Another Food Blog

I was wandering through Soho looking for a place I could enjoy a drink in the sunshine. I came across a bar that was just setting out tables, so I asked if they’d be free, which was confirmed, so I popped inside to order a drink. I asked for a pint of lime cordial with soda water, to which the bar lady responded, ‘Yes, of course.’ She then proceeded to make a drink where I couldn’t see it, filling a less-than-half-pint-size glass with ice, then adding what amounted to a few thimblefuls of the drink mixture. When it was presented, I reminded her that I’d asked for a pint, to which she responded, ‘We don’t have pint sized glasses – that’s all we have.’ OK, I thought, maybe I’ll have to order three, but then I asked the price. ‘Two pounds,’ came the confident response, to which I asked, ‘Are you sure?’

Despite my insistence that this was a ridiculous price, she wouldn’t sell it for anything less. So I left. On my way out, the lady setting out tables was surprised I was leaving, so I explained the above exchange. Her response was, ‘This is Soho. All the prices are like that round here.’ Frankly, I wasn’t having any of it. I went to the bar next door, which now had tables outside, asked for a pint of lime and soda, was served one promptly for £1.50, and sat at a table, in the sunshine, right next to the tables of the over-priced bar I just rejected. Moreover, when I ordered another one, the barman served it for free! I hope the first bar got the message, watching me enjoy my drink whilst relaxing with the crossword. My estimate of the price ratio is 8:1. Guess which bar I’m betting is going out of business sooner? (By the way, the good bar was Village.)

I dined at a delightful and exceedingly authentic Thai restaurant that overlooks Parker’s Piece in Cambridge. The evening was sunny, but there was a windy chill, so the park was empty aside for the odd cyclist finding their way home. I started with a mushroom soup which also contained coconut milk, lemongrass and mint. It was an interesting combination of flavours, and quite spicy from the chilli.

For the main course, we both opted for a green mango salad, which arrived in small shreds which were surprisingly similar in flavour and texture to a tangy apple, like a Granny Smith. In and amongst these shreddings were red onions and a dressing that was difficult to identify. Alongside were cucumber slices, decoratively edged, a little shredded cabbage and what I can best describe as a flower cut from a carrot. I drank apple juice, which went well with this course, whilst my dining companion drank a Pimm’s which seemed quite appropriate in the warm restaurant with the sun shining in through the tall glass windows.

I was in a hurry to leave for a talk, so I threw together a very quick meal. Fortunately, I had some smoked salmon (pictured) defrosted in the fridge, so that instantly made up the protein section of the meal. In the freezer, I had some sweetcorn, which I put on a plate beside a few broccoli florets from the fridge and then microwaved the two together for two minutes. This cooked them just about perfectly, and is a great way of cooking broccoli that I’d not previously thought of. Alongside these three things, I put a few pimento olives, and ate the meal. The entire thing from start to finish took about six minutes, and was satisfying and tasty, not to mention healthy!

It’s not often I go to a restaurant and all anyone present has to eat is a salad, but in this case, it turned out to be a great decision. I enjoyed the Chef’s Salad, which included prosciutto, hard-boiled egg, baby mozzarella, red onion, avocado, tomato, lettuce, olives, artichoke, peppers and cucumber, and my friend had the Formaggio di Capra, which had some toasted goat cheese on small pieces of bread, topped with a little delicious chutney, each of four pieces of which sat on top of the rest of the salad, which was a selection of leaves and similar ingredients to above. The only thing I would have added to mine was some pine nuts, but both really were excellent. It was our usual table at Ask, on Bridge Street in Cambridge, to which was brought a large glass of Australian Shiraz for my friend and a quite delicious apple juice for me. We also had some Caesar salad dressing and a chilli oil to add as we saw fit. I didn’t, but my friend opted for the latter.

Having enjoyed it so much in the sunshine yesterday, I decided to return to The Anchor for lunch today (back left of the picture). I chose the salmon and brie fishcakes, which were absolutely delicious, and came with a lightly dressed salad which filled me up with healthy leaves. There was also a sweet chilli sauce, which I forewent, although my luncheon companions enjoyed it with their chips. They each had a burger, although of different types: one chicken, one goat cheese, basil and peppers, which were both gobbled up in delight. The conversation turned to philosophy of law and theology; quite appropriate given that the two others are studing in the respective subjects. After the main course, they each indulged in a giant slice of coffee and walnut cake, but couldn’t manage to finish them! Each main course was less than £7 and the cake, with a coffee was £3.50 each. Pretty good value, and again the ideal location for sun worship.