Where we ate:
The Tudor Bar at the Hougue du Pommier Hotel
La Route de la Hougue du Pommier, Castel, Guernsey, GY5 7FQ.
When we ate:
7pm
Thursday 9 July, 2009
What we ate:
Lightly seasoned and spiced octopus
Calamari
-
Grilled haddock and chips
Steamed sole wrapped in lettuce with mustard cabbage and a lobster reduction
Brochette of salmon and scallops
Smoked haddock
Roast rack of lamb
-
Passionfruit creme brulee
Apple crumble
What we drank:
Chenin blanc
What we paid:
£22 per person for two courses plus drinks and coffee
For this impromptu family get together of nine people aged between 24 and 79 the staff at the Hougue du Pommier hotel's Tudor Bar made us feel really welcome. On a beautiful summer's evening we enjoyed a drink in the hotel's peaceful garden before entering the bar for our meal. We were given a large table where we could spread out and chat in comfort.
In addition to the usual menu there were two specials, the grilled haddock and the roast rack of lamb, and also a seafood menu (for the whole month of July). Most of us ordered either one of the specials or from the seafood menu, which was mouth-watering.
The hungriest members of our party ordered starters. The portion of calamari was reasonably sized and well presented, but the octopus' appearance was disappointing. From the description on the special seafood menu we were expecting a summery salad of dressed or marinaded fresh octopus. However the octopus had been finely chopped and curried in a mild sauce and was presented in a brown dollop in the centre of a bare white plate. The portion was also rather small. The taste was good, but didn't completely atone for the size, appearance and lack of convention of this dish.
The main courses were much more exciting, all served with crisp steamed green vegetables, intensely garlicky mushrooms and dauphinoise potatoes. I chose sole, from the seafood menu. Two substantial fillets of sole had been wrapped in lettuce and delicately steamed. The fish was nothing short of excellent. It was accompanied by some startling sour mustard cabbage and a sweet, intense lobster reduction. The combination of flavours was delightful. My fellow diners were all pleased with their main courses too and we were impressed by the efficient service from all of the friendly members of staff.
I was unwise to choose a dessert as I was actually full from the sole, however as others were indulging I chose a light-sounding passionfruit cheesecake. This was a cheesecake of two halves, or perhaps three thirds. The slim biscuit base was light, crisp and pleasantly savoury. The "cheese" was also very light, flavoured delicately with passionfruit. So far so good. Unfortunately atop the dessert was a thin disc of rubbery, gelatinous nastiness that tasted overwhelmingly of sour passionfruit. I don't have a sweet tooth and relish the sharpness of unsweetened fruit, but this was far too much of a sour, sharp taste even for my palate. The slimy, chewy texture of the passionfruit gel ruined a pretty good cheesecake. Inexplicably, it was served with a ramekin of warm custard (from a tin).
Reports of the apple crumble were much more flattering.
The waiting staff members acted only too happy to take photographs of us after our meal while we enjoyed generous pots of tea and filtered coffee (although to some guests' disappointment the hot drinks were not accompanied by a petit four or after dinner mint).
In conclusion I feel that the Tudor Bar's best feature was the temporary seafood menu. Some of the food was wonderful, but certain dishes did not make the mark and there is room for improvement in these areas. The hotel restaurant was fully booked on the Thursday evening when we visited, evidently it is popular even in the current economic downturn. The high quality service and ambience of the hotel indicate clearly that someone has put a great deal of thought into this place and this needs to be applied to the Tudor Bar menu in order to ensure that it becomes a top dining destination on the island.
Will we go back?
Yes, I think so. The hotel is beautiful and the service is welcoming and efficient. We will pick carefully from the menu and almost certainly skip dessert in future.
Monday, 13 July 2009
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Eating: Baan Thai, Guernsey
Where we ate:
Baan Thai
19 Mill Street, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1HG.
When we ate:
8.30pm
Wednesday 30 June, 2009
What we ate:
Subtly spiced pork kebabs
Spicy clear sour soup with ginger, lemongrass and prawns
Green curry with chicken
Steamed Jasmine rice
Glass noodles with chillied prawns
What we drank:
Singha
What we paid:
We didn't! Just £14 for the drinks and a tip. I was the lucky winner of a £25 voucher to spend on food at this delightful restaurant.
