more food for thought

Tuesday 19th June

When in Barcelona earlier this month, Ruth had bought a tin of Navaja, which are razor clams. I had previously come across these in a virtually living state in Valencia, and we had them at a restaurant. They were very expensive and tasted of rubber with a consistency of rubber. Never again.
The tin is the same thing, They were not so rubbery, but tasted like non-specific seafood. I won't be bothering again, and would not recommend them for the English taste.
Wednesday 20th June
A meeting was provided with Indian take away

Food  of the gods. Amazing that Indian/Bangladeshi food had penetrated so completely into the society of Britain these past 40 years. It has taken over from more traditional take away food which has become too expensive and a bit bland. This lot came from the Shapla Tandoori in Barnet,
http://www.shaplaindianrestaurant.co.uk/index.php?page_id=3&page_name=menu
and was pretty good. I will definitely have to organise an outing there to try them as a restaurant. Pity that one won't be able to try such a magnificent variety. It was all good. No complaints here.
Thursday 21st June, Manchester.
Went out with my sister to Petra restaurant
http://www.petra2eat.co.uk/
She said it was Lebanese, Petra presumably locates it to Jordan, but website calls it Middle Eastern. From the outside you would not guess exactly apart from the Arabic script. For a Thursday night it was packed with a mixture of private diners and what looked like family parties.

I had the Kibbeh Makli to start (tasty and competent) and we both had mixed kebab for main. It was accompanied by Pitta style bread. I also had (on left) a dish of spinach and yoghourt.. Food was tasty and seemed authentic. Service a little haphazard, but they were busy. Quite reasonable and a full meal for the two of us came to £40. No alcohol, but byo and corkage of £1.

Friday 22nd June.
Return from Manchester. Went with Virgin trains first class. I thought there would be a lunch service but was bitterly disappointed:

Virgin trains idea of lunch in First Class (Not cheap) is a bag of crisps, a sandwich (coronation chicken), a piece of fruit and a chocolate biscuit. Richard, you should be ashamed.