OK when you travel you just want to be where you are going. Everyone is a little grumpy, sitting in those little sits people next to you lack of sleep everything just get to you. However with all this going on the cabin crew in most cases are happy and willing to do whatever they can to make you trip a little bit more pleasant.
Now lets get down to Air France and how they did on my flight to Cameroon from Paris.
So as normal we took off and within 30-45 minutes we were brought a menu and a drink. I had a gin and tonic, a bottle of wine and a bottle of water.
Then it came to dinner, now I have been a lot of flights with the job that I do, so I do have a few points of reference. This time they offered chicken or fish with a side salad, some pasta with a little tomato sauce and a sweet tart. With some small bread rolls. One thing that I have to say is that I do like that the fact that Air France has lots of bread rolls and they allow you to have more than one if you want.
The chicken was OK, the salad was pleasant, well everything was OK. A lot better than a lot of airlines that I have been on but worse than others.
In general the flight was good, although the seats are a little cramped, but crew were all very nice and there was plenty of drinks at the back of the flight that you could help yourself too.
The only thing that is bad in my opinion about flying with Air France is CDG. Now there is another topic of discussion that I really shouldn't get into.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Costa Coffee - Heathrow Terminal 4
OK so today is the day that I had to go back to work for 5 weeks and as always I was up early and off to an airport. This time it was Heathrow terminal 4. After being up at 5.30 then the drive to the airport, I had, had no breakfast so was on the hunt for something before flying to Paris. In the end I settled for a cooked chicken and bacon sandwich with mozzarella.
Now as always at an airport you have to pay a high price for anything over £3 pounds in this case, and as with many chain coffee shops they offer for the sandwich to be toasted. Which I opted for. The sandwich itself was ok, what you expect. Tasty enough but nothing special, just something to fill the whole. BUT why is it that at airport chains the staff don't really care what you want, just want to get the food out. I wasn't asked if I wanted it to take away or sit in, and even after trying to rectify the issue they still insisted on giving it me to eat in. Which was a pain in the backside. Not only this, it took ages for me to get the food, almost to the point I had to leave without my sandwich. OK the place was busy, but then I have been in coffee shops in London a lot busier and they seem to get the job done. Now I know that this seems like I am moaning, but I'm not. In an airport you pay a premium because of where you are, but your time is important, and if you go to these type of places, they should know that, and should still be helpful and courteous.
I must say today's experience hasn't left me wanting to go back to Costa anytime soon.
Now as always at an airport you have to pay a high price for anything over £3 pounds in this case, and as with many chain coffee shops they offer for the sandwich to be toasted. Which I opted for. The sandwich itself was ok, what you expect. Tasty enough but nothing special, just something to fill the whole. BUT why is it that at airport chains the staff don't really care what you want, just want to get the food out. I wasn't asked if I wanted it to take away or sit in, and even after trying to rectify the issue they still insisted on giving it me to eat in. Which was a pain in the backside. Not only this, it took ages for me to get the food, almost to the point I had to leave without my sandwich. OK the place was busy, but then I have been in coffee shops in London a lot busier and they seem to get the job done. Now I know that this seems like I am moaning, but I'm not. In an airport you pay a premium because of where you are, but your time is important, and if you go to these type of places, they should know that, and should still be helpful and courteous.
I must say today's experience hasn't left me wanting to go back to Costa anytime soon.
Monday, 10 January 2011
Lunch at the Square and Compasses
Today after a raving review by a good friend me and my girlfriend decided to go to The Square and Compasses in Fairstead, Chelmsford for a last meal before I fly off to Africa for work tomorrow (the details for the pub are below).
First let me say that the location of this pub/restaurant is stunning. It is out in the countryside of Essex, with beautiful view all around. It is a little bit of a pain to get to, driving down country roads but trust me it is worth it.
The pub itself is lovely, traditional with a warm relaxing atmosphere. It is the type of place where you can sit by the open fire with a pint/glass of wine and relax reading a book or talking to friends. There are plenty of books on the shelves, which I am assuming aren't just for decoration. One thing that I really like about this place, is that they try and source all the food and drink locally. Coo-toes to the owners. Perfect for a lazy afternoon lunch. I have attached just a few images I took while there.