The restaurant is usually open on Sunday evenings, which is rather unusual in Guernsey. We wanted to dine at Baan Thai on Sunday 28 June, but the restaurant was closed just for the day so we booked for two nights' later instead. It was worth the wait!
We were greeted warmly and offered a choice of tables plus a recommendation to sit near the open door where there was a welcome breeze on this hot, sticky evening. Freshly made prawn crackers were brought to the table immediately with the menu and our drink order was taken. The menu included a wine list and the daily special, which was a choice of yellow curries. The prawn crackers were crunchy and full of chilli flavour, a culinary universe away from the greasy, smelly freebies offered with so many Chinese takeaways.
Each dish on the menu was explained clearly and it took us a while to choose between many enticing options. When our order was taken we were asked how spicy we would like each of the dishes.
The starters of clear sour soup with prawns and the spiced pork kebabs arrived swiftly. Both dishes were presented beautifully. The soup was hotter than expected, but not overpowering and all of the different flavours could be recognised. The pork was spiced well, resulting in a buzz of heat in the mouth but no discomfort in the throat.
The main courses followed and once again we were in awe of the spectacular arrangement of the brightly coloured food on the plates. The green curry was a perfect example of this popular Thai dish, it was fragrant and packed with moist slivers of chicken. The texture of the Jasmine rice complemented the coconut milky curry sauce. The glass noodles were deliciously aromatic and the number of prawns was generous. Our crisp beers were an ideal, neutral accompaniment to the many different taste sensations of the food.
The portions were right for us as we hate both waste and gluttony. If you come to Baan Thai really hungry, or skip the starter, you may wish to order a side dish to accompany your meal.
The service was friendly and efficient and we felt comfortable in this small, tastefully decorated restaurant. Traditional Thai music helps to set the scene. For those who detest to be "pestered" while eating with frequent questions from eager waiting staff, this is the perfect place. We did have to attract the waitress's attention deliberately on several occasions and then she came to our table instantly. The dishes are excellently prepared and presented and the laidback service showcases them deservedly. If you visit Baan Thai expect some great food, but be prepared to be left to your own devices.
Will we go back?
Yes, with our own hard-earned cash.
Baan Thai
19 Mill Street, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1HG.
When we ate:
8.30pm
Wednesday 30 June, 2009
What we ate:
Subtly spiced pork kebabs
Spicy clear sour soup with ginger, lemongrass and prawns
Green curry with chicken
Steamed Jasmine rice
Glass noodles with chillied prawns
What we drank:
Singha
What we paid:
We didn't! Just £14 for the drinks and a tip. I was the lucky winner of a £25 voucher to spend on food at this delightful restaurant.
The restaurant is usually open on Sunday evenings, which is rather unusual in Guernsey. We wanted to dine at Baan Thai on Sunday 28 June, but the restaurant was closed just for the day so we booked for two nights' later instead. It was worth the wait!
We were greeted warmly and offered a choice of tables plus a recommendation to sit near the open door where there was a welcome breeze on this hot, sticky evening. Freshly made prawn crackers were brought to the table immediately with the menu and our drink order was taken. The menu included a wine list and the daily special, which was a choice of yellow curries. The prawn crackers were crunchy and full of chilli flavour, a culinary universe away from the greasy, smelly freebies offered with so many Chinese takeaways.
Each dish on the menu was explained clearly and it took us a while to choose between many enticing options. When our order was taken we were asked how spicy we would like each of the dishes.
The starters of clear sour soup with prawns and the spiced pork kebabs arrived swiftly. Both dishes were presented beautifully. The soup was hotter than expected, but not overpowering and all of the different flavours could be recognised. The pork was spiced well, resulting in a buzz of heat in the mouth but no discomfort in the throat.
