadrinoswansea.com

Telephone number: 01792 644611

Date of visit: 18/8/10

Approx. cost per head: £16

Comments on wine list/beer: A good range of wines and beers

Media link:

Review:

Located on Wind Street, in the heart of the City Centre, the restaurant has changed both name and ownership since I last visited.

I’m pleased to say that the once good food, atmosphere and service is even better it its new guise. An Italian restaurant run by Italians makes all the difference compared to the growing list of chains, something well reflected in the food and the evening overall.

The restaurant itself is well turned out and inviting and the staff provide a warm and friendly welcome.

The menu offers an excellent range of choice, very good for vegetarians too. Starters average £5-6 whilst pasta mains hover around £9, and others £10-15. The Penne Polpette was very tasty, as was the Tagliatelle Positano. The desert menu is a little limited but still very nice.

I’ll no doubt be visiting again next time I’m in the city.

Dave Lamont

Web site: http://thaielephantswansea.com

Telephone number: 01792 650 050

Date of visit: 15/8/10

Approx. cost per head: £15

Comments on wine list/beer: A safe selection of wines and beers

Media link:

Review:

Situated in Swansea’s swanky new SA1 development on the edge of the City Centre, The Thai Elephant is adjacent to a few similar sized bars and restaurants with ample parking nearby.

Having read a few online reviews before our meal, the one recurring criticism people had was service – something we immediately noticed on arrival. Despite having booked we were initially turned away rather rudely and told the restaurant was closing in an hour. Having then been chased by an apologetic waiter we went on to enjoy a very nice meal.

The atmosphere was a little sterile and the restaurant is somewhat small but the food is the best Thai food I’ve found in the area. In fact, in Wales.

Starters, which are rather substantial, average around £5 and mains just short of £10. Wine is reasonably priced with a good selection on offer.

The Thai Elephant is also relatively new and still, I think, finding its feet. If they can breathe a little life into the service and atmosphere it’s a hard option to overlook for a nice evening out.