As with most restaurants now, we were brought bread before our starters arrived. Although as a nice touch it also came with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, plus the usual butter. Now although the bread was nice I have to say that it was a little tough.
Starter
I had the locally shot pigeon, with black pudding and suede mash (Image attached). Now this was a treat. The pigeon was cooked perfectly and the black pudding was amazing, maybe the best that I have had for a long while, soft flavorful. The red wine jus was also very tasty. Now if you look at the picture the edge of the plate looks a little messy but that was me, I got a little excited, forgetting to take a picture before starting my meal.
All in all a good 8.5 out of 10.
Main Course
The main I finally chose was the partridge with onion mash local root veg and a puff pasty base and top. This was good food that you want and dream about on a cold winters day. It had a rich flavor you associate with game. This type of food always take me back to living in Gloucestershire having a good game stew on a cold day prepared by my grandmother or mother.
The side order of winter veg was very nice too. I really enjoyed the red cabbage, which I'm not sure but think it was cooked with either honey or sugar slowly with some butter. Don't take my word for this however, it is a guess.
There was only 2 things that I not so much didn't like but thought could have been different. The first was the mash. I didn't think that the onion mash went that well with the rest of the dish. The onions were a little hash on the pallet. The second is some of the partridge was left on the bone, on a few occasion I bit into a small bone. Although I do understand why the chef left the meat on the bone. A partridge is a small bird and aesthetically it was a pleasurable sight.
I would say a good 7/7.5 out of 10
Conclusion
I know that both my girlfriend and I enjoyed the meal, the atmosphere and the location. I would recommend it to anyone who was in the area for a really pleasant and relaxing lunch or dinner. The menu has all you local pub fav's (burgers, fish and chips, gammon etc) and the specials board (of which I ate from) was very good. Everything is sourced locally with a friendly staff. It did take a little time to get another drink, but the place was busy so that is forgivable.
A very pleasant afternoon, that I would happily repeat anytime.
Pub/Restaurant Details
The Square and Compasses
Fuller Street
Fairstead
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 2BB
Tel: 01245 361477
Fax: 01245 361548
Email: info@thesquareandcompasses.co.uk
Saturday and Sunday
12noon to 11.00pm
First let me say that the location of this pub/restaurant is stunning. It is out in the countryside of Essex, with beautiful view all around. It is a little bit of a pain to get to, driving down country roads but trust me it is worth it.
The pub itself is lovely, traditional with a warm relaxing atmosphere. It is the type of place where you can sit by the open fire with a pint/glass of wine and relax reading a book or talking to friends. There are plenty of books on the shelves, which I am assuming aren't just for decoration. One thing that I really like about this place, is that they try and source all the food and drink locally. Coo-toes to the owners. Perfect for a lazy afternoon lunch. I have attached just a few images I took while there. So now to the food.
As with most restaurants now, we were brought bread before our starters arrived. Although as a nice touch it also came with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, plus the usual butter. Now although the bread was nice I have to say that it was a little tough. 
I had the locally shot pigeon, with black pudding and suede mash (Image attached). Now this was a treat. The pigeon was cooked perfectly and the black pudding was amazing, maybe the best that I have had for a long while, soft flavorful. The red wine jus was also very tasty. Now if you look at the picture the edge of the plate looks a little messy but that was me, I got a little excited, forgetting to take a picture before starting my meal.
All in all a good 8.5 out of 10.
Main CourseThe main I finally chose was the partridge with onion mash local root veg and a puff pasty base and top. This was good food that you want and dream about on a cold winters day. It had a rich flavor you associate with game. This type of food always take me back to living in Gloucestershire having a good game stew on a cold day prepared by my grandmother or mother.
The side order of winter veg was very nice too. I really enjoyed the red cabbage, which I'm not sure but think it was cooked with either honey or sugar slowly with some butter. Don't take my word for this however, it is a guess.
There was only 2 things that I not so much didn't like but thought could have been different. The first was the mash. I didn't think that the onion mash went that well with the rest of the dish. The onions were a little hash on the pallet. The second is some of the partridge was left on the bone, on a few occasion I bit into a small bone. Although I do understand why the chef left the meat on the bone. A partridge is a small bird and aesthetically it was a pleasurable sight.