The main courses followed and once again we were in awe of the spectacular arrangement of the brightly coloured food on the plates. The green curry was a perfect example of this popular Thai dish, it was fragrant and packed with moist slivers of chicken. The texture of the Jasmine rice complemented the coconut milky curry sauce. The glass noodles were deliciously aromatic and the number of prawns was generous. Our crisp beers were an ideal, neutral accompaniment to the many different taste sensations of the food.
The portions were right for us as we hate both waste and gluttony. If you come to Baan Thai really hungry, or skip the starter, you may wish to order a side dish to accompany your meal.
The service was friendly and efficient and we felt comfortable in this small, tastefully decorated restaurant. Traditional Thai music helps to set the scene. For those who detest to be "pestered" while eating with frequent questions from eager waiting staff, this is the perfect place. We did have to attract the waitress's attention deliberately on several occasions and then she came to our table instantly. The dishes are excellently prepared and presented and the laidback service showcases them deservedly. If you visit Baan Thai expect some great food, but be prepared to be left to your own devices.
Will we go back?
Yes, with our own hard-earned cash.
Sick
I have been suffering from a sore throat since Sunday evening when, right before bedtime, I felt a horrible sensation like a coating of concrete over the back of my throat. The pain has improved, but a repeatedly running nose, headache, dizziness and horrible high temperature have all taken its place. The bedroom is too hot and too noisy for resting during the day so I have spent most of the last three days listening to music on the computer and getting frustrated when singing along results in a painful coughing fit. In short I am feeling sorry for myself and the sticky, hot weather and terrible daytime television schedule have only made the situation worse.
I am dreading returning to work tomorrow. I know I will be unable to control my body temperature and will feel sweaty and uncomfortable within moments of entering the office regardless of what I wear. I will have to check whether anyone has helped out with any of my work and whether any new tasks have arisen since Monday - often extracting this kind of information from my colleagues can be like the proverbial letting of blood from a stone. I enjoy many aspects of my job and I do like my colleagues' company, but I loathe the office environment and the constrains of not, for example, being able to work naked, with music on or at the time of day that I choose. In future I hope that employers will take advantage of technological advances and enable staff to work from home more frequently, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of commuters.
At least it is lucky that my three days of illness have coincided with three out of very few netball-free days in the year. I haven't missed out on any training or games which is a relief.
SC
I am dreading returning to work tomorrow. I know I will be unable to control my body temperature and will feel sweaty and uncomfortable within moments of entering the office regardless of what I wear. I will have to check whether anyone has helped out with any of my work and whether any new tasks have arisen since Monday - often extracting this kind of information from my colleagues can be like the proverbial letting of blood from a stone. I enjoy many aspects of my job and I do like my colleagues' company, but I loathe the office environment and the constrains of not, for example, being able to work naked, with music on or at the time of day that I choose. In future I hope that employers will take advantage of technological advances and enable staff to work from home more frequently, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of commuters.
At least it is lucky that my three days of illness have coincided with three out of very few netball-free days in the year. I haven't missed out on any training or games which is a relief.
SC
Sunday, 3 August 2008
Sunday 3 August 2008 (Postscript)
Anyone reading this will think I do nothing but eat out!
I don't think anyone does read this, though...
SC
I don't think anyone does read this, though...
SC
Eating: The Peninsula Hotel, Guernsey
Where we ate:
The restaurant at The Peninsula Hotel
Les Dicqs, Vale, Guernsey, GY6 8JP.
When we ate:
1pm
Saturday 2 August, 2008
What we ate:
Homemade vegetable soup or melon with berries
Locally caught plaice, chicken breast in Guernsey mushroom sauce or Mediterranean vegetable lasagne and salad, all served with sauteed Jersey royals and fresh vegetables.
Profiteroles with chocolate sauce or banana and chocolate mousse
What we drank:
French Chardonnay
What we paid:
We didn't! It was a treat and a lovely one at that, despite the sad occasion. The three courses of food plus coffee cost £12.95 per person.
Where to feed twenty-one people aged between 1 and 79 at lunchtime to mark a special occasion?
Sadly my boyfriend's grandfather passed away one year ago. His widow organised a memorial occasion for the extended family to get together and mark the date, but we wanted to remember the happy times so some fabulous food was also required.
