Boring but delightful

[Kashmiri Bob]

I was in London over the weekend (for Ride London).  Stayed at the Premier Inn Hub King's Cross.  After the ride figured I'd earned a beer (or two), so went down to the bar.  £5.50 for a 330 ml bottle of Peroni.  I know, London prices.  I thought, no chance, so went for a wander.  Soon found a Nisa.  Peroni £1.79.  Ths is more like it, so bought three bottles.  10 p extra for a carrier bag.  Anyway, I next spotted this place and went to have a look at their menu, which was a digital screen in the front window.  Curry time!

www.indianloungelondon.co.uk

What do you make of the "Boring but delightful" section?  It made me chuckle, although the notion of a boring bhuna and a balti made with pickles put me off.  I decided not to bother and went back to the hotel with my beers.  Got back to Birmingham yesterday.  Balti garlic chicken (MDB MKI) was on the menu later that evening, 10/10 balti heaven.  No pickles.  I still had a bottle of Peroni left too, which was also ideal.

Rob

[Peripatetic Phil]

The Co-op (or "The Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society", as I believe it once was) do two 620ml bottles of Peroni for a fiver, and Asda do 12 330ml bottles of Peroni Zero (the only 0%-alcohol beer that tastes just like the real thing, to my mind) for £11.
--
** Phil.

[Kashmiri Bob]

Good price on the big bottles Phil.  I am not keen on zero alcohol.  Just before Ride London last year I had one of my bikes in for repair at a local shop, part of the Fort Dunlop shopping centre.  It's quite posh here, fancy shops with hefty prices.  The bike shop is reasonable though.  Whilst I was there a nearby shop assistant was rolling out pallet loads of Gordon's Pink gin, zero alcohol, onto the concourse.  They were giving them away.  Big bottles too.  Had about a month left before the use-by date.  I bagged three bottles.  Tried some when I got home and didn't like it.  I gave two bottles to my elderly neighbour's wife, who said they would make nice prizes for a charity collection her knitting club was running.  I gathered later from her husband that the ladies there drank the whole lot.  I actually used the rest of my opened bottle to deodorise my loo.  Highly recommended.  It worked a treat, nice floral scent.

Rob

[Peripatetic Phil]

Yes, there are very few who can produce a 0%-alcohol drink that is worthy of consumption (and certainly no 0% spirits or wines) but Peroni have definitely cracked it with Peroni Zero, and Brewdog "Nanny State" or Clausthaler Extra Herb are excellent for the 0.5% range ...

[Onions]

I was in London over the weekend (for Ride London).  Stayed at the Premier Inn Hub King's Cross.  After the ride figured I'd earned a beer (or two), so went down to the bar.  £5.50 for a 330 ml bottle of Peroni.  I know, London prices.  I thought, no chance, so went for a wander.  Soon found a Nisa.  Peroni £1.79.  Ths is more like it, so bought three bottles.  10 p extra for a carrier bag.  Anyway, I next spotted this place and went to have a look at their menu, which was a digital screen in the front window.  Curry time!

www.indianloungelondon.co.uk

What do you make of the "Boring but delightful" section?  It made me chuckle, although the notion of a boring bhuna and a balti made with pickles put me off.  I decided not to bother and went back to the hotel with my beers.  Got back to Birmingham yesterday.  Balti garlic chicken (MDB MKI) was on the menu later that evening, 10/10 balti heaven.  No pickles.  I still had a bottle of Peroni left too, which was also ideal.

Rob

Yeah, top of Gray's Inn Rd, opposite Mcdonald's? BNeen there. Bizarrely it's surrounded by several other curry houses, and I don't really get how any of them can survive that proximity. But they have, for years now!

I don't know about the bhuna but I can testify that the Dupiaza wasn't boring... Blooming tasty, as it goes!

[Kashmiri Bob]

Nice one onions.  Yes, I saw another curry house next door but one.  They had an A-board outside, advertising their special offer.  I think it was £7.99 for a starter, curry and rice, or naan.  I thought, that'll do me.  I went in and asked a waiter if I could have the deal as a TA.  He said, yes, and told me what it was.  Onion bhaji starter, chicken or veg  curry, rice/naan.  OK says me.  Then the owner (I expect) came over and spoke with the waiter.  Oh, sorry he says, deal not on anymore.  The place was rammed.  I was a might peckish, but to be honest felt it best to move on.  The football Championship play-off final had been played that day and there was a heavy police presence at King's Cross.  Lots of Leeds and WBA fans, some worse for the weather.  I knew Leeds had won without being told.  WBA fans, families, sat together on benches, so glum, inconsolable, many in tears.  I saw one Leeds fan, who was fairly plastered, go over to a group of the rival supporters, to say "I hope you all have a wonderful evening".  It was quite funny, in a way, as his speech was so slurred and he was having trouble staying upright.  But I could see not far away the banter was changing to scuffles and police intervening.  So I scooted off back to my Swedish prison cell.  Remembered I had a cheese & pickle sandwich (left over from the ride) there.  I had put it in the bin, but it was fine. Retrieved and very nice with a beer it was too.

This was the Balti garlic chicken waiting for me back home.  Just a little leftover sauce and pre-cooked (MDB MKI) chicken from the freezer. Top banana though!   













This was my third Ride London.  Before these Velo Birmingham, twice.  Reckon I'll call it a draw.  Not a Spring chicken anymore.  The main reason, however, is that these big events can work out pricey.  Not much change back from £500 these days, for a 2 night stay.  Been looking and I can get a 2 week holiday in Turkey for less.  This is my plan for next year.  When there, I will force myself to live (entirely) on kebabs, every day!  It will be a new and worthwhile challenge. 

Rob