Off topic - Living in London

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 16 Mar 2006, 12:09

I treated myself to lunch at Le gavroche on Monday. Not as grand as it sounds. They do the full works ( from a limited menu ) including service, coffee etc etc and 1/2 a bottle of wine for £46 which is F**king good value.

Anyway, I had a Ladoix 2001. A pinot from the beaune region of Burgundy . Just lovely.

At the moment, I have been trying a lot of whites. Particularly Condrieu ( Vigionier ) and Chenin Blanc ( Loire )

I drink mainly New world, but I have been trying a few Old World classics recently.

I am publishing a book soon called " Old world classics Through New World Glasses" The idea is that you discover old world wines which are not classified by grape but by region (which is confusing. ) by trying some of their new world counterparts

So

Pinot from NZ and Burgundy
sauv blanc from NZ and loire
Malbec from Argentina and Cahor ( James you should, if you have not try wines from Cahor )
Carmamere from Chile and Merlot from The Rhone
Riesling from Australia and from Germany
Zinfandel from The US and Primitivo from Italy

etc etc

I can see some great tastings in my future

Slapsie

J · Post by J » 16 Mar 2006, 12:15

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Far more interested in the chance of a 'fully interactive' experience if you get where I'm coming from.

can i have my porn dvd back then?

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 16 Mar 2006, 12:24

Don't know what you're on about old son.

J · Post by J » 16 Mar 2006, 12:41

thats typical that is.

burned them cds yet or dont ya know bout them either.

Loynesy · Post by **Loynesy** » 16 Mar 2006, 12:44

excellent idea Slapsie, will be sure to purchase a copy. Be sure to include a section of Californian Rhone Rangers.

Incidenallty, best wine resource on the net is http://www.erobertparker.com - the forum is brilliant: you ask for a tasting note of the most obscure wine and you will get a reply from 5 people who know what they are taling about withni an hour (bit like Boxrec....)

James - enjoy the South American drumming. These threads are always amusing to get an insight to what posters like other than boxing, I am being dragged to the Affordable Art Fair by my wife this evening. Only in the Art World can affrodable be defined as "no more than £3,000".

Think I'd prefer the drumming....

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 16 Mar 2006, 12:50

There's an interesting art fair in Brixton in summer, the urban art fair in Josephine avenue, will be entering some prints this year.

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 16 Mar 2006, 13:00

Slapsie Maxie wrote:I treated myself to lunch at Le gavroche on Monday. Not as grand as it sounds. They do the full works ( from a limited menu ) including service, coffee etc etc and 1/2 a bottle of wine for £46 which is F**king good value.

Anyway, I had a Ladoix 2001. A pinot from the beaune region of Burgundy . Just lovely.

At the moment, I have been trying a lot of whites. Particularly Condrieu ( Vigionier ) and Chenin Blanc ( Loire )

I drink mainly New world, but I have been trying a few Old World classics recently.

I am publishing a book soon called " Old world classics Through New World Glasses" The idea is that you discover old world wines which are not classified by grape but by region (which is confusing. ) by trying some of their new world counterparts

So

Pinot from NZ and Burgundy
sauv blanc from NZ and loire
Malbec from Argentina and Cahor ( James you should, if you have not try wines from Cahor )
Carmamere from Chile and Merlot from The Rhone
Riesling from Australia and from Germany
Zinfandel from The US and Primitivo from Italy

etc etc

I can see some great tastings in my future

Slapsie

Try Rieslings from Alsace; and have your fare share of Spanish reds - they're getting better and better (not only Rioja, also Ribera de Duero, Penedes, e.g.). Finally, in the US wines from Washintton State are badly underrated.

Btw, 46 pounds for a lunch is too much; turn and twist it as you wish. London isn't good value for money.

P

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 16 Mar 2006, 13:03

J wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:Far more interested in the chance of a 'fully interactive' experience if you get where I'm coming from.
can i have my porn dvd back then?

He'll need that when he doesn't get his 'fully interactive experience'! ;)

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 16 Mar 2006, 13:10

£46 = $85 ish which is about the same as the set lunch at the NYC equivalent, Bouley. Le Gavroche was a lot better

I am certainly putting lots of Spanish ( my main area of choice ) not just the obvious suspects but things like rueda, Biezzo and Xacoli

I like the Oregon Pinots and washington Pinots far better than anything further south. I just think Napa etc is not suited. Australia is the same, although the Yearring Valley is producing some decent ones ( v similar terroir to Burgundy

The best NW Pinots though, are coming from Central Otago in NZ. Not cheap, but stunning. The Supermarkets are catching on to NZ wines which means that they are now being produced to a price and going the way of Australian wines. NZ Sauvignon should not be able to be bought for under £10. If it is, there is a reason and it is usually the supplier is being screwed up the arse by the supermarket.

Slapsie

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 16 Mar 2006, 13:38

Just thought I'd remind everyone that Slapsie is from Rotherham. Never forget this material fact. 8)

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 16 Mar 2006, 13:39

I've noticed there seem to be a wider and wider selection of Spanish wines available, once upon a time it was either Rioja or dodgy piss thin gutrot red and that was about it.