Any gathering of more than two persons and anything involving family is always chaotic in terms of arrangements and this was no exception. Chinese whispers concerning the start time meant that some of us waited in the bar for an hour before the others arrived. However, on pain of a public ticking off from a grieving grandmother, twenty-one family members were present and correct by 1pm which was the lunch time that had been Chinese-whispered to the hotel (if not the guests!)
What we didn't realise was that the hotel had been more than kind and opened the restaurant especially and exclusively for our lunch. The chef and the waiting staff were there just for us and if they resented it they did not show it at all. The food was delicious and the service was warm and efficient. The bar staff who kept us watered while we waited for the fashionably late were also very friendly. A special table, with floral decorations, had been set up so that all twenty one of us were all able to sit together and a high chair was also provided for the youngest member of our party. As we had the restaurant to ourselves we could have quiet for a memorial speech and a few tears, then make noise while we chatted and wander around sociably after we'd eaten. The two little children were delighted to be spoiled with a free run of the entire restaurant to explore.
We left feeling pleasantly full and contented, despite the sad occasion, at 3.45pm as the staff had been in no hurry to evict us from the comfortable, smart surroundings of the hotel restaurant from which we had a view of the patio area and enticing outdoor swimming pool.
I felt that we were well treated and that the tasty, hot food was extremely good value. The only improvement would have been a little more fresh air to cool us down on such a hot day.
Will we go back?
Yes, in happier times, we hope. We'll also ask to use the pool!
The restaurant at The Peninsula Hotel
Les Dicqs, Vale, Guernsey, GY6 8JP.
When we ate:
1pm
Saturday 2 August, 2008
What we ate:
Homemade vegetable soup or melon with berries
Locally caught plaice, chicken breast in Guernsey mushroom sauce or Mediterranean vegetable lasagne and salad, all served with sauteed Jersey royals and fresh vegetables.
Profiteroles with chocolate sauce or banana and chocolate mousse
What we drank:
French Chardonnay
What we paid:
We didn't! It was a treat and a lovely one at that, despite the sad occasion. The three courses of food plus coffee cost £12.95 per person.
Where to feed twenty-one people aged between 1 and 79 at lunchtime to mark a special occasion?
Sadly my boyfriend's grandfather passed away one year ago. His widow organised a memorial occasion for the extended family to get together and mark the date, but we wanted to remember the happy times so some fabulous food was also required.
Any gathering of more than two persons and anything involving family is always chaotic in terms of arrangements and this was no exception. Chinese whispers concerning the start time meant that some of us waited in the bar for an hour before the others arrived. However, on pain of a public ticking off from a grieving grandmother, twenty-one family members were present and correct by 1pm which was the lunch time that had been Chinese-whispered to the hotel (if not the guests!)
What we didn't realise was that the hotel had been more than kind and opened the restaurant especially and exclusively for our lunch. The chef and the waiting staff were there just for us and if they resented it they did not show it at all. The food was delicious and the service was warm and efficient. The bar staff who kept us watered while we waited for the fashionably late were also very friendly. A special table, with floral decorations, had been set up so that all twenty one of us were all able to sit together and a high chair was also provided for the youngest member of our party. As we had the restaurant to ourselves we could have quiet for a memorial speech and a few tears, then make noise while we chatted and wander around sociably after we'd eaten. The two little children were delighted to be spoiled with a free run of the entire restaurant to explore.
We left feeling pleasantly full and contented, despite the sad occasion, at 3.45pm as the staff had been in no hurry to evict us from the comfortable, smart surroundings of the hotel restaurant from which we had a view of the patio area and enticing outdoor swimming pool.
I felt that we were well treated and that the tasty, hot food was extremely good value. The only improvement would have been a little more fresh air to cool us down on such a hot day.
Will we go back?
Yes, in happier times, we hope. We'll also ask to use the pool!
Eating: La Perla, Guernsey
Where we ate:
La Perla Restaurant
North Plantation, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2LH.
