Friday, May 17, 2013

Pub Grub

The first question my Zumba friends asked was "how was the food?"  The bad rep for English food is long gone.  All out meals were fantastic, but these were the most ... locally ethnic?

To start with, we had a full English Breakfast available every morning.  It was like the Irish Breakfast of 4 years ago (oh my, it's been so long since I traveled afar), but without the white and black pudding.  Small eggs, perfectly cooked, with beautiful dark golden yolks.  Hammy bacon,  cumberland sausages, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes.  Not to worry, there was fruit too.

We had two delicious pub meals... first a lunch at the Carpenters Arms in Windsor...

Order up the pints, Handy!


Ah, thank you!  Hey, this works for the Saturday PhotoHunt:  Glass!






We both had lamb pie.  To be specific, a lamb shank pie, because that is a real bone sticking out the back of it.  Puff pastry top, lamb melting off the bone with a dark and delicious gravy.  Also fresh beans and mash.  I really wanted a scotch egg but they were out.  So I'm going to be making scotch eggs on my own very soon.


I caught a glimpse of fish and chips in another pub window as we walked past.  It might have been the Dutchess of Cambridge pub.  That is a giant piece of fish.  But we steered clear of fish and chips on this trip, due to the unfortunate tartar sauce incident Handy had in Dublin. In our future, malt vinegar will be the safer choice.


At the Hereford Arms near our hotel this was a light dinner for me upon our return from Stonehenge - ha! Chicken salad with bacon!  It surprised me with the hefty amount of chicken and bacon!  Oh, so good.  Homer would have been envious.


And steak and chips for the Handy man.


We saw their fish and chips served at another table, another massive piece of fish.  Best fish in the borough, they say.  OK, I'll order it next time.  Because we are going back.

And a shout out to Pret a Manger, which is a UK company even though the name is French.  They are everywhere in London (168 stores).  Our airport guide told us they treat their employees well and they donate unsold food to homeless shelters.  All I know is it was quick and delicious.  Freshly made sandwiches and sides, a lot of variety and reasonably priced, around the corner and at the airport.  We grabbed some to go before we got on the bus to Stonehenge, and I got something at the airport before we left which was far better than the airline food.

14 comments:

Jen on the Edge said...

We LOVE pub grub! The last time we were in London, we ate at the same pub three nights in a row.

Also, you can often find great Cornish pasties at food wagons near Tube stations.

Pret a Manger is one of our go-to places for lunches and snacks. (They carry chopped and washed fruit, which is handy for snacking.)

I need to tell you about the trip planning we've been doing recently...

shrink on the couch said...

You answered THE doubt I've had about a trip to England. Because the traditional fare that I've read about does not appeal. How was the lamb stew? And now I have to look up scotch eggs.

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

It's only 9am and I am hungry for pub grub and a pint, all because of your post and gorgeous photos. Seriously, you give it all justice -- plus I love the the picture of looking out of the door at the sign.

Janet said...

mmm, those pictures...drool worthy! I recently had a scotch egg for the first time, and it was OHMY delicious!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm a fan of pub grub. Would like to be here.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

Pret a manger is all over NY city too :) I would KILL for those pints of ale oh yes I would....

cookingwithgas said...

A full English breakfast, now we are talking.

eastcoastlife said...

The lamb shank pie looks so good! Heard so much negative comments about English food, glad your photos and post prove them wrong.

YTSL said...

We've got Pret et Manger and lots of British pubs serving pub grub here in Hong Kong. Re the "hammy bacon" -- think you mean back bacon (as opposed to streaky bacon), right? :)

Anonymous said...

That looks like a great spot to visit! I went with a big glass of beer this week too.

Have a super weekend.

MaR said...

I am not only thirsty now, I am also hungry :) Happy weekend.

photohunt

peppylady (Dora) said...

Looks like a fun place.

Coffee is on

Bing said...

lots of glass pics for photohunt but it's the food that were interesting. :D

Susan said...

The food looks lovely and your photos are sooo good!