Forget what it was now, but bought a bottle in Marks and Sparks last week, in fact here it is......

http://www.marksandspencer.com/IWCatPro ... Id=1700575

werre lovely that....glug

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 16 Mar 2006, 13:49

Give me Thunderbird any day of the week.

http://www.bumwine.com/bumwine/thunderbird.jpg

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 16 Mar 2006, 13:53

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:Just thought I'd remind everyone that Slapsie is from Rotherham. Never forget this material fact. 8)

Yes, one can see why he has gone to such great pains as reinvent himself as the greatest sophisticate this side of the Watford gap, the alternatives don't bear thinking about.

Hardhitters11 · Post by **Hardhitters11** » 16 Mar 2006, 14:15

A wine is lovely with a good meal although I know a fair bit about good wines I mainly drink lager, I find men that drink wine all the time are usually feminine.

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 16 Mar 2006, 14:21

Slapsie Maxie wrote:£46 = $85 ish which is about the same as the set lunch at the NYC equivalent, Bouley. Le Gavroche was a lot better

I am certainly putting lots of Spanish ( my main area of choice ) not just the obvious suspects but things like rueda, Biezzo and Xacoli

I like the Oregon Pinots and washington Pinots far better than anything further south. I just think Napa etc is not suited. Australia is the same, although the Yearring Valley is producing some decent ones ( v similar terroir to Burgundy

The best NW Pinots though, are coming from Central Otago in NZ. Not cheap, but stunning. The Supermarkets are catching on to NZ wines which means that they are now being produced to a price and going the way of Australian wines. NZ Sauvignon should not be able to be bought for under £10. If it is, there is a reason and it is usually the supplier is being screwed up the arse by the supermarket.

Slapsie

Everybody has adifferent budget and different ideas what to do with it; but to pay $85 for a meal it better be (i) dinner, (ii) a very special occasion, and (iii) excellent. As for wines, Chardonnays from Washington State can be brilliant - e.g. Chateau St. Michelle. And don't forget my Alsace Rieslings.

Cheers, P

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 16 Mar 2006, 19:52

One for you anti-London boys!!

I'm a North Londoner myself but originally from West London

http://www.peterkaystore.co.uk/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 16 Mar 2006, 20:10

Slapsie Maxie wrote:£46 = $85 ish which is about the same as the set lunch at the NYC equivalent, Bouley. Le Gavroche was a lot better

I am certainly putting lots of Spanish ( my main area of choice ) not just the obvious suspects but things like rueda, Biezzo and Xacoli

I like the Oregon Pinots and washington Pinots far better than anything further south. I just think Napa etc is not suited. Australia is the same, although the Yearring Valley is producing some decent ones ( v similar terroir to Burgundy

The best NW Pinots though, are coming from Central Otago in NZ. Not cheap, but stunning. The Supermarkets are catching on to NZ wines which means that they are now being produced to a price and going the way of Australian wines. NZ Sauvignon should not be able to be bought for under £10. If it is, there is a reason and it is usually the supplier is being screwed up the arse by the supermarket.

Slapsie

Can I have my Porn DVD back then?

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 17 Mar 2006, 06:57

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:Just thought I'd remind everyone that Slapsie is from Rotherham. Never forget this material fact. 8)

Ah, Ian. Have I ever denied it? Very proud of it in fact

Sitting here as I am pondering on the fine Mersault I have in store for my supper, your barbs are nothing but Lilliputian arrows

Slapsie

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 17 Mar 2006, 07:02

Wasn't he the central character in L'Etranger?

If you're having a manic depressive Algerian for supper then you'll need some decent plonk to wash that down.

Dirk Kelly · Post by **Dirk Kelly** » 21 Mar 2006, 07:08

Bit of help please.

I'm taking some clients to see Guys and Dolls at PICCADILLY THEATRE
DENMAN ST LONDON W1V.

Can someone please recommend a good restaurant nearby, not too fussy on what type of food we eat, just somewhere nice!

Thanks

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 21 Mar 2006, 07:12

You're only 7-8 minutes walk from Asia de Cuba. Depends on your budget

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 21 Mar 2006, 07:55

if your budget is limited, try Chowki on Windmill St. An Indian place where they vary the menu each moth with chefs from three different regions.

Also, close by ( Newburgh St, just off Carnaby st - so 10 mins away ) is La Trouvaille a very decent french place that wont break the bank.

On Brewer St, you have the Zilli place if you want fish. I have not been in ages, so can't comment

Randall & Aubin (sp?) on the same st is good for seafood, though gets a bit chocker

I like the Japanese places on that st too, but am not sure if your clients will mind eating kaiten style ( seated at a converyor belt - a bit like Yo Sushi but better ) If not, Kulu Kulu is the best option

Slapsie

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 21 Mar 2006, 07:59

Randall and Aubin is a good one, lovely bit of seafood in there.

Dirk Kelly · Post by **Dirk Kelly** » 21 Mar 2006, 08:31

Thanks guys!

Dirk Kelly · Post by **Dirk Kelly** » 07 Apr 2006, 04:55

Thanks Slapsie, went to Chowki last night with clients and it was fantastic, excellent food and drink and brilliant staff and not too pricey either.

High recommend.

Thanks again,

Dopey