When we ate:
7.30pm
Friday 1 August, 2008
What we ate:
Garlic bread, lasagne and sticky toffee pudding (Girl Friend)
Homemade fishcake, plaice and an extremely virtuous pass on desert (Other Girl Friend)
Prawn cocktail, plaice and apple pie (Another Girl Friend)
Prawn cocktail, local crab salad and meringue with berries (me)
What we drank:
Two bottles of light, semi-sweet, French Chardonnay
What we paid:
£70 including service
Girls' night out in Guernsey can take a variety of routes. There's a mortgage's worth of cocktails on offer at Laska or a bargain bucket of vodka Red Bull at the Red Onion. There are cheap and cheerful pizzas at Valentino's, chick flicks at the Mallard, pampering at OGH or modern tapas in the sultry surroundings of White D'Or. The brave can dance around their handbags in Barbados, the braver can dance below the watchful crowds on the balcony at Folies and the "oops got drunk too early" can dance into tables at Christie's.
We're a bunch of townies so we're spoilt for choice within stumbling distance of home. We chose to meet for a Friday night dinner in La Perla as the food's quality and price (£10 per person for three courses) and a lively atmosphere are all guaranteed at this island institution for Italian food. Plus we'd be right in the heart of St. Peter Port nightlife for a drink or a dance afterwards.
I visited La Perla for a quiet dinner with my boyfriend less than two weeks' ago and had a lovely evening. On our girls' night on Friday we ate from the same menu and food, wine and service were consistent with my previous visit. The restaurant was full, but we were not rushed to order or to finish our meal, which allowed us to feel very relaxed despite the lively bustle around us. We ended up enjoying a leisurely three hours there and I was startled to discover that our "wine of the month", for £10.95 per bottle, was more than drinkable.
Will we go back?
Yes, wearing skimpier clothing. It does get pretty hot in there, especially in summer!
La Perla Restaurant
North Plantation, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2LH.
When we ate:
7.30pm
Friday 1 August, 2008
What we ate:
Garlic bread, lasagne and sticky toffee pudding (Girl Friend)
Homemade fishcake, plaice and an extremely virtuous pass on desert (Other Girl Friend)
Prawn cocktail, plaice and apple pie (Another Girl Friend)
Prawn cocktail, local crab salad and meringue with berries (me)
What we drank:
Two bottles of light, semi-sweet, French Chardonnay
What we paid:
£70 including service
Girls' night out in Guernsey can take a variety of routes. There's a mortgage's worth of cocktails on offer at Laska or a bargain bucket of vodka Red Bull at the Red Onion. There are cheap and cheerful pizzas at Valentino's, chick flicks at the Mallard, pampering at OGH or modern tapas in the sultry surroundings of White D'Or. The brave can dance around their handbags in Barbados, the braver can dance below the watchful crowds on the balcony at Folies and the "oops got drunk too early" can dance into tables at Christie's.
We're a bunch of townies so we're spoilt for choice within stumbling distance of home. We chose to meet for a Friday night dinner in La Perla as the food's quality and price (£10 per person for three courses) and a lively atmosphere are all guaranteed at this island institution for Italian food. Plus we'd be right in the heart of St. Peter Port nightlife for a drink or a dance afterwards.
I visited La Perla for a quiet dinner with my boyfriend less than two weeks' ago and had a lovely evening. On our girls' night on Friday we ate from the same menu and food, wine and service were consistent with my previous visit. The restaurant was full, but we were not rushed to order or to finish our meal, which allowed us to feel very relaxed despite the lively bustle around us. We ended up enjoying a leisurely three hours there and I was startled to discover that our "wine of the month", for £10.95 per bottle, was more than drinkable.
Will we go back?
Yes, wearing skimpier clothing. It does get pretty hot in there, especially in summer!
Sunday 3 August 2008
The rain it raineth every day. At least the rain has rained all of this day. It's raining, it's pouring, it's raining cats and dogs: every one of the cliches applies to today's downpour.
