Restaurant Review: Kolbeh at Skitby House

My great grandfather was one of fourteen children, and therefore it sometimes feels that I am related to half of the corner of Cumbria where my grand parents still live. Sixteen years ago one cousin, Michael, and his wife Pat converted the milking shed on their farm and set up a restaurant. Unsurprisingly it was well supported by the family and we visited regularly.

A year ago, after fifteen successful years they sold the restaurant and retired. It recently opened under new owners and this was my first visit. In our eyes at least, it was always going to have a lot to live up to.

The restaurant has been given an Iranian name Kolbeh and complete refit. The food had a modern feel in style and presentation, a bit of the departure from the more traditional (but no less good!) English fayre that went before. Sadly there were no Iranian dishes on the menu, I like to try new styles of food whenever I can. Everyone I was with was very favourable on their food. I found my duck salad starter a little dry (how did they manage that? Duck is anything but a dry meat), but the main course of rack of lamb and apple crumble for desert were very good.

My main criticism would be over the timing of the food. They didn't manage to bring any of the courses all out together. A worrying sign on a slow Thursday night. How will they manage on an evening when the restaurant is full?

Time will tell if it is to Cumbrian tastes. I hope they make a success of the place.

Lake District

I've taken the week off work and come up to the Lake District with my parents. I find that I need to take regular breaks from work to keep me sane! The last holiday I had was in April, so I think that I have done quite well to make it through until September.........

Today we went for a walk up Skiddaw in the biting wind. The picture above is of dad at the trig point.

Going out for dinner tomorrow night at a restaurant that used to be owned by my cousin, so expect a restaurant review in a couple of days.

Truckfest

Oxfordshire's very own festival, Tuckfest, is taking place this weekend. The licence is only for a crowd of 3,500 people, meaning that it pales in comparison to the larger festivals of the summer.

The festival has a great atmosphere. It is on the farm of a family friends. The Rotary Club of Didcot (of which my dad is a member) run the largest catering tent on sight. Over the weekend a group of volunteers put in some serious hard work. Setting up the catering tent, taking delivery of the food, cooking and serving it. Just to give you a flavour 1.5 tonnes of chips will be sold over the two days. Every penny raised is donated to charity.

I've spent 10 hours there this weekend, serving burgers, bacon sandwiches and chips. I'm sore, tired, didn't hear a single band and smell of chip fat.

Tesco Opens!

Apologies for the poor quality image, but I wanted to break the news. Brockley's own Tescos opens tomorrow at 8am. The shelf stackers are in there as I type putting the finishing touches to the store.

I even used the CASH MACHINE! Yey!

By popular request

At the request of Sean here is a pic of my actual bike. Mud guards, panniers, lights and a locked all fitted, with a helmet thrown in. Fully loaded for the cycle across America!

Update: My mystery poster was my friend Olivier. His written English was so good it took me a few goes to realise it was him. And he thinks he isn't bilingual!

New Bike

After three years cycling round London on my 10 year old heavy steel bike I've decided to treat myself to a new set of wheels. It was nearly as expensive as my car!!!!

My friend Sean has a hair brained scheme to cycle across America in 18months time. I've not even been invited, but I am going to invite myself and this is the bike on which I am going to do it!

I'll post a review of the bike (a Specialized Sirrus) and Evans Cycles in a week or so when I have had a chance to review both properly.

Restaurant Review: Canteen

Yesterday I met my old flatmates Emily and Andie for lunch at Canteen in Spitalfields. It is part of a chain of two restaurants, the other one being on the South Bank (which was recommended to me by my first cousin Helen, although I haven't managed to visit that branch yet).

I've decided that I am a big fan. It's a mid-range kinda place, so don't think I'm enthusing about some secret new restaurant that is just about to get a Michelin star, because I'm not. But it does achieve what it sets out to do very well.

The menu contains British classics such as roasts, pies, stews, fish and chips; with additional daily specials. The menu is uncomplicated with enough choice, but not overboard with silly range of dishes. There are nice touches like a section of dishes you can order if you are in a hurry or on your lunch hour.

So why was I such a fan? Not many places a proud to serve traditional British food, in a relaxed and informal atmosphere for a sensible price.

After a review like that I'll doubtless be cursed next time I go!

Cornwall mini break

Last weekend I headed to Cornwall for my sister's 30th Birthday with the family. The main purpose of our trip was to visit the Eden Project. I've wanted to visit since it opened. I'm not a gardener, but two large biomes in a disused clay pit sounded cool.

We spent a very pleasant morning pottering round the two biomes. They tell a story as you flow through each biome. The tropical biome focuses on the uses of tropical plants, particularly as foods. The Mediterranean biome has a more familiar feel with plants that conjure memories of holidays in southern Europe and even a few plants that can be found in the UK. The grand scale of the china clay pit, the architecture and the regeneration the Eden Project has brought to this area of Cornwall are impressive. My only mild disappointment was the number of attractions outside of the biomes. A vast area that didn't capture my imagination quite as much.

After lunch (a pasty, of course) we went to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Dad was clearly more inspired and interested by these more formal Victorian gardens. There was a definite attraction to the walled flower and vegetable gardens, glass houses and potting sheds. However, I was too gardened out by this stage to enjoy them fully.

We stayed at Anchorage House B&B nearby. It was very pleasant, as expensive and luxurious as many a hotel, but with a more personal touch. This was both charming, a personal welcome, recommendations of where to visit and eat. And slightly overbearing, being attached to their home some of the rules were a little rigid.

On the Saturday night we went to Revival a small restaurant in the village of Charlestown Harbour. The food was of a very high standard, presented in a modern way. For my main course I had crab and fillet steak. An unusual combination, but one that worked!

Tesco Arrives

Hat tip to Brockley Central who beat me to the news (owing to me being away for the weekend!). The Tesco's on Lewisham Way will open on 21st September and it will have a cash machine, a small boost for the area.

The mini-mart next door is already for lease. It is going to be interesting to see what happens to the area. I think there will be an increased number of empty shops before things pick up noticeably.