I would say a good 7/7.5 out of 10
Conclusion
I know that both my girlfriend and I enjoyed the meal, the atmosphere and the location. I would recommend it to anyone who was in the area for a really pleasant and relaxing lunch or dinner. The menu has all you local pub fav's (burgers, fish and chips, gammon etc) and the specials board (of which I ate from) was very good. Everything is sourced locally with a friendly staff. It did take a little time to get another drink, but the place was busy so that is forgivable.
A very pleasant afternoon, that I would happily repeat anytime.
Pub/Restaurant Details
The Square and Compasses
Fuller Street
Fairstead
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 2BB
Tel: 01245 361477
Fax: 01245 361548
Email: info@thesquareandcompasses.co.uk
Opening Times:
Monday to Friday
11.30am to 3.00pm
6.00pm to 11.00pm
11.30am to 3.00pm
6.00pm to 11.00pm
Saturday and Sunday
12noon to 11.00pm
Sunday, 9 January 2011
First Post - The Hare (Sunday 09-01-11)
OK so first of all I have to say that this isn't actually an original idea. I was talking to a good friend of mine deli2dinners who blogs about where she eats and I thought to myself, that's a good idea. So I'll do the same.
Now I live in Essex, but travel all over the world with work so these blogs will have restaurants from all over the UK and the world. I hope that you enjoy.
So let me begin.
Today I went to The Hare in Roxwell, Essex (the details will be below), with 4 friends for Sunday lunch. It was a beautiful day perfect for a Sunday lunch with friends. This is the first time I've been there and it won't be the last. As I understand it they have just done the place up and I have to say they have done a good job of it. It's by a small river and the view from outside is lovely. Inside the decor is cosy and the staff were helpful and informed about the menu and specials.
The choice for Sunday lunch is good. There were numerous starters, pate, soup, salad, prawn and crayfish cocktail and more. As you may imagine there was the obvious roast beef, pork, and chicken but they also offered salmon, sausage and mash and a steak and ale pie. I went for the prawn and crayfish cocktail, followed by the sausage and mash with onion gravy.
Starters
With the starters they brought out some really nice fresh bread and butter. The prawn cocktail was tasty and good sized portions. There was a nice bed of salad with a slice of lemon which went really well with the sauce and the fish. It was nicely presented.
All in all a good 8 out of 10 in my book.
Main
Now I live in Essex, but travel all over the world with work so these blogs will have restaurants from all over the UK and the world. I hope that you enjoy.
So let me begin.
Today I went to The Hare in Roxwell, Essex (the details will be below), with 4 friends for Sunday lunch. It was a beautiful day perfect for a Sunday lunch with friends. This is the first time I've been there and it won't be the last. As I understand it they have just done the place up and I have to say they have done a good job of it. It's by a small river and the view from outside is lovely. Inside the decor is cosy and the staff were helpful and informed about the menu and specials.
The choice for Sunday lunch is good. There were numerous starters, pate, soup, salad, prawn and crayfish cocktail and more. As you may imagine there was the obvious roast beef, pork, and chicken but they also offered salmon, sausage and mash and a steak and ale pie. I went for the prawn and crayfish cocktail, followed by the sausage and mash with onion gravy.
Starters
With the starters they brought out some really nice fresh bread and butter. The prawn cocktail was tasty and good sized portions. There was a nice bed of salad with a slice of lemon which went really well with the sauce and the fish. It was nicely presented.
All in all a good 8 out of 10 in my book.
Main
When the main arrived it looked good, nice local sausages with a creamy mash and onion gravy. Not only that one of my friends gave me her Yorkshire, bonus. Being completely objective about it. The gravy was a little salty and the sausages had a few too many herbs in them which meant that you couldn't taste the meat as much as you may like. But remember that this is just my tastes and you may think differently. The mash was indeed creamy, flavorful and the onions were cooked beautifully. All in all it was nice.
A good 7 out of 10.
Overall
I would happily recommend this restaurant/pub to friends or family and I will definitely return for a Sunday lunch or try a meal during the week. At the end of the day it is Sunday Lunch type of food, hearty, comforting and just what you need to help with that hangover.
One thing I feel I should mention is a friend of mine had the chicken salad as a starter, I must say that the portion was a little small, but I think that was made up for with the sizes of the mains.
All of this for £20 each including the tip. Good value if you ask me.
The Hare
8 reviews
Roxwell Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4LU 01245 248 788 |
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