The flat is dark, but noisy with the sound of rain lashing down outside each of the six open windows. All of the internal doors are wide open as the torrential rain hasn't allowed the oppressive temperature to drop. Fresh air is definitely required even if it brings with it a musical accompaniment that sounds like a sopping wet symphony: splashes for the violin, sploshes for the cello, big fat drops for the bass drum, tinkling drips for the triangle and an ongoing deluge for the horns. The lack of light saps my energy and I feel bored, restless and mostly lethargic. My boyfriend is doing D.I.Y. in the garage, presumably he's building an ark as it looks like we'll need it. He has even grown a full, unkempt, biblical beard in preparation.
On Wednesday I ate several helpings of nostalgia pudding and wrote wistfully about my arrival in Guernsey three years ago when I moved here on a permanent basis. The weather then could not have been more different to today. It was warm, sunny and bright, picture postcard weather that could only reinforce the sanity of my decision to emigrate from London. My first lodgings then were beside the beach at Vazon and each morning I walked the length of the beach, sometimes on the sand, sometimes on the path (look out for horses) to catch the bus from outside Crabby Jacks.
It was a happy and healthy two months when I lived out in the pretty parish of the Castel, overlooking the west coast and the ever-changing sea, but as the light faded progressively faster as the evenings made their way into autumn I felt it would be wise to move closer to town and to the netball court where I had begun to spend most of my free time. That was how I ended up living in a corner of a gorgeous, stylish house in the Ville au Roi. By total coincidence the Ville au Roi is the only quarter of Guernsey that looks anything at all like England. Another rarity for the island is that the Ville au Roi's convenience store, Jeffrey's, stays open until midnight.
The sound of the rain is almost addictive. I am finding it impossible to devote more than my fingers to writing; my ears and brain are drawn to the concerto of water surrounding the flat. In a moment I shall handwrite a thank you card to my boyfriend's grandmother who took us and the rest of her extended family to lunch yesterday as a form of memorial to her husband, my boyfriend's grandfather, who passed away one year ago. Yesterday was a sad occasion, but it was still wonderful to see everyone and to enjoy each other's company. Life is way too short.
SC
The flat is dark, but noisy with the sound of rain lashing down outside each of the six open windows. All of the internal doors are wide open as the torrential rain hasn't allowed the oppressive temperature to drop. Fresh air is definitely required even if it brings with it a musical accompaniment that sounds like a sopping wet symphony: splashes for the violin, sploshes for the cello, big fat drops for the bass drum, tinkling drips for the triangle and an ongoing deluge for the horns. The lack of light saps my energy and I feel bored, restless and mostly lethargic. My boyfriend is doing D.I.Y. in the garage, presumably he's building an ark as it looks like we'll need it. He has even grown a full, unkempt, biblical beard in preparation.
On Wednesday I ate several helpings of nostalgia pudding and wrote wistfully about my arrival in Guernsey three years ago when I moved here on a permanent basis. The weather then could not have been more different to today. It was warm, sunny and bright, picture postcard weather that could only reinforce the sanity of my decision to emigrate from London. My first lodgings then were beside the beach at Vazon and each morning I walked the length of the beach, sometimes on the sand, sometimes on the path (look out for horses) to catch the bus from outside Crabby Jacks.
It was a happy and healthy two months when I lived out in the pretty parish of the Castel, overlooking the west coast and the ever-changing sea, but as the light faded progressively faster as the evenings made their way into autumn I felt it would be wise to move closer to town and to the netball court where I had begun to spend most of my free time. That was how I ended up living in a corner of a gorgeous, stylish house in the Ville au Roi. By total coincidence the Ville au Roi is the only quarter of Guernsey that looks anything at all like England. Another rarity for the island is that the Ville au Roi's convenience store, Jeffrey's, stays open until midnight.
The sound of the rain is almost addictive. I am finding it impossible to devote more than my fingers to writing; my ears and brain are drawn to the concerto of water surrounding the flat. In a moment I shall handwrite a thank you card to my boyfriend's grandmother who took us and the rest of her extended family to lunch yesterday as a form of memorial to her husband, my boyfriend's grandfather, who passed away one year ago. Yesterday was a sad occasion, but it was still wonderful to see everyone and to enjoy each other's company. Life is way too short.
SC
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