SeanMacGabhann

I used to live 5 doors away from him in Cricklewood -

MP - "not a flicker of emotion" * cough * I believe I replied? But I know exactly where you are coming from - story of my life at work every day..

Didn't Gustav Holst used to live/teach here as well?

When I briefly took up smoking in the mid 90s (difficult time yadda yadda) Marlboro Reds were my smoke of choice

buggie - too many areas to suggest. Depends on the picnicers and how much shade/sun they like but the trees near the far side of the pond is my preferred spot citizen - wasn't knocking the suggested date - just remembering the reason for moving forum drinks. Plus I'm just jealous as I'm away ( I THINK it's that weekend.. lemme check)

is this cool? IS THIS cool? IS THIS COOL???

Add me to the pro-Ken list - with the slight caveat that he has been there a fair old while and a change may not be a bad thing Only problem is, in every election Ken has stood for he hasn't had a single strong opponent. Fear'n'Boozin is correct; Boris is far cleverer than the buffoon he likes to portray, but I'm not sure what he stands for. And I wouldn't vote for him One of Ken's strengths is he has his position and is willing to spend years in the wilderness until his time comes round again. And despite the opprobrium heaped upon him when he was "wasting millions" opposing the PPP tube deal he has again been proved right with the Metronet fiasco But good to see most people on hear differing from the predictable anti-Ken-squaks eminanting from Associated Press and LBC. He ain't perfect but until a better candidate stands forward.. PS - That better candidate is not Gary bleedin' Bushell

Although what would be funny would be if Madworld74 posted something like.. "I've just realised I made a typo in my first post - all of the events happened but when I said Liqourice I was confusing the place with.. " [sniiiip - legal editor]

I think a few people are away that weekend citizen - although it remains a fine idea

The online menu versus the current "actual" menu illustrates my point - something has gone wrong at the bar and we can talk till we are blue in the face but to sum up the facts (rather than opinions): Some people have never liked Liqourish because of it's style - but lots of us like it for same reason For people who like it, it has gone downhill within last 18 months or so A recent appointment of new manager has yet to see an improvement The real (as opposed to virtual) menu has shrunk and is inflexible Service did not deal with a (slightly) awkward request very well They are losing customers because of the above (and not the smoking ban) That about sum it up? All the rest of the to-ing and fro-ing about what should and shouldn't be acceptable/possible in the outer reaches of zone2/zone3 is fun, but if I was the manager of the place I would like a quick summary of what the problem is (from a punter perspective)

but they wanted it open because of the unique fixture and fittings or somesuch

And they've had a spruce up on the exterior... I had a neighbour who was heavily into guns but even he never mentioned this place Reminds me of the AmmuNation stores in Grand Theft Auto

rightio Mr Piers - I'm nottaking this lying down (no matter how true it might be) off to the English Market in Cork we go.... !!

As someone who travels far west and north in this country reasonably regularly I have to both agree and disagree with Louisa on this one In many places the idea of tarting up a joint, inflating the prices and serving bad food is more prevelant than in London - it appeals to the middle of the road clientele who think they are eating posh. Lower down the scale are the everyday chain pubs and eateries you get everywhere, including London But for anyone who likes and knows good food it is easy to tell where somewhere is making an effort and I am rarely disappointed (or over excited to be fair) when I eat out elsewhere in the country. Standards have improved a lot - they just aren't where they could be (which shows how low they were) and customers ARE demanding more which is one of they key drivers Accepting it's "where we live" and "it's always what it's been like" aren't really hepful attitudes - in any walk of life

Well, say what you will about Bowie (and you don't want to be stuck on an 8 hour flight next to me on the subject) but the album which spawned this song is the least representative of anything he has ever done, coming as it did before any kind of fame beckoned. Apart from the Title track and one other, both of which he had already written, the rest of the album was very last minute with all of the proggy/guitar solo stuff being produced by Mick Ronson and Tony Visconti whicle Bowie canoodled with his missus in the corner I never listen to the album itself Hunky Dory, Ziggy, Young Americans, StationToStation, Low, Scary Monsters, 1.Outside and Heathen would be the touchstones for me

As this came on my shuffle in 3 different forms this morning - have a gander at this take on an old classic The Man Who Sold The World

* beer? at this hour? bit early Jah so I'll stick with the bourbon till lunch - but cheers anyway * * what's cooking today? *

On a quiet day the Gowlett can have an odd atmos but I've always found the staff some of the friendliest in town (ditto sister pub The Nuns Head)

I think the kicker was the way it was handled and then trying to charge the customer.... The lack of veggie options is a seperate issue in a way... I have been a champion of this place in the past but I fear this kind of encounter is not limited to someone ordering a veggie snack off-piste It is a small place in ED but it goes (or went) out of it's way to advertise and it's food (Head chef named at bottom of the menu etc) so it shouldn't be beyond it's ken Hopefully the new manager will read and respond??

* looks out hotel window and sees what can only be described as "a man on a mission" headed to the ranch * * grabs pistol, boots and wallet and heads for door *

Clonakilty Black & White puddings are usually available in Vals grocer - opposite Library at top of LL - if that;s out of your way I'll pick some up before the next forum meetup Might be in the Irish Shop as well but I never go in there

Ouch MW - that was a shocker The new manager posted on here about 6 weeks ago to apologise for recent shambles, but apparantly the situation is as bad as it has been I really worried about this place when Nathan had to leave last year (?) and my worries have come to pass (might have to review my pub list as well now) I've not had an experience THAT bad, but "the vibe" it used to have is definitely AWOL

* cough * Co Cork black pudding is, I would humbly suggest, the equal of, if not better than Northern black pudding Available in East Dulwich too

Didn't recognize the bloke (or his mates) - wasn't sure if he lived locally or she did (she said she would have to take the food to his place - after buying it in ED)

Keef - you are forgetting herbs and spices.. No fry-up is worthy of the name without black (and preferably white as well) pudding