SeanMacGabhann

damn you Carnell! But the point is a good one as no-one seems to be making the point that IF Pakistani's had an empire which included Britain and IF any vaguely looking caucasian living in that empire were routinely beaten up and called "a f****ing Brit", then there might be cause for "brits" to equate the two terms When the term "Paki" isn't routinely used by thugs with deliberate malice to anyone who happens to have a skin tone darker than mothers pride bread, then maybe we can enjoy calling each other by whatever part of the world we come from. We aren't there yet

And the business leaders you mention are only too happy to drum up that fear matthew - how realistic is it? Something other than the number of runways is wrong if we can't better manage the 5 or 6 airports currently servicing London But I agree with you on encouraging more rail use

the debate is whether they DO benefit the great british public tho..

There is a difference between using something and saying we need more of something tho LadyGooner No-one is campaigning to close down Heathrow (or any of the other London airports) For some reason the push for a third runway reminds me of the recent (and by all means feel free to admit it passed you by - it passed most people by) format wars between HD-DVD and BluRay. Touted as a solution to a problem that didn't really exist in the way it did before, it invoved a lot of corporate muscle, inbvestment and inconvenience on the part ofthe consumer (who would have had to replace old DVDs) and at a time when the very viability of the need for a new "hard" format was being questioned, with HD content now viable over a pipe into the home I wouldn't be against a 3rd runway per se, but given the impact (ecological, noise, local area) versus the benefits (anyone?? and before you list them, is it really not possible via existing airports and/or rail options), this one seems to be a white elephant in the making

more likely to be corner of LL and East Dulwich Grove these days, but trade has dropped off in these hard times. And I'm not getting any younger

Never did buy them in the end MW, so.. nothing to sell - sorry

They best get the ice cream supplies in - I fancy one of their solero cocktails

good shout georgia

you big meanie Ted! Alas I won't be able to make this year's - other commitments which I can't get out of. but 2008 was awesome But I can't say clearly enough just how lovely this festival is. Great band selection, great environment, great cinema tent - only 5000 people tops. Even the loos don't get too bad

yikes - I only wanted to distinguish between pubcos selling dodgy food at inflated prices and genuine gastropubs. I'm not sure I'm qualified to say anymore than that, but I like the look of Louisa's last summary!

I'm answering because I nearly included the Magnolia and then didn't. Feel free to not read tho! It might be - i wouldn't include it as such as the ambition to be "gastro" isn't really there. They aren't aiming to be fancy-dan, just-shy-of-a-michelin-star - and that's a strength of their's I say. I eat there more often than anywhere else

apart from being slightly harsh about the atmos I would say you are in agreement with me. A restaurant (let's use Le Moulin as a mutual example) has no bar area. A gastropub, even with a bar area as stingy as Palmerston can still qualify as a pub And remember one of the main reasons they are doing this is more to stay in business than it is to get rich. My brother manages pubs old-school pubs without food, and they are all dying on their arse. The natural punter for this type of place is a much-reduced breed. I don't blame the pubs for doing what they can..

It isn't somewhere i go that often. I used to before. . When it was a lord. I would say that and franklins are the only places which could be called gastro pubs. The others are pubs and bars that do food. In the case of the mag, very good food.

too much Soccer AM Ted?

it's all in the game yo Seeing as how Sarah Dew has gone post-mad for the first time today seems as good a time as any to say "welcome to the forum Sarah" are you the same Sarah I spoke with on Friday night?

I haven't seen the photos from Friday night online yet - they usually appear by about page 5 or 6 after the event Hope it wasn't me that was rude to you either Miles - we met briefly at start of evening As for the ladies who have posted details of their dates .. I've met some of you and can't believe some of the things those guys did. Is that commonplace???

I've said it before and I'll say it again - these are not gastro pubs. A gastro pub is when a talented chef takes over a previously ailing/run down/cheap pub and starts to do good food. Properly A pubco charging a tenner for microwaved "pie" and flock wallpaper does not a gastropub make. A 21st century pub yes, but gastropub no. I don't see anything inherently wrong with gastropubs, but there is something very cynical and horrible about the types of pubs people generally call gastropubs

Thanks for the head-up louisiana..

you can see how confusion arises... I mean generally. If the devil is in the detail.. In fairness JamesG I agree with much of what you are saying in principle. I just haven't had anything like the experience you had. As for british people being unable to complain, I wish that were true. In my experience british people like nothing better than to complain

I was up there a few weeks back and noticed the beginnings of a transformation. Not sure if it has progressed to meet the description Sue describes above but hopefully it has. I generally like Sue's taste in pubs so will be back again soon

Gen17 - it's a perennial problem. People have become genuine, day-to-day bona-fide friends and after a year they still instinctively call each other by forum names Names-schmames - if you meet people and look forward to seeing them again then that;s the main thing I reckon. Glad you enjoyed it so much

The precursor to the wire, The Corner, is being shown on FX on Sky starting Monday The Corner

6 months ago I would have agreed about the Plough food but they have revamped the menu recently (which I think means ticking different boxes on the order form) and it is more edible now. But it does get to the nub of why I hate chains so much. I now know that even when I go back to Exeter and visit my favourite pubs I will get exactly the same rubbish version of a steak "pie" that I do in the Clock House and the Wood House. And that's bad enough but charging gastropub prices for microwave food is bang out of order The Bishop is edging closer to a chain - there are what, 4 of them now? But Scott is still hands on enough to have his stamp, the food has always been decent and has got better of late IMO (him listening to feedback, unlike a head office going "well, the balance sheet says...." and if I go and stay up the country I won't be eating anywhere like it. It's local to the area Spoke to Mrs MacGabhann (town planner) who informs me that legally chains become chains after 9 establishments. Sounds about right. That;s when you surely lose any control of what you started Liqourish has had some shocking periods too but appears to be getting back on track. Not to my taste mind you, but tangibly "of quality" Pubcos - I don't mind you existing but please - let the landlord buy his beer where he/she can, and let them cook real food of their own choosing instead of the baby-food pap you send down to them

Youngs pubs. No good food. Several of my favourite pubs around the country have been ruined by them. Some good refurbs to be fair but the menu and food has more to do with spreadsheets than cooking.

back to Sunday Supplement for me then...Brian Woolnough - coooar!